The top state schools in London

Did you know that 92% of state-funded schools in London have been ranked good or outstanding by the government’s Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted)? All that’s left to do is choose one for your child. But where do you start?

Our lists of the top state schools – primary and secondary – in London is as good a place as any. We separate primary and secondary schools as many London state schools focus only provide one or the other, and the UK curriculum itself is structured around these two key phases of education.

The top state schools in London

Choosing an area to live, finding your ideal home, deciding which local pub whets your whistle: these are all big decisions when relocating to London. If you have kids, however, there’s one decision that’s even more important: which school you’re going to send them to. Yes, you love your job and can’t wait to call London home; but if your child isn’t happy, the relocation won’t be a success – and choosing the right school is central to this.

Our school days are supposed to be the happiest of our lives, so give your child the best chance of experiencing this for themselves by taking the time to learn about the top state schools in London.

If your family is relocating to the UK from overseas, you might also want to explore this guide to family immigration on our sister site here. It covers the essentials of bringing your family to the UK.

Best Primary State schools in London (age 4-11 years)

Top state schools in London certainly aren’t in short supply. With so many to choose from, you won’t struggle to find a primary school that scores top marks.

Here’s a list of ten of the very best primary state schools in London:

Note: if you don’t know what a London Borough here, you can find out here.

1. Fox Primary School
   This Ofsted-rated “outstanding” primary school in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea works to enable all children to reach their full potential through living its core values of respect, resilience, collaboration, curiosity and inclusion.
   https://www.fox.rbkc.sch.uk/
2. St Joseph’s RC Primary School
   This Ofsted-rated “outstanding” primary school in Willesden, north London, has a real Catholic community of over 500 girls and boys, 70 staff and a flourishing nursery.
   https://www.stjosephsrc.co.uk/
3. Thomas Jones Primary School
   This Ofsted-rated “outstanding” primary school in Notting Hill, west London, consistently ranks in the Sunday Times top 250 primary schools and falls within the top 1% of schools nationally.
   https://www.thomasjonesschool.org/
4. Bousfield Primary School
   This Ofsted-rated “outstanding” primary school in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea balances high academic standards and creativity with well-behaved children, loyal and hardworking staff and governors, and supportive parents.
   https://www.bousfieldprimaryschool.co.uk/
5. The Cathedral School of St Saviour and St Mary Overie
   This Ofsted-rated “outstanding” primary school in Southwark, south London, has qualified for two SSAT Educational Outcomes Awards by being in the top 20% of primary schools nationally for its pupils’ high attainment.
   https://www.cathedralprimaryschool.com/
6. The London Oratory School
   This Ofsted-rated “outstanding” Catholic school for boys aged 7–18 and girls aged 16–18 in West Brompton, west London, opened the Junior House in 1996, offering a specialist music education to boys aged 7-10 with a focus on choral liturgical music. Pupils are selected based on musical aptitude.
   https://www.london-oratory.org/
7. St Peter’s Catholic Primary School
   This Ofsted-rated “outstanding” primary school in Woolwich, south-east London, strives to provide a safe environment in which children can learn to make reasoned judgements, aspire to do and be their best, organise their time, and develop enquiring minds, self-confidence, initiative, and independence.
   https://www.stpeters.greenwich.sch.uk/
8. Sir William Burrough Primary School
   This Ofsted-rated “outstanding” primary school in Tower Hamlets, east London, provides rich learning experiences through thematic topics designed to inspire, engage, and delight the children and provoke high levels of enquiry.
   https://www.sirwilliamburrough.info/
9. St John and St James Primary School
   This Ofsted-rated “good” primary school in the London Borough of Hackney, east London, has been awarded several awards for its outstanding contribution to different elements of education: School Games Gold Award, Rights Respecting Gold Award, Eco-Schools Bronze Award, Mayor’s Gold Club Award, Healthy Schools London: Bronze and Silver Award, International School Award, Hackney Spanish Primary Award, and TFL Silver STARS Award.
   https://www.johnjames.hackney.sch.uk/
10. Paxton Primary School
    This primary school in Lambeth, south London, strives for the highest standards by working to maintain a shared ethos of achievement, respectfulness and caring among its children, parents, and staff.
    https://www.paxtonprimary.co.uk/

 Best Secondary State schools in London (age 11-16 years)

Thankfully, finding the best state schools in London isn’t like finding a needle in a haystack. With so many top state secondary schools to choose from, it’s more a case of being spoilt for choice.

Here’s a list of ten of the very best secondary state schools in London:

Note: if you don’t know what a London Borough here, you can find out here.

