The Best Schools in Wales
(Photo of Cardiff Sixth Form College)
The Best Schools in Wales
The Best Private Schools in Wales, based on 2025's A-level and GCSE results
Clean and green, Wales has some top performing independent schools which are something of a well-kept secret. A couple of schools have some of the highest Medical School progression rates in the UK, and many offer generous bursary and scholarship opportunities for both local and international students alike.
The league table below lists each school’s percentage of A-Level entries awarded A* and A grades, and percentage of the top GCSE grades (A*/A or 9, 8 and 7.)
The latest grades are from the summer of 2025 when the national average for A-levels was 28.2% and GCSEs was 21.8%. For independent schools the average was 48.4% (A-levels) and 48.1% (GCSEs).
Please click on a school name for more information and remember to use TSG’s guides on how to choose and apply to the best schools.
| Rank | School | A-Level A*/A% | GCSE A*/A% | Gender | County | Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | School: Cardiff Sixth Form College | A-Level A*/A%: 94.09% | GCSE A*/A%: 73.86% | Gender: Co-ed | County: Glamorgan | Boarding: Day, Boarding |
| 2 | School: St Michael’s School Llanelli | A-Level A*/A%: 80.00% | GCSE A*/A%: 78.22% | Gender: Co-ed | County: Carmarthenshire | Boarding: Day, Boarding |
| 3 | School: The Cathedral School Llandaff | A-Level A*/A%: 72.20% | GCSE A*/A%: 69.75% | Gender: Co-ed | County: Glamorgan | Boarding: Day, |
| 4 | School: St John’s College, Cardiff | A-Level A*/A%: 72.15% | GCSE A*/A%: 79.83% | Gender: Co-ed | County: Glamorgan | Boarding: Day, |
| 5 | School: Rougemont School | A-Level A*/A%: 50.40% | GCSE A*/A%: 52.00% | Gender: Co-ed | County: Monmouthshire | Boarding: Day, |
| 6 | School: Rydal Penrhos School | A-Level A*/A%: 42.22% | GCSE A*/A%: 48.00% | Gender: Co-ed | County: Denbighshire | Boarding: Day, |
| 7 | School: Haberdashers’ Monmouth School | A-Level A*/A%: 38.00% | GCSE A*/A%: 49.00% | Gender: Co-ed | County: Monmouthshire | Boarding: Day, Boarding |
| 8 | School: Myddelton College | A-Level A*/A%: 33.33% | GCSE A*/A%: 29.85% | Gender: Co-ed | County: Denbighshire | Boarding: Day, Boarding |
| 9 | School: St Gerard’s School | A-Level A*/A%: 33.33% | GCSE A*/A%: 56.90% | Gender: Co-ed | County: Gwynedd | Boarding: Day, |
| 10 | School: Christ College Brecon | A-Level A*/A%: 32.89% | GCSE A*/A%: 40.20% | Gender: Co-ed | County: Powys | Boarding: Day, Boarding |
| 11 | School: St David’s College | A-Level A*/A%: 30.40% | GCSE A*/A%: 24.47% | Gender: Co-ed | County: Conwy | Boarding: Day, Boarding |
| 12 | School: UWC Atlantic College | A-Level A*/A%: N/A | GCSE A*/A%: N/A | Gender: Co-ed | County: Glamorgan | Boarding: Day, Boarding |
Important
- All exam result data is for results issued in the summer of 2025, unless otherwise stated. Data is compiled from reliable, official sources and updated when sufficient results have been acquired. Results are updated and amended whenever new information becomes available.
- U/A = results are unavailable. N/A = the school does not offer this curriculum.
- Rating exam results by % of entries at A*-A (A-level), % of entries at 7,8,9 (GCSE) or average IB score per candidate is common practice. However, the format in which the data is presented (specifically, the column headings and calculations conceived for subject-specific league tables and the BTEC league table) is the copyright material of Top School Guide and protected by database right. The content is for personal, non-commerical use only, and you may not reproduce, republish, copy, or otherwise use the format or content in any way.
- League tables should not be used in isolation to identify suitable schools. Every effort is made to verify the data within these tables, but Top School Guide does not accept any liability for your reliance on the information on this site, or any errors or ommissions. Please see our terms for further information.
- Amendments, corrections, and requests to republish can be submitted to hello@topschoolguide.com.
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