Ages 
Warm and nurturing yet academically pacy, UCS pulls off the trick of fostering ambitious and socially minded individuals who enjoy their intellectual journey. As such, straight As and Oxbridge are not its sole raison d’être - 'Like its pupils, UCS follows its own path', as one parent put it. A school with heart where strong relationships are the springboard for independent thought and creative exploration.
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Unlike other websites, schools can't pay to be included in The Good Schools Guide. This means our review of this school is independent, critical and fair, and written with parents' best interests at heart.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 958 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 361 ·
- Religion
- None
- Fees
- £31,371 pa
- Local authority
- London Borough of Camden
- Linked schools
Headteacher
Headmaster
Mr Mark Beard
Since 2013, Mark Beard BSc MEd, an Oxford chemist who almost read classics and retains a great love of all things classical. Previously at Brighton College as deputy head and acting head. Started teaching at King Edward's School, Birmingham, then
Entrance
At 11+, about half come from the junior branch – they don’t take an entrance exam. For everyone else entering year 7 there’s hot competition, with 550+ boys, equally from local primaries and independents, trying for 60 places. Exams in maths and
- Open days
- September- November
Exit
Hardly anyone leaves after GCSEs. ‘Extensive support’ for university entrance and careers advice, with tailored programme for medics. Most years see a good number to Oxbridge (21 in 2024). LSE, UCL, Imperial, King's College London, Edinburgh, Bristol
Latest results
In 2024, 93 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 72 per cent A*/A at A level (93 per cent A*-B).
A level - Average points score (2024)
What is this?
These figures tell you the average grade and average points that pupils achieved in their academic qualifications. A maximum of 60 points are available for a grade A* at A level.
Teaching & learning
UCS packs an enormous amount into every day, but somehow manages not to feel frenetic. There’s a culture of intellectual curiosity evident in staff and pupils alike, with an annual research review published by staff and a plethora of subject-specific
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- EPQ
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Thoughtful and well-integrated approach to meeting individual needs in an inclusive fashion. Around 18 per cent on the SEN register, with a range of (generally mild) needs including dyslexia, ADHD and autism, hypermobility, hearing impairment and
Arts & extracurricular
Performing arts take centre stage. Drama is ‘amazing', with substantial numbers doing GCSE and A level and making good use of the high-spec Lund theatre. ‘We try and push the envelope of what can be done with school drama’, said a staff member - the
Sport
Not historically a sporty school but now ‘sport is a big part of what we do’, say pupils. Everyone gets to play fixtures (even the footie H team), with considerable success especially in rugby (Middlesex U18 rugby champions) but also in football,
Ethos & heritage
An unusual history that begins in 1830, a time when civil liberty was felt by growing numbers to be at risk due to excessive control of government, church and education. Various interested liberal intellectuals created London's University College to
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
‘Our fundamental code of conduct is to be kind to everyone - if you don’t subscribe to this, you won’t fit’, head says firmly, and this was echoed by all we spoke to: 'You treat everyone as you’d want to be treated.' School said to be ‘Beyond
Mobile phone policy
A clear mobile phone policy is a really important part of modern schooling. This school has provided us with their policy.
Mobile phone policy
Provided by the school and not part of our review Pupils in the lower and middle school cannot access mobile phones during the school day from registration onwards. All communication during the day is made via the school office.
Pupils in the sixth form can access mobile phones when they are in areas of the school designated for their use, most notably the sixth form centre. They are not be permitted to use their mobile phones in front of younger pupils.
Pupils & parents
‘We really liked the boys who showed us round at open day’, several pupils said. We could see why - pupils we met were relaxed and confident, strolling into the first class of the day in various degrees of dishevelment but quickly buckling down to
Money matters
Generous financial assistance available (worth £1.2m in 2023), in keeping with school’s ethos. Sixty bursaries each year, 95 per cent of which are full fees. No academic scholarships but music scholarship worth up to 25 per cent.
- Fee information
- £31,371 pa
The last word
Warm and nurturing yet academically pacy, UCS pulls off the trick of fostering ambitious and socially minded individuals who enjoy their intellectual journey. As such, straight As and Oxbridge are not its sole raison d’être - 'Like its pupils, UCS
