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Considering a London secondary school for your child? With over 500 state-funded schools to choose from, it can be hard to work out which is best for your child.
If your child is currently working in the top 25% of their year group, you might be considering a grammar school. Find out more about the best grammar schools in London in 2025 and learn how to get a place.
What are grammar schools?
A grammar school is a secondary school in the UK that accepts pupils based on their academic ability. This means that pupils will sit an entrance exam known as the 11 plus when they are in Year 6. The pupils with the highest scores will then be eligible for a place at the school in Year 7.
Unlike private (independent) schools, grammar schools are state-funded – so there are no fees. Most grammar schools provide high-quality teaching and offer a variety of extracurricular activities, like music and sport.
The entry process for London grammar schools is usually more competitive than elsewhere in the UK. As London has a dense population, more children are applying for fewer places.
How to get into a grammar school in London
Your child will need to take the 11+ exam to be considered for a place at a grammar school. This is usually taken in September when your child is in Year 6. Children with the highest 11 plus scores will be eligible for a place at a grammar school in Year 7.
The content of your child's 11 plus exam depends on which school you apply for. Find out more about your local exam:
Prepare for London grammar school exams
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What are the top grammar schools in London?
The following 10 grammar schools were ranked the best in London in 2025 based on their 2024 exam results.
1. The Henrietta Barnett School (Barnet)
© en.wikipedia.org
The Henrietta Barnett School was founded by Dame Henrietta Barnett in 1911. It's the top girls' state school in the country based on students' exam results.
The school is located in Hampstead Garden Suburb – an area in North London famous for its artistic, musical and literary associations. The closest station is Golders Green (Northern Line ) – a 20-minute walk away.
Girls applying to the Henrietta Barnett School have a two-stage entry process. Children who pass the first 11+ exam in September are invited to a second exam in October.
The Henrietta Barnett School 2024 exam results
A level: 95.2% A*–B (ranked 1st nationally)
GCSE: 96.9% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 1st nationally)
2. Queen Elizabeth's School (Barnet)
© telegraph.co.uk
QE Barnet (Queen Elizabeth's School) is a boys' London grammar school founded by royal charter in 1573 in Barnet, North London. Students are referred to locally as Elizabethans.
The school is located in Barnet. The closest tube station is High Barnet (Northern Line) which is a 20 minute walk away.
Queen Elizabeth's is one of the highest-performing state schools in the UK and competes with top independent schools. In 2022, it was named the Sunday Times State School of the Year.
QE Barnet 2024 exam results
A level: 95.2% A*–B (ranked 20th nationally)
GCSE: 96.6% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 10th nationally)
3. Wilson's School, Wallington (Sutton)
© yourlocalguardian.co.uk
Wilson’s School is an all-boys grammar school with an exemplary reputation. It was founded in 1615, making it one of the country’s oldest state schools. In 2020, it was named the ‘London State Secondary School of the Decade’ by The Sunday Times. .
Wilson’s School is located in Wallington – an area within Sutton in South West London. Waddon and Wallington rail stations, both served by Southern Rail, are a 23-minute walk.
Boys applying for a place at Wilson’s School take the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (11+) in September. Shortlisted children are then invited to take the school's second-stage entrance exam. Around 180 places are available.
Wilson's School 2024 exam results
A level: 93.6% A*–B (ranked 3rd nationally)
GCSE: 94.6% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 4th nationally)
4. St Olave's Grammar School (Bromley)
© tes.com
St Olave’s Grammar School is a selective school for boys with a mixed sixth form and was founded in 1571. The school prides itself on the strength of its diverse pupil population.
The school is located in Orpington, Bromley (southeast London). The closest stations are Orpington and Chelsfield, which are both served by South Eastern Rail and a 20-minute walk away.
There are more than 10 applicants for each place at St Olave's. Children take Stage 1 of the St Olave's Selective Eligibility Test (SET) in September in Year 6. The 450 boys with the highest results are then shortlisted for Stage 2 in November.
