The top secondary schools across Wales have been ranked in the latest Sunday Times guide. The Welsh-medium Ysgol Bro Preseli in Crymych was crowned the best state school in Wales and soared to 105th in the UK league table.
The 'Parent Power' guide has drawn from the first post-Covid set of exam results to rank state and independent secondaries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The table is based on A-levels and GCSEs. Here are the top 10 state schools in Wales according to the rankings:
Ysgol Bro Preseli in Crymych
A-level A*-B (%): 79.4
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 64.3
2022 UK rank: 105 (first in Wales)
2019 UK rank: 186
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Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin in Carmarthen
A-level A*-B (%): 76.9
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 64.7
2022 UK rank: 121 (second in Wales)
2019 UK rank: 202
Cowbridge Comprehensive School
A-level A*-B (%): 81.1
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 53.5
2022 UK rank: 130 (third in Wales)
2019 UK rank: 198
Y Pant Comprehensive School in Pontyclun
A-level A*-B (%): 73.8
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 67
2022 UK rank: 134 (fourth in Wales)
2019 UK rank: 304
Radyr Comprehensive School in Cardiff
A-level A*-B (%): 80.4
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 40.9
2022 UK rank: 172 (fifth in Wales)
2019 UK rank: n/a
Olchfa School in Swansea
A-level A*-B (%): 78
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 44
2022 UK rank: 186 (sixth in Wales)
2019 UK rank: 252
Ysgol Eirias in Colwyn Bay
A-level A*-B (%): 76.1
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 30.1
2022 UK rank: 249 (seventh in Wales)
2019 UK rank: 280
Crickhowell High School
A-level A*-B (%): 60.3
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 61.1
2022 UK rank: 252 (eighth in Wales)
2019 UK rank: 349
Bishop Vaughan Catholic School in Swansea
A-level A*-B (%): 77.2
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 26
2022 UK rank: 256 (ninth in Wales)
2019 UK rank: n/a
Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr in Cardiff
A-level A*-B (%): 68.3
GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 38.4
2022 UK rank: 280 (tenth in Wales)
2019 UK rank: 239
'An anchor in the local community'
Speaking about Ysgol Bro Preseli's performance, the Parent Power guide said: "Overcoming rural challenges to climb to the top of our regional ranking, the school has high expectations of pupils and is an anchor in the local community. The school hosts a Welsh for Adults Service, the Gromlech Theatre, a public library, a swimming pool, a leisure centre, an all-weather pitch, a nursery and a cylch meithrin, or playgroup. Its motto – 'Gwreiddiau a Gorwelion', or Roots and Horizons – neatly sums up the atmosphere and ambition of the Pembrokeshire comprehensive."
Its headteacher Rhonwen Morris said: “We want to ensure that all pupils are prepared for life from the time they nurture their academic and personal roots to the time they leave school and head for their own personal horizons. We expect the highest possible standards from our pupils and we will do our utmost to give them every opportunity to succeed.”
The guide also ranked Wales' best independent secondaries. In order of performance the top 10 are: Cardiff Sixth Form College; St Michael's School in Llanelli; St John's College in Cardiff; The Cathedral School Llandaff in Cardiff; Rougemont School in Newport; Ruthin School in Denbighshire; Howell's School, Llandaff GDST in Cardiff; Rydal Penrhos School in Colwyn Bay; Christ College in Brecon; and St David’s College in Llandudno.
Helen Davies, editor of the guide, said: “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."
Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023 will be published online at thetimes.co.uk/parentpower on December 9 and in a supplement in The Sunday Times on December 11. You can read more of the latest education news here.
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