Sponsored by Cornerstone
Presented to the UK Secondary School that has made outstanding progress in the management of its facilities, finances and human resources and can demonstrate an increase in the educational performance of the school.
2025 Winner: Ridgeway Secondary School, Worcestershire
Ridgeway Secondary School has achieved national recognition as the most improved school in the UK for Progress 8 within a year. After an inadequate Ofsted rating in 2021, the school joined the Shires Multi Academy Trust in 2022 under Headteacher Matt Ball, focusing on high expectations and academic excellence. Progress 8 soared from -0.62 to +0.43, placing Ridgeway in the top 18% nationally. Boys' progress ranked in the top 10%, and EBacc progress made it Worcestershire’s top school. Science, Maths, and English scores significantly improved, alongside higher student enrollment, reduced persistent absence, and fewer suspensions. Ridgeway’s remarkable turnaround sets a new standard for school improvement in the UK.
Commended
Holcombe Grammar School, Kent
Holcombe Grammar School, part of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, was accredited as a Gold Rights Respecting School by UNICEF in 2024, recognising its commitment to inclusivity, student voice, and leadership. The school has successfully educated girls in its Sixth Form for years, and from September 2026, it will become fully co-educational following Department for Education approval. Holcombe is also an Advanced Thinking School, accredited by the University of Exeter, emphasising critical thinking and transformative education. Ofsted praised its inclusive, high-achieving environment, stating, “Pupils are proud to attend their ‘rights respecting’ school.” Holcombe is proud to expand its impact, ensuring outstanding progress for all students.
Leigh Academy Rainham , Kent
Leigh Academy Rainham, open for just 3.5 years, has already established an innovative digital International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme (IB MYP) at KS3, allowing students to learn through global contexts using 1:1 Chromebook devices. The school offers a rich extracurricular programme, including bi-yearly productions like High School Musical and Matilda and the popular Winter Wonderland Christmas market. Year 9 students engage in meaningful community projects, such as reading in primary schools, charity fundraising, sports coaching, and environmental cleanups. These experiences foster global awareness, curiosity, and personal growth, ensuring students become lifelong learners prepared for success in an interconnected world.
Drapers' Academy, Essex
Drapers' Academy in Essex has recently celebrated remarkable achievements. In 2024, the school reported some of its best-ever GCSE results, reflecting the dedication of both students and staff. The academy's commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by its state-of-the-art facilities and a supportive environment that fosters academic success. Additionally, the school's association with the Drapers' Company and Queen Mary University of London enhances its educational offerings, providing students with unique opportunities for growth and development. These accomplishments underscore Drapers' Academy's dedication to delivering a first-class education and preparing students for future success.
Conisborough College, London
Conisborough College has demonstrated notable progress in recent years. The school reported a rise in attainment for the third consecutive year and an increase in progress for the second year in a row. This improvement is attributed to the dedication of both students and staff, reflecting the school's commitment to academic excellence. Additionally, Conisborough offers a broad and balanced curriculum to around 900 students aged 11–16, aiming to maximize their life choices. The school's mission focuses on ensuring that all children enjoy attending school and achieve their full potential. These achievements highlight Conisborough's dedication to fostering a supportive and effective learning environment.
Harris Science Academy, London
In 2023, Harris Science Academy's A-Level pass rate rose to 97%, exceeding the national average, with A-C grades increasing by 25 percentage points* from the previous year. It is now ranked among the top 25 most improved schools in the UK, holding the top position in Newham and Tower Hamlets, 4th in London, and 24th in England for improvement. The academy prioritises student enrichment, with four aspiring biologists featuring on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme alongside a Nobel Prize-winning scientist. These accomplishments highlight the Academy's commitment to academic excellence, student engagement, and continuous improvement.
Mercia School, Sheffield
Mercia School has rapidly established itself as a leader in academic excellence. In 2022-23, it achieved a Progress 8 score of +2.22, making it the top-performing secondary school in England. The school ensures full curriculum access for all pupils, including those with SEND, fostering inclusivity and high expectations. Its enrichment program, running Monday to Thursday, offers diverse activities in sports, performing arts, STEM, and philosophy, ensuring a well-rounded education. Headteacher Dean Webster attributes this success to the hard work of pupils, staff, and supportive families, cementing Mercia School’s reputation as a model of excellence and opportunity.
Ark Walworth Academy, London
In 2024, Ark Walworth celebrated record-breaking GCSE results, with more students than ever achieving grade 4 or higher in English and Maths, enabling them to pursue further studies. At the A-level, 57% of students secured A or A* grades in Physics, reflecting the school's strong emphasis on STEM subjects. The academy's commitment to social mobility and community engagement has been recognised with several awards, including a Bronze Award from the Pearson National Teaching Awards in the 'Secondary School of the Year – Making a Difference' category. These achievements underscore Ark Walworth Academy's dedication to fostering academic excellence and holistic development among its students.
2024 Winner: Wright Robinson College
Despite a challenging socio-economic background in a deprived area of Manchester, Wright Robinson College was one of the first in the country to be graded Outstanding in 2021 under Ofsted’s new framework. Eight years building the ‘Team Wright Robinson’ culture has generated improvements in behaviour and attendance, whilst cultivating a true sense of belonging. Allowing staff to focus on developing their own pedagogy has led to excellent outcomes for students. It sits as one of the top performing state-funded secondary schools in the country.
Commended
Watling Academy, Buckinghamshire
Bentley Wood High School, Middlesex
Denbigh High School, Bedfordshire
St. George Catholic College, Southampton
Rickmansworth School, Hertfordshire
2023 Winner: St Damian’s RC Science College
Celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year, St Damian’s incredible improvement journey started in 2010 whilst in special measures. Since being rated as ‘outstanding’ in 2017, the school has continued to deliver an exceptional education for all students, who consistently perform above the National average - the direct result of quality teaching and a rich, ambitious curriculum.
