Wales' best-performing secondary school revealed in parent guide

State secondary schools in Wales have failed to make top billing in the Sunday Times' best schools list, but five independent schools in Wales are among the 100 best fee-paying schools in the UK, according to research.

Cowbridge School, in Vale of Glamorgan, topped the list for secondary schools in Wales for the second year in a row, ranking at 143, followed by Ysgol Bro Preseli in Crymych, Pembrokeshire, at 263.

Impressive A-level results saw Cardiff Sixth Form College placed 40th among UK independent schools, where it was joined by four other schools in Wales.

The Welsh government said recent GCSE and A-level result indicate Wales' education system is "moving in the right direction".

The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide is based on available A-level, GCSE and other exam results from schools that chose to participate.

Wales has its own rankings of all state schools through inspection reports by the regulator Estyn, with the results published online.

Debra Thomas, head teacher at Cowbridge School since 2011, said she thinks teacher development is the main reason why her school outperformed other schools in Wales on the list.

"We avoid bandwagons and fashions that don't suit us... and keep focus on the things that work - teachers and support staff following the best educational practice in the UK and globally."

She said her school had implemented the sweeping new curriculum introduced by the Welsh government with "discretion" .

"We know what works best for our pupils, regardless of what nation they are in," she said.

The Welsh government said: "Our latest GCSE and A-level results show improvements in attainment on 2024, particularly in the top grades and at A*-C.

"The latest national data from personalised assessments shows progress in reading and numeracy over the previous year, especially among younger learners.

"Wales' education system is moving in the right direction, thanks to the additional support we are providing to schools, continued investment and the hard work of school staff.

"We will continue working hard to raise education standards for all."

The success of the independent, fee-paying Cardiff Sixth Form is putting Wales' capital "on the map" as a destination for international pupils, according to principal Tom Arran - with up to 80% of pupils coming from abroad.

"It's helping to put Cardiff on the map as a major city in the UK, with outstanding independent schools that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the best in the land, " said Mr Arrand, who has worked in the independent schools sector since 2000.

Mr Arrand said his school "proudly celebrates Welsh heritage, and makes sure the independent school experience for pupils going off to the best universities in the world includes as much Welsh culture much as we can".

"To get this recognition for Cardiff schools helps a lot," he added.

Cardiff Sixth Form was joined by four other Welsh schools in the list of top-performing independent schools, including Westbourne School in Penarth, at 56th, St Michael's School in Llanelli, at 58th, St John's College in Cardiff, at 75th, and Cathedral School in Cardiff, at 88th.