How many secondary international schools in London
Greater London supports roughly 70 secondary schools that work for internationally mobile families, defined as schools that either offer the IB Diploma, the American high school diploma with Advanced Placement, or the UK GCSE and A Level system with a track record of cross-border admissions. Around 24 are dedicated international schools running on continental or American calendars. The remainder are UK independent senior schools that meet the international family use case through scale, examination range and university outcomes.
Some of those UK independent senior schools sit just outside the city limits and operate boarding alongside day. Westminster School, City of London, King's College School Wimbledon, Highgate and Whitgift are all clearly Greater London. Eton, Harrow, Charterhouse and Wellington serve London families from the Berkshire and Surrey commuter belt and so feature in family choice sets even though they are not strictly inner-London schools.
The IGCSE, A Level and IB mix
London is one of the few cities where every major secondary qualification has a deep market. IGCSE at the lower secondary stage is run by both the international schools and a growing number of UK independents, with Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge International the dominant boards. At sixth form the city offers three live options: A Level, the IB Diploma and the American high school diploma with AP. A Level remains the volume option, taken by around 92 percent of UK independent sixth formers. The IB Diploma is offered at roughly 30 London schools and is the dominant choice at the dedicated internationals. The American track runs at ASL, ACS, TASIS and a small number of others.
The cross-qualification choice matters most at sixth form because each path produces a slightly different university outcome profile. For the IB perspective specifically see our London IB schools hub and the editorial best IB schools in London long read.
Picking a London secondary or sixth form?
Take our 5 minute school finder quiz. We shortlist three London secondary schools based on your child's year group, target qualification, your borough and your fee budget.
Fees and the London tiers
London secondary fees divide into three tiers. The value tier at GBP 24,400 to GBP 30,200 covers the embassy-funded national curriculum schools at sixth form, the smaller international schools and a number of UK independents in outer boroughs. The mid tier at GBP 30,200 to GBP 36,800 covers most of the established London internationals, including Southbank, ICS, Halcyon and Marymount, plus the bulk of the UK independent sector. The premium tier at GBP 36,800 to GBP 42,800 covers ASL, ACS Cobham, TASIS, Sevenoaks at sixth form and the most central UK independent senior schools.
Boarding fees at the schools that offer it add GBP 14,000 to GBP 22,000 on top of day tuition. Acceptance deposits of one term's fees are standard and credited only against the first year. For total cost of relocation including secondary fees see our London cost calculator.
Illustrative example schools
The schools below are illustrative, not a ranking. Each has at least two decades of recorded sixth form outcomes.
The American School in London in St John's Wood is the city's largest single-site American school at around 1,350 students grades K through 12. Strong AP take-up and a stable feeder pipeline into US Ivy and UK Russell Group universities.
Southbank International School Westminster hosts the senior years and the IB Diploma for the wider Southbank group. Around 280 sixth formers, with strong record at the dedicated IB-only sector.
King's College School Wimbledon is the leading UK independent IB school outside the dedicated internationals, with the highest average IB score of any London co-educational independent.
Westminster School sixth form, in the heart of central London, is the highest Oxbridge-feeder school in the country among day intakes. Mixed in the sixth form, single-sex below.
ACS Cobham International School, just outside the M25 in Surrey, is the largest IB school in Greater London and the longest established American school in the UK.
Where secondary families live
Secondary families spread across a wider catchment than primary families because teenagers use the Tube and parents trade space for school access. St John's Wood, Hampstead and Highgate for ASL, the Southbank Hampstead senior cohort and Highgate School. Westminster, Pimlico and Belgravia for Southbank Westminster, Westminster School and Francis Holland. Wimbledon, Putney, Barnes and Richmond for King's College School Wimbledon, Whitgift and Surbiton High. Kensington and Chelsea for Marymount, Halcyon and the central UK preparatory route into senior schools elsewhere. Cobham, Esher and Weybridge for ACS Cobham and TASIS, with families typically commuting into the City or Canary Wharf.
11+, 13+ and 16+ admissions
London independent secondary admissions follow three distinct timetables. The 11-plus runs in November of Year 6 for entry the following September; the major academically selective day schools, including Westminster Under, City of London, Highgate, King's College Wimbledon Junior and the GDST senior schools, all examine on a coordinated date. The 13-plus Common Entrance runs in January of Year 8 for entry to senior schools at Year 9, the traditional UK independent boarding pathway. The 16-plus, sixth form entry, runs in November of Year 11.
International schools operate parallel calendars but with rolling admissions. ASL, ACS, Southbank, ICS and Halcyon accept applications throughout the year and place a child within four to eight weeks subject to space. Mid-year secondary entry at UK independent schools is rare; mid-year secondary entry at international schools is straightforward. For a fuller picture see our London city hub.
Frequently asked questions
How many international secondary schools are there in London?
Greater London supports roughly 70 secondary schools that work for internationally mobile families, of which around 24 are dedicated international schools and the remainder are UK independent senior schools with deep cross-border admissions.
What ages do London secondary schools cover?
Secondary in London usually covers Year 7 through sixth form, ages 11 to 18. UK preparatory feeders typically run to age 13 with senior school entry at 13-plus, the traditional Common Entrance pathway.
How much do international secondary schools in London cost?
Annual sixth form fees run from about GBP 24,400 at the smaller internationals and outer UK independents to GBP 42,800 at the most premium American, IB and central UK independent schools. Boarding adds another GBP 14,000 to GBP 22,000.
What is the difference between A Level, IB Diploma and AP at sixth form in London?
A Level is the depth-first three-subject UK qualification taken by around 92 percent of UK independent sixth formers. The IB Diploma is the six-subject breadth-first international qualification offered at around 30 London schools. AP is the modular American option taken at ASL, ACS, TASIS and a small group of others.
When should I apply for a London secondary school?
Apply 12 to 24 months ahead at the academically selective UK independent senior schools that examine at 11-plus or 13-plus. International schools run rolling admissions; sixth form entry at 16-plus opens in October of Year 11.
