Overview
The City of London School (CLS) is an independent day school for boys aged roughly 10 to 18 located beside the River Thames. It occupies a central urban site within the financial district and maintains close historic and administrative ties to the City of London. The school is selective and is widely recognised for academic attainment and breadth of co-curricular opportunities.
History and status
Founded in 1442, CLS has centuries of history as part of the educational provision connected to the municipal authorities of the City. Over time the school has developed from a medieval foundation into a modern independent school while retaining links to the civic institutions of the City of London. Its location beside the river contributes to its distinct city-centre character and outlook.
Structure and admissions
Most boys enter the school at 11, though smaller intakes are made at 10 and 13. There is also a limited admissions round for students joining the sixth form at 16. Entry is typically by competitive assessment and interview, reflecting the school's selective intake. The school works alongside related institutions: the City of London School for Girls and the City of London Freemen's School.
- Primary entry points: age 10, 11 and 13
- Small sixth-form intake at 16
- Governance: historically linked to City civic bodies
Curriculum and activities
CLS offers a broad academic curriculum leading to national public examinations in the later years and places emphasis on both STEM and humanities subjects. Co-curricular life commonly includes music, drama, debating, and sport, alongside clubs and societies that reflect the diverse interests of a city-based student body.
Relations and notable facts
The school forms a trio of City schools with a girls' school and a day-and-boarding school outside London. For information about its riverside site see Riverside location, and for context within the district see the City of London. The sister institutions are the City of London School for Girls and the City of London Freemen's School. Details about sixth-form admissions are available via sixth form entry.