North West independent schools league table 2025: top 71
Fee-paying schools, scored only where they publish results in the performance tables. Ranked by the Success Index (England) from official English data; 71 schools shown.
- 197Manchester High School for GirlsManchester · Independent All-through73.7 Attainment 8 · 913 students
- 296Rawdhatul Ilm Wal HudaBlackburn · Independent Secondary67.2 Attainment 8 · 246 students
- 396The Queen's SchoolChester · Independent All-through67.4 Attainment 8 · 382 students
- 494Manchester Islamic Grammar School for GirlsManchester · Independent Secondary64.3 Attainment 8 · 264 students
- 594Kassim Darwish Grammar School for BoysManchester · Independent Secondary62.2 Attainment 8 · 145 students
- 693Hulme Hall Grammar SchoolStockport · Independent All-through61.9 Attainment 8 · 203 students
- 792Christian Fellowship SchoolLiverpool · Independent All-through60.7 Attainment 8 · 175 students
- 887Hulme Grammar SchoolOldham · Independent All-through59.3 Attainment 8 · 579 students
- 987Tower CollegePrescot · Independent All-through56.1 Attainment 8 · 279 students
- 1085St. Mary's CollegeLiverpool · Independent All-through63.3 Attainment 8 · 818 students
- 1184Oakhill SchoolClitheroe · Independent All-through55.1 Attainment 8 · 279 students
- 1282Cransley SchoolNorthwich · Independent All-through52.2 Attainment 8 · 254 students
- 1382Beech House SchoolRochdale · Independent All-through54.0 Attainment 8 · 135 students
- 1480Westwood HighOldham · Independent All-through54.1 Attainment 8 · 349 students
- 1578Bolton Islamic Girls SchoolBolton · Independent Secondary53.1 Attainment 8 · 115 students
- 1677Abrar AcademyPreston · Independent Secondary50.4 Attainment 8 · 81 students
- 1775Jamiatul-Ilm Wal-Huda UK SchoolBlackburn · Independent Secondary56.3 Attainment 8 · 354 students
- 1873Afifah SchoolManchester · Independent All-through52.2 Attainment 8 · 255 students
- 1973Abbey Gate CollegeChester · Independent All-through55.0 Attainment 8 · 408 students
- 2072Olive HighBURNLEY · Independent Secondary50.2 Attainment 8 · 214 students
- 2169Edenfield Girls' High SchoolNelson · Independent Secondary50.1 Attainment 8 · 102 students
- 2266Rochdale Islamic AcademyRochdale · Independent Secondary48.3 Attainment 8 · 80 students
- 2363Bolton School Girls' DivisionBolton · Independent All-through55.2 Attainment 8 · 1,057 students
- 2461Jamea Al KautharLancaster · Independent Secondary49.3 Attainment 8 · 261 students
- 2560Trinity SchoolStalybridge · Independent All-through52.4 Attainment 8 · 90 students
- 2660Noorul UloomBlackburn · Independent Secondary49.4 Attainment 8 · 125 students
- 2756Withington Girls' SchoolManchester · Independent All-through48.8 Attainment 8 · 733 students
- 2852Darul Uloom Al Arabiya Al IslamiyaNr. Bury · Independent Secondary43.0 Attainment 8 · 383 students
- 2952Madrasatul Imam Muhammad ZakariyaBolton · Independent Secondary51.2 Attainment 8 · 122 students
- 3044TiferesSalford · Independent All-through43.8 Attainment 8 · 387 students
- 3142Birkenhead SchoolPrenton · Independent All-through44.6 Attainment 8 · 892 students
- 3241The Manchester Grammar SchoolManchester · Independent All-through42.9 Attainment 8 · 1,642 students
- 3338Westholme SchoolBlackburn · Independent All-through44.1 Attainment 8 · 706 students
- 3436Chetham's School of MusicManchester · Independent All-through42.5 Attainment 8 · 331 students
- 3532Manchester Senior Girls SchoolSalford · Independent Secondary31.1 Attainment 8 · 157 students
