The 2025 Sunday Times Parent Power league tables rank UK secondary schools based on A-level and GCSE results. Henrietta Barnett School, a state school, is the highest-ranking state school, while St Paul's Girls' School leads the independent school rankings. The tables reveal a widening gap between state and private schools since the pandemic.
Head teachers of top-performing state schools call for increased government funding to address teacher shortages and resource disparities with private schools. Private schools, while facing financial pressures, express willingness to support the state sector through teacher training and other initiatives.
High-performing schools emphasize holistic student development, focusing on resilience, wellbeing, and a broad curriculum including arts and foreign languages. Many top schools have implemented measures like banning smartphones and utilizing digital tools like AI tutors.
Rising school fees in private schools are prompting increased demand for financial assistance. Private schools are actively seeking to increase funding for bursaries to support students from less affluent families.
There are calls for increased collaboration between state and private schools to improve overall educational attainment and breadth, with a focus on areas like mental health and curriculum reform.