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Senior school

City of London School

City of London School is a leading independent day school for boys aged 3 to 18, offering a broad and rich academic and co-curricular experience.

City of LondonSeniorBoys, becoming co-educationalAges 3–18Day1,040 pupils
Day fees
£28,386
How competitive entry is
School Exam + Gl AssessmentCompetitive entry
Pupils
1,040
Founded
1834
Next deadline
Assessment: 2 Nov 2026
Updated 2 months agosource
Houseroom Index 2026
85.7/100· ranked #8 of UK independents
78% data confidence·v2026.4.0·+9 vs Parent Power
How is this calculated? →
Pillar breakdown
Academic outcomes88
Destinations & outcomes92
Future-readiness70
Pastoral & wellbeing82
Pupil flourishing65
Value-add80
Access & breadth90
Parent sentiment70
External consensus95
Future-ready (tier 2): CLS/CLSG joint robotics team — debut-season success April 2026; new co-ed sixth-form centre 2028.

Get your personalised Fit Score — tell us about your child to see how well this school matches your priorities.

Our take

Independent boys senior school in City of London for ages 10–18. Selective entry.

Best for
Who thrives here
  • Families seeking a senior school for ages 10–18, with thinking already on 11+ or 13+ entry.
  • Parents who want a single-sex environment for their son.
  • Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
Watch-outs
Know before applying
  • Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
  • Single-sex (boys). Comfortable for some children, less so for others — worth a visit on a normal teaching day rather than only an open-day showcase.
AI-generated guidance

Application timeline

No admissions stage dates confirmed yet. Save this school to be notified when dates are published.

Open dayNot published
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Registration opensNot published
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Registration closesNot published
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Bursary deadlineNot published
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AssessmentNot published
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InterviewNot published
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OffersNot published
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Acceptance deadlineNot published
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Registration windows
YearOpensClosesReply byStatus
2026-27TBCTBCTBCOpen
2027-28TBCTBCTBCTbc

Open events

Open Day3 weeks away
Thu, 10 Sept 2026
Open Event (Sixth Form only)
Sixth Form Open3 weeks away
Thu, 10 Sept 2026
5:30 pm|City of London School
Sixth Form Open Event
Sixth Form Evening3 weeks away
Thu, 10 Sept 2026
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Sixth Form Open Event 2027 (5-7.30pm)
Open Day5 weeks away
Tue, 22 Sept 2026
Open Event (10+ and 11+)
Open Day5 weeks away
Tue, 22 Sept 2026
Open Day5 weeks away
Tue, 22 Sept 2026
Open Events
Open Day5 weeks away
Tue, 22 Sept 2026
Open Event for 10+ Entry
Open Day5 weeks away
Tue, 22 Sept 2026
9:30 am|City of London School
11+ / 10+ Open Event
Dates to be confirmed
Event2027-01
Dates TBC
Event2027-02
Dates TBC
Event2026-09-24
Dates TBC
Event2026-09-22
Dates TBC
Event2026-11-02
Dates TBC
Event2026-06-29
Dates TBC

Talks & tasters

Talks, tasters and other dated events
DateEventType
Thu, 10 Sept 2026Sixth Form Open EventSixth Form Open
Thu, 10 Sept 2026Sixth Form Open Event 2027 (5-7.30pm)Sixth Form Evening
Tue, 22 Sept 2026Open Event for 10+ and 11+ 2027 (4-6.30pm)Open Evening
Tue, 22 Sept 2026Open Event for 10+ and 11+ 2027 (5-7.30pm)Open Evening
Tue, 22 Sept 2026Open Event for 10+ and 11+ 2027 (6-8.30pm)Open Evening
Thu, 24 Sept 2026Open Event for 10+ and 11+ 2027 (4-6.30pm)Open Evening

Fees

£22,491 – £28,386per year · Day · 2026-27
By entry point · 2026-27
11+TBC
16+TBC
Also budget for · Registration fee, deposit, uniform, lunches, trips, music tuition, exam fees. These vary by school — check with admissions for the full cost breakdown.

