Highland

195 schools · 163 primary · 29 secondary · 3 open teaching jobs

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195

Schools

29,338

Pupils

2,253

Teachers (FTE)

Open jobs

Highland is one of Scotland's 33 local authorities (councils), responsible for 195 state schools — 163 primary, 29 secondary and 3 special, educating around 29,338 pupils with 2,253 full-time-equivalent teachers. In 2024-25, Highland spent around £7,947 per primary pupil and £9,761 per secondary pupil — above the Scotland averages of £7,606 and £9,338. In 2024-25, 93.5% of school leavers went on to a positive destination (below the Scotland average of 95.7%), and 31.4% left with five or more Highers (Scotland average 40.8%). Schools in Highland are inspected by Education Scotland on a six-point scale. There are currently 3 open teaching jobs across Highland. Browse every school by town, view pupil and staffing data, or compare schools side by side.

Education spending in Highland

Gross council expenditure per pupil/place, shown against the Scotland average (2024-25).

£7,947

per primary pupil

▲ 4%vs Scotland (£7,606)

£9,761

per secondary pupil

▲ 5%vs Scotland (£9,338)

£11,840

per pre-school place

▼ 2%vs Scotland (£12,055)

Source: Local Government Benchmarking Framework (Improvement Service), 2024-25, under the Open Government Licence. A higher figure is typical of rural and island councils, where smaller schools cost more per pupil to run — it does not by itself mean better-resourced classrooms.

School outcomes in Highland

How this council's schools compare to the Scotland average (2024-25). Higher is better.

93.5%

Positive destinations

▼ 2.2 ptsvs Scotland (95.7%)

63%

5+ at National 5

▼ 5.6 ptsvs Scotland (68.6%)

31.4%

5+ Highers

▼ 9.4 ptsvs Scotland (40.8%)

69%

Primary literacy

▼ 5.5 ptsvs Scotland (74.5%)

74.5%

Primary numeracy

▼ 5.8 ptsvs Scotland (80.3%)

90.1%

Attendance rate

▼ 0.9 ptsvs Scotland (91%)

69%

Parents satisfied

—at Scotland avg

Source: Local Government Benchmarking Framework (Improvement Service), 2024-25, under the Open Government Licence. Outcomes are council-wide averages and reflect each school's intake and catchment, not just its teaching.