Two independent schools in Norwich have been ranked among the top 10 in the region, according to a survey for parents.

In the Sunday Times' new Parent Power school guide, Norwich School and Norwich High School for Girls were ranked third and 10th respectively in the top 10 independent secondary schools across East Anglia.

Though the Norwich School came after the Perse School and Stephen Perse Foundation Senior School, both in Cambridge, it was named the The Sunday Times Parent Power East Anglia Independent Secondary School of the Year thanks to its improved results amid tougher exams.

Steffan Griffiths, headmaster of the Norwich School, which ranked 78th in its category nationally, said: 'It is great news that we have been recognised once again as one of the best schools of our kind in the country, particularly since the rankings show the consistency of achievement across the school for a number of years.

'The success of our pupils in obtaining top grades alongside sporting, artistic and philanthropic activities is testament to their determination and the rounded educational opportunities available at Norwich School.'

The rankings are calculated using the percentage of exams gaining A* to B grades at A-level, and A* and A grades at GCSE.

Gresham's School, in Holt, ranked 15th in East Anglia, while Wisbech Grammar School came 20th.

No secondaries from Norfolk or Suffolk made the guide's top 10 state schools for East Anglia, though Wymondham College came 14th.

Jonathan Taylor, principal and chief executive of the Sapientia Education Trust, which runs the school, said: 'Delighted that once again Wymondham College is very highly rated regionally and nationally.

Eastern Daily Press: Rachel de Souza. Picture: Andi SapeyRachel de Souza. Picture: Andi Sapey (Image: Andi Sapey)

'The college appears to be in the top 50 non-selective state schools nationally and is the highest rated state school in Norfolk and Suffolk. 'While the methodology is unusual and a great education goes well beyond examination data, it does illustrate that Norfolk students and schools can be amongst the best nationally.'

And when using GCSE measure alone, Hethersett Academy ranked 19th nationally and for A-level alone Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form ranked 14th.

Dame Rachel de Souza, chief executive of the Inspiration Trust, which runs both Hethersett Academy and Sir Isaac Newton, said: 'It's great to have this recognition for our students and staff, and it demonstrates their amazing hard work in starting Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form from scratch to be one of the best sixth forms in the country, and the remarkable turnaround at Hethersett Academy, now East Anglia's top school for pupil progress to GCSE.

'We have always said that children in Norfolk and Suffolk are among the brightest in the country, and this steady climbing up the league tables shows how much potential there is.'

Eastern Daily Press: Norwich School headmaster Steffan Griffiths. Picture by SIMON FINLAY.Norwich School headmaster Steffan Griffiths. Picture by SIMON FINLAY.