Jordanhill School in Glasgow, which regularly outperforms rivals in the state sector, came joint top of The Herald’s school league tables alongside Williamwood High School, in East Renfrewshire. Both had 39% of pupils achieving five or more Highers this year, the benchmark used by The Herald to formulate the tables.
But Jordanhill -- the only publicly funded school not under local authority control -- has seen its performance dip, while Williamwood has improved in recent years.
In the independent sector, the High School of Glasgow came top of the larger private schools with 76% of its pupils achieving the benchmark.
The only school to outperform it was St Mary’s Music School in Edinburgh, where 83% of pupils achieved five or more Highers. However, the school only had eight pupils sitting Highers in S5 compared to 99 at the High School. Hutchesons’ Grammar School in Glasgow also performed well, with 74% achieving the benchmark.
John Fitzpatrick, headteacher of Williamwood High in Clarkston, said: “We are pleased, but we are not taking anything for granted. We have seen year-on-year improvements and have taken some big steps forward, but we still view the transformation as a work in progress.”
Dr Paul Thomson, rector of Jordanhill School, also welcomed the results, stating: “We are delighted we have been able to sustain the same excellent results that we have enjoyed in the past and that is a tribute to the commitment and hard work of the staff and the support of parents.”
Colin Mair, rector of The High School of Glasgow, said: “It is particularly pleasing that such a high percentage of our pupils enjoy exam success, which reflects well on our very positive ethos. Our pupils benefit from their participation in a wide range of cultural, sporting and other extra-curricular activities.”
SUCCESS IS NOT JUST ABOUT RAW RESULTS: John Paul Academy, Glasgow
ONE of the most improved schools in Scotland is John Paul Academy in Glasgow.
Until recently, the secondary in Summerston was struggling to cope with serving one of the most deprived areas in the city.
Pupils’ attainment was low, exclusions were some of the highest in the country and truancy was rife. Even worse, a 2008 report by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Education highlighted one of the weakest areas of the school’s performance as its ability to improve itself.
All that changed under new headteacher Vincent Docherty. After 15 months in post, Mr Docherty has presided over a 98% reduction in exclusions -- and, most crucially, an improvement in exam results.
This year, the proportion of pupils passing three or more Highers in S5 rose from 5% to 7%, while the percentage of S4 pupils achieving five or more Standard Grades went up from 11% to 17%. The proportion of pupils achieving basic reading, writing and maths skills has also seen a sharp rise.
Mr Docherty believes the improvements stem from strategies to improve attendance and punctuality, behaviour and attainment. He added: “When I took over, there were four guidance teachers and we increased that to 17, so every pupil is much better known by a key individual.”
The school also created a pupil support centre which allows those at risk of being expelled to address their behaviour while still learning.
Mr Docherty said: “We know we have a long way to go, but this is a very good start for us.”
SUCCESS IS NOT JUST ABOUT RAW RESULTS: John Paul Academy, Glasgow
GOOD START: Headteacher Vincent Docherty with Jack Griffiths and Nicole Hampson.
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