London state schools are statistically the best in England; 69% of all state school pupils achieve the expected standard of reading, writing and maths. But whilst the city has the fastest improving state schools in the UK, still just 35% of parents in London would choose state schools if money were no object - the lowest percentage in the country.
This is because although London state schools are performing well academically, they are still falling some way behind the independent sector. In Kensington and Chelsea, for example, where there is a high distribution of independent schools, the percentage of children attaining top scores at Key Stage 2 for reading, writing and mathematics was over 40% higher than national averages.
In 2017, more state-educated London students achieved above average scores at GCSE than anywhere in the UK; but again, this pales in comparison to London's elite independent schools - at Westminster and KCS Wimbledon, for example, 97% of students achieved A* or A grades.
The same pattern is clear at A-Level: London and the South-East have the highest-achieving state schools in the UK, but 135% more students in independent schools nationwide achieved 3 A grades or higher.
It follows that Oxbridge entrance statistics favours those coming from independent schools. Oxford has a 26% acceptance rate for UK independent schools, and 19% for UK state schools. Cambridge has 32% acceptance rate for independent schools, and a 24% acceptance rate for state schools. Despite Oxbridge's efforts to admit more students from less privileged economic background, independent schools still have the advantage. Their students get better A-level results and are considered better prepared for entry to the top universities.
The data presents a stark message for ambitious London parents. If you want the best results, you need to consider independent schools. Though London state school results are the strongest in the nation, and universities are trying harder to open their doors to students from different socio-economic backgrounds, state schools cannot compete with the consistency of achievement found in the UK's independent schools.
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