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The Sunday Times Parent Power Rankings Preview

32 replies

LondonParents · 07/09/2026 21:49

Some of the schools have reported detailed GCSE and A-level results so we can now calculate the upcoming rankings for the Times Parent Power Rankings. SPGS has not reported enough detail on its A-level results. Mostly likely, it will rank anywhere from 5th to 2nd place. The table so far...

The Sunday Times Parent Power Rankings Preview
OP posts:
CruCru · 16/09/2026 15:48

LondonParents · 16/09/2026 15:41

Absolutely, that seems reasonable. I'm all for happy and fun schools. Just out of curiosity, are the schools on this list unhappy and miserable? I genuinely don't know, maybe they are. I feel sorry for the students.

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I am sure that all these schools are happy places. It is up to them to pick children who will enjoy what they have to offer. They are very oversubscribed so can pick and choose. I remember the head of admissions at St Paul’s saying that what worried them was the risk of taking a boy who won’t thrive there, rather than the risk of missing out on a promising boy. The promising boy that they miss will do very well at another school.

Ubertomusic · 16/09/2026 16:03

SW19pimms · 16/09/2026 15:27

And not all the kids are 'super bright'- they just happened to pass a tough exam when they were 6 years old or 10/12.

No one "just happens" to pass such exams 😂

I can only see the list up to G&L btw so not talking about Benenden etc.

Ubertomusic · 16/09/2026 16:08

CruCru · 16/09/2026 15:44

Honestly? Pick the school that you think will suit your child the best - there isn’t all that much between the school that is 5th (say) on that list and the school that is 25th.

Avoid schools that have a mad journey. It’s amazing how many parents are willing to sign their children up for a terrible journey to and from school aged 11 because the school is considered more prestigious. I think St Paul’s School for Girls now have a thing where they only want girls who have a journey door to door of 50 minutes or less - the high mistress said it was because sports teams start training at 7:30 so girls with a mad commute can’t take part.

there isn’t all that much between the school that is 5th (say) on that list and the school that is 25th.

I disagree. Some of these schools are worlds apart, even within top 10. There is very little in common between the middle class S Asian NLCS and the cosmopolitan wealthy SPGS, for example.

CruCru · 16/09/2026 16:26

Ubertomusic · 16/09/2026 16:08

there isn’t all that much between the school that is 5th (say) on that list and the school that is 25th.

I disagree. Some of these schools are worlds apart, even within top 10. There is very little in common between the middle class S Asian NLCS and the cosmopolitan wealthy SPGS, for example.

Edited
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Ah, I meant in terms of GCSEs / A levels. A child who will get 10 9s at NLCS will also get them at SPGS. So pick the one you like best.

boysmuminherts · 16/09/2026 17:01

Ubertomusic · 16/09/2026 15:23

I do realise that but thank you all the same. What's the name for mansplaining done by a [presumably] woman? 😁

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Haha. Apologies. I just misunderstood then "who are those 1-3%?"

Ubertomusic · 16/09/2026 19:43

CruCru · 16/09/2026 16:26

Ah, I meant in terms of GCSEs / A levels. A child who will get 10 9s at NLCS will also get them at SPGS. So pick the one you like best.

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Yes, in terms of GCSE and probably even A levels it's just splitting hairs.

Ubertomusic · 16/09/2026 19:45

boysmuminherts · 16/09/2026 17:01

Haha. Apologies. I just misunderstood then "who are those 1-3%?"

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My bad then :) I'm always typing in haste between some work and chores and music so not always coherent 😂

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