Unlock potential and achieve excellence

The focus at the High School of Dundee is on enabling every pupil to achieve their full potential. The Integrated Curriculum therefore brings together the academic, the co-curricular and pupil health and wellbeing to provide a co-ordinated, genuine all-round education with the pupil at the heart.

The High School has a longestablished record of academic excellence.

In the 2018 SQA exams that was reflected in our S5 pupils achieving a record Higher A-C pass rate of 96.8% (the best north of the Forth) and securing a record average of 4.5 Higher passes each. A rate of 61% of Higher passes were achieved at A grade and more than a quarter of the S5 year group achieved 5 A grades. The Advanced Higher pass rate was 93.3%, with 51% gained at A grade, while at N5, the pass rate was 95.3%, 66.7% of which were A grades.

In addition, in 2018 pupils recorded some remarkable individual achievements.

One gained at least the joint top mark in the country in Higher maths, another scored the top mark in Scotland for Advanced Higher maths, and one pupil achieved at least the joint top mark in the country in N5 French.

These achievements do not take place in a vacuum.

The school’s highly-developed pastoral care system is woven into the fabric of everyday life, ensuring that pupils have all the support they need to flourish and achieve the best they can.

Throughout the school, class sizes are kept small so that pupils receive all the attention they need to develop and progress.

In the primary years, children receive subject specialist teaching in science, modern languages, ICT, art, music, drama, PE and home economics. This provides a real head start.

Choice is paramount. In S3, pupils continue to choose eight subjects, while in S5 they can select from 26 subjects at Higher level.

At Advanced Higher, 21 subjects are available. Pupils are able to take all three sciences (biology, chemistry and physics) concurrently from N5 through to Advanced Higher level.

Opportunity extends far beyond the classroom.

Pupils have access to a range of almost 100 inspiring co-curricular activities, they take advantage of our outstanding indoor and outdoor sports facilities at the school’s Mayfield campus, and they have the chance to take part in life changing trips.

Means-tested financial assistance is available in the Senior School and in P6 and P7 of the Junior School.

Early Years funding towards places at the purpose-built nursery at Mayfield is also available. The friendly facility is open to all, from 7.30am to 6pm, 50 weeks of the year.

Dedicated bus services are offered from various locations in Angus and Perthshire and, in addition to the existing Fife service, another one has been added, stopping at Glenrothes, Freuchie, Ladybank, Cupar, Dairsie and Balmullo.

High School of Dundee provides an excellent education with the pupil at heart.