The top-performing schools in the Northwest have been revealed in Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023 and six Trafford schools feature.
Parent Power’s 30th edition 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 Covid-19 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Families can find the best schools in their area by searching for more than 1,600 schools by name, local authority, town and postcode.
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, the 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 a 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.”
6 schools in Trafford named among best in the northwest
Six schools in Trafford feature in the top 10 state secondary schools in the Northwest list by The Sunday Times.
The Trafford schools featured are:
- Altrincham Grammar School for Girls
- Altrincham Grammar School for Boys
- Loreto Grammar School
- St Ambrose College
- Stretford Grammar School
- Sale Grammar School
Top 10 state secondary schools in the Northwest list by The Sunday Times
Here are the schools featured in the list along with their regional rank, the percentage of examination entries gaining A*-B at A-level which is given a double weighting, the percentage of entries returning A* and A grades, and those graded 9, 8 and 7, at GCSE and iGCSE. Also included are the school’s 2022 national rank and the 2019 national rank.
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, Altrincham
Regional rank: 1
A-level A*-B (%): 95.0
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 96.8
2022 national rank: 5
2019 national rank: 8
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys, Altrincham
Regional rank: 2
A-level A*-B (%): 91.5
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 87.5
2022 national rank: 17
2019 national rank: 23
The Blue Coat School, Liverpool
Regional rank: 3
A-level A*-B (%): 88.2
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 81.4
2022 national rank: 33
2019 national rank: 28=
Sale Grammar School, Sale
Regional rank: 4
A-level A*-B (%): 87
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 80
2022 national rank: 42
2019 national rank: 88
Loreto Grammar School, Altrincham
Regional rank: 5
A-level A*-B (%): 84.4
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 75.4
2022 national rank: 61
2019 national rank: 40
Lancaster Girls' Grammar School, Lancaster
Regional rank: 6
A-level A*-B (%): 80.7
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 76.6
2022 national rank: 70
2019 national rank: 35=
St Ambrose College, Altrincham
Regional rank: 7
A-level A*-B (%): 81.7
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 65.8
2022 national rank: 85
2019 national rank: 127
Wirral Grammar School for Girls, Bebington
Regional rank: 8
A-level A*-B (%): 75.2
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 75.2
2022 national rank: 93=
2019 national rank: 103
Stretford Grammar School, Stretford
Regional rank: 9
A-level A*-B (%): 72.3
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 79.0
2022 national rank: 104
2019 national rank: 289
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School, Clitheroe
Regional rank: 10
A-level A*-B (%): 75.5
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 67.2
2022 national rank: 124
2019 national rank: 126
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls has been named The Sunday Times North West Secondary School of the Year and moves into fifth place in the national rankings.
“The school’s academic success is due to the hard work and expertise of the teachers, alongside the support of staff for our student’s welfare and wellbeing and the resilience, determination and commitment of our students,” says Stephanie Gill, the headteacher.
Dozens of clubs and extracurricular activities are available for pupils to take part in, ranging from computing to hip-hop, Latin, psychology and chess.
Ms Gill continues: “We believe in the NHS’s five ways to wellbeing: connecting with others, being physically active, learning new skills, giving to others and paying attention to the moment.”
Altrincham was named the best place to live in the UK by The Sunday Times in 2020, and today it is one of the best places to learn in the northwest. Four out of the top ten state secondary schools in the region — all of which are grammar schools – are in the WA14 and WA15 postcodes.
The Sunday Times also released a top 10 list of independent secondary schools in the North West which features three schools in Manchester, two in Chester, one in Northwich, Stockport, Macclesfield and Bolton and Cheadle.
You can find out more about Parent Power via The Sunday Times website and use the hashtag #ParentPower.
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