Caistor Grammar school tops the region in Sunday Times Parent Power Guide for 2025

The UK’s highest-achieving primary and secondary schools were revealed in the 32nd edition of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2025 on Friday.

Widely acknowledged as the most authoritative survey of the country’s top schools, the guide was published online at 7am on Friday, December 6.

Recognised as the definitive ranking of the UK’s top primary and secondary state and independent schools, this guide remains an essential resource for parents seeking the very best in education for their children.

As well as an assessment of all academic results on a school-by-school basis, Parent Power enables parents to compare the performance of a given school with other schools in the same town, local authority or nationally.

Caistor came top as the best all rounder for all secondary schools, both grammar and comprehensive, while Kings School of Grantham topped it for academic results alone in state schools. Nationally they are ranked 104, up from 156 last year.

Kesteven and Sleaford and High School in Sleaford was ranked third in the East Midlands for academic results, ranked 135 nationally, up from 158 last year.

Shona Buck, headteacher at Caistor Grammar School said it was “a tremendous privilege” to be named as the State Secondary School of the Year in the East Midlands league table.

"We are immensely proud. It means a great deal to our school community - the staff, our students, their parents, and our trustees,” she said.

"Our aim is to give our students the best possible start in life, through a broad curriculum and a wide range of enrichment activities and clubs beyond the classroom. Summer 2024 saw our best set of A Level results in recent years (nearly a fifth of students achieved the remarkable feat of all A* grades) and we are adding the new subjects of A Level Sociology and BTec Engineering for Sixth Form students in September 2025.

"We strive to support our students in all areas to achieve their aspirations. I hope this enables our students to be the best version of themselves. I would encourage people to visit our website (caistorgrammar.com) if they want to know more about the school. We welcome returning and new applicants to our Sixth Form for September 2025,” said Mrs Buck.

Helen Davies, Editor of Parent Power, said: “The educational landscape is challenging – teacher shortages, rising student mental health issues and special educational needs and the VAT rise – but there is also so much to celebrate from the hard work of passionate and committed teachers who are finding ever more innovative and impactful ways to boost their students and give them the very best start in life.

​“As well as celebrating the academic excellence of the top schools it is fantastic to see how they are shaping their students to be ready for the 21st century.”

​You can view the schools guide here: thetimes.com/best-schools-league-table​​​​​​​