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TEN YEARS AGO Friday January 27, 2014
top 10 best performing schools in Scotland.
The league table, compiled by a national newspaper using data from the Scottish Government, ranks state schools based on the percentage of the S4 roll who go on to pass five or more Highers in S5.
Tarbert Academy statistics show the school’s pass rate at Higher level in 2013 was more than three times the national average, where 13 per cent of students in Scotland gained five or more Highers in S5. The average in Argyll and Bute is 13.1 per cent.
In August, the Argyllshire Advertiser reported that three of Tarbert Academy’s 15 S5 pupils were awarded A grades in their Highers. Twelve of those 15 students have continued their education into S6.
And while Tarbert’s small school roll can impact percentages, the school’s head teacher Neil McKnight states the school has consistently produced strong results at Higher and Standard Grade level. “We have small numbers so one pupil would represent a significant percentage. However, we consistently produce excellent results and compare well with high achieving schools in Scotland. That is not only on academic results, but across the wider curriculum. We do add value to the education of our children.”
He added: “It helps being a small school to establish good working relationships between staff and students. The teachers know them [students] well; they know how to get the best out of them. We have excellent staff and children to work with.”
It is hoped students in the current S5 year group will also perform well in their Highers following Standard Grade results. In 2012, 71 per cent of S4 students gained five or more credits at level 5.
The league table, created by The Scotsman, showed the highest performing schools, based on higher results at S5, were based in affluent areas with Renfrewshire Council home to the top three schools - St Ninian’s High School, Williamwood High School and Mearns Castle High School.