The Most Popular Secondary School in London, Ranked

Choose the secondary school you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 7, 2024 06:49
Choosing a secondary school in London can be a daunting task for parents and students alike, given the city's rich array of high-quality educational institutions. Popularity can often serve as a guide, reflecting factors like academic excellence, extracurricular opportunities, and overall student satisfaction. Our list aims to present these popular choices based on community feedback, giving a voice to personal experiences and preferences. By participating in the ranking process, users contribute to a clearer picture of what each school offers, helping others make informed decisions about where to apply or enroll. This dynamic list not only highlights the current top-rated schools but also allows for changes as new reviews and insights are submitted. Your vote matters and can truly shape the future outlook of this list.

What Is the Most Popular Secondary School in London?

  1. 1
    29
    votes
    St. Paul's School
    Alex.muller · CC BY 3.0

    St. Paul's School

    Dr. George Cheyne Shattuck
    It is a co-educational independent school, and it is one of the most prestigious schools in London. It has consistently been ranked among the top schools in the UK and has produced many notable alumni.
    St. Paul's School is a highly prestigious and selective co-educational boarding school located in Concord, New Hampshire, United States. It is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, strong focus on character development, and extensive extracurricular opportunities.
    • Year Founded: 1856
    • Gender: Co-educational
    • Location: Concord, New Hampshire, United States
    • Boarding Type: Boarding school
    • Admission Type: Selective
    St. Paul's School in other rankings
  2. 2
    41
    votes

    Westminster School

    Queen Elizabeth I
    It is a co-educational independent school, and it is one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in the UK. It is known for its academic excellence and has produced many notable alumni.
    Westminster School is a prestigious and historic secondary school located in London, United Kingdom. It is one of the most renowned educational institutions in the country, known for its academic excellence and rich heritage. The school provides a comprehensive and rigorous education to students aged 13-18, with a strong emphasis on intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and personal development.
    • Foundation Year: 1179
    • Type: Day and boarding school
    • Location: London, United Kingdom
    • Motto: Dat Deus Incrementum
    • Gender: Co-educational
  3. 3
    24
    votes
    Eton College
    Kaihsu · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Eton College

    King Henry VI
    It is an all-boys independent school, and it is one of the most prestigious schools in the UK. It is known for its academic excellence and has produced many notable alumni, including several British Prime Ministers.
    Eton College is one of the most prestigious and well-known independent boarding schools in the United Kingdom. Located in Berkshire, England, it has a long and distinguished history dating back to its foundation in 1440 by King Henry VI. Eton College is renowned for providing an exceptional education to its students, who typically range in age from 13 to 18. The school fosters academic excellence, personal growth, and a strong sense of tradition and community.
    • Location: Berkshire, England
    • Year Founded: 1440
    • Education Level: High School
    • Boarding Type: Independent
    • Age Range: 13-18
    Eton College in other rankings
  4. 4
    26
    votes
    Harrow School
    Bernard Burns · CC BY-SA 3.0

    Harrow School

    John Lyon
    It is an all-boys independent school, and it is one of the most prestigious schools in the UK. It is known for its academic excellence and has produced many notable alumni, including several British Prime Ministers.
    Harrow School is one of the most prestigious and well-regarded secondary schools in London. It is a boys-only boarding school located in Harrow, a suburb northwest of central London. The school has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1572.
    • Founder: John Lyon
    • Location: Harrow, London
    • Year of establishment: 1572
    • Gender: Boys-only
    • Boarding facilities: Available
  5. 5
    15
    votes

    City of London School

    The City of London Corporation
    It is a co-educational independent school, and it is known for its academic excellence. It has consistently been ranked among the top schools in the UK and has produced many notable alumni.
    The City of London School is a prestigious all-boys secondary school located in the heart of London. It has a long and storied history, dating back to its founding in 1442. The school provides a well-rounded education, combining academic excellence with a strong emphasis on character development and extra-curricular activities. With its prime location, the City of London School offers students access to the vibrant cultural resources and opportunities of the city.
    • Type: All-boys secondary school
    • Founded: 1442
    • Location: London, United Kingdom
    • Education Focus: Academic excellence and character development
    • Curriculum: Broad and balanced
  6. 6
    7
    votes

    North London Collegiate School

    Frances Mary Buss
    It is a girls' independent school, and it is known for its academic excellence. It has consistently been ranked among the top schools in the UK and has produced many notable alumni.
    The North London Collegiate School (NLCS) is a prestigious secondary school located in London. It was established in 1850 by Frances Mary Buss, a pioneering education reformer. NLCS is known for its exceptional academic standards and commitment to empowering young women to excel in their chosen fields. The school provides a vibrant and inclusive learning environment, fostering intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and individual growth. With a rich history and strong community, NLCS offers a wide range of extracurricular activities and opportunities for personal development.
    • Founded: 1850
    • Gender Focus: All-girls school
    • Location: London, United Kingdom
    • Academic Standards: Exceptional
    • Learning Environment: Vibrant and inclusive
  7. 7
    10
    votes

