Oxbridge Bound: Deciphering the Landscape of Top Feeder Schools in the UK

The prestigious halls of Oxford and Cambridge welcome a new cohort each year, and the question of who gets in and who doesn't remains a topic of much discussion. Oxbridge is a portmanteau of Oxford and Cambridge, the two oldest and most prestigious universities in the United Kingdom. They are often referred to together because of their similar histories, traditions, and academic reputations. This analysis of recent Oxbridge offers sheds light on this year's intake, revealing interesting trends among the schools sending the most students to these esteemed institutions.

A Surge in State School Success:

One key takeaway is the continued rise of state school representation at Oxbridge. With 69% of acceptances now coming from such institutions, compared to just 52% in 2000, the gap is undeniably closing. This progress bodes well for a more diverse and inclusive academic landscape in the future.

1.  The Geography of Opportunity:

Interestingly, location seems to play a significant role in Oxbridge aspirations. More than half of the top ten feeder schools call London home, with the remaining handful nestled within a 60-mile radius of the capital. This proximity to elite universities likely grants students greater access to resources and guidance, potentially influencing their chances of success.

2.  Single-Sex vs. Co-educational Paths:

Another noteworthy observation is the prevalence of single-sex schools among the top ten. Eight out of these institutions uphold this model, suggesting potential benefits to focused learning environments, particularly for girls. However, exceptions like Westminster and King's College, which accept girls at Sixth Form, demonstrate the evolving nature of this landscape.

3.  Day vs. Boarding: Convenience Matters:

Day schools reign supreme in the top ten, with only Eton and Wycombe Abbey representing traditional boarding options. This trend suggests that convenience and accessibility play a significant role in academic success, highlighting the importance of strong local educational resources.

4.  Selectivity, the Underlying Constant:

One factor uniting the top ten independent schools is their unwavering commitment to academic excellence. Rigorous selection processes ensure a student body with exceptional potential, laying the foundation for Oxbridge aspirations.

Beyond the Data, Looking Ahead:

The Spectator's analysis offers valuable insights into the current state of Oxbridge admissions. However, it's important to remember that these figures are just one piece of the puzzle. Individual talents, dedication, and personal circumstances all contribute to shaping academic journeys. As we strive for a more equitable educational landscape, the focus should remain on nurturing potential wherever it exists, regardless of background or circumstance.

By acknowledging both the trends and the limitations of this data, we can foster a more nuanced understanding of the pathways leading to Oxbridge and beyond. Ultimately, the goal should be to ensure that every student has the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of the school they attend or the postcode they call home.

Let’s take a deep dive into the top schools for Oxbridge offers. We’ll take a look first at the Top 20 schools based on the Oxbridge offers received:

1. Brampton Manor Academy — Applied: 302 / Offers: 89 / Success: 29%

2. Westminster School — Applied: 193 / Offers: 81 / Success: 42%

3. Hills Road Sixth Form College — Applied: 273 / Offers: 78 / Success: 29%

4. Eton College — Applied: 178 / Offers: 48 / Success: 27%

5. St Paul’s Girls School — Applied: 78 / Offers: 46 / Success: 59%

6. Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth-form College — Applied: 219 / Offers: 45 / Success: 21%

7. Peter Symonds College — Applied: 212 / Offers: 44 / Success: 21%

8. St Paul’s School, London — Applied: 145 / Offers: 42 / Success: 29%

9. King’s College School — Applied: 136 / Offers: 41 / Success: 30%

10. Harris Westminster Sixth Form — Applied: 153 / Offers: 40 / Success: 26%

11. The Perse School — Applied: 123 / Offers: 36 / Success: 29%

12. Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet — Applied: 107 / Offers: 35 / Success: 33%

13. Tiffin School — Applied: 127 / Offers: 34 / Success: 27%

14. King's College London Mathematics School — Applied: 62 / Offers: 33 / Success: 53%

15. Wilson's School — Applied: 89 / Offers: 33 / Success: 37%

16. St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School — Applied: 110 / Offers: 31 / Success: 28%

17. London Academy of Excellence — Applied: 89 / Offers: 33 / Success: 37%

18. Highgate School — Applied: 84 / Offers: 30 / Success: 36%

19. Colchester Royal Grammar School — Applied: 99 / Offers: 30 / Success: 30%

20. Greenhead College, Huddersfield — Applied: 135 / Offers: 30 / Success: 22% 

Brampton Manor Academy

Brampton Manor is an outstanding 11-18 Academy, located in East Ham, London. In April 2011, the school chose to convert to Academy status, becoming the first school in Newham to do so. Brampton Manor Academy is a highly successful school. Examination results have been significantly above the Newham and National averages. In a remarkable feat, 2023saw Brampton Manor send more students to Oxbridge universities than the prestigious Eton College, truly testament to the transformative power of its educational offering.