Commended
St. Andrew’s Catholic School, Surrey
Kendrick School, Reading
Redden Court School, Essex
Manchester Academy
2022 Winner
St Bartholomew's School
Commended
Harris City Academy, Crystal Palace
Haughton Academy, Darlington
Campion School & Language College, Northampton
Dyke House Sports & Technology College, Hartlepool
2021 Winner
City of Norwich School
Established in 1920, City of Norwich School, part of the Ormiston Academies Trust since 2014, puts its students at the heart of everything it does. Two awards from SSAT’s Framework for Exceptional Education - for Curriculum Design and Professional Learning - indicate that the school is amongst the most exceptional in the country, with particularl attention paid to the professional development of staff CNS works in partnership with the London Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is home to the Norfolk Centre for Young Musicians (NCYM).
Commended
Twickenham School, Middlesex
Heartlands Academy, Birmingham
Carleton High School, West Yorkshire
Kingsley Academy, London
2020 Winner
Kearsley Academy, Bolton
Part of the Northern Education Trust, Kearsley Academy’s GCSE results for 2019 stood at 65.3 per cent, a rise of 23.3 per cent since 2017. Despite being located in a disadvantaged area where the percentage of students drawing pupil premium is around double that of the national average, over the past two years the number of students who pass English and Maths has risen by well over 20%, with 52% of students achieving a strong pass - far higher than national average figures. This has placed the Academy in the top 20 most improved schools.
Commended
Heathfield Community School, Somerset
Wykham Park Academy, Oxfordshire
Meden School, Nottinghamshire
Darton Academy, South Yorkshire
2019 Winner
Pleckgate High School, Blackburn
A rapid rise for Pleckgate which in 2013, was judged ‘Inadequate’ by Ofsted. After converting to Academy status and winning an Educational Outcomes Award in 2017, the school has been hailed as a ‘Beacon of Success’ by the DoE. Maths GCSE results put Pleckgate’s high achievers in the top one per cent in the country under the new Progress 8 measures. The school was rated Outstanding in its latest inspection report published in January this year.
Commended
Wembley High Technology College, Middlesex
2018 saw the introduction of the more rigorous and challenging GCSE (9 –1) qualifications in most subjects. With all these changes, pupils at Wembley High continued to perform exceptionally well. 90 per cent of pupils achieved grades 9-4 in English and maths. With a Progress 8 Score of +1.90, the value added score of pupils at Wembley High from primary school to GCSE is the joint highest in the country.
Wrenn School, Wellingborough
A swift transformation at the Wrenn School has seen it become a top 20 per cent performing school in the UK and in 18 months has improved its Ofsted rating from Inadequate to Good. 2018 saw a further six per cent rise in students gaining a pass in both English and Maths. With the latest set of results, Wrenn’s Sixth Form occupies top spot of the district league tables. An EPQ qualification offered to pupils is designed to teach independent research and project management skills.
Phoenix Academy, London
Despite an increased level of challenge to the GCSE exams this year, continued improvements at the Phoenix Academy were evidenced by Year 11 students achieving outstanding results in their GCSE and BTEC courses. Results in computing were, on average, 30 per cent above national figures; 18 per cent of all grades awarded 7-9, over double the previous year. Its first Ofsted inspection ranked the school Good, and reported that Staff morale is high.
Spalding Academy, Lincolnshire
Part of the South Lincolnshire Academies Trust, Spalding Academy made a remarkable achievement of a 20 per cent jump in its average A* to C GCSE grades last summer. Three years after being placed in special measures, the former Sir John Gleed School the school has made a remarkable transition over a very short space of time. It is ranked amongst the top 15 schools overall, for progress from primary to secondary education.
2018 Winner
Acklam Grange School
With a history of strong community values and equality, in September 2017 Acklam Grange was designated a National Teaching School and has to date supported over 40 schools. Technology aids learning and is one of many contributory factors to its students’ academic success. Welfare provision improved markedly from 2015-17 with the alignment of all student welfare services.
Commended
Derby Moor Academy and Sixth Form, Derby
Davenant Foundation School, Essex
Harris Academy Battersea, London
Kensington Aldridge Academy, London
Boldon School, South Tyneside
2017 Winner
Havant Academy
Havant Academy is thought to be the most improved state secondary school in England over the last five years. Advances since joining the government’s academies programme are a blueprint for how schools can be transformed by great leadership and hard work from staff and pupils.
Commended
Acklam Grange School
Ormiston Chadwick Academy
St Peter's School
Tauheedul Islam Boys' High School
Matravers School
Thomas Lord Audley School, Essex
2016 Winner
St Matthias School, Deansfield
St Matthias School was placed into special measures two years ago following a poor Ofsted inspection. However, under head teacher Dean Coombes, the school has been praised for its rapid progress, gaining a ‘Good’ Ofsted grading and improved outcomes for its 475 pupils. St Matthias is now in the top 10 nationally for the proportion of lower ability pupils who gain five or more GCSEs at grades C and above.
Commended
Ashcroft High School, Bedfordshire
Matravers, Wiltshire
Prendergast School, London
Attleborough Academy, Norfolk
2015 Winner
Charter Academy
Charter Academy was ranked as the best school in the city and the most-improved school in the whole country for GCSE results. Its work in providing a high quality education for students from low income backgrounds was recognised at the DfE’s Pupil Premium Awards.
Commended
Matravers School, Wiltshire
Parkwood Academy, Sheffield
Prendergast School, London
Sandy Upper School, Bedfordshire
