The Spectator guide to grammar 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
Berkshire
Herschel Grammar School,
www.herschel.slough.sch.uk, 01753 520950, Coeducational, 99, 27
Kendrick School,
www.kendrick.reading.sch.uk , 0118 958 5959, Girls only, 100, 70
Langley Grammar School,
www.langley-grammar.slough.sch.uk, 01753 598300, Coeducational, 98, 38
Reading School,
www.readingschool.reading.sch.uk, 01452 382249, Boys only, 100, 70
Slough Grammar School,
www.sloughgrammar.berks.sch.uk, 01753 522892, Coeducational, 94, 40-45**
St Bernard’s Convent School,
www.st-bernards.slough.sch.uk, 01753 527020, Coeducational, 99, 29
Birmingham
King Edward VI Aston School,
www.keaston.bham.sch.uk, 0121 327 1130, Boys only, 98, 43
King Edward VI Camp Hill Boys’ School,
web.camphillboys.bham.sch.uk, 0121 444 3188, Boys only, 100, 72
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls,
www.kechg.org.uk, 0121 444 2150, Girls only, 100, 61
King Edward VI Five Ways School,
www.ke5ways.bham.sch.uk, 0121 475 3535, Coeducational, 99, 46
King Edward VI Handsworth School,
www.kingedwardvi.bham.sch.uk, 0121 554 2342, Girls only, 99, 53
Buckinghamshire
Aylesbury Grammar School,
www.ags.buck.sch.uk, 01296 484545, Boys only, 99, 44
Aylesbury High School,
www.ahsonline.co.uk, 01296 415237, Girls only, 97, 44
Beaconsfield High School,
www.beaconsfieldhigh.bucks.sch.uk, 01494 673043, Girls only, 100, 48
Burnham Grammar School,
www.bgs.bucks.sch.uk, 01628 604812, Coeducational, 99, 24
Chesham High School,
www.chs-online.org.uk, 01494 782854, Coeducational, 99, 41
Dr. Challoner’s Grammar School,
www.challoners.com, 01494 721685, Boys only, 100, 54
Dr. Challoner’s High School,
www.challonershigh.com, 01494 763296, Girls only, 99, 55
John Hampden Grammar School,
www.johnhampdengrammar.bucks.sch.uk, 01494 529589, Boys only, 97, 40
Royal Grammar School,
www.rgshw.com, 01494 524955, Boys only, 99, 47
Royal Latin School,
www.royallatin.bucks.sch.uk, 01280 813065, Coeducational, 98, 41
Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School,
www.sirhernryfloyd.bucks.sch.uk, 01296 24781, Coeducational, 93, 29
Sir William Borlase’s School,
www.swbgs.com, 01628 482256, Coeducational, 100, 49
Wycombe High School,
www.whs.bucks.sch.uk, 01494 523961, Girls only, 99, 48
Cheshire
Loreto Grammar School for Girls,
www.loretogs.com, 0161 928 3703, Girls only, 97, 41
Sale Grammar School,
www.salegrammar.co.uk, 0161 973 3217, Coeducational, 91, 28
St Ambrose College,
www.st-ambrosecollege.trafford.sch.uk, 0161 980 2711, Boys only, 90, 33
Cumbria
Queen Elizabeth Grammar School,
www.wgst.org.uk, 01768 864621, Coeducational, 97, 41
Devon
Churston Ferrers Grammar School,
www.churstongrammar.com, 01803 842289, Coeducational, 98, 40
Colyton Grammar School,
www.colytongrammar.devon.sch.uk, 01297 552327, Coeducational, 100, 76
Devonport High School for Boys,
www.dhsb.org, 01752 208787, Boys only, 95, 34
Devonport High School for Girls,
www.devonportgirls.plymouth.sch.uk, 01752 705024, Girls only, 99, 45
Plymouth High School for Girls,
www.plymouthgirls.plymouth.sch.uk, 01752 208308, Girls only, 91, 54**
Torquay Boys’ Grammar School,
www.tbgs.co.uk, 01803 615501, Boys only, 100, 41
Torquay Grammar School for Girls,
www.tggs.torbay.sch.uk, 01803 613215, Girls only, 100, 40
Dorset
Bournemouth School,
www.bournemouth-school.bournemouth.sch.uk, 01202 512609, Boys only, 98, 38
Bournemouth School for Girls,
www.bgs.bournemouth.sch.uk, 01202 526289, Girls only, 99, 39
Parkstone Grammar School for Girls,
www.parkstone.poole.sch.uk, 01202 697456, Girls only, 99, 42
Poole Grammar School,
www.poolegrammar.com, 01202 692132, Boys only, 99, 38
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
Essex
Chelmsford County High School for Girls,
www.cchs.co.uk, 01245 352592, Girls only, 100, 55
Colchester County High School for Girls,
