Wandsworth's best-known schools include Burntwood, Graveney, Emanuel, Putney High, Southfields Academy and St Cecilia's. The borough mixes large high-performing comprehensives with selective independents, so the realistic list depends on your address and budget. State places are allocated by distance and each school's oversubscription criteria - check last year's cut-off distance before setting your heart on one.

Roughly one family in six missed their first-choice secondary school for September 2026: 83.6% were offered it. — DfE, School applications and offers, 2026

Choosing the right school for your child is a pivotal decision that influences their academic and personal growth. Wandsworth, a vibrant borough in South-West London, offers a plethora of outstanding educational institutions. This blog post aims to guide parents through the top 10 schools in Wandsworth, highlighting each school's unique offerings and strengths.

What Are Wandsworth Schools?

What does Burntwood School offer?

- Type: All-girls

- Ofsted Rating: Outstanding

- Focus: Academic excellence, personal development

- Curriculum: Broad and balanced

What does Emanuel School offer?

- Type: Co-educational

- Reputation: Strong academic performance

- Programs: Diverse academic and extracurricular options

- Curriculum: Comprehensive, preparing for further education and employment

What does Graveney School offer?

- Type: Co-educational

- Ofsted Rating: Outstanding

- Reputation: Strong academic

- Curriculum: Extensive, with a variety of extracurricular activities

What does Putney High School offer?

- Type: All-girls

- Reputation: Strong academic

- Focus: Developing independent and resilient learners

- Programs: Various academic and extracurricular options

What does Southfields Academy offer?

- Type: Co-educational

- Ofsted Rating: Outstanding

- Focus: Academic excellence, personal and community development

- Curriculum: Broad and balanced

What does St. Cecilia's Church of England School offer?

- Type: All-girls

- Reputation: Strong academic

- Focus: Holistic development

- Curriculum: Includes extracurricular and community service opportunities

What does The Roche School offer?

- Type: Co-educational

- Education Style: Montessori-based (ages 2-11)

- Focus: Child-centered learning and personal development

- Activities: Wide range of extracurricular options

What does Wandsworth Preparatory School offer?

- Type: Co-educational

- Age Range: 4-11

- Focus: Academic excellence and personal development

- Curriculum: Comprehensive, with extracurricular activities

What does Wix Primary School offer?

- Type: Co-educational

- Ofsted Rating: Outstanding

- Focus: Holistic child development, including social and emotional well-being

- Curriculum: Broad and balanced

What does Wimbledon High School offer?

- Type: All-girls

- Reputation: Strong academic

- Focus: Developing confident and independent learners

- Programs: Diverse academic and extracurricular options

How Do You Choose the Right School?

When selecting the perfect school for your child, consider factors such as the school's academic reputation, the variety of extracurricular activities, and the emphasis on personal development. Each child has unique needs and finding a school that matches these needs is crucial for fostering an environment where they can thrive academically and personally.

What should you do next?

Selecting an ideal school in Wandsworth requires careful consideration of various factors that will affect your child's academic journey and personal growth. By reviewing the top 10 schools listed and assessing your child's individual needs, you are well-equipped to make a well-informed decision that will benefit their future.

What else is worth reading?

What can this guide not tell you about a particular school?

There is no national 11+ exam. Each school or local authority sets its own test, dates and admissions criteria, and republishes them every year, so the detail here can go out of date within a cycle. Confirm against the school’s own admissions policy and gov.uk school admissions before you rely on any date.

One caveat parents are rarely told:

“Other types of school, like academies and private schools, do not have to follow the national curriculum.” — gov.uk, The national curriculum

What research supports these methods?

The study techniques on this page are not our opinion. Each comes from published cognitive-science research, linked here so you can read the original: