Ages 
Bright, clever and funny, and that’s just the staff. Hard not to warm to a school where all the students do so well and with such grace. Boys here are hugely generous about other people’s successes and learn to fly high without feeling they need to step over anyone else on the way – a valuable life lesson, if ever we saw one. Meanwhile, a wicked sense of humour ensures it remains a Pollyanna-free zone. A great place for boys who are effortlessly clever.
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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
- 1,330 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 363 ·
- Religion
- C of E
- Local authority
- London Borough of Sutton
Headteacher
Head
Mr Nathan Cole
Since 2014, Nathan Cole BA PGCE, previously deputy head. Read history at Nottingham and was a postgrad at Cambridge. Began his teaching career at Saffron Walden County High and joined Wilson's in 2006, rising through the ranks to become deputy head
Entrance
Ignore the horror headlines of 10 applicants per place - the reality is more like four to one, with boys coming from around 75 feeder schools and no set catchment area (‘although few travel more than 10/15 minutes to get here’). By law, there’s no
- Admissions policy
- Academically selective state school
- Open days
- June
Entry and exit data - year 7 entry (average 2020-2022)
Exit
Under five per cent leave post-GCSE – for all the usual reasons such as relocation, wanting to join a co-ed or study a course this school doesn’t offer (plus the odd one that doesn’t meet the sixth form entrance criteria). As for the rest, it’s top
% students progressing to higher education or training (2021 leavers)
What is this?
The proportion of 16-18 students that progressed to degrees, higher apprenticeships or other study at level 4 or above for at least 6 consecutive months in the 2 years after taking advanced level qualifications (level 3) at this school or college.
Latest results
In 2025, 97 per cent 9-7 at GCSE; 81 per cent A*/A at A level (95 per cent A*-B).
GCSE - % of pupils achieving grade 5 or above (A* to C) in English and maths GCSE (2024)
What is this?
This tells you the percentage of pupils who achieved grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs.
A levels or equivalent - 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
One of a handful of grammars in the area, all high achieving, this one stands out for getting even better results than the others, as well as its supportive, ‘we’re-all-in-this-together’ ethos, and as such makes for a friendly environment in which
- Qualifications taken in 2024
- A level
- GCSE
Learning support & SEN
Lots of extra help on offer, with regular review discussions and valued catch-up clubs in just about every subject, introduced originally for GCSE pupils but now, by popular demand, run from year 7 - often by a combined effort of sixth form and
Arts & extracurricular
If you don’t like sports, it's fine, say pupils – 'people would just accept you might prefer, say, music or drama.’ And with chess considered a sport here (hundreds play and succeed on the national stage), it’s probably not something you’re likely to
Sport
Sport excels here, although it doesn’t tend to be a deciding factor for parents. ‘We’d choose this school every time even if they didn’t own a tennis ball between them,’ said one. Great outside facilities, certainly by south London standards
Ethos & heritage
Many grammars give the impression of being a throwback to the 1950s. This one doesn’t – ‘deliberately,’ says school. Founded in the 17th century in Camberwell and, with the exception of a 38-year closure in the 19th century after a financial scandal,
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
Motto is ‘Non sibi sed omnibus’ (not for oneself but for all) and boys, parents and staff wax lyrical about how it underpins every aspect of school life. ‘Boys are so positive about each other’s achievements – and so encouraging of each other even if
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 Electrical equipment including mobile phones may not be used in any part of the school grounds, except with the permission and supervision of a member of staff. Year 7 and 8 pupils must not bring into school mobile phones or watches with internet access or a camera.
Pupils & parents
Pupils are an utter delight. Courteous, chatty and good-humoured (and – joy of joys – not entitled; ‘I can’t bear entitlement,’ says head), they have an almost evangelical desire to draw you into their world and tell you about every aspect of the
The last word
Bright, clever and funny, and that’s just the staff. Hard not to warm to a school where all the students do so well and with such grace. Boys here are hugely generous about other people’s successes and learn to fly high without feeling they need to
Inspection reports
Ofsted reports
Full inspection: Outstanding
You can read full reports on the Ofsted website
| Personal development | Outstanding |
|---|---|
| Quality of education | Outstanding |
| Behaviour and attitudes | Outstanding |
| Leadership and management | Outstanding |
| Sixth form provision | Outstanding |
