BRADFORD Grammar School has once again been named one of the top independent secondary schools in the North.

The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2024 - published online today at thetimes.co.uk/parentpower and as a print supplement on December 3 - identifies the highest-achieving schools in the UK.

The 31st edition of the guide, widely acknowledged as the most authoritative survey of the country’s top schools, is the first true set of post-pandemic examination results.

The rankings in the secondary school league tables are determined by the percentage of examination entries gaining A*-B at A-level, which is given double weighting, and the percentage of entries returning A* and A grades, and those graded 9, 8 and 7, at GCSE and iGCSE.

Bradford Grammar School has dropped to fourth, from third, in the Top 10 independent secondary schools in the North.

It ranks 110th nationally behind York's Queen Ethelburga's College (17th), Sheffield High School for Girls (83rd), and The Grammar School at Leeds (106).

Heckmondwike Grammar School was named Secondary School of the Year 2024.

It also remains second in the Top 10 state secondary schools in the North. It ranks 77th nationally, only behind Ripon Grammar School (65th).

Meanwhile, Ilkley Grammar School is ninth in that list and 242nd nationally.

St Mary's Menston was a place higher in eighth and 222nd nationally.

The Bradford Road-based school also came fifth in the Top Comprehensive Schools in the North.

Helen Davies, editor of Parent Power, praised the achievements of pupils and their schools.

She said: “The educational landscape continues to be challenging across both the state and independent sectors, and this is the first true assessment of post-pandemic exam results.

"We believe these rankings – and all the additional information on offer in Parent Power – provide parents with a more reliable guide to academic achievement in schools today. 

“The guide showcases academic excellence but also celebrates schools who may not be right at the top but are rising, innovating and helping pupils flourish.

"Being a teenager is hard enough, and the past few years since Covid have made life even harder.

"It is heartening to highlight the achievements of so many students and schools across the UK. 

“This year Parent Power includes details on extracurricular clubs, wellbeing initiatives and school lunch menus – chicken katsu seems to be the dish of the day.”