City of London School
School summary
Founded in 1442 and rooted in the City of London, this boys' school has long combined a classical heritage with a strongly academic outlook. It is a large school of around 1,041 pupils, with a sizeable sixth form of 318 taking it through to the age of 18. The Independent Schools Inspectorate rated it excellent for both education and personal development, with all compliance standards met. Entry at 11 is the main intake point, and the breadth of bursary provision signals a genuine effort to widen access.
Where every mark matters.
Places are limited and demand is high, so exam performance is what sets candidates apart. Passmate turns the months ahead into ten focused minutes a day on the exact topics this school tests.
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Latest results
GCSE grade 9-7
96%
National average 23%
A-level A*-A
75%
National average 28%
A-level A*-B
93%
National average 55%
Inspection reports
- ISI rating
- excellent
- ISI personal development
- excellent
- Last inspected
- 19 November 2024
Teaching & academics
Results sit well above the national picture: 96 per cent of GCSE grades fall in the 9-7 range, against a national average of 23 per cent, while at A-level 75 per cent of grades are A*-A and 93 per cent A*-B. The curriculum has a notably scholarly flavour, with Latin, Classical Greek and Classical Civilisation popular alongside the sciences and humanities, and four modern languages including Russian on offer. Mathematics, Further Mathematics and the sciences feature heavily at sixth form, and the EPQ extends study beyond the standard syllabus. Around 15 per cent of pupils receive SEN support.
Languages
GCSE subjects
Head · Alan Bird
Sixth form
- Sixth-form pupils
- 318
A-level subjects
Qualifications offered
Beyond the classroom
Sport here leans towards basketball and table tennis rather than the usual independent-school fixtures, reflecting the school's urban setting. Scholarships in music and sport, as well as academics, point to opportunities to develop talent alongside lessons.
Main sports
School life & ethos
- Founded
- 1442
- Religious character
- None
- Boarding
- No
- SEN support
- 14.99%
- EHC plans
- 0%
Fees & bursaries
- Day fees (per year)
- £28,386
- Bursaries up to
- 110% of fees
Full and partial bursaries at 11+ and 16+, ranging from 25 to 110 per cent (ie including uniform and trips)
Schools nearby
Cambrilearn
London, Greater London
City of London School for Girls
London, Greater London
London Christian School
London, Greater London
Dallington School
London, United Kingdom, Greater London
DLD College London
London, Greater London
The Royal Ballet School
London, London
Watch Passmate decide how to teach.
Answer as a child would. Left: what they see. Right: what it learns about them.
A historic, academically rigorous City school for boys, where strong results meet bursaries generous enough to open the doors widely.
That’s where Passmate comes in. Tutoring is the most effective thing in a child’s preparation - a well-tutored child can outperform the vast majority of their peers. Passmate works alongside your tutor, not instead of them: it learns how your child thinks, finds the gaps, and shows the tutor exactly where to spend each session - so the limited time you have lands on what actually decides a place.
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City of London School 11+: frequently asked questions
Compiled from public data. Last checked 5 June 2026.