School League Tables

Using School League Tables in the UK: What you need to know?

When it comes to choosing a school for your child, one of the first places many parents turn to is school league tables. These tables, which rank schools based on their academic performance, can seem like an easy way to identify the “best” schools. However, while they provide useful data, it’s essential to understand how to interpret them and recognise their limitations. 

In this blog, we’ll explore how UK school league tables work, the benefits of using them, and the important factors you should also consider when choosing a school. 

If you're interested in learning more about other factors to consider when choosing a school, please visit our blog post on ‘How to Choose a British Independent School for my Child.’  

Why Use School League Tables? 

League tables can be a helpful starting point for comparing schools. Here’s why: 

• Clear Academic Benchmarking: League tables give you a snapshot of a school's academic performance, making it easier to compare schools within a local area or across the country.
• Identifying High-Performing Schools: They can highlight schools that consistently perform well, especially in terms of exam results. This can help you identify institutions that have a track record of academic success.
• Broad Overview: They can provide a broad picture of how a school is performing on a large scale, offering insight into trends, such as whether a school’s results are improving or declining over time.
• Informed Decision-Making: For parents who place high value on academic achievement, league tables provide easily accessible data to help guide their decision-making process.
   

What is the most useful academic measure when comparing schools?

The two most popular comparative measures are GCSE and A level / IB results. Most schools publish the percentage of their students’ grades that are 9-7 at GCSE (equivalent of A*/A), and A*-A/B at A level. 

To give you an idea, here are some representative school exam results from 2024.

The best way of comparing schools by these grades is to go onto the school’s websites, on which most of them list the last few years of such results. As an example, here are the exam results from St Paul’s School.

Limitations of School League Tables  

While school league tables can provide useful data, it’s important to recognise their limitations. Here’s why they shouldn’t be the only factor in your decision: 

• They Don’t Reflect the Whole Picture: League tables focus primarily on academic results, which only represent one aspect of a school. They often fail to capture other essential elements of a child’s education, such as extracurricular activities, pastoral care, school culture, and student wellbeing. 
   
• Smaller Schools Can Be Misleading: For smaller schools, a few high or low grades can dramatically shift the overall percentage. For example, if a school only has 30 students in a year group, the results of one student can significantly impact the school’s ranking. Larger schools tend to have more balanced results because the impact of individual performance is less pronounced. 
   
• Variability in Subject Selection: Different schools may offer different subjects, and the results from those subjects can skew league table rankings. For example, some schools may have a higher percentage of students studying more academically demanding subjects, which could raise their average grade results. 
   
• Focus on Exam Results Alone: Many league tables focus solely on exam results like GCSEs and A-levels. However, a child’s overall educational experience includes much more: creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and personal growth. Some of the best schools for these factors may not necessarily top the league tables. 
   
• Misleading A-Level Rankings: A-level results can be influenced by factors such as sixth form intake policies or the availability of alternate programs like the IB (International Baccalaureate). Schools offering both may see their A-level statistics affected if more able students opt for the IB program.
   
• They Don’t Account for Individual Needs: Every child learns differently, and a school’s overall academic performance may not be a good indicator of how well it will support your child’s specific needs. Some students thrive in highly academic environments, while others may excel in a more nurturing or specialised setting. 
   
• Oxbridge Offers as a Selectivity Indicator: The number of Oxbridge offers reflects not just the quality of teaching but also the selectiveness of a school’s intake. Variations in offers can fluctuate year to year, making multi-year averages a more reliable measure.
   

How to Use School League Tables Effectively 

To make the most of school league tables, here are some tips: 

• Look at Trends Over Time: A single year’s results may not give the full picture. Check the performance over multiple years to see if a school’s results are consistently strong or if they vary widely. 
   
• Consider ‘Value Added’ Data: Some league tables offer value-added rankings, which measure how much progress students make at a school, rather than just their final exam results. This can give a better sense of a school’s ability to support and develop its students. 
   
• Don’t Rely Solely on Academic Results: While exam results are important, they are just one factor. Consider other aspects of a school, such as its extracurricular offerings, pastoral support, school culture, and how well it caters to your child’s interests and needs. 
   
• Focus on Fit, Not Just Rank: The highest-ranking schools may not always be the best fit for your child. Consider the type of school that will support your child’s academic, social, and emotional development. Visiting schools, talking to teachers, and getting feedback from current parents and students can help you assess this. 
   
• Consider Context: A school’s intake, including its student demographics and entry requirements, can impact its league table position. For example, selective schools or those with high entry standards may be more likely to have excellent results, but they may not be the best choice for every child. 
   
• Use Multiple Sources: Don’t rely on league tables alone. Visit schools, talk to teachers, and consider Ofsted reports, school reviews, and feedback from parents to get a fuller picture of a school’s strengths.
   

Which are the most useful league tables? 

If you want to avoid going through individual school websites, we recommend the following league tables for comparing multiple schools at once. It is important to note that some schools do not take part in public league tables because they feel that it leads parents to make decisions based on data in the abstract without considering the full life of a school. Harrow School is a notable absentee from league tables. 

GCSE League Table 

• Best Schools – Top 100 Schools by GCSE 

A Level League Table 

• London PrePrep (London only) A-Level results 2023: top London secondary schools 
• The Telegraph:Best independent schools in the UK: Compare league table results for A-levels 
• Best Schools:Top 100 Independent Schools by A Levels and Pre U 
• The Times – ParentPower 2023

IB League Table 

Best Schools: Top Independent IB Schools 

For more information, please look at our blog that compares the IB and A level.

In conclusion, school league tables can be a helpful starting point in the school selection process, offering insights into academic performance and allowing comparisons between different institutions. However, they are far from a definitive guide to a school’s overall quality. It’s important to look beyond the numbers, consider a range of factors, and think about what will be the best environment for your child’s growth and development.