The best state secondary school in London, according to a prestigious 2025 ranking

Much is known about London’s elite schools. If you asked someone about the city’s best schools, the names Harrow, Westminster and City of London are likely to come up. But these are all private, fee paying institutions. What about state schools? Now, there’s a new ranking of London’s best state schools, where children can get a top education without paying thousands per term. 

The Times has just published its annual Parent Power Ranking, naming the best schools in the country. Helpfully, the researchers at the Times have broken the league table down into categories ranking fee paying and state schools separately. The paper analysed schools across the country based on their GCSE and A-level results. 

Queen Elizabeth’s School, a selective boys’ school in EN5, has been named the top state school in not only London, but Britain. In 2025, the boffins in Barnet achieved A*s in 52.4 percent of A-levels taken, and 97.6 percent of A-levels received an A*-B. For GCSEs, 95.5 percent scored between 9 and 7. 

Although pupils at Queen Elizabeth’s School won’t pay a penny once they’re there, entrance to the school is highly competitive. It’s estimated that 3,500 apply each year for just 192 places, with prospective students having to take two entrance exams. Famous alumni to attend to boys’ grammar school include spoken word artist George the Poet, sprinter John Otugade and TV judge Robert Rinder. 

The top 10 state secondary schools in London for 2026

1. Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
2. Wilson’s School, Wallington
3. St Olave’s Grammer School, Orpington
4. The Tiffin Girls’ School, Kingston upon Thames
5. Tiffin School, Kingston upon Thames
6. The Latymer School, Edmonton
7. Sutton Grammer School, Sutton
8. St Michael’s RC Grammar School, Finchley 
9. Wallington High School for Girls, Wallington 
10. Wallington County Grammar School, Wallington

The 10 best primary schools in London for 2026. 

Five London schools have been named the best in Britain. 

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