The Parent Power 2026 guide looks at academic achievement in state and independent schools across the UK, allowing parents to search schools by area.
Now in its 33rd edition, The Sunday Times Parent Power Guide 2026 is widely acknowledged as the most authoritative survey of the country’s top schools.
The guide includes a fully searchable national database of mwore than 2,000 schools by name, local authority, town and postcode. As well as an assessment of academic results on a school-by-school basis, Parent Power enables parents to compare the performance of a given school with other schools in the same area, local authority or nationally.
Here are 20 Edinburgh schools which have been ranked among the best in the country.
9. Merchiston Castle School
Merchiston Castle School was ranked 248th in the UK independent school category, up 40 places from last year. 63.6 per cent of pupils achieved an A or B grade at A-level, with 54.6 per cent achieving a 7, 8 or 9 grade in their GCSE. Merchiston Castle School opened the Forest Nursery and Forest Junior School in 2024 to meet demand for outdoor learning. Photo: Submitted
10. Broughton High School
Broughton High School was ranked the 35th best Scottish state secondary school. 70 per cent of pupils achieved five or more Highers (A to C grade) with 77 per cent of pupils passing five or more National 5 exams (A to C bracket) | Google
11. Balerno Community High School
Balerno High School was ranked joint 52nd in the Scottish state secondary school category, down 23 places from last year. 50 per cent of pupils achieved five or more Highers (A to C grade) with 74 per cent of pupils passing five or more National 5 exams (A to C bracket) | Google
12. Craigmount High School
Craigmount High School was ranked the 26th best Scottish state secondary school, up 4 places from last year. 61 per cent of pupils achieved five or more Highers (A to C grade) with 82 per cent of pupils passing five or more National 5 exams (A to C bracket) Photo: Third Party