City of London School
City of London School
Org 1: HMC
Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 3AL
Telephone: 020 3680 6300
Age Range: Senior to 18
Day or Boarding: Day, Day Only
Gender: Boys
Exams offered: A Level, Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), GCSE, IGCSE
Scholarships Tick: Academic, Music, Sport
Scholarships Other Types: Choral
Bursaries and discounts: New entrant bursary
City of London School understands that for pupils to thrive, they must be happy. Within this context, we are committed to preparing respectful, optimistic and inquisitive pupils for the rapidly changing demands of the twenty-first century. We understand that this requires an understanding of the society of which they are part: they must be aware. It requires a broad range of skills, academic and otherwise: they must be ready. But, most of all, it requires empathy and understanding: they must be kind.
We are proud to be a leading academic school with a high level of achievement, excellent examination results, and impressive progression to leading universities. This year, we celebrated our best ever GCSE results, and 40% of our leavers enrolling at universities ranked in the global top 10. Within the UK, we consistently send about 95% of our pupils to Russell Group (or other UK top 10) universities, with about one-fifth to Oxford and Cambridge.
We aspire to be a school that fully prepares respectful, optimistic and inquisitive boys for the rapidly changing demands of the twenty-first century. We aim always to provide an education in the broadest sense, combining academic excellence with exceptional pastoral care, framed by an outward-looking and forward-thinking approach. We also strive to make that education available to as many talented boys as possible, including through transformational bursaries for those who may not otherwise be able to afford the fees.
When visiting City of London School, you cannot help but sense a buzz: pupils and staff alike exude enthusiasm for the opportunities that an education here provides.
CLS is defined by its iconic location, a wonderfully diverse pupil body, outstanding pastoral care, academic excellence and an exciting co-curriculum. We are grounded and unpretentious, but ambitious nonetheless. The current School lies in the heart of the City next to the Millennium Bridge, with St Paul’s Cathedral to the north and the Globe Theatre and Tate Modern across the Thames to the south. Our facilities include a state of the art Library which faces the river Thames, an on-site fitness centre, swimming pool and football pitch, theatre and outstanding music facilities. We work very closely with City of London School for Girls (CLSG) and City Junior School (CJS), which are located a short walk away.
Admissions. Pupils are admitted aged 10, 11 and 16 (as on 1 September of year of entry), on the results of the School’s own entrance assessments held each year. Those admitted at 16+ into the Sixth Form are selected by test and interview in the previous November. Applicants must register for assessments using the School’s online system.
Fees per term (2025-2026). £9,462, including VAT.
Scholarships. Music Scholarships and Academic and Sports Prizes are awarded annually.
Transformational bursaries. At City of London School, we believe that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.
Our transformational bursary programme dates from the vision of John Carpenter, who – back in the fifteenth century – wanted his legacy to provide access to an excellent education on the basis of potential rather than socioeconomic background. This guiding principle remains wholly relevant to CLS in the twenty-first century: we remain committed to providing bright young people, from families with limited financial means, with the opportunity to access a transformational educational experience.
Curriculum. All pupils follow the same broad and engaging curriculum up to and including the Third Form (Year 9). In the Third Form, pupils spend eight afternoons throughout the year exploring the world around them on educational visits to institutions and places of interest in and around the City. Latin, French and Mandarin are started by all in the First Form. Choices in the Third Form are made from Latin, Latin/Greek, Classical Civilisation, Spanish, German or Mandarin, along with at least one from Music, Drama, Art or our bespoke course on Design, Computing & Robotics. Fourth and Fifth Form pupils take a core of English, Mathematics, three Sciences, at least one Modern Foreign Language (which can include Russian), at least one humanity (History, Geography, R&P, Classical Civilisation) and choose two other subjects from a wide range of subjects available for study to GCSE/IGCSE. In the Sixth Form, pupils study either four A level subjects, or three and an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification). Virtually all pupils leaving the Sixth Form proceed to their first or second choice of university, with a large number applying successfully overseas.
Sports. Our 20 acres of playing fields, at Grove Park in south-east London, offer excellent facilities for football, cricket, athletics, and tennis. Sporting facilities on the School site include a fitness and conditioning suite, an astroturf pitch, sports hall, a gymnasium and a 25-metre swimming pool.
School societies. There is a large number of School clubs and societies, catering for a very wide range of interests, and a Freshers’ Fair is held early each year to allow societies to promote themselves. Every opportunity is taken to benefit from the School’s central position by participation in the cultural and educational life of London, and of the City in particular. We have a strong musical tradition; tuition is available in a large range of instruments (all First Form (Year 7) pupils are given the opportunity to be taught a musical instrument as part of the normal curriculum), and membership of the School choirs and orchestras is encouraged. The School also has a fully equipped theatre and a Drama Studio. There is a large CCF Contingent run jointly with CLSG which pupils may join from the age of 13, with Army, Navy and RAF Sections. There is also a successful Community Service programme. Many pupils also take part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.
Alumni, known as Old Citizens, enjoy a programme of year reunions careers and networking events throughout the year and receive regular e-news and an annual alumni magazine. Members of this vibrant alumni community also deliver varied talks to pupils throughout the year and mentoring support to Sixth Formers contemplating university and career choices.
