Independent Senior Schools in Greater London

Westminster School is a historic boarding and day school for pupils aged 13 to 18, located within the Precincts of Westminster Abbey. Refounded by Elizabeth I in 1560, it is the only ancient school to remain on its original site in central London. The school is centred around Little Dean’s Yard and includes notable architecture such as the 14th-century College Hall. It provides a liberal education that encourages independent thought and academic rigour. Facilities include the 13-acre Vincent Square playing fields and a modern sports centre. Girls are currently admitted to the Sixth Form.

Palmers Green High School is an independent girls' day school for ages 4 to 16, located in Winchmore Hill, North London. Founded in 1905 by Alice Hum, the school is guided by the Quaker-inspired motto, “By Love Serve One Another”. It is housed in Avondale Hall, a building with historical significance that once hosted suffragette meetings. The school provides a supportive learning environment with small class sizes and a broad curriculum. Facilities include specialist spaces for art, drama, and music, supporting a focus on academic progress and personal development.

Francis Holland Regent's Park is an independent day school for girls aged 11 to 18, situated in Marylebone near the gates of Regent's Park. Founded in 1878 by Canon Francis Holland, the school maintains a "schooling for life" ethos rooted in its Church of England heritage. On-site facilities include a swimming pool, while the nearby park and Paddington Recreation Ground are used for outdoor sports. In 2022, the school opened Linhope House, a purpose-built Sixth Form centre. The curriculum balances academic ambition with a strong commitment to the creative arts and pastoral support.

Darul Hadis Latifiah is an independent Islamic secondary school and sixth form for boys aged 11 to 20, situated in Bethnal Green, London. Founded in 1978 by Sheikh Allamah Muhammad Abdul Latif Chowdhury Fultali, the institution originally served as a madrasa before achieving secondary school status in 1999. The curriculum provides a blend of the UK National Curriculum and Islamic studies, including tuition in Bengali and Urdu. Operating from its Cornwall Avenue site since 2005, the school's ethos is built upon the core values of faith, aspiration, inspiration, and respect.

Latymer Upper School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in Hammersmith on the banks of the River Thames. Founded in 1624 by Edward Latymer, the school features a mix of Victorian heritage buildings and modern facilities, including a performing arts centre and a riverside boathouse. The school is noted for its commitment to social diversity through a significant bursary programme. The curriculum emphasises academic breadth alongside a broad extracurricular offering, while its location supports a long-standing rowing tradition and access to London’s wide-ranging cultural resources.

Collingham Independent College is a co-educational day school in Kensington, London, catering for students aged 13 to 19. Established in 1975, the college operates across two historic locations. The Sixth Form is housed in a significant Arts and Crafts townhouse, formerly Gibbs’ Preparatory School, while the GCSE department occupies the former home of novelist William Makepeace Thackeray. The college maintains an ethos of academic rigour within a supportive, individualised environment, featuring small class sizes. Its central setting offers students close proximity to world-renowned institutions, such as the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Colfe's School is a co-educational independent day school, situated in Horn Park within the Royal Borough of Greenwich, southeast London. Established in 1568 and re-founded in 1652, the school is governed by the Leathersellers' Company. Co-educational since 1999, it caters to pupils aged 3 to 18. The school claims to focus on values such as effort, happiness, and a love of learning, fostering a purposeful and respectful atmosphere. Its grounds feature over 30 acres of playing fields, a sports complex with a 25m swimming pool, and a performing arts centre. Colfe's School was awarded Microsoft Showcase School status in 2024.

Whitgift School is an independent day and boarding school for boys aged 10-18, situated on a 45-acre parkland site in South Croydon, Greater London. Founded in 1596 by Archbishop John Whitgift, its motto is "Vincit qui patitur" (He who perseveres, conquers). The school claims to focus on academic achievement, personal development, and co-curricular involvement, aiming to foster mutual respect and self-esteem. The extensive grounds feature landscaped gardens, ponds, and an aviary. Full, weekly, and flexi-boarding options are available.

Halcyon London International School is a co-educational, not-for-profit day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, situated in Marylebone. Founded in 2013, it is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School offering the Middle Years and Diploma Programmes. The school’s ethos focuses on innovation, student agency, and a research-led approach to wellbeing and restorative practice. Recognised as a Google Reference School and Apple Regional Training Centre, it integrates advanced technology into its teaching. The school occupies a central site near Marble Arch, utilising local facilities including the Seymour Leisure Centre and Hyde Park for sport and recreation.

Islamic Shakhsiyah Foundation (London) is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 3 to 16, located in Tottenham. The school is housed within a historic building, formerly St Mary’s Priory, which forms part of a local mosque complex. Established in 2002 from a network of home-schooling groups, the school follows the Shakhsiyah Education model, rooted in classical Islamic pedagogy and the Quran. Its curriculum is holistic and thematic, featuring the 'Halaqah' system to develop personal character. Extracurricular highlights include an annual inventions fair and student presentations focusing on public speaking and creativity.

Fulham School is a co-educational independent day school in London, founded in 1996. Operating across several sites in Fulham, the school provides a broad education for pupils from nursery age through to eighteen. The preparatory school is housed in a Victorian building on Greyhound Road, notable as a former filming location for the television programme Grange Hill. As a member of the Inspired Education Group, the school follows a holistic ethos centred on academics, sport, and the performing arts. Facilities include specialist science laboratories, creative art studios, and various all-weather sports pitches.

Queen's Gate School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, located in South Kensington, London. Occupying five Victorian terrace houses near the capital’s major museums, the school provides an urban learning environment that utilises local landmarks as an extended classroom. Founded in 1891 by Eleanor Beatrice Wyatt, the school emphasises individuality within a supportive atmosphere and is notable for its lack of a prescribed uniform. The broad academic curriculum is enhanced by the regular use of nearby facilities, including the Royal Albert Hall and Imperial College.

Guildhouse School is an international co-educational boarding and day school situated in London’s historic Bloomsbury. Occupying a series of late 17th-century Regency townhouses overlooking Bloomsbury Square, the school provides a focused environment for pupils aged 14 to 18. Guildhouse is distinguished by its emphasis on business and entrepreneurship, notably being the only secondary school in Europe to house a professional Bloomberg Lab. It offers A-level and University Foundation programmes designed to prepare students for entry into global higher education, with a curriculum that integrates practical business insights alongside traditional academic subjects.

St Margaret's Hampstead is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 16, situated in a residential area of North London. Founded in 1884, the school is housed in a Victorian building in Kidderpore Gardens, close to Hampstead Heath. It operates as a small, family-oriented community with a focus on individual pastoral care. The academic curriculum culminates in GCSEs, and as the school does not have a sixth form, Year 11 pupils are encouraged to take on senior leadership roles. Facilities include science laboratories, a library, and drama spaces.

David Game College is a co-educational day and boarding college for students aged 14 to 22, situated in the heart of the City of London. Established in 1974, the college occupies a substantial Victorian building on Jewry Street, which features fragments of an original Roman wall in its basement. The interior is distinguished by an extensive private art collection displayed throughout the teaching spaces. Facilities include state-of-the-art science laboratories, lecture theatres, and a gym. The college focuses on university preparation, offering GCSE and A-level courses within a mature, independent learning environment.