How to get into THE best London schools

Here’s the best London private secondary schools from the 2024 Sunday Times private school league tables. SEARCH for your chosen private school using this first button:

SEARCH by independent school name AT THE ABOVE LINK for any age test practice.

Top London private schools

This London independent schools guide also includes independent London schools, best London prep schools, the best private schools in London. Plus age-specific private school entry test practice, such as the 11 plus private school test.

What are the top ranked schools in London?

These London schools have been named the best in the world:

  • Harrow School.
  • Highgate.
  • King’s College School Wimbledon.
  • North London Collegiate School.
  • Queen’s College London.
  • St Paul’s Girls School.
  • St Paul’s School.
  • Westminster.

London private school test sample papers

Private school practice tests

Our best independent school test practice:

11+ entry past papers and MATHS 11+ and ENGLISH 11+ test prep

13 Plus test practice and recommended 13+ prep private school entry.

16 Plus Test Practice and our top 16+ private school entrance past papers.

Most private schools will use either GL Assessment or ISEB pre-tests.

Private school question or a private school entry challenge?

Rob Williams

Ask ROB, our resident test design expert , your questions by emailing passedpapers@gmail.com

An Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, Rob Williams is a Chartered Psychologist with over 25 years of experience working and designing tests. Rob has consulted for many of the top school entrance test publishers, including the ISEBCambridge Assessment ; Hodder Education, and the CAT4 publishers GL Assessment.

Deciding between grammar school or private school?

Our YouTube video may help you to decide:

Top state secondary schools in London

1 Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
2 The Henrietta Barnett School, Hampstead
3 Wilson’s School, Wallington
4 The Tiffin Girls’ School, Kingston upon Thames
5 St Olave’s Grammar School, Orpington
6 The Latymer School, Edmonton
7 St Michael’s RC Grammar School, Finchley
8 Tiffin School, Kingston upon Thames
9 Nonsuch High School for Girls, Cheam
10 Sutton Grammar School
11 Wallington High School for Girls
12 Woodford County High School
13 Wallington County Grammar School

more top performing London state secondary schools 2024


14= The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School
14= JFS, Harrow
16 Camden School for Girls
17 Hasmonean High School for Boys, Hendon
18 Townley Grammar School, Bexleyheath
19 Hasmonean High School for Gilrs, Mill Hill 
20 The London Oratory School, Fulham
21 Waldegrave School, Twickenham
22 Ilford County High School
23 Bexley Grammar School, Welling
24 Twyford C of E High School, Acton
25= Fortismere School, Muswell Hill
25= Lady Margaret School
27 JCoSS (Jewish Community Secondary School), New Barnet
28 The Charter School, Herne Hill
29 The St Marylebone C of E School
30 The Grey Coat Hospital, Westminster

Top independent secondary schools in London

1 St Paul’s Girls’ School, Hammersmith
2 King’s College School, Wimbledon
3 St Paul’s School, Barnes
4 Westminster School
5 City of London School for Girls, Barbican
6 The Godolphin and Latymer School, Hammersmith
7 North London Collegiate School, Edgeware
8 Lady Eleanor Holles, Hampton
9 Hampton School
10 Wimbledon High School GDST
11 Putney High School GDST
12 James Allen’s Girls’ School, Dulwich
13 Latymer Upper School, Hammersmith
14 South Hampstead High School GDST

More top ranked London independent secondary schools 2024


15 Alleyn’s School, Dulwich
16 University College School, Hampstead
17 City of London School
18 Highgate School
19 Merchant Taylors’ School, Northwood
20 Eltham College, Mottingham
21 Trinity School, Croydon
22 Notting Hill and Ealing High School GDST
23 Bancroft’s School, Woodford Green
24 Channing School, Highgate
25 Dulwich College
26 Whitgift School, South Croydon
27 Kingston Grammar School
28 Surbiton High School, Kingston upon Thames
29 Old Palace of John Whitgift School, Croydon
30 Ibstock Place School, Roehampton

How do I get my child into the best London school?

  • Researching which are the highest rated London schools in your local London area.
  • Planning alternatives in advance – since there is of course no guarantee of your first London school choice choice working out.
  • Realistically assessing your current financial situation and hence whether London private schools are an option.

How to interpret the Sunday Times school league tables

The Sunday Times‘s London school league tables make a fascinating read for anyone. In particular, if you are looking for the top independent schools in the UK. The Guardian, The Times and The Telegraph websites allow you to add filters to their published London school league tables. So, you can

  • Pull out the top London schools nearby. Then compare your chosen school group on those criteria which are most important to you.
  • Conduct your own analysis to determine which London school best suits your child’s specific needs.
  • Visit each of your chosen London schools. Which has the right ethos for your child.
  • Check the latest Ofsted report too.

Interpreting Ofsted reports

  • Each Ofsted report is an analysis of that school’s teachers’ professional competence .
  • Plus, whether Ofsted’s performance standards have been met across the school.
  • There are three possible outcomes: under-achieving; achieving; or outstanding.

London school league tables

Schools Entrance Tests guides 2024

Looking for your best local schools 2024?

Looking for the best London private schools?

    • Firstly, best schools in London and best London private schools

    • Secondly, top London private schools and best London independent schools.

    • And also, the best London secondary schools and outstanding London private schools.
    • Plus, the best independent north east schools and north east school league tables.
    • Finally, best London private school league tables and the best secondary schools in the London.

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