Best Grammar Schools in London 2026/27

There are 19 state grammar schools across Greater London, in seven boroughs: Barnet, Bexley, Bromley, Enfield, Kingston upon Thames, Redbridge and Sutton. This page lists London grammar schools in six of those boroughs (Bexley grammar schools are covered on our separate Bexley page) plus 14 nearby grammar schools in Hertfordshire, Berkshire and Dorset that London families regularly consider.

Top-performing London grammar schools in recent national rankings include The Henrietta Barnett School (Sunday Times State Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2025), Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet (State School of the Year for A-levels 2025 and #1 state school for Oxbridge), Wilson's School (State School of the Year for GCSEs 2026 and ranked #3 grammar school UK 2025), Tiffin Girls' School (6th nationally Sunday Times 2025), and St Olave's Grammar School (Top 5 for academic results, Sunday Times 2024).

Yes. There are state grammar schools in seven Greater London boroughs — Barnet, Bexley, Bromley, Enfield, Kingston upon Thames, Redbridge and Sutton. Admission is by 11+ entrance examination and they are amongst the most competitive in the country.

London grammar schools use different exam arrangements. The Sutton Consortium uses a two-stage SET — Stage 1 in early autumn term, Stage 2 typically in October–November. Tiffin Schools held Stage 1 in October 2025; St Olave's held SET in September 2025 with Stage 2 in November 2025. The Henrietta Barnett School and Queen Elizabeth's School use GL Assessment for Round 1. Always confirm the latest dates on each school's website.

The Local Authority secondary school application deadline is 31st October. Grammar schools that set their own admissions test require you to register for the test separately, usually in late spring or summer of Year 5 — check each school for its registration window. National offer day is 1st March.

Extremely competitive. The Henrietta Barnett School receives approximately 15 applications per place, Tiffin School and Tiffin Girls' School around 14, and Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet roughly 12. Some London grammar schools test 2,000+ candidates for around 120 places.

Boys' grammar schools include Queen Elizabeth's School Barnet, Tiffin School (mixed Sixth Form), St Olave's (mixed Sixth Form), Wilson's School, Sutton Grammar School, Wallington County Grammar School and Ilford County High School. Girls' grammar schools include The Henrietta Barnett School, Tiffin Girls' School, Newstead Wood School, Nonsuch High School, Wallington High School for Girls, Woodford County High School and St Michael's Catholic Grammar School. The Latymer School is co-educational.

Most London grammar schools do not have strict catchment area requirements, but distance from the school can be used as a tie-breaker when places are oversubscribed. Tiffin School operates priority distance bands (Inner under 10km, Outer 10–14km). Always check each school's published admissions policy.

London uses mixed testing arrangements rather than one board. The Sutton Consortium (Nonsuch High School, Sutton Grammar, Wallington County Grammar, Wallington High School for Girls and Wilson's School) uses the SET as Stage 1, followed by school-specific Stage 2 tests. The Henrietta Barnett School and Queen Elizabeth's School use GL Assessment for Round 1. Tiffin Schools, St Olave's, The Latymer School and others set their own school-specific tests.

Begin focused preparation in Year 4 or early Year 5. London 11+ exams typically test four subjects — Maths, English (comprehension and creative writing), Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Because London uses mixed test formats, practise with past papers from each target school. Prep4All provides practice papers, mock exams and adaptive lessons across all four 11+ subjects.