The best performing secondary schools for 2026 have been revealed, with two grammar schools in the London borough of Barnet topping the GCSE results table. The Queen Elizabeth's School and the Henrietta Barnett School both saw 100% of pupils achieve a grade 5 or above in English and Maths. They also have the joint highest average GCSE results in the country, with pupils achieving an average score of 8.71 each, equivalent to A or A*.
New data published by the Department for Education
The new data has been published by the Department for Education today (October 15). The results come just two weeks before secondary school applications for next year close on Saturday (October 31).
Top performers across England
Altrincham Grammar School for Boys in Trafford had the highest average score in the North of England at 7.91. That is followed closely by Heckmondwike Grammar School in Kirklees, West Yorkshire with a score of 7.89.
Wilson's School in Sutton topped the charts last year but is now in third place. It had the next highest average GCSE score at 8.68, which is also equivalent to an A or A*.
The Tiffin Girls' School in Kingston upon Thames had the next highest GCSE score at 8.60, followed by St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School in Bromley with 85.0, The Perse School in Cambridgeshire with 8.44, Tiffin School in Kingston upon Thames with 8.31, and King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford with 8.30.
Schools with 100% pass rate
The following 13 schools scored a 100 per cent rating - where every single pupil achieved at least a Grade 5 or above in their English and Maths GCSEs:
- The Henrietta Barnett School (Barnet)
- Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet (Barnet)
- St Olave's and St Saviour's Grammar School (Bromley)
- The Tiffin Girls' School (Kingston upon Thames)
- Tiffin School (Kingston upon Thames)
- Wilson's School (Sutton)
- Nonsuch High School for Girls (Sutton)
- Sutton Grammar School (Sutton)
- Wallington High School for Girls (Sutton)
- Heritage Academy (Birmingham)
- Dr Challoner's High School (Buckinghamshire)
- South Wilts Grammar School (Wiltshire)
- Rugby High School (Warwickshire)
Parents can see the performance of every school in England by using the interactive tool, which allows users to type in the name of a school or the local authority area to see details.
