Leicestershire’s best secondary schools 2025

Trying to find the right school for your child in Leicestershire? You’re in the right place.

With so many options, many parents find themselves drowning in league tables and Ofsted reports. That’s exactly why we’ve done the heavy lifting for you. Our expert team has analysed the latest 2023/2024 Department for Education data to bring you a list of the top-performing state secondary schools in Leicestershire.

We show two ranking tables, one for Progress 8 and one for GCSE 9–7 results, and also provide a complete list of all secondary schools in Leicestershire. This full list includes Progress 8 scores, GCSE 9–7 percentages, and Ofsted ratings where available. The schools in this table are ordered alphabetically rather than ranked, so you can easily see every school in one place, even if some data points are missing.

Top secondary schools in Leicestershire by Progress 8

Madani Girls' School in Leicestershire is currently ranked #1 in Leicestershire based on its published Progress 8 score of +1.14. Progress 8 is a headline accountability measure used by the Department for Education to show how much progress pupils make between the end of primary school and their GCSEs, compared to students with similar prior attainment nationally.

RankSchool nameTypeGenderProgress 8Ofsted ratingGCSE 9-7%
1Madani Girls' SchoolVoluntary aided schoolGirls+1.14Good36.59%
2Rushey Mead AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.9Outstanding30.05%
3The Market Bosworth SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.83Outstanding34.6%
4Soar Valley CollegeAcademy converterMixed+0.74-24.19%
5Manor High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.69Good36.49%
6De Lisle College Loughborough LeicestershireAcademy converterMixed+0.58Good30.14%
7Sir Jonathan North Girls' CollegeAcademy converterGirls+0.51-31.34%
8Avanti Fields SchoolFree schoolsMixed+0.46Good21.03%
9Beauchamp CollegeAcademy converterMixed+0.44Good35.55%
10Woodbrook Vale SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.44Good26.54%
11Gartree High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.41-22.86%
12Hastings High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.4Good28.59%
13Madani Boys SchoolVoluntary aided schoolBoys+0.4Good24.5%
14The Robert Smyth AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.37Good25.11%
15Welland Park AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.37Good33.45%
16Judgemeadow Community CollegeAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.32Good26.6%
17Crown Hills Community CollegeCommunity schoolMixed+0.32-16.83%
18St Paul's Catholic School, a Voluntary AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.3Good26.67%
19The City of Leicester CollegeAcademy converterMixed+0.29Requires improvement21.65%
20Limehurst AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.28Good22.78%
21Lutterworth High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.25Good23.89%
22Redmoor AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.23Good20.38%
23The Priory Belvoir AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.21Good11.86%
24Charnwood CollegeAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.19Good10.64%
25Moat Community CollegeCommunity schoolMixed+0.19Good19.16%
26English Martyrs' Catholic School, A Voluntary AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.16Good23.61%
27Castle Mead AcademyFree schoolsMixed+0.14Outstanding17.87%
28Bosworth AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.08Good19.03%
29Long Field Spencer AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.06Good23.9%
30South Charnwood High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.02Good23.11%
31Kibworth Mead AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.01Good27.95%
32Brookvale Groby Learning CampusAcademy converterMixed-0.02-18.42%
33RawlinsAcademy converterMixed-0.03-22.31%
34Thomas Estley Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.05-16.71%
35Lutterworth CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.09Good19.15%
36Beaumont Leys SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-0.13-15.01%
37Ashby SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.14Good16.68%
38Fullhurst Community CollegeFoundation schoolMixed-0.17Good20.21%
39New College LeicesterFoundation schoolMixed-0.23-12.46%
40Castle Donington CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.27Good11.78%
41The Roundhill AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.27Requires improvement15.23%
42The Newbridge SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.27-13.7%
43The Cedars AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.32Good17.82%
44John Ferneley CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.34Requires improvement15.03%
45Iveshead SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.37-16.52%
46The Castle Rock SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.38Requires improvement11.29%
47Ivanhoe SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.39-12.9%
48Tudor Grange Samworth Academy, A church of England SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.41Good6.33%
49Brockington CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.41Requires improvement16.48%
50The Hinckley SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.52Good10.24%
51Heath Lane AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.55Good7.58%
52Humphrey Perkins SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.55-11.51%
53Wreake Valley AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.6Good13.74%
54Ibstock SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.61-8.52%
55The Martin High School AnsteyAcademy converterMixed-0.62Good14%
56Wigston AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.63Good8.49%
57Lancaster AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.65Good9.49%
58Orchard Mead AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.69Good7.56%
59Maplewell Hall SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0.8Outstanding2.65%
60Babington AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.8Good9.74%
61Countesthorpe AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.8-12.21%
62Millgate SchoolAcademy special converterMixed-0.89Outstanding2.7%
63South Wigston High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-1.02Requires improvement6.57%
64Birch Wood (Melton Area Special School)Community special schoolMixed-1.4Good0%
65West Gate SchoolFoundation special schoolMixed-1.41Good0%
66Dorothy Goodman School HinckleyAcademy special converterMixed-1.63Good0%
67Ash Field AcademyAcademy special converterMixed-1.68Outstanding0%
68Keyham Lodge SchoolAcademy special converterMixed-2.05Outstanding0%
69Stephenson Studio SchoolStudio schoolsMixed-2.08-0%

Note: Rankings use 2023/2024 CSP data for state-funded schools and may not reflect recent changes, check school websites for the latest information.

Source

Examiner-written GCSE revision resources that improve your grades 2x

  • Written by expert teachers and examiners
  • Aligned to exam specifications
  • Everything you need to know, and nothing you don’t

Top secondary schools in Leicestershire by GCSE % 9–7

Leicester High School for Girls in Leicestershire is currently ranked #1 in Leicestershire based on the percentage of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7. This measure highlights how many pupils achieve the very top exam results, giving a clear picture of each school’s academic excellence.

RankSchool nameTypeGenderProgress 8Ofsted ratingGCSE 9-7%
1Leicester High School for GirlsOther independent schoolGirls--80.86%
2Loughborough High SchoolOther independent schoolGirls--72.79%
3Leicester Grammar School TrustOther independent schoolMixed--69.45%
4Twycross House SchoolOther independent schoolMixed--59.5%
5Loughborough Grammar SchoolOther independent schoolBoys--54.13%
6Dixie Grammar SchoolOther independent schoolMixed--38.71%
7Madani Girls' SchoolVoluntary aided schoolGirls+1.14Good36.59%
8Manor High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.69Good36.49%
9The Imam Muhammad Adam Institute SchoolOther independent schoolMixed--36.32%
10Beauchamp CollegeAcademy converterMixed+0.44Good35.55%
11The Market Bosworth SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.83Outstanding34.6%
12Welland Park AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.37Good33.45%
13Loughborough Amherst SchoolOther independent schoolMixed--31.93%
14Sir Jonathan North Girls' CollegeAcademy converterGirls+0.51-31.34%
15LGS StoneygateOther independent schoolMixed--30.68%
16Ratcliffe CollegeOther independent schoolMixed--30.15%
17De Lisle College Loughborough LeicestershireAcademy converterMixed+0.58Good30.14%
18Rushey Mead AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.9Outstanding30.05%
19Hastings High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.4Good28.59%
20Kibworth Mead AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.01Good27.95%
21St Paul's Catholic School, a Voluntary AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.3Good26.67%
22Judgemeadow Community CollegeAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.32Good26.6%
23Woodbrook Vale SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.44Good26.54%
24Al-Aqsa Schools TrustOther independent schoolMixed--26.18%
25Jameah AcademyOther independent schoolGirls--25.14%
26The Robert Smyth AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.37Good25.11%
27Madani Boys SchoolVoluntary aided schoolBoys+0.4Good24.5%
28Soar Valley CollegeAcademy converterMixed+0.74-24.19%
29Long Field Spencer AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.06Good23.9%
30Lutterworth High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.25Good23.89%
31English Martyrs' Catholic School, A Voluntary AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.16Good23.61%
32South Charnwood High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.02Good23.11%
33Gartree High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.41-22.86%
34Limehurst AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.28Good22.78%
35RawlinsAcademy converterMixed-0.03-22.31%
36The City of Leicester CollegeAcademy converterMixed+0.29Requires improvement21.65%
37Avanti Fields SchoolFree schoolsMixed+0.46Good21.03%
38Redmoor AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.23Good20.38%
39Fullhurst Community CollegeFoundation schoolMixed-0.17Good20.21%
40Moat Community CollegeCommunity schoolMixed+0.19Good19.16%
41Lutterworth CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.09Good19.15%
42Bosworth AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.08Good19.03%
43Brookvale Groby Learning CampusAcademy converterMixed-0.02-18.42%
44Castle Mead AcademyFree schoolsMixed+0.14Outstanding17.87%
45The Cedars AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.32Good17.82%
