Cotswold school named among the best by The Sunday Times

The Parent Power Schools Guide for this year was officially released this morning by the national newspaper. 

The Cotswold School in Bourton was selected as the third best comprehensive school in the South West and it is also ranked 247th best nationally.

Will Morgan, who has been headteacher at the school since 2011, said: "Featuring in the top three comprehensive schools in the South West recognises the hard work of our students, our inspiring and committed staff and the ongoing support of our parents and carers.

"We remain focused on the quality of our curriculum and our teaching for all.

"Our staff care deeply for their subjects, their school and the individual students under their care.

"I am immensely proud of the support, both academic and pastoral, that we offer to our students, as well as our extra-curricular activities, helping to create opportunities to enable our students to thrive. 

"I couldn’t be more proud of the students and the staff of The Cotswold School.”

Stroud High School has been named the ninth best secondary state school in the South West, as well as the 121st best in the country.

The rankings in the secondary school league tables are determined by the percentage of examination entries gaining A*-B at A-level and the percentage of entries returning A* and A grades, and those graded 9, 8 and 7, at GCSE and iGCSE.

Meanwhile, in separate categories other schools in the area have also been featured. 

Katharine Lady Berkeley's School in Wotton has been named the fourth best comprehensive school in the region, as well as the 250th best in the country.

Malmesbury School is ranked fifth in the region for best comprehensive school, and it is also ranked 251st nationally.

In addition, Pate’s Grammar School in Cheltenham, Sir Thomas Rich’s School in Gloucester, Denmark Road High School in Gloucester and Cheltenham Ladies' College feature in the list.

You can view the full list here - tinyurl.com/4s5582c4 or see below.

Helen Davies, Editor of Parent Power, said: “The educational landscape continues to be challenging across both the state and independent sectors, and this is the first true assessment of post-pandemic exam results.

"We believe these rankings – and all the additional information on offer in Parent Power – provide parents with a more reliable guide to academic achievement in schools today. 

“The guide showcases academic excellence but also celebrates schools who may not be right at the top but are rising, innovating and helping pupils flourish. Being a teenager is hard enough, and the past few years since Covid have made life even harder. It is heartening to highlight the achievements of so many students and schools across the UK. 

“This year Parent Power includes details on extracurricular clubs, wellbeing initiatives and school lunch menus – chicken katsu seems to be the dish of the day.”

Top secondary state schools (grammar and comprehensive) in the South West

1 - Pate’s Grammar School, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (national rank 4)

2 - Colyton Grammar School, Devon (national rank 13)

3 - Sir Thomas Rich’s School, Gloucester, Gloucestershire (national rank 63) 

4 - Bishop Wordsworth’s School, Salisbury, Wiltshire (national rank 79)

5 - Denmark Road High School, Gloucester, Gloucestershire (national rank 99)

6 - Torquay Girls' Grammar School, Torquay, Devon (national rank 101) 

7 - Bournemouth School for Girls, Dorset (national rank 104) 

8 - Devonport High School for Girls, Devon (national rank 111)

9 - Stroud High School, Gloucestershire (national rank 121)

10 - Parkstone Grammar School, Poole, Dorset (national rank 123)

Top comprehensive schools in the South West

1 - Kingsbridge Community College, Devon (national rank 200)

2 - Balcarras School, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire (national rank 219

3 - The Cotswold School, Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire (national rank 247)

4 - Katharine Lady Berkeley's School , Wotton (national rank 250)

5 - Malmesbury School, Wiltshire (national rank 250)