William Ellis School, London

In its own words: "A school with a long and distinguished history of serving the local community. William Ellis School is a distinctive, dynamic and diverse school serving the educational needs of young people from our local community."

From the headteacher's welcome: "The staff in the school are fully committed to growing and realising the ambitions of our students and working in partnership with their families. We are a centre of excellence for boys' education and work together to bring out the best in all our students."

Clubs and activities named on the school's website include drama, choir, chess, coding, Lego, debating and French.

In 2026, pupils at William Ellis School averaged an Attainment 8 score of 43.8, the average grade across their best eight GCSEs. The average state school scored 49.1 in Camden and 47 across England.

50% passed English and maths at grade 5 or above, against 52% in Camden and 47% in England.

That is down from 48.2 in 2025.

Its most recent Progress 8 score, for 2024, was -0.17: pupils made below average progress compared with pupils nationally who started secondary school at the same level. Progress 8 was not published for 2026.

Disadvantaged pupils averaged an Attainment 8 of 35.4, against 52.1 for other pupils at the school - a gap of 16.7 points.

Pupils sat GCSEs in 22 subjects; after English and maths, the most popular were French, Combined Science and History.

For September 2026 entry, 59 families put William Ellis School as their first choice and 284 named it as one of their preferences, for 90 places offered. It had fewer first-choice applications than places. Every family who put it first was offered a place there for 2026 entry.

The nearest other state secondary schools to William Ellis School are LaSWAP Sixth Form (under 0.1 miles); Parliament Hill School (under 0.1 miles, Outstanding, Attainment 8 58.6); La Sainte Union Catholic Secondary School (0.1 miles, Good, Attainment 8 54.4); and Acland Burghley School (0.4 miles, Good, Attainment 8 55.2).

Each of them had higher 2026 results than William Ellis School.

96 parents answered Ofsted's Parent View survey about William Ellis School (as of September 2025): 87% would recommend the school, 91% say their child is happy there and 60% of those with a view say bullying is dealt with well.

The strongest agreement was that their child feels safe (92%); the weakest, that the school deals with bullying well (among parents with a view) (60%).

Of the 123 pupils who finished Year 11 in 2023/24, 93% stayed in education or training for at least two terms, including 19% to a further education college and 3% to an apprenticeship.

Of the 159 students who left the sixth form in 2023/24, 44% went on to university or other higher education, 3% to apprenticeships and 22% into work. 14% went to one of the most selective third of universities.

51.6% of pupils are eligible for free school meals, well above the average state school (25%), and 31.1% speak English as an additional language, against 18.8% on average, according to the 2026 school census.

The largest ethnic groups are White British (28%), Asian (18%) and Mixed (16%).

William Ellis School had 63 teachers in 2026, one for every 13 pupils: more teachers per pupil than a typical secondary school, at about one for every 17.

The nearest railway station is Gospel Oak Rail Station, about 380 metres away (roughly a 5-minute walk).

11 bus stops are within a five-minute walk; the closest is William Ellis School, 150 metres away.

In 2024/25, William Ellis School issued 92 suspensions, 11.3 for every 100 pupils (the average state school: 6.3), and 5 permanent exclusions.

The primary schools closest to William Ellis School are Gospel Oak Primary School (0.3 miles), Brookfield Primary School (0.4 miles), Fleet Primary School (0.5 miles) and Eleanor Palmer Primary School (0.6 miles). Admission does not depend on which primary a child attends unless the school's policy names feeder schools.