Two Torbay schools named in The Sunday Times top schools for 2026

Two Torbay grammar schools have been recognised in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026, which has revealed the top-performing state and independent secondary schools across the UK.

Churston Ferrers Grammar School has been named “highly commended” State Secondary School of the Year in the national awards, while Torquay Girls’ Grammar School has secured a Top Ten placement in the Southwest for the fourth year in a row.

The annual Parent Power league table, widely regarded as the definitive ranking of UK schools, assesses performance based on exam results and year-on-year outcomes. The full guide is online now, click here.

A spokesperson for Churston said:

“Our 2025 results were the deserved outcome of a hardworking and capable cohort at A level and GCSE. Their success is the result of the whole community - students, staff, families - taking on board a mindset that emphasises high levels of self efficacy and asks everyone to meet four core expectations: be kind, aim high, work hard, take responsibility.

“I am particularly proud that we are a grammar school where high levels of academic performance sit alongside a thriving, supportive extra-curricular culture and which is truly embedded in its community.”

Churston is seventh in the Southwest state secondary rankings and placed 78th nationally.

Torquay Girls’ Grammar School placed tenth in the regional state secondary rankings.

Headteacher Sarah Forster said:

“At TGGS, our students are our best ambassadors. They are proud to be members of this fantastic school community. Our students thrive here through outstanding teaching coupled with access to a wealth of exciting experiences and opportunities beyond the classroom. Their learning and personal development is supported through ambassador or leadership programmes, clubs and societies, and trips and activities, both in the UK and abroad.

“Embodying the school’s values of collaboration, kindness, equality, well-being and open minds, our students are the history makers of the future, leaving our 6th form with the confidence, independence, resilience, strong social conscience, a can do mentality and academic results, to pursue aspirational courses at top universities or prestigious degree apprenticeships.”

“Our superb GCSE and A level results last summer are testament to the dedication and determination of students and staff alike.”

Ms Forster said the school is only getting better:

“TGGS has gone from strength to strength. We welcomed boys into the Sixth Form in September 2025 as well as increasing our PAN into year 7 by a whole class, and we look forward to welcoming more students into our community, as our school and Sixth Form continue to grow.”

The Sunday Times says its latest guide comes at a crucial time for families navigating rising mental health pressures, SEND needs and school budget constraints.

Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, said:

“The educational landscape is testing - budget challenges, rising student mental health issues, special educational needs and an increasingly uncertain future. But there is also so much to celebrate from the dedication of teachers who are finding ever more innovative and impactful ways to enrich their students and give them the very best start in life.”