The Sunday Times Announces its National and Regional Schools of the Year

Girls triumph in the Sunday Times Parent Power academic rankings published today, with single-sex schools leading the league tables in both the private and state sectors.

The findings show that girls in our top single-sex schools appear to have coped better with the pandemic than boys in boys-only or co-educational schools. 

This is the first time anyone has compared the performance in this summer’s A-level and GCSEs with results in 2019, the last time teenagers sat traditional examinations before the pandemic. 

Our research also reveals that, amid growing concern about children’s mental health after the pandemic, many of our leading girls-only schools – and co-ed schools – are setting up wellbeing centres, where girls can swiftly access psychological and counselling support as well as activities such as yoga and meditation to keep them on track.

The 30th edition of Parent Power identifies the highest-achieving schools in the UK. It is the definitive guide to secondary schools using the first post-pandemic set of results for state and independent schools since the pandemic in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

More than 1,600 schools can be searched by name, local authority, town and postcode, allowing families to find the best school in their area.

Parent Power is widely acknowledged as the most authoritative survey of the country's best schools. The rankings in the secondary school league tables are determined by the percentage of examination entries gaining A*-B at A-level (which is given double weighting) and the percentage of entries returning A* and A grades, and those graded 9, 8 and 7, at GCSE and iGCSE. 

Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power guide, says: “These have been a challenging few years for teachers, pupils and their parents, and the success of many in our league table is testament to the stamina and support shown by all concerned. 

"It is also clear that more attention is being placed on wellbeing and mental health – from meditation rooms to counselling support, even therapy dogs – and schools are being proactive to bring about positive changes.

“League tables are not the only criteria a parent can use when choosing a school, but they are a good starting point. We want to celebrate excellence. We want to champion schools that are doing wonderful work. We want our children to be well-nurtured and well-taught. In choosing a school parents are making one of the biggest decisions in their family life, and Parent Power and The Sunday Times is here to help.”

AND THE AWARDS GO TO…

THE TOP SECONDARY SCHOOL FOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

Henrietta Barnett School, Hampstead, north London

SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

Wycombe High School, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

St Peter’s Catholic School, Guildford, Surrey

TOP INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

St Paul’s Girls’ School, Brook Green, west London

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

Francis Holland School, Sloane Square, central London

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE SCHOOL OF THE YEAR

The Godolphin & Latymer School, Hammersmith, west London

AND THE REGIONAL WINNERS ARE…

EAST ANGLIA:

Secondary School of the Year 

King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford

Independent School of the Year 

Norwich High School for Girls

Independent School of the Year for Academic Performance 

The Perse School, Cambridge

EAST MIDLANDS:

Secondary School of the Year

The King’s School, Grantham

Comprehensive of the Year 

Northampton School for Boys

Independent School of the Year 

Nottingham High School

WEST MIDLANDS:

Secondary School of the Year 

King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon

Independent School of the Year for Academic Performance

King Edward VI High School for Girls, Birmingham

LONDON:

Secondary School of the Year 

Mossbourne Community Academy, Hackney Downs

Comprehensive School of the Year 

The Coopers’ Company and Coborn School, Upminster

Independent School of the Year for Academic Performance

St Paul’s Girls’ School, Brook Green

THE NORTH:

Secondary School of the Year for Academic Performance 

Ripon Grammar School

Comprehensive School of the Year 

Prince Henry’s Grammar School, Otley

Independent School of the Year 

Sheffield High School for Girls

Independent School of the Year for Academic Performance

Queen Ethelburga’s College, York

THE NORTHEAST:

Comprehensive School of the Year 

Durham Johnston Comprehensive School

Independent School of the Year 

Dame Allan’s School (Girls’ and Boys’), Newcastle upon Tyne

Independent School of the Year for Academic Performance

Royal Grammar School, Newcastle upon Tyne

THE NORTHWEST:

Secondary School of the Year 

Altrincham Grammar School for Girls

Independent School of the Year for Academic Performance

Withington Girls’ School, Manchester

THE SOUTHEAST:

Secondary School of the Year 

Wycombe High School, High Wycombe

Comprehensive School of the Year 

St Peter’s Catholic School, Guildford

Independent School of the Year for Academic Performance

Guildford High School

THE SOUTHWEST:

Secondary School of the Year 

Pate’s Grammar School, Cheltenham

Comprehensive School of the Year 

The Cotswold School, Bourton-on-the-Water

Independent Secondary School of the Year 

Cheltenham Ladies’ College

WALES:

Secondary School of the Year 

Ysgol Bro Preseli, Pembrokeshire

Independent Secondary School of the Year 

Cardiff Sixth Form College

NORTHERN IRELAND:

Secondary School of the Year 

St Mary’s Grammar School, Magherafelt, Co Londonderry

SCOTLAND:

Secondary School of the Year 

Williamwood High School, Glasgow

Secondary School of the Year for Academic Performance 

Jordanhill, Glasgow