Michael Gove has recently took the simple decision of choosing which school to send his daughter to. However, it made headlines as Beatrice Gove will become the first offspring of a Conservative education secretary to enrol at a state secondary school when she starts at Grey Coat Hospital in London later this year.

The Gove family were said to be delighted with the news and Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, explained why he thought the moment represented a significant watershed for the British education system.

He said: "We congratulate the secretary of state and his family on their choice. This is a further sign that our state schools are in excellent health. We would suggest that all cabinet ministers follow Mr Gove's example and send their children to one of the country's many fine state schools."

The decision of Mr Gove and his family - not to mention the reaction it has received - will focus the spotlight firmly on prime minister David Cameron. He has to choose a school for his daughter Nancy when applications for places at secondary schools for the next academic year open in a few months. 

Beatrice and Nancy were both pupils at the same state primary school in west London and the PM has already stated he would like his children to be products of the British state education system.

Grey Coat is now viewed as offering an education that is equal to or better than local private establishments, with past pupils often gaining places at Oxbridge and Ivy League universities in the States.

Here are some London state schools that are offering are attracting a similar level of prestige:

Camden School For Girls 

This could be a great school for Nancy Cameron. Camden School for Girls was founded by a suffragette and over the years has earned a reputation as one of the best comprehensives in the country. Its pupils achieved some of the best A-level scores in London outside the private sector.

Past pupils include the wife of former prime minister Gordon Brown, Sarah, Oscar winning-writer and actress Emma Thompson and Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.

Holland Park 

This is another of the state schools seen as a good route to the world's best universities by parents who want their children to have every possible advantage. It has been dubbed as the socialist Eton and has top-class facilities including an £80 million building and competition-sized swimming pool. 

London Oratory 

This Catholic faith school has educated the children of the Blairs, the Cleggs and the Harmans, so is well versed in handling high-profile political families.

Notable alumni include upcoming A-lister actress Hayley Atwell and multi-talented thespian Simon Callow.

West London Free

This is a school that only opened three years ago, but has already established itself as one of the best in the capital. It was founded by Conservative journalist and author Toby Young and aims to deliver a classical liberal education. This means small classes and an old-fashioned curriculum. Places are highly competitive though, as last year 120 applicants were successful from a pool of 1,125 hopefuls.

Mossbourne

If parents are looking for a school that aims to set an example then Mossbourne is a good choice. This is because it is the school that was once run by the current chief inspector of schools in England and head of Ofsted Sir Michael Wilshaw.

It will celebrate its tenth anniversary this year after it opened on the site of the former Hackney Downs School.

This impressive list just shows the great job that people in teaching jobs in London have done with their state-funded budgets over the years. As well as these elite schools, the capital now boosts one of the most impressive GCSE success rates in the whole country.