They’ve been named as among the regions best schools
The Sunday Times Top Schools list for 2026 has been revealed(Image: Getty)
Four Bristol schools have been been named in the top 10 comprehensive schools in the South West for Academic Excellence.
Bristol Free School, Bristol Cathedral Choir School, St Bede’s RC College and Chew Valley School all made the The Sunday Times Parent Power list, which was topped by Ralph Allen School in Bath.
Schools children from Bristol travel to were also among those honoured. Pate’s Grammar School in Cheltenham was named top state secondary school. Also ranking highly in the top state secondary school list are Sir Thomas Rich’s School in Gloucester and Stroud High School in Stroud – both selective grammar schools.
Bristol’s Redmaids’ High School is named in the top 10 independent schools, along with Bath’s King Edward’s School and Royal High School. Cheltenham Ladies’ College in Bayshill Road, is the Independent Secondary School of the Year in the Southwest for Academic Excellence.
You can see the full tables further down in this article
Widely acknowledged as the most authoritative survey of the country’s top schools, The Sunday Times Parent Power was published online at 7am today (Dec 5) and available in print in a 28-page supplement on Sunday (Dec 7).
Recognised as the definitive ranking of the UK’s top primary and secondary state and independent schools, this guide remains an essential resource for parents seeking the very best in education for their children.
It includes a fully searchable national database of more than 2,000 schools by name, local authority, town and postcode.
As well as an assessment of academic results on a school-by-school basis, Parent Power enables parents to compare the performance of a given school with other schools in the same area, local authority or nationally.
Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power, said: “The educational landscape is testing – budget challenges, rising student mental health issues, special educational needs and an increasingly uncertain future.
“But there is also so much to celebrate from the dedication of teachers who are finding ever more innovative and impactful ways to enrich their students and give them the very best start in life.
“As well as celebrating the academic excellence of the top schools it is uplifting to see how they are shaping their students to be ready for the 21st century, and instilling a lifelong love of learning.”
Top State Secondary Schools
Regional Rank, National Rank, School Name, Location
1, 6, Pate’s Grammar School; State Secondary School of the Year in the Southwest for Academic Excellence 2026 Cheltenham
2, 20, Colyton Grammar School; Colyton
3, 32, Sir Thomas Rich’s School; Gloucester
4, 45, South Wilts Grammar School; Salisbury
5, 67, Stroud High School; Stroud
6, 68, Bishop Wordsworth’s School; Salisbury
7, 78, Churston Ferrers Grammar School; Brixham
8, 115, Parkstone Grammar School; Poole
9, 122, Bournemouth School; Bournemouth
10, 125, Torquay Girls’ Grammar School; Torquay
Top Comprehensive Secondary Schools
1, 173=, Ralph Allen School; Comprehensive School of the Year in the Southwest 2026 Bath
2, 186, The Cotswold School; Bourton-on-the-Water
3, 201=, Balcarras School, Cheltenham; Cheltenham
4, 224=, Bristol Free School; Bristol
5, 232=, Bristol Cathedral Choir School; Bristol
6, 238, Beechen Cliff School; Bath
7, 252=, Chew Valley School; Bristol
8, 267=, Hayesfield Girls’ School and Mixed Sixth Form; Bath
9, 313, Norton Hill School and Midsomer Norton Sixth Form; Radstock
10, 318=, St Bede’s RC College; Bristol
Top Secondary Independent Schools
1, 62, Cheltenham Ladies’ College; Independent Secondary School of the Year in the Southwest for Academic Excellence 2026 Cheltenham
2, 70, King Edward’s School, Bath; Bath
3, 86, Redmaids’ High School; Bristol
4, 94=, The Maynard School; Exeter
5, 112=, Marlborough College; Marlborough
6, 112=, Canford School; Wimborne
7, 114, King Edward VI School, Southampton; Southampton
8, 123, St Mary’s Calne; Calne
9, 127, Exeter School; Exeter
10, 130, Royal High School Bath, GDST; Bath
Top Primary Schools
1, 45, Mawnan CofE Primary School; Primary School of the Year in the Southwest Falmouth
2, 89, St Ives Primary and Nursery School; Ringwood
3, 101=, Freshford Church School; Bath
4, 144, Kingslea Primary School; Horsham
5, 152, Somerset Bridge Primary School; Bridgwater
6, 166=, Tor Bridge Primary School; Plymouth
7, 170=, Hambrook Primary School; Bristol
8, 261=, Stowford School; Ivybridge
9, 268=, St Walburga’s RC Primary School; Bournemouth
10, 320=, St Michael’s CofE Primary, Aldbourne; Marlborough