If you are searching for the best private day schools in London, this guide gives you the authoritative, practical information you need. We rank the top five London independent schools based on the 2025 examination results, cover their fees directly from official school websites, explain each school’s admissions process and character, and highlight what distinguishes them from hundreds of other London independent schools. Furthermore, we explain the hidden costs families often overlook and address the key questions international families ask when considering a London private school for their child.
London is home to some of the finest independent schools in the world. In 2025, the top London day schools produced A-Level results that ranked among the very best globally, with A*/A rates at the highest-performing schools exceeding 90 per cent. Furthermore, London’s position as a global city means that its leading independent schools have alumni networks, cultural opportunities and university destinations that are genuinely unmatched. Understanding which schools offer what — and which suit a particular child’s personality, strengths and ambitions — is one of the most consequential decisions any family can make.
At Briggate Educational Consultants, our team supports families navigating the London independent school admissions process. This guide draws on that expertise, alongside exam results data published by The Sunday Times Parent Power, to give you a clear, practical and honest assessment of the best private day schools London has to offer for 2026 entry.
What the 2025 Exam Results Tell Us
Every autumn, The Sunday Times publishes its Parent Power table — a comprehensive ranking of UK independent schools based on their GCSE and A-Level results from the previous summer. The 2026 edition, based on 2025 examination results, confirmed a pattern that has been consistent for several years: London schools dominate the very top of the national rankings, and a small cluster of schools are pulling significantly ahead of even other high-performing London independents.
Based on 2025 A-Level and GCSE results, the top-performing London day schools were:
St Paul’s School ranked first nationally, with 93 per cent of A-Level entries achieving A* or A and 97.9 per cent of GCSE entries reaching the top grades (9, 8 or 7). St Paul’s Girls’ School ranked second nationally, with 88.7 per cent A-Level A*/A and 99.5 per cent top GCSE grades. King’s College School Wimbledon ranked third nationally among London day schools, with 86.1 per cent A*/A at A-Level and 98.26 per cent top grades at GCSE. Westminster School ranked fourth, with 86 per cent A*/A at A-Level. North London Collegiate School ranked fifth among London day schools with results close behind Westminster.
These five schools are not merely the best day schools in London. They are among the best schools in the world by examination outcome. Consequently, admission is intensely competitive at every entry point.
The VAT Factor: What Changed in January 2025
One of the most significant developments in London independent school fees in recent memory is the UK government’s introduction of 20 per cent VAT on independent school fees, which took effect in January 2025. All five schools listed in this guide now charge fees inclusive of VAT, and all published fee figures in this post include VAT.
The practical effect for families is that fees at the top London day schools are now materially higher than they were in 2024. Furthermore, schools have had to make decisions about how much of the VAT cost to absorb and how much to pass on to families. Most leading London independent schools have passed on the majority of the cost. Consequently, families comparing fees between years should be aware that like-for-like comparisons require careful attention to whether fees are quoted inclusive or exclusive of VAT.
At the five schools listed in this guide, demand for places remains exceptionally high and the VAT increase has not materially affected the number of applications.
The 5 Best Private Day Schools in London (2026)
1. St Paul’s School
St Paul’s School, located on 45 acres of green open space on the banks of the River Thames in Barnes, west London, ranked first in England in The Sunday Times Parent Power 2026 rankings based on 2025 A-Level and GCSE results. Furthermore, St Paul’s was named Independent School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2026. Its A-Level A*/A rate of 93 per cent and GCSE top-grade rate of 97.9 per cent are the highest of any large school in England.
A school that prizes intellectual curiosity above all
St Paul’s School was founded in 1509 by John Colet, Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, and has been synonymous with academic excellence for over five centuries. Its distinguished alumni span many fields, including the philosopher John Milton (who attended the school in the 1620s), the astronomer Edmond Halley, and politicians, scientists and public figures across the centuries. The school’s approach to education is distinctive: it prizes genuine intellectual curiosity, deep engagement with ideas, and the ability to think and argue independently, rather than merely preparing students for examinations.
