Godolphin and Latymer School: Reviews, Rankings, And More

Godolphin and Latymer School is a highly regarded independent day school for girls, known for its strong academic outcomes and well-rounded approach to education. In this review, we explore what the school offers and why it may be a compelling option for families seeking both academic excellence and holistic development.

Godolphin and Latymer School Review

Table of Contents

Key Features of Godolphin and Latymer

  • Boarding: No (Day School)
  • Local authority: London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham
  • Established: 1861
  • Pupils: 827; sixth formers: 222
  • Co-ed:  No (girls only)
  • Fees: £34,622 per year
  • Results: 97% 9-7 at GCSE, 83% A*/A at A level

The school is located in Hammersmith, offering students the advantage of a well-connected London setting while maintaining a focused and academically ambitious environment. Godolphin and Latymer School is known for attracting intellectually curious and motivated students who are eager to engage fully with both academic and co-curricular opportunities, making it a strong option for families seeking a high-performing yet balanced education.

Alongside its academic rigour, the school places strong emphasis on pastoral care and individual development. Students receive consistent support to build confidence, resilience, and independence, while a wide-ranging co-curricular programme allows them to explore interests across the arts, sciences, sport, and leadership. With pathways including both the IB Diploma and A Levels, as well as a forward-looking futures programme that develops real-world skills such as problem-solving and teamwork, Godolphin and Latymer prepares students not only for leading universities, but for long-term success beyond school.

Parents love Godolphin and Latymer not just for the academic success it brings their daughters, but for the school’s holistic approach to their education in the broadest sense.

THE SUNDAY TIMES

Godolphin and Latymer School Results

2025: 97% 9-7 at GCSE, 83% A*/A at A level
2024: 97.8% 9-7 at GCSE, 82% A*/A at A level
2023: 96.9% 9-7 at GCSE, 78.5% A*/A at A level

University Progression:
Godolphin and Latymer School consistently secures strong university outcomes across the UK and internationally.

  • Majority of students progress to Russell Group and top UK universities, including University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, London School of Economics, and University College London
  • Strong outcomes in STEM subjects, with students entering competitive courses such as Medicine, Engineering, and Natural Sciences
  • 2025 destinations include top UK and global universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, Durham, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This reflects a consistent track record of placing students into highly selective and academically rigorous programmes.

Facilities in Godolphin and Latymer

Godolphin & Latymer School offers extensive on-site facilities that support both sporting excellence and creative development. The school’s sports centre includes a large, multi-purpose sports hall used for cricket, football, fencing, badminton, basketball, netball, volleyball, and hockey. Additional facilities include a full-height climbing wall, a professional sound system, a dedicated dance studio, and a fully equipped fitness suite. A dual-aspect viewing gallery overlooks the sports hall and the outdoor astro pitches, which are used for hockey, rounders, and athletics during the summer term and sit alongside netball and tennis courts. These facilities are well utilised throughout the school day, before and after lessons, and during co-curricular sessions.

Creative and performing arts are equally well supported. A repurposed church houses the school’s performing arts centre, featuring a bright glass atrium that provides flexible rehearsal and performance spaces. This links directly to the music school, which includes multiple rehearsal rooms, practice spaces, and a fully equipped music suite. Art studios benefit from abundant natural light, while design and technology and food technology workshops support both academic coursework and enrichment activities. Academic facilities are complemented by a well-stocked library and a science block with modern laboratories and interactive teaching spaces.

Located close to Hammersmith Broadway, the school benefits from easy access to London’s cultural institutions, including museums, galleries, and theatres. At the same time, its position within a quiet, tree-lined residential area provides a calm and focused setting for learning, offering students the advantages of a central London location without the distractions of busy main roads.

Extracurricular Activities in Godolphin

At Godolphin and Latymer, girls are encouraged to develop their talents and interests beyond the classroom through a wide range of co-curricular opportunities. Students can get involved in sports teams, creative and performing arts, or take part in a broad selection of clubs and societies. If an interest is not already represented, pupils are supported in setting up new clubs, reinforcing the school’s emphasis on initiative, independence, and exploration. The aim is to help girls broaden their horizons, try new experiences, and develop interests that may shape future study or become lifelong passions.

