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:

17. Colyton Grammar School
This is a secondary grammar school and sixth form in Colyton, Devon. 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 47.21 - giving it an average grade of A-. | Google

18. King Edward VI Grammar School, Chelmsford
This King Edward is a secondary grammar school and sixth form in Chelmsford, Essex. 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 47.15 - giving it an average grade of A-. | Google

19. Dr Challoner's Grammar School
This is a boys’ secondary grammar school in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, with a mixed sixth form. 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 47.08 - giving it an average grade of A-. | Google

20. Tiffin School
Like its counterpart, Tiffin is a grammar school in Kingston upon Thames, Southwest London - only this one is for male students. It is selective, meaning prospective pupils have to pass a test or meet certain criteria to get in. In the 2022/23 academic year, it had an A Level point score of 46.99 - giving it an average grade of A-. | Google


