Parents seeking the finest state education for their children now have a clear frontrunner, according to a major new analysis. The prestigious London constituency of Richmond Park has been officially named the best place in England for high-performing state schools.
The Study Behind the Ranking
Estate agency giant Savills conducted an in-depth study to identify the country's top neighbourhoods for government-funded education. The research, leveraging official data from the Department for Education, meticulously evaluated the average academic achievement of pupils at both Key Stage 2 and GCSE level within each parliamentary constituency.
To determine overall school quality, analysts calculated the proportion of schools in each area that ranked within the top 20 percent nationally. This figure was then offset against the proportion of schools found in the bottom 20 percent, providing a balanced and rigorous assessment of local educational excellence.
Richmond Park Claims the Top Spot
The results placed the affluent, leafy southwest London borough of Richmond Park in the number one position. Children growing up in this well-to-do area are statistically proven to have access to a top-class state education without the need for private schooling.
The findings underscore a powerful and undeniable link between local affluence and school quality. The commitment families have to education is reflected in the property market, with the average house price in Richmond Park standing at a staggering £1,016,265. Securing a place in these coveted catchment areas clearly requires significant financial investment.
London and the South East Dominate
The research confirmed a pronounced geographical trend in educational performance. In a telling statistic, 68 percent of the areas with the best-performing schools were located within London or the South East of England.
Following Richmond Park in the national ranking was Sutton and Cheam, another London constituency, where the average house price is a more moderate, yet still substantial, £518,988.
Lucian Cook, head of residential research at Savills, commented on the findings. 'There is a well-established link between house prices and access to high-performing schools,' he said. 'Families often judge the desirability of an area by the reputation of its schools, based on a long-term track record, and are willing to pay more to live in the associated catchment areas.'
This study provides concrete data to support what many parents have long understood: the postcode can be just as critical as the school itself when it comes to securing a quality state education for the next generation.
