If you’re considering independent secondary schools for your child, London has some of the most prestigious in the UK. According to The Sunday Times’ Parent Power schools guide, half of the country’s top 50 private schools are in the capital, with many in, or easily accessible from, Wandsworth, Battersea, Balham and Clapham.
It’s never too early to start your research. Consider the type of school environment that would suit your child, whether single-sex or co-ed, one with an academic ethos or a big emphasis on sport or the arts. Many private schools in London also offer scholarships and bursaries linked to parental income or talent in a particular field. Remember that high-achieving schools will have competitive entrance requirements that require plenty of preparation.
To help you sift through the options, here are the top private schools in South West London, according to the Parent Power guide and other trusted rankings.
You will find independent schools in Wandsworth for every age, including co-educational schools and those solely for boys or girls. These schools in the London Borough of Wandsworth currently rate highly, including prep schools, senior schools and sixth forms.
Battersea, SW11 3JB| Co-educational | Ages 4 to 13
Thomas’s Preparatory School on Battersea High Street is an independent co-educational day school within the Thomas’s group. The 600-pupil school has an ethos of kindness and creativity and was previously attended by Prince George and Princess Charlotte, singer Florence Welch and model Cara Delevingne.
Wandsworth, SW18 2PQ | Co-educational | Ages 4 to 11
Rated Outstanding by Ofsted, Wandsworth Preparatory School champions a positive attitude alongside academic excellence. This smaller independent day school has an average class size of 11 pupils, for boys and girls ages four to eleven. Onward destinations of leavers include Whitgift, Tiffin and Trinity schools.
Clapham Common, SW4 9SD | Co-educational | Ages 2 to 11
Appearing on the Tatler Schools Guide 2024, Parkgate House School educates boys and girls from two to eleven from nursery and reception through to pre-prep and prep. Parkgate House School’s mission is to give students ” the opportunity to maximise their talents and make the most of their potential”. The co-educational private schools’ leavers have progressed to Emanuel, Cheltenham Ladies’ College, and Alleyn’s.
Putney, SW15 6BH | Girls Only | Ages 11 to 18
According to the school’s website, “academically high-achieving, rounded and responsible, Putney is as down-to earth as it is dynamic.” This GDST school for girls is ranked 26th by the Times. The score for A* to B at A level is 92.5%. Putney High has also been named one of the UK’s top five schools for sport.
Battersea, SW11 1HS | Co-educational | Ages 10 to 19
Located on Battersea Rise, Emanuel School was granted a royal charter by Queen Elizabeth I in 1601 and has stood on the current site since 1883. This private school is a Christian co-educational day school for 1000 pupils (500 girls and 500 boys). It was awarded the Independent School of the Year Award for Performing Arts in 2022. Alumni include chef Michel Roux Jr and the World Wide Web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee.
Battersea, SW11 2FR | Co-educational | Ages 11 to 18
Rated Excellent in all categories by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), the co-educational Thames Christian School has recently relocated to a purpose-built campus beside Clapham Junction Station. 99% of Thames Christian School pupils achieved GCSE results between 9 and 4, with 70% achieving between 9 and 7. The private school’s new Sixth Form will open up A-level provision.
These well-regarded private schools in South West London are within easy reach of Wandsworth. With a wealth of options just a short journey away, you are sure to find the right school to suit your family.
Wimbledon Common, SW19 4TT | Boys Ages 7 to 18 | Girls Ages 16 to 18
Right beside lovely Wimbledon Common, is King’s College, an independent day school for boys aged 7 to 18 and girls in sixth form. Founded in 1829 by royal charter, the school claims to be “one of the most academically successful schools in the world”, and is ranked number two in London by The Times. Results are impressive, with 96.9% of A-level students gaining grades A* to B and 96.5% awarded grades 7 to 9 at GCSE. The school’s famous alumni include Education Secretary, Nadhim Zahawi, TV medics Chris and Xand Van Tulleken and singer Marcus Mumford.
Barnes, SW13 9JT | Boys Only | Ages 7 to 18
St Paul’s Boys’ School is based in Barnes. It’s been around for 500 years and promises an “outstanding, all-round education” for “gifted boys” aged seven to 18. Rated sixth by The Times, results include 95.4% of A-level students awarded grades A* to B and 96.1% achieving grades 7 to 9 at GCSE. Former pupils include former Chancellor George Osborne, journalist and presenter Dan Snow and actor Rory Kinnear. St Paul’s girls’ school in Hammersmith isn’t too far from South West London and tops The Times’ listing.
Hampton, TW12 3HF| Girls Only | Ages 7 to 18
Lady Eleanor Holles is among the oldest girls’ schools in the UK. This day school for girls teaches pupils aged seven to 18 and boasts that more than 90% of last year’s leavers received places at their first-choice university. Famous students include journalist Lynn Barber, actor Saskia Reeves and DJ Annie Nightingale. It is rated 18th in the UK by The Times. Results include 94.2% of A-level students awarded grades A* to B and 92.5% achieving grades 7 to 9 at GCSE.
Wimbledon, SW19 4AB| Girls Only | Ages 4 to 18
Ranked 20th in the UK by The Times, Wimbledon High is part of the Girls’ Day Schools Trust (GDST). The school has been educating girls since 1880 and takes them from ages four to 18. It describes itself as a school “with each individual at its heart, where girls are known and nurtured, where laughter fills the air.” Famous alumni include author Michelle Paver and journalists Rosie Millard, Samira Ahmed and Afua Hirsch.
Hampton, TW12 3HD| Boys Only | Ages 11 to 18
“For over 450 years, Hampton has been helping boys to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations,” according to the school. Hampton takes boys aged three to 18, and 91.7% achieve A* to B at A Level, with 92.7% getting grades 7 to 9 at GCSE. It is ranked 22nd by The Times.
Croydon, CR9 7AT | Boys Only | Ages 10 to 18
Trinity School takes boys aged 10 to 18 and girls in the sixth form. The school ranks 43rd in The Times listing, and 89.4% of students achieve A* to B at A Level, with 88.7% gaining a grade 7 to 9 at GCSE.
South Croydon, CR2 6YT | Boys Only | Ages 10 to 18
Another Croydon school, Whitgift is a day and boarding school for boys aged 10 to 18 with a history dating back to 1600. It was named Independent Boys’ School of the Year in 2020 and described as ‘amazing’ by Sir David Attenborough – no less. A* to B at A level = 89.5%.
Kingston upon Thames, KT2 6PY | Co-educational | Ages 11 to 18
Rare among The Times’ top ten, Kingston Grammar is a co-educational independent school, which takes pupils aged 11 to 18. While strong academically, it emphasises art, drama and music – and has its own arts centre. This private school is ranked 56th nationally by The Times, and 86.3% of students achieve A* to B at A level and 82% gain places at Russell Group universities.
Kingston upon Thames, KT1 2JT | Girls Ages 4 to 18 | Boys Ages 4 to 11
A girls’ high school (with boys in the prep school), Surbiton is strong academically and at sport, excelling at the ‘super eight’; hockey, cricket, football, netball, gymnastics, rowing, tennis and skiing. Almost 90% of students at the school for girls enter Russell Group universities, with an average of eight students a year getting Oxbridge offers.
If your search for a school for your child will involve a South West London house move, we’d love to advise you. We’d be happy to talk you through the areas we cover and the schools close by – independent or state. Contact us today for a chat about your options.