State-funded grammar schools are top of the class when it comes to exam results and providing a bright future for your child – and you won’t have to pay a penny. Join us as we take a closer look at London’s 19 grammar schools.
Grammar schools in London: secondary academic excellence without the fees
Imagine you could send your child to a school that delivers table-topping exam results without having to pay extortionate fees. This doesn’t have to be a dream, thanks to London’s impressive collection of grammar schools. Read our article for more information on what a grammar school is: Why grammar schools are the best state secondary schools
These selective institutions are top of the class, allowing the brightest students (aged 11-16) from any background to study at excellent schools – and you won’t have to part with a penny because they’re state-funded.
All your child needs to do to attend is demonstrate their academic prowess by taking the 11-plus exam.
There are 19 grammar schools in London:
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- Henrietta Barnett School (girls)
- Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School for Boys
- Michael’s Catholic School (girls)
- Beths Grammar School (boys)
- Bexley Grammar School (mixed)
- Chislehurst and Sidcup School (mixed)
- Townley Grammar School (girls)
- Newstead Wood School (girls)
- St Olave’s & St Saviour’s Grammar School (boys)
- The Latymer School (mixed)
- Tiffin Girls’ School
- Tiffin School (boys)
- Ilford County High School (boys)
- Woodford County High School (girls)
- Nonsuch High School (girls)
- Sutton Grammar School (boys)
- Wallington County Grammar School (boys)
- Wallington High School for Girls
- Wilson’s School (boys)
You can find more information on the areas to target for Grammar Schools in London: The best areas for Grammar Schools in London
A closer look at selected London grammar schools
Boys Grammar Schools in London
Wallington County Grammar School – Wallington
This boys’ school – which also welcomes girls into the sixth form – works within the Folio Education Trust to blend the best of tradition and innovation, with a view to engaging and inspiring students. Wallington County Grammar proudly sits in the top 2% of secondary schools in the country in terms of GCSE results. Ofsted recognised its achievements by grading the school ‘outstanding’ in all categories.
School website: https://www.wcgs-sutton.co.uk/
Queen Elizabeth’s School – Barnet
Queen Elizabeth’s is a boys’ grammar school with a proud history dating back to 1573 and an aspirational formal mission: “to produce young men who are confident, able and responsible”. The school’s meritocratic environment, combined with its first-class facilities and proud history, makes for a wonderfully unique state school experience.
School website: https://www.qebarnet.co.uk/
Beths Grammar School – Bexley
This boys’ schools, with a mixed sixth form, was awarded Technology College Status in 1995 and was identified as one of the first High Performing Specialist Schools in 2005. Beths was last inspected by Ofsted in 2012 when it was judged ‘outstanding’ across all categories.
School website: https://www.beths.bexley.sch.uk/
St. Olave’s Grammar School – Orpington
Known locally as ‘STOGS’, this Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ boys’ school has built a reputation as one of the top-performing voluntary-aided selective schools in the UK. STOGS co-educational sixth form is often singled out for special praise, due to its strong performance in terms of A-level results.
School website: https://www.saintolaves.net/
Girls Grammar Schools in London
Henrietta Barnett School – Hampstead
This non-denominational school for girls was founded in 1911 and became an academy in 2012. As an Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ school it offers educational excellence in an idyllic setting. Located in the leafy surroundings of the Hampstead Garden Suburb, the school is housed in an attractive Lutyens-designed Grade II* listed building.
School website: https://www.hbschool.org.uk/
St. Michael’s Catholic School – North Finchley
This Voluntary Aided school for girls – with boys admitted to the sixth form – was founded in 1908. Since then, its strong Christian values have been complemented by its determination to be a place of intellectual exploration and achievement. This has been reflected in recent times by its Ofsted ‘outstanding’ rating and its students excellent A-Level and GCSE results.
School website: https://www.st-michaels.barnet.sch.uk/
Townley Grammar School – Bexleyheath
This school for girls has academy status and a co-educational sixth form. Townley Grammar is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted and highly commended by the DfE for its leading-edge character education provision. The school excels in the pursuit of performing and visual arts, as well as maths and computing.
School website: https://www.townleygrammar.org.uk/
Woodford County High School – Woodford Green
This all-girls school was founded in 1919 and has been ranked by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’ since 2005. The school’s success has been achieved by striking a balance between tradition and innovation. An unashamedly academic curriculum is complemented by a desire to prepare students for adult life – which is outlined in Woodford County High’s values and mission: “We want our students to enjoy and appreciate their education and to leave Woodford equipped to embark upon happy, fulfilling and useful lives, wherever and however they choose to lead them.”
School website: https://www.woodford.redbridge.sch.uk/
Boys and Girls Grammar Schools in London
The Latymer School – Edmonton
This co-educational school provides a broad and stimulating experience for its pupils, leading to if being rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. The school has a strong musical tradition, together with excellent drama, sport and outdoor pursuits provisions. For example, it has a field centre in North Wales (Ysgol Latymer at Cwm Penmachno) that is owned by the school Foundation and is regularly used as a base for outdoor pursuits and field courses.
School website: http://www.latymer.co.uk/
Chislehurst and Sidcup School – Sidcup
Known affectionally as ‘Chis and Sid’, this co-educational school first opened its doors in 1931. As an Ofsted rated ‘good’ academy, it prides itself on developing pupils intellectually, emotionally and physically. It achieves this by delivering on its mission: “to educate, in partnership with parents and pupils, inquiring, well-informed and compassionate citizens who will go on to make a better world by occupying positions of responsibility and influence.”
School website: https://www.csgrammar.com/
Bexley Grammar School – Welling
Bexley Grammar offers an inspiring curriculum in a vibrant and international environment. Known locally as ‘BGS’, this Ofsted rated ‘outstanding’ co-educational school, for over a decade is the only fully International Baccalaureate (IB) Sixth Form in South East London borough. The school raises aspirations, grow confidence and develop young people into compassionate leader wholly prepared for the challenges of our rapidly changing society.
School website: https://www.bexleygs.co.uk/
Get help from the experts
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