Scottish Secondary Schools League Tables 2026

Discover the latest Scotland secondary school ranks (league tables) based on official department of education data published for the 2024-25 academic year. Our analysis of the top 10 secondary schools reveals that the following local authorities dominate the rankings each having more than one school in the top ten: East Renfrewshire (3 schools); East Dunbartonshire (3 schools). Jordanhill, the grant-funded school in Glasgow maintained its position as the top performing school for the eighth consecutive year, demonstrating remarkable consistency at the pinnacle of Scottish education. The analysis reveals fascinating patterns of improvement and decline across Scotland’s 358 secondary schools, with particular concentrations of high-performing institutions in certain local authorities.

On This Page

• Top 50 Schools 2024-25
• Constant Top 50 Performance
• Schools That Have Improved Recently by Over 50 Rank Places
• Schools That Have Declined in Performance by 50+ Rank Places
• Downloads and Info
• Analysis and Trends

 

Top 50 Schools 2026

The elite tier of Scottish secondary education continues to be dominated by schools from affluent areas, particularly: parts of City of Edinburgh (7 schools); East Dunbartonshire (6 schools); East Renfrewshire (5 schools); parts of Glasgow City (5 schools) and West Lothian (5 schools). The top 50 schools in 2026 demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, with most maintaining consistently high standards over multiple years. See Table 1.

Table 1: Top 50 Secondary Schools Academic Year 2023-24

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Constant Top 50 Performance

A broader view of consistent high performance includes schools that have remained within the top 50 throughout all measured periods. Twenty-Eight schools demonstrated the remarkable achievement of maintaining top 50 status across all five academic years measured. Of these the following local authorities were represented by multiple schools: East Dunbartonshire (6 schools); East Renfrewshire (5 schools); parts of Glasgow City (4 schools); West Lothian (3 schools); parts of City of Edinburgh (3 schools); Aberdeen City (2 schools) and Stirling (2 schools). This consistency indicates strong leadership, effective teaching practices, and stable school communities that support sustained academic achievement. See Table 2 This group represents institutions with strong foundations and reliable educational delivery. See Table 2.

Table 2: Secondary Schools Constantly in the Top 50  Ranks

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Schools That Have Improved Recently by Over 50 Rank Places

The most dramatic success stories in Scottish secondary education come from schools that have achieved substantial improvements in their average rankings. These institutions have demonstrated that significant positive change is possible with the right strategies and commitment.  To calculate improvement the average rank for the period 2018-19 to 2021-22 was compared with the average for 2022-23 to 2024-25.  Schools with any missing data for any of the years were excluded from the calculation.  Table 3 lists the schools that have improved their average by 50 or more places.

Table 3: Secondary Schools Whose Average Rank Improved by over 50 places

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Schools That Have Declined Recently by Over 50 Rank Places

Unfortunately, the data also reveals schools that have experienced significant declines in their performance rankings. Understanding these patterns is crucial for identifying schools that may need additional support and intervention.  To calculate improvement the average rank for the period 2018-19 to 2021-22 was compared with the average for 2022-23 to 2024-25.  Schools with any missing data for any of the years were excluded from the calculation.  Table 4 lists the schools that have dropped their average by 50 or more places.

Table 4: Secondary Schools Whose Average Rank Declined by over 50 places

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Impact of Deprivation on Educational Achievement

It has been shown in many studies that deprivation significantly depresses educational achievement across the UK, resulting in a persistent “attainment gap” that emerges by age five and widens throughout secondary school. Disadvantaged pupils frequently face barriers like chronic absenteeism, food insecurity, and inadequate study space at home.

Within the published data there is data quantifying for each school the percentage of pupils who live in the 20% most deprived areas (derived from SIMD 2020 data). We have used this data to investigate the effect of deprivation on educational achievement by comparing PropPupils20PCMostDeprived versus the percent of pupils achieving 5 And Above highers.