www.colchestergirls.essex.sch.uk, 01206 576973, Girls only, 100, 59
Colchester Royal Grammar School,
www.crgs.co.uk, 01206 577971, Boys only, 100, 69
Ilford County High School,
www.ichs.org.uk, 020 8551 6496, Boys only, 99, 57
King Edward VI Grammar School,
www.kegs.org.uk, 01245 353510, Boys only, 100, 50
Southend High School for Boys,
www.shsb.org, 01702 343074, Boys only, 98, 35
Southend High School for Girls,
www.southendgirls.school-site5.net, 01702 588852, Girls only, 99, 34
Westcliff High School for Boys,
www.whsb.essex.sch.uk, 01702 75443, Boys only, 98, 45
Westcliff High School for Girls,
www.whsg.info, 01702 76026, Girls only, 99, 54
Woodford County High School for Girls,
www.woodford.redbridge.sch.uk, 020 8504 0611, Girls only, 100, 65
Gloucestershire
The Crypt School,
www.cryptschool.org, 01452 530291, Boys only, 97, 19
High School for Girls,
www.hsfg.gloucs.sh.uk, 01452 543335, Girls only, 100, 34
Marling School,
www.marling.gloucs.sch.uk, 01453 762251, Boys only, 97, 31
Pate’s Grammar School,
www.pates.gloucs.sch.uk, 01242 523169, Coeducational, 100, 69
Ribston Hall High School,
www.ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk, 01765 602647/8, Girls only, 98, 26
Sir Thomas Rich’s School,
www.strschool.co.uk, 01452 528467, Boys only, 99, 36
Stroud High School,
www.stroudhigh.gloucs.sch.uk, 01453 764441, Girls only, 100, 38
Greater Manchester
Stretford Grammar School,
www.stretfordgrammar.com, 0161 865 2293, Coeducational, 92, 34
Urmston Grammar School,
www.urmstongrammar.org, 0161 748 2875, Coeducational, 100, 30
Kent
Barton Court Grammar School,
www.bartoncourt.org, 01227 646400, Coeducational, 93, 34
Bexley Grammar School,
www.bexleygs.co.uk, 020 8304 8538, Coeducational, 99, 27
Beths Grammar School,
www.beths.school-site.net, 01322 556538, Coeducational, 100, 22
Borden Grammar School,
www.bordengrammar.kent.sch.uk, 01795 424192, Boys only, 96, 27
Chatham Grammar School for Boys,
www.holcombecollege.co.uk, 01634 830083, Boys only, 96, N/A
Chatham Grammar School for Girls,
www.chathamgirlsgrammar.medway.sch.uk, 01634 851262, Girls only, 99, 19
Chatham House Grammar School,
www.chathamhouse.kent.sch.uk, 01843 591075, Boys only, 94, 49**
Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School,
www.csgrammar.com, 020 8302 6511, Coeducational, 99, 27
Clarendon House Grammar School,
www.clarendonhouse.kent.sch.uk, 01843 591074, Girls only, 95, 16
Cranbrook School,
www.cranbrookschool.co.uk, 01580 711800, Coeducational, 100, 34
Dane Court Grammar School,
www.danecourt.kent.sch.uk, 01843 864941, Coeducational, 96, 30
Dartford Grammar School,
www.dartfordgrammar.kent.sch.uk, 01322 23039, Boys only, 100, 35
Dartford Grammar School for Girls,
www.dartfordgrammargirls.kent.sch.uk, 01322 223123, Girls only, 98, 28
Dover Grammar School for Boys,
www.dovergrammar.co.uk, 01304 206117, Boys only, 68, 19
Dover Grammar School for Girls,
www.dggs.t83.net, 01304 206625, Girls only, 99, 25
The Folkestone School for Girls,
www.folkestonegirls.kent.sch.uk, 01303 251125, Girls only, 96, 28
Fort Pitt Grammar School,
www.fortpitt.medway.sch.uk, 01634 842359, Girls only, 97, 19
Gravesend Grammar School for Boys,
www.gravesendgrammar.kent.sch.uk, 01474 331893, Boys only, 96, 27
Gravesend Grammar School for Girls,
www.ggsg.org.uk, 01474 352896, Girls only, 97, 25
Harvey Grammar School,
www.harveygs.kent.sch.uk, 01303 252131, Boys only, 94, 27
Highsted School,
www.highsted.kent.sch.uk, 01795 424223, Girls only, 100, 20
Highworth School for Girls,
www.highworthgrammar.co.uk, 01233 624910, Girls only, 99, 36
Invicta Grammar School for Girls,
www.invicta.kent.sch.uk, 01622 755856, Girls only, 100, 33
The Judd School,
www.judd.kent.sch.uk, 01732 770880, Boys only, 100, 54
Maidstone Grammar School,
www.mgs.kent.sch.uk, 01622 752101, Boys only, 99, 39
