Boclair Academy in Bearsden, East Dunbartonshire is currently ranked 5th in the national school league. With over 1,000 pupils and a 79% five-plus Higher pass rate, the school is definitely considered a good school.

Students learn within a state-of-the-art £40-million campus featuring advanced STEM hubs and elite sports infrastructure.

Parents and pupils can find a detailed guide to Boclair Academy below including information on the catchment zone, what makes the school standout, and much more.

Boclair Academy Ranking for Schools in Scotland

Boclair Academy ranked joint 5th with Bearsden Academy in 2026 and the highest position in its history. The headmaster and Boclair Academy staff made vast improvements since 2022.

Combined with the new campus, the efforts paid off with a higher attainment rate each year since and a top ten place in the national school rankings.

Boclair Academy School Holidays 2026/ 2027

Find the school holiday calendar for Boclair Academy below.

The in-service days after the mid-term breaks in February and May are not when the pupils return, but the day after. So, Thursday 18th Feb and Wednesday 5th May are the dates Boclair pupils should return.

Boclair Academy New Campus

Boclair Academy’s new building and campus is a state-of-the-art facility designed to move away from the old style school buildings. Students are greeted by a bright entrance with open plan spaces, huge windows to bring in natural light, and interactive spaces.

Scienti laboratories, kitchens for hospitality classes, and technical workshops are all located in the STEM Zone. A modern drama studio, dance room, and music suite are located on the top floor to take advantage of the unobstructed daylight.

Sports facilities at Boclair have seen a massive improvement with full-size football pitches with floodlights and 3G synthetic turf and also grass fields for the summer months.

How do Boclair & Bearsden Academy Compare?

Boclair Academy and Bearsden Academy are both located in Bearsden but have separate catchment areas. Families moving to Bearsden typically choose between the two areas of the town, depending on the catchment areas of both schools.

Pupils share a friendly rivalry with pupils from the other school, with their school football teams and other sports competing regularly.

Catchment Differences

Pupils living in the central cross, Mosshead, and the Castlehill area of Bearsden all fall into the Bearsden Academy catchment zone.

Eastern and southern parts of the town, including Westerton, Killermont, and Torrance village, are in the catchment area of Boclair Academy.

Schools Campuses

Boclair’s new £40 million state-of-the-art building has indoor sports halls, digital learning zones, and design labs. Bearsden Academy does have an impressive modern campus, but with the huge investment for Boclair Academy, more families are already hoping to place their kids in the sought-after East Dunbartonshire high school.

Transport to Boclair Academy

Getting to Boclair Academy is relatively straightforward for pupils living in the catchment area and outside the border. Parents can use the school bus, nearby rail links, and other routes.

Boclair Academy School Bus

East Dunbartonshire Council works with Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) to provide school buses for Boclair Academy pupils. The services will run straight to the school gates in the morning before start-time and leave just after the school bell in the afternoon.

Any pupil living 3+ miles away from Boclair Academy will automatically receive a free bus pass. Children in Scotland under the age of 22 can also travel for free by bus under the Scottish Government’s nationwide concessionary scheme.

Torrance Service

Pupils living in Torrance are entitled to the bus pass. Buses run in the morning and after school. Student will be required to show their SPT travel pass to the driver when boarding the bus.

Westerton and Killermont Bus Routes

Pupils who live in Westerton, Canniesburn, or the Killermont area can use standard bus routes that run directly to the school. Buses run along Milngavie Road, Roman Road, and Boclair Road.

Midland Bluebird and other bus operators will drop pupils off at the Rannoch Drive bus stop and the centre of Bearsden.

Rail Connectivity to Boclair

Hillfoot is the closest train station for pupils to reach the school. Walking from here to the campus is approx. 1 mile and takes around 20 minutes. Pupils can also catch a bus from the station to nearer the school.

Helpful Links for Boclair Parents & Pupils

A few sources for navigating admissions and life at Boclair Academy.

• East Dunbartonshire School Admissions: Verify your postcode falls under the Boclair Academy catchment zone, submit proof of address, and more.
• Satchel One: Pupils and parents can login to check assignments, timetables, and any deadlines for projects.
• Education Scotland Parentzone: Find the latest inspection status for schools including Boclair, learning tools for outside school hours, and more.

FAQs

Answering a few questions parents or pupils might have about Boclair Academy, Bearsden.

Is Boclair Academy a Good School?

Yes, Boclair Academy is a good school with a massive improvement in recent years. The new modern campus has correlated with an increase in higher attainment rates the past 3 years and in 2026, Boclair Academy ranked 5th in national school rankings.

Who is the Headmaster at Boclair Academy?

Douglas Brown is the headmaster at Boclair Academy. Helping increase the school’s success in student exam results and implementing a supportive and inclusive place for students and staff.

How Many Pupils at Boclair Academy?

Boclair Academy has a capacity of 1,050 pupils at its new campus. The school is usually at full campus, so for students and parents hoping to gain a place outside of the catchment zone of Boclair Academy, the chances are limited.

Is Boclair Academy a Catholic School?

No, Boclair Academy is not a Catholic school but a Non-denominational secondary school servicing pupils in Bearsden and nearby areas.