The top performing secondary schools in the North East have been revealed in a list created by a new guide.
The 30th edition of Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023, identifies the highest-achieving secondary schools in the UK.
It using the first post-pandemic set of results for state and independent schools since Covid-19 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Read more: Plans for Seaton Valley's new school approved by Northumberland County Council
According to Parent Power, the top state schools in the region are located in Durham, Northumberland, North Tyneside, Sunderland and Stockton. They are:
1. Durham Johnston Comprehensive School in Durham
2. St Leonard's Catholic School in Durham
3. Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham, Northumberland
4. Egglescliffe School in Egglescliffe, Stockton
5. The King Edward VI School in Morpeth, Northumberland
6. Whitley Bay High School in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside
7. Conyers School in Yarm, Stockton
8. St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy in Sunderland
Andrew O'Sullivan, headteacher at Durham Johnston Comprehensive School, said: "What we do is quite old-fashioned. We believe in comprehensive values.
"The school’s success is based on our stable leadership, longstanding staff, and our adaptability on top of a strong foundation. We have sent 120 children to Oxford and Cambridge in the past 11 years. That is a great achievement for a comprehensive and especially one in this area."
O’Sullivan believes, along with many other heads, that the impact of the pandemic has been more profound than first imagined, especially in the North East.
He said: "In retrospect the easy part was moving to teaching online. Addressing the fallout over the next decade will be an even greater challenge."
Chris Hammill, headteacher at St Leonard's Catholic School in Durham, added: "This huge achievement is contrary to national and regional trends and is particularly impressive given the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on the northeast."
According to the guide, six of the region's top ranking independent schools are located in Newcastle. The others on the top 10 list are based in Durham, Stockton and Northumberland. They are:
1. Royal Grammar School in Newcastle
2. Yarm School in Yarm, Stockton
3. Durham High School for Girls in Durham
4. Dame Allan's Girls' School in Newcastle
5. Dame Allan's Boys' School in Newcastle
6. Newcastle High School for Girls in Newcastle
7. Newcastle School for Boys in Newcastle
8. Durham School in Durham
9. Westfield School in Newcastle
10. Longridge Towers School in Berwick, Northumberland
Will Scott, principal of Dame Allan's Schools, said: "It is a reflection of our overall school offering and our commitment to pupil achievement and wellbeing. It is also a reflection of an already embedded focus on technology that was invaluable during the pandemic."
The school’s pastoral team includes a recently appointed director of pupil wellbeing, a school nurse, art psychotherapist and counsellors. Most are based in the Snug, a purpose-built, dedicated space where pupils can go to feel safe, heard and understood. Pupils can even book 20-minute appointments with Heidi, a five-year-old Maltichon therapy dog, who attends school twice a week.
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.
Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power guide, said: "These have been a challenging few years for teachers, pupils and their parents, and the success of many in our league table is testament to the stamina and support shown by all concerned.
"It is also clear that more attention is being placed on wellbeing and mental health – from meditation rooms to counselling support, even therapy dogs – and schools are being proactive to bring about positive changes.
"League tables are not the only criteria a parent can use when choosing a school, but they are a good starting point. We want to celebrate excellence. We want to champion schools that are doing wonderful work. We want our children to be well-nurtured and well-taught. In choosing a school parents are making one of the biggest decisions in their family life, and Parent Power and The Sunday Times is here to help."
Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023, will be published online at thetimes.co.uk/parentpower on December 9, 2022 and in a supplement in The Sunday Times on December 11.
More than 1,600 schools can be searched by name, local authority, town and postcode, allowing families to find the best school in their area.
Read more:
Mission for radical North East school improvements has not been 'forgotten', leaders insist
Primary school applications deadline in your area and how to apply for a September 2023 place
Newcastle College student wins prestigious prize at 2022 BTEC Awards
Engineer who designed The Shard awarded honorary degree from Northumbria University