There was a statistically significant** negative association between deprivation category and the percentage of pupils achieving five or more Higher passes. This means that schools with more deprived cohorts tended to have a lower percentage of pupils achieving five or more Higher passes. See Figure 1. While this result shows an association, it is not evidence that deprivation alone causes the lower ranking. The box-plot highlights that even in highly deprived areas (e.g. with 70 – <80% of pupils from a deprived location) there are high-attainment schools as outliers, showing that deprivation is not the only factor, even if it is a major driver of the negative trend.

** Statistical parameters: Spearman’s rho = -0.350, 95% bootstrap CI [-0.454, -0.242], p = 9.63e-10.

Figure 1: Box plot of achievement vs deprivation

Downloads and Info

Download School Performance Data (Seven Years)

Searchable List of Schools Performance Over Five Years

• Search by entering text in search box e.g Glasgow City
• Increase entry numbers in entries box
• Reorder columns using up down indicators
• Note that the 2024-25 data is in the left-most column. This is to ensure that the original order is based on current ranks

24-25	%5&Above	school_name	LAName	20-21	21-22	22-23	23-24
1	91	Jordanhill School	Glasgow City	1	1	1	1
2	83	St Ninian's High School	East Renfrewshire	3	3	4	5
3	82	Mearns Castle High School	East Renfrewshire	15	8	3	3
4	82	Williamwood High School	East Renfrewshire	5	7	8	8
5	79	Boclair Academy	East Dunbartonshire	9	15	6	7
6	79	Bearsden Academy	East Dunbartonshire	2	2	2	6
7	77	Linlithgow Academy	West Lothian	20	11	10	16
8	76	Boroughmuir High School	City of Edinburgh	12	9	5	10
9	75	Douglas Academy	East Dunbartonshire	16	5	9	4
10	74	Oldmachar Academy	Aberdeen City	145	43	81	58
11	74	Woodfarm High School	East Renfrewshire	11	4	7	2
12	73	Bishopbriggs Academy	East Dunbartonshire	10	10	18	11
13	73	Craigmount High School	City of Edinburgh	65	61	30	27
14	72	Aberdeen Grammar School	Aberdeen City	33	25	16	9
15	72	Dunblane High School	Stirling	7	16	22	13
16	71	James Gillespie's High School	City of Edinburgh	31	23	35	17
17	71	Cults Academy	Aberdeen City	4	6	17	12
18	69	Glasgow Gaelic School	Glasgow City	6	42	12	29
19	69	Gairloch High School	Highland	112	283	41	86
20	69	St Thomas Of Aquin's High School	City of Edinburgh	22	27	32	24
21	68	Gryffe High School	Renfrewshire	8	13	15	18
22	67	Eastwood High School	East Renfrewshire	13	12	14	19
23	66	Lenzie Academy	East Dunbartonshire	17	33	13	14
24	66	Notre Dame High School	Glasgow City	35	24	23	36
25	66	North Berwick High School	East Lothian	19	55	28	15
26	65	Balerno Community High School	City of Edinburgh	37	73	31	60
27	64	Turnbull High School	East Dunbartonshire	18	18	11	20
28	62	Hyndland Secondary School	Glasgow City	23	22	21	23
29	62	Dalziel High School	North Lanarkshire	46	51	19	54
30	62	Balfron High School	Stirling	24	20	47	30
31	62	Banchory Academy	Aberdeenshire	25	35	46	31
32	61	Peebles High School	Scottish Borders	36	37	105	43
33	61	Strathaven Academy	South Lanarkshire	32	19	26	21
34	60	The James Young High School	West Lothian	21	29	45	48
35	60	Trinity High School	Renfrewshire	51	122	130	138
36	60	Trinity High School	South Lanarkshire	272	151	88	105
37	59	St Margaret's Academy	West Lothian	38	30	29	22
38	59	Larbert High School	Falkirk	73	88	43	50
39	58	Our Lady's High School - Cumbernauld	North Lanarkshire	61	59	65	45
40	58	St Andrew's and St Bride's High School	South Lanarkshire	63	41	39	40
41	57	St Kentigern's Academy	West Lothian	62	112	58	42
42	57	Bathgate Academy	West Lothian	104	64	62	57
