December 2025
Colfe's School achieved its highest-ever position in the Sunday Times League Table, ranking 47th nationally. Dan Gabriele is the headmaster of Colfe's School as of December 2025.
All-through school
Colfe's School
Colfe's School is a co-educational independent school offering a broad academic curriculum and strong co-curricular opportunities, supporting pupils from junior levels through Sixth Form.
Day fees
£15,720 – £27,180
Entry
Non Selective + ObservationSelective
Next deadline
Fri 6 Nov 20267+ registration closes
Updated 4 months ago
At a glance
Key facts
Head
Richard Russell
Head
Gender
Co-ed
Pupils
1,325
569 girls, 739 boys
Location
Lee, Greenwich
Urban setting
Day or boarding
Day
Age range
3 to 18
Religious ethos
Christian
Founded
1652
Entry points
3+, 4+, 5+, 7+, 11+, 13+, 16+
Nearest station
Lewisham
School buses
Yes
Show 6 more factsShow fewer facts
Saturday school
No
Wraparound care
Available
Bursaries
Up to 100% of fees
Scholarships
Academic, Other, Art +4
A-level A*–A
79%
2025
GCSE 9–7
80%
2025
Overview
About Colfe's School
Colfe's School is a co-educational independent day school in south-east London for pupils aged 3-18, founded in 1652. For over 360 years it has educated the children of local families with a reputation for academic excellence and outstanding pastoral care. The school's ethos is as a real-world school, grounded in its local community, proud of its history but not burdened by it. Around 1300 pupils attend across the junior and senior schools, with academic standards high and over 90% of leavers going on to their first-choice university.
Houseroom EditorialOur take
Houseroom Editorial
Our take
Independent co-ed all-through school in Greenwich for ages 3–18. Selective entry, Christian foundation ethos.
Best for
- Families wanting one school across the whole journey (ages 3–18) rather than separate prep + senior.
- Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex.
- Families who value a Christian foundation ethos in school life.
- Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
Watch-outs
- Selective entry — assume some form of assessment at the relevant entry point. Plan tutoring or familiarisation early if needed.
- The Christian foundation ethos shapes assemblies, holidays and pastoral life. Comfortable for committed families; worth thinking about for those of other or no faith.
AdmissionsApplication timeline
Admissions
Application timeline
September 2027 entryRegistration open
- Oct7Open dayNextColfe's Senior School Autumn Tour
Not yet published: registration opens, registration closes, bursary deadline, assessment, interview, offers, acceptance deadline.
UpcomingOpen events
Upcoming
Open events
Private tours by arrangement with admissions.
Fees & costFees
Fees & cost
Fees
£15,720 – £27,180per year · Day · 2026-27 · est. (3 x term)
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Questions about Colfe's School?
Ask the school
Quick answers about Colfe's School
Answered only from Colfe's School's verified details on Houseroom, with sources. For anything else, ask admissions.
Financial supportBursaries & Scholarships
Financial support
Bursaries & Scholarships
What sets it apartDistinctive features
What sets it apart
Distinctive features
Founded 1652 under Abraham Colfe; trustees the Leathersellers' Company
On-site performing arts centre, sports centre with full-size pool, two sports grounds and forest school
Leatherseller Scholarship Programme
fully funded means-tested sixth-form scholarships
Highest-ever Sunday Times league-table position in 2025
Stewart Building Sixth Form Centre opened by Prince Michael of Kent (2015)
~1,300 pupils across Junior and Senior Schools
Beyond the classroomActivities & co-curricular
Beyond the classroom
Activities & co-curricular
sport
HockeyCricketSwimmingBiathlonPhysical Education and Sports teamsKarateAthleticsCross CountryRugbyNetballTennisWaterpoloTaekwondoSwimming Squad
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JudoFootball
music
Jazz BandGuitar ClubChoirSamba SchoolRock & Pop BandWind BandBarbershop (TTBB)Year 7 BandFolk Ensemblemost societiesHouse Music CompetitionChamber SingersOrchestraStudent Bands
Show 4 more
Singing and SigningDJ ClubMusical Theatre ClubBrass Ensemble
drama
Speech & DramaNational Youth Theatre (NYT)Technical Theatre ClubDramaThe Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ - Summer ProductionHouse Drama Competition
academic club
Lego RoboticsChessPhilosophyComputer Science / Computing & ITMedics’ SocietyCreative Writing3d PrintingStrategy GamesFun GermanFilm Club/Film-makingDebatingForeign FilmLibrary ClubElectric Car
