Schools by area › West Lothian › West Calder High School
West Calder High School
Secondary · Ages 11–18 · Council school
Limefield Lane, Polbeth, WEST CALDER EH55 8BF · wchs.westlothian.org.uk · 01506 871510
On the mapSearch near EH55 8BF
Overview
- Leavers, 2024/25
- 98%
- in a positive destination · virtual comparator 95%, Scotland 96%
- Pupils
- 1,245
- September 2025 census
- Local authority
- West Lothian
- Departments
- Secondary
- Denomination
- Non-denominational
- Medium of education
- English medium
- Teachers
- 82.6
- Full-time equivalent
- Pupils per teacher
- 15.1
- Additional support needs
- 689 pupils (55%)
- English as an additional language
- 149 pupils (12%)
- Free school meals, P6 and older
- 16.9% (211 pupils)
- Most deprived areas
- 6%
- 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 West Calder High School in 2024/25 were in a positive destination (higher or further education, training, employment, voluntary work or an activity agreement), against 95% for its virtual comparator, a matched group of similar pupils from other schools and 96% across Scotland.
76% left with literacy and numeracy at SCQF level 5 or better (virtual comparator 65%).
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 · 200 leavers | Trend | School | Scotland | Comparator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment for all (tariff points) | ||||
| ▲230 | 132 | 106 | ||
| ▲947 | 874 | 733 | ||
| ●2,033 | 1,965 | 1,837 | ||
| Literacy and numeracy | ||||
| ▲93% | 89% | 87% | ||
| ▲96% | 93% | 92% | ||
| ▲96% | 91% | 90% | ||
| ▲76% | 70% | 65% | ||
| ●82% | 82% | 79% | ||
| ▲84% | 73% | 69% | ||
| Where leavers went | ||||
| ●98% | 96% | 95% | ||
Inspection
Education Scotland’s latest graded inspection on file (inspection, report published 10 May 2016) graded it 1 to 6 on each quality indicator: Improvements in performance 4 (good); Learners’ experiences 3 (satisfactory); Meeting learning needs 2 (weak); The curriculum 3 (satisfactory); Improvement through self-evaluation 4 (good).
- Report published
- 10 May 2016
- Inspection · Education Scotland
Quality indicators
| Improvements in performance | 4 · Good |
|---|---|
| Learners’ experiences | 3 · Satisfactory |
| Meeting learning needs | 2 · Weak |
| The curriculum | 3 · Satisfactory |
| Improvement through self-evaluation | 4 · Good |