43	57	Dunfermline High School	Fife	129	129	95	28
44	57	Hillhead High School	Glasgow City	146	32	36	35
45	57	Westhill Academy	Aberdeenshire	68	26	24	37
46	57	Firrhill High School	City of Edinburgh	28	36	25	70
47	57	Portobello High School	City of Edinburgh	110	116	93	78
48	56	Madras College	Fife	30	57	79	134
49	56	Kemnay Academy	Aberdeenshire	103	128	209	59
50	56	St Maurice's High School	North Lanarkshire	79	95	63	129
51	56	Currie Community High School	City of Edinburgh	27	50	38	44
52	55	St Matthew's Academy	North Ayrshire	82	74	59	98
53	55	Largs Academy	North Ayrshire	40	60	78	56
54	55	St John Ogilvie High School	South Lanarkshire	125	170	136	122
55	55	The Royal High School	City of Edinburgh	14	21	20	33
56	54	Biggar High School	South Lanarkshire	78	103	110	142
57	53	Beeslack Community High School	Midlothian	224	172	277	169
58	53	Broxburn Academy	West Lothian	50	58	73	96
59	53	Kinross High School	Perth and Kinross	44	56	48	79
60	53	Grove Academy	Dundee City	49	102	50	80
61	52	Braes High School	Falkirk	26	31	44	47
62	52	West Calder High School	West Lothian	41	34	33	51
63	52	Armadale Academy	West Lothian	45	49	53	52
64	52	Shawlands Academy	Glasgow City	74	137	160	73
65	52	McLaren High School	Stirling	84	14	34	61
66	51	Trinity Academy	City of Edinburgh	152	109	49	69
67	50	St Ambrose High School	North Lanarkshire	141	63	70	71
68	50	Greenfaulds High School	North Lanarkshire	123	98	84	176
69	50	Park Mains High School	Renfrewshire	132	65	150	87
70	50	Queensferry Community High School	City of Edinburgh	107	126	112	65
71	50	Holy Cross High School	South Lanarkshire	86	68	102	66
72	50	Auchenharvie Academy	North Ayrshire	228	278	148	119
73	50	Mallaig High School	Highland	55	48	206	38
74	49	Dalbeattie High School	Dumfries and Galloway	218	121	113	113
75	49	Holy Rood RC High School	City of Edinburgh	259	144	82	110
76	49	Dunbar Grammar School	East Lothian	53	187	122	123
77	49	St Benedict's High School	Renfrewshire	76	178	145	139
78	48	Kirkintilloch High School	East Dunbartonshire	47	131	68	172
79	48	Marr College	South Ayrshire	67	67	75	81
80	48	Berwickshire High School	Scottish Borders	162	245	215	232
81	48	Clydeview Academy	Inverclyde	105	47	71	64
82	48	Perth High School	Perth and Kinross	88	77	106	148
83	48	Mackie Academy	Aberdeenshire	111	99	98	90
84	48	Broughton High School	City of Edinburgh	148	186	142	55
85	47	St Luke's High School	East Renfrewshire	120	119	87	68
86	47	St Margaret's High School	North Lanarkshire	116	213	121	163
87	47	Chryston High School	North Lanarkshire	87	104	89	93
88	47	Wallace Hall Academy	Dumfries and Galloway	66	54	57	62
89	47	Dumfries High School	Dumfries and Galloway	134	66	54	46
90	47	St Joseph's College	Dumfries and Galloway	69	69	107	108
91	47	Breadalbane Academy	Perth and Kinross	64	45	94	202
92	46	Lasswade High School Centre	Midlothian	121	78	169	72
93	46	Wallace High School	Stirling	157	75	152	115
94	46	Aboyne Academy	Aberdeenshire	96	84	92	74
95	46	Holyrood Secondary School	Glasgow City	131	141	97	174
96	46	Ellon Academy	Aberdeenshire	97	157	127	160
97	46	Stirling High School	Stirling	85	166	64	124
98	46	The Community School of Auchterarder	Perth and Kinross	52	92	178	32
99	45	Forrester High School	City of Edinburgh	278	334	249	236
100	45	St Mungo's RC High School	Falkirk	90	120	56	49
101	45	Deans Community High School	West Lothian	113	135	61	161
102	45	St Ninian's High School	East Dunbartonshire	48	82	37	41
103	45	Penicuik High School	Midlothian	167	265	220	264
104	45	St Aidan's High School	North Lanarkshire	191	133	164	125
105	45	Knox Academy	East Lothian	54	167	124	102
106	44	Inveralmond Community High School	West Lothian	72	76	111	109
