Best secondary schools in Wales

Ranked by School Chooser Score, which for Welsh schools puts together GCSE points, how results compare with the mix of pupils, attendance, and whether the school is getting better or worse, all measured against schools with a similar mix of pupils. (Estyn doesn't publish grades and Wales has no progress measure.) The Bishop Of Llandaff C.I.W. High School leads with 100. The likely range shows how sure we can be. 204 scored schools.

#	School	Pupils	Low income	Ofsted	Score	Likely range	Trend
1	The Bishop Of Llandaff C.I.W. High SchoolCardiff · Church in Wales	1,263	–	Estyn, no grade	100	100 to 100	Improving
2	Cardiff High SchoolCardiff · Council	1,794	–	Estyn, no grade	99	99 to 100	Steady
3	Cowbridge Comprehensive SchoolCowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan · Council	1,559	–	Estyn, no grade	99	98 to 99	Steady
4	Bishopston Comprehensive SchoolSwansea · Council	1,128	–	Estyn, no grade	98	97 to 99	Steady
5	Chepstow SchoolMonmouthshire · Voluntary	860	–	Estyn, no grade	98	97 to 99	Improving
6	Ysgol Caer ElenHaverfordwest, Pembrokeshire · Council	907	–	Estyn, no grade	97	97 to 99	Steady
7	Olchfa SchoolSwansea · Council	1,907	–	Estyn, no grade	97	95 to 98	Improving
8	Stanwell SchoolThe Vale of Glamorgan, Vale of Glamorgan · Foundation	1,923	–	Estyn, no grade	96	94 to 97	Steady
9	Archbishop McGrath Catholic High SchoolBridgend · Roman Catholic	825	–	Estyn, no grade	96	94 to 97	Improving
10	Blessed Carlo Acutis Catholic SchoolMerthyr Tydfil · Roman Catholic	989	–	Estyn, no grade	95	94 to 97	Improving
11	Corpus Christi Catholic High SchoolCardiff · Roman Catholic	1,132	–	Estyn, no grade	95	91 to 97	Steady
12	Y Pant Comprehensive SchoolRhondda, Cynon, Taff, Rhondda Cynon Taf · Council	1,461	–	Estyn, no grade	94	91 to 97	Improving
13	Ysgol Bro PreseliCrymych, Pembrokeshire · Council	932	–	Estyn, no grade	94	91 to 97	Steady
14	Ysgol Cwm BrombilPort Talbot, Neath Port Talbot · Council	1,439	–	Estyn, no grade	93	90 to 95	Improving
15	Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg GlantafCardiff · Council	1,498	–	Estyn, no grade	93	89 to 95	Steady
16	Radyr Comprehensive SchoolCardiff · Council	1,426	–	Estyn, no grade	92	89 to 95	Steady
17	Ysgol Henry Richard SchoolTregaron, Ceredigion · Council	387	–	Estyn, no grade	92	89 to 95	Improving
18	Cardinal Newman R.C. Comprehensive SchoolRhondda, Cynon, Taff, Rhondda Cynon Taf · Roman Catholic	980	–	Estyn, no grade	91	89 to 95	Improving
19	Ysgol yr Eglwys yng Nghymru Penrhyn DewiHwlffordd, Pembrokeshire · Church in Wales	606	–	Estyn, no grade	91	87 to 95	Steady
20	Llanishen High SchoolCardiff · Council	1,715	–	Estyn, no grade	90	87 to 94	Improving
21	St Brigid's SchoolDenbigh, Denbighshire · Roman Catholic	484	–	Estyn, no grade	90	82 to 94	Improving
22	Mary Immaculate R.C. High SchoolCardiff · Roman Catholic	871	–	Estyn, no grade	89	82 to 94	Improving
23	Ysgol TryfanGwynedd · Council	513	–	Estyn, no grade	89	78 to 92* borderline	Improving
24	Ysgol Gymraeg Bro MorgannwgBarry, Vale of Glamorgan · Council	1,431	–	Estyn, no grade	88	78 to 91* borderline	Declining
25	Cathays High SchoolCardiff · Council	1,247	–	Estyn, no grade	88	78 to 91* borderline	Improving
26	Gwernyfed High SchoolPowys · Council	505	–	Estyn, no grade	87	78 to 91* borderline	Steady
27	Ysgol BrynhyfrydDenbighshire · Council	1,121	–	Estyn, no grade	87	78 to 91* borderline	Steady
28	St Joseph's R.C.High SchoolNewport · Roman Catholic	1,457	–	Estyn, no grade	86	78 to 91* borderline	Steady
29	Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg LlangynwydLlangynwyd, Bridgend · Council	703	–	Estyn, no grade	86	78 to 91* borderline	Steady
