City of London School, often shortened to CLS, is one of the capital's historic independent day schools and a frequent point of comparison for international families exploring the international schools in London. Founded by Act of Parliament in 1834 and now occupying a riverside building beside the Millennium Bridge, it teaches boys aged 10 to 18 the British curriculum through GCSE and A Level. While not an international school in the expatriate sense, it is a destination for globally mobile families who want a place in the British independent system.
City of London School at a glance
| Curriculum and exam boards | British curriculum: GCSE and A Level |
|---|---|
| Stages | Age 10 to 18 (boys) |
| Founded | 1834 (by Act of Parliament) |
| Accreditation | Independent school; member of HMC; inspected by ISI |
| Type | Selective independent day school for boys |
| Fee band | Premium independent day school |
| Campus area | Queen Victoria Street, on the Thames in the City of London |
Curriculum and academics
City of London School teaches the British curriculum, with pupils working towards GCSEs in the middle years and A Levels in the sixth form. It is academically selective and consistently places a high proportion of leavers at the most competitive UK universities, including Oxford and Cambridge and the leading London institutions, as well as a growing number heading to universities in the United States and elsewhere. The breadth of subjects, strong sciences and humanities, and a notable music and debating tradition are long standing features.
For internationally mobile families, the appeal is a rigorous, examination based British education in central London with a clear route into the UK higher education system. A Levels are widely recognised by universities worldwide, so the qualification travels well even if a family later moves on. The school offers extensive extracurricular activities, and its City setting gives unusual access to cultural and professional institutions on the doorstep.
Budget the full cost of a place at City of London School
Use our fee calculator to add tuition, registration, deposit, capital levy and bus into one annual figure before you commit.
City of London School fees
City of London School fees sit in the premium band of the London school fees market for independent day schools. The January 2025 introduction of 20 per cent VAT on private school fees lifted headline tuition at top London day schools into the thirties of thousands of pounds a year, and CLS is in that bracket. The school publishes its current termly and annual fees, which is the figure to use, as it reviews them each year.
Beyond tuition, families should budget for a registration fee when applying, a deposit to accept a place, and the usual extras for lunches, trips, examination entry and any optional activities. Means tested bursaries are available to support access, reflecting the school's charitable foundation. To bring tuition and the additional costs into one annual figure before you commit, use our fee calculator, and confirm the current published fees with the school's admissions office.
Admissions
Entry to City of London School is academically selective and runs to fixed annual points rather than rolling admissions. The principal entry points are at age 10 and 11 into the lower years and at 13, with a further intake into the sixth form at 16 conditional on GCSE results. Candidates sit entrance assessments, and sixth form entry depends on meeting GCSE grade requirements, typically alongside an interview.
Registration deadlines fall well ahead of the assessment dates, so international families should check the timetable early, as places are competitive. The admissions office can advise relocating families on the relevant entry point for a child's age and on the documentation needed. Sixth form applicants confirm subject choices as part of the offer process.
Location and who goes there
The school stands on Queen Victoria Street on the north bank of the Thames, beside the Millennium Bridge and within sight of St Paul's Cathedral and Tate Modern across the river. Its position in the heart of the City of London means excellent transport, with Blackfriars, Mansion House and St Paul's stations close by, and it draws pupils from across London and the commuter towns served by the City's rail termini.
Because it is a selective British day school rather than an expatriate international school, its pupils are predominantly British, though it attracts a growing number of international and dual nationality families settling in London who want a place in the UK independent system. For how the City and central London compare with the neighbourhoods favoured by expatriate communities, the London city hub sets out the wider map.
Reviews
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Frequently asked questions
How much are City of London School fees?
City of London School sits in the premium band for London independent day schools, with headline tuition in the thirties of thousands of pounds a year after the January 2025 VAT change. The school publishes current termly and annual fees, and means tested bursaries are available. Budget also for registration, a deposit and the usual extras.
What does City of London School teach?
It teaches the British curriculum, with GCSEs in the middle years and A Levels in the sixth form. It is academically selective and sends many leavers to the most competitive UK universities.
Is City of London School a good school?
It is a long established, selective independent school with a strong university placement record. We do not assign a star rating without verified parent reviews, so we describe its curriculum and entry rather than score it.
When do City of London School applications open?
Entry is to fixed annual points, mainly at ages 10, 11 and 13 with a sixth form intake at 16. Registration deadlines fall well before the entrance assessments, so families should check the timetable early.
Is City of London School a boys’ school?
Yes. City of London School is a selective independent day school for boys aged 10 to 18. There are separate schools in London for girls and for younger children.
