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

Marling School also featured on the list, coming 15th in the south west. 

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

Stroud High was also placed third in the South West table last year.

More than 73 per cent per cent of the school's A-level results were between A*- B grades, while 76.1 per cent of its GCSE grades were graded as A*/A/9/8/7.

Stroud High School's head teacher, Mark McShane said: "As a school community we are proud of the young people we produce and this extends to the excellent results they achieve.

"I am thrilled that the experience our students have enables them to achieve in line with the very highest performing schools in the country. 

"We are all delighted that for the past number of years we have consistently been the third highest performing school in the South West. 

"Our talented team of staff work hard to create a positive and vibrant environment where our students can thrive and they continue to work hard to be a 21st Century grammar school where our students will leave us ready to take on a leading role in their communities.

"Of course, the real stars of the show are our students - they deserve the credit for this - they are simply brilliant."

Dr Stuart Wilson, executive headteacher at Marling, said: “It’s always pleasing to see Marling School featured in a list of high performing schools, and doing so well on a regional and national level.

"I am incredibly proud of our students, staff and governors and of the vibrant, inclusive and supportive learning environment we have created.

"The data used in The Sunday Times report is based on historic exam information from the period 2017 to 2019. I would like to acknowledge the challenges that schools have faced since then, working through the pandemic, and the incredible hard work and resilience shown by staff and students in all schools across the country.”  

Meanwhile two Gloucestershire schools came out top in the Sunday Times' South West list, with Pate’s Grammar School in Cheltenham number one in the table as the region’s highest-achieving state secondary school, and Cheltenham Ladies’ College number one in the list of top-performing independent schools.

For further details on the guide visit: thetimes.co.uk/article/best-uk-schools-guide-parent-power-tr95xdztg