1. Queen Elizabeth’s School
   This Ofsted-rated “outstanding” boys’ grammar school in Barnet, north London, has 449 years’ experience in producing confident, able and responsible young men.
   https://www.qebarnet.co.uk/
2. Wilson’s School
   This Ofsted-rated “outstanding” boys’ grammar school with academy status in the London Borough of Sutton can proudly claim to be one of the country’s most successful state-funded selective boys’ schools.
   https://www.wilsons.school/
3. Henrietta Barnett School
   This non-denominational grammar school for girls aged 11-18 in the Hampstead Garden Suburb, north London, was ranked the top girls’ state school in the country in The Sunday Times Parent Power magazine 2021.
   https://www.hbschool.org.uk/
4. Tiffin Girls’ School
   This Ofsted-rated “outstanding” girls’ selective school with academy status in Kingston upon Thames, south-west London, has a clear vision: to provide ‘an intellectually stimulating and outward-facing school, enabling students to flourish and contribute to society.
   https://www.tiffingirls.org/
5. St Olave’s and St Saviour’s Grammar School
   This Ofsted-rated “outstanding” boy’s selective secondary school in Orpington, south London, prides itself on welcoming pupils of all faiths and backgrounds, championing dignity and respect for all.
   https://www.saintolaves.net/
6. Tiffin School
   This Ofsted-rated “outstanding” boys’ grammar school in Kingston upon Thames, south-west London, consistently achieves outstanding exam results, with an average over three years of approximately 85% of all GCSE grades at 9-7, and 90% of all A-Level grades at A*-B.
   https://www.tiffinschool.co.uk/home.html
7. Sutton Grammar for Boys
   This Ofsted-rated “outstanding” selective state grammar school for boys aged 11-18 in Sutton, south London, not only produces excellent results, it nurtures confident, articulate young people.
   https://www.suttongrammar.sutton.sch.uk/
8. Nonsuch High School for Girls
   This Ofsted-rated “good” girls’ grammar school with academy status in Cheam, south London, aims to empower its pupils and enrich their lives to ensure they aspire to take centre stage in the world.
   http://www.nonsuchschool.org/
9. The Latymer School
   This Ofsted-rated “good” selective mixed grammar school in Edmonton, north London, consistently achieves top GCSE and A Level exam results that place it in the top 10% of co-educational schools nationally.
   https://www.latymer.co.uk/
10. Holland Park School
    This coeducational secondary school and sixth form with academy status in Holland Park, west London, is one of the capital’s very first comprehensive schools. Since 1958, it has been helping pupils to thrive as individuals whilst contributing to communal aspirations: a balance of the person and the institution.
    https://www.hollandparkschool.co.uk/

Additional resources on top state schools in London

• Find out which school year your child will be attending: School Year Calculator
• Learn more on how to apply for a state school: How to apply for a state school 
• Read the latest exam results for all state schools in London: Ofsted Reports 

FAQ’s on state schools:

> Do state schools require entrance exams?

State schools do not require an entrance exam, except Grammar Schools which are the only selective state schools. However there are very few of them in London, and they are heavily oversubscribed.

> Do state schools require previous school records? 

State schools do not require any school records, they are not selective and will take children purely based on their age, and the admissions criteria.

> Do we have to apply to schools in our Borough, or can we apply to schools in other Boroughs?

It is possible to apply for state schools in other London Boroughs.  Contact your local council to enquire. Some Boroughs will centralise applications, including those forother Boroughs, others will want you to make a direct application with the other Borough.

> Is there a minimum residency time required in a Borough to be eligible for admission? 

Whilst there isn’t a minimum residence time, local authorities have become aware of the popularity in recent years of renting only temporarily in catchment areas, and have implemented  a ‘school catchment police’ system, which investigates parents who have recently moved into an area to ensure they are genuine local residents.

> Is there any way to know if our preferred school has an available seat for my child in advance? 

You can contact your local council, or the school itself, find which schools have places available. However they might not be able or willing to give that information.

How Simply London can help

Our schools experts can provide personalised guidance and support on the state school admissions process. Using their knowledge and experience, they can help you select and apply for schools that match your child’s educational needs so they can excel. They can also help identify the best neighbourhoods for your family combining your lifestyle wishes, rental budget and schooling requirements.

Contact us today, or schedule a free call with us here to discuss how we can help you to find your ideal state school.

> Need help bringing your family to the UK? Our sister site Simply UK Visa offers expert guidance on family immigration. Because getting settled starts with getting here.

This article was originally published in July, and updated in August 2025.