Independent Schools Listings (A-L)

The Spectator guide to independent schools 2009

Your guide to using the tables

An independent education can, and often does, lead to a head start in life for those fortunate enough to experience it. For parents, grandparents and others involved, it is a big decision. From prep to sixth form, an independent school education for one child can cost well over £250,000. So how do you choose? Academic results are one of the more tangible, but by no means the only, factor (see ‘What to look for in an independent school’ on page 7). A list of grammar schools is also included by way of comparison.

Please take care in using these tables. Many independent schools have adopted iGCSEs which are not recognised by government and so score zero in the tables or their results are skewed. In fact, many recognise iGCSEs to be more academically challenging than GCSEs. Likewise data for A-level passes is presented where possible. In some cases, schools have adopted the International Baccalaureate or run both. That means candidate points are presented for some of the schools according to QCA tariffs.

Methodology

Data was sourced from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, cross-referenced with data from the Independent Schools Council (www.isc.co.uk), the Times online and from schools’ own websites.

Schools in Scotland and Northern Ireland are included in the lists — appropriate results comparisons were not available. Also, appropriate results data was not available for a number of special needs schools. Furthermore, some schools don’t have sixth forms or only have sixth forms, so data is not available for GCSEs and A-levels, respectively.

Key to Table

School name
Website, Gender, Boarding Fee (£), Day Fee (£), % Pupils 5 A* – C GCSE, % Entries A at A-level, or * = average QCA tarriff
** % entries gaining A & B grades
***A or A* at GCSE

Key to Table
School name
Website, Gender, Boarding Fee (£), Day Fee (£), % Pupils 5 A* – C GCSE, % Entries A at A-level, or * = average QCA tarriff
** % entries gaining A & B grades
***A or A* at GCSE

Aberdeenshire

Robert Gordon’s College,
rgc.