107	44	Barrhead High School	East Renfrewshire	128	40	76	53
108	44	Queen Anne High School	Fife	220	254	210	165
109	44	Cathkin High School	South Lanarkshire	137	138	74	136
110	44	Taylor High School	North Lanarkshire	151	209	135	117
111	44	St David's RC High School	Midlothian	205	230	176	185
112	44	Earlston High School	Scottish Borders	39	28	77	84
113	44	Drummond Community High School	City of Edinburgh	265	196	243	171
114	43	Whitburn Academy	West Lothian	56	39	42	34
115	43	Uddingston Grammar School	South Lanarkshire	189	105	133	112
116	43	Notre Dame High School	Inverclyde	175	96	188	249
117	43	Millburn Academy	Highland	95	106	134	89
118	43	Kyle Academy	South Ayrshire	92	91	40	67
119	43	Portree High School	Highland	244	132	143	193
120	43	Monifieth High School	Angus	29	70	117	104
121	43	Farr High School	Highland	342	62	202	247
122	42	Kilsyth Academy	North Lanarkshire	240	90	123	121
123	42	Oban High School	Argyll and Bute	124	188	109	75
124	42	Woodmill High School	Fife	119	158	55	166
125	42	St Modan's High School	Stirling	203	164	191	241
126	42	Duncanrig Secondary School	South Lanarkshire	81	100	115	83
127	41	Castlehead High School	Renfrewshire	142	87	180	237
128	41	St Columba's R C High School	Fife	303	263	192	181
129	41	St John's RC Academy	Perth and Kinross	144	204	60	212
130	41	Alford Academy	Aberdeenshire	70	71	99	147
131	41	St Andrew's Secondary School	Glasgow City	182	180	182	130
132	41	St Andrew's Academy	Renfrewshire	135	194	218	126
133	40	St Stephen's High School	Inverclyde	199	296	251	194
134	40	Prestwick Academy	South Ayrshire	77	94	146	76
135	40	St Thomas Aquinas Secondary School	Glasgow City	114	134	52	63
136	40	Dumfries Academy	Dumfries and Galloway	169	236	216	208
137	40	Hazlehead Academy	Aberdeen City	285	147	153	177
138	40	Meldrum Academy	Aberdeenshire	153	108	175	95
139	40	Waid Academy	Fife	133	97	83	92
140	40	Calderglen High School	South Lanarkshire	94	130	155	118
141	40	Harris Academy	Dundee City	161	148	156	184
142	40	Balwearie High School	Fife	136	221	197	186
143	40	Lesmahagow High School	South Lanarkshire	243	155	163	221
144	39	Ullapool High School	Highland	71	38	307	234
145	39	Paisley Grammar School	Renfrewshire	57	136	67	39
146	39	Moffat Academy	Dumfries and Galloway	43	17	85	25
147	39	Lochaber High School	Highland	197	218	231	314
148	39	Gleniffer High School	Renfrewshire	83	139	96	162
149	39	Belmont Academy	South Ayrshire	109	81	66	100
150	39	Our Lady's High School - Motherwell	North Lanarkshire	202	127	159	159
151	39	St Augustine's High School	City of Edinburgh	232	243	282	220
152	39	Harlaw Academy	Aberdeen City	235	201	187	187
153	39	Tarbert Academy	Argyll and Bute	42	44	100	341
154	38	Hamilton Grammar School	South Lanarkshire	98	123	103	94
155	38	Eyemouth High School	Scottish Borders	180	300	278	114
156	38	Queen Margaret Academy	South Ayrshire	91	118	157	152
157	38	All Saints Secondary School	Glasgow City	249	162	137	272
158	38	Bucksburn Academy	Aberdeen City	177	214	126	155
159	38	Kilmarnock Academy	East Ayrshire	230	145	139	144
160	38	Bell Baxter High School	Fife	179	165	167	217
161	38	Bertha Park High School	Perth and Kinross	999	346	339	207
162	38	Garnock Community Campus	North Ayrshire	266	222	211	270
163	37	Cleveden Secondary School	Glasgow City	299	242	213	209
164	37	Stonelaw High School	South Lanarkshire	106	181	149	99
165	37	Inverness Royal Academy	Highland	262	152	201	156
166	37	Leith Academy	City of Edinburgh	221	252	189	292
167	37	Culloden Academy	Highland	126	89	219	200
168	37	Kirkcudbright Academy	Dumfries and Galloway	139	117	120	91
169	37	Plockton High School	Highland	204	212	225	26
