You'd think that, with all the different schools in and around London, these would be just more of the same. However, compared to London's top private and independent schools, competition for a place in our city's top grammar schools is much fiercer. Families must apply early and make sure they cross all the 't's and dot all the 'i's. This article details all the risks - and all the magnificent rewards1 of getting in, starting with these statistics.
| 🏫School Name | 😀Entry gender | 📊GCSE 9-7 / A-levels A*-B | 📝Entry exam type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet | boys | 96.90% 95.20% | GL Assessment |
| The Henrietta Barnett School Barnet | girls | 96.90% 95.20% | Stage 1: GL Assessment Stage 2: school's own exam |
| Wilson's School Sutton | boys | 94.60% 93.60% | Sutton Selective Eligibility Test |
| St Olave's Grammar School Bromley | boys co-ed in sixth form | 95.10% 93.40% | The school's own two-stage exam |
| The Tiffin School Kingston upon Thames | boys co-ed in sixth form | 78.10% 92.60% | Stage 1: GL Assessment Stage 2: school's own exam |
| St Michael's Catholic Grammar School Barnet | girls co-ed in sixth form | 84.10% 88.20% | GL Assessment |
| Newstead Wood School Bromley | girls co-ed in sixth form | 83.70% 84.60% | GL Assessment |
| Wallington County Grammar School Sutton | boys co-ed in sixth form | 73.70% 86.90% | Sutton Selective Eligibility Test |
What to Know About Grammar Schools in London
Today, when people hear 'grammar', they think of pesky rules for word order and punctuation. However, this word's original meaning was very different.
From the late 14th century, meaning 'Rules of Latin'.
This obsolete definition helps us understand why these schools bear their name. The first grammar schools opened their doors during the Middle Ages to teach worthy pupils Latin. Over time, those schools expanded their curricula to include Ancient Greek, and then other European languages.
Soon, they added natural sciences to their course rosters, as well as maths, geography, art, and history. And so things went, until today, when we have a well-rounded education plan serving the most deserving students.
Entry into London grammar schools is very competitive, so much so that some facilities administer more than one examination to determine the best candidates for enrolment.
Now we know why these schools are called 'grammar' and how they got their start. It's time to discover what they are and their place among London's best schools: state, private-independent, and comprehensive.
What Is a Grammar School?
You might think the previous section would be enough to define what a grammar school is. Not hardly! These qualities define grammar schools today.
Why are Grammar Schools Important in English Education?
Immediately after the Second World War, our country restructured its educational system. The plan was to funnel students into the learning opportunities and, later, the careers they were best suited to. Starting at age 11, pupils would take an assessment exam which determined their aptitude for one of three learning paths.
The 11+ (or 13+) exams 'sorted' students into grammar schools, technical schools, and secondary 'modern schools', a combination of grammar and tech learning.
The Tripartite System directed educational outcomes for roughly 20 years.
In England, the Department for Education formally abandoned it in 1976, in favour of comprehensive education.
Today, London's top comprehensive schools represent that shift towards more democratic learning opportunities.
Nevertheless, some schools chose to maintain their 'grammar' designation and policies. Applicants must sit the 11+ (or 13+) exam and undergo a rigorous admissions protocol.
Once they make the cut, they're in for a superlative educational experience with higher-than-average academic outcomes.
Grammar schools form a vital component of England's educational landscape. These state-funded secondary schools' student selection process ensures that their pupils have roughly the same abilities. This allows teachers to tailor their lessons effectively, maintaining the high-paced learning environment these schools are famous for.
What It Takes to Get Into Top Grammar Schools
Brittania Study2 and other resources3 rely on GCSE results to determine each school's place in the league tables.
As competitive as entry to these schools is, you must be wondering how to plan your enrolment strategy. This section gives you a framework to build on, but be sure to check your local school's timeline so you don't miss any important dates.
The 11+ Exam
The application timeline
New intake happens in September, when the new school year starts. Oh, and one final hurdle to possible admission that even London's top preparatory school applicants don't face.
These schools prefer applicants from within their catchment area.
Be sure to check your area's boundaries so you apply to your local grammar schools. With that final caution in place, let's explore the best grammar schools in London.
Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet
This grammar school for boys consistently ranks at the top of list for its high teaching standards and off-the-charts academic track record. With its history of excellent preparation for Oxbridge success, outlets rank QE School as the gold standard of grammar schools in London and around the country.
- 📍Location: Queen’s Road, Barnet Hertfordshire EN5 4DQ
- 📞Phone: (0)20 8441 4646
- 🌐Website: www.qebarnet.co.uk
The Henrietta Barnett School, Barnet
Like QE School, Henrietta Barnett is renowned for its academic excellence and stellar exam performance. This grammar school for girls excels not just in GCSE rankings but also in A-Levels. It's thanks to this facility's broad curriculum, which includes all the classic subjects from early grammar schools. Educators apply this syllabus in an environment cultivated to foster intellectual curiosity.
Of all the top grammar schools in London, this one boasts exemplary attendance rates.
