The 8 South Lanarkshire high schools among Scotland’s top performers
These South Lanarkshire secondary schools have maintained consistently high levels of student achievement.
Each of these South Lanarkshire schools has been measured on the percentage of pupils who received the Scottish Government’s educational “gold standard” of five Highers, or their equivalent, in 2025 – based on data published by the Scottish Government on its own website.
These Higher result tables do not reflect schools or rank them in terms of ‘best to worst’ as that would fail to take into account factors such as the support offered to children with complex needs, the effort and quality of the teaching staff, working conditions for said staff, quality of the student experience, the funding the school receives from South Lanarkshire Council, or whether or not the school is serving an underprivileged and disadvantaged area within the local authority.
Here are the eight South Lanarkshire high schools among Scotland's top performers in 2026 based on the latest available data.
Strathaven Academy
Strathaven Academy tops the list in South Lanarkshire with 61% of pupils achieving at least five or more Highers. They rank as the 33rd best performing secondary school in Scotland.
Google MapsTrinity High School
Trinity High School is the second best performing school in South Lanarkshire and has a success rate of 60% of pupils gaining five or more Higher qualifications. Trinity High School was the 36th best performing high school in Scotland.
Google MapsSt Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School
St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School is the third best performing high school in South Lanarkshire with 58% of pupils leaving school with five or more Highers. The school is ranked as Scotland's 40th best performing high school.
Google MapsSt John Ogilvie High School
St John Ogilvie High School is the fourth highest ranked school in South Lanarkshire with 55% of pupils achieving at least five Higher qualifications. They rank as the 53rd best performing high school in Scotland.
Google MapsBiggar High School
Biggar High School saw 54% of their pupils achieve at least five Higher qualifications. It ranks fifth in South Lanarkshire and 56th in Scotland.
Google MapsHoly Cross High School
Holy Cross High School is the sixth best performing secondary school in South Lanarkshire as 50% of pupils gained at leave five Highers or more in 2025. Overall, Holy Cross High School ranks as the 69th best performing school in the country.
South Lanarkshire CouncilCathkin High School
Cathkin High School saw 44% of pupils achieve five or more Highers, placing the school seventh in South Lanarkshire and 107th across Scotland.
Google MapsUddingston Grammar School
Uddingston Grammar School ranked eighth among secondary schools in South Lanarkshire and 119th across Scotland, with 43% of pupils achieving five or more Highers.
Google Maps