David Game College Review 2026: Independent Sixth Form with Urban Boarding

In 1974, David Game opened a small tutorial college with just five rooms in a basement. Today, his college occupies a 60,000-square-foot building on Jewry Street in the heart of the City of London, where fragments of the ancient Roman wall run through the basement. The building itself tells a story: its foundation stone was laid in 1899 by the Bishop of London; it housed the Sir John Cass Institute, London Metropolitan University, and now David Game College, one of the UK's largest independent colleges for students aged 14 to 22.

This is a specialist institution designed for the serious student. With examination results at GCSE and A-level, boarding facilities that opened only in 2022, and a relentless focus on university preparation, David Game College operates in a distinct niche. The college admits approximately 380 students across a mix of intensive one-year and traditional two-year programmes. Its location metres from Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and the Bank of England creates an environment where ancient history and modern finance coexist.

For families seeking intensive academic support, specialist university preparation, or boarding in central London, David Game College delivers. The college's reputation centres on transformation: turning around previously underperforming students, preparing medical school applicants, and placing graduates into Russell Group universities. What it is not is a conventional school. Students here are learning alongside international peers, often joining mid-year, sometimes retaking examinations, and always under the scrutiny of small classes and close monitoring.

The college occupies multiple floors of a building with over 80 high-ceilinged classrooms that create genuine scholarly space. The architecture blends Victorian heritage with contemporary renovation; contemporary artwork hangs throughout the corridors, drawn from David Game's private collection, creating a gallery-like atmosphere. This is intentional: the building was designed as an educational space and has remained so for over a century.

The tone here is adult and purposeful. This is not a secondary school in the traditional sense; it is a serious academic college where students are expected to behave with maturity and responsibility. Staff wear no uniforms. Students are addressed by their first names. The dress code is business casual. Rules exist but are enforced with the assumption that students are young adults preparing for higher education and careers.

David Game, the 82-year-old founder who still serves as co-principal, remains visibly present. He holds an MA in Mathematics from Oxford and an MPhil in Number Theory from University College London. When appointing teachers, he seeks tutors who combine expert subject knowledge with genuine passion for teaching. This preference for subject specialists has shaped the college's identity: many staff hold doctorates or specialist postgraduate qualifications. Staff retention is high, suggesting a stable, professional environment.

The student body is deliberately mixed. Approximately 40% are international students on visas; approximately 60% are British. Age range spans 14 to 22. Some students are in their first year of A-levels; others are resitting; still others are on one-year intensive programmes or the University Foundation Programme. This diversity creates a mature, cosmopolitan atmosphere quite different from a traditional secondary school. A student here might be sitting next to someone retaking GCSE Mathematics in one class and a pre-medical student revising biochemistry in another.

Boarding, introduced in September 2022, adds another dimension. The college's acquisition of purpose-built accommodation with 144 rooms has allowed families from across the UK and abroad to access central London education without relying on family homes. The boarding house operates within the same building as teaching spaces, creating genuine immersion in college life.

GCSE Performance

The college's GCSE results reflect its complicated positioning in the education landscape. In 2024, 30% of grades reached A*-A. This places the college in the bottom percentile of the FindMySchool ranking, at 4,123rd out of 4,593 secondary schools in England (FindMySchool ranking). The context matters: David Game College is not a traditional secondary school with Year 9 to Year 11 students progressing naturally. The majority of GCSE students here are either retakes (students aged 16-20 who failed to achieve their target grades elsewhere) or international students taking GCSE for the first time before proceeding to A-levels. The college offers one-year intensive GCSE programmes, which inevitably attract students recovering from educational disruption.

For a student arriving at David Game College having underperformed elsewhere, the focus is recovery and improvement. The college's track record here is significant: the majority of GCSE students who retake improve substantially compared to previous attempts.

A-Level Performance

A-level results tell a more compelling story. In 2024, 29% of grades reached A*-A. The college ranks 1,492nd in England for A-level performance (FindMySchool ranking), placing it in the middle 50% of schools nationally. Given that the college's A-level cohort includes significant numbers of retake and intensive students, this performance is stronger than raw percentages suggest.

