The best grammar schools in London

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 funded by the state – so there's no cost for parents. Most grammar schools provide high-quality teaching in a range of subjects and offer a great range of facilities for extracurricular activities, such as music and sport.

The admissions process for London grammar schools tends to more competitive than elsewhere in the country. As London has a dense population, there are more children applying for fewer places.

What are the top grammar schools in London?

The following 10 grammar schools were ranked the best in London in 2023 based on their 2022 exam results.

1. The Henrietta Barnett School (Barnet)

© en.wikipedia.org

The Henrietta Barnett School, founded by Dame Henrietta Barnett in 1911, is the top state school in the country. In 2014, the school was listed as having the highest rate of successful applications for Oxbridge of all state schools in the UK.

The Henrietta Barnett School is located in Hampstead Garden Suburb – an area of North London famous for its artistic, musical, intellectual, liberal and literary associations. Golders Green station, served by the Northern underground line, is a 20-minute walk away.

Entry to The Henrietta Barnett School consists of two 11 plus entrance exams (candidates who are successful in the first round are invited to a second round).

Admissions guide for The Henrietta Barnett School

The Henrietta Barnett School exam results (2022)

• A level: 97.3% A*–B (ranked 4th)

• GCSE: 98.8% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 1st)

2. Queen Elizabeth's School (Barnet)

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Queen Elizabeth’s School, founded in 1573, is the top state boys' school in the UK. For the past three years, the school has had more students leave for Russell Group universities than any other state-funded school in the country.

Queen Elizabeth’s School is located in the borough of Barnet in North London. The closest station is High Barnet – just over 20 minutes’ walk away – which is served by the Northern line.

The entrance exam at Queen Elizabeth’s School is known to be competitive; thousands of boys sit the 11 plus exam each year with 180 places available for successful candidates.

Admissions guide for Queen Elizabeth's School

Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet exam results (2022)

• A level: 98.3% A*–B (ranked 1st)

• GCSE: 95.7% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 3rd)

3. Wilson's School, Wallington (Sutton)

© yourlocalguardian.co.uk

Wilson’s School is an all-boys school with an exemplary reputation. In 2020, it was named the ‘London State Secondary School of the Decade’ by The Sunday Times. It was originally founded in Camberwell (South London) in 1615, making it one of the country’s oldest state schools.

Wilson’s School is located in Wallington – an area within the Borough of Sutton in South West London. Waddon and Wallington rail stations, both served by Southern Rail, are within a 23-minute walk of the school.

Candidates for Wilson’s School first sit the Selective Eligibility Test before being invited to sit the second-stage entrance exam. 180 places are available for successful boys each year.

Admissions guide for Wilson's School

Wilson's School exam results (2022)

• A level: 97.9% A*–B (ranked 2nd)

• GCSE: 95.4% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked equal 4th)

4. The Tiffin Girls' School (Kingston-upon-Thames)

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Tiffin Girls’ School is an all-girls selective school with academy status. It was recently rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and won an award a few years ago for the excellent results of its pupils who are in receipt of Pupil Premium.

Tiffin Girls’ School sits on a nine-acre site just west of Richmond Park in Kingston upon Thames, South West London. Kingston Station, which is served by Southwestern Railway, is a 17-minute walk from the school.

Along with its partner school – Tiffin School (for boys) – Tiffin Girls’ School operates a two-stage testing process, with 180 places available for successful candidates each year.

Admissions guide for The Tiffin Girls' School

The Tiffin Girls' School exam results (2022)

• A level: 97.1% A*–B (ranked 4th)

• GCSE: 94.9% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 7th)

5. St Olave's Grammar School (Bromley)

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St Olave’s Grammar School, previously known as St Olave’s and St Saviour’s Church of England Grammar School, is a selective school for boys. It was named The Sunday Times State School of the Year in 2008.

St Olave’s Grammar School is located in Orpington within the borough of Bromley (South East London). Orpington and Chelsfield rail stations, which are served by South Eastern Rail, are both a 20-minute walk from the school.

There are more than ten applicants for each place at St Olave’s Grammar School and a rigorous admissions process.

Admissions guide for St Olave's Grammar School

St Olave's Grammar School exam results (2022)

• A level: 96.4% A*–B (ranked 5th)

• GCSE: 91% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 17th)

6. Tiffin School (Kingston-upon-Thames)

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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 – a town within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, South West London. Kingston rail station (served by Southwestern) is only a five-minute walk from the school.

Tiffin School operates a two-stage testing process, with 180 places available for successful candidates each year.

Admissions guide to Tiffin School

Tiffin School exam results (2022)

• A level: 91.5% A*–B (ranked 19th)

• GCSE: 84.4% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 31st)

7. The Latymer School (Enfield)

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The Latymer School is a co-educational grammar school founded in 1624. In 2019, it was listed in The Sunday Times Parent Power as the top co-educational state secondary school in London and the fifth co-educational state secondary school in the UK.

The Latymer School is located in Edmonton – an area within the borough of Enfield in North London. Edmonton Green is a 14-minute walk away and is served by both the London Overground railway and Greater Anglia.

The 11 plus entrance exam for The Latymer School is known to be particularly competitive, with thousands of candidates applying for 192 places.

Admissions guide to The Latymer School

The Latymer School exam results (2022)

• A level: 86% A*–B (ranked 49th)

• GCSE: 91.6% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 14th)

8. Newstead Wood School (Bromley)

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Newstead Wood School, formerly known as Orpington Grammar School for Girls, is a girls' grammar school in the London Borough of Bromley with a co-educational sixth form.

Orpington rail station is a 14-minute walk from the school, and is served by Thameslink and Southeastern trains.

Pupils applying for Year 7 entry take an 11 plus test administered by GL Assessment. There are approximately 168 places available.

Admissions guide to Newstead Wood School

Newstead Wood School exam results (2022)

• A level: 84.9% A*–B (ranked 59th)

• GCSE: 92.6% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 12th)

9. Wallington High School for Girls (Sutton)

© wallingtongirls.sutton.sch.uk

Wallington High School is a girls' grammar school on the border of London and Surrey, just west of Croydon. It was founded in 1888 and is twinned with the boys-only Wallington County Grammar School. It has an excellent academic reputation, specialising in STEM and modern languages.

Wallington High School is a 16 minute walk from Wallington rail station, which is served by Southern Rail.

Girls applying for 11 plus entry at Wallington High School take the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test in Year 6. There are 210 places available in Year 7.

Admissions guide to Wallington High School

Wallington High School exam results (2022)

• A level: 84.9% A*–B (ranked 59th)

• GCSE: 91.3% A*/A/9/8/7 (ranked 15th)