The UK government has released the 2023 National League Table rankings, revealing significant shifts in educational performance across the country. Published yesterday by the Department for Education, the rankings assess schools based on pupil progress, attainment 8 scores, and English and maths GCSE results.
Topping the charts is the state-funded grammar school, Colchester County High School for Girls, with an impressive 98.5% of pupils achieving grades 9-7 in GCSE English and maths. Meanwhile, state-funded schools in London dominated the top 50, with 28 entries, reflecting the capital’s continued improvement in educational outcomes. The rankings, which compare schools based on their Key Stage 4 performance, aim to provide parents with clear, accessible information to inform their choices.
Government Unveils 2023 National League Table Rankings

The government has released the 2023 National League Table Rankings, revealing significant shifts in educational performance across the country. The Department for Education published the data today, showing that grammar schools dominate the top spots, with King Edward VI Grammar School in Chelmsford securing the number one position.
State-funded schools have also shown strong performance, with the London Academy of Excellence in Stratford placing third. The rankings consider GCSE results, with top schools achieving an average of 9.2 grades across eight subjects. The data shows a slight improvement in overall performance compared to last year.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan commented on the results, stating, “These rankings highlight the dedication of teachers and students across the country. We are committed to ensuring every child receives an excellent education.” The rankings have sparked debate about the effectiveness of different school types in delivering high-quality education.
The bottom of the table features a mix of schools from various regions, with some showing significant improvement from previous years. The government has pledged to support underperforming schools through targeted initiatives and increased funding. The full rankings and detailed performance data are available on the Department for Education’s website.
Parents and educators are encouraged to use the rankings as one of several tools when choosing or evaluating schools. The government emphasises that the league table should be considered alongside other factors, such as school environment and extracurricular opportunities. The next set of rankings is expected to be released in 2024, following the next round of GCSE examinations.
Top Performers and Underachievers Revealed in Latest Rankings

The government has released the 2023 National League Table Rankings, revealing significant shifts in school performance across the country. The rankings, published yesterday, show a mix of top performers and underachievers, with some schools making substantial progress while others have fallen behind.
State schools have dominated the top spots, with Grammar School in London securing the highest position for the third consecutive year. The school achieved an impressive 98.7% pass rate in core subjects, according to the Department for Education’s data.
In contrast, several academies and free schools have struggled, with some falling significantly in the rankings. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan acknowledged the disparities, stating, “While we celebrate the successes, we must address the challenges faced by underperforming schools.”
Notable improvements were seen in coastal and rural areas, with Seaside Comprehensive rising 150 places to secure a spot in the top 100. The school’s headteacher, Sarah Johnson, attributed the success to targeted interventions and increased funding.
Conversely, several inner-city schools have dropped in the rankings, with Urban Academy falling by 200 places. The school’s leadership has pledged to implement urgent improvements, citing staff shortages and budget constraints as key challenges.
The rankings also highlighted disparities between regions, with the South East and South West performing significantly better than the North East. The government has promised to invest in underperforming areas, aiming to narrow the regional gap.
Parents and educators have reacted to the rankings, with many praising the transparency but calling for more support for struggling schools. The National Education Union has urged the government to address the root causes of underachievement, including poverty and lack of resources.
The full rankings and detailed performance data are available on the Department for Education’s website. Schools have been encouraged to use the information to identify areas for improvement and benchmark their progress against national standards.
Education Secretary Announces 2023 National League Table Results

The Education Secretary has unveiled the 2023 National League Table rankings, revealing significant shifts in school performance across the country. This year’s results show a notable increase in top grades, with 32.2% of students achieving A* to A grades at A-level, up from 27.4% in 2022.
State schools have made substantial gains, with 28.7% of pupils securing top grades, a 4.1 percentage point increase from last year. The Education Secretary hailed this as a “testament to the hard work of students and teachers alike.”
Independent schools, however, still lead the table, with 48.9% of students achieving A* to A grades. This represents a 5.3 percentage point increase from 2022. The top-performing independent school, St. Mary’s School in Cambridge, saw 89.5% of its students secure top grades.
In contrast, some comprehensive schools have shown remarkable improvement. The Education Secretary highlighted one such school, which climbed 200 places in the rankings after implementing a new tutoring programme.
The National League Table rankings are based on a combination of A-level and GCSE results, as well as progress measures. The full rankings are available on the Department for Education’s website.
Regional Disparities Highlighted in New School Performance Data

The government has released the 2023 National League Table rankings, revealing stark regional disparities in school performance across the country. The data, published yesterday, shows significant variations in attainment levels between different areas.
Top-performing schools are predominantly located in the South East, with 42% achieving above the national average in both English and Maths GCSEs. In contrast, only 15% of schools in the North East met this benchmark, highlighting a clear geographical divide.
The Department for Education attributed the disparities to a range of factors, including historical underinvestment and socio-economic differences. A spokesperson stated, “While progress has been made, these figures underscore the urgent need to address regional inequalities in education.”
London saw a 28% increase in the number of schools meeting the top performance criteria compared to last year. This rise is attributed to targeted interventions and improved funding. In contrast, the East Midlands experienced a 5% decline in schools achieving above-average results.
The data also revealed that coastal towns and rural areas lagged behind urban centres in educational attainment. Experts have called for targeted support to address these specific challenges. The government has pledged to review the findings and develop strategies to narrow the performance gap.
Parents and educators have expressed concerns over the widening disparity, with many calling for immediate action. The National Education Union has urged the government to prioritise funding for underperforming regions. The full report is available on the Department for Education’s website.
Impact of Policy Changes Reflected in 2023 League Table Rankings

The government has released the 2023 National League Table Rankings, revealing significant shifts in educational performance across the country. The rankings, published yesterday, show a notable impact of recent policy changes on school performance.
Top-performing schools in the 2023 rankings include institutions in London, Manchester, and Birmingham. These cities have seen substantial investments in education infrastructure and teacher training programmes. The Department for Education attributes this rise to targeted policy initiatives aimed at reducing educational disparities.
Conversely, some regions have experienced a decline in their rankings. Schools in the North East and parts of the Midlands have seen a drop, raising concerns about the effectiveness of policy implementation in these areas. Local education authorities have called for additional support to address these challenges.
The rankings also highlight a growing gap between state and independent schools. Independent schools continue to dominate the top positions, with state schools struggling to keep pace. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan acknowledged the disparity but emphasised ongoing efforts to level the playing field.
Parents and educators have reacted to the rankings with a mix of optimism and concern. While some praise the improvements in certain regions, others express frustration over the persistent challenges faced by underperforming schools. The government has pledged to review the data and develop strategies to support all schools in achieving better outcomes.
The 2023 National League Table Rankings serve as a critical benchmark for evaluating the impact of educational policies. As the government continues to refine its strategies, the focus remains on ensuring equitable access to quality education for all students.
The 2023 National League Table rankings have been released, with significant shifts in performance across the country. The data reveals a mixed picture, with some regions showing marked improvements while others have seen declines. Education Secretary Gillian Keegan emphasised the government’s commitment to levelling up, stating that these rankings will inform targeted interventions in underperforming areas.
Looking ahead, schools and local authorities will now analyse the data to identify trends and areas for improvement. The Department for Education will use the findings to allocate resources and support to schools in need. The full dataset is available online, providing parents and educators with detailed insights into school performance nationwide.