30	Bassaleg SchoolNewport · Council	1,871	–	Estyn, no grade	85	78 to 90* borderline	Steady
31	Cefn Hengoed Community SchoolSwansea · Council	906	–	Estyn, no grade	85	78 to 91* borderline	Steady
32	Ysgol LlanhariRhondda, Cynon, Taff, Rhondda Cynon Taf · Council	647	–	Estyn, no grade	84	78 to 91* borderline	Steady
33	St Joseph's Catholic and Anglican Secondary SchoolWrexham · Roman Catholic & Anglican	748	–	Estyn, no grade	84	78 to 90* borderline	Steady
34	St John Baptist C.I.W. High SchoolRhondda, Cynon, Taff, Rhondda Cynon Taf · Council	946	–	Estyn, no grade	83	77 to 90	Improving
35	The Maelor SchoolWrexham · Foundation	787	–	Estyn, no grade	83	77 to 90	Steady
36	Ysgol Gyfun PenweddigAberystwyth, Ceredigion · Council	587	–	Estyn, no grade	82	76 to 90	Improving
37	Porthcawl Comprehensive SchoolBridgend · Council	1,185	–	Estyn, no grade	82	76 to 89	Steady
38	Ysgol Bro HyddgenMachynlleth, Powys · Council	441	–	Estyn, no grade	81	74 to 89	Improving
39	Afon Taf High SchoolMerthyr Tydfil · Council	798	–	Estyn, no grade	81	75 to 89	Improving
40	King Henry viii 3-19 SchoolAbergavenny, Monmouthshire · Council	1,310	–	Estyn, no grade	80	75 to 89	Improving
41	Crickhowell High SchoolCrickhowell, Powys · Council	942	–	Estyn, no grade	80	74 to 89	Steady
42	St Alban's R.C. High SchoolTorfaen · Roman Catholic	824	–	Estyn, no grade	79	74 to 89	Steady
43	Ysgol Gymraeg GwynllywTorfaen · Council	808	–	Estyn, no grade	79	74 to 89	Improving
44	Ysgol Garth OlwgPontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf · Council	1,210	–	Estyn, no grade	78	74 to 89	Improving
45	Ysgol Uwchradd TywynGwynedd · Council	376	–	Estyn, no grade	78	73 to 89	Improving
46	Ysgol Bro CaereinionWelshpool, Powys · Council	494	–	Estyn, no grade	78	73 to 88	Steady
47	Ysgol LlanfyllinLlanfyllin, Powys · Council	775	–	Estyn, no grade	77	72 to 84	Declining
48	Ysgol Y MoelwynGwynedd · Council	355	–	Estyn, no grade	77	69 to 86	Improving
49	Porth Community SchoolPorth, Rhondda Cynon Taf · Council	927	–	Estyn, no grade	76	70 to 82	Improving
50	Ebbw Fawr Learning CommunityEbbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent · Council	1,406	–	Estyn, no grade	76	70 to 82	Improving
51	Hawarden High SchoolFlintshire · Council	1,161	–	Estyn, no grade	75	69 to 82	Improving
52	Castell Alun High SchoolFlintshire · Council	1,283	–	Estyn, no grade	75	69 to 82	Steady
53	Brecon High SchoolPowys · Council	557	–	Estyn, no grade	74	66 to 82	Improving
54	St Richard Gwyn R.C. High SchoolBarry, Vale of Glamorgan · Roman Catholic	817	–	Estyn, no grade	74	65 to 78	Steady
55	St Illtyds R.C. High SchoolCardiff · Roman Catholic	990	–	Estyn, no grade	73	64 to 78	Steady
56	Caerleon Comprehensive SchoolNewport · Council	1,471	–	Estyn, no grade	73	64 to 78	Steady
57	Ysgol Bro IdrisDolgellau, Gwynedd · Council	541	–	Estyn, no grade	72	63 to 78	Declining
58	Ysgol Gyfun Gwent Is CoedNewport · Council	537	–	Estyn, no grade	72	62 to 78	Steady
59	Ysgol Gyfun LlangefniYnys Mn, Isle of Anglesey · Council	761	–	Estyn, no grade	71	63 to 77	Steady
60	Heolddu Comprehensive SchoolCaerphilly · Council	724	–	Estyn, no grade	71	62 to 77	Improving
61	Fitzalan High SchoolCardiff · Council	1,833	–	Estyn, no grade	70	63 to 76	Declining
62	Pontarddulais Comprehensive SchoolSwansea · Council	848	–	Estyn, no grade	70	62 to 77	Declining
63	Ysgol Gyfun GwyrAbertawe, Swansea · Council	1,127	–	Estyn, no grade	69	62 to 76	Steady
64	Ysgol Godre'r BerwynBala, Gwynedd · Council	571	–	Estyn, no grade	69	61 to 77	Steady
