Parents and pupils alike are braced for the release of A-level results on Thursday – which will be the last before the education landscape of the UK changes for good under Labour.
Private schools are set to become around 20 per cent more expensive from January, with the scrapping of tax breaks on independent school fees. Many fear that will start a squeeze on places at the best state schools.
And while Labour has pledged to pour money into state-funded education in its many guises – from faith schools to free and grammar institutions, parents who privately educate their offspring are set to help pay for it.
Sir Keir Starmer has the most state-school educated Cabinet Britain has seen in the post-war era, with only one minister, Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, privately educated.
But how many pupils will be moved to state schools by parents who can no longer afford the fees? Only time will tell.
The current average percentage of pupils in England who achieve Grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs is 45 per cent, but Britain’s best state-funded providers often soar way above that and can certainly rival – and sometimes eclipse – independent schools for academic achievement.
We’ve consulted education experts, The Good Schools Guide, and analysed GCSE results as well as extracurricular activities and class sizes to bring you our pick of Britain’s best state schools.
For English schools, we’ve analysed last year’s GCSE results, rather than A-Levels, as these are the only consistent results published annually.
Scottish schools, meanwhile, are based on ‘Highers’, Scotland’s equivalent to A-Levels, while Welsh schools are based on a combination of GCSE and A-Level results. Read on to see if yours makes the list…
High A* grade = 9
Lower A* or high A = 8
Lower A grade = 7
High B grade = 6
Lower B or high C = 5
Lower C grade = 4
D or high E = 3
Lower E or high F = 2
Lower F or G = 1
U = U
Since 2016, the Progress 8 score has shown pupils’ progress between primary school SATs (Key Stage 2 at age 7-11) and GCSE attainment (Key Stage 4 at age 14-16).
A score above zero indicates better progress, on average, than pupils across England who got similar results at the end of Key Stage 2.
A below zero means students made less progress.
GREATER LONDON
Brampton Manor, Newham
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2024)
This East London mixed-sex academy with a sixth form sent more pupils to Oxbridge than Eton in 2022, with head Dayo Olukoshi given an OBE in 2016 for services to education.
More than 2,000 pupils attend the school, which has a traditional academic approach to learning and a no-nonsense stance on behaviour.
In 2023, 70 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 5+, 16 percentage points above the local authority average.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 70 per cent
More info: bramptonmanor.org
Michaela Community School, Wembley
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2023)
Founded by ‘Britain’s strictest head’, Katherine Birbalsingh, Michaela has notched stellar results since the mixed-sex school with a sixth form launched a decade ago. It’s strict but, against a backdrop of social deprivation, 98 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 4+ last year.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 93 per cent
More info: michaela.education
The Tiffin Girls’ School, Kingston-upon-Thames
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2021)
A regular in the national rankings top ten, there’s stiff competition for places at this selective secondary and sixth form for girls in Kingston-upon-Thames. Last year, 99.7 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 5 or above. Parents say they love the school’s social conscience and its strong arts focus.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 99 per cent
More info: tiffingirls.org
Tiffin School, Kingston-upon-Thames
OFSTED RATING: Good (2022)
The boys’ Tiffin also offers a prized selective education for 11 to 18-year-olds. In 2023, 81.5 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 7 or above and 34 sixth formers won Oxbridge places. There are a wide range of extracurricular activities on offer and school trips are akin to those offered in the independent sector, including a Classics trip to North Africa and a choir visit to .
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 100 per cent
More info: tiffinschool.co.uk
Wilson’s School, Wallington
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
This selective boys’ grammar with a sixth form in Wallington, south London comes with a private school feel; the website greets parents of prospective pupils with the motto ‘non sibi sed omnibus’ – ‘not for oneself but for all’. Class sizes are small – around 16 pupils – and Wilson’s regularly beats Eton for GCSE results.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 99 per cent
More info: wilsons.school
Lady Margaret School, Parsons Green
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2023)
This comprehensive girls’ CofE school in Fulham, named after Henry VII’s mother, has a highly oversubscribed sixth form, with stiff competition for places each year. In 2023, 85 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 5 or above, with a handful of sixth formers bound for medical school or Oxbridge.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 84 per cent
More info: ladymargaret.lbhf.sch.uk
Menorah High School for Girls, Barnet
OFSTED RATING: Good (2019)
Opened in 2001, Menorah High in Dollis Hill offers a Jewish and secular education to girls aged 11 to 18. Last year, 85 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 5 or above and the Progress 8 score was particularly impressive at 1.36. It puts Menora High in the top 15 schools in the country on this measure.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 85 per cent
More info: menorahhigh.com
The Henrietta Barnett School, Hampstead Garden Suburb
OFSTED RATING: Good (2022)
Serving girls aged 11 to 18, this grammar is housed across a Grade II-listed building and state-of-the-art new builds including an Art, Design and Technology Centre that has a Mac suite with 26 Apple computers and recording and notation software. In 2023, 97 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 7 or above. As for extra-curricular activities, there are more than 50 clubs and societies.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 100 per cent
More info: hbschool.org.uk
JFS, Harrow
OFSTED RATING: Good (2022)
JFS, aka Jewish Free School, is a co-ed inclusive Orthodox Jewish school with a sixth form in modern buildings. Many students excel in sports and there’s strong focus on safeguarding and mental health, with pupil-led societies including LGBTQ+, philosophy and politics groups. In 2023, 56.9 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 7 or above.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 82 per cent