- 3629Kirkham Grammar SchoolPreston · Independent All-through42.6 Attainment 8 · 670 students
- 3727Bury Grammar SchoolsBury · Independent All-through36.9 Attainment 8 · 1,234 students
- 3825Beech Hall SchoolMacclesfield · Independent All-through36.2 Attainment 8 · 209 students
- 3924AKS LythamLytham St Annes · Independent All-through35.0 Attainment 8 · 785 students
- 4024Bolton School Boys' DivisionBolton · Independent All-through34.3 Attainment 8 · 1,131 students
- 4123Al Islah Girls' High SchoolBLACKBURN · Independent Secondary39.6 Attainment 8 · 119 students
- 4223The Grange SchoolNorthwich · Independent All-through29.2 Attainment 8 · 1,168 students
- 4323The King's School In MacclesfieldMacclesfield · Independent All-through28.9 Attainment 8 · 1,315 students
- 4422Stonyhurst CollegeClitheroe · Independent All-through29.5 Attainment 8 · 680 students
- 4522St Bede's CollegeWhalley Range · Independent All-through30.3 Attainment 8 · 681 students
- 4622The King's SchoolChester · Independent All-through19.3 Attainment 8 · 1,170 students
- 4721Bridgewater SchoolManchester · Independent All-through38.0 Attainment 8 · 439 students
- 4820The HammondChester · Independent Secondary32.0 Attainment 8 · 253 students
- 4920Stockport Grammar SchoolStockport · Independent All-through18.3 Attainment 8 · 1,448 students
- 5020Cheadle Hulme SchoolCheadle · Independent All-through16.9 Attainment 8 · 1,499 students
- 5119Rossall SchoolFleetwood · Independent All-through19.1 Attainment 8 · 810 students
- 5218Auckland CollegeLiverpool · Independent All-through37.8 Attainment 8 · 362 students
- 5318Austin FriarsCarlisle · Independent All-through15.6 Attainment 8 · 278 students
- 5418Merchant Taylors' SchoolsLiverpool · Independent All-through21.4 Attainment 8 · 844 students
- 5517St Anne's College Grammar SchoolLytham St Annes · Independent All-through36.7 Attainment 8 · 61 students
- 5617Sedbergh SchoolSedbergh (La10 5hg) · Independent Secondary27.9 Attainment 8 · 545 students
- 5717Scarisbrick Hall SchoolOrmskirk · Independent All-through32.0 Attainment 8 · 1,039 students
- 5816Darul Hadis Latifiah NorthwestOldham · Independent Secondary33.4 Attainment 8 · 67 students
- 5911Etz Chaim Boys SchoolSalford · Independent Secondary27.0 Attainment 8 · 245 students
- 6010Bnos Yisroel School ManchesterSalford · Independent All-through33.8 Attainment 8 · 650 students
- 6110OneSchool Global NorthwichNorthwich · Independent All-through19.6 Attainment 8 · 118 students
- 626Windermere SchoolThe Lake District · Independent All-through25.4 Attainment 8 · 226 students
- 636Abbey College ManchesterOff King Street · Independent Secondary5.4 Attainment 8 · 155 students
- 646Oholei Yosef Yitzchok Lubavitch SchoolsSalford · Independent All-through23.4 Attainment 8 · 71 students
- 655Beis Malka Girls schoolSalford · Independent All-through18.0 Attainment 8 · 300 students
- 664Beis Hatalmud SchoolSalford · Independent Secondary14.3 Attainment 8 · 145 students
- 673Turning Point AcademyOrmskirk · Independent All-through10.3 Attainment 8 · 72 students
- 683Edstart5 Gerald Road · Independent Secondary8.0 Attainment 8 · 94 students
- 693Beis Ruchel Girls SchoolSalford · Independent Secondary4.5 Attainment 8 · 198 students
- 703Greater Manchester Independent SchoolManchester · Independent Secondary3.9 Attainment 8 · 62 students
- 712The Alternative SchoolAccrington · Independent All-through2.4 Attainment 8 · 172 students
| # | School | Sector | Success Index (England) | Key result | Students |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester High School for Girls Manchester · All-through · Ages 3–18 | Independent | 97.1 Top 5% | 73.7 Attainment 8 | 913 |
