Scotland’s highest-achieving primary and secondary schools have been revealed in the 33rd edition of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026 - with nine of the best awarded accolades.
Recognised as the definitive ranking of the UK’s top primary and secondary state and independent schools, the guide aims to be an essential resource for parents seeking the very best in education for their children.
The guide includes a fully searchable national database of more than 2,000 schools by name, local authority, town and postcode - along with an assessment of academic results on a school-by-school basis.
Helen Davies, editor of The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide, said: “The educational landscape is testing – budget challenges, rising student mental health issues, special educational needs and an increasingly uncertain future. But there is also so much to celebrate from the dedication of teachers who are finding ever more innovative and impactful ways to enrich their students and give them the very best start in life.
“As well as celebrating the academic excellence of the top schools it is uplifting to see how they are shaping their students to be ready for the 21st century, and instilling a lifelong love of learning.”
The guide is available online here and will be available in print in a 28-page supplement in the newspaper on Sunday, December 7.
Here are the nine Scottish secondary schools singled out by the report’s authors.
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1. Douglas Academy
Douglas Academy, in Milngavie just outside Glasgow, has been crowned the Scottish State Secondary School of the Year. Established in 1967, it serves the areas of Milngavie, Craigton and Baldernock, and has a roll of around 1,040 pupils. | Google Maps
2. Aberdeen Grammar School
Aberdeen Grammar School is the runner-up Scottish State Secondary School of the Year in The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026. Situated on Skene Street, near the city centre, it's one of the oldest schools in Scotland, with a history dating back over 750 years. It has a current school roll of around 1,310 pupils. | Google Maps
3. Dunfermline High School
Dunfermline High School was highly commended in the Scottish State Secondary School of the Year category. Founded in 1468, as well as Dunfermline it also caters for pupils from Kincardine, Rosyth and surrounding villages. It has a school roll of around 1,450 pupils. | Google Maps
4. Woodfarm High School
Woodfarm High School was also highly commended in the Scottish State Secondary School of the Year category. Founded in 1962 in the Woodfarm area of East Renfrewshire, just outside Glasgow, it has a school roll of around 710. | Google Maps