When choosing which independent schools to register your son at, making a decision can be difficult. London offers a dizzying array of the UK’s top boys’ schools. Simply comparing them based on exam results alone may not help you discern where your son will flourish. We’ve picked out the best independent schools for boys, helping you to narrow down your search and make a more informed decision.
1. Westminster Boys’ School
Located in the heart of London next to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, Westminster is the only ancient London to still occupy its original site. As one of the UK’s leading academic schools, Westminster dominates the top spot with stellar academic results. Most impressively, the school has the highest Oxbridge acceptance rates of any school in the world, with close to 50% of students being offered places every year.
New headmaster Gary Savage is a charismatic former state school pupil with a PHD from Cambridge. The former headmaster of Alleyn’s, master-in-college at Eton and undermaster at Westminster has risen through the ranks to secure one of the most coveted headships in the country.
Westminster boys are nearly all Londoners from a wealthy background, but the school is keen to attract bright children whatever their status and has a generous bursary fund. These very able academics are encouraged to diversify and participate in a variety of co-curricular activities, from sailing to golf. Success on the sports fields seems less of a priority, which allows less sporty children to make teams.
Music is the beating heart of the school, with professional standard orchestral concerts at St John’s Smith Square and the Barbican, and a carol service in Westminster Abbey.
In 2019 98% of students received 9-7 at GCSE and 83% A*/A at A-Level.
Sixth form admission is Co-ed.
2. St Paul’s Boys’ School – selective boys 13-18
Founded in 1509, St Paul’s is located on an impressive 43-acre site by the River Thames, in Barnes, London. It is one of the world’s most elite schools, battling Westminster for the top spot in the league tables, where there is little between them. In September 2020, Sally-Anne Huang, the former head of JAGS, became the first female headmaster in the school’s 500+ year history.
As well as a keen sports department with outstanding facilities, music and drama are a key part of school life. Boys are encouraged to have a breather from academics and participate in a diverse selection of clubs and societies which are held in the daily 100-minute lunch break.
The school sits in the top 5 of the most expensive schools in the UK, and this is reflected in a wealthy student body. Bursary assistance is considered low by public school standards, despite “taking pride in giving the best possible education to talented boys, irrespective of their family’s financial circumstances” currently only 5% of pupils receive any form of financial support.
Academic results are outstanding with over 50% of A-Levels and 86% of GCSEs achieving A*s. St Paul’s School is one of the UK’s top feeder streams to Oxbridge with close to 35% of offers every year, with an additional 18% of leavers heading to Ivy League universities.
The school has yet to offer 6th form places to girls.
3. King’s College School (KCS)
Founded in 1829, KCS resides in the leafy suburbs of Wimbledon within a heritage and modern architectural campus overlooking the Common. Headmaster since 2008, Andrew Halls is a previous head of Magdalen College School and Cambridge graduate. He is a very present leader, known for his regular appearances on the touchline and engagement with his students.
As one of our top five, academic results are impressive, with 95% of students achieving 9-7 at GCSE, 79% A*/A at A-Level and an IB average point score 45. For the past five years, 25% of students have accepted offers for Oxbridge, with a number heading to Ivy League universities. Despite this academic success, there is a particular emphasis on pastoral care which is supported by a designated Head of Mental Health and Wellbeing.
There is also a strong tradition of choral music at King’s, and the chamber choir performs at major venues such as Westminster Abbey and even Windsor Castle. Drama is equally encouraged, and the school has a long track record of taking productions to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Sport is taken seriously with notable successes scored at rugby, cricket, football, athletics, hockey.
In 2021 the school is moving from 13+ admission to 11+. The sixth form is Co-ed.
4. City of London Boys’ School
City of London School sits in the heart of the City in close proximity to St Paul’s, the Millennium Bridge and Tate Modern. It has a diverse mix of pupils and is known for being one of the more grounded and unpretentious schools in our top five. Year on year the school produces excellent exam results with 94% achieving 9-7 at GCSE and 75% A*/A at A-Level. Leavers’ destinations are to Russell Group Universities, with 20% Oxbridge and a significant number to prestigious Stateside contemporaries.
Alongside the academics, the boys play lots of sport and football is the main sport, enjoying much success with 31 teams. The City of London sports fields are superb, although they are a 30 minute coach journey away.
Hands-on head Alan Bird has been headmaster since 2018, formerly at Tonbridge School and deputy head at Brighton College. Having read Economics at Cambridge he still classroom teaches A-Level classes.
Almost all of the students are Londoners, travelling to school via the tube. Half are from minority ethnicities, with 40 different nationalities. A generous bursary scheme sees a quarter of boys getting some form of financial support, and just under 100 paying no fees at all.
City of London offers entry at 11+ and 13+.
5. University College School
Situated in Hampstead, University College School is one of London’s top academic establishments. Founded by University College London in 1830 it was born to promote the principles of “intellectual curiosity, breadth of study and independence of mind”. Exam results continue to rise year on year, and last year secured the best academic results in the history of the school when 96% of GSCE students achieved 9-7 and 79% gained A*/A at A-Level. The current Oxbridge success rate is 18%.
Mark Beard, BSc(Med) Oxford University, has been headmaster at UCS since 2013. He previously taught at St Pauls and Brighton College where he was deputy head. He was educated at Whitgift, securing a government-assisted place, and is very aware of the opportunities this has granted him. At the core of the school is a commitment that education should not be restricted solely to those who can afford it. Around 60 pupils at UCS currently receive means-tested bursaries, entitling recipients to up to a 100% reduction in their fees.
UCS pupils have a fantastic range of facilities including a £10m redevelopment of the sports fields. This has also been chosen by UEFA as a training venue for football teams competing in the European Championships. School sport is indeed impressive with many cup victories in the major sports and an elite training programme for exceptional sportsmen. There is also a girl’s football team for students joining in the sixth form.
11+ entrance. Co-ed sixth form.
Read our list of the best co-ed schools in London.