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Private schools in London typically offer a high quality of education and often have perks above public schools such as more modern facilities, smaller classes and more extracurricular options. Though fees will need to be paid in order to attend a London private school, tuition is generally lower than that of the city's international schools.
Generally, these schools do follow the national curriculum of the UK, although more and more are offering students the opportunity to study for the International Baccalaureate (IB).
The majority of private schools are selective, especially at the senior school level. Places at the best schools are highly sought after and students are expected to sit an interview and pass an exam to get a place. Expat children are welcomed at private schools in London, and many of the schools in central London have children of dozens of different nationalities.
Private schools in London
Southbank International School
Popular among expats, Southbank International School has three campuses in Hampstead, Kensington and Westminster. Southbank follows the IB curriculum with a learning style based on group work, communication and independent field research. Read more
Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate
Ages: 3 to 19
City of London School, Central London
Gender: Boys only
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, GCSE and A-Levels
Ages: 10 to 18
Website: www.clsb.org.uk
City of London School for Girls, Barbican
Gender: Girls only
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, GCSE and A-Levels
Ages: 11 to 18
Website: www.clsg.org.uk
Dulwich School, South London
Gender: Co-educational Kindergarten (6 months to 7 years) and boys-only Junior and Senior School (7 to 18)
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, GCSE and A-Levels
Ages: 6 months to 18 years
Website: www.dulwich.org.uk
Emanuel School, Battersea
Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, GCSE and A-Levels
Ages: 10 to 18
Website: www.emanuel.org.uk
Durston House School, Ealing
Gender: Boys only
Curriculum: English National Curriculum
Ages: 4 to 13
Website: www.durstonhouse.org
Godolphin and Latymer School, Hammersmith
Gender: Girls only
Curriculum: GCSE, A-Levels and International Baccalaureate
Ages: 11 to 18
Website: www.godolphinandlatymer.com
Harrow School
Gender: Boys only
Curriculum: GCSE and A-Levels
Ages: 13 to 18
Website: www.harrowschool.org.uk
James Allen’s Girls’ School, Dulwich
Gender: Girls only
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, GCSE and A-Levels
Ages: 4 to 18
Website: www.jags.org.uk
Keble Prep, North London
Gender: Boys only
Curriculum: English National Curriculum
Ages: 4 to 13
Website: www.kebleprep.co.uk
King’s College School, Wimbledon
Gender: Boys only up to Year 11 (7 to 16) and co-educational Sixth Form (16 to 18)
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, GCSE, A-Levels and International Baccalaureate
Ages: 7 to 18
Website: www.kcs.org.uk
Notting Hill and Ealing High School, Ealing
Gender: Girls only
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, GCSE and A-Levels
Ages: 4 to 18
Website: www.nhehs.gdst.net
Orchard House School, Chiswick
Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: English National Curriculum
Ages: 3 to 11
Website: www.orchardhs.org.uk
Queen's Gate School, South Kensington
Gender: Girls only
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, GCSE and A-Levels
Ages: 4 to 18
Website: www.queensgate.org.uk
South Hampstead High School, Hampstead
Gender: Girls only
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, GCSE and A-Levels
Ages: 4 to 18
Website: www.shhs.gdst.net
St Paul’s School, Hammersmith
Gender: Boys only
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, GCSE and A-Levels
Ages: 7 to 18
Website: www.stpaulsschool.org.uk
Westminster School, Central London
Gender: Boys only up to Year 11 (7 to 16) and co-educational Sixth Form (16 to 18)
Curriculum: English National Curriculum, GCSE and A-Levels
Ages: 7 to 18
Website: www.westminster.org.uk