City of London School for Boys and City of London School for Girls are two highly respected independent schools in central London. Both schools are supported by the City of London Corporation and share a long history of academic excellence. Although they are closely connected institutions, they operate as separate schools with their own leadership, traditions and educational approaches.

Official school websites
https://www.cityoflondonschool.org.uk/
https://www.clsg.org.uk/

History and foundations

Both schools were established through the support of the City of London Corporation, which has a long tradition of funding educational institutions.

City of London School for Boys was founded in 1834 and was originally located near the Guildhall in the City of London. The school later moved to its current location on the banks of the River Thames next to the Millennium Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral.

City of London School for Girls was founded later, in 1894, to provide high-quality education for girls in the City of London. It is located within the Barbican complex, close to the Barbican Centre and the Museum of London.

Although they are separate schools, they share the same overarching foundation and often collaborate in academic, musical and social activities.

Admissions and entry

Both schools are academically selective and attract applicants from across London and the surrounding counties.

City of London School for Boys admits pupils mainly at age 10+ (Year 6 entry), with additional entry points at 13+ and sixth form. Admission involves competitive entrance examinations, interviews and school references.

City of London School for Girls admits pupils primarily at age 11+, with further opportunities to join at sixth form. Applicants sit entrance tests and attend interviews as part of the admissions process.

Both schools are highly competitive, with many applicants competing for each available place.

Academic performance

Both schools consistently achieve outstanding academic results.

City of London School for Boys regularly produces excellent GCSE and A-level results, with a very high proportion of grades at the top levels. Many pupils progress to leading universities in the UK and internationally, including Oxford and Cambridge.

City of London School for Girls also achieves exceptional results. The school frequently appears among the top-performing independent girls’ schools in the UK, with very high GCSE and A-level outcomes.

Both schools place strong emphasis on intellectual curiosity, independent thinking and academic ambition.

Teaching and curriculum

The academic programmes at both schools are broad and challenging.

City of London School for Boys offers a wide curriculum including traditional academic subjects alongside opportunities in languages, arts and sciences. The school encourages analytical thinking and intellectual independence.

City of London School for Girls also offers a broad curriculum and is known for encouraging girls to pursue subjects such as mathematics, sciences and humanities with equal confidence.

Both schools provide extensive opportunities for academic extension through societies, lectures and competitions.

Extracurricular activities

Extracurricular life plays an important role in both schools.

City of London School for Boys has a strong tradition in music, drama and debating. The school regularly participates in national competitions and hosts a wide range of clubs and societies.

City of London School for Girls also offers a rich programme of activities including music ensembles, drama productions, academic societies and sports teams.

Students from the two schools often collaborate in joint musical performances, social events and sixth-form activities.

Facilities and location

The two schools have different physical settings within the City of London.

City of London School for Boys occupies a modern building beside the River Thames near St Paul’s Cathedral. Its facilities include science laboratories, music rooms, sports areas and performance spaces.

City of London School for Girls is located in the Barbican complex. Its facilities include modern classrooms, laboratories, arts spaces and sports facilities used in partnership with external venues.

Both schools benefit from being located in central London, providing access to cultural institutions such as theatres, museums and universities.

School environment

The atmosphere of the two schools is similar in many ways because of their shared heritage and academic expectations.

City of London School for Boys has a reputation for intellectual energy, strong academic ambition and a lively culture of debate and discussion.

City of London School for Girls is known for its supportive yet academically ambitious environment, encouraging confidence and leadership among its students.

Both schools emphasise independence, critical thinking and personal development.

Sixth form

In the sixth form the two schools often work more closely together.

Students from both schools may participate in shared academic activities, social events and collaborative opportunities. This allows pupils to benefit from a wider community while maintaining the identity of their own school.

Sixth-form students at both schools typically study three or four A-level subjects and receive strong preparation for university applications.

University destinations

Both schools send a large proportion of their pupils to leading universities.

Many students from both schools go on to study at Russell Group universities, and each year a number secure places at Oxford and Cambridge. Others pursue degrees internationally or in specialised fields such as medicine, engineering or economics.

Overall comparison

City of London School for Boys and City of London School for Girls are closely connected institutions with similar academic standards and traditions.

City of London School for Boys offers a highly academic boys’ education with a strong emphasis on intellectual curiosity, debate and academic challenge.

City of London School for Girls provides an equally rigorous academic environment focused on developing confident and independent young women.

Both schools share exceptional academic results, strong university destinations and a rich extracurricular culture. For most families the choice between them simply depends on whether the pupil is applying to the boys’ or girls’ school, as both offer a similarly high standard of education within the City of London foundation.