The curriculum at Brampton Manor is a tapestry woven with both breadth and rigour. Students can embark on diverse pathways, exploring A-Levels, vocational qualifications, or a tailored 16-19 Study Programme designed to nurture individual ambitions. Critical thinking and independent learning are cornerstones of the academic experience, encouraging students to delve deeper into ideas, explore freely, and cultivate their unique interests.

Beyond academics, Brampton Manor pulsates with the vibrancy of its diverse community. With a student body of around 2,700 pupils hailing from a multitude of backgrounds and cultures, it is the second largest school in Newham. Yet, within this vastness, warmth and support abound. Small tutor groups foster close-knit relationships, peer mentorship programmes offer a helping hand, and a dedicated wellbeing team ensures that every student feels valued and equipped to thrive.

From the melodious whispers of music clubs to the bright lights of the drama stage, from the adrenaline rush of sports teams to the inquisitive minds of STEM societies, opportunities abound for students to explore their passions and talents. Furthermore, Brampton Manor fosters a spirit of service and social responsibility, encouraging volunteering and building partnerships with local communities, ensuring that its students become not just successful individuals, but also active and engaged citizens. 

Brampton Manor Academy is unique in having a farm on our site, that provides an outstanding outdoor learning opportunity for all students.

Westminster School

Westminster School is a public school in Westminster, London, England, in the precincts of Westminster Abbey. It descends from a charity school founded by Westminster Benedictines before the Norman Conquest. Continuous existence is clear from the early 14th century. Its academic results place it among the top schools nationally; almost half of its students go to Oxbridge, giving it one of the highest national Oxbridge acceptance rate. In the 2023 A-Levels, the school saw 82.3 of its candidates score A*/A. 

Boys join the Under School at seven and the Senior School at 13 by examination. Girls join the Sixth Form at 16. About a quarter of the 750 pupils board. Weekly boarders may go home after Saturday morning school. The school motto, Dat Deus Incrementum, quotes 1 Corinthians 3:6: “I planted the seed... but God made it grow.” Westminster was one of nine schools examined by the 1861 Clarendon Commission and reformed by the Public Schools Act 1868. 

The school has produced three Nobel laureates: Edgar Adrian (Nobel Prize for Physiology in 1932), Sir Andrew Huxley (likewise in 1963) and Sir Richard Stone (Nobel Prize in Economics in 1984). In the mid-17th century, the liberal philosopher of the Enlightenment, John Locke, attended the school, and seven UK prime ministers also then attended, all belonging to the Whig or Liberal factions of British politics: Henry Pelham and his brother Thomas Pelham-Holmes, Charles Watson-Wentworth, James Waldegrave, Augustus Fitzroy, William Cavendish-Bentinck, and John Russell.

Hills Road Sixth Form College

Hills Road Sixth Form College is a large standalone college that sends one of the highest number of students to Oxbridge, year on year. A high-achieving state school, Hills Road offers an outstanding sixth form education that is as broad as it is challenging. Hills Road Sixth Form College is a non-selective state-run sixth form college in Cambridge – so an education here comes without the expense of tuition fees and is not dependent on passing demanding admissions tests. It has an excellent reputation for offering A Level courses to around 2,700 full time students.

The college has attracted the attention of global media in recent years for sending more students to Oxbridge than the prestigious fee-paying school, Eton College; the number was a very high 89 this year, a rise on the 74 offers received in 2021 and 69 in 2020. In the past six years, the number of Oxbridge offers has not fallen below 67, which is extraordinary. But it’s not just about academics here – and the college is not to be seen as an exam factory. Although the college has been positioned at the top for Sixth Form College performance league tables for outcomes for over 20 years, it has not become complacent.

Hills Road has proven to be a forward-thinking college that offers an extensive range of enrichment and extra-curricular activities, and the college is focused on students achieving well in skills as varied as sports, drama, music, robotics, forensics and ceramics, as well as in the classroom. It’s all excellent preparation for university, not just because it gives students the edge over other applicants but because it equips them with so many valuable life and study skills for the years ahead.