More info: jfs.brent.sch.uk
Grey Court School, Richmond
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2024)
In leafy south-west London, Grey Court is a mixed, mid-size school for 11 to 18 year-olds that prides itself on serving up much more than academic education. Ofsted recently reported ‘all pupils flourish’ here, with international trips, sports galore and a commitment to the arts all evident. In 2023, 49 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 7 or above.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 74 per cent
More info: greycourt.richmond.sch.uk
Mossbourne Community Academy, Hackney
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2021)
When the inspectorate last visited this co-ed school in 2021, it said Mossbourne ‘changes pupils’ lives for the better’. One of the first academies to open in the UK in 2004, it thrives in an area struggling with educational underachievement – 81 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 5 or above last year. It has a well-loved rowing academy too.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 74 per cent
More info: mca.mossbourne.org
St Olave’s Grammar, Orpington
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2019)
In the borough of Bromley, St Olave’s dates back to 1571 and is a highly selective boys’ CofE (but welcoming all faiths) school with a mixed sixth form. The results are top of the tree: 91.4 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 7 or above in 2023. The Good Schools Guide describes it as an ‘excellent fit’ for the ‘bright, motivated boy who is prepared to knuckle down’. Four places are given annually to chorister scholars.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 100 per cent
More info: saintolaves.net
The London Oratory School, Fulham
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
Founded in 1863, this Catholic boys’ school with a mixed sixth form in West Brompton is described as ‘traditional, but quirky’ by head Daniel Wright. The school has excellent sports facilities, with a particular focus on rugby. Tony Blair and Nick Clegg’s children both attended.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 83 per cent
More info: london-oratory.org
Hasmonean High School for Girls, Hendon
OFSTED RATING: Good (2023)
At last year’s inspection, the sixth form at this North London Jewish school for girls was deemed ‘outstanding’, with the main school rated ‘good’. Results continue to be impressive, with 91 per cent of all GCSE results graded at 5 or above in 2023.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 72 per cent
More info: hasmoneangirls.org.uk
The St Thomas the Apostle College, Nunhead
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2018)
Abbreviated to STAC, this Southwark boys’ school with a sixth form opened in 1965 and, though Catholic, now ‘reflects the multi-faith community’. A Progress 8 score of 1.24 last year puts STAC in the top 0.1 per cent of schools nationally on this measure. In 2023, 90 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 4 or above.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 78 per cent
More info: stac.uk.com
The Latymer School, Edmonton
OFSTED RATING: Good (2022)
Results last year backed up Latymer School’s long-standing history of high achievement; 86.5 per cent of its GCSEs were grades 9-7. Founded in 1624, this selective grammar for boys and girls aged 11 to 18 strives for a rounded educational experience and offers excellent trips, including a much-loved excursion to Snowdonia every year. Ex-Latymerians include the late Bruce Forsyth.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 98 per cent
More info: latymer.co.uk
Graveney School, Tooting
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
A sizeable (2,000 pupils), mixed, non-religious school over two campuses, Graveney increasingly attracts private school parents seeking a socially diverse environment. Last year, 88 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 4 or above in English and maths. There’s a large focus on music, and more than 30 subjects available at A level.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 74 per cent
More info: graveney.org
Camden School for Girls, Camden
OFSTED RATING: Good (2022)
Founded in 1871, this London school with a co-ed sixth form is described by The Good Schools Guide as managing to pull off being a ‘hugely popular, high achieving, all-ability comprehensive’. The school was downgraded to ‘good’ in 2022 but results are still excellent, with 93 per cent of all GCSE results graded at 4 or above in 2023. Alumni include Geri Horner and author Julia Donaldson.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 77 per cent
More info: camdengirls.camden.sch.uk
The Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, Kensington
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2021)
Over-subscribed and then some, this Roman Catholic school for boys with a mixed sixth form was founded in 1914. Head Paul Stubbings says it’s a myth you have to be ‘hyper-Catholic’ to bag a place. Last year, 56.2 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 7 or above in 2023, and ten A levels students went to Oxbridge.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 76 per cent
More info: cvms.co.uk
Queen Elizabeth’s School, Barnet
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
A selective boys’ school with a sixth form, this Hertfordshire grammar dates back to 1573 and says its mission is to ‘produce young men who are confident, able and responsible’. Results are up there with the best; 91.5 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 7 or above in 2023. Ofsted liked too that older students mentor younger peers. Robert Rinder – aka TV’s Judge Rinder – was once on roll.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 100 per cent
More info: qebarnet.co.uk
SOUTH EAST
Westcliff High School for Boys, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2024)
This boys’ grammar with a mixed sixth form does a good impression of an independent school, with its Union Jack flag pole and adoration of rugby. Everyone achieves academically, too.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 99 per cent
More info: whsb.essex.sch.uk
Westcliff High School for Girls, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2024)
Over 100 years old, this girls’ high school with a co-ed sixth form saw 97.8 per cent of all GCSE results graded at 5 or above in 2023. Ofsted, visiting in March, liked the school’s far-reaching approach, saying: ‘Pupils are very well prepared for life beyond the school. The curriculum includes important preparation for their next stages in education, employment and/or training.’
