A number of south Wales secondary schools have been named among the UK’s best in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025.
The 32nd edition of The Sunday Times guide was released on Friday (December 6) revealing the country’s top secondary schools.
The Parent Power Guide is said to be among the “most authoritative” surveys of the country’s best schools and an “essential resource” for parents seeking the best education for their children.
It includes a fully searchable national database of over 2,000 schools by name, local authority, town and postcode.
As well as an assessment of all academic results on a school-by-school basis, the Parent Power Guide allows parents to compare the performance of a given school with other schools in the same town, local authority or nationally.
A handful of outstanding state schools have beaten some of the most expensive and famous private schools in the UK, turning in better A-level and GCSE results this summer, according to the 2025 Sunday Times Parent Power league table ⬇️
— The Times and The Sunday Times (@thetimes) December 6, 2024
Editor of Parent Power, Helen Davies, said: “The educational landscape is challenging – teacher shortages, rising student mental health issues and special educational needs and the Vat hike – but there is also so much to celebrate from the hard work of passionate and committed teachers who are finding ever more innovative and impactful ways to boost their students and give them the very best start in life.
“As well as celebrating the academic excellence of the top schools it is fantastic to see how they are shaping their students to be ready for the 21st century.”
The secondary schools in Wales among the UK’s best
South Wales boasts both the best independent and state secondary schools in Wales.
Several other schools from the area also feature among the full list of the UK’s best in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025.
The best secondary schools in Wales, according to Parent Power Guide, are:
Independent
Independent Secondary School of the Year 2025 (Wales): The Cathedral School, Llandaff
Independent Secondary School of the Year 2025 for Academic Excellence in Wales: Cardiff Sixth Form College
We’re thrilled to announce that Cardiff Sixth Form College has been named The Sunday Times Welsh Independent School of the Year for Academic Excellence for the third consecutive year! pic.twitter.com/Wp2CbMFDyg
— Cardiff Sixth Form College (@CSFCOfficial) December 9, 2024
Highest ranked in the UK:
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Cardiff Sixth Form College (37)
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St John’s College, Cardiff (=51)
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St Michael’s School, Llanelli (62)
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The Cathedral School, Llandaff (63)
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Westbourne School, Penarth (84)
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Howell’s School, Llandaff GDST, Cardiff (=133)
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Ruthin School (171)
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St Gerard’s School Trust, Bangor =(200)
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Rougemont School, Newport (=238)
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Christ College Brecon (=251)
State and Grammar
State Secondary School of the Year (Wales): Cowbridge School
State Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence in Wales: Cowbridge School
Highest ranked in the UK:
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Cowbridge School (=133)
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Olchfa School, Swansea (=202)
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Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin, Caerfyrddin (221)
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Crickhowell High School (265)
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Ysgol Bro Preseli, Sir Benfro (281)
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Ysgol Eirias, Colwyn Bay (298)
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Bishop Vaughan Catholic School, Swansea (300)
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Llanidloes High School (=336)
RECOMMENDED READING:
The Parent Power Guide 2025 offers much more than just school rankings.
It also includes a parent-friendly guide to the 23 essential questions to ask when choosing a secondary school, insights on how to apply for private school scholarships and exclusive interviews with leading educators (and much more).
To see the full Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025, visit The Sunday Times website (a link to which can be found above).