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The best schools in London for 2026 named - full list
London schools dominate with eight of the top ten spots, and state schools rose 9.4 places on average in the 2026 Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, showing strong academic progress.
- On Sunday, The Sunday Times published the Parent Power Guide 2026 listing the UK’s top schools and named Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet State Secondary School of the Year in London and for Academic Excellence in the 33rd edition.
- Using exam data and editorial judgement, the guide compiles year-on-year performance and includes a searchable national database of more than 2,000 schools, with Helen Davies saying the educational landscape is 'The educational landscape is testing – budget challenges, rising student mental health issues'.
- London schools dominated, taking eight of the top ten places, while state schools surged 9.4 places year-on-year despite private schools still making up 78 of the top 100.
- West London Free School, Hammersmith, earned Comprehensive School of the Year in London, ranking 44th nationally, and St Paul’s School topped the independent tables for academic excellence.
- Girls' schools fell 2.4 places while boys' schools rose 17 places; East Anglia posted the biggest regional gains, but only a quarter secured university places.
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Total News Sources20
Leaning Left1Leaning Right0Center18Last UpdatedBias Distribution95% Center
Bias Distribution
- 95% of the sources are Center
95% Center
C 95%
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