As one might expect when it comes to A Levels, the list of highest performing sixth form schools and colleges is dominated by oft-pricey private schools.
However, dotted throughout are an array of excellent, fees-free state schools from across England. They range from selective grammar schools, to faith schools, to university-sponsored colleges - and from only years old to centuries. But each and every one has proven that it can support its young pupils to excel academically, setting them up for success in their future studies and working lives.
We’ve taken a look at some of the best-performing state-funded secondary schools and sixth form colleges across England, creating a league table based on the most recent performance data currently available (from the 2022/23 school year). They have been ranked by on their A Level performance point score out of 60, a unique measurement derived from their students’ A Level results.
All schools on the list also had an overall Ofsted rating of ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ before this measure was dropped last month. This means that the quality of education provided, student behaviour and attitudes, school leadership and management, and student safeguarding were found to either meet or exceed government standards last time the school had a full inspection.
Here were the 25 state schools that topped the chart:
13. University of Liverpool Mathematics School
This is a sixth form college in Liverpool, focusing primarily on maths, computer science, and physics. It was formerly rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted. In the 2022/23 academic year, it had an A Level point score of 47.93 - giving it an average grade of A-. | Google
14. London Academy of Excellence
This is a sixth form college in the Newham borough, East London. It is a free school, but is affiliated with a number of prestigious private schools - including Eton College. Prospective students need to do exceptionally well on their GCSEs to get in. In the 2022/23 academic year, it had an A Level point score of 47.77 - giving it an average grade of A-. | Google
15. JFS School
This is a Jewish faith secondary school and sixth form in the Brent borough, Northwest London. In the 2022/23 academic year, it had an A Level point score of 47.45 - giving it an average grade of A-. | Google
16. The Blue Coat School
The Blue Coat school is a secondary grammar school and sixth form in Liverpool. It has selective entry, meaning students usually need to pass an exam or meet certain criteria to get in. In the 2022/23 academic year, it had an A Level point score of 47.39 - giving it an average grade of A-. | Google