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Senior schools in Kensington & Chelsea

There are 12 independent senior schools in Kensington & Chelsea: 2 girls', 10 co-ed. The median day fee is £35,625 a year. An independent senior school teaches pupils from 11 or 13 to 16 or 18. The main entry points are 11+ (Year 7), 13+ (Year 9) and 16+ for sixth form.

Updated September 2026

Schools
12
Day fees
£6,795–£51,633 / year
Ages
2–19

Best-ranked senior schools in Kensington & Chelsea

By Houseroom Index score

  1. Abingdon House School
  2. Knightsbridge School
  3. Queen's Gate School
  4. English National Ballet School
  5. Lycee Francais Charles de Gaulle

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Every senior school in Kensington & Chelsea

All 12 independent senior schools in Kensington & Chelsea, A to Z.

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Choosing a private school in Kensington & Chelsea

Houseroom editorial team · Published 29 September 2026

Senior schools

Queen's Gate is a girls' day school for ages 4 to 18 in South Kensington. Its main senior entry is at 11+, through the London 11+ Consortium's shared test, followed by interviews in January; scholarships in music, drama, art and sport are assessed separately. More House in Knightsbridge is a girls' school with a Catholic foundation. It added a Pre-Senior for Years 5 and 6 in September 2024, and also uses the Consortium test at 11+.

Knightsbridge School is co-educational from nursery through the secondary years. Its main entry points are Reception, 11+ and 13+, and older applicants spend a taster day in their year group and sit an assessment. Collingham College takes students from Year 9. GCSE teaching is on Young Street and A levels at Collingham Gardens, with classes of nine or fewer and one-year and retake A-level courses.

The Lycée Français Charles de Gaulle on Cromwell Road teaches the French curriculum through to the baccalauréat. Its British section, founded in 1952, leads to GCSEs and A levels. For a vocational route at 16, the English National Ballet School in Chelsea offers full-time ballet training for ages 16 to 19. Entry is by audition, and Dance and Drama Awards help with fees.

Most boys, and many girls, leave the borough for senior school. The preps' own destination lists show the usual pattern: girls go at 11 to schools such as St Paul's Girls' and Godolphin and Latymer in Hammersmith or to boarding schools. Boys go at 13 to London day schools such as Westminster and St Paul's or to Eton, Harrow and Winchester.

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Choosing a senior school in Kensington & Chelsea

11+, 13+ and 16+ entry

Most London senior schools admit at 11+, some at 13+ as well or instead, and nearly all take a smaller group at 16+. 11+ entry is usually a written exam or online test in the autumn or January of Year 6, followed by interview; 13+ places are often offered after a Year 6 pre-test.

What to compare

Compare GCSE and A-level results over several years, university destinations (including Oxbridge and medicine offers), the size of the sixth form, bursary and scholarship support, and the journey time. Results alone tell you about intake as much as teaching.

Senior schools in Kensington & Chelsea: common questions

What are the best senior schools in Kensington & Chelsea?
The highest-scoring senior schools in Kensington & Chelsea on the Houseroom Index are Abingdon House School, Knightsbridge School, Queen's Gate School, English National Ballet School and Lycee Francais Charles de Gaulle. The index weighs exam results, destinations, inspection and value.
How many senior schools are there in Kensington & Chelsea?
Houseroom lists 12 independent senior schools in Kensington & Chelsea.
How much do senior schools in Kensington & Chelsea cost?
Day fees at senior schools in Kensington & Chelsea range from £6,795–£51,633 a year, with a median of £35,625. Fees include 20% VAT since January 2025. Lunches, uniform and trips are usually extra.
When should I register for a senior school?
Registration for 11+ entry usually closes in the autumn of Year 5 or Year 6, and for 13+ often in Year 5 ahead of Year 6 pre-tests. Deadlines vary by school, so check each school's admissions page.
What is the difference between 11+ and 13+ entry?
11+ entry is into Year 7, straight from primary or a prep that ends at Year 6. 13+ entry is into Year 9, usually from a prep that runs to Year 8, and is often decided by a pre-test in Year 6.