WHAT? WHERE?

Tucked behind Kensington’s bustling high street, Collingham is an independent day school for boys and girls aged 13 – 19 yrs. It’s made up of two charming sites – one for GCSE students, the other for Sixth Formers – both classic London townhouses with serious red-brick charm. The College is also a heartbeat from the capital’s most iconic cultural institutions, including the Natural History Museum, the V&A, the Science Museum and Imperial College.

Don’t let its size fool you: Collingham is a pocket rocket. With around 40 students at GCSE and 120 in the Sixth Form, it’s deliberately small-scale – and that’s one of its biggest draws. Class sizes hover around 8–9 max, with an average of 5, meaning students get laser-focused teaching, whether they’re heading for Oxbridge or just need a confidence boost.

The vibe? Warm, relaxed and quietly academic. No uniforms, first-name terms with teachers, and an atmosphere that is more college than school – in the best way. It’s a place where students feel comfortable enough to ask questions, make mistakes and figure out who they are.

FACILITIES

This isn’t a bells-and-whistles kind of place – and that’s intentional. Facilities are modest but smart: seminar-style classrooms, subject-specific study spaces, small science labs, and a café at the Sixth Form site that dishes up hot meals and easy conversation. GCSE students are encouraged to bring their own lunch or head to one of Kensington’s many cafés – independence with a side of Pret.

SPORT

There’s no onsite sports centre, but don’t panic, Collingham still gets active. Y9 and Y10 have two 2hr games sessions a week and Y11 and Y12 students lace up their trainers for one 2hr session. There’s an inclusive vibe and the main sports on offer are football, tennis, basketball and rounders.

Students head offsite to local astro pitches and tennis courts, and there’s a strong football tradition here. The college even scooped the top prize in the national CIFE (Council for Independent Education) tournament recently. It’s also a popular choice for elite athletes who need a flexible timetable to balance training with studies.

CREATIVE ARTS

Self-expression is something that is actively encouraged – with an unusually strong media offering. Students are supported to pursue their passions and that shows in subject choices, including Art, Photography, Textiles, Music, Film Studies and Media Studies. The college offers both GCSE and A-Level Music, but if your child wants to take individual instrumental lessons, that’s not something currently provided at Collingham.

Students showcase their talents at the yearly musical concert, while the end-of-year Art and Photography show is a real highlight, and judging by the work I saw, the standard is exceptionally high. This year also marks the college’s 50th anniversary, with a big celebration planned.

It would be wrong not to mention how much the college takes advantage of the amazing museums right on its doorstep. They regularly include museum visits in their lessons and to kick off the year, Y12 students even get to go on a fun treasure hunt at the V&A, which is a great way for everyone to bond as a group.

If you have a wannabe Tom Holland or Zendaya, they won’t be able to cut their acting chops here. Drama is not offered at GCSE or A-Level. That said, creatives really excel with many moving to prestigious Art and Film schools, including UAL, Goldsmiths, City & Guilds, Bristol, Kings and the MET Film School.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR

Collingham may be academically focused, but it hasn’t forgotten the importance of a little life beyond the books. A-Level students are expected to get stuck into the extra-curricular scene, with an enrichment hour every Friday afternoon where participation in either a club or sport is mandatory (no slinking off early to prep for your UCAS form, sorry). Options rotate termly and include everything from Music Appreciation and Debating to Tennis and Football – a decent mix, although the sportier types may feel more at home here than the theatricals (watch this space: a Drama Club is rumoured to be launching). Chess Club fans should note it’s the only A-Level option held after school, meeting at 6pm – ideal for a bit of tactical brain training post-timetable.

GCSE students have a slightly more relaxed set-up, with Art Club after school on a set weekday and the chance to volunteer for the Student Council. The annual Ski Trip is a big hit across the year groups, combining snow, socialising and slope-side bonding. That said, while the current extra-curricular programme is solid, it’s not quite bursting at the seams – creative or less sporty students might crave a few more niche offerings. That said, the college appears open to ideas and growth, so it’s one to watch if you’re after a school that balances academic rigour with a low-key but evolving co-curricular culture.

ACADEMICS

Collingham punches above its weight academically. In 2024, over 62% of A-Level grades were A*–B (15.1% hitting the A* jackpot) and GCSE results were equally strong, with more than 75% at grade 9–4 (21.7% of grades were 9/8). There’s no entrance exam – instead, it’s about interview, personality, and fit. Students applying for academic A-Levels (think Chemistry or Maths) are expected to have strong GCSEs to match. Recent standout achievements include a student securing 10 grade 9s at GCSE and another winning the prestigious CIFE Maths Prize alongside earning four A* grades at A-Level and a place at Imperial.

