London neighbourhoods with excellent schools

Barnes

Barnes is one of the best London boroughs for families who prioritise education highly when looking for somewhere to live. This leafy SW13 postcode makes a great choice for parents looking so settle down long-term, due to the area’s family-friendly village feel and charming surroundings. Barnes’ offering of handsome houses, great restaurants and pubs, a mix of independent and chain shops and community atmosphere, and attractions such as the Barnes Fair contribute towards the quaint feel of this urban village.

Why families love Barnes

Donovan Kelly, Director of Winkworth Barnes, contends that Barnes makes a great home for families. On what makes Barnes such a lovely place for families to live, he shared, “Living and working in Barnes, over the past 20 years has been wonderful, as it offers a blend of suburban charm and metropolitan convenience that makes it highly desirable. The area is known for its scenic beauty, with the Barnes Pond and the expansive Richmond Park nearby, ideal for outdoor activities. The River Thames also adds a picturesque quality with its lovely riverfront paths.”

He continued, “Despite being part of bustling London, Barnes retains a village-like feel with its close-knit community, local shops, and traditional pubs. It hosts regular farmers' markets and community events, fostering a strong local spirit. The area is also culturally rich, highlighted by the London Wetland Centre and various arts and music festivals that occur throughout the year. For families, Barnes is particularly appealing due to its excellent educational facilities. Notable schools include St Paul’s School, one of the leading independent schools in the country, The Harrodian School, and Barnes Primary School, Lowther School, St Osmund’s Catholic Primary which are known for their high standards of education.”

Local primary schools

Barnes is known for its great primary schools such as Barnes Primary, Lowther School and St Osmunds which all offer a well-rounded educational experience for young minds.

Local secondary schools

Likewise, Barnes’ proximity to good secondary schools is a big part of what makes the area so attractive, including St. Pauls which is one of London’s most highly rated boys’ schools. St Paul’s is a selective independent school designed for boys aged 13-18 who thrive in a rigorous educational environment - 98% of St Paul’s pupils achieve an A or A* at GCSE level.

Additionally, places at The Harrodian secondary school are highly coveted. This independent day school accepts both boys and girls from all the way from pre-prep to A levels. The academic standards of the school are high, with pupils achieving above the independent school average for GCSE and A levels.

Ibstock Place School in Roehampton is another highly sought after coeducational, independent day school for children aged 4-18 with an emphasis on creativity as well as independent thinking. Barnes’ ideal location means that parents have close access to other schools in the west London area, such as Hammersmith and Fulham, where many of London’s most desirable schools are located, including the London Oratory School for Roman Catholic children, which former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s children famously attended. Likewise, the Godolphin and Latymer school in Hammersmith is one of the most highly sought after private girls’ schools in London, with pupils achieving consistently excellent results.

Cheam

Cheam is a beautiful area of greater London which provides the idyllic village ambience without compromising on closeness to central London. Cheam is a prized area for many parents who work in the City as it’s just on the outskirts of London but full of greenery with a wonderful community feel. Cheam has a range of amazing properties, good local amenities and a rich history which is apparent by its many picturesque period buildings. But perhaps the biggest reason Cheam has come to be the suburban dream is its high calibre of schools nearby.

Why Cheam is popular with parents

Shaun Amner, Director of Winkworth Cheam confirms that Cheam is a charming area which parents gravitate towards for its schools. Commenting, Shaun said “Cheam has always been a popular destination for families, simply because it ticks so many boxes. Whilst having a very definite village feel, with many independent shops, restaurants and cafes, it also provides excellent transport links, including Cheam’s mainline station which takes you into central London in a little over 30 minutes."

Shaun continued, "However, one of the key attractions for Cheam is the range and quality of schools available in the area, and in particular the number of grammar schools. Sutton Grammar, which is predominantly a boys school although girls are welcomed into the Sixth Form, is highly sought after as is Nonsuch High School for Girls. Heading a little out of Cheam and into Wallington, you will find three more excellent grammar schools: Wilson’s School (boys), Wallington County Grammar School (boys) and Wallington High School for Girls. In addition to grammar schools, Cheam also offers a great selection of both primary and secondary state schools, including Cheam High which is ranked ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted."

"Whether it’s the feel of village life, the wide-open spaces of Cheam Park or Nonsuch Park, the easy commute into London or the wide and varied range of excellent local schools, there’s many reasons to consider a move to this wonderful neighbourhood!”

Local primary schools

In terms of primary schools, there are many excellent options, with Cheam Park Primary School, Manor Park Primary Academy and Barrow Hedges Primary being just a few of the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ primary schools in the local area.

Local secondary schools

For parents who are interested in areas with excellent state schools, Sutton is the best borough in London for grammar schools. 

Wilson’s School in Sutton is a boys’ grammar which is renowned for academic achievement, with many of its students achieving AAB or higher at A Level and is rated Ofsted ‘Outstanding’. Wallington County Grammar School is another selective school for boys which is rated Ofsted ‘Outstanding’. Wallington County’s co-curriculum gives students the chance to pursue what interests them, such as school orchestra, various societies, and charity events.

Additionally, Sutton Grammar School for boys has a longstanding reputation as a provider of successful academic learning and is rated Ofsted ‘Good’. In terms of girls’ schools, Nonsuch High School for Girls is highly regarded girls’ grammar. The school creates a strong sense of community which contributes to the holistic enrichment of its pupils. The school also offers a wide range of extracurricular activity to support the girls’ education. Nonsuch High School for Girls is rated Ofsted ‘Good’.

Wallington High School for Girls is also rated good with an average A Level Grade of B. The school has a rich history, and first opened the door to pupils in 1888. The school teaches structure to its girls through use of the House system and School Council.