We have some amazing schools in the county
Six Kent schools have been named among the best in the South East in a prestigious guide to the UK’s highest-achieving primary and secondary schools. The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026 has ranked Tonbridge Grammar School third among the top state secondary schools in the South East, and 14th nationally.
The school, which has an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating, consistently ranks among the top state secondary schools in the UK for academic results. It was also named 2024 International Baccalaureate School of the Year.
In the list of top state secondary schools in the region, Dartford Grammar School (19th nationally) was placed fourth, followed by The Judd School in Tonbridge in fifth place. Among independent schools, Sevenoaks School was ranked the fourth-best secondary school in the region and 15th nationally.
Tonbridge School also made the list, ranking ninth in the South East and 28th in the country. Leigh Academy Dartford was ranked sixth best primary school in the Southeast, and 48 nationally.
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.
“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.” Schools are ranked by performance at A-level and GCSE in summer 2025.
Parent Power ranks 400 of the best state secondary and grammar schools in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, 35 11-16 schools and 50 sixth form colleges, 30 IB state schools, and the top 100 state schools in Scotland. It also ranks the top 300 independent schools in the UK and 17 under Scotland’s Highers and Standards system, the 30 11-16 schools, and 50 IB schools.
Parent Power also ranks 1,000 top primary schools in England based on KS2 results published in 2024.
Top state secondary schools in the South East
- Reading School
- Nonsuch High School for Girls, Cheam
- Tonbridge Grammar School
- Dartford Grammar School
- The Judd School, Tonbridge
- Dr Challoner’s High School, Little Chalfont
- Dame Alice Owen’s School, Potters Bar
- Kendrick School, Reading
- Langley Grammar School, Langley
- Dr Challoner’s Grammar School, Amersham
Top comprehensive secondary schools in the Southeast
- Dame Alice Owen’s School, Potters Bar
- St Andrew’s RC School, Leatherhead, Leatherhead
- Sandringham School, St Albans
- St Clement Danes School, Rickmansworth
- Hockerill Anglo-European College, Bishop’s Stortford
- St George’s School, Harpenden
- Yavneh College, Borehamwood
- Salesian School, Chertsey
- Parmiter’s School, Watford
- The Holt School, Wokingham
Top secondary independent schools in the Southeast
- Brighton College
- Guildford High School
- Eton College, Windsor
- Sevenoaks School
- Wycombe Abbey, High Wycombe
- Magdalen College School, Oxford
- Royal Grammar School, Guildford
- Winchester College
- Tonbridge School
- Reigate Grammar School
Top primary schools in the Southeast
- Lowbrook Academy, Maidenhead
- South Farnham School
- St Dominic Savio RC Primary School, Woodley
- Roundwood Primary School, Harpenden
- Thorley Hill Primary School, Bishop’s Stortford
- St Martin’s RC Primary School, Reading
- Hartwell Primary School, Northampton
- Leigh Academy Dartford
- Cuddington Croft Primary School, Sutton
- Elangeni School, Amersham / Wood End School, Harpenden
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