The top UK independent schools, scored openly
Nine pillars, transparent weights, multiple sources. The Houseroom Index blends academic outcomes, destinations, AI & future-readiness, pastoral care, value-add, access, parent sentiment and external consensus — see the methodology.
- #183.1
Westminster School
Westminstervs Parent Power #8Academic94Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes95Destinations & outcomes96Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add87Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorBoysDay13–18Independent boys senior school in Westminster for ages 13–18. Selective entry, Christian foundation ethos, top-tier London fees.
Set inside the precincts of Westminster AbbeyThe Greaze — Shrove Tuesday pancake tradition since 1753Latin Prayers held weekly in School Hall£7,200 – £49,950/yr day773 pupilsEst. 1560 - #283.1
St Paul's School
Richmond upon ThamesAcademic90Whole-child79Future-ready70Academic outcomes93Destinations & outcomes88Future-readiness70Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add85Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughBoysBoth7–18Independent boys all-through school in Richmond upon Thames for ages 7–18, day or boarding. Selective entry, C of E ethos, top-tier London fees.
Riverside campus with 45 acres of green spaceOn-site boat club, theatre, art gallery, cricket pitch, concert hall, engineering workshopSelective admission at 7+, 11+, 13+ and 16+£9,551 – £35,847/yr day1,012 pupilsEst. 1509 - #382.6
North London Collegiate School
HarrowAcademic86Whole-child86Future-ready70Academic outcomes88Destinations & outcomes84Future-readiness70Pastoral & wellbeing95Value-add80Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughGirlsDay4–18Independent girls all-through school in Harrow for ages 4–18. Selective entry.
Ranked The Sunday Times Independent Secondary School of the Year 2026Offers both International Baccalaureate Diploma and A levelsStrong bursary and scholarship programmes£25,620 – £29,751/yr day1,050 pupilsEst. 1850 - #482.0
City of London School
City of Londonvs Parent Power #17Academic88Whole-child79Future-ready70Academic outcomes88Destinations & outcomes92Future-readiness70Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add80Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorBoysDay10–18Independent boys senior school in City of London for ages 10–18. Selective entry.
First school in England to include science on the curriculum and to teach scientific experimentsRiverside Thames-side site next to the Millennium Bridge, opposite Tate Modern140+ alumni in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography£28,400/yr day98 pupilsEst. 1834 - #581.8
St Paul's Girls' School
Hammersmith and FulhamAcademic92Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes96Destinations & outcomes88Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add88Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorGirlsDay11–18Independent girls senior school in Hammersmith and Fulham for ages 11–18. Selective entry, C of E ethos, top-tier London fees.
No formal uniform — pupils dress in own clothes within a codeGustav Holst was Director of Music 1905-1934 and composed The Planets while teaching thereListed in The Schools Index as one of the world's 150 best private schools£37,242 – £40,227/yr day880 pupilsEst. 1904 - #681.0
Lady Eleanor Holles School
Richmond upon Thamesvs Parent Power #12Academic87Whole-child86Future-ready55Academic outcomes87Destinations & outcomes89Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing95Value-add79Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughGirlsDay7–18Independent girls all-through school in Richmond upon Thames for ages 7–18. Selective entry, C of E ethos.
24-acre Hampton campus, exceptional for a London independentFounded 1710 — one of the oldest girls' schools in the countryPartnership with Hampton School delivering co-ed sixth-form lessons and societies£25,470 – £31,953/yr day800 pupilsEst. 1710 - #780.4
City of London School for Girls
City of LondonAcademic85Whole-child79Future-ready70Academic outcomes86Destinations & outcomes86Future-readiness70Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add78Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorGirlsDay7–18Independent girls senior school in City of London for ages 7–18. Selective entry.
selective admissionscity-centre locationforward-thinking and grounded education£30,247/yr day730 pupilsEst. 1894 - #879.7
Hampton School
Richmond upon Thamesvs Parent Power #23Academic88Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes88Destinations & outcomes91Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add80Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorBoysDay11–18Independent boys senior school in Richmond upon Thames for ages 11–18. Selective entry.
over 30 choirs and music ensembles18+ sports on offer130+ lunchtime clubs & societies£29,916/yr day1,250 pupilsEst. 1557 - #979.6
Latymer Upper School
Hammersmith and FulhamAcademic88Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes89Destinations & outcomes89Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add81Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorCo EdDay11–18Independent co-ed senior school in Hammersmith and Fulham for ages 11–18. Selective entry.
