Schools by area › Na h-Eileanan an Iar › The Nicolson Institute
The Nicolson Institute
Secondary · Ages 11–18 · Council school
Stornoway, Lewis HS1 2PZ · nicolsoninstitute.org · 01851 707000
Overview
- Leavers, 2024/25
- 95%
- in a positive destination · virtual comparator 94%, Scotland 96%
- Pupils
- 1,059
- September 2025 census
- Local authority
- Na h-Eileanan an Iar
- Departments
- Secondary
- Denomination
- Non-denominational
- Medium of education
- English medium, with a Gaelic medium stream
- Gaelic for learners
- Provided
- Taught as a subject
- Special unit
- Has an integrated special unit
- Teachers
- 83.8
- Full-time equivalent
- Pupils per teacher
- 12.6
- Additional support needs
- 444 pupils (42%)
- English as an additional language
- 25 pupils (2%)
- Taught in Gaelic
- 681 pupils (64%)
- Gaelic medium or learner
- Free school meals, P6 and older
- 11% (117 pupils)
- Most deprived areas
- 0%
- 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
95% of the pupils who left The Nicolson Institute in 2024/25 were in a positive destination (higher or further education, training, employment, voluntary work or an activity agreement), against 94% for its virtual comparator, a matched group of similar pupils from other schools and 96% across Scotland.
60% left with literacy and numeracy at SCQF level 5 or better (virtual comparator 64%).
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 · 183 leavers | Trend | School | Scotland | Comparator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attainment for all (tariff points) | ||||
| ▼71 | 132 | 100 | ||
| ▼696 | 874 | 724 | ||
| ▼1,599 | 1,965 | 1,888 | ||
| Literacy and numeracy | ||||
| ▼86% | 89% | 86% | ||
| hidden | 93% | hidden | ||
| hidden | 91% | hidden | ||
| ▼60% | 70% | 64% | ||
| ▼78% | 82% | 77% | ||
| ▼61% | 73% | 68% | ||
| Where leavers went | ||||
| ●95% | 96% | 94% | ||
hidden: too few pupils to publish
Inspection
Education Scotland’s latest graded inspection on file (short inspection, report published 16 January 2024) graded it 1 to 6 on each quality indicator: Learning, teaching and assessment 3 (satisfactory); Raising attainment and achievement 3 (satisfactory).
- Report published
- 16 Jan 2024
- Short inspection · Education Scotland
Quality indicators
| Learning, teaching and assessment | 3 · Satisfactory |
|---|---|
| Raising attainment and achievement | 3 · Satisfactory |
Previously: inspection, Aug 2011
Earlier inspections
Before October 2016
Aug 2011Inspection
Improvements in performance 2 · Weak Learners’ experiences 4 · Good Meeting learning needs 3 · Satisfactory The curriculum 4 · Good Improvement through self-evaluation 3 · Satisfactory