Secondary admissions

The most oversubscribed secondary schools in and around London, 2026

For September 2026, 357 families put Ark Greenwich Free School first for 115 Year 7 places: 3.1 first choices for every place. These are the London schools, and the schools in the home counties around London, with the most first-choice applications per place, from the Department for Education’s applications and offers statistics.

Schools offering fewer than 60 Year 7 places are left out, so one small intake does not top the list. “Around London” means these councils: Bedford, Bracknell Forest, Buckinghamshire, Central Bedfordshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Luton, Medway, Milton Keynes, Reading, Slough, Southend-on-Sea, Surrey, Thurrock, West Berkshire, Windsor and Maidenhead, Wokingham.

London: top 100, Year 7 2026

Rank	School	Council	First choices	Places offered	First choices per place	All applications per place
1	Ark Greenwich Free School	Greenwich	357	115	3.1	10.3
2	Reach Academy Hanworth Park	Hounslow	242	84	2.9	7.6
3	Brampton Manor Academy	Newham	1,161	434	2.7	5.7
4	Lady Margaret School	Hammersmith and Fulham	310	118	2.6	6.2
5	Michaela Community School	Brent	286	112	2.6	8.3
6	St Mary Magdalene Academy	Islington	434	171	2.5	6.4
7	Tiffin School	Kingston upon Thames	479	195	2.5	4.0
8	The Tiffin Girls' School	Kingston upon Thames	445	189	2.4	3.2
9	The St Marylebone CofE School	Westminster	376	160	2.4	5.6
10	Kingsdale Foundation School	Southwark	964	416	2.3	6.9
11	Alexandra Park School	Haringey	498	220	2.3	7.0
12	Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet	Barnet	432	192	2.3	4.0
13	Avanti House School	Harrow	367	167	2.2	5.3
14	Graveney School	Wandsworth	619	282	2.2	6.3
15	The Camden School for Girls	Camden	254	116	2.2	5.1
16	Ark Isaac Newton Academy	Redbridge	181	83	2.2	11.9
17	Redden Court School	Havering	427	197	2.2	5.9
18	Sacred Heart Catholic School	Southwark	238	115	2.1	6.0
19	The Charter School North Dulwich	Southwark	363	178	2.0	6.7
20	St Mary's and St John's CofE School	Barnet	164	81	2.0	6.7
21	St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School	Bromley	257	128	2.0	3.7
22	St Paul's Way Trust School	Tower Hamlets	401	200	2.0	5.0
23	The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial RC School	Kensington and Chelsea	244	123	2.0	5.4
24	The Grey Coat Hospital	Westminster	333	169	2.0	5.3
25	Leigh Academy Blackheath	Greenwich	333	170	2.0	7.1
26	Twyford Church of England High School	Ealing	369	189	2.0	7.2
27	Orleans Park School	Richmond upon Thames	401	207	1.9	7.6
28	Wilson's School	Sutton	413	215	1.9	3.6
29	Wren Academy Finchley	Barnet	215	113	1.9	9.6
30	Woodford County High School	Redbridge	338	178	1.9	3.0
31	Glenthorne High School	Sutton	481	255	1.9	7.8
32	William Perkin Church of England High School	Ealing	375	199	1.9	5.4
33	The Coopers' Company and Coborn School	Havering	383	205	1.9	5.9
34	St Mark's Catholic School	Hounslow	325	176	1.8	5.9
35	Ark Bolingbroke Academy	Wandsworth	240	130	1.8	6.7
36	West London Free School	Hammersmith and Fulham	240	130	1.8	7.9
37	Coombe Wood School	Croydon	321	174	1.8	7.1
38	The Henrietta Barnett School	Barnet	220	120	1.8	3.0
39	Highlands School	Enfield	445	243	1.8	6.2
40	JCoSS	Barnet	306	170	1.8	4.3
41	Bonus Pastor Catholic College	Lewisham	305	172	1.8	4.0