Founder's bursary programme one of the largest in the UK independent sector — fully-funded places added every year since 2024Co-educational on the Hammersmith riverside since 2004TES Independent School of the Year (2018) and ISOTY Winner 2023£31,095/yr day1,440 pupilsEst. 1624 - #1079.5
Alleyn's School
Southwarkvs Parent Power #13Academic84Whole-child86Future-ready55Academic outcomes86Destinations & outcomes84Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing95Value-add78Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdDay4–18Independent co-ed all-through school in Southwark for ages 4–18. Selective entry.
Co-educational since 1976 — earlier than most London peersOriginally part of Edward Alleyn's College of God's Gift foundation, sister-school to Dulwich College and JAGSCo-ed Independent School of the Year 2025£19,320 – £31,014/yr day1,164 pupilsEst. 1619 - #1179.1
Highgate School
Haringeyvs Parent Power #19Academic87Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes87Destinations & outcomes89Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add79Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughGirlsBoth3–19Independent girls all-through school in Haringey for ages 3–19, day or boarding. Selective entry, Christian ethos.
Sunday Times Independent School of the Decade 2021Co-educational since 2004 after 400+ years as a boys' school460-year history (founded 1565 by Sir Roger Cholmeley)£27,309 – £31,575/yr day1,321 pupilsEst. 1565 - #1278.9
South Hampstead High School
Camdenvs Parent Power #16Academic83Whole-child86Future-ready55Academic outcomes84Destinations & outcomes84Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing95Value-add76Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughGirlsDay4–18Independent girls all-through school in Camden for ages 4–18. Selective entry.
all-through 4-18girls-onlypart of Girls’ Day School Trust£24,558 – £30,060/yr day900 pupilsEst. 1876 - #1378.4
Surbiton High School
Kingston upon Thamesvs Parent Power #50Academic86Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes84Destinations & outcomes90Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add76Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdDay4–18Independent co-ed all-through school in Kingston upon Thames for ages 4–18. Selective entry, Christian ethos.
Part of United Learning; HMC, Society of Heads and IAPS memberSeven sites including separate Boys' Prep, Girls' Prep, Senior, Sixth Form Centre, Mary Bennett House and sports grounds at Hinchley Wood40+ A-Level subjects offered£26,889/yr day1,058 pupilsEst. 1884 - #1477.0
University College School
Camdenvs Parent Power #25Academic83Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes82Destinations & outcomes87Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add74Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorBoysDay4–18Independent boys senior school in Camden for ages 4–18. Selective entry, top-tier London fees.
Selective 11+ and 16+ entryCo-educational Sixth FormExtensive musical opportunities£27,495 – £32,913/yr day958 pupilsEst. 1830 - #1576.1
Godolphin and Latymer School
Hammersmith and Fulhamvs Parent Power #4Academic81Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes81Destinations & outcomes83Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add73Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorGirlsDay11–18Independent girls senior school in Hammersmith and Fulham for ages 11–18. Selective entry, top-tier London fees.
Selective girls' senior schoolOffers GCSE, A Level, and International BaccalaureateConsistently top 10 global IB rankings£33,672 – £35,094/yr day827 pupilsEst. 1861 - #1675.6
Putney High School
Wandsworthvs Parent Power #24Academic73Whole-child86Future-ready70Academic outcomes69Destinations & outcomes81Future-readiness70Pastoral & wellbeing95Value-add61Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughGirlsDay4–18Independent girls all-through school in Wandsworth for ages 4–18. Selective entry.
