The school system in London
The London schooling system is much the same as in the rest of the UK. Whilst most London schools follow the British curriculum, more and more are offering the international baccalaureate due to the increasing number of students attending from around the world.
If you are set on your child attending a senior state school in London, do your research. Due to its dense population, London schools work a little differently to other schools across the country – some catchment areas are within a quarter of a mile of the school gates, so be sure to check entry criteria on local authority websites.
London is a hub for excellent private schools. Independent London senior schools are mostly day schools due to space in the city, however there are a few senior boarding schools (it's worth knowing that these often have large waiting lists and a higher percentage of international pupils). If you are set on a London senior school, don’t delay planning – the top feeder prep schools have very limited spaces and often require registering your child early, but it’s never too late to register on the off chance a space opens up at a later date.
FAQs
How many senior schools are there in London?
There are 3,250 schools in London, however just 940 of them are senior schools.
What are senior schools in the UK?
It can get a little confusing with the international differences in education terminology, however senior schools in the UK are secondary schools that cater for children 11-18. Some start at 13, due to some prep schools running up to Year 8.