46Crown Hills Community CollegeCommunity schoolMixed+0.32-16.83%
47Thomas Estley Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.05-16.71%
48Ashby SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.14Good16.68%
49Iveshead SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.37-16.52%
50Brockington CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.41Requires improvement16.48%
51Darul Uloom LeicesterOther independent schoolBoys--16.1%
52The Roundhill AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.27Requires improvement15.23%
53John Ferneley CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.34Requires improvement15.03%
54Beaumont Leys SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-0.13-15.01%
55The Martin High School AnsteyAcademy converterMixed-0.62Good14%
56Wreake Valley AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.6Good13.74%
57The Newbridge SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.27-13.7%
58Ivanhoe SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.39-12.9%
59New College LeicesterFoundation schoolMixed-0.23-12.46%
60Countesthorpe AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.8-12.21%
61The Priory Belvoir AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.21Good11.86%
62Castle Donington CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.27Good11.78%
63Humphrey Perkins SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.55-11.51%
64Jameah Boys AcademyOther independent schoolBoys--11.5%
65Emmanuel Christian SchoolOther independent schoolMixed--11.32%
66The Castle Rock SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.38Requires improvement11.29%
67Sketchley SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--10.71%
68Charnwood CollegeAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.19Good10.64%
69The Hinckley SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.52Good10.24%
70Babington AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.8Good9.74%
71Lancaster AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.65Good9.49%
72Ibstock SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.61-8.52%
73Wigston AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.63Good8.49%
74Brooke House Day SchoolOther independent schoolMixed--7.69%
75Heath Lane AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.55Good7.58%
76Orchard Mead AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.69Good7.56%
77St Crispin's SchoolOther independent schoolMixed--6.87%
78South Wigston High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-1.02Requires improvement6.57%
79Tudor Grange Samworth Academy, A church of England SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.41Good6.33%
80Millgate SchoolAcademy special converterMixed-0.89Outstanding2.7%
81Maplewell Hall SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0.8Outstanding2.65%
82Ash Field AcademyAcademy special converterMixed-1.68Outstanding0%
83Keyham Lodge SchoolAcademy special converterMixed-2.05Outstanding0%
84Birch Wood (Melton Area Special School)Community special schoolMixed-1.4Good0%
85Dorothy Goodman School HinckleyAcademy special converterMixed-1.63Good0%
86West Gate SchoolFoundation special schoolMixed-1.41Good0%
87Brooke House CollegeOther independent schoolMixed--0%
88Dovetree SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
89Hardwick House SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
90Lewis Charlton Learning CentreOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
91Oakwood Community SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
92Quorn Hall SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
93Stephenson Studio SchoolStudio schoolsMixed-2.08-0%
94The Grange Therapeutic SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
95The Lady Byron SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
96Wolfdale SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--0%

Note: Rankings use 2023/2024 CSP data for state-funded schools and may not reflect recent changes, check school websites for the latest information.

