CHRISTMAS came early for pupils and staff at a 'thriving' secondary school in Malmesbury, which was named among the best in the region by The Sunday Times.

There was plenty of festive cheer when Malmesbury School was announced as one of the best comprehensive schools in the South west by The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2024 on Friday, December 1.

It was also the only school in Wiltshire to make the top five in this category. 

One parent described teachers and staff at the school as 'wonderful' and 'inspiring'.

The Parent Power Guide allows parents to compare the performance of a given school with other schools in the same town, local authority or nationally. 

This year Malmesbury School, which was rated Outstanding in its most recent monitoring inspection in 2015, ranked as the fifth best comprehensive school in the South west, and 251st nationally.

These rankings are determined by the percentage of examination entries gaining A*-B at A level and the percentage of entries returning A* and A grades, and those graded 9, 8 and 7, at GCSE and iGCSE.

On A level results day 38% of Malmesbury School's year 13 cohort achieved A* and A grades, the highest in the school's history.

In addition, 65% of all A level grades awarded to pupils at the school were at A*-B.

Headteacher Brett Jouny credits this success to the nurturing environment that staff create which allows pupils to 'flourish'.

Mr Jouny said: “All of us at Malmesbury School are thrilled to once again be recognised as one of the very best comprehensive schools in the South west. 

"The results achieved this summer were a true reflection of the hard work, endeavour and focus of our students and staff.

"They also reflect the brilliant support given to our students and school by our parents and the local community.

"We believe that education should be a happy, caring and excellent experience and only when students are nurtured and supported will outstanding academic outcomes follow. 

"For us at Malmesbury School, education is more than exam results and we work hard with every student to help them grow as individuals and achieve to their very fullest.

"Our comprehensive curriculum allows all students to flourish and recognition both regionally and nationally rewards all those who have worked to make our school a superb place to study and work.”

A parent added: "So pleased, but maybe not surprised, to learn that Malmesbury School has been name one in the top five schools in the South west. 

"Our children are thriving here.

"The school has an excellent academic reputation but the pastoral support, extra-curricular opportunities and whole school experience with inspiring teachers and wonderful support staff, is what makes Malmesbury School outstanding for us as parents."

Helen Davies, editor of Parent Power, said: "The educational landscape continues to be challenging across both the state and independent sectors, and this is the first true assessment of post-pandemic exam results. 

"We believe these rankings - and all the additional information on offer in Parent Power — provide parents with a more reliable guide to academic achievement in schools today. 

"The guide showcases academic excellence but also celebrates schools who may not be right at the top but are rising, innovating and helping pupils flourish. 

"It is heartening to highlight the achievements of so many students and schools across the UK."

Three schools in Gloucestershire also made it onto the same list including Balcarras School in Cheltenham, The Cotswold School in Bourton-on-the-Water and Katharine Lady Berkeley's School in Wotton-under-Edge which ranked second, third and fourth respectively.