Comparing Tiffin School and Kingston Grammar School

Kingston upon Thames is unusual in having two very strong secondary schools located close to each other: Tiffin School and Kingston Grammar School. Both schools have excellent academic reputations and send pupils to leading universities each year. However, they operate quite differently, particularly in terms of admissions, fees and the overall style of education they provide.

Official school websites:
https://www.tiffinschool.co.uk/
https://www.kgs.org.uk/

Admissions and entry

The main difference between the two schools is how pupils are admitted.

Tiffin School is a state grammar school for boys. Entry to Year 7 is based on performance in the 11+ entrance examination, which tests ability in subjects such as maths and English. Because the school is state funded there are no tuition fees, but competition for places is extremely high. Each year many families apply for a relatively small number of places.

Kingston Grammar School is an independent fee-paying school that admits both boys and girls. Pupils sit entrance assessments and interviews as part of the admissions process. Families must pay annual school fees, although scholarships and bursaries are available. Independent schools typically use these fees to fund smaller classes, specialist teaching staff and a wide range of extracurricular activities.

Academic results

Both schools achieve very strong academic results.

Tiffin School regularly appears near the top of national rankings for state schools, with very high GCSE and A-level outcomes. The selective intake means pupils generally arrive with strong academic ability, which contributes to the school’s reputation for academic excellence.

Kingston Grammar School also produces excellent exam results. A high proportion of GCSE grades are in the top bands and many A-level grades are A or A*. Pupils from both schools regularly progress to Russell Group universities, with some going on to Oxford or Cambridge each year.

School atmosphere

The feel of the two schools can be quite different.

Tiffin School has the atmosphere of a traditional academic grammar school. There is a strong emphasis on intellectual achievement and academic challenge, and pupils are generally highly motivated. Although the school offers many clubs and societies, its reputation is built mainly around its academic strength.

Kingston Grammar School tends to emphasise a broader educational experience. Alongside academic success there is a strong focus on sport, music, drama and enrichment activities. Independent school funding allows a wide range of trips, performances and extracurricular programmes.

Facilities

Facilities reflect the different funding models.

As a state school, Tiffin operates within public funding limits, although it still provides well-equipped classrooms, laboratories and learning spaces for pupils.

Kingston Grammar School benefits from independent school resources, which support extensive facilities such as modern science laboratories, sports grounds, performance spaces and specialist teaching areas.

Co-education

Another important difference is the structure of the student body.

Tiffin School teaches boys only from Years 7 to 11, although its sixth form is co-educational and girls can join for A-level study.

Kingston Grammar School is fully co-educational, meaning boys and girls study together throughout the school.

Cost

Cost is one of the clearest differences between the two schools.

Tiffin School is free to attend because it is part of the state education system.

Kingston Grammar School charges substantial annual tuition fees, which fund the school’s facilities, staffing and extracurricular opportunities.

Location

The two schools are located very close to each other in Kingston upon Thames. Pupils at both schools benefit from being near London, with easy access to universities, museums, theatres and cultural opportunities.

Overall

Both schools offer excellent educational opportunities but they suit slightly different families.

Tiffin School is widely regarded as one of the strongest academic state schools in the country, offering outstanding results without tuition fees but requiring success in a very competitive entrance exam.

Kingston Grammar School offers the advantages of an independent education, including broader facilities and a wide range of extracurricular activities, although families must be able to meet the school fees.

For many families, the choice comes down to whether they prefer the selective grammar school route or the independent school environment, as both schools provide strong preparation for university and future careers.