Grammar Schools in London 2026: Top 10 League Table

Quick Summary: The Best Grammar Schools in London at a Glance

London itself has fewer fully selective state grammars than nearby counties (Kent, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hertfordshire). In practice, many families who search “London” apply to grammar schools within commuting distance of Greater London, especially in Bexley, Bromley borders, and along fast rail routes.

Here is the cleaned-up, fully structured table based on your data:

Methodology: How We Ranked These Schools

We ranked schools parents most commonly target when searching grammar schools in london, then prioritised outcomes and admissions competitiveness indicators: historic attainment patterns (GCSE/A level strength), oversubscription signals (high demand), and exam structure (GL-style vs bespoke). For data checking, use school websites, local authority admissions booklets, and national school performance tables via GOV.UK.

Important reality check: “best” depends on your child’s profile. Some schools heavily weight English/Verbal Reasoning; others are maths-leaning. If your child is strong at maths but weaker at comprehension speed, you shortlist differently.

Admissions Criteria & Requirements

For grammar schools, the offer is typically decided by rank order in the entrance test, then filtered by eligibility rules. The two biggest misunderstandings we see are (1) how Standardised Age Scores (SAS) work and (2) how ruthless distance/catchment rules are for “out of area” families.

SAS adjusts raw marks by age (children born earlier in the academic year are slightly “normalised” against younger candidates). That means a child can score fewer raw marks yet rank higher after standardisation—so you must train for consistent performance, not only “hard questions”.

Catchment/distance can be decisive. Many selective schools prioritise candidates living within a defined radius or those listing the school high on the CAF. In practical terms, borderline scores often do not convert to offers if you live several miles further out than the last offered place. Always read the latest admissions policy for the school’s exact distance measurement method (straight-line, road distance, etc.).

Bursaries and scholarships: grammar schools do not charge tuition, but there can be costs for uniform, transport, and trips. Some schools and local charities offer hardship support; check each school’s own guidance and your local authority.

Key Dates: The Application Timeline for 2026 Entry

The timeline below fits most London-adjacent selective schools and helps you avoid the classic mistake: registering late and losing your preferred test centre or date.

• • Year 5 Summer Term (Apr–Jul): Open evenings, school tours, registration opens for many tests; start timed familiarisation for VR/NVR and multi-step maths.

• • Summer Holidays (Aug): Light but consistent practice (3–5 sessions/week), focus on accuracy and review of mistakes; 2–3 full mixed papers across the month.

• • September (Year 6): Main 11+ tests are commonly sat; keep the final 10 days “steady-state” (no cramming; prioritise timing, sleep, routine).

• • October: Many schools release test outcomes/eligibility; some may have second stages or additional checks; submit the CAF by your local authority deadline.

• • March (Year 6): National Offer Day; waiting lists move from spring into early autumn depending on relocation and independent school offers.

Detailed Reviews of the Top 10 Grammar Schools (London-Commute)

These summaries focus on what parents actually need for decision-making: competitiveness, likely academic pressure, and what the entrance tests demand (speed vs reasoning).

1. Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet (QE Boys)

Overview: One of the most academically selective state schools in the country, attracting applicants far beyond North London.

Strengths:

• • High-attaining cohort; very strong academic culture

• • Extensive enrichment and competition exposure

Limitations:

• • Pressure can be high; not ideal for children who dislike heavy competition

• • Preparation needs to include advanced problem-solving within KS2 boundaries (fractions/ratio/algebraic reasoning)

Key Stat: “Super-select” demand; offer thresholds are typically very high relative to the cohort.

2. The Henrietta Barnett School (HBS)

Overview: A high-performing girls’ grammar with a reputation for rigorous selection and strong outcomes.

Strengths:

• • High academic attainment over time

• • Selection often rewards strong verbal and maths reasoning

Limitations:

• • Requires calm exam temperament; timing pressure is significant

Key Stat: Very high applicant-to-place pressure; small differences in marks can shift rankings substantially.

3. Wallington County Grammar School

Overview: Popular South London-commute option with strong STEM profile and competition for places.

Strengths:

• • Strong academic outcomes and ambitious peer group

• • Good for children who thrive in structured academic environments

Limitations:

• • Out-of-area offers can be limited depending on the year’s score distribution

Key Stat: High cut-offs; exact thresholds move annually with cohort performance.

4. Wilson’s School

Overview: Highly sought-after boys’ grammar with strong outcomes and broad extracurricular life.

Strengths:

• • Strong academics with a well-rounded programme

• • Good fit for boys who are both academic and activity-driven

Limitations:

• • Exam competitiveness is intense; strong time-management is non-negotiable

Key Stat: High demand; travel planning matters for daily sustainability.

