The hardest schools to get into in Camden
Secondary: 254 families put The Camden School for Girls first in 2026 and 111 of them (44%) were offered a place.
Reception: 58 families put Christ Church Primary School, Hampstead first in 2026 and 21 of them (36%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Camden with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Camden School for Girls · London | 254 | 111 (44%) | 116 |
| 2 | Parliament Hill School · London | 183 | 124 (68%) | 179 |
| 3 | Acland Burghley School · London | 213 | 152 (71%) | 171 |
| 4 | Regent High School · London | 125 | 125 (100%) | 172 |
| 5 | Hampstead School · London | 106 | 106 (100%) | 142 |
| 6 | Haverstock School · London | 99 | 99 (100%) | 121 |
| 7 | Maria Fidelis Catholic School FCJ · London · faith | 82 | 82 (100%) | 135 |
| 8 | The UCL Academy · Camden | 63 | 63 (100%) | 136 |
| 9 | William Ellis School · London | 59 | 59 (100%) | 90 |
| 10 | La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School · London · faith | 28 | 28 (100%) | 62 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Camden
What is the hardest school to get into in Camden?
For secondary places, 254 families put The Camden School for Girls first in 2026 and 111 of them (44%) were offered a place. For Reception, 58 families put Christ Church Primary School, Hampstead first and 21 of them (36%) were offered a place.
The Camden School for GirlsChrist Church Primary School, Hampstead
How many families in Camden get their first-choice school?
73.7% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 81.5% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Camden published it in its admissions booklet.