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 99 per cent
More info: whsg.info
Southend High School For Boys, Southend, Essex
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2024)
Early summer saw this coastal selective boys’ school with a mixed-sex sixth form deemed ‘outstanding’ by inspectors. There’s around 1,300 pupils on roll, with 400 in years 12 and 13 (aged 16 to 18). Ex pupils include swimmer Mark Foster and the late Lionel Elvin, once UNESCO’s director of education.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 99 per cent
More info: shsb.org.uk
Southend High School for Girls, Southend, Essex
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2011)
Without a visit from Ofsted for well over a decade, this Essex favourite, for girls aged 11 to 18, served up shiny results last summer, with 68.5 per cent of all GCSE results graded at 7 or above. Former student, Countdown’s Rachel Riley, has penned a glowing review on the website, saying the school taught her ‘to strive for the best in everything I do’.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 97 per cent
More info: shsg.org
Colchester Royal Grammar School, Colchester, Essex
OFSTED RATING: Good (2023)
Founded in 1206, this boys’ academy grammar with a mixed-sex sixth form (30 of whom board on site) is selective and highly competitive for places. Safeguarding issues closed it in 2021, but since re-opening, it’s worked hard to put that in the past – in 2023, Ofsted reported ‘a positive cultural change’. Two thirds of grades achieved at GCSE were 8 or 9s last year.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 100 per cent
More info: crgs.co.uk
Tonbridge Grammar School, Tonbridge, Kent
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2019)
Head teacher Rebecca Crean describes her school as ‘high achieving’ but with student wellbeing an equal priority. Tonbridge Grammar is a selective girls’ school with academy status and a co-ed sixth form offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Last year, 78 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 7 or above, with the school average for IB Diploma results at 36.07 (the UK average is 34.04).
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 98 per cent
More info: tgs.kent.sch.uk
Dartford Grammar School, Dartford, Kent
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2023)
Selective boys’ school Dartford Grammar was founded in 1576 and has been judged ‘outstanding’ in every Ofsted inspection it’s ever had. It has a mixed-sex sixth form and results across the board were tip-top last year – with 76.3 per cent of all GCSE results graded at 7 or above. Its alumni include Mick Jagger, who has his name above the school’s arts centre.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 98 per cent
More info: dartfordgrammarschool.org.uk
The Judd School, Tonbridge, Kent
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2015)
Head boys and girls described what it is to be a ‘Juddian’ on the website of this selective Tonbridge school, deeming it a ‘truly inspirational place’. Last year, 90.7 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 6 or above and there’s plenty of enticing clubs to join, including a medical society and a ‘potions’ group.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 97 per cent
More info: judd.online
Reading School, Reading, Berkshire
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2023)
Parents say this selective day and boarding (education is state-funded) boys’ school goes above and beyond the GCSE curriculum, and the results back that up, with 88.3 per cent of all GCSE results graded at 7 or above in 2023. The entrance exam is individual to the school and famous alumni include the late inventor Sir Clive Sinclair.
More info: reading-school.co.uk
Roundwood Park School, Harpenden, Hertfordshire
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2024)
Pupils at this mixed comprehensive for 11 to 18-year-olds are ‘happy, and feel safe’, Ofsted said during November’s inspection, adding students meet teachers exceptionally high expectations for their work, personal development and behaviour. Last year, 82 per cent achieved a 5+ at GCSE, with seven students heading to Oxbridge – and plenty more to red-brick universities.
More info: roundwoodpark.co.uk
Kendrick School, Reading, Berkshire
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
A place at this all-girls selective Reading school is seen as a gateway to a high-flying career, says The Good Schools Guide. In 2023, 100 per cent got 5+ at GCSE, and Progress 8 was well above average at 1.06. Students and staff adhere to the school pledge of ‘friendship, kindness and respect’ and Kendrick was awarded eco-school status this year thanks to its sustainability efforts.
More info: kendrick.reading.sch.uk
Nonsuch High School for Girls, Sutton, Surrey
OFSTED RATING: Good (2021)
There’s a glut of excellent schools in Sutton but Nonsuch High remains the cream of the crop for many parents of girls aged 11 to 18. Opened in 1936 and with around 1,500 pupils, last year’s cohort gained 86.4 per cent 9-7. Enrichment is diverse, with everything from an Islamic Club to ukulele classes and a tap dance group. There’s a big focus on safeguarding and mental health, too.
More info: nonsuchschool.org
St Andrew’s RC School, Leatherhead, Surrey
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2024)
Breaking for the summer with Ofsted’s highest rating under its belt, St Andrew’s in Leatherhead will be expecting another set of gleaming results come August 22. Last summer, 84 per cent of students at this mixed Surrey school with a sixth form gained a 5+ in English and maths GCSEs – 30 per cent higher than the local average.
More info: st-andrews.surrey.sch.uk
Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, Amersham, Buckinghamshire
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2019)
Known simply as ‘Challoner’s’ locally, this Amersham selective grammar for boys aged 11 to 18 is widely considered the county’s best school for young men. Celebrating its 400th anniversary in 2024, the school saw 76 per cent achieve 9-7 grades last year, with 24 sixth formers heading to Oxbridge and 14 to medical school.
More info: challoners.com
Beaconsfield High School, Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2019)
Nicknamed ‘Becky High’, this non-religious selective girls’ school for students aged 11 to 18 dares its students ‘to be remarkable’. Last year, 98.9 per cent got 5+ in English and maths, with 70 per cent entered for the English Baccalaureate. There’s a strong parent community behind the school, too.
