Best secondary schools in Richmond upon Thames: A complete 2026 guide

Richmond upon Thames has a distinctive secondary school landscape in London. The borough has no state grammar schools of its own, but it sits alongside a strong cluster of independent schools and a small group of well-regarded non-selective comprehensives. The Thames-side geography also makes cross-borough applications more common here than in many parts of London.

This guide is for parents weighing up secondary options in Richmond, whether you are considering the independent route, looking at the borough's comprehensives, or thinking about state grammars just over the boundary in Kingston. It covers the schools that often come up in local conversations, plus how Richmond's admissions process works.

We have based this list on schools with strong reputations, positive Ofsted or ISI track records, and consistent demand from Richmond families. We have included independent schools and non-selective comprehensives so that the list works whatever route you are considering.

We have not invented Ofsted ratings or specific exam results. Where we describe a school's strengths we have used qualitative language based on widely reported information. You should always check the most recent inspection report and the Department for Education's compare-school-performance service before making a decision.

Hampton School is an independent boys' school in Hampton, among the more academically successful schools in the country. It has long had a strong national reputation and regularly sends students to leading universities including Oxbridge.

The school is known for high academic standards, a strong sixth form, and a broad extra-curricular programme covering sport, music, and the arts. Admission is competitive, with entry tests for Year 7 and assessments for sixth form.

Lady Eleanor Holles, also known as LEH, is an independent girls' school in Hampton. It is the sister school to Hampton in many ways, with shared transport routes and a similarly strong academic reputation.

The school is known for strong GCSE and A Level results, a strong sporting tradition, and a confident, ambitious sixth form. Admission is by competitive entry assessment at the main entry points.

St Paul's School in Barnes sits on the south bank of the Thames just over the borough boundary and is one of the most academically selective boys' independent schools in the country. It is widely used by Richmond families given its location on the river immediately opposite the borough.

The school is known for very strong A Level results, a distinguished record of Oxbridge and US university progression, and a broad academic and co-curricular programme. Entry is highly competitive, with assessment at 11+ (via the ISEB Common Pre-Test plus the school's own assessments) and at 13+, alongside sixth-form entry at 16.

Hampton Court House is a co-educational independent school in East Molesey, just over the boundary but widely used by Richmond families. It has built a strong reputation for a thoughtful, individualised approach to teaching.

The school is known for small class sizes, a creative academic environment, and a sixth form that emphasises tutorial-style teaching. Admission is by interview and assessment.

St Catherine's in Twickenham is an independent Catholic day school for girls. It has a long-standing local reputation and serves Richmond families looking for a faith-led independent option.

The school is known for a supportive academic environment, a strong Catholic ethos, and consistent results across GCSE and A Level. Admission is by assessment, with priority typically given to Catholic applicants in line with the school's foundation.

The Mall in Twickenham is a boys' preparatory school that feeds into Hampton, St Paul's, and other leading London independents. While it ends at Year 8, it is part of the Richmond independent ecosystem that many local families plan around.

The school is known for strong common entrance preparation, a broad curriculum, and a supportive academic environment. Admission is by assessment in the earlier prep years.

Richmond upon Thames has no state grammar schools of its own. Families looking for the state selective route most often apply to the Tiffin schools in the neighbouring Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames: Tiffin School for boys and The Tiffin Girls' School. Both are highly competitive and use their own selective tests run earlier in Year 6 than the main application deadline.

The Tiffin schools admit children from across south-west London, but priority within their oversubscription criteria still favours children living closer to the school. If you are considering the Tiffin route, treat it as a separate parallel application alongside your main Richmond preferences, and register early for the tests.

Waldegrave in Twickenham is a non-selective girls' state school with a strong academic reputation. It is among the more popular state options in the borough.

The school is known for consistent GCSE results, an active sixth form, and a confident, ambitious culture for girls. Admission is non-selective and primarily based on distance, with priority for siblings.

Orleans Park in Twickenham is a co-educational comprehensive with a strong local reputation. It serves a wide catchment across the Twickenham and St Margarets area.

The school is known for solid GCSE results, a broad curriculum, and a positive school community. Admission is non-selective and primarily based on distance.

Twickenham School is a co-educational secondary academy that has rebuilt its reputation over recent years. It is one of the newer state options in the borough.

The school is known for steady improvement, a structured approach to behaviour, and a sixth form provision developing alongside its broader recovery story. Admission is non-selective and based on distance.

Teddington School is a large co-educational comprehensive serving the south of the borough. It has a long-standing local reputation and a popular sixth form.

The school is known for a broad curriculum, strong performing arts and sport, and consistent academic results. Admission is non-selective and primarily by distance.

Christ's School in Richmond is a co-educational Church of England secondary with a clear faith ethos. It is among the more popular faith options in the borough.

The school is known for a strong community feel, supportive pastoral structures, and steady academic results. Admission gives priority to children of practising Anglican families, with a smaller number of places available to applicants of other faiths or no faith.

Grey Court in Ham is a co-educational comprehensive with a strong local reputation. It serves the south-west of the borough and is among the more oversubscribed state schools in Richmond.

The school is known for consistent GCSE results, an active sixth form, and a strong community focus. Admission is non-selective and primarily by distance.

League table position is only one factor. The right school depends on your child's personality, your home location, and what matters most to your family.

Richmond's strong independent cluster gives families a different decision to make compared with many London boroughs. Independent schools come with high fees, longer commutes for some families, and a more academically selective peer group. Some children thrive in that environment. Others do better at a strong comprehensive like Waldegrave, Orleans Park, or Grey Court, which have built their own well-deserved reputations.

Practical factors matter too. A long bus or rail journey adds up over seven years, especially if your child takes up after-school activities. Sixth form provision varies between schools, and SEND provision varies even more. It is worth asking specific questions on open day even if you do not currently expect to need that support.

Richmond is part of the pan-London admissions system. You apply through the Richmond online portal, listing up to six schools in order of preference. The deadline is 31 October in Year 6 for entry the following September. National offer day is 1 March.

Independent schools sit outside the pan-London system entirely, with their own application deadlines, fees, and assessments. If you are applying to a Richmond independent, follow that school's own admissions process and treat it as separate from your state-school preferences. You are still entitled to a state place if your independent applications do not work out.

If you are applying to the Tiffin schools in Kingston, register separately for the selective tests in early summer of Year 5 or early Year 6. The Tiffin schools still go through the pan-London application form even though the tests sit outside it. If your child is not offered a state place at any preferred school, you will be offered the nearest school with availability and can join waiting lists.