Academic Standards and League Tables
UK private schools achieve the very highest academic standards
Some parents choose schools because they show well in the league tables and this is certainly an important factor, but only one of many. It is important to be clear about your child's academic abilities when making your choice.
When checking tables of results, it is important to remember that many private schools opt for the International GSCE in English or Maths, but these results are disregarded by the Government when compiling tables.
At A-level, very small schools or colleges are excluded from the results tables.
The final results collated by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (released on 13 January 2010) show that pupils from independent schools achieved the highest percentage of top grade GSCE passes in 2009. Similarly high percentages are reported for independent schools at A-level and AS-level. Nine out of ten post A-level leavers from private schools go on to higher education.
At primary level, most private prep schools taking part in National Curriculum testing report attainment levels well above national averages.The 2010 A-level results showed that more than 31% of 18 year olds from private schools obtained three A or A* grades, compared with under 11% of those who attended state maintained schools or colleges.