Best secondary schools in Chester (2026)
Chester has 6 ranked secondary schools with published results. The top-ranked is The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School, in the top 28% in England. The average Attainment 8 here in 2025 was 43.5, against 46.1 for England. 0 are in England's top 10%, and 0 are rated Outstanding by Ofsted. Chester has no grammar schools.
| Rank | School | Attainment 8 (2023–2025 average) | Attainment 8 2025 | Trend | Grade 5+ Eng & maths | Ofsted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 Top 28% in England |
The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School Chester · Church of England |
51.5 | 53.8 | 58% | Good | |
2 Top 30% in England |
Upton-by-Chester High School Chester |
50.7 | 48.8 | 43% | No rating | |
3 Top 48% in England |
Queen's Park High School Chester |
46.6 | 44.2 | 42% | Not judged | |
4 Bottom 42% in England |
The Catholic High School, Chester Chester · Roman Catholic |
44.7 | 46.7 | 44% | Report card | |
5 Bottom 9% in England |
Chester International School Chester |
36.6 | 34.5 | 23% | Good | |
6 Bottom 5% in England |
Blacon High School, A Specialist Sports College Chester |
35.2 | 33.2 | 17% | Report card |
Other towns in Cheshire
Also see
Questions
What is the best secondary school in Chester?
On exam results over the last three years, The Bishops' Blue Coat Church of England High School is the top-ranked secondary school in Chester, in the top 28% of schools in England.
How are the schools ranked?
By published Department for Education exam results averaged over three years: for secondary schools, Attainment 8 plus a quarter of the share getting grade 5+ in English and maths; for primary schools, the share reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths plus half the share reaching the higher standard. The order uses the three-year average, so a school can rank above one with a higher single-year result. Schools with fewer than 10 pupils taking the tests are not ranked. Exam results are only part of the picture: visit, read the Ofsted report and check admissions rules, as living nearby does not guarantee a place.