More info: beaconsfieldhigh.bucks.sch.uk
EAST OF ENGLAND
Saffron Walden County High School, Saffron Walden, Essex
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2024)
A co-ed high for 11 to 18-year-olds with a long-standing reputation for above average academic success. Ofsted’s visit earlier this year suggested pupils thrive here. The school also boasts a ‘world-class’ concert venue in the shape of Saffron Hall.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 57 per cent
More info: swchs.net
Impington Village College, Cambridge
OFSTED RATING: Good (2019)
Unique in that it only offers International Baccalaureate and not GCSE and A levels, this 1,500 roll school on Cambridge’s outskirts is consistently in the top 5 per cent nationally for student progress. Students choose three enrichment choices from a creative pool that includes trampolining, sign language and baking amongst other activities.
More info: ivc.tela.org.uk
King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
A boys school with a history dating back to the 16th century, admission into Year 7 comes via the 11+ – with competition for places strong. Last year, 87.3 per cent of all GCSEs results were graded 9-7, and most students stay on at the sixth form. Head Tom Carter is now in his 10th year at the school.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 99 per cent
More info: kegs.org.uk
Chelmsford County High School for Girls, Chelmsford, Essex
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2024)
Opened in 1907, this girls’ high has around 1,100 students, including 260 in sixth form. The Good Schools Guide describes the learning as ‘fast paced’ and that’s reflected in the results. Well above average on Progress 8 scores, 90 per cent of students achieved ten or more 9-7 grades last year.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 100 per cent
More info: cchs.co.uk
Comberton Village College, Cambridge
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2020)
Large, with around 2,000 students, and a sixth form that was added in 2011, Comberton Village College is a non-selective, non-religious, mixed-sex academy. Big on community, plenty of Cambridge academics have chosen to educate their offspring here.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 59 per cent
More info: combertonvc.org
The King’s (The Cathedral) School, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2013)
‘To gain a place at this excellent school is to win the jackpot,’ gushed The Good Schools Guide after its last visit. Striving to make students all-rounders with music, sport and culture high on the agenda, this mixed-sex selective CofE, which dates back to 1541, offers education for those aged 8 to 18.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 79 per cent
More info: kings.peterborough.sch.uk
SOUTH WEST
Colyton Grammar School, Colyton, Devon
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2023)
A mixed selective school with just over 1,000 pupils attending, Colyton Grammar has been a fixture in this East Devon village since 1546. Last year’s Ofsted praised staff for a curriculum ‘that is rigorous and relevant’. The school is consistently high achieving in its exam results.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 99 per cent
More info: colytongrammar.com
Pate’s Grammar School, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2024)
Dating back to 1574, this grammar with academy status has been co-ed since 1986. Its site is described as a ‘campus with acres of sports fields and state of the art facilities to inspire young minds’. An impressive 90.7 per cent of all GCSE results last year were graded 7 or more, and head Dr James Richardson and his staff have a freshly issued ‘outstanding’ from Ofsted after a visit in March.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 99 per cent
More info: patesgs.org
Bishop Wordsworth’s School, Salisbury, Wiltshire
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
This CofE selective boys’ grammar opened in 1890 and its alumni includes Sir William Golding and actor Ralph Fiennes. There’s 1,200 pupils on roll. Since 2020, girls have been welcomed in the sixth form, with the current ratio 70 per cent boys to 30 per cent girls. In 2023, 64 per cent of all GCSEs were graded 7 or more.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 94 per cent
More info: bishopwordsworths.org.uk
Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Gloucester
OFSTED RATING: Good (2021)
Sport and academia combine at this non-religious, rugby-loving Gloucestershire school for boys, which has a mixed-sex sixth form. Admitting 150 boys via an entrance exam, Rich’s, as locals call it, saw 72 per cent of all GCSEs graded at 7 or more last year. New head Matthew Lynch, who’s taught here since 2006, is incoming in September.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 99 per cent
More info: strschool.co.uk
Denmark Road High School, Gloucester
OFSTED RATING: Good (2022)
A 1,000-pupil girls’ state school with sixth form, head Claire Giblin puts Denmark Road’s formidable successes – a 1.04 Progress 8 score and 73.4 per cent of all GCSEs graded 7 or more in 2023 – down to focusing on the ‘wholeness of education’ and not just the grade outcomes. Year 7s have studied Little Women, Treasure Island and The Tempest amongst other texts this year.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 98 per cent
More info: denmarkroad.org
Torquay Girls’ Grammar School, Torquay, Devon
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2023)
Girls come from far and wide to attend this high-performing, non-religious selective school for 11 to 18-year-olds in the Devon seaside town of Torquay. When visiting in 2023, Oftsed said: ‘Pupils are encouraged to become ‘history makers’. An impressive 99 per cent of all GCSEs were graded at 4 or more in 2023.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 94 per cent
More info: tggsacademy.org
St John’s Marlborough, Marlborough, Wiltshire
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2014)
Will St John’s see an influx of students from nearby independent Marlborough College next year? This non-selective mixed co-ed for 11-18 year-old has much to boast about, including a broad and balanced curriculum and two hours’ enrichment – educational experiences that go beyond standard lessons – a week.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 54 per cent
More info: stjohns.excalibur.org.uk
Bournemouth School for Girls, Bournemouth, Dorset
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2024)
A ‘thriving’ girls aged 11-18 grammar serving Bournemouth and its environs, this school is part of the South West Academic Trust which includes other high performing schools in the region. Pastoral care focuses on the six-house system, which aims to ‘foster camaraderie, mentorship, and friendly competition’. Last year, the school was the best performing in Dorset for GCSEs graded at 5+ in English and maths (92 per cent) – with the local authority average at 54 per cent.
