Best Secondary Schools in Islington 2026

Ranked by Ofsted rating, exam results, attendance, and class sizes. 9 schools across Islington. Updated with 2025–26 data.

Islington has 9 secondary schools, of which 4 (44%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted and a further 5 rated Good — 100% of secondary schools in Islington are rated Good or Outstanding overall. Highbury Fields School currently leads the local rankings on our composite SNM Score.

Catchment data available for 4 schools in Islington. We publish last-admitted distance and three-year history wherever the council has released it — useful before you commit to a postcode in the area.

Application deadlines in Islington follow the national calendar: 31 October for Year 7 secondary entry and 15 January for Reception primary entry. Offers go out on 1 March and 16 April respectively.

9
Total schools
4
Outstanding
44%
Outstanding rate
67.3%
Avg KS2 SATs
45.7
Avg GCSE A8
All schools Primary Secondary
Rank School Ofsted SNM Score
🥇 Highbury Fields School
Secondary
 Outstanding 82 View school
🥈 St Aloysius' College
Secondary
 Good 80 View school
🥉 City of London Academy Islington
Secondary
 Outstanding 61 View school
4. City of London Academy Highbury Grove
Secondary
 Good 59 View school
5. Central Foundation Boys' School
Secondary
 Outstanding 56 View school
6. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School
Secondary
 Outstanding 53 View school
7. City of London Academy, Highgate Hill
Secondary
 Good 53 View school
8. Arts and Media School Islington
Secondary
 Good 50 View school
9. LIFT Beacon High
Secondary
 Good 50 View school

Related lists for Islington

All schools in IslingtonPrimary & secondary combined Primary schools in IslingtonReception–Year 6 only Outstanding schools in Islington4 schools rated Outstanding

See full data for any school in Islington

Catchment distances, exam trends, SEN data, attendance, and more — all in one place.

Search schools in Islington

Frequently asked questions

How many secondary schools are there in Islington?
There are 9 secondary schools in Islington, of which 4 (44%) are rated Outstanding by Ofsted.
What are the best schools in Islington?
Based on our composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance and class sizes, the top school in Islington is Highbury Fields School. See the full ranked list above.
How do I apply for a school place in Islington?
Primary and secondary school applications in Islington are managed by the Local Authority. Applications for secondary places typically open in September for the following academic year. Visit the Islington council website for application forms and deadlines.
What is the average Ofsted rating in Islington?
44% of secondary schools in Islington are rated Outstanding and 56% are rated Good. 83.1% are rated Good or Outstanding.

Data sourced from Ofsted, Department for Education, and ISI. School rankings reflect the Schools Near Me composite score combining Ofsted ratings, exam results, attendance, and pupil-teacher ratios. Last updated April 2026.