Brighton College has achieved another unprecedented sweep in The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide 2026, being named UK Boarding School of the Year, UK Co-educational School of the Year, and Top Academic School in South East England.
These accolades are regarded as the ‘Oscars of the educational world’. The rankings and awards are based on GCSE and A-level results, alongside a school’s broader educational offering.
Brighton College’s latest honours build on its recognition as The Sunday Times’ UK School of the Decade – the only school to have received this title. Its Principal, Richard Cairns, is also the only UK Head ever to win Tatler’s Head of the Year twice.
The College’s rise has been remarkable. When Cairns became Head in 2006, Brighton ranked 147th in The Sunday Times. It has climbed every year since, and this year outperformed every other co-educational and boarding school nationwide. These results have translated into outstanding university destinations, with the University of Cambridge remaining the single most common destination.
Cairns now oversees the global Brighton College family – including schools in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Bangkok, Bangkok Vibhavadi, Dubai, Handcross, Hanoi, Hove, Kensington and Singapore, with three more due to open in Rome, Madrid and Lisbon in 2027, and more announcements in the pipeline.
He commented: “This is a wonderful accolade for Brighton College and hugely exciting for our international schools, as we work with them to replicate the Brighton magic across the world for the benefit of thousands more children,”
In 2024, Cairns handed over the reins at Brighton College UK to Head Master Steve Marshall-Taylor. He is delighted that Brighton’s upward star sees absolutely no sign of waning: “I am particularly thrilled that we have been recognised by The Sunday Times for being the best school in Britain for educating boys and girls together. We all know that there is no need for schools to segregate boys off from girls. University, the workplace, life itself are co-educational experiences and young people need to be properly prepared for that.”
“I am also thrilled that we have been named UK Boarding School of the Year for the second year running. In 2006, Brighton had just 120 boarders; today that figure is close to 500, with a further 150 places planned from 2027, with the construction of two new boarding houses underway. There is a wonderful balance of weekly boarders who can go home every weekend and an established full boarding community that draws from every continent of the world – with the possible exception of Antarctica.”
Owing to strong UK demand, most Brighton College boarders are UK-based, offering international pupils – who represent 25% of the total – a truly British experience. Weekly boarding from London has proved especially popular. Pupils stay at school Monday to Thursday nights before returning home on Fridays – a four-nights-in, three-nights-home model that has become a game-changer for working families.
Brighton College’s success is also striking in comparison with London’s highly selective schools. The College takes a distinctive approach. As Marshall-Taylor notes: “It has always been obvious to us that pupils perform better if they are happy, and they are happiest when valued for who they are. Whether they prefer robotics to rugby, or the reverse, that is something to be celebrated.”
Beyond academics, pupils benefit from exceptional opportunities outside the classroom. Brighton College has a strong sporting reputation winning multiple national titles, and England rugby star Marcus Smith is among the College’s recent alumni. An acclaimed drama tradition (including Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao – shortly releasing her latest movie, Hamnet), a vibrant music scene and an award-winning dance programme featuring more than 100 boys: “Possibly the best example” says Marshall-Taylor, “of a school where boys and girls can be themselves.”
The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide 2026
Categories: Brighton College School News