| 2 | Rawdhatul Ilm Wal Huda Blackburn · Secondary · Ages 11–25 | Independent | 96.0 Top 5% | 67.2 Attainment 8 | 246 |
| 3 | The Queen's School Chester · All-through · Ages 3–18 | Independent | 96.0 Top 5% | 67.4 Attainment 8 | 382 |
| 4 | Manchester Islamic Grammar School for Girls Manchester · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Independent | 94.2 Top 5% | 64.3 Attainment 8 | 264 |
| 5 | Kassim Darwish Grammar School for Boys Manchester · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Independent | 94.0 Top 5% | 62.2 Attainment 8 | 145 |
| 6 | Hulme Hall Grammar School Stockport · All-through · Ages 2–16 | Independent | 93.1 Top 5% | 61.9 Attainment 8 | 203 |
| 7 | Christian Fellowship School Liverpool · All-through · Ages 4–16 | Independent | 92.2 Top 10% | 60.7 Attainment 8 | 175 |
| 8 | Hulme Grammar School Oldham · All-through · Ages 4–18 | Independent | 87.3 Top 10% | 59.3 Attainment 8 | 579 |
| 9 | Tower College Prescot · All-through · Ages 2–16 | Independent | 86.8 Top 10% | 56.1 Attainment 8 | 279 |
| 10 | St. Mary's College Liverpool · All-through · Ages 0–18 | Independent | 84.7 Top 25% | 63.3 Attainment 8 | 818 |
| 11 | Oakhill School Clitheroe · All-through · Ages 0–16 | Independent | 83.5 Top 25% | 55.1 Attainment 8 | 279 |
| 12 | Cransley School Northwich · All-through · Ages 4–16 | Independent | 82.0 Top 25% | 52.2 Attainment 8 | 254 |
| 13 | Beech House School Rochdale · All-through · Ages 2–16 | Independent | 81.5 Top 25% | 54.0 Attainment 8 | 135 |
| 14 | Westwood High Oldham · All-through · Ages 2–19 | Independent | 80.4 Top 25% | 54.1 Attainment 8 | 349 |
| 15 | Bolton Islamic Girls School Bolton · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Independent | 77.5 Top 25% | 53.1 Attainment 8 | 115 |
| 16 | Abrar Academy Preston · Secondary · Ages 11–21 | Independent | 76.9 Top 25% | 50.4 Attainment 8 | 81 |
| 17 | Jamiatul-Ilm Wal-Huda UK School Blackburn · Secondary · Ages 11–25 | Independent | 74.9 Top 25% | 56.3 Attainment 8 | 354 |
| 18 | Afifah School Manchester · All-through · Ages 2–16 | Independent | 73.4 Top 25% | 52.2 Attainment 8 | 255 |
| 19 | Abbey Gate College Chester · All-through · Ages 4–18 | Independent | 73.2 Top 25% | 55.0 Attainment 8 | 408 |
| 20 | Olive High BURNLEY · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Independent | 72.4 Top 25% | 50.2 Attainment 8 | 214 |
| 21 | Edenfield Girls' High School Nelson · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Independent | 68.8 Top 50% | 50.1 Attainment 8 | 102 |
| 22 | Rochdale Islamic Academy Rochdale · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Independent | 66.3 Top 50% | 48.3 Attainment 8 | 80 |
| 23 | Bolton School Girls' Division Bolton · All-through · Ages 7–18 | Independent | 63.1 Top 50% | 55.2 Attainment 8 | 1,057 |
| 24 | Jamea Al Kauthar Lancaster · Secondary · Ages 11–25 | Independent | 61.4 Top 50% | 49.3 Attainment 8 | 261 |
| 25 | Trinity School Stalybridge · All-through · Ages 3–16 | Independent | 60.2 Top 50% | 52.4 Attainment 8 | 90 |
| 26 | Noorul Uloom Blackburn · Secondary · Ages 11–23 | Independent | 59.5 Top 50% | 49.4 Attainment 8 | 125 |
| 27 | Withington Girls' School Manchester · All-through · Ages 7–19 | Independent | 55.9 Top 50% | 48.8 Attainment 8 | 733 |
| 28 | Darul Uloom Al Arabiya Al Islamiya Nr. Bury · Secondary · Ages 11–23 | Independent | 52.3 Top 50% | 43.0 Attainment 8 | 383 |
