Posted on Friday 25th Nov 2016
A Kent school has been named the top state secondary in the south east - and one of the best in the country.
Tonbridge Grammar School was fifth nationally in The Sunday Times Parent Power guide, which produces rankings based on the latest academic results.
The Deakin Leas establishment, which has consistently improved in the UK league table, is up five places from last year.
Of all GCSE exam entries, 90% gained an A or A*, while 92% of International Baccalaureate (IB) entries achieve the equivalent of A* to B at A-level.
The sixth form only offers the IB, which are viewed by many as tougher than A-Levels.
The school is a former winner of our IB School and State Secondary School of the Year awards, lifting both titles in 2014.
The Judd School in Tonbridge was ranked fifth in the south east and 22nd nationally, while The Skinners’ School and Tunbridge Wells Girls’ Grammar School, both in Tunbridge Wells, followed in sixth and seventh place in the region.
The Rochester Grammar School was named the 10th best state secondary in the south east.
Meanwhile Dartford Grammar School in West Hill has been named the IB School of the Year, having risen nine places in the national rankings to 17th place. Famous for being Mick Jagger’s old school, the selective grammar also only offers the IB in the sixth form.
Alastair McCall, editor of The Sunday Times Schools Guide, said: “Dartford Grammar has a far more diverse intake than many schools with a wholly academically selective intake. Many of the children who routinely go on to university from the school are the first in their families to do so and this year’s record-breaking examination results are testament to the quality of the education on offer here.
“The school that gave us Mick Jagger and his extensive back catalogue of iconic music continues to turn out children who make a distinctive mark on the world in their own special ways.”
Latest News
19/10/21Further strikes threatened at universities this term
Students could face more strike action at universities this term after the academics' union opened a ballot over pay, pensions and conditions. University and College Union (UCU) general secretary Jo Grady said the UK's flagship university sector was built on the "exploitation of staff". They had experienced a decade of pension cuts, collapsing pay and insecure contracts, she said. University employers said the prospect of disruption was "disappointing".
01/10/21What changes are being made to GCSEs and A-levels next year?
Department for Education says 2022 will be a ‘transition year’
14/09/21Covid: Single jab recommended for 12 to 15-year-olds by UK's top doctors
Healthy children aged 12 to 15 should be offered one dose of a Covid vaccine, the UK's chief medical officers say.
29/06/21Covid: School isolation rules could end in autumn
The Covid control system in England's schools, where groups of pupils have to self-isolate if one tests positive, could be scrapped in the autumn.
26/05/21DfE had no plan for dealing with a pandemic, says critical report by MPs
Public accounts committee also said a failure to set standards for remote learning led to ‘unequal experiences’