Annual schools attainment levels laid bare

Strathaven Academy has made it into the top 25 Scottish schools in an annual performance report.

But just two East Kilbride school appeared in the top 100, with Duncanrig Secondary placing 68th and St Andrew’s and St Bride’s placing 88th.

The league table is compiled by the percentage of pupils gaining five or more Highers at the country’s 344 high schools.

Strathaven ranked 22nd with 58 per cent of pupils achieving such grades, with 42 per cent of pupils at St Andrew’s and St Bride’s achieving the same.

Both schools are down from last year, where Strathaven placed 18th with 61 per cent of pupils hitting the five higher heights, and when St Andrew’s and St Bride’s placed 30th with 55 per cent.

Duncanrig came out on top this year on the listings for East Kilbride schools, placing 68th with 44 per cent, while Calderglen High languishing at 141 with a 35 per cent achievement rate.

South Lanarkshire Council’s head of education congratulated all pupils on their efforts, but said the figures were misleading.

Lynn Sherry said the“artificial construction of league tables based on Highers results alone is misleading, inaccurate and outdated”.

She added:“While Higher qualifications will always be important, schools now offer a much wider range of courses that provide genuine opportunity to prepare young people for the move beyond school.

“A broader insight to each school is provided in its handbook, website, and through regular communications with parents.

“All of these are designed to help parents better understand their child’s school experience, and to encourage positive engagement and dialogue between home and school.”

There was better reading for East Renfrewshire, with Mearns Castle High School coming second with a 75 per cent attainment level, St Ninian’s High fourth with 73 per cent, and Williamwood High ninth with 70 per cent.

Jordanhill School in Glasgow came out top for the fifth year in a row.