Eton College

Eton College is a public school (fee-charging and boarding for secondary school age boys) in Eton, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI under the name Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore, making it the 18th-oldest school in the Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference (HMC). Originally intended as a sister institution to King's College, Cambridge, Eton is known for its history, wealth, and notable alumni, known as Old Etonians.

Eton is one of three public schools, along with Harrow (1572) and Radley (1847), to have retained the boys-only, boarding-only tradition, which means that its boys live at the school seven days a week during term time. The remainder of them, including Charterhouse in 1971, Westminster in 1973, Rugby in 1976, Shrewsbury in 2015, and Winchester in 2022, have since become co-educational. 

Eton has educated prime ministers, world leaders, Nobel laureates, Academy Award and BAFTA award-winning actors, and generations of the aristocracy, having been referred to as "the nurse of England's statesmen". 

The school is the largest boarding school in England ahead of Millfield and Oundle. Eton charges up to £46,296 per year (£15,432 per term, with three terms per academic year, for 2022/23). Eton was noted as being the sixth most expensive HMC boarding school in the UK in 2013–14.

St Paul's Girls' School

St Paul’s Girls’ School is an extraordinary school, offering a classical yet forward-thinking education, which is rooted in a love of academic discovery and enriched by broad co-curricular provision, the kindest and most individual of pastoral care and a commitment to partnerships and service to others. 

At St Paul’s, education is not just about passing exams, but rather about a sheer joy of learning. Individual research, discussion and debate are at the heart of our teaching. All students are encouraged to dig deeper, to explore ideas and to develop their own particular interests. St Paul’s Girls’ School was named The Sunday Times’ Independent Secondary School of the Year 2023, topping the national league table for the tenth time in 11 years.

Pastorally, the school shines with a warm and vibrant community, pulsating with an infectious energy and sense of fun. A liberal philosophy thrives, evidenced by the absence of a uniform and minimal rules, allowing students the freedom to blossom into their authentic selves. A robust network of support, anchored in small tutor groups, peer mentorship, and a dedicated wellbeing team, ensures every Paulina feels secure and confident throughout their journey. This fosters an environment where risks are embraced, opportunities celebrated, and resilience nurtured.

The school's rich and diverse co-curricular tapestry caters to a kaleidoscope of passions and interests. From the lively Improv Club to the dedicated Dissection Society, from the Junior Feminist Society to the verdant Gardening Club, there's something to ignite every spark. With a constant hum of music, art, drama, and sports, St Paul's offers boundless avenues for expression and engagement for students of all ages.

Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth-form College 

Nestled in the vibrant Prestonville area of Brighton and Hove, England, lies Brighton Hove & Sussex Sixth Form College (BHASVIC). Since its inception in 1975, BHASVIC has established itself as a premier destination for sixth-form education, welcoming a diverse student body of around 1,600 students aged 16-19.

BHASVIC is renowned for its strong academic reputation and impressive track record of student success. Over 50 A-Level subjects and a variety of vocational courses are offered, catering to a wide range of interests and ambitions. The emphasis on critical thinking, research skills, and personal development equips students with the necessary tools to excel in their chosen paths. Small class sizes foster a personalised learning environment, allowing teachers to provide tailored support and guidance. To further enrich the academic experience, BHASVIC hosts an extensive programme featuring guest speakers, insightful workshops, and immersive field trips.

BHASVIC recognises the importance of preparing students for life beyond academics. The college emphasizes the development of employability skills through dedicated career guidance programmes. Students receive valuable insights into diverse career paths and are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed in the professional world. BHASVIC's commitment to fostering well-rounded individuals extends beyond the classroom, as evidenced by its strong focus on personal growth and social responsibility.

BHASVIC's dedication to high standards has been recognised by Ofsted, the Education Inspectorate, receiving a "Good" rating. The college's fees are competitive within the UK sixth-form landscape, and a robust financial support system ensures accessibility for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Moreover, BHASVIC boasts a thriving alumni network, comprising successful professionals across various fields, serving as a testament to the college's enduring legacy.

St Paul’s School, London

St Paul’s School is one of the UK’s leading independent schools, offering an outstanding all-round education for some of the brightest boys in the country. Founded by John Colet, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, in 1509 to educate boys “from all nations and countries indifferently,” regardless of race, creed or social background, St Paul’s School remains committed to this vision today. Situated in Hammersmith, West London, St. Paul's welcomes boys aged 7-18 through a competitive admissions process, seeking exceptional academic aptitude and a thirst for knowledge.

