You’ll first hear about Woodhouse College or Dame Alice Owen’s—the big, famous names. Woodhouse is like that friend who’s annoyingly good at everything: top grades, buzzing student union, famous for getting kids into Oxbridge. (Side comment: if you love the idea of wearing a uniform, though, look away. It’s all hoodies here.)
Then there’s Highgate Sixth Form, but that’s private, so unless you’re a trust-fund baby or on a full scholarship, it’s mostly a fantasy. Still, their open days are gorgeous—free biscuits and a tour of a Victorian library. Go for the biscuits, stay for the daydream.
For the science-obsessed, La Sainte Union in Highgate gets a massive thumbs-up. It’s a state school, but their STEM facilities are bonkers good. One friend did her biology A-level there and spent more time in a lab than some PhD students.
The Underrated Gems (your parents haven’t heard of)
Don’t sleep on St Mary’s Sixth Form in Finchley. It’s a Catholic state sixth form, but honestly, the vibe is super chill. They have a brilliant drama department (think full-on theatre productions every term) and a café that actually does decent chai lattes. For artsy types, it’s a dream.
Best Sixth Forms In London 2026 - Why Choose The NCS?
Another hidden champ is Fortismere School in Muswell Hill. It’s all about individual support—tiny classes, teachers who remember your name by week two. One ex-student told me the geography teacher once drove her to a field trip when she missed the coach. (Drastic? Yes. Memorable? Absolutely.)
And if you’re into languages, Christ’s College Finchley runs some unique courses—like, actual Arabic and Mandarin alongside the usual French. Their head of languages is a legend; she apparently learned Portuguese just to help one kid from Brazil.
