The 30 best secondary schools in London in 2023 according to parents in Sunday Times

Today

London has come out on top in The Sunday Times Parent Power 2023 guide which lists the country's best schools. Across the board, single-sex schools topped the tables in both the private and public sectors with independent London girls' schools performing particularly well.

Schools are judged not only on their academic performances, although this is often a big focus of The Sunday Times rankings, but increasingly on how they handle student well-being. With many students missing large chunks of time in the classroom due to government lockdowns, properly reintroducing pupils to a school environment has been one of the crucial challenges educational institutions have to face.

This is something that the editor of the Parent Power Guide Helen Davies has addressed in her foreword to the list. She said: "These have been a challenging few years for teachers, pupils and their parents, and the success of many in our league table is testament to the stamina and support shown by all concerned."

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"It is also clear that more attention is being placed on wellbeing and mental health – from meditation rooms to counselling support, even therapy dogs – and schools are being proactive to bring about positive changes," she added.

"League tables are not the only criteria a parent can use when choosing a school, but they are a good starting point. We want to celebrate excellence. We want to champion schools that are doing wonderful work. We want our children to be well-nurtured and well-taught. In choosing a school parents are making one of the biggest decisions in their family life, and Parent Power and The Sunday Times is here to help."

The Sunday Times list ranks more than 1,600 schools which can be searched by name, local authority, town and postcode, allowing families to find the best school in their area. There are also individualised awards for schools that have been found to be the best in an area or even the country as a whole.

Independent London girls' schools led the UK's best schools in their category with Francis Holland School and St Paul's Girls' School being named independent school of the year and top independent school for academic performance respectively. However, the stand out school both in London and the UK is girls' school Henrietta Barnett School in Hampstead which was named the paper's top secondary school for academic performance.

The selective academy has about 790 students aged between 11 and 18. As the school doesn't have a catchment getting a place is highly competitive with around 3000 girls applying for a place in Year 7 every year. The school has consistently been ranked amongst the best schools in London and in the country.

London's top 30 schools are dominated by independent and grammar schools however some comprehensives also received recognition. The Coopers’ Company and Coborn School in Upminster was noted as The Sunday Times London comprehensive school of the year and placed it 16th out of 30 in all schools in the capital.

Here is the full list

1) The Henrietta Barnett School, Hampstead
2) Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
3) Wilson’s School, Wallington
4) The Tiffin Girls’ School, Kingston
5) St Olave’s Grammar School, Orpington
6) Tiffin School, Kingston
7) The Latymer School, Edmonton
8) Newstead Wood School, Orpington
9) Wallington High School for Girls
10) Nonsuch High School for Girls, Cheam
11) Sutton Grammar School
12) St Michael’s Catholic Grammar, Finchley
13) Wallington County Grammar School
14) Woodford County High School, Woodford Green
15) Bexley Grammar School
16) The Coopers’ Company and Coburn School, Upminster
17) JFS, Harrow
18) Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School
19) Hasmonean High School for Girls, Barnet
20) Ilford County High School
21) The London Oratory School, Fulham
22) Townley Grammar School, Bexleyheath
23) Twyford C of E High School, Acton
24) Camden School for Girls
25) The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, Holland Park
26) Lady Margaret School, Fulham
27) Mossbourne Community Academy, Hackney
28) The Grey Coat Hospital, Westminster
29) The St Marylebone C of E School
30) Sacred Heart RC School, Camberwell

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