The most sought-after secondary schools across the West Midlands for the 2026 academic year have been officially ranked in a major national guide. The Sunday Times has published its influential 33rd annual Parent Power Guide, providing parents with a detailed comparison of over 2,000 schools nationwide.
Regional Champions and Top Performers
King Edward VI School in Stratford-upon-Avon achieved a remarkable double victory. It was crowned both the State Secondary School of the Year in the West Midlands for 2026 and the State Secondary School of the Year in the West Midlands for Academic Excellence 2026. This historic grammar school, where Shakespeare is believed to have been educated, continues to set a high standard.
In the independent sector, King Edward VI High School for Girls in Birmingham was named Independent Secondary School of the Year in the West Midlands for Academic Excellence 2026. Meanwhile, Solihull School took the overall title of Independent Secondary School of the Year for the region.
The guide also highlights outstanding comprehensive education, with St Paul’s School for Girls in Edgbaston, Birmingham, receiving the accolade for Comprehensive School of the Year in the West Midlands.
How the Schools Were Ranked
The rankings are based on a rigorous analysis of student performance. Schools were assessed primarily on their A-level and GCSE results from the summer of 2025. The guide creates separate top 10 lists for state secondary, comprehensive, and independent schools within the West Midlands region, offering parents clear, data-driven insights.
Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power guide, commented on the current educational climate. She said: “The educational landscape is testing – budget challenges, rising student mental health issues, special educational needs and an increasingly uncertain future.”
She added, “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. As well as celebrating the academic excellence of the top schools it is uplifting to see how they are shaping their students to be ready for the 21st century, and instilling a lifelong love of learning.”
The Full Top 10 Lists for the West Midlands
Top State Secondary Schools:
- King Edward VI School, Stratford-upon-Avon
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Girls, Birmingham
- Stratford Girls’ Grammar School, Stratford-upon-Avon
- King Edward VI Camp Hill School for Boys, Birmingham
- Bishop Vesey’s Grammar School, Birmingham
- Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, Birmingham
- King Edward VI Five Ways School, Birmingham
- Wolverhampton Girls’ High School, Wolverhampton
- Newport Girls’ High School, Newport
- Rugby High School, Rugby
Top Comprehensive Schools:
- St Paul’s School for Girls, Edgbaston
- Arden Academy, Solihull
- North Leamington School, Leamington Spa
- Kenilworth School, Kenilworth
- Alsager School, Alsager
- Alderbrook School, Solihull
- Kings Norton Girls’ School and Sixth Form, Birmingham
- Higham Lane School, Nuneaton
- Hanley Castle High School, Worcester
- Hagley RC High School, Hagley
Top Independent Schools:
- King Edward VI High School for Girls, Birmingham
- Concord College, Birmingham
- King Edward’s School, Birmingham
- Solihull School, Solihull
- Warwick School, Warwick
- RGS Worcester, Worcester
- Newcastle-under-Lyme School, Newcastle-under-Lyme
- Bromsgrove School, Bromsgrove
- Bablake School, Coventry
- King Henry VIII School, Coventry
The guide also recognised primary schools, with Lift Lea Forest named Primary School of the Year in the West Midlands 2026 and St Mary’s RC Primary School in Henley in Arden winning Small Primary School of the Year 2026. The full Parent Power guide was released on December 5, 2025.