Balcarras has been named as the highest performing comprehensive school in the South West according to the Sunday Times Parent Power supplement.

The Sunday Times ranks schools according to their A*/B rate at A level and their A*/A rate at GCSE (with the A*/B A level rate double weighted).

 

Balcarras head Dominic Burke commented, “We are absolutely delighted that the school is recognised amongst the very best schools nationally. We ranked not just as the best comprehensive school in the South West but 17^th in the region overall and 178^th nationally. That's pretty good when you consider there are 164 grammar schools in the country and many comprehensive schools that are partially selective. It is important to recognise that these tables are based on raw results. If they were based on the progress students made we would be even higher.”

 

At A level Balcarras was able to outperform many grammar schools which was particularly pleasing: “The school is proud of its performance at A level. Only two of Gloucestershire’s 7 grammar schools have a higher A*/B rate at A level than us. That's unbelievable when you consider the different entry criteria for Balcarras versus the grammar schools. Our students and their teachers together have achieved something which is remarkable,” commented the headteacher.