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.
17. Trinity Academy
Trinity Academy was named the 77th best Scottish state secondary school, down 24 places from last year. 48 per cent of pupils achieved five or more Highers (A to C grade) with 67 per cent of pupils passing five or more National 5 exams (A to C bracket) Photo: Third Party
18. James Gillespie's High School
James Gillespie’s High School was named the 11th best Scottish state secondary school, up 16 places from last year. 68 per cent of pupils achieved five or more Highers (A to C grade) with 73 per cent of pupils passing five or more National 5 exams (A to C bracket) | Google
19. Boroughmuir High School
Boroughmuir High School was named the 10th best Scottish state secondary school, down 6 places from last year. 74 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) | Google Maps
20. Fettes College
Fettes College was ranked the 2nd best impendent school in Scotland. 78.5 per cent of pupils achieved an A or B grade in their A-levels with 55.2 cent of pupils gaining an grade 7, 8 or 9 at GCSE level. | PA