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The standard of education and schools in London can vary greatly. As a general rule of thumb, the better schools tend to be in the more affluent areas of the city.
State schools (public) and independent schools (private) are the two main types of institutions in London. There are also international schools offering globally recognised curricula. If you are staying in London for the short term, you might find international schools to be the ideal choice. Those planning to stay in the city for the long haul often prefer local public schools, as these are usually of a good standard and can be attended free of charge.
State schools in London
State schools are run by the government, free to attend, follow the national curriculum, and give priority to pupils who stay in close proximity to the school. These points are worth considering when choosing a neighbourhood in London to settle in.
The best place to start when looking for a local school is online. You can use a school finder online and input a postcode to find all the schools near your prospective home. You can also look for a school in each London borough by visiting your local council website.
Useful links
Independent schools in London
Independent schools are privately run, charge fees, and typically offer a high standard of education, along with first-rate facilities that enable students to pursue a variety of extracurricular activities.
Most private schools in London follow the National Curriculum for England, but some have introduced the International Baccalaureate and offer the full continuum from Primary Years to the Diploma Programme. Some private schools teach through a religious lens, such as Christianity, or use an alternative education philosophy, such as Montessori.
Read more about the Best Private Schools in London.
International schools in London
A third option that is particularly popular with expats is international schools. These institutions offer your child the opportunity to continue with their home-country curriculum, while a familiar language of instruction can also be comforting for expat children.
Take note, though, that fees for these schools can run very high – particularly so for the most popular and well-regarded international schools. You'll also need to factor in additional costs for uniforms, transport, school lunches, and extracurricular activities.
Read more about the Best International Schools in London.
Special educational needs in London
The British government has a comprehensive Special Educational Needs (SEN) programme. All mainstream schools in the UK have a Special Educational Needs Consultant (SENCO). If you think your child may need assistance, you can get in touch with the SENCO, who will assess your child and arrange extra support according to their specific needs. This may include implementing a special learning programme, making provisions within the school for your child’s disability, or arranging extra help from a teacher or assistant.
If your child requires more support than the school is able to provide, local authorities should be contacted regarding the development of a personalised Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan.
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Tutors in London
Education is highly valued in the UK, with around a quarter of secondary school pupils receiving extra tuition. The country’s private tutoring industry is said to be worth billions of pounds. There is a wide range of tutors to choose from, some of whom specialise in particular subjects or age groups. Some top tutoring agencies in London include Enjoy Education, MyTutor, and Explore Learning.
Tutors can be especially useful to new arrivals, giving your child extra support in areas such as catching up with the local curriculum, developing English-language skills, or just a bit of confidence.