Top Grammar Schools in London: The Complete Guide (2026)

London and its surrounding areas have a higher concentration of highly competitive grammar and selective state schools than any other region in England. This guide provides a comprehensive table of all the major London grammar and selective schools, their exam boards, approximate number of Year 7 places, and approximate pass marks — along with links to individual preparation guides for each school. All data is for 2026 entry.

What Makes London Grammar Schools Different?

London grammar schools operate differently from those in most other regions because many of them are entirely unzoned or draw from very wide geographic areas. Schools like Tiffin and QE Boys Barnet are truly national competitions — a child from Scotland could theoretically sit the exam. Most children who sit London grammar school exams live within a 30-mile radius, but there is no geographic cut-off in most cases. This creates a uniquely competitive applicant pool where every child has been prepared to the highest level.

London also has a higher number of super-selective schools in a small area than any other region. Within 20 miles of central London, a child can sit for: QE Boys Barnet, Henrietta Barnett School, Tiffin School, Tiffin Girls', St Olave's Grammar, Newstead Wood School, Dame Alice Owen's, and several Sutton consortium schools. Many London families sit for 3–5 of these in a single autumn season, spreading their preparation broadly while concentrating intensity on their top choices.

London Grammar Schools: Comprehensive Table 2026

School	Type	Exam Board	Places	Approx. Pass Mark
QE Boys Barnet	Boys, Super-sel.	GL Assessment	180	Top 180 scores (~128+)
Henrietta Barnett School	Girls, Super-sel.	GL Assessment	93	~128+ (varies by area)
Tiffin School	Boys, Super-sel.	Own papers	180	Top 180 scores
Tiffin Girls' School	Girls, Super-sel.	Own/FSCE papers	140	Top 140 scores
St Olave's Grammar School	Boys, Super-sel.	Own papers	128	Top 128 scores
Newstead Wood School	Girls, Selective	GL Assessment	120	Top scores + area priority
Dame Alice Owen's	Co-ed, Selective	GL Assessment	~180	~121+ (area priority applies)
Latymer School Edmonton	Co-ed, Selective	Own papers	~180	Top scores + area
Nonsuch High School	Girls, SET	GL (SET)	~120	~121+ (Sutton priority)
Wallington High Girls	Girls, SET	GL (SET)	~130	~121+ (Sutton priority)
Wallington County Grammar	Boys, SET	GL (SET)	~130	~121+ (Sutton priority)
Wilson's School	Boys, SET	GL (SET)	~180	~121+ (Sutton priority)
Sutton Grammar School	Boys, SET	GL (SET)	~120	~121+ (Sutton priority)
Kingston Grammar School	Co-ed, Independent	Own papers	~130	Entry exam + interview

How to Navigate London's Grammar School Landscape

Most London families applying to grammar schools target a combination of schools based on: gender (most London grammar schools are single-sex); geographic eligibility (designated area requirements for HBS, Dame Alice Owen's, Sutton SET); exam board (GL Assessment schools require different preparation from schools using own papers); and realistic score targeting (super-selectives require higher scores than threshold-based schools).

A typical strategic London grammar school application might look like: QE Boys Barnet (super-selective, GL, no area restriction) as an ambitious target; Dame Alice Owen's (threshold-based GL, Enfield/Barnet priority area) as a realistic target if living in the priority area; and a Sutton SET school (threshold-based, Sutton Borough priority) if the family is in Sutton. The combination depends entirely on home location, gender, and the child's current ability level. For an independent assessment of which schools are realistic targets for your child, a specialist 11 plus tutor can provide guidance based on a diagnostic assessment score and your specific home location. See our grammar school hub, our individual school guides, and our 11 plus tuition service.

Key Preparation Timelines for London Grammar Schools

Exam dates vary significantly across London grammar schools, and families targeting multiple schools must plan carefully to manage the preparation and exam schedule across multiple September-to-January windows.

September exam schools: QE Boys Barnet and Henrietta Barnett School typically test in mid-September. Tiffin School and Tiffin Girls' School also test in September. These schools require preparation that peaks in August to September — meaning the summer holiday before Year 6 is a critical final preparation window. October-November exam schools: Dame Alice Owen's and some Sutton SET schools test in October. Independent schools with 11+ entry (Kingston Grammar, etc.) typically test in November to January. This creates a natural preparation sequence — children sit grammar school exams in September–October and independent school exams in November–January, allowing the grammar school preparation to serve as a foundation for independent school preparation. Three important preparation statistics for London: children who prepare for multiple London grammar schools simultaneously improve faster than those preparing for a single school because they encounter more varied question styles; most successful QE Boys Barnet applicants have sat at least 5–6 full timed mock papers before exam day; and specialist tutor involvement increases the rate of successful preparation by a statistically significant margin, according to analysis by the Good Schools Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions