They say that boys will be boys or, to echo Thomas Deloney's more democratic assertion: "youth will be youth". They are unmanageable and incorrigible; wild hooligans who must test the limits of patience and the boundaries of the law. But nature doesn't dictate that boys must behave loutishly. The schools featured in this article prove that, in fact, boys are quite amenable to 'civilised' pursuits.

  • Haberdashers' Boys' School offers co-curricular activities as well as sports and other intellectual activities
  • the Radley School is renowned for its Arts program and strong academic performance
  • Harrow School is famous for turning out an astounding number of Prime Ministers
  • the City of London School is remarkable for its competitive entry standards, a nod to their academic reputation
  • Eton College has been educating boys to take their places at the highest levels of society and government for centuries
  • Dulwich College's expansive admissions policies belie how assiduously the school screens for the best pupils
  • St Paul's School is as famous for its athletic showings as for its students' strong academic performances

With such an illustrious list of schools to choose from, it's understandable that you'd have a hard time deciding which one to enrol your son in. With so much you need to know about each facility, you might find yourself in an information overload if you scoured them all. So we've done that job for you. What follows is a highlight of each of these schools; should any pique your interest, you may investigate them further.  

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About The Haberdashers' (Aske's) Boys' School

Founded in 1690, The Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School had a rather tumultuous history. That period lasted until 1873, when the foundation was reorganized, funding was restored, and a new school ground was built for Habs boys. Until 2020, this school maintained its full name; Today, with no 'Aske' featured, the school welcomes over 1400 boys to its Pre-Prep, Prep and Main School campuses.

Habs aims“[t]o challenge bright boys to achieve the highest standards, [t]o develop a sense of community and shared values, [and] [t]o support parents in preparing their sons for a fulfilled life.”

In addition to their high academic standards, Habs offers an ever-growing list of co-curricular and academic activities, from Arts and Ceramics to Young Enterprise, for all their students. Plus, with the Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls less than five minutes away, the students are given plenty of opportunities to collaborate and socialize in a coeducational space.

Habs is more than happy to welcome you to one of their small group tours so that you and your son can experience school life on a normal working day. Visits for 7+ are on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9.20 a.m., visits for 11+ are on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 9.30 a.m., and visits for 13+ are on Fridays, also at 9.30 a.m. To book your visit please contact the Habs Admissions Office.

Three young adults sitting at a table outdoors drinking from mugs and working on a computer
With Habs' Girls school just minutes away, Habs boys can collaborate on projects. Photo by Helena Lopes on Unsplash

Haberdashers' Boys' School Admissions Policies

Boys entering at all ages must return a completed registration form and the accompanying fee to the Aldenham House Reception by 30th November, the year ahead of entry. As a special requirement, boys entering 7+ should be no younger or older than seven years old on 1st September, the year of entry. For more information or a copy of Habs’ registration form, please visit the school's website or call to request a prospectus.

Haberdashers' Boys' School Interviews and Examinations

Boys of all ages will sit for exams in at least Reasoning, Writing, Reading, and Mathematics the January ahead of their entry. In addition, 13+ boys may be asked to also sit for science and language papers. If your son does well on his tests, Habs will then invite him to interview with the Head or Deputy Head.

The assessment is meant to measure your son’s potential, and will be based on his current curriculum and interests. Try not to worry too much about prepping, just let him be him. However, it is helpful to review Habs’ 7+, 11+ or 13+ sample papers before sitting your assessment or interview.

Getting Into Radley School

The Radley School has a fantastic reputation for its Arts programs. Besides theatre, music and art, this independent boys' school is renowned for its strong academic showing. Over 80% of Radley students consistently score in the A*-A range on GCSEs. These fine attributes make acceptance into Radley competitive in the extreme. The school recommends you apply at least three years before your planned entrance date.

Radley School mostly accepts 13+ students. Should your boy be older than 14 in September of their joining year, you must demonstrate the exceptional circumstances that led to that situation. The school's only other entry point is 16+; your boy will only be considered for admission if they've earned at least 5 A* on their GCSEs. Note that 16+ places are limited and are offered contingent upon an entrance examination. 

A boy in a striped orange blue and white shirt, with a tousled mop of hair, stands outside on a sunny day, smiling for the camera.
If your son has an artistic nature, he will enjoy learning at the Radley School. Photo by Zahra Amiri on Unsplash

Getting Into Harrow School

Harrow School was established by royal charter in 1592; it is one of England's four schools that accommodate 800 or more boarders. A number of illustrious persons attended Harrow, among them seven British Prime Ministers, including Sir Winston Churchill. But Harrow School doesn't just educate future prime ministers. This school, too, has a reputation for academic excellence. GCSE marks in the A*-A range register consistently over the 80% mark. For A-Levels, that number is 20 percentage points lower.

If you wish for your 13+ son to be a part of that experience, you must register him at least one year ahead of his planned entry date. He will sit an online prequalifying exam. Based on those results and a report from his current school, he may be invited to sit the formal entrance exam, followed by an interview with a member of the school's upper staff. For Sixth Form entry, your son must submit a one-page Curriculum Vitae one year ahead of his planned entry date, along with a handwritten letter detailing why he wishes to enrol.

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City of London School

This independent day school traces its origins to 1442, when a small property accommodated and educated just four boys. Today, City of London School welcomes more than 800 students to its expanded campus that it has occupied since the 1830s. The schools we've featured so far lack nothing insofar as academic excellence but City of London outperforms them. To wit, the number of students achieving top marks on their GCSEs hovers around 90%.

Needless to say, admission to this school is extremely competitive. Only the boys demonstrating the highest levels of academic achievement will be invited to sit this school's three entrance exams. If your son is barreling towards a 16+ entry, he will sit two exams and submit to an interview. Naturally, a strong GCSE showing is required for consideration.

Eton College

This school hardly needs any introduction. Past and future kings were educated at Eton, as well as a whopping 19 Prime Ministers. All that and a host of artists, scientists and philanthropists. These days, Eton College educates roughly 1300 boys each year from all different backgrounds.

We hardly need to tell you how competitive entry into Eton is, do we? The school dropped its aristocratic/privileged backgrounds requirement; a feature that barred access to many. Today, all boys who've demonstrated outstanding academic performance are welcome to apply. They should do so at least one year ahead of their planned enrolment date. That gives the school plenty of time to sort through all applicants' pre-test results and schedule their qualified candidates for formal entrance exams.

 Dulwich College

Dulwich, in the south of London, has one of the most expansive admissions policies on this list. Each year, this school welcomes more than 1300 boys, starting at age 11 all the way up to 18 years old. But just because they welcome so many new students each year doesn't mean that entry into Dulwich isn't competitive.

First, regardless of entry point, students must register one year before their proposed entry date. As their enrolment date nears, they will sit an entrance examination and interview with a member of the staff. The school also requires a grades report from your son's current school. Note that if your son is in the 16+ entry group, he will have a more extensive process to undergo. He will sit four exams, one each in the A-Level subject he wishes to study. After that ordeal, he will interview with a member of the school's staff.

A boy with red hair wearing a yellow and blue shirt appears pensive and unsmiling.
Dulwich College has generous admissions limits but entry is competitive. Photo by Séan Gorman on Unsplash

St Paul's School

This independent day and boarding school welcomes boys between the ages of 7 and 18. St Paul's School is ranked as the top boys' school for its academic performance as well as expansive facilities and strong athletic showings. St Paul's has endured some negative press in the past but the school has worked hard to overcome that stigma. Today, St Paul's has one of the country's highest acceptance rates into Oxbridge.

At all levels, students should register their interest in enroling at least one year ahead of their planned entry date. Even the youngest cohorts will sit entrance examinations and submit to interviews with a member of the school's staff. Entry is extremely competitive so it's best to know all of the particulars ahead of the registration process.

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Emma

I am passionate about traveling and currently live and work in Paris. I like to spend my time reading, gardening, running, learning languages, and exploring new places.