42	The Latymer School	Enfield	339	192	1.8	4.8
43	Bishopshalt School	Hillingdon	313	178	1.8	6.5
44	Mossbourne Community Academy	Hackney	358	204	1.8	5.3
45	Leigh Stationers' Academy	Greenwich	417	240	1.7	5.2
46	Bishop Thomas Grant Catholic Secondary School	Lambeth	304	176	1.7	4.4
47	Barnhill Community High School	Hillingdon	387	227	1.7	4.1
48	Paddington Academy	Westminster	296	174	1.7	4.1
49	Newstead Wood School	Bromley	322	190	1.7	3.3
50	Turing House School	Richmond upon Thames	257	153	1.7	7.6
51	The Archer Academy	Barnet	244	147	1.7	6.9
52	Wren Academy Enfield	Enfield	300	181	1.7	5.1
53	Ashcroft Technology Academy	Wandsworth	396	240	1.6	5.0
54	Valentines High School	Redbridge	280	171	1.6	7.2
55	Chislehurst and Sidcup Grammar School	Bexley	341	211	1.6	6.8
56	Bexley Grammar School	Bexley	334	208	1.6	6.6
57	Riddlesdown Collegiate	Croydon	480	299	1.6	4.4
58	Langley Park School for Boys	Bromley	320	202	1.6	4.5
59	Whitmore High School	Harrow	407	257	1.6	5.2
60	Wembley High Technology College	Brent	364	230	1.6	4.9
61	Harris Academy Sutton	Sutton	307	195	1.6	8.8
62	Richard Challoner School	Kingston upon Thames	234	150	1.6	4.3
63	Ada Lovelace Church of England High School	Ealing	305	199	1.5	6.0
64	Wallington High School for Girls	Sutton	316	208	1.5	4.9
65	Clapton Girls' Academy	Hackney	258	171	1.5	3.3
66	Hasmonean High School for Boys	Barnet	94	63	1.5	2.0
67	Grey Court School	Richmond upon Thames	365	249	1.5	6.7
68	Vyners School	Hillingdon	334	229	1.5	5.1
69	The Kingston Academy	Kingston upon Thames	306	210	1.5	6.4
70	Chestnut Grove Academy	Wandsworth	298	206	1.4	7.7
71	Ilford County High School	Redbridge	258	179	1.4	3.0
72	Mossbourne Victoria Park Academy	Hackney	229	159	1.4	4.1
73	The London Oratory School	Hammersmith and Fulham	226	157	1.4	4.4
74	Ealing Fields Church of England High School	Ealing	243	169	1.4	6.9
75	Swanlea School	Tower Hamlets	276	192	1.4	4.5
76	Sacred Heart of Mary Girls' School	Havering	170	119	1.4	4.0
77	Waldegrave School	Richmond upon Thames	300	212	1.4	4.3
78	St Thomas More Catholic Comprehensive School	Greenwich	164	116	1.4	4.7
79	Eden Girls' School, Waltham Forest	Waltham Forest	171	122	1.4	2.5
80	Langley Park School for Girls	Bromley	348	249	1.4	3.9
81	Mill Hill County High School	Barnet	324	232	1.4	4.1
82	St Michael's Catholic Grammar School	Barnet	177	127	1.4	2.3
83	Prendergast School	Lewisham	159	115	1.4	4.8
84	Thomas Tallis School	Greenwich	344	249	1.4	4.8
85	All Saints Catholic College	Kensington and Chelsea	240	174	1.4	4.5
86	Ashmole Academy	Barnet	347	252	1.4	4.7
87	Woodbridge High School	Redbridge	395	288	1.4	3.9
88	Greenshaw High School	Sutton	455	332	1.4	7.0
89	Central Foundation Boys' School	Islington	235	173	1.4	3.2
90	Pinner High School	Harrow	226	169	1.3	7.4
91	Walthamstow School for Girls	Waltham Forest	231	173	1.3	3.2
92	Ark John Keats Academy	Enfield	238	179	1.3	3.4
93	Harris Academy Beckenham	Bromley	264	199	1.3	7.2
94	Ark Academy	Brent	173	131	1.3	6.0
95	Oasis Academy South Bank	Lambeth	153	116	1.3	4.9
96	Nonsuch High School for Girls	Sutton	274	208	1.3	5.0
97	Ruislip High School	Hillingdon	254	193	1.3	4.9
98	Claremont High School	Brent	341	260	1.3	3.7
99	Winchmore School	Enfield	314	240	1.3	4.6
100	Walthamstow Academy	Waltham Forest	221	171	1.3	4.2