More meaningfully, the college reports that approximately 65% of A-level students progress to Russell Group universities, a reflection of its success in improving student outcomes through intensive teaching and personal tutoring.

The college's pedagogical approach combines traditional academic rigour with modern technology. Class sizes are small, typically ranging from 6 to 15 students per group, far smaller than conventional sixth forms. This allows tutors to know each student's learning gaps intimately.

The curriculum is broad at A-level, spanning sciences, mathematics, languages (including Russian, Chinese, and Classical Greek), humanities, and creative subjects. Subjects are taught in depth following the examination specifications precisely. The college conducts regular audits of examination board specifications to ensure tutors are following current requirements and covering all aspects of syllabi. Homework is set regularly; students complete timed practice tests to improve examination technique.

The college has invested in two distinctive innovations. The first is specialist support: the Medical and Life Sciences Programme offers students intensive coaching for UKAT and BMAT entrance tests alongside subject teaching, specifically designed for medical school applicants. Law students receive LNAT preparation. The Oxbridge Preparation programme offers additional seminars for Cambridge and Oxford candidates.

The second is the Sabrewing Programme, launched in 2024. This AI-powered adaptive learning system combines personalised online learning in the mornings with practical labs, life-skills coaching, and mentoring in the afternoons. Each student receives a personalised learning pathway based on pre-existing knowledge gaps, supported by an AI tutor called Violet and by dedicated learning coaches. This self-paced approach suits students who have found traditional classroom pace either too fast or too slow. The system is particularly targeted at students with social, emotional, mental health needs or specific learning differences.

Complementing classroom teaching, the University Foundation Programme, established in 1989, serves as a bridge for international students and those whose qualifications do not align with UK university entry requirements. The one-year intensive course prepares students across multiple disciplines (Business, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, Pharmacy, Architecture, Art and Design) and boasts a 100% success rate in securing university places for successful programme completers.

Teaching staff are held to exacting standards. The co-principals require all tutors to hold at least a first degree in their subject. Many hold doctorates. Professional development is continuous.

The college deliberately offers extracurricular activities aligned with its academic mission, though the intensity of the timetable — many students juggling A-levels, retakes, or intensive programmes — limits what is available.

Music

The Music Department has expanded significantly. Music is offered at GCSE and A-level, alongside Music Technology. The college employs visiting specialists for strings, brass, percussion, guitar, and voice. This allows students continuing instrumental learning to do so without interruption despite changing schools. The Music Club, established in 2018, brings together students with shared interest. Recording suites with professional equipment allow Music and Music Technology students to produce work to industry standards.

Drama

Drama productions are genuinely collaborative. Rather than mounting established plays, the college produces original, student-scripted pieces of devised theatre. Recent productions have been crafted, drafted, and performed entirely by students, emphasizing teamwork, self-discovery, confidence-building, and communication. Productions use the college's two lecture theatres (capacity 70 and 220) as performance spaces, with professional sound and lighting systems.

Student Voice and Community

The Student Council comprises elected representatives who meet regularly to discuss matters of concern and suggest improvements to academic and social life. The council also arranges debates and discussions on current affairs and ethical issues. This creates genuine student voice in how the college operates.

An annual Graduation Ceremony celebrates students who have completed their examinations and are leaving the college. With live music, formal dress code, and celebration of achievement, this event marks the end of examinations and the transition to university or careers.

Clubs and Societies

The college supports a curated selection of clubs and societies: the Debating Society, Christian Union, Reading Club, and Football team. Additionally, students are welcome to propose new clubs aligned with shared interests. The Reading Club reflects the college's emphasis on extending learning beyond the syllabus; the Debating Society develops communication and argumentation skills critical for university.

Sports and Physical Activity

The college leverages its central London location extensively. Rather than maintaining extensive on-site sports fields, the college uses local facilities across London: multiple swimming pools, football pitches, basketball courts, and gyms. An on-site gym operates for students wishing to work out during breaks or free periods. Regular training sessions and matches are organized in basketball, football, and other sports.