More info: wearebsg.uk
Stroud High School, Stroud, Gloucestershire
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2023)
A girls’ school with a small proportion of boys in the sixth form, Stroud High feels progressive, with a slick website and eye-catching uniform; burgundy jacket with candy-pink striped shirt. GCSE results are amongst the highest in the county; 93 per cent were graded at 5 or above in 2023. A sprinkling of students each year end up at Oxbridge.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 96 per cent
More info: stroudhigh.gloucs.sch.uk
NORTH EAST
Durham Johnston Comprehensive School, Durham
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2015)
This mixed-sex comprehensive in County Durham is heavily oversubscribed, thanks to consistently high results at GCSE and A level, which grant students places on the most competitive courses at top universities, including Oxbridge.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 63 per cent
More info: durhamjohnston.org.uk
Whitley Bay High School, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2024)
Fresh from an Ofsted report published in June, Whitley Bay High has retained its ‘outstanding’ status earned in 2013. This mixed-sex secondary for 11 to 18 year-olds far exceeds national predictions but head Steve Wilson prioritises pastoral care too, with the aim that students leave as ‘confident, sensitive and reflective adults’.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 63 per cent
More info: whitleybayhighschool.org
Queen Elizabeth High School, Hexham, Northumberland
OFSTED RATING: Good (2024)
‘Respect. Engage. Inspire’ is the mantra for students and staff at this low-key Northumberland educational success story, which dates back to 1599. The school is co-ed with a sixth form and was deemed ‘good’ by Ofsted in June this year.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 60 per cent
More info: qehs.net
Ponteland High School, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2023)
Enjoying being part of a £43million regeneration of Northumberland, Ponteland High now has state-of-the-art facilities as well as above-average GCSE and A level results. Uptake for extra-curricular activities is high, and exam results in 2023 fell back in line with pre-Covid levels, with 36 pupils (14 per cent of the cohort) achieving 5 or more of the highest grades – 7 or above – in 2023.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 52 per cent
More info: ponthigh.org.uk
Carmel College, Darlington, County Durham
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2013)
The ethos at 1,200-pupil Catholic comprehensive Carmel College is to help students ‘achieve outstanding outcomes, whatever their starting points’. In 2023, 25.7 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 7 or above. Many students get their first university choices – including Oxbridge and Russell Group universities. A lively website and strong social media presence is helpful for parents, too.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 60 per cent
More info: carmel.bhcet.org.uk
St Mary’s Catholic School, Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2023)
Part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, mixed St Mary’s was described in its Ofsted inspection last year as ‘an ambitious and nurturing school where pupils thrive’. There’s a sixth form and opportunities for global trips – including to Peru and Zambia – plus creative enrichment clubs. Last summer, 33 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 7 or above.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 61 per cent
More info: stmarysnewcastle.co.uk
NORTH WEST
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Altrincham, Greater Manchester
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
Now part of the Bright Futures Educational Trust, Altrincham Grammar School for Girls dates back to 1910. There’s nearly 1,400 girls on roll including around 360 in the sixth form, which has a strong focus on STEM subjects. Results are highly impressive, with 91 per cent of all GCSE results graded at 7 or above last year.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 99 per cent
More info: aggs.bright-futures.co.uk
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham, Greater Manchester
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
Visually, this selective boys’ grammar school has a Hogwarts feel, says The Good Schools Guide; its 112-year history shown off in wood panelling and traditional decor. Pupils excel in key academic subjects (82.5 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 7 or above in 2023) but there’s strong focus on sport, the arts, engineering and scientific innovation. Music history was once made here: Ian Brown and John Squires of The Stone Roses are ex-pupils.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 99 per cent
More info: agsb.co.uk
Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School, Blackburn, Lancashire
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
Academic achievement is high at this inclusive Islamic faith school in Blackburn. Exemplary behaviour is the cornerstone of success but there’s plenty of fun too; Ofsted’s most recent visit praised a ‘vast’ array of lunchtime clubs and activities.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 94 per cent
More info: tighs.com
Lancaster Girls’ Grammar School, Lancaster, Lancashire
OFSTED RATING: Good (2022)
Rated ‘good’ overall at its last Ofsted, behaviour and attitudes, personal development and the sixth form provision were all deemed ‘outstanding’ at this selective school with 1,000 pupils. Founded at the turn of the last century, the school song, Follow the Light, has been sung since 1925.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 94 per cent
More info: lggs.org.uk
Cheadle Hulme High School, Cheadle, Greater Manchester
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2015)
This popular co-ed North West high school sets its stall out early on its website, telling parents it’s ‘unashamedly academic’ and ‘hugely oversubscribed’. Although it’s been nearly a decade since its last visit from Ofsted, the results are more than enough to keep parents happy.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 70 per cent
More info: chhs.org.uk
The Liverpool Blue Coat School, Wavertree, Merseyside
OFSTED RATING: Good (2022)
A selective academy located in Wavertree, The Blue Coat School can trace its origins back to 1708 and has a private school air about it, with a historic building and a professional-looking website. Results are excellent; last year, 81 per cent of students achieved three or more grade 8 or 9s.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 99 per cent
More info: bluecoatschoolliverpool.org.uk