65	Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro MyrddinSir Gaerfyrddin, Carmarthenshire · Council	929	–	Estyn, no grade	68	61 to 75	Steady
66	Ysgol Bro TafPontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf · Council	902	–	Estyn, no grade	68	60 to 76	Improving
67	St Teilo's C.I.W. High SchoolCardiff · Church in Wales	1,375	–	Estyn, no grade	67	61 to 75	Steady
68	Ysgol EifionyddGwynedd · Council	373	–	Estyn, no grade	67	59 to 76	Improving
69	Whitchurch High SchoolCardiff · Foundation	2,459	–	Estyn, no grade	66	60 to 74	Steady
70	Newtown High SchoolPowys · Council	896	–	Estyn, no grade	66	59 to 74	Steady
71	Ysgol Gyfun RhydywaunRhondda, Cynon, Taff, Rhondda Cynon Taf · Council	1,030	–	Estyn, no grade	65	59 to 74* borderline	Improving
72	Bryntirion Comprehensive SchoolBridgend · Council	1,258	–	Estyn, no grade	65	59 to 74* borderline	Steady
73	Whitmore High SchoolBarry, Vale of Glamorgan · Council	1,091	–	Estyn, no grade	64	59 to 73* borderline	Improving
74	Elfed High SchoolBuckley, Flintshire · Council	901	–	Estyn, no grade	64	58 to 73* borderline	Steady
75	Ysgol Bryn AlynWrexham · Council	701	–	Estyn, no grade	63	56 to 73* borderline	Steady
76	Darland High SchoolRossett, Wrexham · Council	682	–	Estyn, no grade	63	55 to 72* borderline	Steady
77	Tonyrefail Community SchoolPorth, Rhondda Cynon Taf · Council	1,707	–	Estyn, no grade	62	56 to 70	Steady
78	Argoed High SchoolFlintshire · Council	599	–	Estyn, no grade	62	54 to 71	Steady
79	Risca Community Comprehensive SchoolNewport, Caerphilly · Council	618	–	Estyn, no grade	61	53 to 70	Improving
80	Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bro EdernCardiff · Council	935	–	Estyn, no grade	61	53 to 68	Improving
81	Gowerton SchoolSwansea · Council	1,127	–	Estyn, no grade	60	53 to 67	Steady
82	Ysgol BrynrefailGwynedd · Council	764	–	Estyn, no grade	60	53 to 68	Improving
83	Ysgol Bro PedrCeredigion · Council	967	–	Estyn, no grade	59	51 to 66	Steady
84	Bishop Gore SchoolSwansea · Council	1,315	–	Estyn, no grade	59	48 to 64	Improving
85	Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg PlasmawrCardiff · Council	1,181	–	Estyn, no grade	58	47 to 64	Steady
86	Llanidloes High SchoolPowys · Council	703	–	Estyn, no grade	58	46 to 64	Steady
87	West Monmouth Comprehensive SchoolTorfaen · Council	1,149	–	Estyn, no grade	57	46 to 63	Improving
88	Ysgol Gymraeg Ystalyfera Bro DurYstalyfera, Neath Port Talbot · Council	1,557	–	Estyn, no grade	57	47 to 63	Steady
89	St Richard Gwyn Roman Catholic High SchoolFlint, Flintshire · Roman Catholic	774	–	Estyn, no grade	56	45 to 64	Steady
90	Cantonian High SchoolCardiff · Council	947	–	Estyn, no grade	56	45 to 63	Improving
91	Welshpool High SchoolPowys · Council	816	–	Estyn, no grade	55	45 to 63	Improving
92	Newbridge SchoolNewport, Caerphilly · Council	1,010	–	Estyn, no grade	55	45 to 63	Steady
93	Cyfarthfa High SchoolMerthyr Tydfil · Council	785	–	Estyn, no grade	54	44 to 63	Improving
94	Tredegar Comprehensive SchoolBlaenau Gwent · Council	746	–	Estyn, no grade	54	42 to 62	Improving
95	Ysgol Afon WenPontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf · Council	1,165	–	Estyn, no grade	53	45 to 60	–
96	St Cyres Comprehensive SchoolThe Vale of Glamorgan, Vale of Glamorgan · Council	1,226	–	Estyn, no grade	53	40 to 60	Steady
97	The Lewis SchoolBargoed, Caerphilly · Council	645	–	Estyn, no grade	53	39 to 61	Steady
98	Ysgol Bro TeifiCeredigion · Council	861	–	Estyn, no grade	52	38 to 60	Steady
99	Monmouth Comprehensive SchoolMonmouthshire · Council	1,696	–	Estyn, no grade	52	39 to 59	Steady
100	Coedcae SchoolCarmarthenshire · Council	846	–	Estyn, no grade	51	38 to 60	Improving