    Godolphin and Latymer School

    Godolphin and Latymer School
    It is a girls' independent school, and it is known for its academic excellence. It has consistently been ranked among the top schools in the UK and has produced many notable alumni.
    The Godolphin and Latymer School is a highly regarded independent secondary school located in London. It was established in 1905 and has since gained a reputation for its academic excellence and inclusive environment. The school follows a selective admissions process and is known for its strong emphasis on high achievement in academics, arts, and sports. It caters to girls aged 11-18 and offers a wide range of subjects and extracurricular activities to ensure a well-rounded education. The school is committed to nurturing independent thinking, creativity, and leadership skills among its students.
    • Founded: 1905
    • Gender: Girls only
    • Age Range: 11-18
    • Admissions: Selective
    • Academics: High achievement
  8. 8
    4
    votes
    King's College School
    William.brierly · CC BY-SA 4.0
    It is a boys' independent school, and it is known for its academic excellence. It has consistently been ranked among the top schools in the UK and has produced many notable alumni.
    King's College School is a prestigious secondary school located in London. Founded in 1829, it holds a rich history and is renowned for its academic excellence, exceptional facilities, and strong commitment to holistic education. The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum that emphasizes both academic and personal development. With a firm belief in fostering a love for learning, King's College School provides a supportive and challenging environment for its students.
    • Established: 1829
    • Location: London
    • Type: Secondary School
    • Curriculum: Broad and balanced
    • Academic Focus: Excellence
  9. 9
    4
    votes

    Dulwich College

    Edward Alleyn
    It is an all-boys independent school, and it is known for its academic excellence. It has consistently been ranked among the top schools in the UK and has produced many notable alumni.
    Dulwich College is a prestigious independent secondary school located in London, England. It was founded in 1619 by actor Edward Alleyn, making it one of the oldest schools in the country. The college has a strong academic reputation and offers a rich and well-rounded education to its students.
    • Type: Independent Secondary School
    • Location: London, England
    • Year Founded: 1619
    • Age Range: 11-18
    • Gender: Boys (11-16), Co-educational (16-18)
  10. 10
    8
    votes
    It is an all-boys independent school, and it is known for its academic excellence. It has consistently been ranked among the top schools in the UK and has produced many notable alumni.
    The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School is a prestigious secondary school located in London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1690 by Robert Aske's charitable foundation. The school is known for its academic excellence, comprehensive curriculum, and rich extracurricular activities.
    • Location: London, UK
    • Year Founded: 1690
    • Type: Boys' School
    • Curriculum: Comprehensive
    • Academic Excellence: High

Missing your favorite secondary school?

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Discussion

Ranking factors for popular secondary school

  1. Academic performance
    The school's performance in exams and assessments, such as GCSEs and A-levels in England, should be considered. This can provide an indication of the quality of teaching and learning support provided by the school.
  2. Ofsted ratings
    Ofsted (The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services, and Skills) inspects and regulates schools in England. Checking the latest inspection report for a school can provide insight into its overall quality.
  3. Extracurricular activities
    A well-rounded education includes opportunities for students to participate in clubs, sports, and other activities outside of the classroom. These experiences can foster personal growth and help students develop important life skills.
  4. Facilities
    A well-equipped school should have modern, spacious classrooms, as well as laboratories, sports facilities, and other necessary amenities.
  5. Location
    The geographical location of the school is important, as it can affect how long students spend traveling to and from school each day. A centrally-located school generally makes it easier for students to participate in extracurricular activities and maintain good attendance.
  6. Reputation
    It's important to consider a school's reputation based on feedback from parents and students, as well as the success of its alumni. This can include testimonials, online reviews, and rankings published by independent organizations.
  7. Pastoral care
    A school with good pastoral care provides support and guidance to students regarding their social, emotional, and personal development. This can help create a nurturing and inclusive environment.
  8. Class size
    Smaller class sizes can enable more individualized attention from teachers, increasing the quality of education.
  9. Teacher qualifications and experience
    A school with highly qualified and experienced teachers can lead to better academic outcomes for students.
  10. Diversity and inclusion
    A diverse and inclusive environment exposes students to different perspectives and ideas, fostering a greater tolerance and broader worldview.
  11. Special programs
    Schools with specialized programs, such as gifted and talented or STEM programs, can provide additional value for students with specific interests or abilities.
  12. Fees and affordability
    For many families, the cost of attending a private school will be a key factor, as well as whether the school offers financial aid or scholarships.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular secondary school in London. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or school is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1623 views
  • 162 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each school once every 24 hours. The rank of each school is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most popular secondary school in london

London is a bustling city with a diverse range of secondary schools available to students. With so many options, it can be challenging to determine which school is the most popular. Factors such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, and location can all play a role in a school's popularity among students and parents. In this article, we will explore the most popular secondary schools in London based on StrawPoll's data and provide insight into what makes these schools stand out.

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