| 29 | Madrasatul Imam Muhammad Zakariya Bolton · Secondary · Ages 11–19 | Independent | 52.2 Top 50% | 51.2 Attainment 8 | 122 |
| 30 | Tiferes Salford · All-through · Ages 3–16 | Independent | 43.8 Lower 50% | 43.8 Attainment 8 | 387 |
| 31 | Birkenhead School Prenton · All-through · Ages 3–19 | Independent | 41.6 Lower 50% | 44.6 Attainment 8 | 892 |
| 32 | The Manchester Grammar School Manchester · All-through · Ages 7–18 | Independent | 41.1 Lower 50% | 42.9 Attainment 8 | 1,642 |
| 33 | Westholme School Blackburn · All-through · Ages 3–18 | Independent | 38.3 Lower 50% | 44.1 Attainment 8 | 706 |
| 34 | Chetham's School of Music Manchester · All-through · Ages 8–19 | Independent | 35.8 Lower 50% | 42.5 Attainment 8 | 331 |
| 35 | Manchester Senior Girls School Salford · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Independent | 32.2 Lower 50% | 31.1 Attainment 8 | 157 |
| 36 | Kirkham Grammar School Preston · All-through · Ages 2–19 | Independent | 29.0 Lower 50% | 42.6 Attainment 8 | 670 |
| 37 | Bury Grammar Schools Bury · All-through · Ages 3–18 | Independent | 27.4 Lower 50% | 36.9 Attainment 8 | 1,234 |
| 38 | Beech Hall School Macclesfield · All-through · Ages 4–19 | Independent | 24.6 Lower 50% | 36.2 Attainment 8 | 209 |
| 39 | AKS Lytham Lytham St Annes · All-through · Ages 0–19 | Independent | 24.3 Lower 50% | 35.0 Attainment 8 | 785 |
| 40 | Bolton School Boys' Division Bolton · All-through · Ages 7–18 | Independent | 24.0 Lower 50% | 34.3 Attainment 8 | 1,131 |
| 41 | Al Islah Girls' High School BLACKBURN · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Independent | 23.4 Lower 50% | 39.6 Attainment 8 | 119 |
| 42 | The Grange School Northwich · All-through · Ages 4–19 | Independent | 23.2 Lower 50% | 29.2 Attainment 8 | 1,168 |
| 43 | The King's School In Macclesfield Macclesfield · All-through · Ages 3–19 | Independent | 23.0 Lower 50% | 28.9 Attainment 8 | 1,315 |
| 44 | Stonyhurst College Clitheroe · All-through · Ages 3–19 | Independent | 22.3 Lower 50% | 29.5 Attainment 8 | 680 |
| 45 | St Bede's College Whalley Range · All-through · Ages 3–19 | Independent | 21.8 Lower 50% | 30.3 Attainment 8 | 681 |
| 46 | The King's School Chester · All-through · Ages 4–19 | Independent | 21.5 Lower 50% | 19.3 Attainment 8 | 1,170 |
| 47 | Bridgewater School Manchester · All-through · Ages 3–18 | Independent | 20.5 Lower 50% | 38.0 Attainment 8 | 439 |
| 48 | The Hammond Chester · Secondary · Ages 11–19 | Independent | 20.2 Lower 50% | 32.0 Attainment 8 | 253 |
| 49 | Stockport Grammar School Stockport · All-through · Ages 3–18 | Independent | 19.9 Lower 50% | 18.3 Attainment 8 | 1,448 |
| 50 | Cheadle Hulme School Cheadle · All-through · Ages 3–18 | Independent | 19.6 Lower 50% | 16.9 Attainment 8 | 1,499 |
| 51 | Rossall School Fleetwood · All-through · Ages 0–19 | Independent | 19.3 Lower 50% | 19.1 Attainment 8 | 810 |
| 52 | Auckland College Liverpool · All-through · Ages 3–16 | Independent | 18.4 Lower 50% | 37.8 Attainment 8 | 362 |
| 53 | Austin Friars Carlisle · All-through · Ages 3–18 | Independent | 18.1 Lower 50% | 15.6 Attainment 8 | 278 |
| 54 | Merchant Taylors' Schools Liverpool · All-through · Ages 4–19 | Independent | 17.9 Lower 50% | 21.4 Attainment 8 | 844 |
| 55 | St Anne's College Grammar School Lytham St Annes · All-through · Ages 2–19 | Independent | 17.4 Lower 50% | 36.7 Attainment 8 | 61 |
| 56 | Sedbergh School Sedbergh (La10 5hg) · Secondary · Ages 13–19 | Independent | 17.3 Lower 50% | 27.9 Attainment 8 | 545 |