The senior school (Years 9 to 13) occupies a magnificent riverside campus with facilities that include a concert hall, art gallery, theatre, engineering workshop, cricket pitch, boat club and swimming pool. The junior school (Years 7 to 8), known as St Paul’s Prep School, occupies the same site and feeds into the senior school from Year 9. St Paul’s is a boys’ school with no sixth form co-education.
St Paul’s is committed to access regardless of means. Its Founder’s Awards bursary programme offers up to 100 per cent fee remission to families with household incomes below £78,000 per year and net assets below £1.6 million. Furthermore, bursary support extends to ancillary costs including trips, uniform and music lessons, at the same percentage as the fee award itself.
Entry points and admissions process
St Paul’s admits boys at 7+, 11+, 13+ and 16+. The main senior school entry is at 13+, with around half of the Year 9 cohort coming from the prep school and half from external prep schools. For 13+ entry, applicants register in Year 5 and sit the ISEB online pre-test in October or November of Year 6. Those who progress to stage two sit written assessments at St Paul’s in January, followed by an interview. The process is highly competitive, with places in significant demand from London’s leading prep schools.
For external applicants from state primary schools or prep schools ending at Year 6, the 11+ is the more appropriate entry point, allowing boys to spend two years in the junior school before entering the senior school in Year 9.
Fees (2025-2026)
St Paul’s Prep School (Years 3-8): £9,551 per term. St Paul’s School senior school (Years 9-13): £11,949 per term, approximately £35,847 per year. This fee includes lunch. Boarding fee (including tuition): £17,981 per term.
(Source: stpaulsschool.org.uk/admissions/fees — confirmed May 2026)
For international families
St Paul’s welcomes international applicants and provides advice on appropriate boarding arrangements for those living outside London. Its alumni network, Oxbridge placing rate and university destinations are exceptionally strong for those with ambitions in academia, law, medicine, finance, the arts and public life.
2. St Paul’s Girls’ School
St Paul’s Girls’ School (SPGS), located in Brook Green, Hammersmith, ranked second in England by A-Level results in The Sunday Times Parent Power 2026. Furthermore, SPGS was named the London Independent Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2026. Its A-Level A*/A rate of 88.7 per cent and GCSE top-grade rate of 99.5 per cent confirm its position as the most academically exceptional girls’ school in the country.
A pioneering school with unmatched academic culture
St Paul’s Girls’ School was founded in 1904 by the Worshipful Company of Mercers as a girls’ school to complement the older boys’ school, using part of the endowment set up by John Colet. Its alumni include many leading academics, artists, scientists, politicians and public intellectuals, among them politician Harriet Harman and Baroness Shirley Williams. Furthermore, the school has a historic connection with composer Gustav Holst, who served as Director of Music at SPGS from 1905 until his death in 1934 — a period of 29 years during which he composed major works including The Planets and the St Paul’s Suite, the latter written in gratitude to the school after it built him a soundproofed studio.
SPGS takes approximately 110 girls into Year 7 each year and a further cohort into the sixth form. The school admits girls from age 11 to 18. The curriculum is broad and demanding, with girls regularly winning national and international prizes in mathematics, science, classical languages, modern languages, creative writing and the arts. Furthermore, SPGS offers an unusually rich programme of societies, lectures and external activities that extend intellectual life well beyond the formal curriculum.
SPGS is a day school with no boarding facilities. It requires all students to live within a 50-minute commute of the school, and is therefore unable to accommodate overseas students who need residential arrangements. This is an important practical point for international families: SPGS is accessible only to families who are already resident within the London commuting area.
Entry points and admissions process
SPGS admits girls at 11+ (Year 7) and 16+ (Year 12). For 11+ entry, families register in the autumn term of Year 5. The admissions process includes an entrance assessment and, for successful candidates, written entrance examinations. From 2027 entry, SPGS is moving from its previous Cambridge Select Insight assessment to the ISEB Common Pre-Test for 11+ applicants. For 16+ entry, the process includes online assessments and written examinations in the subjects the candidate wishes to study at A-Level.
