The Sunday Times: Wirral school named among best in the Northwest

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.

The best schools in the Northwest have been revealed in Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023 (Image: PA)

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 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.”

Wirral school named among best in the northwest

Wirral Grammar School for Girls in Bebington features in the list with a regional rank of 8.

Wirral Grammar School for Girls has been named among the best schools in the Northwest (Image: PA)

Top 10 state secondary schools in the Northwest listed by The Sunday Times

Here are the schools which featured in the list along with their regional rank, the percentage of examination entries gaining A*-B at A-level which is given double weighting, 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

The Sunday Times also released a top 10 list of independent secondary schools in the Northwest 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.