St Olave's Grammar School 2024 exam results
A level: 93.4% A*–B (ranked 4th nationally)
GCSE: 95.1% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 3rd nationally)
5. The Tiffin Girls' School (Kingston-upon-Thames)
© tiffingirls.org
Tiffin Girls’ School is an all-girls selective school with academy status. It won an award a few years ago for the excellent exam results achieved by Pupil Premium children.
The school occupies a 9 acre site close to Richmond Park in southwest London. The closest station is Kingston Station (Southwestern Rail), 17 minutes' walk away.
Along with Tiffin School (boys), Tiffin Girls’ School operates a two-stage testing process. There are 180 places available for successful candidates each year.
The Tiffin Girls' School 2024 exam results
A level: 90.7% A*–B (ranked 9th nationally)
GCSE: 94.1% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 5th nationally)
6. Tiffin School (Kingston-upon-Thames)
© tiffinschool.co.uk
Tiffin School is the boys’ counterpart to Tiffin Girls’ School. It was founded in 1880 and has specialist status in the performing arts and languages.
Tiffin School is located in Kingston upon Thames in southwest London. Kingston rail station (Southwestern) is only a five-minute walk from the school.
Boys applying to Tiffin School take a two-stage testing process in the autumn term of Year 6. Children who perform well in the first exam in October are shortlisted for a second exam in November. There are 180 places available.
Tiffin School 2024 exam results
A level: 92.6% A*–B (ranked 5th nationally)
GCSE: 78.1% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 32nd nationally)
7. St Michael's Catholic Grammar School (Barnet)
© goodschoolsguide.co.uk
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School is a girls' faith grammar school in North London. It was founded in 1909 as a boarding school and transformed into a day school in 1934. Boys who meet the entrance criteria are accepted into the sixth form.
St Michael's is located in North Finchley within the borough of Barnet. Woodside Park and West Finchley (Northern line) are both a 14-minute walk away.
Unlike the other grammar schools in Barnet, children applying for entry take one exam in September in Year 6. Children are tested in English, maths, verbal reasoning and non-verbal reasoning.
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School 2024 exam results
A level: 88.2% A*–B (ranked 16th nationally)
GCSE: 84.1% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 23rd nationally)
8. The Latymer School (Enfield)
© campbeaumont.co.uk
The Latymer School is a co-educational grammar school founded in 1624. Music is particularly strong at the school, with around 400 instrumental lessons every week. The school also has a bespoke Saturday Music Centre, offering tuition to all children in the local community.
The Latymer School is located in Edmonton – an area within the borough of Enfield in North London. Edmonton Green (London Overground and Greater Anglia) is a 14-minute walk away.
The entrance exam for The Latymer School is known to be particularly competitive. Thousands of children apply each year for just under 200 places.
The Latymer School 2024 exam results
A level: 86.6% A*–B (ranked 21st nationally)
GCSE: 86% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 17th nationally)
9. Newstead Wood School (Bromley)
© newsteadwood.co.uk
Newstead Wood School (previously known as Orpington Grammar School for Girls) is a girls' grammar school with a mixed sixth form. The school is currently working through a 10-year plan to improve facilities, including a renovated library and refurbished science labs.
The school is located in Bromley, southeast London. The closest rail station is Orpington (Thameslink and Southeastern) – 14 minutes' walk away.
Newstead Wood School is a popular choice in the area and is heavily oversubscribed. Children take two 11+ papers in September in Year 6. There are approximately 168 places available.
Newstead Wood School 2024 exam results
A level: 84.6% A*–B (ranked 69th nationally)
GCSE: 83.7% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 19th nationally)
10. Wallington County Grammar School
© examberrypapers.co.uk
Wallington County School for Boys was founded in 1927. When it opened at its original site in Queen’s Road, it had just 71 pupils.
Wallington County School is located in Croydon, South London. The nearest station is Carshalton (Southern Railway), a 20-minute walk away.
The Wallington County School for Boys entrance exam consists of two stages. In the first stage, children must take the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET). The second focuses on English comprehension and creative writing, and a Maths paper.
Wallington County 2024 exam results
A level: 86.9% A*–B (ranked 19th nationally)
GCSE: 73.7% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 50th nationally)
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