Means-tested bursaries covering up to 100 per cent of fees are available at both 11+ and 16+ entry. Music scholarships (Handel Scholarships) are also available.
Fees (2025-2026)
Senior school Year 7-11: £12,414 per term (includes lunch). Year 12-13: £13,409 per term (includes lunch). All fees include VAT. Approximately £37,242 per year for Years 7-11.
(Source: spgs.org/admissions/fees-and-scholarships — confirmed May 2026)
For international families
SPGS is outstanding for internationally based families who are relocating to London, as it is one of the finest girls’ schools in the world. However, its 50-minute commute requirement means it is not suitable for families based outside the London commuting area. Families who are moving to London and wish their daughter to attend SPGS should factor this proximity requirement into their housing decisions.
3. King’s College School Wimbledon
King’s College School (KCS), located in Wimbledon facing the Common, ranked third nationally among London day schools in The Sunday Times Parent Power 2026, with 86.1 per cent of A-Level entries achieving A* or A and 98.26 per cent of GCSE entries receiving top grades. Furthermore, KCS has recently received an outstanding ISI inspection report highlighting the quality of its co-curricular and enrichment programme.
A leading boys’ school with a co-educational sixth form
King’s College School was founded in 1829 and is unusual among the top London independent schools in admitting boys from age 7 through to 18, with girls admitted into the sixth form to create a genuinely co-educational environment at the most senior level. This makes KCS a strong option for families who want a boys’ environment in the early years and a co-educational sixth form — a combination that several other leading schools do not offer.
KCS teaches boys across Years 3 to 11 (the junior and senior schools), with approximately 1,000 students on roll across all year groups. The school occupies a campus facing Wimbledon Common, with access to green space that is unusual for a London school. Furthermore, KCS has an excellent record in sport, music, drama and the creative arts alongside its strong academic results, and places a particular emphasis on developing the whole person rather than merely producing examination success.
KCS graduates consistently gain places at the most competitive UK and international universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, and leading universities in the United States. Furthermore, the school has well-developed support for students applying to American universities — a notable advantage for internationally mobile families.
Entry points and admissions process
KCS admits boys at 7+, 8+, 9+, 11+, 13+ and girls at 16+. The 11+ entry (Year 7) is the main external entry point for the senior school. For 13+ entry (Year 9), boys sit the ISEB online pre-test followed by school assessments. Means-tested bursaries of up to 100 per cent are available at 11+, 13+ and 16+, covering not only fees but potentially also trips, uniform and lunches.
Fees (2025-2026)
Year 9 and above: £11,404 per term (includes VAT), approximately £34,212 per year.
(Source: kcs.org.uk — published September 2025 fees confirmed via WhichSchoolAdvisor)
For international families
KCS is one of the most internationally minded of the top London day schools, with a genuinely diverse student community and strong support for students applying to universities in North America, Europe and beyond. Its Wimbledon location, on the southern edge of London with good transport links, suits families based in south-west London, Surrey and the surrounding area.
4. Westminster School
Westminster School, located in the heart of Westminster adjacent to the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, ranked fourth among London day schools in The Sunday Times Parent Power 2026, with 86 per cent of A-Level entries achieving A* or A. Furthermore, Westminster’s leavers consistently place across the most competitive UK and international universities, with a strong record of Oxbridge and American university entry.
A school with unparalleled intellectual heritage and location
Westminster School has educated pupils since the medieval period and is one of the oldest schools in England. Its alumni include some of the most distinguished figures in British intellectual and cultural history — among them philosopher John Locke, scientist Robert Hooke, architect Christopher Wren, playwright Ben Jonson, actor Sir John Gielgud, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, and broadcaster Louis Theroux. Furthermore, the school’s location adjacent to Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the heart of British political and cultural life gives it an intellectual and cultural context that no other school in the country can match.
