Janice R. Andrews
The Sunday Times has announced the 2024 guide, which includes the top high schools in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Taking first position in the region and a remarkable fifth place nationally in Scotland, Boroughmuir High School’s excellent 79% of students achieved the “gold standard” of five highers.
Glasgow’s Jordanhill School won the top spot nationally with an astounding 89% of students reaching the gold standard. The Sunday Times highlighted the accomplishment’s importance by noting that five highers are a prerequisite for admission to numerous esteemed university programs in Scotland.
Even with the success of Boroughmuir High School, Edinburgh’s educational system was found to be underperforming in comparison to the wealth of the communities they served, with only 1 in 4 city students attending private schools.
The Sunday Times listed the following high schools as being among the top 10 in Edinburgh and the Lothians: Craigmount High School, Balerno Community High School, Edinburgh Royal High School, Firrhill High School, North Berwick High School, St. Margaret’s Academy, and St. Thomas of Aquin’s High School.
Experts, such as Alison Payne of Reform Scotland, advise examining novel approaches that grant school boards more autonomy in order to duplicate the long-term success of establishments such as Jordanhill School. Payne underlined the value of giving head teachers the authority and flexibility to enact policies that are specifically designed to meet the requirements of their respective schools and communities.
The league table for this year shows that Scottish schools are increasingly attaining greater gold standard rates; to be in the top 10, a school must receive at least 70% of the possible points.
Keep checking back for more information on advancements in education in Edinburgh and the Lothian region.
