The hardest schools to get into in Westminster
Secondary: 376 families put The St Marylebone CofE School first in 2026 and 143 of them (38%) were offered a place.
Reception: 57 families put Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School first in 2026 and 28 of them (49%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Westminster 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 St Marylebone CofE School · London · faith | 376 | 143 (38%) | 160 |
| 2 | The Grey Coat Hospital · London · faith | 333 | 138 (41%) | 169 |
| 3 | Paddington Academy · London · faith | 296 | 160 (54%) | 174 |
| 4 | St George's Catholic School · London · faith | 166 | 119 (72%) | 175 |
| 5 | Westminster City School · London · faith | 56 | 55 (98%) | 106 |
| 6 | Harris Academy St John's Wood · London | 149 | 148 (99%) | 225 |
| 7 | Pimlico Academy · London | 136 | 136 (100%) | 205 |
| 8 | Westminster Academy · London | 69 | 69 (100%) | 143 |
| 9 | St Augustine's Federated Schools: CE High School · London · faith | 63 | 63 (100%) | 121 |
| 10 | Marylebone Academy · London | 32 | 32 (100%) | 65 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Westminster
What is the hardest school to get into in Westminster?
For secondary places, 376 families put The St Marylebone CofE School first in 2026 and 143 of them (38%) were offered a place. For Reception, 57 families put Hampden Gurney CofE Primary School first and 28 of them (49%) were offered a place.
The St Marylebone CofE SchoolHampden Gurney CofE Primary School
How many families in Westminster get their first-choice school?
65.8% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 82.4% 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 Westminster published it in its admissions booklet.