Independent Senior Schools in Greater London

Trinity School Croydon is an independent day school for boys aged 11 to 18, with a co-educational Sixth Form. Established in 1882 as Whitgift Middle School, it is part of the Whitgift Foundation and moved to its current 27-acre site in Shirley Park in 1965. The school maintains a strong musical tradition, notably through the Trinity Boys Choir, and provides extensive facilities for sport and the arts. Its ethos combines academic challenge with a focus on character development and community involvement within a supportive environment.

Al-Zahra School is an independent day school for girls aged 8 to 16, located in Queen's Park, London. Established in 1989 by the Al-Khoei Foundation, the school provides an education underpinned by a strong Islamic ethos. The curriculum combines the National Curriculum with religious studies, including Arabic and Quranic instruction. Operating within a small, close-knit community, the school focuses on academic progress alongside spiritual and moral development. Al-Zahra School aims to nurture well-rounded individuals, encouraging pupils to integrate their faith-based values with active participation in wider British society.

ICS London is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, situated across two campuses in central London. Founded in 1979, the school is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, delivering the Primary Years, Middle Years, and Diploma Programmes. The primary department is housed in a renovated Victorian building in Marylebone, while the secondary campus is located on Star Street. Emphasising a global perspective and personalised learning, the school supports a diverse community, utilising its central location to integrate local cultural and sporting facilities into its curriculum.

Channing School is an independent day school for girls aged 4 to 18, located on Highgate Hill in North London. Founded in 1885 by the Reverend Robert Spears and sisters Emily and Matilda Sharpe, it remains the only independent Unitarian school in Britain. The school occupies two sites, with the Junior School at Fairseat bordering Waterlow Park. Its facilities include the Grade II listed Brunner House, a performing arts centre, and a sports hall. The school's ethos is rooted in the Unitarian principles of scholarship, integrity, altruism, and independence.

University College School is an independent day school situated in Frognal, Hampstead, for pupils aged 4 to 18. Founded in 1830 by University College London, it was established on Benthamite principles to promote liberal scholarship and intellectual curiosity. The main campus features a Grade II listed Edwardian building and includes facilities such as an 800-seat Great Hall and the Sir Roger Bannister Sports Centre. While the school is historically for boys, the Sixth Form is co-educational, offering a progressive environment that emphasises individuality and a breadth of academic and extracurricular pursuits.

Mander Portman Woodward (MPW) is an independent fifth and sixth-form college located in South Kensington, London. Established in 1973 by three Cambridge graduates, the college is housed within several converted 19th-century Victorian townhouses on Queen's Gate. MPW offers a broad curriculum of over 40 A-level and 30 GCSE subjects, characterised by a tutorial-style system with class sizes limited to nine students. Specialist facilities include seven science laboratories and extensive creative arts studios for photography, ceramics, and textiles. The college provides both day and boarding options, with en-suite accommodation available at the nearby Queen's Gate House.

North Bridge House Senior Hampstead is a co-educational day school for pupils aged 11 to 16, situated in the heart of Hampstead village. Part of the North Bridge House group, which was founded in 1939, the school moved to its contemporary Rosslyn Hill premises in 2012. It follows a 'high support, low pressure' ethos, focusing on tailored learning and individual potential. Facilities include modern science laboratories, an iMac media suite, and specialist rooms for photography and ceramics. Pupils also benefit from proximity to Hampstead Heath for sporting and extracurricular activities.

Dwight School London is a co-educational international day school for pupils aged 2 to 18, located in the North Finchley and Friern Barnet areas of London. With historical roots dating back to 1885, it was the first school in the UK to offer the full International Baccalaureate curriculum across all age groups. As a member of a global network of schools, it emphasises a personalised approach to learning and a commitment to international-mindedness. The school provides a multicultural environment for its diverse student body, focusing on individual development through a broad academic and extracurricular programme.

North London Grammar School is an independent co-educational day and boarding school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated in Hendon. Established in 2006 as the Wisdom School, it relocated in 2014 to its current 50,000-square-foot campus, a former police training centre. The school follows the motto Bonitas, Scientia, Disciplina, emphasising goodness, knowledge, and instruction. Its curriculum focuses on critical thinking and STEAM subjects, and the school is the global host of the International Greenwich Olympiad. Facilities include modern science laboratories and specialised boarding provision for senior boys.

Thames Christian School is a co-educational independent day school for pupils aged 11 to 18, located in Battersea near Clapham Junction. Founded in 2000, it occupies a RIBA award-winning, purpose-built campus designed for modern learning. Rooted in a Christian ethos, the school focuses on character development and individualised attention through small class sizes. The curriculum integrates academic rigour with creative arts and technology, supported by specialist facilities. Extracurricular life is varied, featuring the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and a partnership trip to Tanzania, alongside provision for pupils with mild specific learning difficulties.

Forest School is an independent co-educational day school for pupils aged 4 to 18, situated on a 50-acre campus bordering Epping Forest in Snaresbrook, north-east London. Established in 1834, the school operates a "diamond structure," where boys and girls are taught in single-sex classes between the ages of 7 and 16. Notable architectural features include the Grade II listed Memorial Dining Hall and a chapel containing stained glass from the William Morris workshop. Facilities include the Sylvestrian Leisure Centre, a 25-metre indoor swimming pool, and the Martin Centre for Innovation.

Surbiton High School is an independent day school located in Kingston upon Thames, catering for girls aged 4 to 18 and boys aged 4 to 11. Founded in 1884 by the Church Schools Company, the school is now part of the United Learning group. It operates across several sites in the town centre, including a dedicated Sixth Form Centre and separate preparatory schools for boys and girls. The school emphasises a broad curriculum alongside extensive extracurricular opportunities, utilising its off-site sports ground at Hinchley Wood for various outdoor activities.