Students have started their GCSEs. It is an anxious time for everyone, including parents deciding which secondary school to send their child the following year. Parents often use Performance Tables to determine how successful a school is.
Rating a secondary school is challenging. There are many factors to consider. So, for this article, I have used the Government’s Ofsted rating to determine which schools offer outstanding service. Here is a guide to five of the best Secondary Schools in London.
The Best Secondary Schools in London
1. Chobham Academy – Outstanding Ofsted Rating
Located in the East Village of Stratford, the former athlete’s village, Chobham Academy teaches students between 3 and 18 years old. The academy is passionate about embracing the district’s diversity, seeing it as an opportunity to bring new learning experiences.
The academy uses an approach based on the core values of empathy, inclusion, excellence, respect, honesty, and curiosity.
Chobham is part of the Harris Federation, a group of 52 primary and secondary academies around London. Several education researchers have recognised the Harris Federation as a Top Performer. It educates around 38,000 from the London area and is a not-for-profit organisation founded by Lord Peckham.
As an all-through school, children can begin their learning journey from age three as part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children who start at the EYFS receive automatic admission to the Secondary part of the academy.
The Harris Chobham Academy find the all-through experience rewarding. It allows primary and secondary teachers to work together and create continuity in the curriculum.
Around 90 of the 210 Year 7 students come from Chobham primary education. The majority of other students come from local primaries and must make an application through the London Borough of Newham website. If relocating to the area, the advice is to complete an in-year application form from Newham Admissions Team.
At Chobhams’s last Ofsted inspection, they received an Outstanding rating in all categories.
Pupils at the Academy steadfastly attain above-average GCSE results. It puts Chobham in the top 15% of the UK’s schools. Reviews vary. Some say the school has five-star facilities and the teaching is of a good standard. Others rate it as having limited learning due to a high level of cover teachers.
Address: 40 Cheering Lane, East Village, London, E20 1BD
Telephone: 020 3747 6060
2. Sacred Heart Catholic School – A Co-educational School
Sacred Heart Catholic School welcomes 11 – 18-year-olds to its co-educational secondary school. Located in the Camberwell area of Southwark, South London, the school is a combined secondary school and sixth form.
The secondary school has high expectations for their students and believes a structured and disciplined method of education equips students for succeeding in life after school. The moralistic school teaches children to respect rules and boundaries and understand the importance of trust and honesty.
The Catholic school’s website claims they rank tenth best in the country, using the results of Progress 8.
Sacred Heart’s last Ofsted inspection in 2012 rated them as Outstanding, stating the students’ behaviour was outstanding, and there was a wide range of activities outside the classroom, which included working with charities and school trips.
Ninety per cent of students achieved five GCSEs or above, with 80% obtaining a solid pass in Maths and English.
The Catholic tradition strongly intertwines with the curriculum, with mass celebrated every Friday and a Daily Form Prayer at registration.
You do not have to follow the Catholic faith for admissions. However, if there are limited spaces, priority is given to baptised Catholic students. Unsuccessful applicants have the opportunity to go on a waiting list. In 2024, the school plans to take on 120 new students.
Address: Camberwell New Road, London, SE5 0RP
Telephone: 020 7274 6844
3. King Solomon Academy – A Family-Orientated Culture
King Solomon Academy (KSA) in Marylebone, West London, has a philosophy to create a family-orientated community with students, parents, and teachers involved. The aim is for everyone to unite and commit to a goal to help students achieve a place at a selective university.
As an all-through school, the Academy provides a nursery from age two, entering Reception at four years old. After Secondary school, there is the option to attend Sixth Form to complete A levels and a BTEC Level 3 Business Diploma.
King Solomon’s Ofsted rating of Outstanding states that the Academy has successfully achieved its mission ‘To provide a rigorous and transformational education that prepares our pupils for success at university and beyond.’
Their Progress 8 rating stated that the academy scored a grade higher in every subject than the average secondary schools in the country.
KSA provides additional extended learning with a paid Breakfast and After School Club.
They provide a selection of day trips and residential courses, such as a trip to Kew Gardens, the London Docklands, and Camber Sands.
Residential trips are related to university aspirations and include trips to Bath and Warwick. There are also language and music trips.
Pupils from Year 6 are automatically accepted to continue their education into Year 7. Outside applicants must complete the Year 6 / Year 7 Entry Waiting List, managed by Westminster Admissions.
Address: Penfold Street, London, NW1 6RX
Telephone: 020 7563 6900
4. City of London School – Secondary School for Boys
The City of London School (CLS) is in the heart of London, overlooked by St Paul’s Cathedral. They have over 950 boys between the ages of 10 and 18. There have been some incredibly successful students educated at CLS, such as Prime Minister H.H. Asquith, Booker Prize winner Julian Barnes, and Daniel Radcliffe of Harry Potter fame.
CLS achieved an Excellent rating in the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in October 2021.
The Good School’s Guide said, ‘There are no weak spots.’
The Sunday Times named CLS the London Independent Secondary School of the Year 2020.
Students achieve exceptionally high grades. In 2022:
- 26 received confirmed places at Oxbridge Universities
- 95% accepted places at one of the Top 10 or Russel Group Universities.
The secondary school might be high-achieving. However, they claim it is not a pressurised environment. They encourage students to participate in activities to develop a proactive nature, independent thinking, and to be ambitious.
Volunteering in charity work develops an empathetic nature and generosity, creating a benevolent character.
They are an independent secondary school in London with entry points for students ages 10, 11, and 13.
School fees for the City of London Secondary School are,
- For the 2022-2023 academic year: £7,019 per term.
- School lunch is available at £307 per term.
- Music lessons are £285 per term.
The City of London School is well-respected as one of the best private schools in London.
Address: 107 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 3AL
Telephone: 020 3680 6300
5. Westminster Academy – International Business and Enterprise
Westminster Academy is an IB World School in Central London. They are the only non-fee-paying school in London that offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma and Career-related Programmes.
The school’s ethos is that education means success. Their goal is to provide a student-focused education using the acronym Hero for their core values,
- Honesty
- Enterprise
- Responsibility
- Opportunity
The Academy has an Ofsted rating of Outstanding. More than 70% of students achieve 9-4 grades in key subjects. Students who continue to the Academy’s sixth form to study the International Baccalaureate Diploma 100% receive university offers. The students outshine the world’s average score.
Their curriculum includes English, Modern Languages, Anthropology, Business Management and Enterprise, Maths, Science, Food and Nutrition, and Dance.
They offer an extensive range of extra-curriculum activities, with many taking place during the lunch break.
Sports clubs, including basketball and table tennis, are held before, during, and after school.
They provide Combined Cadet Forces and the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE).
Westminster Academy provides several opportunities for students to voice their opinions by allocating places on an Academy Student Council, Student Ambassadors, and Prefect positions. Participation is encouraged in focus groups to improve strategies in policies like Anti-Racism.
The school is taking admissions for 2024 and will shortly announce its Open Days.
Applicants for Year 6 should apply through the Pan London e-admissions system. They are not considering any In-year candidates as they are full.
Address: 255 Harrow Road, London, W2 5EZ
Telephone: 020 7121 0600
Tips for Choosing a Secondary School in London
How to choose a secondary school in London?
- Most schools have open days, mornings, or evenings, so visiting is a great idea.
- Read the Ofsted reports.
- Check performance tables for the school.
- Talk to other parents. Meeting them outside the school gates is an excellent opportunity.
- Speak to the students. They are often guides on open days.
- Talk to the teachers. Are they eager, or do they come across as bored? Your child will be with them for a long time. So are they a good fit?