The school’s clubs and societies reflect a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring there is something to suit every interest. Whether students are drawn to science, languages, food, film, psychology, chess, economics, or creative writing, opportunities are readily available. Most clubs are student-led, with staff involvement where appropriate, and they evolve naturally as interests change over time. Popular and well-established societies include:

  • 66 Books
  • Amnesty
  • Anime Club
  • Backgammon Club
  • Bio-med Society
  • Bridge Society
  • Chess Club
  • Chem Club
  • China Club
  • Classics Club
  • Climate Change Society
  • Computing Club
  • Dissection Club
  • Doctor Dolphin (Medic Magazine)
  • Economics Society

Together, these activities encourage intellectual curiosity, collaboration, and a strong sense of community within the school.

Teaching and Learning at Godolphin and Latymer

In the early years, students follow a broad curriculum, studying English, Maths, Sciences, Humanities, Languages, and the Creative Arts. This wide foundation helps them build key skills and identify their interests.

In Years 10 and 11, students begin GCSEs, taking compulsory subjects: English Language, English Literature, Maths, and the three separate Sciences. They also choose a Modern Foreign Language and three further subjects. Options include History, Geography, Art & Design, Computer Science, and Classical Civilisation.

In the Sixth Form, students choose between A Levels or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. The A Level route allows for specialisation, usually across three or four subjects. Meanwhile, the IB offers a broader approach, with six subjects plus the Extended Essay and Theory of Knowledge.

Teaching at Godolphin and Latymer on the other hand is research-informed. Staff use proven methods to help pupils learn deeply and think independently. Blended learning also plays a role – students are encourage use of modern day technology (tablets/ laptops) and other tools alongside traditional classroom teaching.

Admissions Process: Entering Godolphin and Latymer

Approximately 900 applicants contend for just 110 available places, as it operates on a five-form entry system. Godolphin and Latymer School is now part of the London 11+ Consortium, which has introduced a new entrance test starting from 2023. Successful candidates in the test are subsequently invited for interviews. It’s important to note that the school does not have a sibling policy in place.

For the 16+ entry, there are typically around 12-15 places available, a highly competitive this admission stage. Roughly a quarter of the school’s intake is comprised of students from state schools.

SEN Support

The school is committed to providing extra time, supported by appropriate documentation, to candidates with Special Educational Needs (SEN). However, it is emphasised that candidates are expected to deliver competitive results even with the additional time. The head of the school maintains that if a candidate does not perform at a level commensurate with their peers despite receiving extra time, the school may not be the best fit for them.

Testimonials and Reviews of Godolphin and Latymer

James Sanders
Rated 5 out of 5
An incredible school with excellent staff.
Azure
Rated 5 out of 5

My DC is happy and getting on really well there. It’s great that it’s properly co-ed. The school has a very good support department. The cool / urban preconception is not the reality – there is a wide range of children there, from sporty to geeky (or both). The parents I have met are very normal and plenty of children went to a state primary school. There is a strong bursary programme. Yes there is a smattering of actor and media types (as I think is the case in all the schools in the area) but I’m yet to meet or hear of anyone super rich. Good luck with your decision – it’s a nice choice to have.

Muberry10
Rated 5 out of 5

Really really happy with the school, as are all the parents I’ve spoken to. The girls are busy, enthusiastic and cheerful. The staff are calm and accessible. They seem to get great results without any overt pressure from the school, which has a really measured approach. My feeling is that they trust the girls to do their best, and work with them to make sure they achieve it. There’s always lots going on in terms of sport, clubs, drama etc – and lots of laughter. Almost everyone seems to stay into the sixth form.

Teacher
Rated 5 out of 5

Friendly staff. Great atmosphere. Good transport links.

Frequently Asked Questions about Godolphin and Latymer School

Dr Frances Ramsey
The Head is an experienced educational leader, having previously served as Principal of Queen’s College London for eight years. Before this, she spent 17 years at Westminster School, where she held several senior roles including Head of History, Director of Studies, and Housemistress. She is also notably the first female Master of the Queen’s Scholars, a distinction she characteristically plays down.

Notable alumnae
  • Sarah Alexander, actress.
  • Julia Barfield, architect.
  • Kate Beckinsale, actress and model.
  • Hattie Jacques, actress.
  • Carrie Johnson, Communications and PR advisor and wife of former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Godolphin and Latymer | Independent School for Girls aged 11-18.

They do not have school on a Saturday although there are occasional sports tournaments and trips.

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