Bursaries & Scholarships

Max award
100%
Means-tested
Yes
Scholarships
20
medium confidence data
Scholarships by category & award sizeView full bursary & scholarship guide

About the head

Kind. Aware. Ready.

Alan Bird has been Head since January 2018. He previously served as Headmaster of Bedford School and brings a strong record of academic leadership at boys' and co-educational schools.

Pupils must be happy to thrive — cherishing individuality and encouraging each student to become their best self.

KindAwareReady

Distinctive features

First school in England to include science on the curriculum and to teach scientific experiments

Riverside Thames-side site next to the Millennium Bridge, opposite Tate Modern

140+ alumni in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

Partnership with City of London School for Girls and City of London Freemen's School

Joint sixth-form centre with CLSG opening September 2028

first co-ed sixth form between the two City schools

Activities & co-curricular

sport

tenniswater polofootballSport

music

Music from the Movies ConcertMusic WorkshopsMusic Workshops and Live Lounge ConcertsMusicMusic EnsemblesMusic Eventsmusic lessons

drama

drama productionsLAMDA Qualifications (London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art)Drama

academic club

Classics SocietyRobotics TeamArtificial Intelligence CourseDebatingSTEM/Science MasterclassBiologyEssay Competitions (Erasmus, John Locke, Peterhouse, Juvenes Translatores, Trinity)MathsOlympiad Competitions (Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics)DesignArtificial IntelligenceInter-house Competitions (prose and poetry)ComputingPhysicsExtended ProjectsRoboticsIGEM Competition (International Genetically Engineered Machines)ChemistryScience MasterclassesClubs & Societiesdebating clubigEM biology competitionfilmmaking societychemistry societyccfVR club

service

DofE AwardCCF (Combined Cadet Force)CCFDuke of Edinburgh AwardDuke of Edinburgh

other

Educational VisitsTeam-building ActivitiesTeam Building and Product DesignArt Club/ActivitiesAnnual Science ConferenceArt Club/Exhibitions

Facilities

sports

CCF Courtyard

arts

Art DepartmentMusic DepartmentGreat HallMusic Department FacilitiesConcourse and Art DepartmentConcourseRiverside Live Lounge

academic

CourtyardLibrary

Latest exam results

75%
A-level A*–A
96%
GCSE 9–7

Data from 2025 results

Where leavers go

19%
to Oxbridge (2025)
84%
to Russell Group
20252024202320222021
Cohort167165160145148
Oxbridge3126262832
Russell Group140135130118125
US Ivy23322
Medicine1212121011
Top universities (2025)
UCL18
University of Oxford17
University of Cambridge14
Imperial College London14
King's College London12
London School of Economics8
University of Bristol8
Durham University7

Recent coverage

24 April 2026: CLS and CLSG Robotics team celebrated a debut-season success. 27 March 2026 announcement of the joint co-ed sixth-form centre with CLSG, opening September 2028.

Good Schools Guide review of City of London School
ISC profile: City of London School
Wikipedia entry: City of London School

Notable alumni

H. H. Asquith (UK Prime Minister)Peter Higgs (Nobel Prize, physics)Frederick Gowland Hopkins (Nobel Prize, biochemistry)Mike Brearley (England cricket captain)Kingsley Amis (Booker Prize-winning author)Julian Barnes (Booker Prize-winning author)Michael Apted (film director)Daniel Radcliffe (actor)
Recommended next step

Open-day dates not yet published

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Fit for your child

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House system

AbbottBeaufoyCarpenterHaleMortimerSeeley

Wellbeing

Welcome to City of London School, a leading academic day school for boys aged 10-18. We provide an education in the broadest sense, combining academic excellence with exceptional pastoral care, framed by an outward-looking and forward-thinking approach. We understand that for pupils to thrive they must be happy. It is why we cherish individuality, shun stereotypes, and ensure every member of our community feels included and safe to learn, so they can be the very best version of themselves. We support and help to develop the health, happiness and wellbeing of our pupils and staff, so that they can succeed at School, and beyond.

