We are delighted to have been named South West Secondary School of the Year for Academic Performance 2025 by The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide.  The school has also been named fifth in the national table.

Pate’s Class of 2024 enjoyed outstanding A Level results, with 35.5% of grades awarded being A* (and 72% A*-As; 92% A*-Bs). GCSEs were equally impressive with 52% of grades awarded being 9s (79% 9-8s; 92% grades 9-7). The majority of Year 13 leavers accepted places at their first-choice university, with many joining Russell Group universities and 40 Oxbridge entrants.  This award, judged by A Level and GCSE outcomes from summer 2024, reflects the hard work and academic achievements of our students and staff – well done and thank you to all involved.

The Parent Power Guide’s theme ‘The most successful schools are not just chasing A*s, but creating all-round students ready for the 21st century’ focuses on Pate’s in the Guide,

“Consistency is the name of the education game in Cheltenham, and it is no surprise that Pate’s Grammar School once again tops the regional rankings for exam performance — a record 40 students got a place at Oxford or Cambridge — and at fifth in the national table is State Secondary School of the Year for Academic Excellence in the Southwest 2025. It is also no surprise that it is vastly oversubscribed, with more than 2,500 pupils sitting the 11-plus examination to gain one of the 150 places available at Pate’s, one of seven grammar schools in the county. (There are plans to target primary schools in areas of high deprivation to broaden access to disadvantaged pupils and consider contextual admissions.)

Dr James Richardson, the head teacher, acknowledges that the legacy of the Covid-19 pandemic still lingers, and that schools need to be a support centre offering nurture and care, as well as lessons. “The academic cannot be picked apart from the pastoral,” Richardson says. “We want pupils to be able to feel fully themselves, and fulfil their own expectations. We celebrate everyone’s achievements.”

Richardson has launched a smartphone policy known as the four Pate’s Ps: privacy, protection, parameters (good habits) and presence. The result? “The library is busier than ever at lunchtime, there are societies from sign language to astrophysics. Parents are thrilled too, and can see their children are rediscovering their passions and talents.”
Ref: Best schools in southwest England 2025.

Dr Richardson says,
“At Pate’s Grammar School, we nurture students’ talents and curiosity and promote a culture of participation, commitment and joy.  Our vibrant House system and extensive ‘super’-curricular programme – which spans CCF, Expressive Arts, interest clubs and societies, Sport and Outdoor Education – enriches school life, ignites passions and inspires excellence in all endeavours. Patesians take great pride in belonging to our happy, purposeful and invested community.  We are delighted that the hard work and academic achievements of our students and staff have been recognised by the Sunday Times Parent Power. We pledge to continue this exceptional educational experience for local families; and are thrilled yet again to be named the Best in the South West”.