Maidstone Grammar School for Girls,
www.mggs.org, 01622 752103, Girls only, 97, 36
Newstead Wood School for Girls,
www.newsteadwood-bromley.sch.uk, 01689 853626, Girls only, 99, 60
Norton Knatchbull School,
www.nks.kent.sch.uk, 01233 620045, Boys only, 94, 30
Oakwood Park Grammar School,
www.opgs.org, 01622 726683, Boys only, 93, 22
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School,
www.queenelizabeths.derbyshire.sch.uk, 01795 533132, Coeducational, 98, 30
Rainham Mark Grammar School,
new.rainhammark.com, 0118 9015600, Coeducational, 96, 30
Rochester Grammar School for Girls,
www.rochestergrammar.medway.sch.uk, 01634 843049, Girls only, 99, 30
Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys,
www.newlangton.org.uk, 01227 463567, Boys only, 94, 35
Simon Langton Girls’ School,
www.langton.kent.sch.uk, 01227 463711, Girls only, 97, 37
Sir Joseph Williamson’s Mathematical School,
www.sirjosephwilliamson.medway.sch.uk, 01634 844008, Boys only, 98, 29
Sir Roger Manwood’s School,
www.srms.kent.sch.uk, 01304 613286, Coeducational, 99, 34
The Skinners’ School,
www.skinners-school.co.uk, 01892 520732, Boys only, 100, 42
St Olave’s & St Saviour’s Grammar School,
www.saintolaves.net,01689 820101, Boys only, 100, 70
Tonbridge Grammar School for Girls,
www.tgs.kent.sch.uk, 01732 365125, Girls only, 99, 56
Townley Grammar School for Girls,
www.townleygrammar.org.uk, 020 8304 8311, Girls only, 100, 34
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys,
www.twgsb.org.uk, 01892 529551, Boys only, 97, 26
Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School,
www.twggs.kent.sch.uk, 01892 520902, Girls only, 100, 52
Weald of Kent,
www.wealdofkent.kent.sch.uk, 01732 352819, Girls only, 98, 28
Wilmington Grammar School for Boys,
www.wilmingtongrammarboys.kent.sch.uk, 01322 223090, Boys only, 93, 13
The Grammar School for Girls Wilmington,
www.gsgw.org.uk, 01322 226351, Girls only, 99, 15
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
Lancashire
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys,
www.agsb.co.uk, 0161 928 0858, Boys only, 99, 46
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls,
www.aggs.trafford.sch.uk,0161 928 0827, Girls only, 99, 51
Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School,
www.brgs.org.uk,01706 234500, Coeducational, 99, 45**
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School,
www.clitheroeroyalgrammar.lancs.sch.uk,01200 423379, Coeducational, 100, 36
Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School,
www.lggs.org.uk, 01524 32010, Girls only, 100, 37
Lancaster Royal Grammar School,
www.lrgs.org.uk, 01524 580605, Boys only, 100, 54
Lincolnshire
Boston Grammar School,
www.bostongrammar.lincs.sch.uk,01205 366444, Boys only, 99, 20
Boston High School for Girls,
www.bostonhighschool.co.uk,01205 310505, Girls only, 90, 19
Bourne Grammar School,
www.bourne-grammar.lincs.sch.uk,01778 422288, Coeducational, 99, 37
Caistor Grammar School,
home.cgsonline.org.uk,01472 851250, Coeducational, 93, 39
Carre’s Grammar School,
www.carres.lincs.sch.uk,01529 302181, Boys only, 92, 26
Kesteven and Grantham Girls’ School,
www.kestevengrantham.lincs.sch.uk,01476 563017, Girls only, 98, 32
Kesteven and Sleaford High School,
www.kshs.lincs.sch.uk, 01529 414044, Girls only, 97, 24
King Edward VI Grammar School,
www.kevigs.lincs.sch.uk,01507 600456, Coeducational, 95, 31
The King’s School,
kingsgrantham.8m.com, 01476 563180, Boys only, 97, 36
Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School,
www.qegs.lincs.sch.uk, 01507 522465, Coeducational, 99, 31
Queen Elizabeth’s High School,
www.qehs.lincs.sch.uk, 01427 612354, Coeducational, 98, 40
Skegness Grammar School,
www.skegnessgrammar.lincs.sch.uk,01754 610000, Coeducational, 86, 28
Spalding Grammar School,
www.spaldinggrammar.lincs.sch.uk,01775 724646, Boys only, 95, 23
