More than half of A-level exams taken at independent schools in the UK were awarded the top two grades, according to a recent survey by the Independent Schools Council (ISC). The survey, which collected results from 408 ISC member schools representing 31,915 candidates, found that 51.9 percent of A-level entries received an A* or A grade. Of these, over 20 percent were awarded the highest mark of A*.

These results are largely consistent with last year’s performance and remain significantly above the national average of 28.5 percent for top grades. Data from the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) offers a slightly lower figure for fee-charging schools across England, placing the proportion of A* and A grades at 48.9 percent.

Overall performance across the ISC schools showed that 78.1 percent of candidates achieved grades ranging from A* to B, while 91.4 percent earned grades within the A* to C range. Regional variations were noted, with pupils in the north attaining 17.4 percent A* grades, up from 16.9 percent in the previous year and 14 percent in 2019. Additionally, 8.9 percent of students in ISC schools secured three or more A* grades.

Julie Robinson, chief executive of the ISC, commented that the results reflect considerable effort from students, teachers, and families, emphasizing that academic achievement cannot be fully encapsulated by exam grades alone.

Alongside traditional A-levels, participation in BTEC qualifications continues to rise within independent schools. In 2026, 1,867 pupils across 115 schools took BTEC courses, marking an increase of nearly 8 percent from 2025 and a 44 percent rise since 2019.

The reported figures highlight ongoing trends in academic attainment within the independent school sector, while also illustrating growth in vocational qualifications such as BTECs.