Around London: top 100, Year 7 2026

Rank	School	Council	First choices	Places offered	First choices per place	All applications per place
1	Dartford Grammar School	Kent	569	179	3.2	8.8
2	King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford	Essex	412	149	2.8	5.0
3	Kendrick School	Reading	351	127	2.8	3.7
4	Reading School	Reading	400	146	2.7	3.4
5	Hockerill Anglo-European College	Hertfordshire	152	61	2.5	11.5
6	Dartford Grammar School for Girls	Kent	428	178	2.4	7.1
7	Holyport College	Windsor and Maidenhead	150	63	2.4	14.9
8	Parmiter's School	Hertfordshire	486	205	2.4	6.8
9	The Judd School	Kent	400	179	2.2	5.6
10	Colchester Royal Grammar School	Essex	280	128	2.2	6.3
11	Denbigh High School	Luton	426	208	2.0	4.8
12	Chelmsford County High School for Girls	Essex	358	179	2.0	3.4
13	Gordon's School	Surrey	209	106	2.0	4.6
14	Tonbridge Grammar School	Kent	353	180	2.0	5.4
15	Langley Grammar School	Slough	347	177	2.0	5.9
16	Burnham Grammar School	Buckinghamshire	345	180	1.9	5.4
17	Eden Girls' School, Slough	Slough	228	121	1.9	3.3
18	Watford Grammar School for Boys	Hertfordshire	396	211	1.9	4.5
19	Harris Academy Chafford Hundred	Thurrock	374	207	1.8	4.6
20	Dame Alice Owen's School	Hertfordshire	331	186	1.8	4.0
21	Watford Grammar School for Girls	Hertfordshire	359	203	1.8	4.0
22	Sir William Borlase's Grammar School	Buckinghamshire	257	146	1.8	4.9
23	Southend High School for Boys	Southend-on-Sea	308	177	1.7	6.2
24	Brompton Academy	Medway	351	205	1.7	4.0
25	Royal Latin School	Buckinghamshire	304	179	1.7	3.0
26	Colchester County High School for Girls	Essex	322	190	1.7	3.9
27	Chesham Grammar School	Buckinghamshire	309	183	1.7	5.9
28	Queens' School	Hertfordshire	436	259	1.7	6.0
29	Sir Joseph Williamson's Mathematical School	Medway	336	201	1.7	3.7
30	The Malling School	Kent	247	150	1.6	4.1
31	The Eastwood Academy	Southend-on-Sea	359	220	1.6	4.6
32	School of Science and Technology Maidstone	Kent	303	186	1.6	6.3
33	Cranbrook School	Kent	143	88	1.6	3.2
34	The Bishop's Stortford High School	Hertfordshire	277	172	1.6	3.3
35	The Broxbourne School	Hertfordshire	366	228	1.6	4.1
36	St Andrew's Catholic School	Surrey	378	236	1.6	3.2
37	Dr Challoner's High School	Buckinghamshire	302	189	1.6	3.7
38	Fort Pitt Grammar School	Medway	238	149	1.6	7.6
39	Aylesbury Grammar School	Buckinghamshire	292	183	1.6	3.1
40	Becket Keys Church of England Free School	Essex	274	176	1.6	4.3
41	The Beaulieu Park School	Essex	180	116	1.6	9.2
42	Cobham Free School	Surrey	93	60	1.6	6.8
43	Bedford Free School	Bedford	168	109	1.5	4.0
44	Westcliff High School for Boys Academy	Southend-on-Sea	280	182	1.5	5.6
45	Heathside Walton-on-Thames	Surrey	256	168	1.5	3.9
46	The Langley Academy	Slough	257	171	1.5	4.8
47	Goldington Academy	Bedford	272	182	1.5	3.1
48	St Bede's School	Surrey	469	316	1.5	3.0
49	Hinchley Wood School	Surrey	300	203	1.5	3.3
50	Leigh Academy Wilmington	Kent	324	221	1.5	5.2
51	De La Salle School	Essex	215	147	1.5	5.2
52	Oakgrove School	Milton Keynes	346	237	1.5	4.0
53	Trinity School	Kent	252	173	1.5	4.6
54	The Skinners' School	Kent	232	160	1.4	5.5
55	Sandringham School	Hertfordshire	337	233	1.4	4.3
56	Hadlow Rural Community School	Kent	109	77	1.4	3.9
57	Cornwallis Academy	Kent	283	201	1.4	3.2
58	St John the Baptist Catholic Comprehensive School, Woking	Surrey	321	228	1.4	3.3