Spalding High School,
www.spaldinghigh.lincs.sch.uk,01775 722110, Girls only, 96, 40
London
Henrietta Barnett School,
www.hbschool.org.uk, 020 8458 8999, Girls only, 99, 70
The Latymer School,
www.latymer.co.uk, 020 8807 4037, Coeducational, 99, 69
Queen Elizabeth’s School,
www.qebarnet.co.uk, 020 8441 4646, Boys only, 100, 83
St Michael’s Catholic Grammar School,
www.st-michaels.barnet.sch.uk,020 8446 2256, Girls only, 100, 47
The Tiffin Girls’ School,
www.tiffingirls.kingston.sch.uk,020 8546 0773, Girls only, 100, 73
Merseyside
The Blue Coat School,
www.bluecoatschoolliverpool.org.uk,0151 733 1407, Coeducational, 100, 43
Calday Grange Grammar School,
www.school-portal.co.uk/Grouphomepage.asp?GroupID=21330, 0151 625 2727, Boys only, 99, 33
St Anselm’s College,
www.st-anselms.com, 0151 652 1408, Boys only, 87, 52**
Upton Hall Convent School, FCJ,
www.uptonhallschool.wirral.sch.uk,0151 677 7696, Girls only, 92, 26
West Kirby Grammar School for Girls,
www.westkirby-grammar.wirral.sch.uk,0151 632 3449, Girls only, 97, 39
Wirral Grammar School for Boys,
www.wirralgrammarboys.com,0151 644 0908, Boys only, 97, 33
Wirral Grammar School for Girls,
www.wirralgrammar-girls.wirral.sch.uk,0151 644 8282, Girls only, 99, 44
Shropshire
Adams’ Grammar School,
www.adamsgs.org.uk, 01952 810698, Boys only, 100, 50
Newport Girls’ High School,
www.newporthigh.wrekin.sch.uk,01952 811040, Girls only, 100, 75**
St Joseph’s College,
www.stjos.co.uk,01782 848008, Coeducational, 90, 31
Surrey
Nonsuch High School for Girls,
www.nonsuch.co.uk, 020 8394 1308, Girls only, 100, 57
Sutton Grammar School,
www.suttongrammar.sutton.sch.uk,020 8642 3821, Boys only, 100, 59
Tiffin School,
www.tiffin.kingston.sch.uk, 020 8546 4638, Boys only, 100, 54
Wallington County Grammar School,
www.wcgs.org.uk, 020 8647 2235, Boys only, 98, 51
Wallington High School for Girls,
www.wallingtongirls.sutton.sch.uk,020 8647 2380, Girls only, 99, 50
Wilson’s School,
www.wilsonsschool.sutton.sch.uk,020 8773 2931, Coeducational, 100, 66
Warwickshire
Alcester Grammar School,
www.alcester.net, 01789 762494, Coeducational, 100, 27
King Edward VI School,
www.kes-stratford.org.uk,01789 293351, Boys only, 100, 45
Lawrence Sheriff School,
www.lawrencesheriffschool.com,01788 542074, Boys only, 100, 33
Rugby High School for Girls,
www.rhswebsite.co.uk,01788 810518, Girls only, 100, 44
Stratford-upon-Avon Grammar School for Girls,
www.stratfordgrammar.co.uk,01789 293759, Girls only, 100, 53
West Midlands
Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School,
www.bishopsveyseys.bham.sch.uk,0121 354 2552, Boys only, 100, 37
Handsworth Grammar School,
www.handsworthgs.co.uk,0121 554 2794, Boys only, 92, 23
Queen Mary’s Grammar School,
www.qmgs.walsall.sch.sch.uk,01922 720696, Boys only, 100, 43
Queen Mary’s High School,
www.queenmaryshigh.org.uk,01922 721013, Girls only, 100, 40
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls,
www.suttcold.bham.sch.uk,0121 354 1479, Girls only, 100, 46
Wolverhampton Girls’ High School,
www.wghs.org.uk, 01902 312186, Girls only, 100, 61
Wiltshire
Bishop Wordsworth’s School,
www.bws.wilts.sch.uk,01722 333851, Boys only, 100, 54
South Wiltshire,
www.swgs.wilts.sch.uk,01722 323326, Girls only, 100, 49
Yorkshire (North)
Ermysted’s Grammar School,
www.ermysteds.n-yorks.sch.uk,01756 792186, Boys only, 97, 49
Ripon Grammar School,
www.ripongrammar.co.uk,01634 364151, Coeducational, 98, 40
Skipton Girls’ High School,
www.sghs.org.uk,01756 2115, Girls only, 98, 46
Yorkshire (West)
The Crossley Heath School,
www.crossleyheath.calderdale.sch.uk,01422 360272, Coeducational, 95, 36
Heckmondwike Grammar School,
www.heckgrammar.kirklees.sch.uk,01924 402202, Coeducational, 99, 33
North Halifax Grammar School,
www.nhgs.co.uk, 01422 244625 , Coeducational, 98, 32
Comments