Senior schools in London and the UK
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. Houseroom lists 409 independent senior schools, with a median day fee of £30,456 a year. Compare them by borough, ranking, fees and open days.
Updated September 2026
Senior schools by area
- Senior schools in Barnet (18)
- Senior schools in Croydon (18)
- Senior schools in Westminster (14)
- Senior schools in Wandsworth (13)
- Senior schools in Kensington & Chelsea (12)
- Senior schools in Camden (12)
- Senior schools in Hackney (12)
- Senior schools in Richmond upon Thames (11)
- Senior schools in Greenwich (11)
- Senior schools in Bromley (10)
- Senior schools in Tower Hamlets (9)
- Senior schools in Southwark (9)
- Senior schools in Merton (9)
- Senior schools in Ealing (9)
- Senior schools in Brent (9)
- Senior schools in Hammersmith & Fulham (7)
- Senior schools in Hounslow (7)
- Senior schools in Harrow (7)
- Senior schools in Redbridge (7)
- Senior schools in Lambeth (6)
- Senior schools in Haringey (6)
- Senior schools in Lewisham (6)
- Senior schools in Hillingdon (6)
- Senior schools in Enfield (6)
- Senior schools in Kingston upon Thames (5)
- Senior schools in Sutton (5)
- Senior schools in Barking & Dagenham (5)
- Senior schools in Stoke Newington & Stamford Hill (9)
- Senior schools in Marylebone (7)
- Senior schools in Hampstead (7)
- Senior schools in Wimbledon (5)
Best-ranked senior schools
By Houseroom Index score, which weighs exam results, destinations, inspection and value.
- North London Collegiate SchoolGirls · Ages 3–18 · Day
- Guildford High SchoolGirls · Ages 4–18 · Day
- St Paul's Girls' SchoolGirls · Ages 11–18 · Day
- Westminster SchoolCo-ed · Ages 13–18 · Boarding
- St Paul's SchoolBoys · Ages 7–18 · Day & boarding
- King's College School, WimbledonBoys · Ages 7–18 · Day
- Eton CollegeBoys · Ages 13–18 · Boarding
- Brighton CollegeCo-ed · Ages 3–18 · Day & boarding
- Lady Eleanor Holles SchoolGirls · Ages 7–18 · Day
- City of London SchoolBoys · Ages 10–18 · Day
- South Hampstead High SchoolGirls · Ages 4–18 · Day
- Latymer Upper SchoolCo-ed · Ages 11–18 · Day
- Godolphin and Latymer SchoolGirls · Ages 11–18 · Day
- King Edward VI High School for GirlsGirls · Ages 11–18 · Day
- City of London School for GirlsGirls · Ages 11–18 · Day
Choosing a senior school
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: common questions
- How many independent senior schools does Houseroom list?
- Houseroom lists 409 independent senior schools: 86 girls', 42 boys' and 281 co-ed. Most are in London and the South East.
- How much do senior schools cost?
- The median top day fee across the senior schools Houseroom lists is £30,456 a year, including 20% VAT since January 2025. Boarding, lunches, uniform and trips cost 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.