The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide for 2025 has been published today and Greater Manchester schools top the league tables for the North West
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls topped the list of state secondary schools in the North West(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Greater Manchester schools have topped the league tables for the North West in a new guide for parents. The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide for 2025 has gone live today (Friday, December 5).
And a number of schools from our region have been named as among the best in the entire North West. Altrincham Grammar School for Girls topped the list of top state secondary schools in the North West – as well as being the State Secondary School of the Year in the North West for Academic Excellence 2026.
Withington Girls’ School came out at number one on the list of top secondary independent schools in the North West, beating the likes of The Manchester Grammar School and The King’s School in Chester. And whilst no Greater Manchester school topped the list for independent secondary school of the year, various institutions such as Cheadle Hulme High School and Didsbury High School featured.
The guide is acknowledged as being the most authoritative survey of the country’s schools. The searchable database allows parents to compare the performance of a given school with other schools in the same town, council area or even nationally. The list is recognised as the definitive ranking of the UK’s top schools and remains an essential source for parents seeking the very best education for their children. It’s especially valuable as the education landscape becomes trickier to navigate with budget challenges, special educational needs, and an increase in mental health issues among students.
Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, said: “The educational landscape is testing – budget challenges, rising student mental health issues, special educational needs and an increasingly uncertain future. But there is also so much to celebrate from the dedication of teachers who are finding ever more innovative and impactful ways to enrich their students and give them the very best start in life.
“As well as celebrating the academic excellence of the top schools it is uplifting to see how they are shaping their students to be ready for the 21st century, and instilling a lifelong love of learning.”
Top ten state secondary schools in the North West
Below are the top ten state secondary schools in the North West, including their regional ranks, national ranks and location
Altrincham Grammar School for Girls, ranked 9 nationally, AltrinchamAltrincham Grammar School for Boys, ranked 33 nationally, AltrinchamSale Grammar School, ranked 38 nationally, SaleThe Blue Coat School, Liverpool, ranked 43 nationally, LiverpoolSt Ambrose College, ranked 51 nationally, AltrinchamLoreto Grammar School, ranked 60 nationally, AltrinchamTauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College, ranked 72 nationally, BlackburnUrmston Grammar, ranked 86 nationally, ManchesterLancaster Royal Grammar School, ranked 98 nationally, LancasterCheadle Hulme High School, ranked 106 nationally, StockportTop comprehensive secondary schools in the North WestTauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College, ranked 72 nationally, BlackburnCheadle Hulme High School, ranked 106 nationally, StockportDidsbury High School, ranked 181 nationally, ManchesterHazel Grove High School, ranked 185 nationally, StockportTauheedul Islam Boys’ High School, ranked 198 nationally, BlackburnThe King David High School, Manchester, ranked 203 nationally, ManchesterWellington School, ranked 223 nationally, AltrinchamCockermouth School, ranked 227 nationally, CockermouthFormby High School, ranked 246 nationally, LiverpoolThe Belvedere Academy, ranked 297 nationally, LiverpoolTop secondary independent schools in the North WestWithington Girls’ School, ranked 35 nationally, ManchesterThe Manchester Grammar School, ranked 38 nationally, ManchesterThe King’s School, Chester, ranked 79 nationally, ChesterManchester High School for Girls, ranked 91 nationally, ManchesterThe Grange School, ranked 137 nationally, NorthwichThe Queen’s School, Chester, ranked 139 nationally, ChesterWindermere School, ranked 147 nationally, WindermereThe King’s School in Macclesfield, ranked 157 nationally, PrestburyCheadle Hulme School, ranked 183 nationally, Cheadle HulmeStockport Grammar School, ranked 193 nationally, Stockport