Are there good state schools in London?
School league tables are often the first thing parents in England research when choosing schools. They typically measure statistical school performance data showing how well pupils have performed in public examinations. At primary level, these are the national curriculum tests, or Sats, taken in Year 6 at the age of ten or 11. At secondary level, the statistics detail pupils’ performance in GCSEs (and equivalent exams) at age 15 or 16 and A-levels (and equivalent exams) at age 17 and 18.
The Sunday Times has published its 2023 Parent Power guide to the best national and regional schools of the year. London’s primary and secondary schools are top of the class once again:
- Four of the top ten comprehensive schools in the UK are in London.
- The top four secondary and grammar schools in the UK are in London.
- A whopping nine of the top 10 state primary schools in the UK are in London.
Grammars are state secondary schools for students between the ages of 11 and 16, where entry is based on academic performance in the 11-Plus exam. There are currently 19 grammar schools in London.
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