SCHOOLS in the district are among the best in the country and that’s official.
Students and staff at three schools are celebrating after being listed in the The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026, considered the definitive guide to the UK’s top-performing schools.
St Mary’s RC Primary School in Henley was named the national Small Primary School of the Year 2026.
For the third time in recent years, King Edward VI School was named State Secondary School of the Year for the West Midlands following previous wins in 2019 and 2023.
And Stratford Girls Grammar School was named third best State Secondary of the Year for the West Midlands for 2026 after claiming the top spot last year.
Office manager and parent at St Mary’s, Katie Trinder, told the Observer they were all still in shock at the news.
She continued: “It’s one heck of an achievement for such a small school. We only have 100 pupils and goodness knows how many schools there are across the country.
“It is all down to our amazing teachers, the great families, the community support and the amazing teaching that goes on at the school.”
KES also topped the rankings in the West Midlands based on this year’s A Level and GCSE results, earning the regional title of School of the Year for Academic Excellence. Eight-six per cent of A Level papers were graded A* to B and 90 per cent of GCSE papers were graded 9 to 7, with these results placing the school 12th in the national rankings.
Headmaster Bennet Carr said: “Our aim is to provide students with a well-rounded education that balances academic rigour with an exceptional wealth of opportunities – sporting, artistic and beyond – that nurture personal development and character. It is therefore gratifying to be recognised with awards this year that externally validate both our pursuit of academic excellence and our dedication to a holistic education.
“Most importantly, underpinning this success is a focus on student happiness and the relationships of mutual respect that are experienced here daily. Our wonderful students and extra-ordinarily dedicated staff make King Edward VI School a special place, and I am grateful that we enjoy unwavering support from parents and governors alike.
“Accolades are never the point, but I hope that all members of our community will feel a sense of pride in this recognition of what we do and what we aspire to achieve.”
