THE Grange School in Northwich is the top school in Cheshire West and Chester, according to a national newspaper league table.

The mixed independent school in Hartford is placed joint 51st in The Sunday Times table of the top 200 independent schools, up 41 places from 92 last year.

The table ranks the schools according to the percentage of pupils achieving an A or a B at A level in last summer’s exams and the percentage of pupils gaining an A* or an A in their GCSEs. Grange pupils’ results were 91.3% (A level) and 81.5% (GCSE).

Headteacher Christopher Jeffery said: “It is always good to see the terrific commitment and efforts of our students and staff recognised both locally and nationally. However the reason for our success is that we see aiming for the highest grades as only a part of our purpose and not an end in itself: prioritising the development of well rounded young people and preparing them for a flourishing life brings exam success as a result.”

The Queen’s School in Chester is ranked 55th in the table, up from 70 last year. Their A-level results were higher than the Grange, at 94.9%, but GCSE results were lower, at 73.2%.

The King’s School dropped 39 places from 79 to 118 with 85% (A-level) and 67.4% (GCSE).

No state school in Cheshire West and Chester reached the top 200 in the state school league.

Sir John Deane’s College, also in Northwich, was ranked 10th in the league of sixth form colleges.