Governors & Staff:
Chairman of Governors: Mr T Levene
Head: Mr A R Bird, MA, MSc
-- Senior Deputy Head: Mr M Wardrop, M Chem
Deputy Head (Pastoral): Mrs A K Martineau, MA
Deputy Head (Co-Curricular): Mr A J V McBroom, BA
Deputy Head (Academic): Mr G Y Bezalel, MA
Director of Studies & Senior Mistress: Miss N H Murphy, BA
Director of Admissions & Operations: Mr P S Marshall, MA
Director of Philanthropy and External Engagement: Ms K Ostermann, BA
Assistant Director of Studies: Mr C R Webb, BSc
Head of Sixth Form: Mr P R Eteson BA
Head of Middle School: Mr B S Savage, BA
Head of Lower School: Mr P P Sanders, MA, MEd
Director of Safeguarding: Ms S Gutteridge
Head of Senior Sixth Form: Ms K A Saunt
Head of Junior Sixth Form: MR A A Powrie
Assistant Head of Sixth Form: Mr T L Robinson
Head of Fifth Form: Mr F J Isaac
Head of Fourth Form: Mr T H White
Head of Third Form: Mr J E McArdle
Head of Second Form: Miss F G Easton
Head of First Form: Mr B A Medlock
Head of Old Grammar: Mr S Dorrington
* Head of Department
Classics:
*Mr S A Swann
Miss Z L Connolly
Ms V Herrenschmidt
Mr J E McArdle
Mr J E Pile
Miss C L Rose
Miss A C N Strong
Drama:
*Miss S H Dobson
Miss J R Martin
Mr B S Savage
Economics:
*Mr D P Rey
Dr A Berges
Mr D J Bluck
Mr M J Wacey
Mr C R Webb
English:
*Mr R J Bryant
Mrs L V Bartlett
Ms A C Cann
Miss E J Green
Ms L E Hynes
Mr F J Isaac
Miss H J Killow
Mr J Norman
Mrs H Sebban
Ms I L Taylor
Ms T R Tooze
Futures:
*Mrs B A Chambers (Director of Futures)
Mrs M Chatterjee
Ms T R Tooze
Geography:
*Mr G Wagg
Miss T J Evans
Mr O J Ignotus
Mr P S Marshall
Miss E A Moir
History and Politics:
*Mr A J Bracken
Ms S H Badr
Mr S J Brown
Mr A J V McBroom
Miss N H Murphy
Mr A A Powrie
Ms K A Saunt
Mr P J Wright
Innovative Design and Visual Arts:
*Mr M Jones (Director of IDVA)
Miss B Easton
Miss R Hardie (*Art)
Mrs S L Ralph (*IT&C)
Mr P P Sanders
Miss S J Tomlinson (*DC&R)
Mr M Wells-Gray
Mr A Zivanic
Mathematics:
*Mr B P Broadhurst
Mr T G Betchley
Mrs E M Betchley
Ms K Casterton
Dr S J Dugdale
Miss Y Feng
Mr S S Fernandes
Miss S Golleck
Mr A Gupta
Miss C A Hudson
Mr D Littlestone
Miss E L McCallan
Miss J C L Mesure
Mr S Mozakka
Mrs C S Musgrove
Modern Languages:
*Mr R Edmundson
Mrs E Bunnage (*Mandarin)
Ms M Corbel
Miss F G Easton
Mr P R Eteson
Miss B L Manion (*French)
Mr T A Pandolfino
Mr C Pang
Mr B Pollard (*German)
Mr B S Savage
Mr A M Thomson
Miss V Vincent
Ms A Waugh
Mr T H White
Music:
*Mr R Quesnel
Miss H S Cantrell
Mr A J Crockatt
Mr A Gibbs
Mr M S McDonough
Physical Education:
*Mr N F Cornwell
Mr S Dorrington
Mr N Gordon
Mr B A Medlock
Mr S E Robinson
Mr B J Silcock
Mr H G Sutcliffe
Religion & Philosophy
*Mr J Findlay
G Y Bezalel
Miss S E Cribb
Mrs A Giannorou
Mrs A K Martineau
Science:
*Dr C S Bradford (Director of Science)
Ms O R Babb
Mr T F Beck
Mr N A Boney
Mr G H Browne
Mr S L Clifford
Mr D B Cronie
Mr G W Dawson
Mr R J Dharamshi
Mr S A Hall
Dr K L Pattison (*Biology)
Mr R Mackrell
Mrs P C McCarthy
Miss M E Reilly (*Chemistry)
Mr T L Robinson
Mr J L Schneider
Mr D J Stokes
Mr M Wardrop
Mr A A Wood (*Physics)
There are Visiting Music Teachers for Bassoon, Cello, Double Bass, French Horn, Flute, Guitar, Jazz, Oboe, Organ, Percussion, Piano, Saxophone, Singing, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Viola, Violin.
Learning Support:
*Ms A C DiStefano
Ms M Bousiopoulou
Mrs W Evans
Mrs K J Ireland
Mr J Kenish-Turnbull
Library:
*D A Rose
Mr M Evans
Ms J Grantham
Mrs R Howley
Mr T J Osborne (Bookshop Manager)
Admissions Registrar: Mrs V J Haley
Director of Partnerships: Ms L E Hynes
Chief Operating Officer: Mr J Hall
Director of Digital Strategy: Mr A Zivanic
Director of People: Ms K Kerr