The top UK independent schools, scored openly
Nine pillars, transparent weights, multiple sources. The Houseroom Index blends academic outcomes, destinations, AI & future-readiness, pastoral care, value-add, access, parent sentiment and external consensus — see the methodology.
- #179.6
Latymer Upper School
Hammersmith and Fulhamvs Parent Power #10Academic88Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes89Destinations & outcomes89Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add81Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorCo EdDay11–18Independent co-ed senior school in Hammersmith and Fulham for ages 11–18. Selective entry.
Founder's bursary programme one of the largest in the UK independent sector — fully-funded places added every year since 2024Co-educational on the Hammersmith riverside since 2004TES Independent School of the Year (2018) and ISOTY Winner 2023£31,095/yr day1,440 pupilsEst. 1624 - #279.5
Alleyn's School
Southwarkvs Parent Power #13Academic84Whole-child86Future-ready55Academic outcomes86Destinations & outcomes84Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing95Value-add78Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdDay4–18Independent co-ed all-through school in Southwark for ages 4–18. Selective entry.
Co-educational since 1976 — earlier than most London peersOriginally part of Edward Alleyn's College of God's Gift foundation, sister-school to Dulwich College and JAGSCo-ed Independent School of the Year 2025£19,320 – £31,014/yr day1,164 pupilsEst. 1619 - #378.7
Magdalen College School
Oxfordvs Parent Power #20Academic89Whole-child72Future-ready55Academic outcomes89Destinations & outcomes93Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing70Value-add81Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdDay7–18Independent co-ed all-through school in Oxford for ages 7–18. Selective entry, Christian ethos.
Top independent secondary schoolAwarded Independent School of the Year 2024Strong collegiate musical tradition£24,163 – £30,108/yr day951 pupilsEst. 1480 - #478.4
Surbiton High School
Kingston upon Thamesvs Parent Power #50Academic86Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes84Destinations & outcomes90Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add76Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdDay4–18Independent co-ed all-through school in Kingston upon Thames for ages 4–18. Selective entry, Christian ethos.
Part of United Learning; HMC, Society of Heads and IAPS memberSeven sites including separate Boys' Prep, Girls' Prep, Senior, Sixth Form Centre, Mary Bennett House and sports grounds at Hinchley Wood40+ A-Level subjects offered£26,889/yr day1,058 pupilsEst. 1884 - #577.7
Brighton College
Brighton and Hovevs Parent Power #2Academic81Whole-child86Future-ready55Academic outcomes79Destinations & outcomes85Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing95Value-add71Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdBoth3–18Independent co-ed all-through school in Brighton and Hove for ages 3–18, day or boarding. Selective entry, top-tier London fees.
Located on the south coast with easy access to countryside and seaAward-winning modern campusOutstanding academic results£4,761 – £32,910/yr day1,272 pupilsEst. 1845 - #676.7
Cardiff Sixth Form College
Cardiffvs Parent Power #40Academic79Whole-child86Future-ready55Academic outcomes78Destinations & outcomes82Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing95Value-add70Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70Sixth FormCo EdBoth16–19Independent co-ed sixth-form college in Cardiff for ages 16–19, day or boarding. Selective entry, other ethos, top-tier London fees.
Top academic resultsUniversity-style boarding in single ensuite roomsAward-winning pastoral care and careers provision£30,120 – £34,560/yr day470 pupilsEst. 2004 - #775.3
Caterham School
Surreyvs Parent Power #38Academic65Whole-child86Future-ready95tier 4Academic outcomes60Destinations & outcomes77Future-readiness95Pastoral & wellbeing95Value-add52Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdBoth3–18Independent co-ed all-through school in Surrey for ages 3–18, day or boarding. Selective entry, Christian ethos.
Apple Distinguished SchoolTES Best Independent Senior School 2024Innovative Technology-Led Teaching award winner 2023£27,630 – £28,950/yr day1,012 pupilsEst. 1811 - #874.9
Reigate Grammar School
Surreyvs Parent Power #29Academic75Whole-child86Future-ready55Academic outcomes83Destinations & outcomes67Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing95Value-add75Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorCo EdDay11–18Independent co-ed senior school in Surrey for ages 11–18. Selective entry.
co-educational 11-18 day schoolextensive co-curricular opportunitiespersonalised support£27,795 – £28,545/yr day1,197 pupilsEst. 1675 - #974.5
Emanuel School
Wandsworthvs Parent Power #42Academic78Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes76Destinations & outcomes84Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add68Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdBoth10–19Independent co-ed all-through school in Wandsworth for ages 10–19, day or boarding. Selective entry, Christian ethos.