170	37	Milne's High School	Moray	118	53	179	229
171	36	Bridge Of Don Academy	Aberdeen City	192	238	177	189
172	36	Bannerman High School	Glasgow City	241	143	158	154
173	36	Speyside High School	Moray	315	271	222	198
174	36	Johnstone High School	Renfrewshire	117	179	181	192
175	36	Bo'ness Academy	Falkirk	210	206	125	190
176	36	Elgin Academy	Moray	188	225	199	145
177	36	Dalkeith High School	Midlothian	326	149	101	137
178	36	Bannockburn High School	Stirling	222	80	144	101
179	36	Langholm Academy	Dumfries and Galloway	247	228	334	132
180	36	Lanark Grammar School	South Lanarkshire	115	202	190	153
181	36	Nairn Academy	Highland	296	255	221	214
182	36	Fortrose Academy	Highland	102	101	80	106
183	36	Perth Academy	Perth and Kinross	178	200	118	143
184	36	Lourdes Secondary School	Glasgow City	143	190	90	135
185	36	Tobermory High School	Argyll and Bute	273	219	223	342
186	36	Jedburgh Grammar School	Scottish Borders	234	299	165	170
187	36	Arran High School	North Ayrshire	80	72	114	131
188	35	Airdrie Academy	North Lanarkshire	138	169	286	242
189	35	Grangemouth High School	Falkirk	253	274	290	297
190	35	Carrick Academy	South Ayrshire	130	160	232	111
191	35	St Columba's High School	Inverclyde	173	153	116	133
192	35	Bellahouston Academy	Glasgow City	184	163	140	175
193	35	Portlethen Academy	Aberdeenshire	147	229	131	140
194	35	Morgan Academy	Dundee City	281	231	184	213
195	35	Inverurie Academy	Aberdeenshire	93	83	173	116
196	35	Cumbernauld Academy	North Lanarkshire	164	174	298	269
197	34	Ardrossan Academy	North Ayrshire	306	193	235	196
198	34	St Roch's Secondary School	Glasgow City	307	251	267	224
199	34	Springburn Academy	Glasgow City	325	325	319	333
200	34	Clydebank High School	West Dunbartonshire	237	189	214	296
201	34	St Peter the Apostle High School	West Dunbartonshire	242	197	270	253
202	34	King's Park Secondary School	Glasgow City	172	191	207	182
203	34	Lossiemouth High School	Moray	163	184	285	246
204	33	Alloa Academy	Clackmannanshire	214	215	323	298
205	33	Tain Royal Academy	Highland	127	220	161	157
206	33	Dyce Academy	Aberdeen City	89	279	335	231
207	33	Port Glasgow High School	Inverclyde	263	93	239	290
208	33	Graeme High School	Falkirk	185	111	226	267
209	33	Anderson High School	Shetland Islands	99	142	141	158
210	33	Falkirk High School	Falkirk	150	113	170	151
211	33	Cardinal Newman High School	North Lanarkshire	108	250	129	120
212	33	Glenrothes High School	Fife	207	140	237	191
213	33	Musselburgh Grammar School	East Lothian	209	208	258	252
214	33	Stromness Academy	Orkney Islands	208	185	194	149
215	33	Greenwood Academy	North Ayrshire	231	198	245	222
216	33	Grantown Grammar School	Highland	186	79	200	188
217	33	Ardnamurchan High School	Highland	181	234	27	164
218	32	Carluke High School	South Lanarkshire	158	115	172	211
219	32	Auchmuty High School	Fife	320	246	261	248
220	32	Forres Academy	Moray	193	269	208	263
221	32	Larkhall Academy	South Lanarkshire	196	168	147	210
222	32	Hermitage Academy	Argyll and Bute	75	86	119	103
223	32	St Andrew's High School	North Lanarkshire	251	207	171	88
224	32	Glenwood High School	Fife	156	295	297	287
225	32	Galashiels Academy	Scottish Borders	252	175	108	254
226	32	Knightswood Secondary School	Glasgow City	212	262	276	243
227	32	Ross High School	East Lothian	211	226	248	216
228	32	Alva Academy	Clackmannanshire	229	146	205	127
229	32	Kingussie High School	Highland	160	107	91	141
230	32	Selkirk High School	Scottish Borders	194	232	262	268
231	31	Beath High School	Fife	333	320	311	316
232	31	Inverkeithing High School	Fife	101	124	166	227
233	31	Mintlaw Academy	Aberdeenshire	226	304	265	319
