Sunday Times names the best secondary schools in Wales

The Sunday Times has revealed its list of Wales' top schools, with sites in Cardiff and Cowbridge topping the charts for independent and state secondary schools.

The list, taken from the 29th edition of Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2022, identifies the highest-achieving schools in the UK, ranked by recent exam results over a three year average up to 2019.

St John's College in Cardiff was named the top independent school in Wales, achieving its top ranking with 90.7% A*to B A Level grades and 70% A*to B GCSE grades.

Cowbridge Comprehensive led the way for secondary schools with 62.3% A* to B A Level grades and 44.5% A* to B GCSEs.

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The top 10 independent secondary schools in Wales

1. St John's College, Cardiff (67th in the UK)

• 90.7% A* to B grades at A level
• 70% A* to A at GCSE

St John's College Cardiff A Level results (publicity)

2. Ruthin School, Ruthin (68th in the UK)

• 93.6% A* to B grades at A level
• 63% A* to A at GCSE

The main school building at Ruthin School (Ian Cooper/Daily Post Wales)

3. St Michael's School, Llanelli (71st in UK)

86.9% A* to B grades at A level

74.6% A* to A at GCSE

4. Westbourne School, Penarth (92nd in UK)

90.3% A* to B grades at A level

55.6% A* to A at GCSE

5. Howell's School, Llandaff GDST, Cardiff (141st in UK)

73.9% A* to B grades at A level

71.2% A* to A at GCSE

6. Monmouth School for Girls (148th in UK)

74% A* to B grades at A level

69.4% A* to A at GCSE

7. The Cathedral School, Llandaff, Cardiff (149th in UK)

73.7% A* to B grades at A level

69.7% A* to A at GCSE

8. Monmouth School for Boys (199th in UK)

69.1% A* to B grades at A level

62.6% A* to A at GCSE

Monmouth School for Boys (Keith Moseley)

9. Christ College Brecon (238th in UK)

68.6% A* to B grades at A level

46.5% A* to A at GCSE

10. St Gerard's School, Bangor

57.6% A* to B grades at A level (259th in UK)

61.9% A* to A at GCSE

The top 10 state secondary schools in Wales

1. Cowbridge Comprehensive School, Cowbridge

62.3% A* to B grades at A level (177th in UK)

44.5% A* to A at GCSE

Cowbridge Comprehensive School (western mail)

2. Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin, Carmarthen (207th)

63.3% A* to B grades at A level

33.4% A* to A at GCSE

3. Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr, Cardiff (211th)

64.7% A* to B grades at A level

28.4% A* to A at GCSE

Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr (Richard Swingler)

4. Ysgol Y Preseli, Crymych (213th)

63.6% A* to B grades at A level

29.7% A* to A at GCSE

(Media Wales)

5. Olchfa School, Swansea (234th)

57.8% A* to B grades at A level

36.5% A* to A at GCSE

Olchfa Comprehensive School Swansea (www.adrianwhitephotography.co.uk)

6. Penglais School, Aberystwyth (243rd)

59.4% A* to B grades at A level

30.6% A* to A at GCSE

7. Crickhowell High School

62.1% A* to B grades at A level (244th)

25.1% A* to A at GCSE

8. Ysgol Eirias, Colwyn Bay (252nd)

63.6% A* to B grades at A level

25.1% A* to A at GCSE

9. Llanidloes High School (297th)

58.8% A* to B grades at A level

20.7% A* to A at GCSE

10. Ysgol Calun Cymru, Builth Wells (337th)

53.3% A* to B grades at A level

21.9% A* to A at GCSE

The Sunday Times Schools Guide, Parent Power, was first published in 1993.

The rankings in the secondary school league tables are determined by the average percentage of examination entries in the three years, 2017-19, gaining A* to B grades at A-level (which is given a double weighting) and the average percentage of entries returning 9-7 or A* and A grades at GCSE.

Editor Alastair McCall said: "The need for clarity about school examination performance has never been greater after two years of teacher assessed grades, during which for completely understandable reasons, the numbers of top grades increased dramatically.

"We felt it was important to go back to the last sets of moderated public examination outcomes from 2019, 2018 and 2017 to get the most accurate and current view of school academic achievement. By taking a three-year average, we mitigated against relatively poor performance in a one-off year.

"At a time when some schools are making hard to substantiate claims of academic prowess based on outcomes from 2021 and 2020, we believe these rankings – and all the additional information on offer in Parent Power – provide parents with a more reliable guide to academic achievement in schools today."

The full list of regional rankings are available to Times and Sunday Times subscribers at: thesundaytimes.co.uk/parentpower

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