One of the oldest schools in London (1594, Lady Dacre)Eight vertical houses named after British naval and military heroes50+ clubs and societies£26,151 – £31,381/yr day1,115 pupilsEst. 1594 - #1074.4
Wellington College
Bracknell Forestvs Parent Power #48Academic74Whole-child79Future-ready70Academic outcomes73Destinations & outcomes78Future-readiness70Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add65Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorCo EdBoth13–18Independent co-ed senior school in Bracknell Forest for ages 13–18, day or boarding. Selective entry, C of E ethos, top-tier London fees.
co-educational 13-1880% boarders, 20% day pupilsdiverse intake from over 30 nationalities£45,750/yr day1,180 pupilsEst. 1859 - #1174.4
Kingston Grammar School
Kingston upon Thamesvs Parent Power #30Academic78Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes76Destinations & outcomes84Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add68Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdDay10–18Independent co-ed all-through school in Kingston upon Thames for ages 10–18. Selective entry.
Royal charter granted 1561; educational origins to 13th centuryLovekyn Chapel — one of England's few free-standing chantry chapels (14th century)Michael Frayn Theatre with state-of-the-art technology£25,623 – £29,352/yr day1,010 pupilsEst. 2000 - #1274.3
Sevenoaks School
Kentvs Parent Power #15Academic81Whole-child72Future-ready55Academic outcomes82Destinations & outcomes83Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing70Value-add74Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdBoth11–18Independent co-ed all-through school in Kent for ages 11–18, day or boarding. Selective entry, top-tier London fees.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programmefocus on small tutor groupsstrong university destination record including US, Canada and international£29,937 – £43,383/yr day1,200 pupilsEst. 1432 - #1373.9
The Perse School
Cambridgeshirevs Parent Power #26Academic77Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes84Destinations & outcomes69Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add76Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdDay3–18Independent co-ed all-through school in Cambridgeshire for ages 3–18. Selective entry.
all-through 3-18strong university admissions recordspecialist university application support£27,222/yr day1,200 pupilsEst. 1615 - #1473.7
Concord College
Shropshirevs Parent Power #31Academic77Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes86Destinations & outcomes65Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add78Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorCo EdBoth13–19Independent co-ed senior school in Shropshire for ages 13–19, day or boarding. Selective entry.
international boarding schoolsmall class sizesextensive university guidance£21,600 – £22,500/yr day600 pupilsEst. 1949 - #1572.1
Abingdon School
OxfordshireAcademic74Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes74Destinations & outcomes75Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing70Value-add66Access & breadth90Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdBoth4–18Independent co-ed all-through school in Oxfordshire for ages 4–18, day or boarding. Selective entry.
Co-educationalDay and boardingPrep School for ages 4-13£28,500/yr day200 pupils - #1672.0
Haileybury
HertfordshireAcademic70Whole-child86Future-ready55Academic outcomes70Destinations & outcomes72Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing95Value-add62Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorCo EdBoth11–18Independent co-ed senior school in Hertfordshire for ages 11–18, day or boarding. Selective entry, top-tier London fees.
500-acre campusco-educational senior schoolacademic selective entry at multiple ages£28,605 – £43,035/yr day1,500 pupils - #1771.8
Ardingly College
West SussexAcademic66Whole-child93Future-ready55Academic outcomes71Destinations & outcomes61Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing95Value-add63Access & breadth90Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdBoth3–18Independent co-ed all-through school in West Sussex for ages 3–18, day or boarding. Selective entry.
Top 5 IB school in the UKTop 10 IB school worldwideOnly UK school awarded 'Significant Strength' in Boarding by ISI£19,740 – £22,875/yr day1,048 pupils - #1869.8
Oundle School
NorthamptonshireAcademic69Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes72Destinations & outcomes68Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing70Value-add64Access & breadth90Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorCo EdBoth11–18Independent co-ed senior school in Northamptonshire for ages 11–18, day or boarding. Selective entry, top-tier London fees.
boarding community with 8 boys’ houses, 5 girls’ houses, and 1 mixed junior housestrong pastoral and tutoring system with 8-10 tutees per groupSaturday morning lessons for Year 9 upwards£24,150 – £38,085/yr day1,134 pupils - #1969.0
Hurstpierpoint College
West SussexAcademic64Whole-child86Future-ready55Academic outcomes68Destinations & outcomes61Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing95Value-add60Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorCo EdBoth11–18Independent co-ed senior school in West Sussex for ages 11–18, day or boarding. Selective entry, top-tier London fees.
all-through 4-18 educationvalue-added academic excellenceboarding options including flexi and weekly£10,500 – £36,885/yr day1,317 pupils
The Houseroom Index 2026 is computed from publicly verifiable sources plus Houseroom parent reviews. Scores update as data improves — read the methodology. Schools can claim their listing to fill data gaps.