The best-performing independent and state schools in East Anglia are today revealed in a sneak peak of the annual Parent Power schools guide in The Sunday Times this weekend.
The headteachers of two independent schools in Ipswich were celebrating last night after a climbing a combined 75 places in an annual Sunday Times league table of schools.
Regional data was yesterday released for The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide 2018, which uses exam results to rank the highest-achieving schools in the country. The full list of 2,000 schools will be published tomorrow.
But the initial release showed that Ipswich High School, which is converting to co-educational status next year, moved from 257th last year to 192nd in the national independent school rankings.
Some 67.8% of A-level results ranged from A*-B this summer, which is double-weighted, and 70.3% of GCSE grades were A*-A – or seven to nine in the new number-based grading scale.
Head Oona Carlin said: “We are delighted to see that Ipswich High School has risen 65 places in the latest Parent Power rankings.
“This result reflects our decision to implement a new and innovative curriculum which allows a bespoke approach to offering academic experience alongside a thorough and fulfilling enrichment programme. This new ‘IHS Enhanced Curriculum’ was first implemented in the Autumn of 2014, where we focused on ensuring all of our pupils, from Year 9, would start their GCSE preparation to ensure academic excellence across a wide breadth of subjects in a highly supportive pastoral environment.
“In many respects, this is a validation that our innovative curriculum was a great choice, and that it has contributed to our students excelling in their GCSE examinations, without having to compromise on their extra-curricular commitments and they have done this in a supportive and caring community.
“It is this robust curriculum which we are confidently continuing to take forward in our new era at Ipswich High School.”
Meanwhile, Ipswich School moved up 10 places to 166th after 77.4% of A-level grades were A*-B and 59.1% of GCSE grades were A*-A. Nicholas Weaver, headmaster, said: “I am delighted to see Ipswich School is noted as one of the top ten independent schools in the region and in the top 200 Schools nationally for the second year running. We are passionate about learning, and the results in this table are testament to the hours of hard work put in by students and staff.
“We encourage all our pupils to make the most of the choices available to them as part of an all-round Ipswich School education, both inside the classroom and in our co-curricular activities. Along with our exemplary approach to pastoral care, it is this approach to learning which helps us to be so successful.”
In the top 10 independent schools for East Anglia, Ipswich School was ranked seventh and Ipswich High School was ranked ninth. The Perse School in Cambridge claimed top spot.
Elsewhere, eight grammar schools in Essex featured in the top 10 state secondary schools in East Anglia. Colchester County High School for Girls was top, with 82.7% of A-levels graded A*-B and 89.9% of GCSEs graded A*-A or 9-7. Colchester Royal Grammar School was third, with 90.1% and 72.3% respectively. John Russell, headmaster, said: “We are regional champions in a range of sports and I would describe our music as second to none.”
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