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Looking at London secondary schools?
With more than 500 state schools across the city, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. We're here to make it a little simpler.
If your child is working in the top quarter of their year group, you might also be thinking about grammar schools. Here’s a quick guide to the top grammar schools in London for 2026 — and what you need to know to get a place.
What are grammar schools?
Grammar schools are state secondary schools that accept pupils based on academic ability. Children take an entrance test — the 11 plus — in Year 6, and those with the highest scores are offered places for Year 7.
Because grammar schools are state-funded, there are no fees. Most offer strong teaching and a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, from music to sport.
Entry to London grammar schools is especially competitive. With so many families in the city, more children are applying for a limited number of places — so understanding the process early can really help.
How to get into a grammar school in London
Your child will need to sit the 11+ exam to be considered for a grammar school place. This usually happens in September of Year 6. Children with the highest scores are then offered places for Year 7.
Each grammar school sets its own exam format, so what your child is tested on can vary. Want to know what the exam looks like in your area? Find out more about your local test below.
Not sure where to start with 11+ prep?
Our free 11+ baseline test helps you take the guesswork out of studying. Your child will answer questions similar to those in the real exam across English, maths and reasoning.
You’ll get instant results, including their standardised age score (SAS), a breakdown of their strengths and areas to improve, and next steps to help them progress!
The top grammar schools in London in 2026
The following 10 grammar schools were ranked the best in London for 2026 based on their 2025 exam results.
1. Queen Elizabeth's School
© 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. The Times named it State Secondary School of the Year 2026, State Secondary School of the Year for A-levels 2026, State Secondary School of the Year in London 2026 and State Secondary School of the Year in London for Academic Excellence 2026.
QE Barnet 2025 exam results
A level: 97.6% A*–B (ranked 1st nationally)
GCSE: 95.5% 9–7 (ranked 4th nationally)
2. Wilson's School
© 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. It was named State Secondary School of the Year for GCSEs 2026 by The 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 2025 exam results
A level: 95.4% A*–B (ranked 3rd nationally)
GCSE: 97.4% 9–7 (ranked 1st nationally)
3. St Olave's Grammar School
© tes.com
St Olave’s Grammar School is a boys' grammar school 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 Southeastern 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 2025 exam results
A level: 95.1% A*–B (ranked 4th nationally)
GCSE: 89.7% 9–7 (ranked 8th nationally)
4. The Tiffin Girls' School
© tiffingirls.org
Tiffin Girls’ School is an all-girls grammar school in Kingston-upon-Thames, London. 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 2025 exam results
A level: 89.9% A*–B (ranked 10th nationally)
GCSE: 95.7% 9–7 (ranked 3rd nationally)
5. The Henrietta Barnett School
© en.wikipedia.org
The Henrietta Barnett School was founded by Dame Henrietta Barnett in 1911. It's 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 2025 exam results
A level: 86% A*–B (ranked 27th nationally)
GCSE: 97.2% 9–7 (ranked 2nd nationally)
6. Tiffin School
© tiffinschool.co.uk
Tiffin School is the boys’ partner 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 exam 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 2025 exam results
A level: 91.8% A*–B (ranked 6th nationally)
GCSE: 79.8% 9–7 (ranked 32nd nationally)
7. The Latymer School
© campbeaumont.co.uk
The Latymer School is a co-educational grammar school founded in 1624. Music is particularly strong, 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 2025 exam results
A level: 85.7% A*–B (ranked 30th nationally)
GCSE: 84.1% 9–7 (ranked 19th nationally)
8. Sutton Grammar School
© commons.wikimedia.org
Sutton Grammar School is a boys’ grammar school founded in 1899 with a co-educational Sixth Form. Known for strong academic results, it offers a broad curriculum alongside busy extracurricular life, including STEM clubs, sport and the arts.
Sutton Grammar School is located in Sutton, South West London. Sutton Station (Southern Rail) is an 11-minute walk away.
There is a two-stage process to apply to Sutton Grammar School. All boys applying take the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) in the autumn term of Year 6. The boys with the highest marks are then shortlisted for a second-stage exam shared with the other boys' grammar schools in Sutton.
Sutton Grammar School 2025 exam results
A level: 87% A*–B (ranked 21st nationally)
GCSE: 81.1% 9–7 (ranked 27th nationally)
9. St Michael's Catholic Grammar School
© 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 are accepted into the sixth form.
St Michael's is located in North Finchley in 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 2025 exam results
A level: 86.6% A*–B (ranked 25th nationally)
GCSE: 80.6% 9–7 (ranked 31st nationally)
10. Wallington High School for Girls
© wallingtongirls.org.uk
Wallington High School for Girls is a girls' grammar school for ages 11–18, known for its strong academic results and wide co-curricular offering. Founded in 1888, it combines high-quality teaching with opportunities in music, sport, STEM and leadership, and admits students through a competitive 11+ process.
Wallington High School for Girls is located between Wallington and Purley in the borough of Sutton, South West London. Wallington Station (Southern Rail) is an 18-minute walk away.
There is a two-stage process to apply to Wallington High School for Girls. All girls applying take the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET) in the autumn term of Year 6. The girls with the highest marks are then shortlisted for a second-stage exam shared with Nonsuch High School.
Wallington High School for Girls 2025 exam results
A level: 84.3% A*–B (ranked 37th nationally)
GCSE: 83.3% 9–7 (ranked 21st nationally)
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