Best secondary schools in Hammersmith & Fulham: A complete 2026 guide

Hammersmith & Fulham is one of the smaller inner London boroughs, but it punches well above its weight on secondary education. Some of the country's most academically successful independent schools sit in or close to the borough, and the state sector includes a clutch of well-regarded single-sex and faith schools.

There are around 10 state secondary schools across the borough, plus several leading independents either inside the boundary or just over the river. There are no state grammar schools in Hammersmith & Fulham. This guide groups some of the stronger options into private, grammar, and state sections so you can shape a realistic shortlist without trawling through the council's full directory.

We have based this list on schools with strong Ofsted reputations, consistent results, and long-standing demand from local families. We have grouped them by sector so you can see the independent, grammar, and state options at a glance.

We have not invented Ofsted ratings or specific exam results. Where we describe a school's strengths we have used qualitative language drawn from widely reported information. Always check the most recent Ofsted report, the school's own results, and the Department for Education's compare-school-performance service before making a final decision.

Hammersmith & Fulham has two well-regarded co-educational and girls' independents within the borough, plus a closely associated boys' school just across the river in Barnes. These are among the more academically competitive day schools in the country, with entry by 11+ or 13+ and demand that draws applicants from across west and central London.

Latymer Upper is a co-educational independent day school on the Hammersmith side of the river. It is one of the more academically successful co-ed schools in London and has a long history of strong university progression.

The school is known for excellent GCSE and A Level results, a strong record of Oxbridge and Russell Group entry, and a broad co-curricular programme including music, drama, sport, and debating. Entry is competitive at 11+ and 13+, with assessments in English, maths, and reasoning, plus an interview.

Godolphin and Latymer is an independent girls' day school in Hammersmith. It tends to sit among the stronger girls' schools in the country for academic results and university destinations.

The school is known for high-achieving GCSE and A Level outcomes, a confident academic culture, and a broad extra-curricular programme. Entry is via the 11+ at the start of Year 7, with assessments in English, maths, and reasoning followed by interview. Sixth-form entry is by application and predicted grades.

St Paul's School is an independent boys' day school in Barnes, just across the river from Fulham. Although it sits technically in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, it is heavily associated with Hammersmith & Fulham families given its proximity and intake.

The school is known for strong academic results, notable Oxbridge and US university progression, and a culture that takes intellectual depth seriously. Entry is at 11+, 13+, and into the sixth form. Assessments include challenging maths and English papers plus interview.

Hammersmith & Fulham has no state grammar schools. Families looking for academically selective state education usually look further out to Sutton or Kingston, both of which have grammars with their own selective tests. The pan-London admissions system means you can apply across boroughs, but you need to register for the relevant selective tests separately and well before the October application deadline.

The borough's state sector includes strong single-sex options, a popular free school, and several faith schools. Most state secondaries in Hammersmith & Fulham admit primarily on distance, with faith schools using religious criteria alongside catchment. The borough is small enough that journey times to most schools are short, but oversubscription means the effective catchment for the most popular schools is tight.

Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic state girls' school in Hammersmith. It is one of the more popular RC state schools in west London and tends to attract demand from across the diocese.

The school is known for a strong values-led ethos, steady GCSE results, and an active sixth form. Admission gives priority to baptised Catholic girls, with supplementary information forms required alongside the main Hammersmith & Fulham application.

Lady Margaret is a Church of England state girls' school in Parsons Green. It has a long-standing strong reputation in the borough and is one of the more oversubscribed state girls' schools in west London.

The school is known for strong academic results, a clear CofE ethos, and an active sixth form. Admission uses CofE faith criteria alongside distance, with a supplementary form required for faith-based places.

West London Free School is a co-educational state secondary in Hammersmith. It is a free school with a deliberately traditional academic ethos and a strong focus on classical curriculum content.

The school is known for an academic culture, a focus on languages and the arts, and steady results since opening. Admission is non-selective and primarily based on distance, with the catchment relatively tight given the school's popularity.

Fulham Cross Academy is a co-educational state secondary in Fulham. It was previously Fulham College Boys' School and became fully co-educational in 2020 when it adopted its current name.

The school is known for a structured academic environment, a focus on pastoral support, and investment in improving outcomes for a diverse local intake. Admission is non-selective and primarily based on distance.

Phoenix Academy is a co-educational state secondary in Shepherd's Bush. It is part of the Future Academies trust and serves a diverse local community.

The school is known for a clear focus on academic improvement, a structured behaviour ethos, and an active enrichment programme. Admission is non-selective and primarily based on distance.

Hammersmith & Fulham parents often face a choice between high-performing independents at significant cost and a state sector where the most desirable schools have very tight catchments. Be realistic about which schools are actually accessible to your address rather than only looking at headline results.

Think about practical issues alongside academic ones. How does the school handle pastoral care and SEND? What is the sixth form like, particularly for families considering a single-sex school for Year 7 to 11? Visiting on a normal weekday rather than only on open evenings gives a much more honest picture of behaviour, atmosphere, and how students move around the school.

Hammersmith & Fulham is part of the pan-London admissions system. You apply through the council's online portal, listing up to six schools in order of preference. The deadline is 31 October in Year 6, with national offer day on 1 March.

For faith schools you also need to complete a supplementary information form and submit it directly to the school, usually with proof of baptism, a certificate of practice, or a signed clergy reference. For independents, each school runs its own admissions process with separate registration deadlines and assessments, usually in the autumn of Year 6 for 11+ entry.

If your child is not offered a place at any of your six preferences, the council will offer the nearest school with availability and you can join waiting lists. You also have the right to appeal, although appeals at oversubscribed schools rarely succeed without unusual personal circumstances.