While London hosts hundreds of outstanding state primaries, the likelihood of getting into one of the outstanding and high performing state secondary schools is far lower, and many parents who start out at excellent state primary schools tend to switch to private secondary schools, if they can afford it or they qualify for a bursary (see this article on financial aid provided by private secondary schools). This article will focus mainly on outstanding secondary schools in Central London. In addition, please see the list of grammar schools in and around Greater London.
Here is an overview of London’s most sought after secondary state schools:
BRAMPTON MANOR ACADEMY, East Ham: the East London comprehensive school that sent 20 pupils to Oxbridge in 2018. High aspirations for all, along with a dedicated Oxbridge training programme. One to watch!
CAMDEN SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, Camden, NW5
PUPILS: 848 girls (157 boys in sixth form), aged 11-18.
Fortismere School, Muswell Hill, N10
Graveney School, Wandsworth, SW17
PUPILS: 1,968 boys and girls, aged 11-18
Grey Coat Hospital School, Westminster, SW1
Pupils: 1,050 girls, aged 11-18 (31 boys in sixth form)
Applications: 1,200 for 151 places
Admissions: This is a Church of England school, and most places are church places. If you are not Church of England, the best way is to apply for one of the 15 language places, which are allocated based on results in a special language aptitude test (a general ability to learn a language, not a test of a particular foreign language).
Profile: Very Central location in SW1, a wide catchment due to the Church of England requirement. In the news when then Education Secretary Michael Gove sent his daughter here.
Holland Park School, Holland Park, W8
PUPILS: 1,350 boys and girls, aged 11-18. One of the most oversubscribed secondary schools in London, receiving 1,715 applications for 240 places in 2017. Has a reputation for state of the art facilities, strict management, high academic expectations and excellent teaching. Sees an inflow from the private sector to their Sixth Form. Particularly strong in arts and design technology. Follow link for further information.
Lady Margaret’s School, Parsons Green, SW6. The school that was reportedly the Cameron’s first choice for their daughter, even though she ended up attending Greycoat Hospital instead. It prioritises Church of England applicants, though a small number of open places for girls from the local community are offered each year. Children have to sit the banding test in Year 6 to ensure a mixed intake. Enviable location and strong results. According to a Sutton Trust report published in 2011, this is the UK’s most successful comprehensive school when it comes to Oxbridge and Russel Group university admission. Latin is on offer for top pupils, as is the Duke of Edinburgh award. Some girls take part in the BBC news report. Music and the arts are also strong.
London Oratory School, Fulham, SW6
Mossbourne Academy, Bethnal Green, E1. Seven students were accepted to Oxbridge in 2018 and 13% received straight A*! A record 40% of students achieved A*-A grades. Oversubscribed comprehensive school, large focus on STEM subjects.
West London Free School, Hammersmith, W6
Pupils: co-educational, 300 pupils, 11 - 18
Applications: 1,100 applications for 120 places in Year 7, one of the most oversubscribed schools in London. 10% of places are reserved for children of high musical aptitude.
Admissions: mostly by distance to the school, with some places available to children in a wider catchment
Profile: Very modelled based on Classical Education, with an emphasis on traditional subjects and compulsory study of Latin. Long school day and lots of homework, a hard working ethos and high aspirations for all. As a freshly founded free school, there has been some staff turnover and leadership changes in the early years, but it has not hurt its popularity yet, and you can expect this school to continue to be highly sought after in coming years.