Scotland's Best Schools 2025: how East Renfrewshire's seven schools ranked in 2025 league table

By Callum McCormack

News Features Writer

Published 30th Apr 2025, 11:15 BST

Updated 30th Apr 2025, 11:15 BST

Three East Renfrewshire schools made the top 10 list for best in the country according to Scottish Government data.

The best secondary schools in Scotland have been revealed in 2025 league tables published by The Sunday Times. Jordanhill School in Glasgow has confirmed its position as Scotland’s education powerhouse, taking the top spot for the ninth consecutive year.

John Anderson, rector of Jordanhill School, said: “We are delighted for our pupils who have worked incredibly hard to achieve such well-deserved success. We are very fortunate to benefit from a fantastic team of teaching and support staff, and our parents are great supporters of the school.”

Each school has been measured on the percentage of pupils who received the Scottish Government’s educational “gold standard” of five Highers, or their equivalent, in 2024 exam results, based on data published by the Scottish Government.

The rankings do not take into account factors such as the support offered to children with complex needs, the quality of the teaching staff, the nature of the student experience, the funding the school receives from East Renfrewshire Council or a myriad of other factors that make up a good, well-rounded education. The exam results emphasise an attainment gap between schools in affluent areas of East Renfrewshire and those serving areas in the city with high incidence of childhood poverty.

Here are the 20 best schools in Scotland, based on Scottish Government assessment data, published by The Sunday Times.

Mearns Castle High School in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, took second spot in the country with 83% achieving five or more As at Higher. It topped the East Renfrewshire list.

1. Mearns Castle High School

Mearns Castle High School in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, took second spot in the country with 83% achieving five or more As at Higher. It topped the East Renfrewshire list. Photo: contributed

Woodfarm High School is in Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, finished in third in Scotland and second in East Renfrewshire. 83% achieved the gold standard.

2. Woodfarm High School

Woodfarm High School is in Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire, finished in third in Scotland and second in East Renfrewshire. 83% achieved the gold standard. Photo: Amber Allott

Williamwood High School, East Renfrewshire made the top 10 in Scotland, ranking eighth. It was third in East Renfrewshire with 77% attaining the gold standard.

3. Williamwood High School

Williamwood High School, East Renfrewshire made the top 10 in Scotland, ranking eighth. It was third in East Renfrewshire with 77% attaining the gold standard. Photo: Google Maps

Eastwood High is a secondary school in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire. 65% of its students attained five or more Highers, placing it fourth in the county and 18th in Scotland.

4. Eastwood High School

Eastwood High is a secondary school in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire. 65% of its students attained five or more Highers, placing it fourth in the county and 18th in Scotland. | Google

East Renfrewshire Scotland Schools The Sunday Times Glasgow

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