Westminster is co-educational from the sixth form, with girls joining at 16+. Day and boarding places are available at both 13+ and 16+ entry, making Westminster unusual among the top London independents in offering genuine boarding alongside day places. Its boarding houses are situated around the school’s historic buildings in the heart of Westminster. Westminster’s distinctive approach to teaching emphasises discussion, debate and intellectual engagement beyond the examination syllabus, with a rich programme of societies, talks and external activities.
An important structural point: Westminster School admits pupils exclusively from age 13 (at 13+) or 16 (at 16+), with no 11+ entry to the senior school. The preparatory Westminster Under School handles 4+ to 11+ entry separately.
Entry points and admissions process
Westminster School admits pupils at 13+ and 16+ only. For 13+ entry, registration opens in October of Year 5 (age 9/10) and closes in September of Year 6. The process culminates in written examinations at Westminster in January of Year 8. For 16+ entry, registration opens in June before entry and candidates sit examinations in November. Westminster offers both King’s Scholarships (academic scholarships worth the day fee, awarded to approximately 12 pupils per year) and means-tested bursaries of up to 100 per cent.
Fees (2025-2026)
13+ day pupils: £15,451 per term (£46,353 per year). 16+ day pupils: £16,650 per term (£49,950 per year). Boarding: £21,992 per term (£65,976 per year). All fees include VAT.
(Source: westminster.org.uk/admissions/fees — confirmed May 2026)
For international families
Westminster’s boarding option makes it one of the very few schools in this ranking that can accommodate international families who are not resident in London. Its location in the heart of the capital, proximity to international transport connections and extraordinary cultural resources make it an exceptional environment for internationally minded pupils. The school’s 16+ entry point is also particularly suited to international students completing their preparatory schooling overseas and seeking a distinguished British sixth form.
5. North London Collegiate School
North London Collegiate School (NLCS), located at Canons in Edgware, north London, ranked fifth among the best London private day schools by 2025 A-Level results. Furthermore, NLCS was named The Sunday Times Independent School of the Year for 2025, and the Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence for 2026. NLCS is widely regarded as one of the finest girls’ schools in the world: its results, pastoral care and holistic approach to education are consistently among the best of any independent school in the country.
A school that pioneered girls’ education
NLCS was founded in 1850 by Frances Mary Buss as one of the first schools in the United Kingdom to offer girls the same educational opportunities as boys — a radical act in mid-Victorian England. Frances Buss was its first headmistress and remained so for the rest of her life. Under her leadership the school became a model for girls’ education nationally and internationally. Its distinguished alumnae include Dame Kathleen Lonsdale, the pioneering crystallographer and first female Fellow of the Royal Society, and Rosalind Franklin, who attended the school in the 1930s and later produced the X-ray diffraction work that was critical to the discovery of the DNA double helix.
Today NLCS is a school of approximately 1,100 girls aged 4 to 18. The senior school offers a particularly broad and flexible curriculum, with both A-Levels and the International Baccalaureate Diploma available in the sixth form — making NLCS one of very few top-performing London schools to offer genuine curriculum choice at sixth form level. Furthermore, the school’s sixth form results in both pathways are outstanding, and students regularly win national and international competitions in mathematics, languages, science and the creative arts.
NLCS places particular emphasis on the Sophie Bryant Scholarship, which recognises intellectual curiosity and breadth of ambition in addition to academic achievement, and on its Handel Music Scholarships. Furthermore, NLCS operates the Eureka Schools Programme, through which it shares its expertise, resources and teaching talent with a network of state schools across London and beyond — a genuine expression of its founding commitment to widening access to excellent education.
Entry points and admissions process
NLCS admits girls at 4+ (junior school), 11+ and 16+ (senior school). For 11+ entry, girls sit the school’s entrance examination in January of Year 6. Registration opens in the autumn term and places are allocated following the examination process. For 16+ entry, the process includes an online adaptive baseline assessment followed by written examinations in chosen subjects. Means-tested bursaries of up to 100 per cent of fees are available at 11+ and 16+. Sophie Bryant Scholarships, Handel Music Scholarships and Sports Scholarships are also available.
