Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Start reading

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Start reading

Edinburgh Live

National

Sian Traynor

The top schools in Edinburgh named as Sunday Times releases guide for 2023

Edinburgh Sunday Times Glasgow Parent Power Aberdeen Scotland Fettes College (Organization) Perth

The top performing schools in Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland have been revealed after The Sunday Times issued their Schools Guide for 2023.

Published on Friday, December 9, the 30th edition of Parent Power showcased the highest achieving both private and state secondary schools in the country.

With rankings in Scotland based on the most recent government data from 2021, which takes into account the proportion of pupils gaining five or more National 5 passes, five or more Highers and the proportion gaining two or more Advanced Highers.

Analysing the data, the top rated secondary school in Edinburgh was Boroughmuir High School, which was the only Edinburgh state school to appear in the top 10 in Scotland.

Concerning independent and private schools, Fettes College was ranked as the best in both Edinburgh and Scotland for A-levels and GCSEs, followed by Merchiston Castle School, and Loretto in Musselburgh.

However for Highers and Advanced Highers, St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, tops the list of independent schools that follow the Scottish education system.

Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power guide, says: “These have been a challenging few years for teachers, pupils and their parents, and the success of many in our league table is testament to the stamina and support shown by all concerned.

"It is also clear that more attention is being placed on wellbeing and mental health – from meditation rooms to counselling support, even therapy dogs – and schools are being proactive to bring about positive changes.

“League tables are not the only criteria a parent can use when choosing a school, but they are a good starting point. We want to celebrate excellence. We want to champion schools that are doing wonderful work. We want our children to be well-nurtured and well-taught. In choosing a school parents are making one of the biggest decisions in their family life, and Parent Power and The Sunday Times is here to help.”

The full Sunday Times tables are available below:

The top 10 state secondary schools in Scotland

Regional rank	School name	Town	2+ Advanced Higher (%)	5+ Higher (%)	5+ National 5 (%)
1	Jordanhill School, Glasgow	Glasgow	62	91	95
2	St Ninian's High School, Giffnock	Giffnock	38	78	95
3	Bearsden Academy	Glasgow	32	81	94
4	Cults Academy, Aberdeen	Aberdeen	30	78	91
5	Williamwood High School, Glasgow	Glasgow	26	77	94
=6	Boroughmuir High School, Edinburgh	Edinburgh	34	73	92
=6	Eastwood High School, Newton Mearns	Newton Mearns	37	71	93
8	Woodfarm High School, Thornliebank	Tornliebank	31	73	92
9	Dunblane High School	Dunblane	28	75	90
10	Mearns Castle High School, Glasgow	Glasgow	33	70	92

The top independent secondary schools in Scotland (A-levels/GCSE)

Regional rank	School name	Town	A-level A*-B (%)	GCSE A*/A/9/8/7 (%)	2022 national rank	2019 national rank
1	Fettes College	Edinburgh	82	74	=153	112
2	St Leonards School	St Andrews	82.8	54.3	212	206
3	Merchiston Castle School	Edinburgh	74.8	65.8	223	182
4	Loretto School	Musselburgh	73.3	51.9	=287	318
5	Strathallan	Perth	69.0	37.0	=338	=221
6	Glenalmond College	Perth	60.1	48.2	355	278

The top independent secondary schools in Scotland (Higher/Advanced Higher)

Regional rank	School name	Town	Higher/Advanced Higher A/B (%)	National A (%)
1	St Mary's Music School, Edinburgh	Edinburgh	96.5	89.0
2	George Heriot's School, Edinburgh	Edinburgh	94.2	84.7
3	Kilgraston, Perth	Perth	97	75
4	Albyn School, Aberdeen	Aberdeen	92.9	82.1
5	Hutchesons' Grammar School, Glasgow	Glasgow	91.1	83
6	The High School of Glasgow	Glasgow	89.6	85.2
7	The Mary Erskine School, Edinburgh	Edinburgh	89.3	84.3
8	High School of Dundee	Dundee	90	80.6
9	St Margaret's School for Girls, Aberdeen	Aberdeen	92.4	75
10	Dollar Academy	Dollar	89	81