Schools by area › City of Edinburgh › The Royal High School
The Royal High School
Secondary · Ages 11–18 · Council school
East Barnton Avenue, Edinburgh EH4 6JP · royalhighschool.co.uk · 0131 336 2261
Overview
- Leavers, 2024/25
- 96%
- in a positive destination · virtual comparator 98%, Scotland 96%
- Pupils
- 1,578
- September 2025 census
- Local authority
- City of Edinburgh
- Departments
- Secondary
- Denomination
- Non-denominational
- Teachers
- 112.8
- Full-time equivalent
- Pupils per teacher
- 14
- Additional support needs
- 746 pupils (47%)
- English as an additional language
- 212 pupils (13%)
- Free school meals, P6 and older
- 5.9% (93 pupils)
- Most deprived areas
- 5%
- 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
96% of the pupils who left The Royal High School in 2024/25 were in a positive destination (higher or further education, training, employment, voluntary work or an activity agreement), against 98% for its virtual comparator, a matched group of similar pupils from other schools and 96% across Scotland.
84% left with literacy and numeracy at SCQF level 5 or better (virtual comparator 86%).
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 · 231 leavers | Trend | School | Scotland | Comparator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment for all (tariff points) | ||||
| ▲293 | 132 | 355 | ||
| ▲1,214 | 874 | 1,327 | ||
| ●2,063 | 1,965 | 2,175 | ||
| Literacy and numeracy | ||||
| ▲98% | 89% | 95% | ||
| hidden | 93% | hidden | ||
| ▲98% | 91% | 97% | ||
| ▲84% | 70% | 86% | ||
| hidden | 82% | hidden | ||
| ▲84% | 73% | 87% | ||
| Where leavers went | ||||
| ●96% | 96% | 98% | ||
hidden: too few pupils to publish
Inspection
Education Scotland’s latest graded inspection on file (full inspection, report published 28 February 2023) graded it 1 to 6 on each quality indicator: Leadership of change 6 (excellent); Learning, teaching and assessment 5 (very good); Raising attainment and achievement 5 (very good); Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion 6 (excellent).
- Report published
- 28 Feb 2023
- Full inspection · Education Scotland
Quality indicators
| Leadership of change | 6 · Excellent |
|---|---|
| Learning, teaching and assessment | 5 · Very good |
| Raising attainment and achievement | 5 · Very good |
| Ensuring wellbeing, equality and inclusion | 6 · Excellent |