Many pupils will soon be heading to sixth form to begin their A Levels - as others eagerly await their 2025 results.
The Government has just published the latest performance figures for state-funded sixth forms and secondary schools, revealing England’s top A Level performers.
Using this data, we’ve compiled a league table of the highest-scoring sixth forms in Derby City and Derbyshire for the 2023/24 school year.
Schools are ranked by their A Level performance point score (out of 60), based on students’ results, alongside the average grade achieved.
All included sixth forms hold a ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ Ofsted rating, or, for recent inspections, at least ‘good’ across all categories — covering teaching quality, behaviour, leadership, and safeguarding.
Here are the 13 state sixth forms that topped Derbyshire’s list — many of which also rank among the East Midlands’ best.
1. St Mary's Catholic High School
At the top of the list is St Mary’s, a Catholic secondary academy and sixth form in Upper Newbold, near Chesterfield. It was formerly rated ‘outstanding’ overall by Ofsted. In the 2023/24 school year, it had an A Level point score of 39.18 - giving it an average grade of B. | Google
2. Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School
Queen Elizabeth’s is a Christian secondary academy and sixth form in Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Despite its name, it is a comprehensive school. It was formerly rated ‘good’ overall by Ofsted. In the 2023/24 school year, it had an A Level point score of 37.7 - giving it an average grade of B-. | Google
3. Littleover Community School
This is a local authority-maintained secondary school and sixth form in Littleover, Derby. It was formerly rated ‘good’ overall by Ofsted. In the 2023/24 school year, it had an A Level point score of 37.58 - giving it an average grade of B-. | Google
4. Chellaston Academy
This is a secondary academy and sixth form in Chellaston, Derby. It was formerly rated ‘good’ overall by Ofsted. In the 2023/24 school year, it had an A Level point score of 37.32 - giving it an average grade of B-. | Google