5. Sutton Grammar School

Overview: Boys’ selective school popular with families across South London and Surrey borders.

Strengths:

• • Strong academic tradition and outcomes

• • Often suits children who prefer a balanced but ambitious environment

Limitations:

• • Still “super-select” by most standards; small mistakes cost places

Key Stat: Cut-offs vary; practice must include full-length timed papers.

6. Nonsuch High School for Girls

Overview: Girls’ grammar known for strong academics and competitive entry.

Strengths:

• • High-achieving peer group

• • Good for organised students who revise steadily

Limitations:

• • Timing and accuracy in English/VR can be decisive

Key Stat: Oversubscribed; selection margins can be tight around the cut-off.

7. St Olave’s Grammar School

Overview: Exceptionally selective boys’ grammar with strong academic outcomes and heavy demand.

Strengths:

• • High attainment culture; excellent academic stretch

• • Often suits children who enjoy difficult problems and competition

Limitations:

• • Exam format can be unforgiving; one weak paper can eliminate

Key Stat: Very large applicant pool relative to places; high cut-offs.

8. Tiffin School

Overview: Mixed selective school with extremely high demand across London.

Strengths:

• • Strong academic reputation and peer group

• • Good for children comfortable with fast-paced exams

Limitations:

• • Competition is intense; preparation must be structured and long enough

Key Stat: One of the most oversubscribed selective schools near London.

9. Tiffin Girls’ School

Overview: Highly competitive girls’ option with strong academic outcomes.

Strengths:

• • Strong attainment and ambitious cohort

• • Often rewards consistent performance across multiple paper styles

Limitations:

• • Preparation must cover both reasoning and speed; English comprehension can swing results

Key Stat: Very high demand; offer ranks can shift with standardisation.

10. Newstead Wood School

Overview: Girls’ selective school popular with Bromley and wider London commuters.

Strengths:

• • Strong academics and structured environment

• • Good fit for diligent, methodical learners

Limitations:

• • Distance/catchment rules can decide outcomes for borderline scores

Key Stat: Oversubscribed; understand admissions distances before committing.

Expert Verdict: Choosing the Right Fit

Parents chasing only the “highest ranked” option often misplay the admissions game. The better approach is a portfolio: 1–2 stretch grammars, 2 realistic grammars where distance rules and your child’s test profile match, plus a strong comprehensive fallback on your CAF.

Academic pressure varies sharply. “Super-select” schools tend to require not just Year 5 knowledge, but the ability to apply it in unfamiliar contexts under time limits—multi-step fraction operations, ratio reasoning, algebraic patterns, and tricky word problems.

If your child can do the topic but loses marks under pressure, Think Academy’s small-group 11+ Maths programme trains “mastering the logic” using the CPA method (Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract) and timed mixed sets that mirror selective paper demands.

People Also Ask: Admissions FAQs

Q1: Are grammar schools in London hard to get into?
Yes—because the highest-profile options operate like “super-selects”, drawing applicants far beyond their local area. The deciding factors are rank order in the test plus admissions rules (distance/catchment and sometimes priority categories). If you’re commuting, distance rules can block an offer even with a strong score, so you must check each school’s oversubscription criteria before registering.

Q2: Do I need to live in catchment for grammar schools in London?
Often, living closer materially improves your odds, but it depends on the school’s policy. Some schools allocate a portion of places by rank regardless of distance; others effectively become distance-limited once the top scorers are placed. Read the latest admissions arrangements and map your home-to-school distance using the same method the school states (straight-line vs road distance).

Q3: What entrance exams do grammar schools in London use?
Many selective schools use GL-style multiple-choice components (often Maths, English, Verbal Reasoning and sometimes Non-Verbal Reasoning), while some use bespoke papers. Your preparation should therefore include both: (1) core KS2 mastery (fractions, decimals, percentages, ratio, area/perimeter) and (2) exam technique for speed, guessing strategy, and accuracy.

Q4: When should my child start 11+ preparation?
For competitive grammar schools, start structured familiarisation in the summer term of Year 4: times tables fluency, fractions foundations, and light Verbal Reasoning patterns. In Year 5, move to timed sections and full mixed papers from spring term, with targeted correction using a mistake log.

Conclusion & Next Steps

If you’re targeting grammar schools in london for 2026 entry, treat admissions as a two-part problem: meeting the score threshold and meeting the allocation rules (distance/catchment and CAF strategy). Build a short-list based on your child’s exam profile, then train to convert ability into marks through timed practice and systematic error correction.

Ready to unlock your child’s potential?
Think Academy UK provides elite online maths tuition for ages 5-13. From 11+ mastery to National Curriculum support, we help children excel. Book free trial class today or download our revision packs.