Best Schools in Islington 2026 — Rankings, Ofsted Ratings & Reviews
Compare 57 schools and nurseries in Islington — Ofsted ratings, exam results & admissions data.
Islington has 57 primary, secondary and independent schools educating over 26,000 pupils. Despite being one of London's smallest boroughs geographically, Islington punches above its weight educationally. The borough has 14 Outstanding-rated schools and 41 rated Good, meaning 96% of schools hold a top-two Ofsted grade.
Islington's schools serve a socially mixed population, from the affluent streets of Barnsbury and Highbury to more deprived areas around Finsbury Park. The borough has invested heavily in early years provision and has a strong network of children's centres supporting families from birth.
Islington at a Glance
Top Primary Schools in Islington
| School | Area | Ofsted | KS2 RWM % | Reading | Maths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Drayton Park Primary School | Islington | Good | 91% | — | — |
| Gillespie Primary School | Islington | Outstanding | 89% | — | — |
| Winton Primary School | Islington | Outstanding | 87% | — | — |
| Hugh Myddelton Primary School | Islington | Outstanding | 87% | — | — |
| St Peter and St Paul Catholic Primary School | Islington | Good | 86% | — | — |
Top Secondary Schools in Islington
| School | Area | Ofsted | Progress 8 | 5+ GCSE % | EBacc % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Foundation Boys' School | Islington | Outstanding | +0.56 | 79% | 61% |
| St Aloysius' College | Islington | Good | +0.46 | 66% | 73% |
| Highbury Fields School | Islington | Outstanding | +0.43 | 73% | 31% |
| St Mary Magdalene Academy | Islington | Outstanding | +0.30 | 80% | 55% |
| Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School | Islington | Outstanding | +0.24 | 75% | 90% |
Admissions in Islington — Key Dates
Islington Council coordinates admissions for state schools. For September 2026, the secondary deadline was 31 October 2025 with offers on 1 March 2026. The primary deadline is 15 January 2026 with offers on 16 April 2026. Islington operates a comprehensive admissions system. Apply through islington.gov.uk.
Tip: Classpot shows the applications-to-places ratio for every school so you can gauge how competitive admissions are before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best schools in Islington?
Highbury Grove School and City of London Academy Islington are top-performing state secondaries. At primary level, Canonbury Primary and Thornhill Primary achieve excellent KS2 results. Browse full profiles on Classpot for Ofsted ratings and exam data.
How competitive are school admissions in Islington?
Islington is densely populated and most popular schools are oversubscribed. Admission distances for sought-after primaries can be very short. Classpot shows historical admission distances to help gauge your chances.
Are there grammar schools in Islington?
No. Islington has no state grammar schools. The nearest selective schools are in neighbouring boroughs. All Islington state secondaries admit on a comprehensive basis using distance, siblings and other standard criteria.
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