As a parent, I would consider that criterion one of the most important when investigating top grammar schools. It must be doing something right if the students are happy to be there.
- 📍Location: Central Square, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London NW11 7BN
- 📞Phone: 020 8458 8999
- 🌐Website: www.hbschool.org.uk
Wilson's School, Sutton
Ofsted rates Wilson's School 'Outstanding' for several reasons, including excellent pastoral care and strong academic performance. Maths and science are where this boys' school truly shines, with exam results turning out consistently high marks.
Like HBSchool above, Wilson's records superlative attendance rates, hovering just above 97%.
But Wilson's isn't just about academics; students enjoy an expansive sports programme and loads of extracurricular and enrichment activities. Furthermore, its mentors cultivate an atmosphere of inclusion and respect, leading the boys to learn by example.
- 📍Location: Mollison Drive Wallington Surrey SM6 9JW
- 📞Phone: 020 8773 2931
- 🌐Website: www.wilsons.school
St Olave's Grammar School, Bromley
Of the best state schools in London featured so far, St Olave's is unique. This boys' school turns co-educational in sixth form, a setup that does more to enhance its excellent academic standing. Its stellar reputation has caused an unfortunate backlash, though.
St Olave's had a longstanding problem with over-subscription.
It typically received 10 or more applications for every open place.
Because of that, entry to this school is especially competitive. Candidates now undergo a two-step entry process that streamlines the challenges applicants undergo. Should your pupil not succeed in the first round of eligibility testing, the application process ends.
- 📍Location: Goddington Lane, Orpington, Kent, BR6 9SH
- 📞Phone: 01689 820101
- 🌐Website: www.saintolaves.net
The Tiffin School, Kingston upon Thames
This school distinguishes itself by its dual specialist status, in languages and in performing arts. In fact, this school is remarkable for many reasons:
One final way Tiffin is remarkable: starting September 2025, applicants will submit to either a musical or sports challenge as a part of their entry criteria. If your son is musically gifted or particularly athletic, he may gain a place at Tiffin through these assessments!
- 📍Location: Queen Elizabeth Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT2 6RL
- 📞Phone: 020 8546 4638
- 🌐Website: www.tiffinschool.co.uk
St Michael's Catholic Grammar School, Barnet
All of the best grammar schools in London rank well in academic standings. What distinguishes one from the other is all the extras they provide.
In St Michael's case, that's its emphasis on spiritual and community development, practised through various outreach programmes.
This grammar school for girls doesn't just cultivate academic and personal excellence. It also specialises in fostering curiosity through its extensive extracurricular activities.
From choir singing to joining the Veterinary or Physics societies, St Michael students choose the experiences they want.
- 📍Location: Nether Street, North Finchley, London, N12 7NJ
- 📞Phone: 020 8446 2256
- 🌐Website: www.st-michaels.barnet.sch.uk
Newstead Wood School, Bromley
Ofsted rated Newstead Wood 'Outstanding' after its most recent review5 because this grammar school for girls excels across the board. Its GCSE pass rate places Newstead Wood at the top of the rankings, while its extracurricular programmes help turn out well-rounded students who are ready for the world's challenges.
- 📍Location: Avebury Road Orpington BR6 9SA Kent
- 📞Phone: 01689 853626
- 🌐Website: www.newsteadwood.co.uk
Wallington County Grammar School, Sutton
In many ways, this grammar school for boys is like all the others on our list: a top achiever that offers plenty of extracurricular enrichment.
What makes it remarkable is its specialisms in applied learning and science. If your child is planning their future in those fields, this would be a great school for them.
Like all the best grammar schools in London, Wallington County supports students who require special education (SEN students).
If need be, the teachers and staff are happy to assess pupils ahead of making recommendations to any London-area special needs school.
- 📍Location: Croydon Road, Wallington, Surrey SM6 7PH
- 📞Phone: 020 8647 2235
- 🌐Website: www.wcgs-sutton.co.uk
Top Grammar Schools: Further Resources
- MyEdSpace. “The Best State and Grammar Schools in the UK for 2025 - MES.” Myedspace.co.uk, 22 Jan. 2025, myedspace.co.uk/blog/post/best-state-and-grammar-schools-in-the-uk-2025. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
- Bryan. “Best State Secondary Schools in the UK – UK League Table 2024.” Britannia UK, 21 Nov. 2023, britannia-study.co.uk/boarding-schools/state-schools-league-table/. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
- Mollon, Jenny . “Best UK State and Grammar Schools 2025: Top GCSE and a Level Results.” Whichschooladvisor.com, 2025, whichschooladvisor.com/uk/guides/best-uk-state-and-grammar-schools-2025-top-gcse-and-a-level-results. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
- Atom. “The Best Grammar Schools in the UK.” Atomlearning.com, 5 Dec. 2025, atomlearning.com/blog/best-grammar-schools-in-uk. Accessed 11 Dec. 2025.
- “Newstead Wood School.” Snobe.co.uk, 2025, snobe.co.uk/schools/newstead-wood-school. Accessed 12 Dec. 2025.
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