Fees (2025-2026)
Junior School: £8,540 per term. Senior School: £9,917 per term, approximately £29,751 per year. Additional charges apply for coaches (£2,937 return per year) and lunches (£1,215 per year for senior school).
(Source: nlcs.org.uk/admissions/fees — confirmed May 2026)
For international families
NLCS is a day school based in Edgware, north London, with excellent transport links via the London Underground and a comprehensive coach network covering a wide area of north London and Hertfordshire. It is suited to families resident in north or central London, or who are relocating to those areas. Its IB sixth form option is particularly valuable for internationally educated students joining at 16+ who are more familiar with the IB curriculum than the British A-Level system.
Fee Comparison: The Top 5 at a Glance
| School | Type | Annual Fees (approx, day) | Entry Points | Co-ed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Paul’s School | Boys, day and boarding | £35,847 (includes lunch) | 7+, 11+, 13+, 16+ | Boys only (no co-ed sixth form) |
| St Paul’s Girls’ | Girls, day only | £37,242 (Yr 7-11), £40,227 (sixth form, inc. lunch) | 11+, 16+ | Girls only |
| King’s College School | Boys/co-ed sixth form | c.£34,212 (Yr 9+) | 7+, 8+, 9+, 11+, 13+, 16+ | Co-ed sixth form |
| Westminster School | Co-ed, day and boarding | £46,353 (13+ day), £49,950 (16+ day) | 13+, 16+ only | Co-ed (girls from 16+) |
| NLCS | Girls, day only | £29,751 (senior) plus lunches and coaches | 4+, 11+, 16+ | Girls only |
What Families Often Miss: Hidden Costs
The fees published by London independent schools are only part of the total cost of attendance. Families consistently underestimate the ancillary costs, which can add substantially to the headline figure.
Lunches. At St Paul’s School, lunch is included in the published fee. At SPGS, lunch is included. At NLCS, lunch costs an additional £1,215 per year. At King’s College School and Westminster, lunch costs are separate. Always check whether the published fee includes lunch before comparing schools.
School transport. NLCS operates a comprehensive coach network costing £2,937 per year for a return journey. Many other London schools offer coach services at additional cost. Furthermore, families should factor in the cost of daily transport by public transport if the school is not served by coaches.
Music lessons. Visiting music teacher lessons are charged separately at all five schools. At St Paul’s School, the rate is £37.42 per 35-minute lesson. At other schools, rates vary but are broadly similar.
Examination fees. At NLCS, examination fees are explicitly included in the published fee. At other schools, examination fees are typically charged additionally in the final GCSE and A-Level years.
Trips and activities. All five schools offer extensive programmes of school trips, both domestic and international, which are charged in addition to basic fees. Families should budget for several hundred to several thousand pounds per year in additional trip costs depending on the year group.
Deposits. Acceptance deposits are required at all five schools to confirm a place. These typically represent a significant upfront outlay alongside any registration and entrance fees.
The Admissions Landscape: What Parents Need to Know
Prepare early — much earlier than you think
The timeline for London independent school admissions begins significantly earlier than most families expect. For 13+ entry to Westminster School, registration opens in October of Year 5 — when most children are nine years old and three years away from actually joining the school. For 11+ entry to KCS or SPGS, registration typically opens in the autumn term of Year 4 or early Year 5. Missing registration deadlines is one of the most common and most costly mistakes families make.
The ISEB Common Pre-Test
Several top London independent schools, including St Paul’s School (13+ entry) and Westminster School (13+ entry), use the ISEB Common Pre-Test as part of their initial assessment process. This is an adaptive online test covering verbal, non-verbal, mathematical and reading reasoning, taken in October or November of Year 6. Registering with ISEB promptly and preparing for the test structure is important for all families targeting 13+ entry at these schools.
