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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
About the head
“Kind. Aware. Ready.”
Pupils must be happy to thrive — cherishing individuality and encouraging each student to become their best self.
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
music
drama
academic club
service
other
Facilities
sports
arts
academic
Latest exam results
Where leavers go
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort | 167 | 165 | 160 | 145 | 148 |
| Oxbridge | 31 | 26 | 26 | 28 | 32 |
| Russell Group | 140 | 135 | 130 | 118 | 125 |
| US Ivy | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Medicine | 12 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 11 |
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.
Notable alumni
Open-day dates not yet published
Save this school and we'll email you the moment open-day booking goes live.
How well does City of London match?
Tell us your child's age, location, needs and entry point. We'll score commute, academics, support, budget and culture against schools in City of London.
Check fit for my childApplication timeline
No admissions stage dates confirmed yet. Save this school to be notified when dates are published.
| Year | Opens | Closes | Reply by | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-27 | TBC | TBC | TBC | Open |
| 2027-28 | TBC | TBC | TBC | Tbc |
Open events
Talks & tasters
| Mon, 29 Jun 2026 | Open Event for 10+ and 11+ 2027 (4-6.30pm) | Open Evening |
| Mon, 29 Jun 2026 | Sixth Form Open Event 2027 (4-5.45pm) | Sixth Form Open |
| Mon, 29 Jun 2026 | Open Event for 10+ and 11+ 2027 (5-7.30pm) | Open Evening |
| Mon, 29 Jun 2026 | Open Event for 10+ and 11+ 2027 (6-8.30pm) | Open Evening |
| Thu, 10 Sept 2026 | Sixth Form Open Event | Sixth Form Open |
| Thu, 10 Sept 2026 | Sixth Form Open Event 2027 (5-7.30pm) | Sixth Form Evening |
Fees
Bursaries & Scholarships
Excerpts
“@LondonLulu Might you or someone else be able to comment on pastoral care and how competitive/pressurised the culture is at CLS?”
Pastoral care — parent discussion— how’s the pastoral side of the school? @LondonLulu Might you or someone else be able to comment on pastoral care and how competitive/pressurised the culture is at CLS? @LondonLulu Might you or someone else be able to comment on pastoral care and how competitive/pressurised the...
Advanced search Saved Active Unanswered threads Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum. My child got an offer from CLS for 13+. It’s his favourite school but I have some doubts. Does anyone have a child there? My questions are (and...
House system
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
Term dates 2026
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.
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?+
Independent boys senior school in City of London for ages 10–18. Selective entry.
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 table further down the 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?+
28 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 +44 (0)20 7606 3400. 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 below. Most parents shortlist 4–6 schools before applying.
Reviews
No reviews yet.