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. It is why we cherish individuality, shun stereotypes, and encourage every pupil to be the very best version of themselves. With a vibrant, diverse and multicultural city on our doorstep, we draw strength from difference, recognising that diverse perspectives can help answer big questions.
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.
We occupy a unique river side location in the heart of the capital. We trace our origins to a bequest left by John Carpenter (Town Clerk of the City of London) in 1442 for the education of ‘four poor boys’. The City of London Corporation was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1834 to use this and other endowments to establish and maintain a School for boys. 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. A new Library was added in 2016 and a new on-site fitness centre was inaugurated in 2022. Our sibling schools, City of London School for Girls (CLSG) and City Junior School (CJS) are located a short walk away.
Admissions. Pupils are admitted aged 10, 11 and 13 (as on 1 September of year of entry), on the results of the School’s own entrance assessments held each year. Note that pupils applying for entry at age 13 are assessed when they are in Year 6. 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 (2024-2025). £7,885, excluding VAT.
Scholarships. Music Scholarships and Academic and Sports Prizes are awarded annually.
Bursaries. We believe that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. We therefore know how important it is for us to be able to offer transformational bursaries to academically bright children who otherwise could not access education at an independent school. Transformational bursaries are targeted at families with limited means, where we believe that we can make a genuine difference to the lives of their children. Applicants may come from areas or from family backgrounds where the opportunities at CLS could be life-changing. We welcome applicants from under-represented commmunities, or applicants in receipt of free school meals or pupil premium. The overall aim of the bursary programme is to provide support to those with limited access to transformational opportunities. A bursary may cover all or part of a pupil’s tuition fees throughout their time at CLS, dependent on the family’s financial circumstances.
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.
Games. 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 & Operations): 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 & Communications: Mr P S Marshall, MA
Director of Development & Alumni Engagement: Ms K Ostermann, BA
Head of Sixth Form: Mr C R Webb, BSc
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 T R Tooze
Head of Junior Sixth Form: Ms K A Saunt
Assistant Head of Sixth Form: Mr T L Robinson
Head of Fifth Form: Mr T H White
Head of Fourth Form: Mr F J Isaac
Head of Third Form: Mr J E McArdle
Head of Second Form: Mr B A Medlock
Head of First Form: Miss F G Eason
* 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
Drama:
*Miss S H Dobson
Miss J R Martin
Mr B S Savage
Economics:
*Mr D P Rey
Mr J Carr-Hill
Mr J Chamberlain
Mr M 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
Mr J Norman
Mrs H Sebban
Ms I L Taylor
Ms T R Tooze
Futures:
*Mrs B A Chambers (Director of Future Guidance)
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)
*Mr S Beresford-Zahra (Head of Art)
*Mrs S L Ralph (Head of IT&C)
Miss B Easton
Mr P P Sanders
Miss S J Tomlinson
Ms G Trueman
Mr M Wells-Gray
Mathematics:
*Mr B P Broadhurst
Mr T G Betchley
Mrs E M Betchley
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
Mr P R Eteson (*French)
Mr B Pollard (*German)
Mrs E Bunnage (*Mandarin)
Ms M Corbel
Miss F G Easton
Miss T Fu
Miss B L Manion
Mr T A Pandolfino
Mr C Pang
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
Miss J E Jones
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)
Dr K L Pattison (*Biology)
Miss M E Reilly (*Chemistry)
Mr A A Wood (*Physics)
Ms O R Babb (Junior Science)
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
Dr M N Everard-Pennell
Mr S A Hall
Mr N J Lowe
Ms S A Mack
Mr R Mackrell
Mr T L Robinson
Mr M Wardrop
Mr A Zivanic
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 A J Fountaine
Mrs K J Ireland
Mrs W Laups
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
Head of Finance: Mr N Basye
Director of People: Ms K Kerr