Inspection

Isi 14 Oct 2025

2 inspection reports on file.

  • Isi · Routine Inspection19 Nov 2024met
Read full ISI report →

Term dates 2026

summer20 Apr 20262 Jul 2026
Summer 202620 Apr 20262 Jul 2026Half-term 25 May 2026–29 May 2026
summer20 Apr 20262 Jul 2026Half-term 25 May 2026–29 May 2026
autumn3 Sept 202630 Oct 2026Half-term 4 Sept 2026
autumn4 Sept 202611 Dec 2026
Autumn 20264 Sept 202611 Dec 2026Half-term 19 Oct 2026–30 Oct 2026
spring5 Jan 202725 Mar 2027
spring5 Jan 202725 Mar 2027Half-term 15 Feb 2027–19 Feb 2027
Spring 20275 Jan 202725 Mar 2027Half-term 15 Feb 2027–19 Feb 2027
summer19 Apr 20274 Jun 2027Half-term 17 May 2027–19 May 2027
Summer 202719 Apr 20276 Jul 2027Half-term 31 May 2027–4 Jun 2027
summer19 Apr 20276 Jul 2027

INSET: 11 May 2026 · 12 May 2026 · 13 May 2026 · 2 Sept 2026 · 4 Jan 2027 · 3 May 2027

Feeder schools

Policies & documents

Schools like City of London School

Ranked by semantic similarity across curriculum, ethos, intake and admissions style. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.

80%

City of London School for Girls

City of London · Senior · Ages 3–18
£30,247
70%

The Lyceum School

Hackney · Prep · Ages 3–11
£23,676 – £31,568
70%

Charterhouse Square School

City of London · Prep · Ages 3–11
£8,437 – £28,728
69%

David Game College

City of London · Senior · Ages 3–18
£5,952 – £37,500
68%

Latymer Upper School

Hammersmith and Fulham · Senior · Ages 11–18
£31,095
68%

London Park Schools

Wandsworth · Senior · Ages 3–18
Fees TBC

Questions parents ask

Common questions about City of London School, answered from this school’s structured profile data. Always confirm specifics with admissions before applying.

What kind of child is City of London School best for?+

City of London School suits: Families seeking a senior school for ages 10–18, with thinking already on 11+ or 13+ entry; Parents who want a single-sex environment for their son; Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.

How does admissions work?+

Admissions are selective — expect an entrance assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early. See the admissions timeline above for confirmed dates.

Are fees published?+

Yes — see the Fees section on this page. Add extras (uniform, trips, lunches, music tuition, registration fees) on top of the base figure before budgeting.

Does the school support SEND?+

Yes — the school states support for specific learning difficulties, social communication differences, behavioural challenges. Always confirm case-by-case capacity with admissions if your child has an EHCP.

Are there open days?+

22 upcoming open days or tours — see the admissions timeline. Booking is usually required.

How do I contact admissions?+

email at bursary.admin@cityoflondonschool.org.uk or phone on 02036806300. Reference your child's age and intended entry year in the first message.

What similar schools should I compare?+

We've ranked 6 schools by semantic similarity to City of London School — see the "Schools like City of London School" grid on this page. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.

Enrichment last updated 26 May 2026. Sources include the school’s official site, Wikipedia, Good Schools Guide, Tatler, and Sunday Times Parent Power.

Reviews

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Data
View City of London School data profile
Exam results, fees, university destinations, inspections, peer schools and feeder preps — on one page.
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Frequently asked questions

How much are the fees at City of London School?
Day fees at City of London School range from £22,491 to £28,386 per year.
When is the next open day at City of London School?
The next open day at City of London School is on 10 September 2026.
What ages does City of London School take?
City of London School takes pupils from age 3 to 18.
Is City of London School a day or boarding school?
City of London School is a day school.
Is City of London School co-educational or single-sex?
City of London School is a boys' school.
Where is City of London School?
City of London School is in City of London, EC4V 3AL.

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