234	31	Crieff High School	Perth and Kinross	100	110	86	179
235	30	Renfrew High School	Renfrewshire	122	125	198	150
236	30	Lockerbie Academy	Dumfries and Galloway	166	267	229	301
237	30	Kelso High School	Scottish Borders	58	241	162	255
238	30	Our Lady & St Patrick's High School	West Dunbartonshire	174	114	186	226
239	30	Calderside Academy	South Lanarkshire	292	305	296	265
240	30	Lochside Academy	Aberdeen City	335	333	305	307
241	30	Webster's High School	Angus	59	173	154	274
242	30	Craigie High School	Dundee City	330	291	316	335
243	30	Kirkwall Grammar School	Orkney Islands	149	192	228	178
244	30	The Gordon Schools	Aberdeenshire	187	205	132	230
245	29	Viewforth High School	Fife	308	258	203	235
246	29	St Machar Academy	Aberdeen City	314	256	314	289
247	29	Arbroath Academy	Angus	274	322	283	306
248	29	Glen Urquhart High School	Highland	34	52	72	82
249	29	Caldervale High School	North Lanarkshire	236	237	257	293
250	29	Newbattle High School	Midlothian	305	285	313	279
251	29	St Andrew's R C High School	Fife	277	292	275	300
252	29	Arbroath High School	Angus	256	253	299	285
253	29	St John's RC High School	Dundee City	300	244	272	218
254	29	Clyde Valley High School	North Lanarkshire	329	326	303	330
255	29	Buckie High School	Moray	246	210	193	239
256	29	The Nicolson Institute	Na h-Eileanan an Iar	165	261	247	146
257	29	Thurso High School	Highland	227	161	999	204
258	29	Tynecastle High School	City of Edinburgh	258	266	250	197
259	29	Sgoil Lionacleit	Na h-Eileanan an Iar	171	337	284	278
260	28	Montrose Academy	Angus	154	302	306	305
261	28	Denny High School	Falkirk	159	150	256	251
262	28	Kilwinning Academy	North Ayrshire	225	235	183	183
263	28	Braidhurst High School	North Lanarkshire	316	257	310	329
264	28	Turriff Academy	Aberdeenshire	313	298	294	294
265	28	Liberton High School	City of Edinburgh	170	217	287	195
266	28	Dunoon Grammar School	Argyll and Bute	233	199	241	205
267	28	St Margaret Mary's Secondary School	Glasgow City	312	248	315	271
268	28	Dornoch Academy	Highland	168	247	212	201
269	27	John Paul Academy	Glasgow City	155	223	255	275
270	27	Girvan Academy	South Ayrshire	238	240	242	257
271	27	Elgin High School	Moray	295	249	312	281
272	27	Stranraer Academy	Dumfries and Galloway	291	281	253	266
273	27	Mearns Academy	Aberdeenshire	60	85	128	107
274	27	Coatbridge High School	North Lanarkshire	239	195	233	225
275	27	Eastbank Academy	Glasgow City	322	332	318	173
276	27	Vale Of Leven Academy	West Dunbartonshire	255	307	281	284
277	27	Grange Academy	East Ayrshire	200	154	217	199
278	27	Blairgowrie High School	Perth and Kinross	257	313	259	167
279	27	Lornshill Academy	Clackmannanshire	317	317	271	310
280	27	Golspie High School	Highland	213	216	227	259
281	27	Hillpark Secondary School	Glasgow City	270	308	260	258
282	27	Inverclyde Academy	Inverclyde	250	239	293	286
283	26	Rosshall Academy	Glasgow City	275	270	280	273
284	26	Brae High School	Shetland Islands	140	268	224	85
285	26	Bellshill Academy	North Lanarkshire	276	224	263	308
286	26	Brannock High School	North Lanarkshire	254	309	264	318
287	26	Carnoustie High School	Angus	267	227	279	245
288	25	Preston Lodge High School	East Lothian	223	260	252	223
289	25	Dingwall Academy	Highland	294	293	268	228
290	25	Douglas Ewart High School	Dumfries and Galloway	261	288	151	233
291	24	Campbeltown Grammar School	Argyll and Bute	280	303	273	313
292	24	St Paul's RC Academy	Dundee City	332	287	246	282
293	24	Peterhead Academy	Aberdeenshire	309	312	324	295
294	23	Smithycroft Secondary School	Glasgow City	298	306	292	323
295	23	St Paul's High School	Glasgow City	336	289	300	291
296	23	Kirkcaldy High School	Fife	269	264	327	304
