An annual list by The Times and The Sunday Times reveals a ranking of which schools are the 'best and worst' performing across the country.

The positionings are based on the percentage of pupils achieving the Scottish Government’s 'gold standard' of five Highers or equivalent.

Highest ranked in East Lothian is North Berwick High School, which is positioned at 14th – a jump from sitting in spot 28 last year.

READ MORE: New list reveals East Lothian's top 15 primary schools

The percentage of pupils who achieved fiver or more Highers saw a sizeable increase, up to 70 per cent – previous figures were 59 per cent last year and 51 per cent the year prior.

Haddington’s Knox Academy also increased its placing for the third consecutive year, appearing at 99, up from 124 the year before.

The school saw 43 per cent of its pupils achieve five Highers, an increase from 40 per cent, which was already up from 37 per cent the year before. 

Dunbar Grammar School ranks 123rd on the list, up two places from 125th last year, with 41 per cent of pupils achieving the suggested qualifications, a one per cent increase on last year's figures.

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East Lothian Council noted that, although a "useful measure", using the benchmark of five Higher qualifications "does not reflect the full picture" of pupils' achievements.

The local authority added that the rankings also did not take into account a range of courses on offer to students, including foundation apprenticeships, national progression awards and vocational qualifications.

These are often delivered in partnership with industry or college, which, according to the council, gives young people "an insight into, and advantage in, life beyond school".

Ross High School in Tranent came in at 210 on the list, a significant rise from its placing at 251 in 2024, and saw an increase of pupils achieving five Highers, from 28 per cent last year up to 32 per cent.

Preston Lodge High School followed closely behind and was ranked at 220th at 32 per cent, up from 264th last year, while Musselburgh Grammar School came in at 254th, with 29 per cent achieving the five Highers; it had placed 263rd last year. 

Wallyford’s new secondary school, Rosehill High School, has not yet been open for long enough to be included on the list, having first welcomed pupils through its doors in August 2023.

Scotland-wide, Jordanhill School in Glasgow placed first once more with a 94 per cent success rate – the eighth year in a row the school has topped the list.

A spokesperson for East Lothian Council said: "Our raising attainment strategy aims to increase opportunity and achievement for all of our learners.

"Our education team works closely with headteachers and school teams to track progress across a number of measures to ensure that all pupils are supported to reach their full potential in whatever route they choose.”