St. Paul's School, London, stands as a testament to educational excellence since its founding. This historic institution, consistently ranked among the world's best, boasts an unparalleled reputation for academic rigour and an impressive track record of nurturing future leaders. Its alumni network, studded with prominent figures in politics, academia, science, and beyond - including luminaries like architect John Nash, statesman Winston Churchill, and mathematician Alan Turing - speaks volumes about the caliber of minds honed within its hallowed halls.

The school's curriculum offers a vibrant tapestry of A-Levels and GCSEs, designed to challenge and inspire young minds. Emphasis is placed on honing critical thinking skills, fostering independent learning, and igniting intellectual curiosity. St. Paul's takes pride in its longstanding strengths in STEM subjects and classics, but its educational reach extends far beyond. An extensive co-curricular programme pulsates with a diverse range of clubs, societies, and sports, allowing students to explore their passions and excel in areas beyond academics. Excellent music, drama, and art facilities provide further avenues for expression and artistic development.

King’s College School

King's College School, also known as “Wimbledon”, “KCS”, “King’s" and “KCS Wimbledon”, is a independent day school in Wimbledon, southwest London, England. The school was established in 1829 by King George IV, as the junior department of King's College London and had part of the school's premises in Strand, prior to relocating to Wimbledon in 1897.  KCS is a member of the Eton Group of schools. It is predominantly a boys' school but accepts girls into the Sixth Form. In the Sixth Form, people can choose between the International Baccalaureate and A-Level qualifications.

Nestled in the charming southwest London borough of Wimbledon, KCS welcomes both boys aged 7-18 and girls aged 16-18 as day students. Admission is fiercely competitive, seeking applicants with exceptional academic potential and a passion for learning that extends beyond the classroom.

The school's curriculum offers a stimulating tapestry of A-Levels and the prestigious International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), designed to challenge young minds and equip them with the critical thinking skills and intellectual independence to thrive in a rapidly changing world. KCS is particularly renowned for its strengths in mathematics, science, and modern languages, but its educational reach extends far beyond these disciplines. A vibrant and diverse co-curricular programme pulsates with over 200 clubs and societies, encompassing everything from sports and music to drama, debating, and much more, allowing students to explore their passions and excel in areas beyond academics. Excellent facilities for sports, music, drama, and the arts provide further avenues for expression and artistic development.

The prestigious KCS alumni network features influential figures from various fields, their successes a testament to the school's enduring commitment to shaping future leaders. Among these luminaries are novelist Aldous Huxley, mathematician Alan Turing, and politician William Hague, each leaving their mark on the world and inspiring generations of KCS students to do the same.

Harris Westminster Sixth Form

Established in 2014 with a noble mission in mind, Harris Westminster Sixth Form stands as a shining example of educational equity in central London. Its core purpose is to break down barriers and pave the way for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds to reach the pinnacle of academic achievement. Selectivity is crucial, ensured through a rigorous entrance exam and interview process, yet the student body proudly wears its diversity as a badge of honour, with approximately 50% hailing from free school meal backgrounds. This unique blend fosters a rich learning environment where academic rigour and supportive pastoral care go hand in hand.

The curriculum at Harris Westminster is a testament to its unwavering commitment to intellectual growth. A broad and challenging tapestry of A-Levels and vocational qualifications caters to a multitude of interests and ambitions. Critical thinking, research skills, and independent learning are nurtured, equipping students with the tools to not only excel in their chosen paths but also adapt to the ever-evolving world around them. Small class sizes ensure that no student gets lost in the crowd, each receiving personalised attention and guidance from dedicated mentors. Beyond the core curriculum, the college pulsates with an extensive enrichment programme featuring guest speakers, insightful workshops, and immersive field trips, adding layers of depth and experience to the educational journey. And in keeping with its focus on preparing students for future success, Harris Westminster places a strong emphasis on employability skills and career guidance, ensuring graduates enter the workforce with the necessary tools to thrive.

Stepping into Steel House, Harris Westminster's historic home in Westminster, is stepping into a unique learning environment. The very walls whisper stories of the past, inspiring present-day minds to forge their own paths. But Harris Westminster doesn't shy away from its contemporary mission. A deliberate preference for students living in London boroughs promotes geographical accessibility, ensuring that education transcends boundaries and reaches those who need it most. And in a breath of fresh air, the college does away with the confines of uniform, fostering individuality and a relaxed atmosphere where students can truly be themselves. The results speak for themselves: a remarkable number of graduates gain admission to top universities across diverse fields, a testament to the college's transformative power.