297	23	Castle Douglas High School	Dumfries and Galloway	176	156	174	280
298	23	Lochgilphead High School	Argyll and Bute	324	316	168	180
299	22	St Mungo's Academy	Glasgow City	268	290	236	240
300	22	Perth Grammar School	Perth and Kinross	323	176	185	203
301	22	Irvine Royal Academy	North Ayrshire	321	275	322	250
302	22	Dumbarton Academy	West Dunbartonshire	282	183	244	261
303	22	Whitehill Secondary School	Glasgow City	286	315	238	327
304	22	Robert Burns Academy	East Ayrshire	287	314	234	312
305	22	Baldragon Academy	Dundee City	318	331	332	324
306	21	Castlemilk High School	Glasgow City	248	159	308	260
307	21	Hawick High School	Scottish Borders	260	182	288	277
308	21	Keith Grammar School	Moray	283	335	326	325
309	20	Lochgelly High School	Fife	284	286	295	262
310	20	Rothesay Academy	Argyll and Bute	302	259	320	168
311	20	Linwood High School	Renfrewshire	328	233	266	238
312	20	Charleston Academy	Highland	215	280	196	303
313	19	Banff Academy	Aberdeenshire	279	276	269	299
314	19	Annan Academy	Dumfries and Galloway	271	273	254	309
315	19	Brechin High School	Angus	206	319	274	311
316	19	Forfar Academy	Angus	288	311	240	315
317	19	Fraserburgh Academy	Aberdeenshire	297	294	291	320
318	18	Drumchapel High School	Glasgow City	219	310	329	334
319	18	Sanquhar Academy	Dumfries and Galloway	310	272	338	317
320	18	Coltness High School	North Lanarkshire	217	211	289	215
321	18	Craigroyston Community High School	City of Edinburgh	293	330	325	331
322	18	Calderhead High School	North Lanarkshire	304	327	317	283
323	18	Govan High School	Glasgow City	311	329	321	321
324	18	Wick High School	Highland	289	318	999	302
325	17	Castlebrae Community High School	City of Edinburgh	341	340	340	340
326	17	Ayr Academy	South Ayrshire	183	301	230	288
327	17	Alness Academy	Highland	264	324	333	322
328	17	Braeview Academy	Dundee City	339	321	328	326
329	16	Levenmouth Academy	Fife	331	328	304	328
330	15	North West Community Campus	Dumfries and Galloway	337	339	341	336
331	14	Inverness High School	Highland	338	336	330	338
332	13	Gracemount High School	City of Edinburgh	327	338	331	256
333	12	Invergordon Academy	Highland	301	323	302	337
334	11	Lochend Community High School	Glasgow City	319	297	309	276
335	11	Northfield Academy	Aberdeen City	340	342	342	339
336	7	Wester Hailes High School	City of Edinburgh	334	341	343	344
337	0	St Joseph's Academy	East Ayrshire	201	171	138	97
338	0	Loudoun Academy	East Ayrshire	198	203	204	219
339	0	Islay High School	Argyll and Bute	245	46	195	244
340	0	Kinlochleven High School	Highland	195	282	337	343
341	0	Stewarton Academy	East Ayrshire	190	177	104	77
342	0	Doon Academy	East Ayrshire	290	284	301	332
343	0	Castlebay School	Na h-Eileanan an Iar	343	343	69	206
344	0	Sir E Scott School	Na h-Eileanan an Iar	216	277	51	128
345	0	Kilchuimen Academy	Highland	343	345	336	345
345	0	Sanday Community School	Orkney Islands	343	346	344	345
345	0	Sandwick Junior High School	Shetland Islands	343	346	344	345
345	0	Mid Yell Junior High School	Shetland Islands	343	346	344	345
345	0	Rosehill High School	East Lothian	999	999	999	999
345	0	Pitlochry High School	Perth and Kinross	343	346	344	345
345	0	Kinlochbervie High School	Highland	343	343	344	345
345	0	Westray Junior High School	Orkney Islands	343	346	344	345
345	0	Whalsay School	Shetland Islands	343	346	344	345
345	0	Dalry Secondary School	Dumfries and Galloway	343	346	344	345
345	0	Stronsay Junior High School	Orkney Islands	343	346	344	345
345	0	Tiree High School	Argyll and Bute	343	346	344	345
345	0	Baltasound Junior High School	Shetland Islands	343	346	344	345
345	0	Aith Junior High School	Shetland Islands	343	346	344	345

