Independent Senior Schools in Greater London

Wetherby Senior School is an independent day school for boys aged 11 to 18, situated in Marylebone, Central London. Established in 2015, the school operates across two sites and offers a curriculum leading to GCSE and A-Level examinations. The school provides tailored support for pupils applying to global universities, including institutions in North America and Europe. Facilities include specialist science laboratories, a drama studio, and music rooms, while sports make use of external grounds. Its ethos emphasises character development, academic curiosity, and preparation for success in an increasingly global society.

City of London School is an independent day school for boys aged 10 to 18, located on a riverside site in the City of London. Tracing its origins to a 1442 bequest from John Carpenter, the school was formally established by an Act of Parliament in 1834. The current purpose-built campus, opened in 1986, is situated beneath St Paul’s Cathedral and features a sports centre, swimming pool, and professional theatre. The school emphasises academic breadth and social diversity, maintaining close historical ties with the City of London Corporation.

Knightsbridge School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 16, situated in the heart of London. Founded in 2006, the school occupies two grand redbrick townhouses in Lennox Gardens, formerly the Danish Embassy. Its ethos is centred on an "ecosystem of happiness" and the "KS Code," promoting a balanced approach to academic and personal development. The school offers a broad curriculum alongside a diverse extracurricular programme, utilising local facilities such as Battersea Park and Imperial College to support its sporting and creative activities.

Kingston Grammar School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in Kingston upon Thames. Founded in 1561 by Royal Charter from Queen Elizabeth I, the school's historic site features the 14th-century Lovekyn Chapel, the only remaining free-standing chantry chapel in England. The school provides a broad academic curriculum alongside a diverse co-curricular programme. Extensive sporting facilities are located nearby at Ditton Field, covering 22 acres. The school's ethos encourages pupils to be intellectually curious and socially responsible within a supportive community.

Canbury School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, located in Kingston upon Thames. Established in 1982, the school is characterised by its small class sizes, which are typically limited to fifteen students to facilitate individualised learning. The curriculum covers a broad range of academic subjects alongside extracurricular opportunities in art, music, and sport. Situated near Richmond Park, the school provides a supportive environment designed to foster student confidence and independence within a small, community-focused setting.

Fairley House School is a co-educational independent day school in Central London, specialising in the education of children with specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia and dyspraxia. Established in 1982, the school occupies two sites: a junior department in Lambeth and a senior department in Westminster. It provides support for pupils aged 5 to 16, offering a transdisciplinary curriculum that integrates speech and language therapy and occupational therapy into the daily timetable. The school's primary objective is to equip students with the necessary skills to return to mainstream education.

Royal Russell School is a co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated on a 110-acre parkland estate in Croydon. Founded in 1853, the school maintains a long-standing royal patronage. The campus features notable architecture, including a chapel and Great Hall designed by Sir Aston Webb. The school provides a broad curriculum with a focus on developing well-rounded individuals through extensive extracurricular programmes in sport, music, and drama. Facilities include a performing arts centre, modern science laboratories, and comprehensive sports pitches.

Jeannine Manuel School is a co-educational bilingual day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, located in the heart of Bloomsbury, London. Opened in 2015, it is the sister school of the Paris institution founded in 1954 by French Resistance member Jeannine Manuel. The school is housed across three sites in historic listed buildings on Russell Square and Bedford Square. Its ethos emphasises international understanding and pedagogical innovation within a multicultural community. Students follow a bilingual curriculum, preparing for either the French International Baccalaureate (BFI) or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma.

St Augustine's Priory is an independent Catholic day school in Ealing, West London, primarily for girls aged 3 to 18, with boys admitted to the nursery and prep sections. Founded in Paris in 1634 and established at its current site in 1915, the school is set within 13 acres of grounds that include a wildflower meadow, an orchard, and a working farm. Academic and extracurricular facilities include a chapel, a modern science block, and floodlit sports pitches. The school focuses on providing a well-rounded education based on values of truth and compassion.

South Hampstead High School GDST is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, situated in north-west London. Established in 1876 by the Girls’ Day School Trust, the school relocated to its Maresfield Gardens site in 1882. The Senior School campus features a contemporary seven-storey building designed by Hopkins Architects, incorporating a subterranean sports hall and a roof garden. Facilities also include the Waterlow Hall performance space and a four-acre off-site sports ground. The school’s ethos emphasises an outward-looking education, balancing academic rigour with music, drama, and competitive sport.

Bales College is a co-educational independent school and sixth-form college for pupils aged 11 to 20, located in the Kensal Green area of West London. Established in 1966 as the Modern Tutorial College, the school is set on a quiet campus near Notting Hill. It emphasises academic rigour and individual care through small teaching groups and structured progress monitoring. Facilities include specialist science laboratories and an art department, with pupils also utilising the nearby Moberly Sports Centre. The college’s ethos is guided by its motto, "Semper Perstare", fostering a culture of perseverance, respect, and high achievement.

Marymount International School is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated on a seven-acre campus in Kingston upon Thames. Founded in 1955 by the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, the school maintains a Catholic ethos while welcoming students of all faiths. It was the first school in the United Kingdom to adopt the International Baccalaureate curriculum, offering both the Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. Facilities include a modern STEAM "Fab Lab" and purpose-built sports and arts spaces, supporting a holistic approach to education.

Islamia School for Girls is an independent secondary day school for pupils aged 11 to 16, situated in Queen’s Park, London. Established in 1989 by Yusuf Islam, the school is housed in a converted Victorian building on Salusbury Road. Its curriculum integrates the National Curriculum with a faith-based ethos, aiming to foster spiritual, moral, and academic growth. The school provides a close-knit, single-sex environment focused on developing confident British Muslim women. Its compact setting encourages a strong sense of community and a personalised approach to pastoral care and student development.

Highgate School is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated in Highgate Village, North London. Founded in 1565 by Sir Roger Cholmeley, the school features a campus of historic Victorian architecture alongside modern facilities such as the Mills Centre for Art and Design. Its ethos focuses on academic curiosity and intellectual rigour, alongside a commitment to community engagement. Pupils follow a broad curriculum and participate in varied extracurricular activities in sport, music, and the arts, supported by facilities including the Mallinson Sports Centre.

Queen’s College London is an independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18, occupying four Grade II listed townhouses on Harley Street in Marylebone. Established in 1848 by Frederick Denison Maurice, it was the first institution in Great Britain to grant academic qualifications to women. The college maintains a liberal ethos, focusing on developing intellectual curiosity and independence. Its central London location facilitates use of the capital’s cultural resources, while a broad curriculum emphasises the creative arts, music, and humanities. Facilities include modern science laboratories and art studios.