North Wales secondary schools named among the best in the UK

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

Two schools in North Wales were among the highest-ranking independent secondary schools from Wales in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025.

Ysgol Eirias in Colwyn Bay was the lone North Wales school to be named among the best state and grammar secondary schools.

Ysgol Eirias was the only state secondary school from North Wales to be named among the UK's best by The Sunday Times. (Image: Kerry Roberts) The best secondary schools in Wales, according to the 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

Highest ranked in the UK:

• Cardiff Sixth Form College (37)
• St John's College, Cardiff (=51)
• St Michael's School, Llanelli (62)
• The Cathedral School, Llandaff (63)
• Westbourne School, Penarth (84)
• Howell's School, Llandaff GDST, Cardiff (=133)
• Ruthin School (171)
• St Gerard's School Trust, Bangor (=200)
• Rougemont School, Newport (=238)
• 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:

• Cowbridge School (=133)
• Olchfa School, Swansea (=202)
• Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin, Caerfyrddin (221)
• Crickhowell High School (265)
• Ysgol Bro Preseli, Sir Benfro (281)
• Ysgol Eirias, Colwyn Bay (298)
• Bishop Vaughan Catholic School, Swansea (300)
• Llanidloes High School (=336)

RECOMMENDED READING:

• North Wales state school with 'caring and inclusive community' among UK's best
• See where Wrexham University ranks as The Sunday Times releases its 2025 guide
• Two North Wales locations named among the happiest places to live in Britain

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).