Best Free Schools in England

Northampton International Academy is an all-through school providing education for students aged 4-18. With a student-teacher ratio of 17:1 and a diverse student body, the school offers a supportive learning environment. Although the school has been rated as requiring improvement in certain areas, it provides ample resources and a strong sense of community for students to thrive.

Ark John Keats Academy is an all-through school located in Enfield, London. With a student teacher ratio of 16:1, the school provides a supportive and inclusive learning environment for students aged 3-19. The school has a strong focus on academic achievement, reflected in its grade 5 or above in English & maths GCSEs of 55%. With a Good overall effectiveness rating from Ofsted, parents can trust in the quality education and personal development opportunities offered at Ark John Keats Academy.

Ark Victoria Academy is an all-through school in Birmingham, providing education for students aged 3-18. With a student-teacher ratio of 21:1 and a strong focus on teaching and learning, the school offers a supportive and inclusive environment. The academy has received a good rating from Ofsted, highlighting its effective leadership, quality teaching, and positive outcomes for pupils. Offering a comprehensive curriculum and dedicated staff, Ark Victoria Academy is committed to ensuring every student reaches their full potential.

Sandbach School is a secondary school located in Sandbach, North West. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, the school provides a caring and supportive community where pupils feel safe and valued. The school has a clear vision for high-quality education and has shown improved progress for both able and disadvantaged students. However, there is a need for improvement in the progress of disadvantaged pupils in English and languages. Overall, Sandbach School offers a good standard of education in a safe and nurturing environment.

The Royal School, Wolverhampton is a co-educational boarding school offering high standards of education and a broad range of additional activities. With a strong emphasis on academic progress and effective teaching, the school provides a good start for students in early years and prepares them well for life after school in the sixth form. The school maintains a distinctive ethos and offers a safe and nurturing environment for students. Although there are areas for improvement, such as minority weaker teaching and better use of pupil information in lesson planning, the school overall demonstrates good outcomes for pupils. Exam results show good achievement across key stages, with average scores above national averages and a significant percentage of students achieving higher standards. The Royal School, Wolverhampton is committed to providing a positive and enriching educational experience for its students.

Riverside School is an outstanding secondary school located in Barking and Dagenham, London. With a strong culture of high expectations, it provides a rich and effective curriculum, resulting in consistently high-quality work from students. The school prioritizes the personal development and behavior of its students, ensuring very high standards. Additionally, Riverside offers comprehensive careers education and guidance, along with effective safeguarding arrangements. Overall, it is a top choice for parents seeking an exceptional education for their children.

William Perkin Church of England High School is an outstanding secondary school in Ealing, London. With exceptional leadership and a high academic achievement, the school offers an innovative and exciting curriculum. It also provides effective provision for special education needs, ensuring every student's success. With a focus on achievement, safety, and a supportive environment, William Perkin is the perfect choice for parents looking for an excellent education for their child.

Wootton Park School is an outstanding all-through school located in East Hunsbury, East Midlands. With a student teacher ratio of 16:1 and strong safeguarding measures, parents can trust in high-quality teaching and exemplary pupil behavior. The school offers a wide variety of extracurricular activities to enhance academic achievement and personal development.

Harris Academy Tottenham is an outstanding all-through school in Haringey, London. With high expectations and a diverse and inclusive community, the school offers a broad and ambitious curriculum to its 1,275 students aged 4-19. The school has excellent exam results, with 23% achieving Grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs, and an average A-level points score of 24.07. With positive relationships between staff and pupils, effective safeguarding arrangements, and outstanding leadership, Harris Academy Tottenham provides a safe and nurturing environment for students to thrive.

Cambourne Village College is an outstanding secondary school located in Cambourne, East of England. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and a strong focus on academic success, the school provides a supportive and challenging environment for students aged 11-16. The school has achieved impressive exam results, with 53% of students achieving Grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs in 2019. With exceptional teaching, effective leadership, and outstanding behaviour and safety, parents can trust that their children will receive a high-quality education at Cambourne Village College.

The Ruth Gorse Academy is an outstanding secondary school located in Leeds, Yorkshire. With a personalized and high-expectations approach, the leadership team ensures that every student receives the support they need to succeed. The school offers a challenging and enriched curriculum, with extracurricular opportunities and a whole-school focus on literacy. Parents can be confident in their child's education, as evidenced by the outstanding exam results and progress made by disadvantaged pupils and those with special educational needs.

Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School is a reputable coed all-through school with a long-standing history of providing exceptional education. With a strong focus on academic achievement, outstanding pastoral care, and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, the school ensures a balanced and holistic development for students aged 4 to 19. With an impressive student-teacher ratio of 16:1, excellent exam results, and a Good Ofsted rating, Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School is an ideal choice for parents seeking quality education for their children.

Avanti House School is a co-educational secondary school located in Harrow, London. With a strong focus on the values of the Hindu faith, the school offers a safe and nurturing environment for students aged 11-18. The dedicated leadership team ensures a good quality of education and effective safeguarding practices. With a student teacher ratio of 17:1, each student receives individual attention. The school has achieved a Good rating from Ofsted, with outstanding behaviour and safety of pupils. While there is room for improvement in some subjects and the sixth form, Avanti House School is committed to providing a positive and academically focused learning experience for all students.

Gildredge House is an all-through school in Eastbourne, offering a broad and ambitious curriculum for students aged 4-19. With a good overall effectiveness rating and dedicated teachers, the school strives for academic excellence and personal development. Students benefit from enrichment activities and show positive attitudes and good behavior. However, there are areas for improvement, such as ensuring consistent progress for all students and supporting the achievement of the most able and disadvantaged pupils.

Bristol Free School is a co-ed secondary school founded in 2011 with a student population of 1157. With a student-to-teacher ratio of 17:1, the school provides a high-quality educational experience and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities. The school has a Good rating from Ofsted, offering a safe and supportive environment for students to thrive academically and personally.

Nishkam School West London is an outstanding all-through Sikh school located in Hounslow, London. With a student-teacher ratio of 18:1, the school provides a nurturing and inclusive environment for students aged 4-19. The school boasts exceptional academic standards, as evidenced by the outstanding Ofsted report and impressive exam results. Parents can trust Nishkam School West London to provide their children with a quality education that fosters personal development, behavior, and welfare.

School 21 is an outstanding all-through school located in Newham, London. With exceptional leadership and highly effective teaching, pupils at School 21 make exceptional progress and acquire knowledge beyond their age. The school provides a nurturing environment for spiritual, moral, social, and cultural development, ensuring a well-rounded education for students aged 4-18.

Eden Park High School is a co-ed secondary school located in Bromley, London. With a student-teacher ratio of 16:1, our school provides a supportive and inclusive environment for students aged 11-19. Our Good Ofsted rating highlights our commitment to quality education, excellent behaviour and attitudes, and strong leadership.

The Kingston Academy is an outstanding secondary school in Kingston upon Thames. With an excellent student-teacher ratio of 15:1, the school provides a stimulating learning environment and innovative curriculum. Students make strong progress across all subjects, and disadvantaged pupils excel. The school's outstanding leadership and management ensure high standards and personal development for every student.

The University of Birmingham School is a co-ed secondary school in Birmingham, West Midlands. With a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and a commitment to inclusivity and integration of disabled pupils, the school provides effective support and challenge to its students. It promotes British values, personal development, and high levels of safety. The school achieved good overall effectiveness and outcomes for pupils, with improving results in Year 13. However, there are some inconsistencies in teaching quality and uneven outcomes for disadvantaged and SEN/D pupils.