STROUD High School has been named third best state school in the south west in the prestigious Sunday Times Parent Power guide.

The guide identifies the 2,000 highest-achieving schools across the UK, ranked by their recent examination results.

The school on Beard's Lane, which has risen one place in the South West table since last year, also came 34th in the country.

More than 80 per cent of the school's A-level results were between A*- B grades, while 76.4 per cent of its GCSE grades were graded as A*-B.

Stroud High head teacher Mark McShane said: "Of course we are delighted that the performance of our students continues to be recognised as amongst the highest performing schools in the region.

"We know education is for life and that whilst important, examination results remain one indicator of our success.

"We are equally as proud of all the exceptional activities our students undertake on a daily basis and the vibrant community their personalities create."

The the Parent Power guide list the top 10 state secondary schools in the south west is as follows:

Pate's Grammar School, Cheltenham

Colyton Grammar School, Colyton

Stroud High School, Stroud

Denmark Road High School, Gloucester

Bishop Wordsworth's School, Salisbury

Sir Thomas Rich's School, Gloucester

South Wilts Grammar School for Girls, Salisbury

Torquay Girls' Grammar School, Torquay

Torquay Boys' Grammar School, Torquay

Bournemouth School for Girls, Bournemouth

For more information go to thesundaytimes.co.uk/parentpower