The curriculum is broad and international in flavour – offering everything from Arabic, Film Studies and Art to Psychology, Sociology and Physics. The teaching style is informal, discussion-based and highly personalised, combining combines taught lessons, supervised study and tutor time. Sixth Formers get a good blend of taught lessons and independent study, with support ramping up for UCAS when the time comes. Students regularly head off to top unis, including Cambridge, Imperial, Durham and St Andrews, as well as creative hubs like Central Saint Martins and BIMM.

PASTORAL CARE

Pastoral care is where Collingham really shines. Every student gets a Personal Tutor (PT) who meets them weekly, guiding both academic and emotional progress. The PT acts as the first point of contact for any difficulties, ensuring students feel heard and supported.

There’s a counsellor on hand, and referrals are as flexible as the rest of the school – regular sessions or a light-touch check-in, depending on need. Just as you’d expect from this College, this tailored approach ensures that support adapts to each student’s unique circumstances.

There’s a Y14 option too for students who want to retake or change direction post-GCSEs or A-Levels. Parents are kept well in the loop – termly parents’ evenings, regular emails, but none of the micromanaging. Younger students (Y9–Y11) follow a structured day from 9.15am to 4pm with supervised lessons, while sixth formers slowly get more independence, learning to take responsibility but with support every step of the way.

THE HEAD

Principal James Allder has been the Deputy Principal at Collingham for over a decade and stepped into the top job in 2023. He’s calm, compassionate and quietly confident – exactly the right fit for a school that champions individuality over pomp. Still teaching Geography (and proudly so), he knows the students, the staff and the rhythm of the college like the back of his hand.

What stood out to me is that Allder really knows what Collingham is and what it isn’t. He’s confident about the school’s strengths and refreshingly honest about its limitations, openly acknowledging it doesn’t have a vast campus or cutting-edge facilities. What really came through was his genuine belief in the school’s ethos.

He’s gently refreshing the place – adding a school council, reintroducing trips (including a ski one), he’s made work experience compulsory for Y10 and Y12 and is giving extracurricular life a glow-up with clubs in chess, art, music appreciation and debating. He’s also keen to deepen community ties – think charity bake-offs, local fairs, and creative student showcases.

SEND

Around 45% of students at Collingham have some form of SEND, and support here is thoughtful and seamlessly integrated. A dedicated SENCo works closely with subject staff, and small classes allow teachers to personalise lessons without students being pulled out or labelled.

MOBILE PHONE POLICY

A clear, no-faff policy: phones are handed in on arrival – GCSE students at the door, Sixth Formers in their form rooms. The PSHE programme also touches on screen time and social media in a smart, non-preachy way.

ISI REPORT

In 2023, the ISI gave Collingham a glowing academic review and a ‘good’ rating for personal development – with clear plans in place to nudge that even higher. You can read the full report here:

TRANSPORT

A breeze. It’s central London, so expect tube stations galore within walking distance. Nearest stations are: High Street Kensington, South Kensington, Warwick Road and Earl’s Court. Most students are local, but those coming in from further afield can do so easily.

QUIRKS

It’s unshackled from the formality of ‘traditional’ schools – no uniform, teachers and pupils on first name basis and an eye on the student’s exit. They are on a mission to build independence.

The students know their soggy bottoms from a showstopper – Collingham enjoys a bit of a culinary reputation thanks to its much-loved annual charity bake-off.

The Sixth Form at 23 Collingham Gardens once housed Gibbs’ Preparatory School, where the likes of Robert Kennedy and Christopher Robin Milne, AKA son of AA Milne of Winnie-the-Pooh fame, once walked the hallways and classrooms.

FEES

In line with other independent sixth form colleges – £11,065 per term for three subjects. One-to-one teaching is £115 per hour. There are part-time and bespoke options, and the college has absorbed 5% of the recent VAT hike to ease the pinch.

WORD ON THE GROUND

Parents love the warm, inclusive feel here. Collingham draws families who value flexibility, individuality and strong academic support – without the high-pressure, high-gloss feel of bigger schools. Students get to be themselves – and flourish for it. Some parents would like to see a broader sports and extra-curricular offering, but it’s not a deal breaker and they wouldn’t want it to be at the expense of the academic rigour.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

GOOD FOR: Independent, motivated teens who’ll thrive in small classes with loads of personal attention. Ideal for bright sparks who want a fresh start, creatives aiming for art school, or those who just need space to be themselves. It’s a good option for sporty or performing kids juggling demanding schedules outside of school – Collingham is flexible and knows how to pivot.

NOT FOR: Traditionalists craving big sports halls, full-blown drama departments or grand school pomp. The scale here is small and calm – fab for focus, less so for full-throttle social buzz. If your teen wants rugby leagues, house points and packed assemblies, this isn’t the one.

Collingham, 23 Collingham Gardens, London SW5 0HL. Tel: 020 7244 7414

Collingham Kensington, London

You may also like