Boarding Community Activities

For boarders, extracurricular activities take on heightened importance. The college organizes regular trips: visits to the Houses of Parliament, the British Museum, the London Eye, and other cultural landmarks. Recreational activities include bouldering, escape rooms, and bowling. Boarders are consulted about their interests and the college endeavours to accommodate requests.

Facilities

The college's 60,000-square-foot building provides distinctive facilities. Three purpose-built science laboratories (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) are designed for experimental learning and equipped with state-of-the-art data recording equipment and DNA analysis facilities. The Physics laboratory provides optimal space for hands-on experimentation; the Chemistry and Biology laboratories were designed by the Head of Science to provide students with premium experience.

Art studios are light, well-resourced creative spaces with ICT and Photoshop integration. A dedicated photography studio with professional flash and tungsten lighting, combined with a darkroom and suite of Mac computers with latest editing software, supports serious photography work. The library provides quiet study space, internet access, reference books, past examination papers, and university prospectuses. An in-house Moodle system and Google Classroom support blended learning.

The college maintains its own IT infrastructure with servers supporting web-based applications. All students and staff have free Wi-Fi access, with advanced filtering ensuring safe, secure internet use. Computing suites are available for lessons and independent study. The Boarding Common Room features Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 games consoles alongside a Meta Quest 2 VR headset, providing supervised downtime space.

The Canteen provides full board meal service for boarders, offering well-balanced, freshly prepared meals daily with meat and vegetarian options. The canteen also serves as a social space where students can relax and meet friends, with BBC and Sky News available.

David Game College is independent and fee-paying. Day fees per term range from £2,870 to £8,617, depending on course intensity and year group. Annual day fees therefore range from approximately £8,610 to £25,851. Boarding fees per term range from £15,960 to £18,317, making annual boarding fees approximately £47,880 to £54,951.

The Sabrewing Programme (AI-adaptive learning) is priced at £27,000 per year including all trips and activities (examination fees excluded).

The college offers scholarships for academic, music, sport, and art achievement, typically ranging from 10% to 50% fee reduction. A smaller number of students are offered full (100%) scholarships each year. Decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, assimilating fairness and context.

A registration fee of approximately £150 and acceptance deposit (typically equivalent to one term's fees) are required upon offer.

University placement is central to the college's mission. In 2024, 46% of leavers progressed to university. Approximately 65% of A-level graduates secure places at Russell Group universities, reflecting the college's track record in preparing competitive applications.

The University Foundation Programme achieves a 100% success rate in securing university offers for programme completers. UFP graduates have progressed to universities including Aston, Bath, Brunel, Cass Business School, and others across the UK. The programme is accepted by over 90 British universities and colleges, and has been accepted by universities in the USA, Canada, and Australia.

For the broader cohort, the college reports strong progression to competitive courses. In 2024, 18 students secured places at medical schools across the UK, reflecting the intensive support through the Medical and Life Sciences Programme. The college has developed strong links with Russell Group universities and other leading higher education providers.

Entry to David Game College is non-selective in the formal sense; there is no entrance examination in the traditional manner. However, the college does assess candidates carefully.

For GCSE: Applicants should have completed Year 9 or 10 in a UK school or overseas equivalent with satisfactory school references regarding academic achievement, attendance, punctuality, and conduct. Each applicant is interviewed by a co-principal or senior member of staff. The interview style is informal and conversational, providing opportunity for families to assess the education offered and for the college to understand the applicant's circumstances.

For A-Level: The college typically requires five GCSE passes at grades A* to C (9 to 4), including English and Mathematics, or a satisfactory IELTS score. A-level applicants will also be interviewed. For students applying to specific courses (Law, Medicine, Dentistry), additional aptitude tests may be required (LNAT, UCAT, BMAT).

The Application Process: Applicants register online and complete an application form. The college assesses whether the student's learning difficulties (if any) can be managed within normal provision and whether the student is in a position to pay fees if applicable. For students whose previous school was fee-paying, all fees must have been paid.

International Students: The college holds Licensed Student Sponsor status from UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI), requiring continuous adaptation of admissions procedures. English language requirements: IELTS 5.0 or equivalent for most applicants; IELTS 4.5 for the Sabrewing Programme.

