THE TIMES PARENT POWER · 2026
Manchester and the northwest
The Times regional features cover different school sectors. Regional awards and positions are kept separate from national table ranks.
The Times online regional tables
Regional and national positions are shown as published by The Times. The school links below open their profiles on Tiptop.
Independent schools
Edition 2026 · Examination results 2025
| Regional position | School | UK rank among independent schools | Pupils listed in this table |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Withington Girls’ SchoolManchester | 35 | Girls |
| 2 | The Manchester Grammar SchoolManchester | 38= | Boys |
| 3 | The King’s School, ChesterChester | 79 | Co-educational |
| 4 | Manchester High School for GirlsManchester | 91 | Girls |
| 5 | The Grange SchoolNorthwich | 137 | Co-educational |
| 6 | The Queen’s School, ChesterChester | 140 | Girls |
| 7 | Windermere SchoolWindermere | 147 | Co-educational |
| 8 | The King’s School in MacclesfieldPrestbury | 157 | Co-educational |
| 9 | Cheadle Hulme SchoolCheadle Hulme | 182 | Co-educational |
| 10 | Stockport Grammar SchoolStockport | 192 | Co-educational |
| 11 | Stonyhurst CollegeClitheroe | 202 | Co-educational |
| 12 | Bury Grammar SchoolBury | 208 | Co-educational |
| 13 | Hulme Grammar SchoolOldham | 213 | Co-educational |
| 14 | Bolton School Boys’ DivisionBolton | 230 | Boys |
| 15 | Bolton School Girls’ DivisonBolton | 234 | Girls |
| 16 | Rossall SchoolFleetwood | 245 | Co-educational |
| 17 | Chetham’s School of MusicManchester | 246 | Co-educational |
| 18 | Scarisbrick Hall SchoolOrmskirk | 250 | Co-educational |
| 19 | AKS LythamLytham St Annes | 252 | Co-educational |
| 20 | Merchant Taylors’ School, CrosbyLiverpool | 256= | Co-educational |
| 21 | St Bede’s CollegeManchester | 271 | Co-educational |
| 22 | Abbey College ManchesterManchester | 276= | Co-educational |
| 23 | Birkenhead SchoolOxton | 279 | Co-educational |
| 24 | Alderley Edge School for GirlsAlderley Edge | 281= | Girls |
| 25 | Austin FriarsCarlisle | 293 | Co-educational |
| 26 | Westholme SchoolBlackburn | 296 | Co-educational |
Guide to the Times regional feature
In the northwest, Manchester Grammar School is named Independent School of the Year, while Withington Girls’ School wins the award for academic excellence among independent schools. Research projects, subject choice and collaborative learning also feature in the coverage. Sixth-form colleges and state secondaries are recognised in separate award categories.
Printed page: 21 · Checked 2026-10-26
From the regional feature
- The Manchester Grammar School
Named Independent School of the Year in the northwest.Award — not a numeric table positionView school profile - Withington Girls’ School
Won the northwest’s award for academic excellence among independent schools.Award — not a numeric table positionView school profile
The printed regional tables
These entries come from the printed regional tables. Regional and national positions are shown separately. The online tables may include additional schools.
State schools
10 printed entries · 2026 · Examination results 2025 · Printed page 21
| Regional position | School | National rank in this table |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Altrincham Grammar School for GirlsAltrincham | UK rank among state schools 9 |
| 2 | Altrincham Grammar School for BoysAltrincham | UK rank among state schools 33 |
| 3 | Sale Grammar SchoolSale | UK rank among state schools 38 |
| 4 | The Blue Coat School, LiverpoolLiverpool | UK rank among state schools 43 |
| 5 | St Ambrose CollegeAltrincham | UK rank among state schools 51 |
| 6 | Loreto Grammar SchoolAltrincham | UK rank among state schools 60 |
| 7 | Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form CollegeBlackburn | UK rank among state schools 72 |
| 8 | Urmston GrammarManchester | UK rank among state schools 86 |
| 9 | Lancaster Royal Grammar SchoolLancaster | UK rank among state schools 98 |
| 10 | Cheadle Hulme High School | UK rank among state schools 106 |
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