Private Schools in England
There are 1,622 open private schools on School Signal - 1,012 other, 594 all-through, 13 primary. 73.2% of those in England were rated Outstanding or Good at their last graded inspection, against 92.5% of all schools.
Browse independent and private schools across England by area. Compare fees where the school publishes them, the latest ISI or Ofsted inspection, and results where reported.
Ofsted grades: private schools and all schools
11.7% Outstanding against 14.4% across England.
- Outstanding41 (12%)
- Good216 (62%)
- Requires improvement76 (22%)
- Inadequate18 (5%)
- Outstanding2,939 (14%)
- Good15,991 (78%)
- Requires improvement1,432 (7%)
- Inadequate98 (0%)
- Outstanding
- 11.7%14.4%
- Outstanding or Good
- 73.2%92.5%
- Requires improvement or Inadequate
- 26.8%7.5%
Source: Ofsted, latest graded inspection per school (England)
Private Schools by stage
By nation: England 1,568, Scotland 54.
- Other1,012
- All-through594
- Primary13
- Secondary3
Where the most private schools are
Click an area to see every school there, with grades and results.
How to choose a private school in England
England has around 1,600 fee-paying independent schools - from small prep schools preparing children for 11-plus and 13-plus common entrance assessments to large secondary independents with extensive boarding and co-curricular programmes. Private schools set their own admissions criteria, curriculum and term dates, and are inspected either by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) or Ofsted rather than following the state framework. ISI inspection reports assess the quality of education, pupils' personal development and the school's compliance with independent school standards, making them essential reading when shortlisting. Many families compare six or more schools before deciding, so School Signal brings fees, ratings, results and entry requirements together in one place.
Private school fees vary significantly by age group, school type and whether a place is day or boarding - and since January 2025 fees are subject to VAT, which has had a material effect on costs across the sector. Bursaries and scholarships in areas such as academic achievement, music, sport and art can substantially reduce fees for eligible families, and most schools publish their financial support policies on request. When comparing independent schools, look beyond headline league table positions: GCSE and A-level results, leavers' destinations, class sizes and the breadth of the co-curricular offer all matter.
Browse private schools by area
Questions parents ask about private schools
How do private schools compare on Ofsted grades?
Of the 351 private schools in England with a graded Ofsted inspection, 11.7% were last graded Outstanding and 73.2% Outstanding or Good, against 14.4% and 92.5% for all graded schools in England. Grades date from different years, and Ofsted stopped giving new single-word grades in September 2024, so read each school's latest report too.
How much do private school fees cost in England?
Fees vary by school, age group and whether the place is day or boarding, and since January 2025 they are subject to VAT. Our private school fees pages list each school's published fees by area, with the academic year and whether VAT is included, and compare areas on the same basis.
What is an ISI inspection and what does it tell me?
The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspects most independent schools in England that belong to ISC associations. ISI reports assess the quality of pupils' academic and personal development, leadership and the school's compliance with statutory standards. Reading the most recent ISI report alongside Ofsted data (where applicable) gives a much fuller picture of a school than its marketing materials alone.
How do bursaries and scholarships work at private schools?
Means-tested bursaries are awarded on financial need and can cover a substantial portion of fees - some schools offer fully funded places. Scholarships are awarded on merit in areas such as academic excellence, music, sport or art, and typically reduce fees by a fixed percentage. Availability and application deadlines vary by school, so contact the admissions office early in your search - most bursary applications open well before the main entry point.