Named Independent School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2026 by an independent panel.
Leading independent boarding school for boys in London
Why this school
Named Independent School of the Year for Academic Excellence 2026 by an independent panel.
Rowing boat club has won the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.
Cambridge Pre-U offered as a genuine A-level alternative, supporting Oxbridge and Ivy League progression.
St Paul’s School was founded in 1509 and occupies a 43-acre Thames-side site in Barnes, south-west London. It is one of very few British independent schools combining a strong day school tradition with senior boarding provision, all within Greater London. The school takes boys from age 7 through to 18, with junior and senior years sharing the same riverside campus. In 2026, it was named Independent School of the Year for Academic Excellence, a recognition grounded in results. Fees for full boarding in the senior school start at £51,129 per year (2025/26).
The senior curriculum runs through GCSE and into the sixth form, where boys choose between A-levels, Cambridge Pre-U, or the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). St Paul’s is one of the few London independent schools to offer Pre-U alongside A-levels as a genuine alternative rather than an add-on. The Pre-U programme suits pupils who want to pursue a subject in greater depth than the A-level structure allows, and it is well regarded by both Oxbridge and well-regarded US universities. The school has a strong track record of Oxbridge and Ivy League destinations, making it a serious option for families with ambitions beyond UK higher education.
The sixth form builds on GCSE study with considerable flexibility in subject combinations. The EPQ sits alongside A-level and Pre-U choices, giving pupils the chance to pursue independent research in a field of their own choosing. That breadth is a useful differentiator in competitive university applications.
St Paul’s is primarily a day school. Senior pupils from Year 9 onwards can board on a full, weekly, or flexi basis, with flexi-boarding available for one to four nights per week. This makes it practical for families who want a London school with the option of residential stays rather than a commitment to full-term boarding. Boarding houses are on the Barnes campus, keeping boarders integrated with the wider school community. Pastoral care runs through the house system across both day and boarding provision.
The school’s boat club is one of the most decorated junior rowing programmes in the country, with a history of success at Henley Royal Regatta including the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup. Rugby has deep roots at St Paul’s — the school was among the founding members of the Rugby Football Union. Beyond sport, the co-curricular programme covers over 100 clubs, a Combined Cadet Force (CCF), STEM activities, music, and drama. Pupils arriving with a single strong interest tend to pick up others along the way.
The 43-acre site in Barnes, SW13, runs along the Thames and gives the school an unusual amount of space for a London independent school. Science, music, and sports facilities are all on campus. The setting is residential and well-connected, combining the character of outer south-west London with straightforward access to central London and both major airports.
St Paul’s School is in Barnes, SW13. Heathrow Airport is approximately 12 miles away, typically 30 to 45 minutes by car depending on traffic. London City Airport is around 14 miles to the east. Both airports serve a wide range of international routes, making the school accessible for families travelling from the UAE, Europe, and beyond.
Annual tuition
£53,943 per year · full boarding · Senior · Years 9-13
Other tier breakdowns shown below.
| Stage | Year groups | Type | Audience | Fee / year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Junior | Years 3-8 | Day | — | £28,653 |
| Senior | Years 9-13 | Day | — | £35,847 |
| Senior | Years 9-13 | Full boarding | — | £53,943 |
Heathrow Airport ~12 miles; London City Airport ~14 miles from Barnes, SW13
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Junior day fees for Years 3 to 8 are £28,653 per year (2025/26), based on three terms at £9,551 each. Senior day fees for Years 9 to 13 are £35,847 per year. Full boarding in the senior school is £51,129 per year (2025/26), which includes tuition.
Yes. From Year 9, senior pupils can board on a full, weekly, or flexi basis, with flexi-boarding covering one to four nights per week. Boarding houses are on the Barnes campus alongside the main school.
The school offers GCSEs, A-levels, Cambridge Pre-U, and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Pre-U is available as a genuine alternative to A-level in selected subjects, not simply an enrichment option.
The school takes boys from age 7 (Year 3 at the junior prep) through to age 18 (Year 13). The junior and senior schools share the Barnes campus.
St Paul’s has a strong record of progression to Oxford, Cambridge, and leading US universities including Ivy League institutions. The availability of Pre-U and EPQ alongside A-levels supports differentiated university applications.
Rowing is the school’s most celebrated sport, with the boat club winning the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. The school also offers rugby, a Combined Cadet Force (CCF), STEM clubs, music, drama, and over 100 co-curricular activities, all on campus.
The school is in Barnes, SW13, on a 43-acre Thames-side site. Heathrow Airport is approximately 12 miles away and London City Airport around 14 miles, making it accessible for international families arriving into London.
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