Lymm High School, Warrington, Cheshire
OFSTED RATING: Good (2024)
Referenced in a church document in 1592, Warrington’s Lymm High School is now a mixed-sex, non-selective academy with a sixth form. A spring Ofsted this year deemed it a ‘good’ school. Almost 85 per cent of students got 9-4 grades in at least five subjects in 2023. Alumni include actor Tim Curry and geneticist Sir David Hopwood.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 63 per cent
More info: lymmhigh.org.uk
Loreto Grammar School, Altrincham, Greater Manchester
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
With a strong Catholic ethos, this all-girls grammar – an independent school until 1997 – in Altrincham has 1,050 students and 100 staff, including head Jane Beever, who’s been in place since 2006. Last summer, 71.6 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 7 or more. Alumni include BBC Breakfast’s Nina Warhurst.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 96 per cent
More info: loretogrammar.co.uk
Sale Grammar School, Sale, Greater Manchester
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
The academic achievement is clear at mixed Sale Grammar but Ofsted noted the school’s strong community spirit too at its latest inspection, saying pupils describe it ‘as one big family’. Mixed with a sixth form, an entrance test is required to gain a place. In 2023, 69 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 7 or more.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 95 per cent
More info: salegrammar.co.uk
YORKSHIRE COUNTIES
St Mary’s College, Hull
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2023)
A large co-ed comprehensive with a sixth form and a Roman Catholic ethos, St Mary’s College received an ‘outstanding’ rating by Ofsted last year, its first since becoming an academy in 2017. Exceptional academic progress is made by all pupils, the inspecting body said, including those with special educational needs or disabilities.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 58 per cent
More info: smchull.org
Heckmondwike Grammar School, Heckmondwike
OFSTED RATING: Good (2022)
Head Peter Roberts’ ‘work hard, play hard’ mantra at this mixed-sex selective school rubs off on both staff and the pupils who don the yellow-and-brown uniform, with a fast-paced learning environment present. In 2023, 83 per cent of all GCSEs were graded at 7 or more. Late Labour MP Jo Cox, and current Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, attended.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 97 per cent
More info: heckgrammar.co.uk
Ripon Grammar School, Ripon
OFSTED RATING: Good (2023)
A rare state boarding school that dates back to 1555, there are also day places at this historic co-ed selective school in Ripon. Boarders pay only for food and lodging, making it a third of the price you’d pay at an independent school. Some 58.9 per cent of all GCSE results were graded at 7 or more last year, with 90 per cent graded 5 or more.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 92 per cent
More info: ripongrammar.co.uk
High Storrs School, Sheffield
OFSTED RATING: Good (2022)
In a Grade-II listed main building on Sheffield’s south-western fringes, academy convertor (in 2018) High Storrs is a high-achieving mixed school with a sixth form. Specialisms include maths, computing and performing arts, with 38.8 per cent of all GCSE results graded at 7 or more in 2023. Ex-pupils include England footballer Kyle Walker, who once kicked a ball about on the school fields.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 77 per cent
More info: highstorrs.co.uk
Ilkley Grammar School, Ilkley
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2023)
A Wharfe Valley mixed-sex academy comprehensive deemed ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted in May 2023. Inspectors were impressed by the ‘ambitious’ curriculum and how the school equipped pupils for the practicalities of life after Ilkley Grammar. Its extra curricular provision is strong, with everything from Minecraft to pop choir groups on offer.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 57 per cent
More info: ilkleygrammarschool.com
Archbishop Holgate’s School, York
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2021)
A glowing 2021 Ofsted report described this mixed CofE York school as an ‘exceptional place for pupils to learn’ with curriculum plans ‘meticulous’. Facilities are top notch and include a heated swimming pool, dance and drama studio and gymnasium.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 52 per cent.
More info: archbishopholgates.academy
Tapton School, Sheffield
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2013)
Although not inspected since 2013, Tapton School’s GCSE results have remained strong – 80 per cent of students achieved Grade 4 or more in both English and maths in 2023. It’s large – with just over 1,800 pupils including a 500-student sixth form. The school says: ‘Inclusion and destinations drive all our decision making.’
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 67 per cent
More info: taptonschool.co.uk
St. Mary’s Menston, Ilkley
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2014)
This Catholic voluntary mixed ex-academy opened in 1964 with a ‘supporting every student’ slogan. Oversubscribed, pupils come from across Leeds, Bradford and North Yorkshire to attend and 84 per cent of all GCSEs were graded a 4 or more last year.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 67 per cent
More info: stmarysmenston.org
Fulford School, York
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2023)
Mixed and non-religious, Fulford is a large school with a sixth form – with plans to grow to around 2,000 pupils by 2026. Despite that, it’s still oversubscribed, with open evenings ticketed to control interest.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 68 per cent
More info: fulford.york.sch.uk
THE MIDLANDS
St Paul’s School for Girls, Edgbaston, Warwickshire
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2023)
A state school for girls aged 11 to 18, St Paul’s was founded in 1908 by the Sisters of Charity of St Paul the Apostle. Each day starts with an assembly or a prayer service and Ofsted noted ‘strong, caring relationships between staff and pupils’. Ex-Labour MP Clare Short and Julie Walters are former students.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 74 per cent
More info: stpaulgl.bham.sch.uk
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls, Birmingham
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
