AN independent girls’ school in Oxfordshire has been named fifth best in the southeast of England.

In The Times Parent Power 2023 schools guide, Abingdon-based St Helen and St Katharine has been ranked fifth independent girls’ school in the southeast of England – and 16th in the UK.

The school is also ranked top independent girls’ school in Oxfordshire.

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The academic rankings were calculated by schools’ performances at A level and GCSE in summer 2022.

At A level, 94 per cent of students achieved grades A* to B, and at GCSE 90 per cent achieved grades 9 to 7.

The school has continued its success story with 89 per cent of students securing places at their first-choice university – these include Durham, Oxford, Southampton, York, Edinburgh, Bristol, Cambridge and Bath.

The school is for girls and young women aged nine to 18, drawing students from across six counties: Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire, Hampshire and Berkshire.

It will be opening its brand new Sixth Form Centre in early 2023. The new building will be a physical articulation of the school’s vision for sixth form – to create an ‘environment where students’ intellectual spirit and imagination are sparked’.

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The Times noted that girls’ schools did ‘particularly well’ in this year’s schools guide; the full Parent Power 2023 best UK schools guide and league table is available on The Times’ website.

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This story was written by Gee Harland. She joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford and Wantage.

Get in touch with her by emailing: gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @geeharland