The original foundation dates from 1442. The first school building opened in 1837 and the school moved to its fine, purpose-built buildings in 1986. These occupy a superb riverside site near St Paul's Cathedral, linked to the Globe Theatre and Tate Modern by the Millennium Bridge. The new buildings are outstandingly well equipped and comfortable in every respect. The playing fields are at Grove Park. It aims to maintain its long tradition of providing a liberal education to a wide economic, social and ethnic cross-section of the community. The school is strictly non-denominational. A very high standard of academic excellence is aimed at and achieved; examination results are excellent. Almost all leavers go on to degree courses, large numbers to Oxbridge (also to medical schools: the study of medicine is a vigorous tradition). There is also a strong tradition of musical excellence (the choristers of the Temple Church and the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, are all pupils). Drama and art also flourish. Sport and games are compulsory and standards are high. There is a substantial commitment to local community schemes. There are a number of outreach initiatives to share good practice with schools in local boroughs. The school enjoys close links with the Corporation of London and City life in general.

Pupils: Age range 10-18; 895 day boys. Entrance: Main entry ages 10, 11, 13 and 16. Own entrance exam used; for sixth-form entry, 6 GCSEs at least grade A (including maths, English and sixth-form subjects). No special skills or religious requirements. State school entry, 50% of main intake at 11. Feeder schools include Sussex House, North Bridge House, The Hall, William Tyndale, St Anthony's (Hampstead), St Michael's (Highgate).

30 pa scholarships, value 17%-50% fees: 25 academic, 5 music (20 at 10 and 11; 5 each at 13 and 16). Number of means-tested academic bursaries to pupils aged 11; up to 14 commercially sponsored bursaries (100%); some available to pupils in exam years, whose parents are in financial difficulties; also choral bursaries. Parents not expected to buy textbooks.

Headmaster: David Levin, in post from 1999. Educated in South Africa, postgraduate research in England. Previously Headmaster at Royal Grammar School, High Wycombe, and Second Master at Cheltenham College. Teaching staff: 80 full time, 5 part time. Annual turnover 5%.

GCSE: 142 pupils in fifth form: 99% gained grade C or above in 8+ subjects. Average GCSE score 70. A-levels: 132 in upper sixth. Average final point score achieved by upper sixth formers 398.

99% of sixth-form leavers go on to a degree course (22% after a gap year), 15% to Oxbridge. 10% take courses in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, 18% in science, computing and engineering, 3% in law, 40% in humanities and social sciences, 29% in other subjects eg accountancy, architecture.

GCSE, AS and A-levels. 21 GCSE subjects offered, 22 at AS/A-level, including Russian. Sixth form: Most sixth formers take 4 subjects at AS-level, 3 at A-level; general studies neither taught nor examined. All take ICT course with aim of obtaining a qualification. Vocational: Work experience available (at home and abroad). Special provision: Facility for wheelchair pupils. Languages: French, German, Russian and Spanish offered to GCSE, AS and A-level. Regular exchanges and work experience in Germany, Spain and France. ICT: Taught both as a discrete subject and across the curriculum, eg modern languages and history. 260 computers for pupil use (all school hours), all networked and some with email and internet access; also class set of laptops. Most pupils take CIT qualifications.

Music: Up to 50% of pupils learn a musical instrument; instrumental exams may be taken. Some 10 musical groups including orchestras, wind bands, string ensembles, choirs. Drama: Drama offered, GCSE and A-level may be taken. Some pupils are involved in regular school and house/other productions. Art and design: On average, 30 take GCSE, 10 A-level. Pottery, printmaking, sculpture also offered.

Sport: Soccer, cricket, athletics, swimming compulsory. Optional: fencing, squash, karate, badminton, table tennis, sailing, lawn tennis, hockey, cross-country, water polo, basketball, tennis. RLSS exams may be taken. National representatives at basketball, fencing; regional basketball, water polo reps; county cricket, water polo, hockey, fencing, badminton, cross-country reps. Activities: Pupils take bronze, silver and gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award. CCF and community service both optional for 1 year at age 14. Fund-raising for charity. Over 30 clubs, eg bridge, chess, Christian, Dr Who, Jewish, law, economics, politics, railways, science.

Uniform: School uniform worn except in the sixth form, when suits are worn. Houses and prefects: Competitive houses. Prefects, head boy, house captains elected. School Parliament. Religion: Non-denominational school. No compulsory worship. Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and other assemblies held. Social: Several joint functions with City of London Girls' School. Organised trips and an exchange with a school in Hamburg. Pupils allowed to bring own bike to school. Meals self-service. No tobacco or alcohol allowed.

Inclining to the traditional, within a pastoral system based on form tutors and heads of year; pupils failing to produce homework might expect detention; use of drugs likely to lead to permanent exclusion.

is run by G A Coulson, 11 Mapleton Close, Bromley, Kent.

H H Asquith; Kingsley Amis; Denis Norden; Mike Brearley; Julian Barnes; Anthony Julius; Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC; Lord Levene of Portsoken.