59	John Hampden Grammar School	Buckinghamshire	259	184	1.4	4.7
60	All Hallows Catholic School	Surrey	358	255	1.4	2.9
61	Aylesbury High School	Buckinghamshire	268	191	1.4	2.9
62	Dane Court Grammar School	Kent	230	165	1.4	3.5
63	Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School	Buckinghamshire	256	184	1.4	5.2
64	Waddesdon Church of England School	Buckinghamshire	185	133	1.4	3.9
65	Woodlands School	Essex	399	287	1.4	3.8
66	The King John School	Essex	481	346	1.4	3.2
67	Salesian School, Chertsey	Surrey	379	273	1.4	3.4
68	Glebe Farm School	Milton Keynes	172	124	1.4	3.8
69	Guildford County School	Surrey	237	171	1.4	4.6
70	Sir John Lawes School	Hertfordshire	259	187	1.4	4.0
71	Wycombe High School	Buckinghamshire	263	190	1.4	3.8
72	St George's School	Hertfordshire	235	170	1.4	3.4
73	Ranelagh School	Bracknell Forest	240	174	1.4	2.6
74	Broadwater School	Surrey	219	160	1.4	2.7
75	Bishop's Hatfield Girls' School	Hertfordshire	205	150	1.4	3.0
76	Beaconsfield High School	Buckinghamshire	252	186	1.4	4.3
77	Marriotts School	Hertfordshire	297	221	1.3	3.0
78	Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys	Kent	194	145	1.3	3.3
79	The Bishop Wand Church of England School	Surrey	282	211	1.3	3.5
80	The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School	Hertfordshire	290	219	1.3	2.6
81	West Hatch High School	Essex	328	248	1.3	3.2
82	Royal Alexandra and Albert School	Surrey	104	79	1.3	4.5
83	Bennett Memorial Diocesan School	Kent	384	293	1.3	3.9
84	The Gilberd School	Essex	401	306	1.3	3.9
85	Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School	Kent	228	174	1.3	4.5
86	The Thomas Lord Audley School	Essex	241	185	1.3	2.7
87	River Academy	Reading	211	162	1.3	4.1
88	The Folkestone School for Girls	Kent	233	180	1.3	2.2
89	The Harvey Grammar School	Kent	190	147	1.3	2.4
90	Westcliff High School for Girls	Southend-on-Sea	239	185	1.3	4.6
91	Newlands Girls' School	Windsor and Maidenhead	244	189	1.3	3.3
92	Dr Challoner's Grammar School	Buckinghamshire	238	185	1.3	3.6
93	Tomlinscote School	Surrey	377	294	1.3	2.6
94	The James Hornsby School	Essex	259	202	1.3	4.0
95	The Matthew Arnold School	Surrey	246	192	1.3	3.2
96	St Clement Danes School	Hertfordshire	295	231	1.3	4.6
97	Beaumont School	Hertfordshire	287	225	1.3	5.0
98	Highsted Grammar School	Kent	139	109	1.3	3.1
99	Denbigh School	Milton Keynes	327	257	1.3	4.7
100	Hitchin Girls' School	Hertfordshire	262	206	1.3	2.1

Reading these figures

First choices per place is the number of families who named the school as their first preference, divided by the places it offered on national offer day. Above 1, more families wanted it first than it had places.
All applications per place counts every preference, first to last, so it is higher in London, where families can name six schools.
Grammar schools admit only children who pass their 11-plus test, so many first choices there come from families who sat it.
A high ratio does not mean a distance cut-off: faith, banded, selective and sibling places all come first at many schools. Open a school for its last distance offered and admission rules.

Source: Department for Education, primary and secondary school applications and offers. See also the catchment distances by council, the smallest catchment areas and grammar schools.