70% of England’s Top State Schools use Up Learn

As thousands of primary school leavers prepare to take their next step into secondary education, parents, carers, and school leaders are thinking carefully about what makes a school truly great – and where students are most likely to thrive.

To help answer that question, The Yorkshire Post recently revisited its ranking of England’s top-performing state-funded secondary schools using what they call a “gold standard” approach. The aim has been to spotlight schools where students are achieving top grades and making exceptional academic progress.

The methodology combines two key measures:

• Progress 8 scores, the government’s main accountability metric for secondary schools, which measures how much progress students make from the end of primary school (Key Stage 2) to their GCSEs (Key Stage 4), compared to other students nationally who had similar Year 6 SATs results.
• Ofsted ratings, limited to schools graded ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ under both the old and updated inspection frameworks.
  

The ranking highlights schools that represent the very best of England’s state sector – balancing academic excellence with strong student progress, effective leadership, and a supportive school culture.

Out of the 21 schools featured, 9 are Up Learn partners. Notably, this includes the top 4 schools and 7 out of the top 10, showcasing how many of the country’s leading schools trust Up Learn to help their students succeed.

England’s Top Schools Are Investing in Smarter Learning

This year’s rankings reflect more than just exam results. Schools that made the list also demonstrate outstanding leadership, strong student behaviour and attitudes, and an environment where safeguarding and support are prioritised, all crucial factors in enabling success.

It’s no surprise, then, that many of these schools are also rethinking how they:

• Structure independent learning
  
• Boost attainment across student groups
  
• Reduce unnecessary workload for teachers
  

That’s exactly where Up Learn fits in.

Schools Using Up Learn from the 2025 Ranking

We’re honoured to partner with the following top-ranked schools:

• Michaela Community School (#1)
  
• Mercia School (#2)
  
• Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School (#3)
  
• Menorah High School for Girls
  
• Mossbourne Community Academy
  
• The St Thomas the Apostle College
  
• St Mark’s Catholic School
  
• The Totteridge Academy
  
• Tauheedul Islam Boys’ High School
  

These schools span academies, faith schools, and community schools, but what unites them is a shared commitment to unlocking student potential. And Up Learn is proud to be part of that mission.

Why Top Schools Choose Up Learn

Top-performing schools are intentional about what adds value and what doesn’t. Based on conversations with Senior Leaders, Heads of Sixth Form, and Classroom Teachers, here’s what sets Up Learn apart:

Improved Grades and less admin for teachers

Up Learn students routinely exceed their predicted grades – often by one or more levels – without adding to teachers’ workload. There’s no marking, planning, or prep required. Everything is done for you.

Truly independent learning

Our AI-powered platform structures learning for students step by step, making it easy to stay on track, even outside the classroom. Built-in motivation tools, personalised revision schedules, and progress tracking help students own their learning and reduce reliance on teacher intervention.

Built to support all learners

Whether students are aiming for a C or an A*, Up Learn adapts to meet them at their current level and helps them close gaps fast, helping reduce the attainment gap across your cohort.

Smart learning functionality

From new in-lesson support tools to a reimagined student homepage, everything in Up Learn is designed to improve outcomes efficiently. Our 2025–26 updates include student nudges and insights that boost engagement and learning depth – all with no admin lift for teachers.

School Dashboard for Impact & Value

Our new School Dashboard gives teachers and leaders a clear, real-time view of student progress, usage, and predicted outcomes – making it easier to evidence impact and demonstrate value for money.

Real Results from Top-Ranked Schools

Michaela Community School (#1)

Led by Katharine Birbalsingh CBE, Michaela is known for its high expectations and no-nonsense culture. The school adopted Up Learn to stretch even their most able students further. The result? Students reported feeling more confident and in control of their learning, and staff praised the platform for strengthening revision without adding to teacher workload.

Read the full Michaela case study

Mercia School (#2)

At Mercia, the focus is on purposeful practice and high-quality instruction. By introducing Up Learn, the school empowered students to take greater ownership of their studies, particularly in A Level science subjects. With no extra marking required, teachers gained back valuable time, while students raised their performance.
 

Read the full Mercia case study 

These schools show what’s possible when you combine great teaching with the right tools.

Explore more success stories in our full case study collection.

Want to see how Up Learn could work for your School?

If you’re looking to raise attainment, lighten teacher workload, and build stronger independent learning habits, and aiming to be featured in next year’s top schools ranking, partnering with Up Learn could be one of the smartest decisions you make.

Book a quick call with our team or fill out this short form to find out how we can help.