| 57 | Scarisbrick Hall School Ormskirk · All-through · Ages 0–18 | Independent | 16.9 Lower 50% | 32.0 Attainment 8 | 1,039 |
| 58 | Darul Hadis Latifiah Northwest Oldham · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Independent | 15.6 Lower 50% | 33.4 Attainment 8 | 67 |
| 59 | Etz Chaim Boys School Salford · Secondary · Ages 11–17 | Independent | 11.1 Lower 50% | 27.0 Attainment 8 | 245 |
| 60 | Bnos Yisroel School Manchester Salford · All-through · Ages 3–16 | Independent | 10.3 Lower 50% | 33.8 Attainment 8 | 650 |
| 61 | OneSchool Global Northwich Northwich · All-through · Ages 7–18 | Independent | 10.2 Lower 50% | 19.6 Attainment 8 | 118 |
| 62 | Windermere School The Lake District · All-through · Ages 3–20 | Independent | 6.3 Lower 50% | 25.4 Attainment 8 | 226 |
| 63 | Abbey College Manchester Off King Street · Secondary · Ages 14–23 | Independent | 6.2 Lower 50% | 5.4 Attainment 8 | 155 |
| 64 | Oholei Yosef Yitzchok Lubavitch Schools Salford · All-through · Ages 2–17 | Independent | 6.0 Lower 50% | 23.4 Attainment 8 | 71 |
| 65 | Beis Malka Girls school Salford · All-through · Ages 3–16 | Independent | 4.8 Lower 50% | 18.0 Attainment 8 | 300 |
| 66 | Beis Hatalmud School Salford · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Independent | 3.9 Lower 50% | 14.3 Attainment 8 | 145 |
| 67 | Turning Point Academy Ormskirk · All-through · Ages 7–16 | Independent | 3.4 Lower 50% | 10.3 Attainment 8 | 72 |
| 68 | Edstart 5 Gerald Road · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Independent | 3.2 Lower 50% | 8.0 Attainment 8 | 94 |
| 69 | Beis Ruchel Girls School Salford · Secondary · Ages 11–16 | Independent | 2.6 Lower 50% | 4.5 Attainment 8 | 198 |
| 70 | Greater Manchester Independent School Manchester · Secondary · Ages 11–18 | Independent | 2.5 Lower 50% | 3.9 Attainment 8 | 62 |
| 71 | The Alternative School Accrington · All-through · Ages 6–18 | Independent | 2.2 Lower 50% | 2.4 Attainment 8 | 172 |
Manchester High School for Girls in Manchester leads the 2025 list of independent schools in North West with a Success Index (England) of 97.1. Of the 71 schools shown, 71 are independent.
Scores are percentiles within school type, so a primary school and a secondary school with the same score sit at the same point in their own distributions. Use the rankings to build a shortlist, then visit the schools and ask how they support students at your child's level.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best independent school in North West?
Manchester High School for Girls in Manchester ranks first among independent schools in North West with a Success Index (England) of 97.1 out of 100 (Pupils on roll: 913).
How are independent schools in North West ranked?
Each school's Success Index (England) combines 9 factors: ks2: reading, writing & maths expected standard (35%), ks2: higher standard (20%), ks2: reading progress (10%), ks2: maths progress (10%), progress 8 (20%), attainment 8 (30%), grade 5+ in english & maths (15%), a level points per entry (10%), community advantage (fewer pupils on free school meals) (15%). Each factor is a percentile against schools of the same type across England. Schools with fewer than 60 students are excluded from rankings.
Are these 2025 rankings official?
No. They are computed by Success Tutoring from official English data (DfE – Get Information About Schools; DfE – Compare school and college performance). Independent schools rarely appear in the performance tables, so most receive no attainment components and no score.