Source

All secondary schools in Leicestershire

Below is the complete list of secondary schools in Leicestershire, including both state-funded and independent schools where data is available. This table provides an at-a-glance view of each school’s key performance metrics, including Progress 8 scores, the percentage of GCSE grades awarded at 9–7, and Ofsted ratings, where published.

School nameTypeGenderProgress 8Ofsted ratingGCSE 9-7%
ALP LeicesterOther independent special schoolMixed---
ASPIRE: LifeskillsOther independent special schoolMixed---
Al-Aqsa Schools TrustOther independent schoolMixed--26.18%
Ash Field AcademyAcademy special converterMixed-1.68Outstanding0%
Ashby SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.14Good16.68%
Ashmount SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-Outstanding-
Avanti Fields SchoolFree schoolsMixed+0.46Good21.03%
Babington AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.8Good9.74%
Beauchamp CollegeAcademy converterMixed+0.44Good35.55%
Beaumont Leys SchoolCommunity schoolMixed-0.13-15.01%
Birch Wood (Melton Area Special School)Community special schoolMixed-1.4Good0%
Bosworth AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.08Good19.03%
Bowman AcademyFree schools specialMixed---
Brockington CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.41Requires improvement16.48%
Brook Mead AcademyFree schoolsMixed-Outstanding-
Brooke House CollegeOther independent schoolMixed--0%
Brooke House Day SchoolOther independent schoolMixed--7.69%
Brookvale Groby Learning CampusAcademy converterMixed-0.02-18.42%
Castle Donington CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.27Good11.78%
Castle Mead AcademyFree schoolsMixed+0.14Outstanding17.87%
Charnwood CollegeAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.19Good10.64%
Clovelly House SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed---
Compass Community School Mountfields ParkOther independent special schoolMixed---
Countesthorpe AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.8-12.21%
Crown Hills Community CollegeCommunity schoolMixed+0.32-16.83%
Darul Uloom LeicesterOther independent schoolBoys--16.1%
De Lisle College Loughborough LeicestershireAcademy converterMixed+0.58Good30.14%
Dixie Grammar SchoolOther independent schoolMixed--38.71%
Dorothy Goodman School HinckleyAcademy special converterMixed-1.63Good0%
Dovetree SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
Educ8 LeicestershireOther independent special schoolMixed---
Ellesmere CollegeCommunity special schoolMixed-Good-
Emmanuel Christian SchoolOther independent schoolMixed--11.32%
English Martyrs' Catholic School, A Voluntary AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.16Good23.61%
Forest Way SchoolAcademy special converterMixed-Outstanding-
Foxfields AcademyFree schools specialMixed-Good-
Fullhurst Community CollegeFoundation schoolMixed-0.17Good20.21%
Gartree High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.41-22.86%
Hardwick House SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
Hastings High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.4Good28.59%
Heath Lane AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.55Good7.58%
Henry David Learning Woodfield SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed---
Humphrey Perkins SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.55-11.51%
Ibstock SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.61-8.52%
Imam Muhammad Adam Institute Boys SchoolOther independent schoolBoys---
Ivanhoe SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.39-12.9%
Iveshead SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.37-16.52%
Jameah AcademyOther independent schoolGirls--25.14%
Jameah Boys AcademyOther independent schoolBoys--11.5%
John Ferneley CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.34Requires improvement15.03%
Judgemeadow Community CollegeAcademy sponsor ledMixed+0.32Good26.6%
Keyham Lodge SchoolAcademy special converterMixed-2.05Outstanding0%
Kibworth Mead AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.01Good27.95%
LGS StoneygateOther independent schoolMixed--30.68%
Lancaster AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.65Good9.49%
Leicester Grammar School TrustOther independent schoolMixed--69.45%
Leicester High School for GirlsOther independent schoolGirls--80.86%
Lewis Charlton Learning CentreOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
Limehurst AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.28Good22.78%
Lodge Farm EducationOther independent special schoolMixed---
Long Field Spencer AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.06Good23.9%
Loughborough Amherst SchoolOther independent schoolMixed--31.93%
Loughborough Grammar SchoolOther independent schoolBoys--54.13%
Loughborough High SchoolOther independent schoolGirls--72.79%
Lutterworth CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.09Good19.15%
Lutterworth High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.25Good23.89%
Madani Boys SchoolVoluntary aided schoolBoys+0.4Good24.5%
Madani Girls' SchoolVoluntary aided schoolGirls+1.14Good36.59%
Manor High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.69Good36.49%
Maplewell Hall SchoolCommunity special schoolMixed-0.8Outstanding2.65%
Millgate SchoolAcademy special converterMixed-0.89Outstanding2.7%
Moat Community CollegeCommunity schoolMixed+0.19Good19.16%
Nanpantan Hall Nurture CentreOther independent special schoolMixed---
Nether Hall SchoolFoundation special schoolMixed---
Netherhall Mead AcademyAcademy special converterMixed-Good-
New College LeicesterFoundation schoolMixed-0.23-12.46%
Oakwood Community SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
Orchard Mead AcademyAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.69Good7.56%
Quorn Hall SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
R.E.A.L Independent Schools HinckleyOther independent special schoolMixed---
Ratcliffe CollegeOther independent schoolMixed--30.15%
RawlinsAcademy converterMixed-0.03-22.31%
Redmoor AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.23Good20.38%
Rushey Mead AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.9Outstanding30.05%
Sir Jonathan North Girls' CollegeAcademy converterGirls+0.51-31.34%
Sketchley SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--10.71%
Soar Valley CollegeAcademy converterMixed+0.74-24.19%
South Charnwood High SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.02Good23.11%
South Wigston High SchoolAcademy converterMixed-1.02Requires improvement6.57%
Spark Vale AcademyOther independent special schoolMixed---
St Crispin's SchoolOther independent schoolMixed--6.87%
St Paul's Catholic School, a Voluntary AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.3Good26.67%
Stephenson Studio SchoolStudio schoolsMixed-2.08-0%
The Castle Rock SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.38Requires improvement11.29%
The CedarsOther independent special schoolMixed---
The Cedars AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.32Good17.82%
The City of Leicester CollegeAcademy converterMixed+0.29Requires improvement21.65%
The Divergent School HarboroughOther independent special schoolMixed---
The Fusion AcademyFree schools specialMixed-Good-
The Goldhill Learning FoundationOther independent special schoolMixed---
The Grange Therapeutic SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
The Herewoode AcademyAcademy converterMixed-Good-
The Hinckley SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.52Good10.24%
The Imam Muhammad Adam Institute SchoolOther independent schoolMixed--36.32%
The Lady Byron SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
The Market Bosworth SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.83Outstanding34.6%
The Martin High School AnsteyAcademy converterMixed-0.62Good14%
The Newbridge SchoolAcademy converterMixed-0.27-13.7%
The Place Independent SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed---
The Priory Belvoir AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.21Good11.86%
The Robert Smyth AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.37Good25.11%
The Roundhill AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.27Requires improvement15.23%
Thomas Estley Community CollegeAcademy converterMixed-0.05-16.71%
Tudor Grange Samworth Academy, A church of England SchoolAcademy sponsor ledMixed-0.41Good6.33%
Twycross House SchoolOther independent schoolMixed--59.5%
Welland Park AcademyAcademy converterMixed+0.37Good33.45%
West Gate SchoolFoundation special schoolMixed-1.41Good0%
Wigston AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.63Good8.49%
Wigston Birkett House Community Special SchoolAcademy special converterMixed-Good-
Wigston CollegeAcademy converterMixed-Good-
Wolfdale SchoolOther independent special schoolMixed--0%
Woodbrook Vale SchoolAcademy converterMixed+0.44Good26.54%
Woodside Lodge Outdoor Learning CentreOther independent special schoolMixed---
Wreake Valley AcademyAcademy converterMixed-0.6Good13.74%

