The top performing schools in the West Midlands have been revealed by Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023 with one Worcester school featured.

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.

Worcester News: Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023, was released todayParent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023, was released today (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, 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.”

Worcester school named among best in the West Midlands

The King’s School, Worcester features in the list with a regional rank of 9.

Worcester News: A Worcester school has been named among the best in the West MidlandsA Worcester school has been named among the best in the West Midlands (Image: PA)

Top 10 independent secondary schools in the West Midlands list by The Sunday Times

Here are the schools which featured in the list along with its 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 is the school’s 2022 national rank and the 2019 national rank.

King Edward VI High School for Girls, Birmingham

Regional rank: 1

A-level A*-B (%): 96.4

GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 94.9

2022 national rank: 15

2019 national rank: 10

King Edward's School, Birmingham

Regional rank: 2

A-level A*-B (%): 95.8

GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 89.4

2022 national rank: 32

2019 national rank: 38

Concord College, Shrewsbury

Regional rank: 3

A-level A*-B (%): 92.6

GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 88.1

2022 national rank: 59

2019 national rank: 17

Rugby School, Rugby

Regional rank: 4

A-level A*-B (%): 85.4

GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 83.0

2022 national rank: 103

2019 national rank: 76

King's High School, Warwick

Regional rank: 5

A-level A*-B (%): 88

GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 77

2022 national rank: 104=

2019 national rank: 81

Warwick School, Warwick

Regional rank: 6

A-level A*-B (%): 86.9

GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 75.9

2022 national rank: 120

2019 national rank: 142

Solihull School, Solihull

Regional rank: 7

A-level A*-B (%): 85

GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 71

2022 national rank: 146=

Shrewsbury School, Shrewsbury

Regional rank: 8

A-level A*-B (%): 80.9

GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 72.9

2022 national rank: 163=

2019 national rank: 169=
The King's School, Worcester

Regional rank: 9

A-level A*-B (%): 80

GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 72.8

2022 national rank: 173

2019 national rank: 189=

Newcastle-under-Lyme School, Newcastle-under-Lyme

Regional rank: 10

A-level A*-B (%): 83

GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%): 62.3

2022 national rank: 186

2019 national rank: 172

The Sunday Times also released a top 10 list of state secondary schools in the West Midlands which features four in Birmingham, two in Stratford-upon-Avon, two in Sutton Coldfield, one in Newport and one in Rugby.

You can find out more about Parent Power via The Sunday Times website and use the hashtag #ParentPower.