Find out what the table actually ranks
A GCSE attainment table, an A-level results table and a list based on inspection judgements answer different questions. Check the metric, cohort year and source before interpreting a school’s position.
Look for missing or suppressed data too. A school omitted from a table has not necessarily performed badly. Small differences in a published metric may also produce larger-looking differences in position.
Our rankings identify the measure used. Open the underlying school information before converting any table order into school preferences.
Check whether the comparison is current and fair
Compare like-for-like years and measures. Progress 8 is not available for the 2025 and 2026 GCSE cohorts because the primary assessment baseline is missing. An older progress figure beside recent attainment is not a matched-year comparison.
Similarly, new Ofsted report-card grades cannot be directly translated into the former overall grades. A ranking built around an older Outstanding judgement needs the inspection date and latest report beside it.
Test the school against your actual needs
Before placing a highly ranked school first, establish:
- whether the child meets its academic requirements and relevant admission category;
- whether the whole journey works at school and club times;
- whether its curriculum includes the subjects your child values;
- how it supports pupils when work, friendships or wellbeing become difficult;
- what you and your child learnt from a visit.
A table does not answer those questions. The highest-ranked school may still be your preference, but the reasons will be clearer.
Set the CAF order by preference
If both schools could offer, which would you choose? That is the useful question when ordering them. Admission likelihood determines which alternatives are sensible to include; it should not be confused with which school you want most.
A fictional family might prefer a nearby school with a direct bus and a valued subject option over a distant school with slightly higher attainment. Another family could reasonably make the opposite choice.
Use the school comparison checklist and the CAF example to keep results, priority and preference distinct. Include realistic schools you would accept rather than relying entirely on a list of high-ranking grammars.
A FEW MORE ANSWERS
Still wondering?
Why do two grammar school rankings put schools in different orders?
They may use different measures, years, eligibility rules or missing-data treatment. Read each table’s methodology before comparing positions.
Does a school lower in a ranking give a lower-priority application?
No. Performance ranking and admission priority are unrelated systems. Your child’s priority comes from the school’s published admissions arrangements.
Can we put a lower-ranked school first?
Yes. Put schools in your genuine preference order. You may prefer its journey, curriculum or support even if another school is higher on a particular results measure.
Official sources
Checked 28 Sept 2026