Eltham College

Word From The Head

Guy Sanderson

Founded in 1842, Eltham College is an award-winning independent day school for boys and girls located on a green and spacious campus in south-east London. The school is rich in history, variety, vitality and care. Throughout its 180 year history, students from Eltham College have been recognised for their scholarship and commitment to serving others: they have gone on to give leadership and service in many areas beyond school life.

The school's mission is to provide a balanced and stimulating education - to inspire a love of learning but also a wide range of co-curricular opportunities that help students reach their potential. In recognition of this, the school was named by the respected Sunday Times Parent Power survey as 'London Independent School of the Year 2024' at the end of 2023.

With the excellent sports, music, drama and art facilities you expect in a large school with just over 1,000 students, it is also small enough to care and every pupil is known and valued as an individual. It is committed to academic achievement of the highest standards, but its yardstick is always the individual's potential. Students are encouraged to perform at their highest level both academically and in the breadth of school life. In the range of activities in sport, through outdoor pursuits, to our justly celebrated music, art and drama, there is scope for everyone to realise that potential.

Facilities include a purpose built sports centre housing a 25m swimming pool, weight and conditioning suite, dance studio and sports hall containing an indoor cricket centre. The extensive playing fields two full-size all weather pitches for hockey and a multi-use games area, senior and junior cricket nets and tennis courts. The school has a large, bright library, a dedicated Music School and school theatre and, a dedicated art gallery which hosts regular exhibitions that is also used for cross curricular teaching.

The school has nearly 50 musical groups performing regularly both in and out of school, a busy drama schedule in the performing-arts centre and regular international travel across all areas of school life. Standards in sports and games are high and there are national and regional representatives in many sports. There is a substantial commitment from pupils to local community service and charity work plus there are a wide range of vibrant clubs and societies.

Academic standards are high, and nearly all students leave Eltham to attend the university or specialist college of their choice. In 2023, nearly 75% of all A Level grades were A*/A and at GCSE, 81% were grade 9-7.

We call our approach: 'Education for Living Life' so that every pupil who leaves the school is equipped with the skills and attributes they need to lead happy and fulfilling adult lives.

Come and see us for yourselves - at one of our autumn Open Days. I can promise you will receive a warm welcome!