Strong inspection results highlight quality of Renfrewshire schools

A quarter of all Excellent grades in Scotland during this time were for Renfrewshire schools. Bargarran Primary School, Erskine, achieved an Excellent for Leadership of Change. Glencoats Primary School, Paisley, achieved an Excellent for Learning, Teaching and Assessment.

Achieving these top grades highlights the sector-leading practice taking place in Renfrewshire schools.

Renfrewshire’s results show continued improvement year-on-year. Across all quality indicators, scores increased from 2022-23 through to 2024-25. These improvements reflect the ongoing focus on raising attainment for all.

Renfrewshire also performs above the national average in every quality indicator.

Inspections either use a short or long model. Key areas assessed include leadership, learning and teaching, and wellbeing and attainment.

Councillor Emma Rodden, Education Convener for Renfrewshire Council, welcomed the results. She said: “All children and young people deserve the very best education and support to succeed. These inspection results show the strength and dedication of our schools and teaching staff. Achieving positive grades for all inspected schools is a fantastic achievement. It reflects the hard work taking place every day in our classrooms.

“It is especially encouraging to see continuous improvement year-on-year. I am incredibly proud of what our schools have achieved.

“I want to thank all our staff, pupils and families for their ongoing commitment to our young people.”

Janie O’Neill, Director of Children’s Services, said: “I would like to thank  all our headteachers, staff, pupils, parents and partners for their contribution to these very positive inspection results and for their ongoing dedication to achieving the very best for Renfrewshire’s children and young people. Whilst we are delighted to celebrate these achievements, we will continue to strive to ensure every child and young person has the support, opportunities and encouragement they need to thrive.”

HMiE inspections

School inspections in Scotland are carried out using either a short model (covering two quality indicators) or a long model (covering four quality indicators).

The four key quality indicators are:

• 1.3 Leadership of Change
• 2.3 Learning, Teaching and Assessment
• 3.1 Improving Wellbeing, Equality and Inclusion
• 3.2 Raising Attainment and Achievement.

Renfrewshire inspection results

Renfrewshire has seen improvement across all quality indicators each year from 2022-23 to 2024-25.

Renfrewshire is above the national average across all quality indicators.

A full list of positive inspection reports for Renfrewshire schools and early learning and childcare centres over the last two years is as follows:

• Bargarran Primary, Erskine
• Brediland Primary, Paisley
• Bushes Primary and ELCC, Paisley
• Castlehead High, Paisley
• Glencoats Primary, Paisley
• Gleniffer High, Paisley
• Kilbarchan Primary, Kilbarchan
• Kirklandneuk Primary, Renfrew
• Mossvale Primary and ELCC, Linwood
• Ralston Primary, Paisley
• Rashielea Primary, Erskine
• St Charles’ Primary and ELCC, Paisley
• St James’ Primary, Paisley
• Trinity High, Renfrew
• Williamsburgh Primary, Paisley