THE Queen’s School and Helsby Hillside Primary School top the league in Chester when it comes to offering the best education.

Both appear in the top 100 schools in the country in The Sunday Times Parent Power Schools Guide, published last Sunday, November 13.

The guide listed the top 100 independent secondary schools, state secondary schools, prep schools and state primary schools.

Helsby Hillside was ranked joint 39th of the state primary schools and The Queen’s School was placed 70th in the independent school list, followed by The King’s School at 79 and The Grange School in Hartford at 92. Helsby Hillside has risen from 48th in the same table last year and Queen’s is up 18 places from 88th last year.

No Chester secondary schools or prep schools reached the top 100.

Helsby Hillside was ranked according to its Sats results at Key Stage 2 between 2008 and 2010 and Queen’s, King’s and The Grange were ranked based on 2011 examination results with A*-B grades at A-level doubly weighted.

Headmistress of The Queen’s School Sarah Clark said: “We are completely delighted to have been in the top 90 in the country for the past three years, which reflects our constant success rate at the highest academic level.

“But our school is not just a power house of academia. We look for well-rounded individuals and are very proud of our girls’ achievements in all sorts of activities including sport, music and Young Enterprise.

“We have girls representing their country in Europe at lacrosse, equestrian success at national level, award winners in regional business competitions and excellent musicianship throughout the school.”

Helsby Hillside headteacher Craig Richardson said: “We are obviously delighted to achieve such a terrific position in this important list.

“To be ranked in the top 40 state schools in the country is a fantastic achievement and reflects the hard work of the pupils and staff. Together with our excellent Ofsted report and our attainment of the International School Award, it provides us with lots to celebrate!

“At Helsby Hillside we have really positive relationships with parents and we work together to ensure our children achieve their potential.

Our school motto is 'Learn, Laugh and Play' and we have a real focus on having fun in school whilst striving to achieve our best.”