Schools by area › Fife › Balwearie High School
Balwearie High School
Secondary · Ages 11–18 · Council school
Balwearie Gardens, Kirkcaldy KY2 5LY · balweariehigh.co.uk · 01592 583402
Overview
- Leavers, 2024/25
- 98%
- in a positive destination · virtual comparator 96%, Scotland 96%
- Pupils
- 1,574
- September 2025 census
- Local authority
- Fife
- Departments
- Secondary
- Denomination
- Non-denominational
- Medium of education
- English medium
- Special unit
- Has an integrated special unit
- Teachers
- 111.8
- Full-time equivalent
- Pupils per teacher
- 14.1
- Additional support needs
- 749 pupils (48%)
- English as an additional language
- 150 pupils (10%)
- Free school meals, P6 and older
- 18.6% (293 pupils)
- Most deprived areas
- 19%
- Most deprived fifth (SIMD)
From the Scottish Government’s school contact details, school level summary statistics and School Roll and Locations, and its leaver results (data.gov.scot).
Results
98% of the pupils who left Balwearie High School in 2024/25 were in a positive destination (higher or further education, training, employment, voluntary work or an activity agreement), against 96% for its virtual comparator, a matched group of similar pupils from other schools and 96% across Scotland.
70% left with literacy and numeracy at SCQF level 5 or better (virtual comparator 72%).
Scotland’s own measures, not GCSE or A level results, and never set beside England’s. The virtual comparator is not a school.
Middle 60% attainment for all (tariff points)
| 2024/25 · 256 leavers | Trend | School | Scotland | Comparator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment for all (tariff points) | ||||
| ▼109 | 132 | 133 | ||
| ▲920 | 874 | 958 | ||
| ●2,019 | 1,965 | 2,020 | ||
| Literacy and numeracy | ||||
| ●89% | 89% | 90% | ||
| ●91% | 93% | 93% | ||
| ●91% | 91% | 92% | ||
| ●70% | 70% | 72% | ||
| ●84% | 82% | 82% | ||
| ●71% | 73% | 75% | ||
| Where leavers went | ||||
| ●98% | 96% | 96% | ||
Inspection
Education Scotland’s latest graded inspection on file (full inspection, report published 16 January 2018) graded it 1 to 6 on each quality indicator: Leadership of change 3 (satisfactory); Learning, teaching and assessment 3 (satisfactory); Raising attainment and achievement 3 (satisfactory); Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion 2 (weak).
- Report published
- 16 Jan 2018
- Full inspection · Education Scotland
Quality indicators
| Leadership of change | 3 · Satisfactory |
|---|---|
| Learning, teaching and assessment | 3 · Satisfactory |
| Raising attainment and achievement | 3 · Satisfactory |
| Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion | 2 · Weak |