The college has invested deliberately in pastoral provision. Each student has a personal tutor who provides academic oversight, reviews progress, and discusses concerns about academic development. This extended personal tutor system allows students to discuss concerns and enables the college to adjust learning programmes or provide additional support.

The college employs a dedicated SENCO and SEMH (Social, Emotional, Mental Health) lead who work closely with staff to tailor provision for students with identified needs. Independent educational psychologists and counsellors are contracted to assess individual learning needs, particularly for students requiring exam access arrangements.

For boarding students, dedicated, fully qualified nursing staff are available 24/7 for medical advice and emergencies. A medical room treats minor ailments; more serious illness results in appropriate offsite treatment.

The REACH system, used exclusively for boarding management, allows students and parents to submit leave requests and enables staff to monitor exeats. Text message announcements alert the community to security alerts or urgent information.

Behaviour and discipline operate on principles of accountability and mutual respect. The college expects students to behave as young adults. Rules exist but are enforced consistently.

The college operates from 9:00am to approximately 4:30pm during term time, though students may remain on-site beyond official hours and are welcome to use facilities for independent study.

The college is located at 31 Jewry Street, London EC3N 2ET, minutes from Aldgate East, Tower Gateway, and Bank Underground stations. Tower Bridge, the Tower of London, and St Paul's Cathedral are within walking distance. Spitalfields Market, Borough Market, and Brick Lane are easily accessible. The location is designed for student exploration of London's cultural and historic landscape.

Term dates follow a traditional academic calendar with half-terms and full holiday breaks. The college is open during selected holiday periods for exam revision sessions.

Transport from major London airports (Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted) is straightforward via express train and Underground.

The student body is not traditional secondary school peers. You will be choosing a college where approximately 40% are international students, where 20% to 30% are on retake programmes, and where class composition changes as students join, leave, and progress. This is not a tight-knit peer group that remains stable across five years. For families expecting a conventional secondary school community, David Game may feel transient.

Examination performance data must be contextualised. The college's GCSE rankings reflect the fact that many GCSE students here are retakes and international students sitting GCSE for entry to A-level elsewhere. A-level performance is considerably stronger. Raw percentages of A*-A grades should not be compared directly with traditional secondary schools where cohorts are more stable.

Boarding is newly established. Boarding facilities opened in September 2022, making it a very recent addition. Families choosing boarding should be aware of this and satisfy themselves that boarding provision is sufficiently established and meets their needs through direct contact with the college.

The ISI inspection in 2024 raised concerns. The college underwent ISI educational oversight inspection in March 2024, with the report published in 2025. The inspection found teaching and curriculum quality to be good, but noted that the college does not meet all expectations regarding safeguarding procedures and governance oversight. Safeguarding arrangements were rated unsatisfactory, with particular concerns about the Designated Safeguarding Lead training for deputy DSLs and responsible governors. Governance and leadership were similarly rated unsatisfactory. Families should review the full inspection report and satisfy themselves that these concerns are being addressed before committing to the college.

Cost and commitment. Annual day fees of £8,600 to £25,850, depending on course type, represent a significant financial commitment. Boarding adds substantially to cost. Families must factor in examination fees (not included in tuition), materials, and any extras. The college's refund and cancellation policy should be understood before enrolling.

David Game College is a specialist institution for a defined type of student: one seeking intensive examination preparation, recovery from previous educational underperformance, or transition into UK higher education from overseas. The college excels at transformation. Its track record of improving student outcomes, its specialist university preparation programmes, and its placement into Russell Group universities and medical schools demonstrate genuine educational effectiveness.

The college is decidedly not a traditional secondary school. It is an adult learning environment where students are expected to demonstrate maturity, self-direction, and commitment. The international student body, the mix of course intensities, and the recent establishment of boarding all create a different flavour from mainstream secondary education.

Best suited to families seeking specialist examination support, intensive university preparation, or central London boarding in a academically driven environment. Students thrive here when they are intrinsically motivated, ready for independence, and committed to a demanding timetable. Families should review the 2024 ISI inspection report carefully and engage directly with the college about safeguarding improvements before enrolling. For the right student, David Game College delivers exceptional results and genuine preparation for higher education.