State schools lead Oxbridge intake as VAT shift pushes more families to the state sector

Exclusive analysis of Oxbridge admissions data shows which taxpayer-funded schools produced the most entrants to Oxford and Cambridge last year, with Hills Road Sixth Form College in Cambridge at the top of the overall table. The figures come from Oxford and Cambridge universities and are supplemented by government statistics and Good Schools Guide profiles. The data identify 30 top state schools and sixth form colleges that sent more than five pupils to either university, and show how the landscape is evolving as parents weigh options in a tightened funding environment.

Across England, Hills Road recorded 57 total entrants, with 38 to Oxford and 19 to Cambridge. Brampton Manor in Newham followed with 54 total entrants (35 Cambridge, 19 Oxford), while Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet tallied 53 (40 Cambridge, 13 Oxford). Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College registered 48 (23 Cambridge, 25 Oxford), and Peter Symonds College in Winchester had 46 (26 Cambridge, 20 Oxford). These five schools together illustrate how large state sixth forms can dominate the Oxbridge flow because they enroll many students each year.

Analysts note a pattern of over‑representation in London and the South East and among grammar schools that admit by ability via the 11 plus. A number of large sixth form colleges also feature prominently due to their bigger year groups. The list excludes schools with one to five entrants; overall, more than 650 state schools fall into that small-entrants category across the UK.

Across England’s top feeders, Hills Road sits at the head of the table with a total of 57 entrants (38 to Oxford, 19 to Cambridge), followed by Brampton Manor with 54 (35 Cambridge, 19 Oxford) and Queen Elizabeth’s School in Barnet with 53 (40 Cambridge, 13 Oxford). Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College ranks fourth with 48 (23 Cambridge, 25 Oxford) and Peter Symonds College in Winchester fifth with 46 (26 Cambridge, 20 Oxford). The mix underscores how large sixth form colleges and highly selective grammars help channel a disproportionate share of Oxbridge entrants, even as many pupils come from surrounding or less affluent communities.

The pattern extends beyond England. In Wales, Cardiff High School logged up to 11 total Oxbridge entrants, with up to five Cambridge and up to six Oxford, according to the dataset. In Scotland, Jordanhill School in Glasgow posted up to five Cambridge entrants and no Oxford entrants. The regional difference reflects the devolved education systems and the relatively small numbers involved in Oxbridge admissions from each country.

Experts caution that the figures reflect a snapshot of 2024 data and are limited by how universities record entrants. Numbers for schools with five or fewer entrants are omitted, and variations in reporting can affect year-to-year comparisons. Still, the compilation — drawn from university data and cross-checked with government statistics and Good Schools Guide profiles — illustrates where Oxbridge-ready talent is being cultivated within the state sector and how that landscape is evolving.

The data arrive amid political and policy shifts that are reshaping the incentive structure around private education. Labour’s value‑added tax on independent school fees, introduced in January, adds up to 20 percent to the cost of private schooling and is expected to push more middle‑class families toward the state sector. Melanie Sanderson, managing editor of the Good Schools Guide, said the VAT change is prompting some families to consider moving older pupils into strong state schools to save money, though she stressed that competition for the most prestigious state places has long been fierce. "A lot of parents are now choosing to move their child at age 16 to a really good state school, to save that money," she said, adding that entry to prestigious schools remains highly competitive. "What you want to see in any school is that they can draw the best out of children. If a non-selective state school can get some kids into Oxford and Cambridge most years, they’re doing a great job."

Education researchers note that London and the South East are disproportionately represented in the top feeders list, with grammar schools and large sixth form colleges mixing with selective academies to drive Oxbridge entry numbers. They caution that the statistics do not capture every pathway to Oxbridge and that many pupils gain admission through targeted preparation and sustained support within local schools. The broader takeaway is a portrait of a state sector that, in some places, matches or exceeds traditional private-school outcomes for highly academic pupils.

Deadlines for admissions also intersect with these pathways. The deadline for Year 7 applications is October 31, while sixth form entry deadlines vary between October and January by institution. Parents and guardians planning Oxbridge-focused applications should consult each school’s admissions guidance and align preparations with university entry requirements.

In sum, the latest data highlight how Oxbridge admissions flow through a broad network of state-funded schools, including large sixth-form colleges and grammar schools, and how policy changes are shaping parental choices as competition for limited Oxbridge places remains intense across the country.