A school in Tonbridge has triumphed in the Sunday Times list of the top performing schools in the south east.

Tonbridge Grammar School, in Deakin Leas, picked up two awards - it was named State Secondary School of the Year and International Baccalaureate (IB) School of the Year.

Exam result performance also saw the school leap 21 places up the Sunday Times league table to rank sixth in the latest parent power rankings - its high ever position in the top 100.

GCSE results saw 88.6% of papers gain an A* or A and nineteen girls scooped the top grade in 10 or more subjects.

Rosemary Joyce, head teacher, said: “I am absolutely delighted that the Sunday Times has recognised the distinctive educational experience and fantastic outcomes achieved by our students.

"To have been awarded two prestigious Sunday Times School of the Year awards is a real validation of the incredible creative energy, dedication and commitment of all the staff at TGS who have worked so hard in so many ways to support the achievement of all students at the school.

"Success is not achieved overnight, staff and governors have worked incredibly hard to shape a distinctive ethos and a clear direction for our school.

"It ensures students here benefit from the academic and wider learning opportunities as well as highly personalised support that leads to academic and personal success.”

Alastair McCall, editor of Parent Power, said: “Tonbridge Grammar offers a distinctive education.

"Its choice of the IB over A-levels in the sixth form gives pupils a more-widely grounded education and prepares them well for university and life beyond the school gates.

"The award is thoroughly deserved and acknowledges the efforts of a talented, dedicated and creative teaching staff working with enthusiastic learners, who go on to make an impact in all walks of life.”

The Parent Power survey is acknowledged as the most authoritative survey of the country’s best schools.

The rankings in the secondary school league tables are determined by the percentage of entries gaining A* to B grades at A-level this summer or International Baccalaureate Higher Level grades 7, 6 and 5 and the percentage of entries returning A* and A grades at GCSE.

It enables parents to compare the performance of a given school with other schools in the same town, local authority or nationally.

Tonbridge Grammar School is not the only west Kent school to receive a place in the rankings. The Judd School in Brook Street came fourth in the list and Tunbridge Wells Girls' Grammar School came fifth.