Source

Disclaimer

All data on this page is sourced from the Department for Education’s 2023/2024 Compare School Performance dataset. It includes state-funded and, where available, independent secondary schools. Some schools may be missing data for Progress 8 scores, GCSE 9–7 results, or Ofsted ratings due to unpublished or unavailable figures. Rankings are based only on schools with published data and may not reflect recent changes. Please check school websites for the latest information.

How we ranked the best schools in Leicestershire?

Why trust our rankings? Our analysis is based on the latest 2023/2024 data from the Department for Education’s Compare School Performance (CSP) database, which publishes official performance data for all secondary schools in England, including both state-funded and independent schools where available.

We’ve created separate tables to highlight top performers in three key areas:

  • Progress 8 (pupil progress from KS2 to GCSE)
  • GCSE 9–7 grades (academic excellence)
  • Overall school listings, with available Ofsted ratings

Schools are primarily ranked by their Progress 8 score. This clever metric doesn’t just reward schools with high-attaining intakes – it highlights the ones that genuinely support student growth by measuring progress from the end of primary school to GCSEs. It adjusts for prior attainment, making it one of the fairest ways to compare schools.

Where available, we also show the percentage of GCSE grades at 9–7 to reflect high academic achievement, and Ofsted ratings for added context. All figures come directly from CSP’s official dataset.

Where Progress 8 data is not available for any schools in Leicestershire, the corresponding table will not be shown. This simply means that no schools in this area had published Progress 8 scores at the time of the latest dataset, it does not reflect on the quality of the schools themselves.

How to support your child at home

Helping your child succeed at school doesn’t just happen in the classroom, the right support at home can make a big difference. Encourage a regular study routine, provide a quiet space for learning, and take an interest in what they’re covering in lessons. Even small actions, like checking in on homework or discussing what they learned that day, can build motivation and accountability.

If you’re looking for extra structure, our GCSE Revision Resources are designed to make studying easier. With expert-written notes, topic-by-topic exam questions, and mark schemes, your child can practise exactly what they need to know, when they need to know it.

Boosting confidence before exams

Confidence can make a huge difference to exam performance. Start by helping your child identify their strengths and weaknesses, then focus revision time on areas that need improvement. Practising under timed conditions can reduce exam-day nerves, while celebrating small wins along the way builds self-belief.

Our GCSE Exam Practice pages include hundreds of past-paper style questions and worked solutions, so students can walk into their exams knowing exactly what to expect. By building familiarity with the question styles and formats, they’ll feel prepared and ready to perform at their best.

Share this article

FAQs - best secondary schools in Leicestershire

Based on the latest Department for Education CSP data, the highest-rated secondary school in Leicestershire is Madani Girls' School by Progress 8 and Leicester High School for Girls by GCSE 9–7 results. In the case of an exact tie across these measures, the first school in alphabetical order is shown here. For full details and to compare all schools, please refer to the performance tables above.
No. This guide covers state-funded secondary schools only, including grammar, comprehensive, academy, and free schools. Independent/private schools are not included in our rankings.
Applications are usually managed by Leicestershire County Council. You can find deadlines, admissions policies, and catchment area maps on the council’s official website.
Use Ofsted inspection reports, the Department for Education’s CSP performance tables, and our rankings to compare schools side by side. Visit schools during open days for first-hand impressions.
Ofsted rates secondary schools as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate. Outstanding secondary schools excel in teaching quality, student behaviour, leadership, and outcomes.
A Progress 8 score above 0 means students make better progress than the national average. Scores above +0.5 indicate well above average progress, while top-performing secondary schools typically achieve +0.7 or higher. The best schools in Leicestershire consistently score above +0.8.

Explore our GCSE study tools