The proof’s in the pudding at Camp Hill, with 85.9 per cent of all GCSEs at this selective grammar graded a 7 or more in 2023. Tradition runs through the school’s core, with each student allocated a place in one of the six houses in Year 7. Labour MP Jess Phillips and Ruth Hunt, Stonewall’s chief executive, are former pupils.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 99 per cent
More info: kechg.org.uk
King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys, Birmingham
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2024)
Camp Hill boys want to be the ‘best they can be’, Ofsted said when it visited in December – and The Good Schools Guide describes it as ‘academic powerhouse’. There’s around 1,000 pupils on roll and high-flying GCSE results in 2023 saw 89.7 per cent of all GCSEs graded at 7 or more.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 100 per cent
More info: camphillboys.bham.sch.uk
The King’s School, Grantham, Lincolnshire
OFSTED RATING: Good (2022)
A Lincolnshire boys’ school for 11 to 18-year-olds with strong academic focus plus significant sporting prowess, The King’s School saw 56.8 per cent of all GCSEs graded 7 or more last year. In the market town where Margaret Thatcher grew up, there’s a former King’s Scholar, as alumni are known, to top even the Iron Lady for fame – Sir Isaac Newton.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 96 per cent
More info: kings.lincs.sch.uk
Northampton School for Boys, Northampton
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2014)
The Ofsted report may be a decade old but the results at this boys’ school with a co-ed sixth form aren’t to quibble with. It can trace its foundations to the 16th century, but the facilities for 21st-century pupils are state-of-the-art, with a multi-million-pound swimming pool and dance studio.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 78 per cent
More info: nsb.northants.sch.uk
King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
This small Warwickshire boys’ grammar for 11 to 18-year-olds – with a mixed sixth form – has one seriously famous alumnus: William Shakespeare. The school bills itself as ‘Shakespeare’s School’ but is more commonly referred to as ‘KES’. Ofsted praised an ‘aspiring and inspiring’ curriculum with subjects such as Latin and Mandarin taught. Academic achievement is high; 84.9 per cent of all GCSEs were graded at 7 or more last summer.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 100 per cent
More info: kes.net
Caistor Grammar School, Market Rasen, Lincolnshire
OFSTED RATING: Good (2022)
Committed parents from nearby towns don’t mind a long school run if it equals a place at one of Lincolnshire’s best grammars. In the racing town of Market Rasen, Caistor is mixed-sex, selective, non-religious and small, with around 700 pupils, including just short of 200 sixth formers. Some 98 per cent of students achieved at least five grades 9-4 in 2023.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 91 per cent
More info: caistorgrammar.com
Rugby High School, Rugby, Warwickshire
OFSTED RATING: Good (2022)
A selective girls’ grammar with a mixed sixth form, Rugby High aims for school leavers to be ‘brave, independent global citizens’. Last year, 80 per cent of students took the English Baccalaureate. The Good Schools Guide loved the school’s vibrancy, saying ‘it’s full of life’.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 98 per cent
More info: rugbyhighschool.co.uk
Stratford Girls’ Grammar School, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
OFSTED RATING: Outstanding (2022)
Billed as Warwickshire’s top school for girls, this 11-to-18 school has a private school feel; from the 15th-century building with state-of-the-art facilities to the purple-and-yellow crest and mountain of extra-curricular activities. Results are strong; 87 per cent of all GCSEs were graded at 7 or more last year.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 98 per cent
More info: sggs.org.uk
The Ecclesbourne School, Belper, Derbyshire
OFSTED RATING: Good (2023)
A large (1,500 students on roll) co-ed secondary with a sixth form, The Good Schools Guide praised Ecclesbourne for its inclusivity, saying it ‘celebrates individualism’. The school has a modern sports hall, dance studio and fitness suite.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 67 per cent
More info: ecclesbourne.derbyshire.sch.uk
Littleover Community School, Derby
OFSTED RATING: Good (2022)
This large mixed Derbyshire school for 11 to 18-year-olds had a great set of results in 2023; 80 per cent of GCSEs in English and maths were graded at 4 or more. Students follow ‘The LCS Way’, with clear guidelines on behaviour expectations. Clubs include the Lego Technic Club, Debate and Crafting.
Percentage of pupils gaining 5 or above in English and maths at GCSE in 2023: 61 per cent
More info: littleover.derby.sch.uk
SCOTLAND (Highers are Scotland’s equivalent to A Levels)
Jordanhill School, Glasgow
Small but perfectly formed with less than 600 pupils on roll, mixed-sex Jordanhill School is non selective, oversubscribed and has a small catchment area. Just ten schools last year achieved the Government’s ‘gold standard’ of 70 per cent of pupils gaining five or more Highers, with Jordanhill topping the performance list at 89 per cent. The Good Schools Guide jokes that bagging a place here is ‘worth moving/killing for’.
More info: jordanhill.glasgow.sch.uk
Bearsden Academy, Bearsden East Dunbartonshire
Regularly dubbed ‘Scotland’s best school’, 80 per cent of pupils at this academy school achieve five or more Highers. A starry roll-call of ex pupils includes Olympic rower Katherine Grainger, singer Edwyn Collins and football manager David Moyes.
More info: bearsdenacademy.e-dunbarton.sch.uk
Mearns Castle High School, Glasgow
So popular is Mearns Castle, a south of Glasgow mixed sex non-denominational school with a sixth form, that house prices have soared in the catchment area. Academic results have also soared in recent years, with an eight per cent increase in the number of pupils achieving five or more Highers in 2023 (59 per cent).
More info: blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/er/MearnsCastle
St Ninian’s High School, Giffnock, East Renfrewshire
With around 1,900 pupils including 280 in the sixth form, co-ed Roman Catholic St Ninian’s High marks up consistently high exam results. Language teaching is a particular strength, says The Good Schools Guide.
More info: st-ninians.e-dunbarton.sch.uk
Boroughmuir High School, Edinburgh
History and modernity combine at mixed-with-a-sixth-form Boroughmuir High; it celebrated its centenary in 2004, and opened a swish new main building in 2018. It’s in the Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh and has just shy of 1,400 pupils. Exam grades in 2023 (80 per cent achieving at least five Highers) are way beyond the city average of 48 per cent. All pupils get an iPad.
