City of London School

City of London School is a highly competitive educational establishment that prides itself on its rigorous selection process. The admissions booklet candidly warns prospective parents that many top-performing candidates from other schools are turned down each year. The message is clear: rejection does not equate to failure but rather indicates that the school may not be the right fit for the child.

Prospective students are expected to be well-read and possess a wide vocabulary. The school recommends starting with age-appropriate resources and gradually moving up to more challenging texts to refine skills. Parents are advised to begin preparation early, even suggesting that they might need to work through practice papers themselves to understand the answers.

Applications for the 10+ and 11+ entry points open in September of the previous year, while the 16+ applications open in October. For the 13+ entry, applications must be made three years in advance. The entrance exams at 10+ include verbal reasoning, maths, and multiple-choice comprehension in English. At 11+, non-verbal reasoning is added. For 13+ candidates, the ISEB pre-test is required, followed by interviews and further tests for the best candidates.

The school is transparent about the prevalence of tutoring, acknowledging that it can be beneficial when used to support and consolidate learning. However, they caution that a child who requires continuous support throughout their school career may not benefit fully from their time at the school. The school can usually identify over-prepared candidates during the interview process.

Learning needs, including general anxiety disorder, are welcomed as long as reports are provided in advance and candidates pass the entrance tests. It is rare for students to leave after GCSEs unless by choice, and those who do not achieve the required grades would have been flagged well in advance. The majority of students progress to Russell Group universities, with a significant number gaining places at Oxbridge, medical schools, and overseas universities.

In 2023, the school achieved impressive results with 94% of GCSE grades at 9-7 and 76% of A-level grades at A*/A. The school is unashamedly academic, fostering a passion for intellectual exploration and encouraging students to challenge, query, and argue. This approach aims to prepare students for undergraduate life and produce well-rounded individuals.

Whole-form learning is prevalent, with limited setting in maths and French. Year 6 students receive lessons on essential skills such as time management and touch typing. Academic support is readily available, with teachers organising additional sessions for struggling students. The school celebrates all achievements, not just those of Oxbridge-bound students, and aims to make every student comfortable in their own skin.

The school offers a wide range of subjects, with languages being particularly ambitious. Students can study Latin, French, and Mandarin from the first form, with some dropping Mandarin by the third year. A-level results are equally impressive, with a strong focus on STEM subjects, although the school ensures that students with interests outside STEM are well supported.

Extra-curricular activities are abundant, with 48 clubs ranging from astronomy and debating to model railways and cheese-tasting. The school also excels in sports, with numerous football, water polo, cricket, and basketball teams. The arts are well-represented, with impressive visual and performing arts programmes.

The school’s ethos and heritage date back to its founding in 1442, with a commitment to diversity and educational innovation. The current site, opened in 1986, features a mix of historical artefacts and modern facilities, including a new library and well-maintained science labs.

Pastoral care is a priority, with a strategic vision focused on kindness, readiness, and awareness. The school aims to produce emotionally intelligent boys and offers a range of support services, including counsellors and a highly rated Head of Pastoral Care.

The student body is a microcosm of London’s diversity, with a mix of ethnicities, nationalities, and socio-economic backgrounds. The school fosters independence, with students confidently using public transport from a young age.

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