This Is Officially The Best School In Britain For 2026 Outside London – And The Second-Highest Ranked Nationwide

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Each year, the Times’ Parent Power Guide publishes a major school league table, ranking secondary schools across the UK based purely on GCSE and A-level results.

In the latest edition of the Times Parent Power Guide, one co‑educational seaside school has surged ahead of rivals across the country on the strength of its exam results, alumni success stories and sharply rising reputation among families looking beyond London’s traditional powerhouses. With London institutions once again dominating the overall list, this standout contender is the only school outside the capital to break into the very top tier.​

The Times’ Parent Power Guide 2026 rankings

The guide, which ranks schools purely on GCSE and A-level performance, paints a clear picture of just how competitive the landscape has become. Fee-paying schools still largely lead the way, but a handful of selective state grammars also manage to muscle into the top 10 outside London, underlining how fierce the battle for places can be. At the same time, the data hints at shifting trends: girls’ schools have slipped slightly in the 2026 rankings, while boys’ schools and mixed environments have gained ground compared with the previous year.​

Against this backdrop, one institution on the south coast has emerged as the headline story. Its pupils secured close to universal top grades last year, with nearly all A-level entries graded between A* and B and almost every GCSE coming in at 7, 8 or 9.

Termly fees ranging from around £8,000 to more than £19,000 before VAT place it firmly in the elite bracket, and an alumni list that includes Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao and England rugby star Marcus Smith only adds to its allure.​

This is officially the best secondary school in Britain for 2026 outside of London

That school is Brighton College, officially named the best secondary school in Britain for 2026 outside London and second overall nationwide, beaten only by St Paul’s School in the capital.

In a top 10 that also features the likes of Guildford High School, Eton College, Sevenoaks School and Wycombe Abbey, Brighton College’s performance cements its status as the standout choice for families seeking London-level academic clout without actually being in London.

Here are the Times’ top 10 secondary schools outside the capital for 2026.

1. Brighton College Brighton
2. Guildford High School Guildford
3. Wilson’s School Wallington
4. King Edward VI High School for Girls Birmingham
5. Eton College Windsor
6. Sevenoaks School Sevenoaks
7. Wycombe Abbey High Wycombe
8. St Olave’s Grammar School Orpington
9. Colchester Royal Grammar School Colchester
10. Queen Ethelburga’s College York