London is home to some of the finest schools in the world
London’s best schools for 2026 have been revealed. The list, published by The Times, is recognised as one of the definitive rankings of the nation’s best school.
Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet, took the crown as State Secondary School of the Year in London 2026 and State Secondary School of the Year in London for Academic Excellence.
St Olave’s Grammar School, Orpington, came in second, but ranks three in the country. While Tiffin Girls’ School in Kingston Upon Thames. Meanwhile, a list ranking the capital’s top comps has also been shared.
The West London Free School is the capital’s best state school and won Comprehensive School of the Year in London. JFS school in Harrow came second, while Camden School for Girls won the bronze.
Then came the list of the capital’s best private schools. West London’s St Paul’s School won Independent Secondary School of the Year in London for Academic Excellence. North London Collegiate School was second, and another West London school, Godolphin and Latymer came third.
The Times also shared a list of the best primary schools in London. Thomas Jones Primary School is the Primary School of the Year in London and Westminster’s Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School is the second-best primary school in London.
While third place went to St Andrew’s RC Primary School, Streatham.
Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide said: “The educational landscape is testing – budget challenges, rising student mental health issues, special educational needs and an increasingly uncertain future. But there is also so much to celebrate from the dedication of teachers who are finding ever more innovative and impactful ways to enrich their students and give them the very best start in life.
“As well as celebrating the academic excellence of the top schools it is uplifting to see how they are shaping their students to be ready for the 21st century, and instilling a lifelong love of learning.”
The full lists of London’s best schools can be found below.
Top state secondary schools in London
Regional rank
National
rank
School Name
Location
1
1
Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
* State Secondary School of the Year in London 2026 and State Secondary School of the Year in London for Academic Excellence
London
2
3
St Olave’s Grammar School
Orpington
3
5
The Tiffin Girls’ School
Kingston upon Thames
4
8
The Henrietta Barnett School
London
5
11
Tiffin School
Kingston upon Thames
6
18
The Latymer School
London
7
21
Sutton Grammar School
Sutton
8
22
St Michael’s RC Grammar School, Finchley
London
9
24
Wallington High School for Girls
Wallington
10
30
Wallington County Grammar School
Wallington
Top comprehensive secondary schools in London
Regional rank
National
rank
School Name
Location
1
44
West London Free School
* Comprehensive School of the Year in London
London
2
59
JFS
Harrow
3
84
Camden School for Girls
London
4
96
The Charter School North Dulwich
London
5
97
The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School
London
6
99
Waldegrave School, Twickenham
London
7
107
Twyford CofE High School
London
8
108
Hasmonean High School for Girls
London
9
113=
Mossbourne Community Academy
London
10
118
JCoss (Jewish Community Secondary School)
London
Top secondary independent schools in London
Regional rank
National
rank
School Name
Location
1
1
St Paul’s School
*Independent Secondary School of the Year in London for Academic Excellence
London
2
3
North London Collegiate School
London
3
4
Godolphin and Latymer
London
4
6
St Paul’s Girls’ School
London
5
7
King’s College School, Wimbledon
London
6
8
Westminster School
London
7
9
City of London School For Girls
London
8
10
Latymer Upper School
London
9
12
Lady Eleanor Holles
London
10
13
Alleyn’s School
London
Top primary schools in London
Regional rank
National
rank
School Name
Location
1
1
Thomas Jones Primary School
*Primary School of the Year in London
Kensington and Chelsea
2
5
Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School
Westminster
3
6
St Andrew’s RC Primary School, Streatham
Lambeth
4
7
Courtland School
Barnet
5
8
Christ Church Bentinck CofE Primary School
Westminster
6
11
Cleves Primary School, East Ham
Newham
7
13
Merton Park Primary School
Merton
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