And teachers and parents are celebrating today after Boroughmuir High School was the only Edinburgh state school to appear in Scotland’s top 10, coming in at number six. Fettes College and St Mary’s School of Music, meanwhile, were named The Sunday Times Scotland Independent Secondary Schools of the Year. The Sunday Times’ Schools Guide 2023, called Parent Power, was published today and names the best and highest performing schools across the country and is billed as “the definitive guide to secondary schools”. In Scotland’s thriving independent sector, St Mary’s School of Music in Edinburgh, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, tops the list of independent schools following the Scottish education system. Fettes College, alma mater of Tony Blair, actress Tilda Swinton and fictional James Bond, tops the table for fee-paying schools in Scotland offering A-levels and GCSEs. The rankings in Scotland are based on 2021 data, the latest available from the Scottish Government for state schools based on teacher-rated grades. For consistency, the guide used the same year’s results for the independent sector. You can search over 1,600 schools by name, local authority, city and postcode, enabling families to find the best school in their area. Parent Power is widely recognized as the most authoritative survey of the nation’s best schools. Rankings in Scottish secondary league tables are determined by the proportion of pupils gaining five or more National 5 passes, five or more Highers and the proportion gaining two or more Highers. Helen Davies, editor of the guide, said: “These have been a difficult few years for teachers, pupils and their parents and the success of many in our league table is testament to the resilience and support shown by all concerned. “It’s also clear that more attention is being paid to wellness and mental health – from meditation rooms to counseling and even therapy dogs – and schools are being proactive to bring about positive change. “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 great work. We want our children to be well nurtured and well educated. “Choosing a school is one of the biggest decisions parents make in their family life and Parent Power and The Sunday Times are here to help.” read more The Edinburgh Heriot-Watt student graduated while living with her family in the refugee …
