The 10 best primary schools in London for 2026

Primary school is a big deal. Sure, we mostly remember it for playground games and singing ‘Cauliflowers Fluffy’ in assembly, but it plays a serious role in shaping us and setting us up for life in the real world. And obviously, as parents, you want to make sure your own kid gets the best start in life somewhere decent. So, with applications now open for the next academic year, the Telegraph has revealed its ranking of England’s primary schools. 

The paper looked at data from more than 15,000 state-funded primary schools across England for the 2023-24 academic year. Then, it awarded them an overall score out of 40. Points were handed out according to nine different factors. They included class sizes; writing, reading and maths test results; comparison with local authority average; levels of truancy; whether or not the school is oversubscribed; the proportion of pupils meeting expectations and the proportion of disadvantaged pupils meeting expectations. 

Once all the numbers were added up, just one London school made it into England’s top 10. St Mary’s Bryanston Square CofE School in Westminster was the top ranked London school, placing sixth. It was awarded a perfect score of 40 out of 40 with an average reading, writing and maths score of 113 out of 120. The Telegraph found that every one of its pupils met passed the tests at the expected national standard. 

The next highest-rated school from the capital came in at number 19. Park Academy in Merton was given an overall score of 139 out of 140 and its students had an average test score of 111.7 out of 120. Just below it in 20th place was Stockwell Primary School in Lambeth, which had an average test score of 111.3. Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School in Westminster, which the Times named the best school in England last year, landed in 25th place. 

While London may have only had one school in the top 10 nationally, the Telegraph found that it was home to eight of England’s top 10 postcodes for primary school scores. 

The 10 best primary schools in London for 2026, according to the Telegraph  

1. St Mary’s Bryanston Square CofE School, Westminster
2. Park Academy, Merton
3. Stockwell Primary School, Lambeth
4. Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School, Westminster
5. St Andrew’s Catholic Primary School, Lambeth
6. Merton Park Primary School, Merton
7. Woodridge Primary School, Barnet
8. Benedict Academy, Merton
9. St Luke’s Church of England School, Camden
10. St Mary Magdalene Academy, Islington 

Find the Telegraph’s full primary schools guide here.

The Telegraph has also ranked England’s secondary schools – see how London’s institutions did here. 

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