Show 2 more
Adam Stuart Debating PrizeReading-related clubs/activities
service
Duke of Edinburgh
other
StressbustersModellingLegoTextilesCalligraphyMindfulnessDanceArt and Photography End of Year ShowBoard GamesElectric Car ClubCreative LegoPaintingCraftingJunior Pastoral Care
Show 1 more
Outdoor Education
On campusFacilities
On campus
Facilities
sports
Sutcliffe Park Athletics Track (off-site)School Field6-lane 25m Swimming PoolOld Colfeians RFC (rugby club) (off-site)
arts
Beardwood TheatreVisual and Performing Arts CentreDigital SuitePhotography StudioSpecialist Art and Design RoomBeardwood Centre
academic
Hamp LibraryLibrarySenior School Library
OutcomesLatest exam results
Outcomes
Latest exam results
Outcomes2025
80
of GCSEs graded 9-795
of A-Levels at A*-B97
of leavers progressed to their chosen universities79%
A-level A*–A
80%
GCSE 9–7
DestinationsWhere leavers go
Destinations
Where leavers go
3%
to Oxbridge (2025)
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cohort | 120 | 110 | 118 | 81 | 100 |
| Oxbridge | 3 | 4 | 2 | — | 10 |
| Russell Group | — | 66 | — | — | — |
| US Ivy | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Medicine | 4 | 4 | 1 | — | 1 |
Top universities (2025)
University of Oxford
University of Cambridge
Imperial College London3
UCL1
King's College London
University of Bristol
Durham University
University of Edinburgh
CurriculumQualifications offered
Curriculum
Qualifications offered
GCSEA LevelBTEC
In the newsRecent coverage
In the news
Recent coverage
In the press
- Sunday Times Parent Power league table 2025
- The Good Schools Guide review 2024
- ISI Report 2016: Colfe’s School awarded highest rating 'Excellent' by ISI
AlumniNotable alumni
Alumni
Notable alumni
James Cleverly (former Home Secretary and Foreign Secretary)James Marsh (Academy Award-winning filmmaker, Man on Wire)Eric Ambler (novelist)Henry Williamson (author of Tarka the Otter)Rob Key (England cricketer; MD, England Men's Cricket)Claire Rafferty (England women's footballer)
Recommended next step
Registration closes 6 Nov 2026 (7+)
Add it to your plan and book a visit before you apply.
Fit for your child
Is Colfe's School right for your child?
Score it on travel, academics, support and budget.
Check fit for my childCommunityHouse system
Community
House system
BeardwoodBramleyNortonPrendergastGlyn
Pastoral careWellbeing
Pastoral care
Wellbeing
Tutor system
Pastoral care is built on the principle that if you're happy you will do well, with form tutors, heads of year and a dedicated wellbeing team supporting pupils. House drama, music and sport competitions reinforce belonging across year groups.
CalendarTerm dates 2026/27
Calendar
Term dates 2026/27
Autumn7 Sept 2026 → 17 Dec 2026Half-term 16 Oct 2026–1 Nov 2026
Spring6 Jan 2027 → 25 Mar 2027Half-term 12 Feb 2027–21 Feb 2027
Summer19 Apr 2027 → 9 Jul 2027Half-term 27 May 2027–6 Jun 2027
PathwaysFeeder schools
Pathways
Feeder schools
24 offers
GovernancePolicies & documents
Governance
Policies & documents
Also considerSchools like Colfe's School
Also consider
Schools like Colfe's School
FAQQuestions parents ask
FAQ
Questions parents ask
What kind of child is Colfe's School best for?+
Colfe's School suits: Families wanting one school across the whole journey (ages 3–18) rather than separate prep + senior; Families who prefer a co-educational setting over single-sex; Families who value a Christian foundation ethos in school life; Children who can demonstrate strong academics at entry assessment — this is a selective school.
How much are the fees at Colfe's School?+
Day fees at Colfe's School are £4,450 to £9,060 a term in 2026-27 (£13,350 to £27,180 a year). Extras such as lunches, uniform and trips are on top.
When is the next open day at Colfe's School?+
The next school tour at Colfe's School is on 7 October 2026. Booking is usually required.
How does admissions work?+
Colfe's School is selective. Expect an entrance assessment at each entry point.
Does Colfe's School support SEND?+
Colfe's School offers some SEND support. Ask admissions which needs it can meet.
What ages does Colfe's School take?+
Colfe's School takes pupils from age 3 to 18.
Is Colfe's School a day or boarding school?+
Colfe's School is a day school.
Is Colfe's School co-educational or single-sex?+
Colfe's School is co-educational, taking both boys and girls.
Where is Colfe's School?+
Colfe's School is in Greenwich, SE12 8AW.
How do I contact admissions at Colfe's School?+
Contact Colfe's School by email at admissions@colfes.com or phone on 02084638104.
Data
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