School fit matters as much as results
The five schools listed above are all outstanding, but they have quite different characters and cultures. St Paul’s School is known for extraordinary academic intensity and a deep intellectual culture with a strong mathematical and scientific tradition. Westminster is similarly intense, with a particular emphasis on debate, discussion and ideas, and a uniquely urban location. KCS is somewhat broader in its emphasis, placing the whole person — including sport, music and co-curricular life — alongside strong academics. SPGS has a culture of intellectual confidence and ambition that is distinctive among girls’ schools. NLCS combines high academic standards with a notably warm and inclusive community culture. Visiting each school, attending open events and speaking with current families is essential to understanding which environment will suit a particular child.
Tutoring and preparation
Preparation for entrance to these schools is standard practice across London. Most children applying at 11+ and 13+ receive some structured preparation, whether through tutoring, preparation classes or practice papers. However, the schools themselves are clear that they are looking for genuine intellectual ability and curiosity rather than tutored performance, and experienced assessors can generally distinguish between the two. Excessive narrowly focused examination coaching can be counterproductive if it comes at the expense of reading widely, developing genuine interests and building the intellectual confidence that distinguishes the strongest candidates.
At Briggate, our approach to 11+ and 13+ preparation focuses on building genuine analytical ability alongside familiarity with the test format, rather than drilling narrow examination technique.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the best private day school in London? Based on 2025 A-Level results, St Paul’s School ranked first nationally and St Paul’s Girls’ School ranked second. However, the best school for any individual child depends on gender, age, personality, interests and location. All five schools listed in this guide are outstanding by any objective measure.
How much do London private schools cost? Fees at the top five London private day schools for 2025-26 range from approximately £29,751 per year at NLCS senior school to £49,950 per year at Westminster School at sixth form level. All fees are inclusive of 20 per cent VAT introduced in January 2025. Ancillary costs including lunches, transport and trips add further to the headline figures.
Which London private schools accept international students? Westminster School accepts international boarders at both 13+ and 16+ entry, making it the strongest option among these five for overseas families. St Paul’s School also offers boarding for boys from outside the London area. SPGS and NLCS are day-only schools with travel requirements that make them suitable only for London-resident families. KCS is predominantly a day school but can advise on appropriate boarding arrangements.
When should I start the admissions process? For 13+ entry to Westminster or St Paul’s School, registration opens in Year 5 (age 9-10). For 11+ entry to KCS, SPGS or NLCS, registration typically opens in Year 4 or early Year 5. Missing these deadlines forecloses the possibility of applying. We recommend starting research in Year 3 or Year 4 at the latest.
Are bursaries available at top London private schools? Yes. All five schools offer means-tested bursaries of up to 100 per cent of fees. Bursary funds are awarded on the basis of academic merit alongside financial need. Contact each school’s bursary office for detailed information on eligibility criteria.
Do these schools offer the IB as well as A-Levels? NLCS is the only school in this ranking to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma alongside A-Levels in the sixth form. The other four schools offer A-Levels only. NLCS’s IB offering makes it particularly valuable for internationally educated students at 16+ who are more familiar with the IB curriculum.
How Briggate Can Help
Navigating London’s independent school admissions landscape requires early action, thorough research and careful strategic planning. At Briggate Educational Consultants, we support families at every stage of the process — from initial school selection and open day preparation through to ISEB pre-test preparation, school visit coaching and bursary application support.
We work with a small number of families each year to ensure that the depth of our support remains genuinely exceptional. Our consultants are familiar with the admissions processes at all the schools listed in this guide, and with the admissions cultures, expectations and assessment styles that distinguish each one.
Book a free initial consultation with a Briggate admissions consultant today to discuss your child’s profile, your timescales and the schools that are most likely to be the right fit.
This article was written by the Briggate Educational Consultants team. Fees are sourced directly from official school websites and are correct as of May 2026. Exam results data is drawn from The Sunday Times Parent Power 2026, based on summer 2025 examination results. Always verify current fees and admissions requirements directly with each school before applying.
