When it comes to choosing the best schools in prime London, parents and students seek institutions that offer a combination of academic excellence, supportive environments and enriching extracurricular opportunities. These prestigious schools are known not only for their impressive exam results and top university placements but also for fostering well rounded development in their students. From historic institutions with centuries of tradition to modern schools with innovative approaches, here are the ten most sought-after schools in prime London, each offering a unique blend of high academic standards, vibrant community life and exceptional facilities.

In this article you’ll find the top ten most desired schools in prime London, outlining each school’s academic performance based on GCSE and A-Level results, along with the corresponding day fees. Additionally, you’ll find the best places to live for simple access to these schools on a daily basis.

1. St Paul’s Girls School

GCSE: 99.6% A*-A
A-Level: 85.4% A*-A
Day Fee: £28,389
Best place to live: Kensington
Travel to school: 15-20 minute bus
Average Property Price: £2.2m

St. Paul’s Girls’ School, situated in Brook Green, Hammersmith, is renowned as one of the nation’s most academically competitive institutions. As a private day school for girls aged 11 to 18, it consistently achieves outstanding academic results, with the latest A-level outcomes highlighting a significant number of students earning A or A* grades. Despite its rigorous academic focus, the school also excels in providing top-quality sports and extracurricular opportunities, ensuring a well-rounded education for its students.

2. City of London School

GCSE: 99% A*-A
A-Level: 81.2% A*-A
Day Fee: £19,995
Best place to live: Chelsea
Travel to school: 20 minute, District/Circle Line
Average Property Price: £2.3m

The City of London School is a private day school for boys located on the banks of the River Thames next to the Millennium Bridge. It offers full bursaries to qualifying families, but entry is extremely competitive due to its relatively small student body. Each year, only around 30 pupils are accepted from the 13+ group. As one of London’s leading academic day schools, City of London School educates over 950 boys aged 10 to 18. The school occupies an iconic position in the heart of the City of London, near St Paul’s Cathedral. With purpose-built facilities, the school maintains a proud tradition of academic excellence and educational innovation dating back to the fifteenth century.

3. St Paul’s School

GCSE: 98.9% A*-A
A-Level: 82.1% A*-A
Day Fee: £26,556
Best place to live: Notting Hill
Travel to school: 30 minute, Hammersmith & City/Circle Line
Average Property Price: £2m

St. Paul’s is an independent school who has made their name by providing an outstanding, all-round education for gifted boys aged 7 to 18 years. With around 20 places available each year, competition for entry is exceptionally high. Prospective students must register a year before entry, with the registration cut off date typically falling in mid to late September.

4. City of London School for Girls

GCSE: 98.7% A*-A
A-Level: 83% A*-A
Day Fee: £20,664
Best place to live: Kensington
Travel to school: 30 minute, Circle Line
Average Property Price: £2.2m

The City of London School for Girls, at the Barbican is a prestigious private institution. It partners with the all-boys City of London School and the City of London Freemen’s School. The school has a significant intake at 11+, with 100 students joining at this point, including many from the newly established City Junior School. Another major entry point is the Sixth Form at 16+. The school is highly competitive, with approximately seven applicants for each place at 11+.

5. Westminster School

GCSE: 98% A*-A
A-Level: 82% A*-A
Day Fee: £32,751
Best place to live: Chelsea
Travel to school: 20 minute, Circles/District Line
Average Property Price: £2.3m

Westminster is a historic boarding and day school located in central London, renowned for its vibrant music and theatre culture. The school encourages participation in orchestras, choirs and theatre projects, as well as offering diverse activities like observatory openings, expert lectures and design workshops. Pupils consistently achieve top exam results and secure places at leading universities, supported by a teaching style that enriches and extends academic understanding. Entry to Westminster is highly competitive, with roughly 500 boys applying for just 30 places each year.

6. Godolphin and Latymer School

GCSE: 91.6% A*-A
A-Level: 77.8% A*-A
Day Fee: £23,754
Best place to live: Fulham
Travel to school: 10-15 minute bus
Average Property Price: £1.2m

Godolphin and Latymer is a prestigious girls’ school for ages 11 to 18, with a strong emphasis on the integration of academic and pastoral aspects of school life. With a focus on nurturing individual passions and talents, the school offers both A Level and IB Diploma pathways in the Sixth Form, preparing students for successful futures at leading universities in the UK and abroad. The institution is academically selective, seeking students with intellectual potential who will flourish in an environment rich with curricular and extracurricular opportunities.

7. Putney High School

GCSE: 90% A*-A
A-Level: 77.8% A*-A
Day Fee: £20,412
Best place to live: Fulham
Travel to school: 15 minute District Line
Average Property Price: £1.2m

Putney High School is a dynamic and supportive environment for young minds, fostering academic excellence alongside personal growth and responsibility. With a commitment to “modern scholarship,” the school provides challenging and relevant learning experiences, exploring topics from entrepreneurship to sustainability. Around 600 to 1,000 girls typically apply for the 60 available places at the 11 plus entry, with odds of securing a place usually around 1 in 10 but occasionally dropping to 1 in 20 in certain years.

8. Emanuel School

GCSE: 88.7% A*-A
A-Level: 48.5% A*-A
Day Fee: £20,145
Best place to live: Fulham
Travel to school: 15 minute bus
Average Property Price: £1.2m

Emanuel School is a co-ed day school in Battersea with a highly competitive entry. Around 1,000 children apply for a place in Year 7 each year. The school fosters an ambitious and aspirational environment, achieving success academically as well as in sports, music and drama. Emanuel aims to nurture happy, confident and kind pupils who demonstrate high aspirations in all their endeavours. Nearly 60% of Emanuel’s Oxbridge candidates received offers this year, reflecting the school’s commitment to teaching students to gain a deep understanding and genuine interest in their studies.

9. Francis Holland School, Regent’s Park

GCSE: 84.5% A*-A
A-Level: 53.4% A*-A
Day Fee: £21,450
Best place to live: St John’s Wood
Travel to school: 10 minute bus or 20 minute walk
Average Property Price: £1.5m

Francis Holland, Regent’s Park, is one of London’s leading independent schools for girls. The school fosters a thriving and happy community of learners who share a desire to succeed. Known for its academic excellence, Francis Holland combines a unique charm and warmth that reflect its core values. The school identifies and nurtures talent and passion from an early age, ensuring that each girl’s potential is fulfilled. Graduates leave with a deep appreciation of culture and diversity, fully prepared for future opportunities. As an academically selective school, Francis Holland offers places based on rigorous selection procedures.

10. Francis Holland School, Sloane Square

GCSE: 85% A*-A
A-Level: 49% A*-A
Day Fee: £22,140
Best place to live: Chelsea
Travel to school: 20 minute walk
Average Property Price: £2.3m

Francis Holland School, Sloane Square, is an independent school for girls aged 4 to 18, encompassing both a Senior and Junior School. Renowned for its academic prowess, the school also boasts an exceptional reputation in sports and the arts. This holistic approach to girls’ education earns Francis Holland Sloane Square its exemplary standing among independent schools. Admissions are academically selective, with entry into the Senior School following the London 11+ Consortium assessment, subject-specific exams for Sixth Form places, and assessments for entry into the Junior School.

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