They charge eye-watering amounts, some more than the average wage for boarding and teaching - but are they worth it? The performance of independent schools has been laid bare in this summer's exam results and the top performer is in Wales where 90.74% of A level results were graded A*-A compared to the national average of 29.9%.
New data from the Independent Schools Council shows how well fee-paying schools in Wales compare with one another and rivals in England and Scotland. Two of the top three independent schools for A level results this summer are in Wales and five are among the top 30.
They rank above well-known public schools such as Cheltenham Ladies College, Millfield, Roedean, Ampleforth and Fettes. Some independent schools, including the highest performing in Wales, are highly academically selective offering bursaries and grants to encourage the cream of achievers from maintained schools. Here we take a look at the latest A level data for summer 2024 from the ISC. For the latest Welsh news delivered to your inbox sign up to our newsletter
Across Wales the national average for A*-A at A levels was 29.9%
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1. Cardiff Sixth Form College (First in UK and Wales)
A*-A 90.74%
Fees £24,100 (excluding boarding fees for those who board)
2. St Michael's, Llanelli (third in UK)
A*-A 86.8%
Fees £15, 225
3. The Cathedral School Llandaff (22nd in UK)
A*-A 74.7%
Fees £17, 055
4. St John's College, Cardiff (23rd in UK)
A*-A 74.2%
Fees £16,680
5. Howell's, Llandaff (28th in UK)
A*-A 72.9%
Fees £17,364
6. Ruthin School (64th in UK)
A*-A 59.4%
Fees £17, 698
7. Christ College, Brecon (75th in UK)
A*-A 55.9%
Fees £23,106
1. Cardiff Sixth Form College (90.74%)
2. Westminster School, London (87%)
3. St Michael's School, Llanelli (86.8%)
4. Brighton College (86.4%)
5. King's College School, Wimbledon (86.1%)
6. Queen Ethelburga's College, York (84.4%)
7. Guildford High School ( 82.7%)
8. Wycombe Abbey, High Wycombe ( 82.4%)
9. The National Mathematics and Science College, Coventry (82.2%)
10. The Perse School, Cambridge (81.4%)
Data provided by the Independent Schools Council (ISC). Not all independent schools in the UK either submit their data to the ISC or are represented by the ISC.
The following independent schools released these A level results 2024 separately to ISC
A*A
Rougemont, Newport A*A – 43%
Rydal Penrhos pupils A* to 37%
St Clare's Porthcawl A*-A 35%
Llandovery College A*-A = 24%
A*-B
Redhill High School, Pembrokeshire 79% A*B
Myddleton College, Denbigh more than 77% A*- B
Haberdashers' Monmouth Schools 68% of A level grades at A*-B
