LONDON – A selective boys’ grammar school in north London has been named the best state secondary school in both the capital and the United Kingdom, according to a new education ranking published this week.
Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet topped the list in The Times Parent Power 2025 league table, which evaluates schools across England based on GCSE and A-level examination results. The ranking separates fee-paying and state-funded institutions, highlighting schools that deliver high academic performance without charging tuition fees.
The annual analysis assessed examination outcomes nationwide, focusing on the proportion of top grades achieved by pupils at both GCSE and A-level.
According to the data, students at Queen Elizabeth’s School achieved A grades in 52.4% of A-level entries in 2025*, while 97.6% of results were graded between A and B*. At GCSE level, 95.5% of pupils achieved grades between 9 and 7, the highest bands under the current grading system.
Despite being state-funded, admission to the school remains highly competitive. Education analysts estimate that around 3,500 applicants compete annually for 192 available places, with candidates required to pass two entrance examinations.
Queen Elizabeth’s School counts several high-profile figures among its alumni, including spoken word artist George the Poet, Olympic sprinter John Otugade, and broadcaster and legal expert Robert Rinder.
The ranking also highlighted other high-performing state secondary schools across Greater London, many of which are selective grammar schools.
Top 10 State Secondary Schools in London (2026)
1 Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
2 Wilson’s School, Wallington
3 St Olave’s Grammar School, Orpington
4 The Tiffin Girls’ School, Kingston upon Thames
5 Tiffin School, Kingston upon Thames
6 The Latymer School, Edmonton
7 Sutton Grammar School, Sutton
8 St Michael’s RC Grammar School, Finchley
9 Wallington High School for Girls, Wallington
10 Wallington County Grammar School, Wallington
Education experts note that the dominance of grammar schools in the rankings reflects continued strong academic outcomes at selective state institutions, amid ongoing debate in the UK over access, equity and the future of selective education.
