HEXHAM's Queen Elizabeth High School is one of the top performing state secondary schools in the North East, a new guide has revealed.

The 30th edition of Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023, identifies the highest-achieving secondary schools in the UK.

It is using the first post-pandemic set of results for state and independent schools since Covid-19 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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. 

The guide has named Queen Elizabeth High School as the third top state secondary school in North East, with 73.2 per cent of its examination entries gaining A*-B at A-level.

The school also saw 32.8 per cent of its examination entries gain A*/A/9/8/7 grades at GCSE.

It has been placed 260th in the 2023 national rank.

Head of school Neil Seaton said: "We are delighted to see the hard work of our staff and students recognised in this way.

"The last few years have been challenging for all schools and the young people have done exceptionally well.

"Our school and the students are well supported by all the staff, their families and the wider Hexham community. 

"The school’s ethos of respect, engage, aspire is evident in every day school life and we are committed to making sure students thrive and flourish."

The top state schools in the North East according to the guide are:

1. Durham Johnston Comprehensive School in Durham

2. St Leonard's Catholic School in Durham

3. Queen Elizabeth High School in Hexham, Northumberland

4. Egglescliffe School in Egglescliffe, Stockton

5. The King Edward VI School in Morpeth, Northumberland

6. Whitley Bay High School in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside

7. Conyers School in Yarm, Stockton

8. St Anthony's Girls' Catholic Academy in Sunderland

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, and Parent Power and The Sunday Times is here to help."

Parent Power, The Sunday Times Schools Guide 2023, is published online at  thetimes.co.uk/parentpower and in a supplement in The Sunday Times on December 11.

More than 1,600 schools can be searched by name, local authority, town and postcode.