The UK's top schools revealed in new guide for parents - see if yours makes the cut

The top schools in the country have been revealed for 2023 - and single-sex schools were top of the tables this year.

The Sunday Times Parent Power 2023 guide to the best schools in the country lists includes state, private and independent schools.

The Parent Power database includes more than 1,600 schools and helps parents, pupils and teachers learn more about a school's performance.

The guide, published today, lists the highest-achieving schools in the UK based on their own criterion and includes a regional breakdown.

This year's guide placed special attention on well-being and mental health, Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power guide, said.

The guide also reveals how single-sex schools were at the top of the tables in both state and private sectors.

St Paul’s Girls’ School, in London, has been named the top independent school for academic performance (Google Street View)

Ms Davies said: “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 well-being 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 are here to help.”

Here is a breakdown of the top schools in the nation and in each region and you can view the full list here.

National School of the year:

The top secondary school for academic performance - Henrietta Barnett School (grammar school for girls), Hampstead, London

Wycombe High School, in Buckinghamshire, was named the top secondary school of the year (Google Street View)

Secondary school of the year - Wycombe High School, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Comprehensive school of the year - St Peter’s Catholic School, Guildford, Surrey

St Paul’s Girls’ School, in London, has been named the top independent school for academic performance (Google Street View)

Top independent school for academic performance - St Paul’s Girls’ School, Brook Green, London

Independent school of the year - Francis Holland School, Sloane Square, London

International Baccalaureate school of the year - Godolphin and Latymer, Hammersmith, London

Godolphin and Latymer, in London, was named the International Baccalaureate school of the year (Google Street View)

Top schools by region:

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

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

St Peter’s Catholic School, in Surrey, was named the top comprehensive school of the year (Google Street View)

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

Scotland

Secondary School of the Year - Williamwood High School, Glasgow

Secondary School of the Year for Academic Performance - Jordanhill, Glasgow