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City of London School

City of London School is a leading independent day school for boys aged 10 to 18, offering a broad and rich academic and co-curricular experience.

Day fees
£29,545
Entry
School Exam + Gl AssessmentSelective
Next deadline
Mon 2 Nov 2026Registration closes
Updated 4 months agosource
At a glance

Key facts

Head
Alan Bird
Head
Gender
Boys
Becoming co-ed
Pupils
1,040
Location
Blackfriars, City of London
Urban setting
Day or boarding
Day
Age range
10 to 18
Founded
1834
Sixth form
318 pupils
Entry points
3+, 7+, 10+, 11+, 13+, 16+
ISI inspection
Inspected 2024
Nearest station
Blackfriars
Learning support
Specialist support
Supports specific learning difficulties, social communication differences, behavioural challenges
Show 4 more factsShow fewer facts
Bursaries
Up to 100% of fees
Scholarships
Music, Academic, Sport +1
A-level A*–A
75%
2025
GCSE 9–7
96%
2025
Overview

About City of London School

City of London School is a prestigious independent day school for boys aged 3 to 18, located in the City of London. The school offers a broad and rich educational experience, combining academic excellence with a wide range of co-curricular activities. Pupils benefit from a vibrant community, excellent university destinations, and a supportive environment that prepares them for an ever-changing world.

Our take

Independent boys senior school in City of London. Selective entry, established SEND provision.

Best for
  • Parents who want a single-sex environment for their son.
  • Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
  • Children with specific learning difficulties, social communication differences, behavioural challenges — SEND is a stated specialism.
Watch-outs
  • 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

September 2027 entryRegistration tbc
  1. TBC
    Open dayTo be confirmed
    2026-06-29T16:00:00
    City of London School Open Event for 10 and 11 2027
  2. TBC
    InterviewTo be confirmed
    January 2027
    10+ and 11+ Interviews (shortlisted candidates)
  3. TBC
    OffersTo be confirmed
    February 2027 (10+ early February, 11+ mid February)
    10+ and 11+ Offers Emailed

Not yet published: registration opens, registration closes, bursary deadline, assessment, acceptance deadline.

Open events

Deadline4 weeks away
10+ Registration Deadline
Deadline4 weeks away
11+ Registration Deadline
Exam
10+ Entrance Assessments
Exam
11+ Entrance Assessments
Deadline
9am
16+ Acceptance Deadline

Private tours by arrangement with admissions.

Fees

£29,545per year · Day · 2026-27 · est. (3 x term)
Inc. VAT £29,545VAT included7 years: £233,357
vs London avg (£24,000)23% above
Extras: registration, deposit, uniform, lunches, trips, music lessons, exam fees.
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Quick answers about City of London School

Answered only from City of London School's verified details on Houseroom, with sources. For anything else, ask admissions.

Bursaries & Scholarships

Max award
100%
Means-tested
Yes
Scholarships
20
Scholarships→Bursaries→

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)ComputingPhysics
Show 12 more
Extended ProjectsRoboticsIGEM Competition (International Genetically Engineered Machines)ChemistryScience MasterclassesClubs & Societiesdebating clubigEM biology competitionfilmmaking societychemistry societyccfVR club

service

DofE AwardDuke 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

Qualifications offered

GCSEA-Level

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

Registration closes 2 Nov 2026 (10+)

Add it to your plan and book a visit before you apply.

Fit for your child

Is City of London School right for your child?

Score it on travel, academics, support and budget.

Check fit for my child

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 inspection, 19 Nov 2024

met
Read full ISI report →

Term dates 2026/27

Spring5 Jan 2027 → 25 Mar 2027Half-term 15 Feb 2027–19 Feb 2027

INSET: 4 Jan 2027

Feeder schools

Policies & documents

Schools like City of London School

80%

City of London School for Girls

City of London · Senior · Ages 11–18
£31,833
69%

David Game College

City of London · Senior · Ages 14–18
£28,500
68%

Latymer Upper School

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

London Park Schools

Wandsworth · Senior · Ages 11–18
Fees TBC
66%

International School of London

Hounslow · All-through · Ages 3–18
£31,719 – £39,640
66%

St Paul's School

Richmond upon Thames · Senior · Ages 7–18
£30,663 – £37,998

Questions parents ask

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

City of London School suits: Parents who want a single-sex environment for their son; Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school; Children with specific learning difficulties, social communication differences, behavioural challenges — SEND is a stated specialism.

How much are the fees at City of London School?+

Day fees at City of London School are £9,848 a term in 2026-27 (£29,545 a year). Extras such as lunches, uniform and trips are on top.

When is the next open day at City of London School?+

No dates are listed yet. Save City of London School and we'll email you when booking opens.

How does admissions work?+

City of London School is selective. Expect an entrance assessment at each entry point.

Does City of London School support SEND?+

City of London School states support for specific learning difficulties, social communication differences, behavioural challenges. Check capacity with admissions if your child has an EHCP.

What ages does City of London School take?+

City of London School takes pupils from age 10 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.

How do I contact admissions at City of London School?+

Contact City of London School by email at bursary.admin@cityoflondonschool.org.uk or phone on 02036806300.

Updated 26 May 2026. Sources: school website, Good Schools Guide, Tatler, Sunday Times Parent Power and Wikipedia.