Opinions are divided on whether school league tables really matter, with some saying they provide valuable insight and others arguing they don't tell the full story. But for many parents, these rankings remain an important factor when choosing a school.
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00:00The government has released its latest school league tables, revealing the top performing
00:03secondary schools in England and Wales based on last year's GCSE results.
00:08The rankings are determined using Progress 8 scores which measure how well students progress
00:13compared to peers from similar primary schools, with scores above zero considered positive
00:17and anything over 0.5 rated as well above average.
00:22While the figures are still preliminary, they highlight schools excelling in both academics
00:25and overall standards.
00:28Leading the pack in England is Mackayla Community School in Wembley, which achieved an outstanding
00:32Progress 8 score of 2.55.
00:35Other top schools include Mercia School in Sheffield, Tauheedal Islam Girls High School
00:39in Blackburn, Eden Boys School in Birmingham and the Steiner Academy in Hereford, all with
00:44exceptional scores that reflect their high standards for education and behaviour.
00:49Each of these schools had previously been rated as either good or outstanding by Ofsted.
00:53Their rankings provide valuable insight into where students are achieving the most significant
00:58academic progress.
00:59In Wales, the annual Sunday Times Parent Power Guide highlighted the best state and independent
01:04schools based on their 2024 exam results.
01:07Cowbridge School in the Vale of Glamorgan was named both State Secondary School of the
01:11Year and the top school for academic excellence.
01:14Among independent schools, the Cathedral School in Llandaff and Cardiff Sixth Form College
01:18were recognised for their academic achievements.
01:21These rankings also give parents a chance to compare schools, with links to inspection
01:25reports and detailed performance data.
01:27Welsh state schools ranked highly included Ulchford School in Swansea and Bro Midran
01:31Welsh Comprehensive in Carmarthen, reflecting strong performances in both GCSE and A-level
01:37exams.
01:38Crickhower High School and Bro Preseli School were also noted for making impressive progress.
01:43These league tables continue to spark interest among parents and educators, offering insights
01:48into how schools are performing and where improvements may still be needed.
01:51While some debate their importance, they remain a key reference point for assessing school
01:55standards and helping families make informed decisions about their children's education.