 

Analysis and Trends

Geographic Patterns

The data reveals strong geographic clustering of high-performing schools, with East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire continuing to dominate the upper rankings. This concentration suggests that local factors including socioeconomic conditions, community support, and resource allocation play significant roles in educational outcomes.

Stability vs. Volatility

While some schools demonstrate remarkable consistency over time, others show significant volatility in their rankings. The schools that have maintained constant top 25 or top 50 status represent institutional excellence and stability that could serve as models for other institutions.

Conclusion

The 2024-25 academic year data reveals both the excellence achievable in Scottish secondary education and the persistent challenges facing many institutions. While schools like Jordanhill continue to set exceptional standards, for others, remarkable improvement stories demonstrate the potential for transformation. The significant declines in some schools highlight the need for continued focus on supporting all Scottish secondary schools to achieve their potential.

The concentration of high-performing schools in certain local authority areas suggests that addressing educational inequality remains a priority for Scottish education policy. The success stories provide valuable lessons about what works in school improvement, while the schools experiencing decline require urgent attention and support to reverse negative trends.

As Scotland continues to refine its educational approach, these performance patterns provide crucial insights for policymakers, educators, and communities working to ensure that all young Scots have access to high-quality secondary education, regardless of their geographic location or school circumstances.

Sources and Methods

Schools – Breadth and Depth of Qualifications
https://statistics.gov.scot/data/breadth-and-depth

School Roll Data
https://data.gov.uk/dataset/9a6f9d86-9698-4a5d-a2c8-89f3b212c52c/scottish-school-roll-and-locations

Scottish Secondary School Catchment Areas
https://data.spatialhub.scot/dataset/school_catchments-is/resource/82cc374f-4f76-45f5-a705-f5b9b0dee5cd
Includes material derived from OS under Open Government Licence
OS data © Crown copyright 2020

Ranking
Using the Breadth and Depth of Qualifications data for 2020-21 schools were ranked according to percentage of pupils attaining five or more higher passes.  Where schools had the same percentage at that level, the number of pupils obtaining six or more passes was used to differentiate between schools (and seven or more passes where necessary).