More info: boroughmuirhighschool.org
Boclair Academy, Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire
A small mixed-sex school, with around 900 pupils on roll, 74 per cent of Boclair’s latest cohort achieved five Highers or more in 2023. The school has a modern campus with impressive sports facilities, as well as a long-running partnership with Rangers FC, with many academy players educated here.
More info: boclair.e-dunbarton.sch.uk
Woodfarm High School, Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire
In the Glaswegian town of Bearsden, Woodfarm High is mixed sex, with a sixth form and has around 900 pupils on roll. It ranked amongst the top ten schools in Scotland for results last summer, with a 73 per cent success rate of five Highers or more.
More info: blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/er/Woodfarm
Williamwood High School, Clarkston, Glasgow
A large non-denominational comprehensive secondary school in Clarkston, Williamwood High’s motto is ‘Mighty oaks from little acorns grow’. Ranked eighth in the Scottish League table for results last year, with 73 per cent of pupils gaining five Highers or more.
More info: williamwoodhighschool.co.uk
Douglas Academy, Milngavie, East Dunbartonshire
With a wide catchment area and around 1,000 pupils on roll, including in its sixth form, co-ed Douglas Academy racked up strong results in 2023, with 75 per cent gaining five or more Highers. The Good Schools Guide’s last visit noted a creative school menu too, with lunches this year including rainbow noodle stir fry and three-bean chilli.
More info: douglas.e-dunbarton.sch.uk
Linlithgow Academy, West Lothian
Scottish architect James Graham Fairley designed the original Linlithgow School in 1900 but there have been many new buildings since. There’s a heavy focus on arts, sciences and maths at this mixed West Lothian academy, boosted by funding. Its website and social media presence keep parents in the loop. Some 68 per cent achieved five or more Highers last year.
More info: linlithgowacademy.westlothian.org.uk
WALES (based on GCSE and A Level results)
Ysgol Eirias, Colwyn Bay, North Wales
In Conwy, co-ed Eirias High School has around 1,300 pupils on roll, including 300 sixth formers. An Estyn inspection – the Welsh equivalent of Ofsted – in 2023 praised the school for providing ‘a caring and inclusive community’. A Level results were particularly good last summer, with 60 per cent of pupils achieving A*- B grades in all subjects. Sports facilities include an international-standard hockey pitch and Rugby training barn.
More info: eirias.co.uk
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen
Described in its last Estyn inspection in 2022 as having a ‘Welsh and homely ethos’ with ‘excellent’ behaviour in lessons, this mixed Carmarthenshire school has 1,700 pupils including sixth formers. More than half of those are from Welsh-language homes. Some 27 per cent of students achieved 5-7s in all subjects at GCSE last year.
More info: yggbm.org
Cowbridge Comprehensive School, Vale of Glamorgan
Some 1,200 pupils plus a 300 in the sixth form study for GCSEs, A levels and the Welsh Baccalaureate, with 50.1 per cent of students receiving 5-7s in all GCSE subjects last year. In September, Cowbridge, whose motto is ‘Education, inspiration and opportunities for life’, became an all-through school for students aged three upwards.
More info: cowbridgecomprehensiveschool.co.uk
Olchfa School, Swansea
Swansea’s second largest comprehensive, which is mixed sex, marks up consistently-high results across all stages, including at GCSE. Olchfa is keen to be recognised for ‘far more than academic outcomes’ though, with the school’s website packed with enrichment activities, from music to foreign trips. Some 38 per cent achieved 5-7s in all subjects at GCSE last year.
More info: olchfa.org.uk
Bishopston School, Swansea
One of the highest achieving schools in Wales, Bishopston is a mixed-sex comprehensive without a sixth form. Estyn deemed the school ‘excellent’ in 2017 and 2023’s Year 11 (aged 15-16) achieved a literacy points score of 47.1 and a numeracy score of 46.6, both well above the Welsh average (39.7 and 37.1 respectively).
More info: bishopstonschool.com
HOW TO CHOOSE A SCHOOL
Fixating on results isn’t always the right approach, says Grace Moody-Stuart, Education Consultants Director at The Good Schools Guide, which offers in-depth guides to both sectors.
Parents should, she says, put the individual needs of their child front and centre: ‘Academic outcomes should just be a starting point for parents, there are so many things that are just as important, such as pastoral care, extra-curricular/enrichment programmes and discipline processes.’
Be wary of setting your heart on hugely popular schools too, she cautions. ‘When you drill down it might not be right for your child. If you end up travelling a long way to school, for example, it can put tremendous stress on the family, which might then have a negative impact on a child’s learning.
‘It’s about being realistic and pragmatic, as well as determined and aspirational. And there are an awful lot of low-key state schools doing an incredibly good job.’
Superhead Dame Sally Coates, who’s spent more than 40 years working in London state schools, says you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions: ‘Parents have the biggest impact on a child but their school life really matters, so do your research.’
She advises: ‘Go to open evenings but visit in the day too when a school is fully operational. Put your head in the classrooms, do students look happy?
‘Talk to parents whose children go there and ask for a one-to-one chat with the head. You’ll gain insights into their values and philosophy – and you’ll get the story behind the data.’
Other things to consider? ‘Are there specialisms, such as sport, art or languages, that might suit your child? Check how many pupils take those subjects to GCSE level.
‘Finally, look at destinations too; how many go on to university?’