The anticipated list is created to be a guide for parents so they can compare the performance of a given school with other schools in the same town, local authority or nationally.
The guide is widely acknowledged as the most authoritative survey of the country’s top schools.
Discussing Sunday Times’ latest school rankings, Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, said: “The educational landscape is testing – budget challenges, rising student mental health issues, special educational needs and an increasingly uncertain future.
“But there is also so much to celebrate from the dedication of teachers who are finding ever more innovative and impactful ways to enrich their students and give them the very best start in life.
“As well as celebrating the academic excellence of the top schools it is uplifting to see how they are shaping their students to be ready for the 21st century, and instilling a lifelong love of learning.”
You can see the full Parent Power Guide via The Sunday Times.
The best schools in London, according to the Sunday Times
The Sunday Times has four main categories for their annual school rankings, including top state secondary schools, best comprehensive secondary schools, top secondary independent schools and top primary schools.
There are also special awards, like the State Secondary School of the Year 2026 and the Comprehensive School of the Year 2026.
Several schools in London were lucky enough to win national awards:
- State Secondary School of the Year 2026: Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
- State Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2026: Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
- Comprehensive School of the Year 2026: West London Free School, Hammersmith
- Independent Secondary School of the Year 2026: North London Collegiate School, Edgware
- Independent Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2026: St Paul’s School, Barnes
- Primary School of the Year 2026: Thomas Jones Primary School, Notting Hill
You can see the full list of London schools that won national awards via The Sunday Times.
Ranking best on the list for state secondary schools was Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet, which also earned the award of the State Secondary School of the Year in London 2026 and State Secondary School of the Year in London for Academic Excellence.
Queen Elizabeth’s School not only ranked the best in London, but also earned the top spot in the national list of state secondary schools.
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Elsewhere, the West London Free School earned the top spot for the best Comprehensive Secondary School in London and ranked 44th in the national list.
The school also earned the award for the best Comprehensive School of the Year in London.
For Primary Schools, it was Thomas Jones Primary School in Kensington and Chelsea that was awarded the number one spot in the London list and the national list.