* borderline: the likely range crosses into another band.

Other rankings for Wales

Best primary schools in Wales

Secondary results

Average GCSE score Attainment 8
Progress from age 11 Progress 8
Strong pass in English and maths Grade 5 or above in English and maths GCSEs
Standard pass in English and maths Grade 4 or above in English and maths GCSEs
Core subjects score EBacc average point score
Taking the core subjects Entering the English Baccalaureate
Staying in education or work after GCSEs Sustained education, employment or apprenticeship after KS4

Primary results

Reached the expected level at 11 Reading, writing and maths: expected standard
Working above the expected level Reading, writing and maths: higher standard
Reading score Average reading scaled score
Maths score Average maths scaled score
Grammar and spelling score Average grammar, punctuation and spelling scaled score
Reading progress Reading progress (KS1 to KS2)
Maths progress Maths progress (KS1 to KS2)

Sixth form

Average A level points per entry A level average points per entry
AAB or better in subjects universities like AAB or better in at least 2 facilitating subjects

Attendance and behaviour

Sessions missed (fewest first) Overall absence rate
Pupils missing a lot of school (fewest first) Persistent absence (10% or more sessions missed)
Suspensions (fewest first) Suspensions per 100 pupils

Staff

Pupils per teacher (fewest first) Pupil to teacher ratio
Teachers who left in the year (fewest first) Teachers leaving the school in the year

How to read this

The score is out of 100. It puts together results over three years (25%), the progress pupils make (20%), the latest Ofsted inspection (20%, counting for less as it gets older), how results compare with the mix of pupils (10%), attendance (10%), whether the school is getting better or worse over five years (10%) and what parents told Ofsted (5%). Every part is measured against the 50 schools most like this one. How the score works.