Weydon School in Farnham has been named the third best state secondary in the UK in The Times’s Parent Power league tables for 2023.

The annual rankings rates state, comprehensive and selective schools, as well as sixth form colleges, performance based on their most recent moderated examinations including A-level and GCSE results from the summer of 2022.

Weydon ranked third in The Times’s list of top 40 state secondary schools with no or new sixth forms, with 52.3 per cent of the school’s students achieving GCSE grades ranging from 9 to 7 (A* and A) during this year’s summer term.

The Farnham school is the only one in Surrey to finish within the top 40.

Weydon principal Jackie Sharman said: “The whole staff body are over the moon with the news. Everyone at this school, staff and student works unbelievable hard to get these kinds of results and its amazing to see these efforts recognised on a national level.

"Thank you and congratulations to the entire team and our students for making our school the success it is. This is truly an achievement we should take pride in and never forget."

The 30th edition of Parent Power uses the first post-pandemic set of results for state and independent schools since Covid-19 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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.

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, andParent Power and The Sunday Times is here to help.”