Rapid Prototyping Studio for product and app developmentJunior Forest SchoolBreathe environmental programme — RHS Chelsea Flower Show gold medal for biophilia research£24,027 – £30,456/yr day740 pupilsEst. 1893 - #1774.5
Emanuel School
Wandsworthvs Parent Power #42Academic78Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes76Destinations & outcomes84Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add68Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdBoth10–19Independent co-ed all-through school in Wandsworth for ages 10–19, day or boarding. Selective entry, Christian ethos.
One of the oldest schools in London (1594, Lady Dacre)Eight vertical houses named after British naval and military heroes50+ clubs and societies£26,151 – £31,381/yr day1,115 pupilsEst. 1594 - #1874.4
Kingston Grammar School
Kingston upon Thamesvs Parent Power #30Academic78Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes76Destinations & outcomes84Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add68Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughCo EdDay10–18Independent co-ed all-through school in Kingston upon Thames for ages 10–18. Selective entry.
Royal charter granted 1561; educational origins to 13th centuryLovekyn Chapel — one of England's few free-standing chantry chapels (14th century)Michael Frayn Theatre with state-of-the-art technology£25,623 – £29,352/yr day1,010 pupilsEst. 2000 - #1973.3
Dulwich College
Southwarkvs Parent Power #46Academic72Whole-child79Future-ready70Academic outcomes62Destinations & outcomes89Future-readiness70Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add54Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughBoysBoth0–18Independent boys all-through school in Southwark for ages 0–18, day or boarding. Selective entry, top-tier London fees.
DUCKS co-educational environment from 6 months to 7 yearsAcademic selective with boarding from Year 9Extensive academic enrichment and co-curricular programmes£19,008 – £32,118/yr day2,400 pupilsEst. 1619 - #2072.9
Trinity School
Croydonvs Parent Power #32Academic75Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes71Destinations & outcomes84Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add63Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70SeniorBoysDay10–18Independent boys senior school in Croydon for ages 10–18. Selective entry.
Extended co-education from 2027Thriving co-curricular programmesEnriching Diploma programme£29,240 – £30,468/yr day1,049 pupilsEst. 1882 - #2172.8
Wimbledon High School
Mertonvs Parent Power #36Academic71Whole-child79Future-ready70Academic outcomes67Destinations & outcomes80Future-readiness70Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add59Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughGirlsDay4–18Independent girls all-through school in Merton for ages 4–18. Selective entry.
Houses named after the four first girls to join the school in 1880Strong Body Strong Mind wellbeing frameworkSTEAM emphasis with c.50% of sixth formers studying Maths/Further Maths£23,673 – £30,456/yr day743 pupilsEst. 1880 - #2272.7
Bancroft's School
Redbridgevs Parent Power #37Academic75Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes70Destinations & outcomes85Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add62Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughBoysDay7–18Independent boys all-through school in Redbridge for ages 7–18. Selective entry, C of E ethos.
co-educational environmentacademic focusmulti-ethnic and multi-faith community£21,068 – £30,144/yr day1,134 pupilsEst. 1737 - #2372.5
Eltham College
Bromleyvs Parent Power #43Academic74Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes74Destinations & outcomes78Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add66Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughBoysBoth7–19Independent boys all-through school in Bromley for ages 7–19, day or boarding. Selective entry, other ethos.
70-acre grounds in south-east LondonFounded to educate children of missionaries serving overseasEric Liddell Sports Centre named for Olympian alumnus£24,657/yr day810 pupilsEst. 1842 - #2471.2
Channing School
Haringeyvs Parent Power #45Academic72Whole-child79Future-ready55Academic outcomes75Destinations & outcomes69Future-readiness55Pastoral & wellbeing82Value-add67Access & breadth75Parent sentiment70External consensus70All ThroughGirlsDay4–18Independent girls all-through school in Haringey for ages 4–18. Selective entry.
Unitarian heritage and ethos of free thinking200+ extracurricular clubs and 25 sports243-seat in-house theatre£24,660 – £27,570/yr day991 pupilsEst. 1885
The Houseroom Index 2026 is computed from publicly verifiable sources plus Houseroom parent reviews. Scores update as data improves — read the methodology. Schools can claim their listing to fill data gaps.