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.
| Academic Year / League Table | National Rank (Out of ~350 State Schools) | 5+ Higher Attainment Rate (S5) | Context |
| 2026 Table (Current) | Joint 5th | 79% | Latest ranking is the highest in the school’s history and ties with Bearsden Academy |
| 2025 Table | 6th | 75% | Reaches a place in the top ten for second year running |
| 2024 Table | 6th | 74% | Exams take place in the new campus for the first time |
| 2023 Table | 12th | 68% | Improvements in highers achieved after Covid |
| 2022 Table | 19th | 60.5% | Moved into the new Cowal Road facility midway through this tracking phase |
| 2021 Table | 9th | 73% | High rank driven by the temporary SQA Alternative Certification Model (Teacher Assessments) |
| 2020 Table | 28th | — | Historic baseline position before infrastructure investments. |
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.
| Holiday / Term Event | School Closes (End of Day) | School Re-opens (Pupils Return) |
| Teachers Return (In-Service) | Thursday 13 August 2026 (In-Service Day 1)
Friday 14 August 2026 (In-Service Day 2) | — |
| Autumn Term Starts | — | Monday 17 August 2026 |
| September Weekend | Thursday 24 September 2026 | Tuesday 29 September 2026 |
| October Half-Term Break | Thursday 8 October 2026
(Friday 9 October is an In-Service Day) | Monday 19 October 2026 |
| Christmas & New Year Holidays | Friday, December 18, 2026 | Tuesday 5 January 2027 |
| February Mid-Term Break | Friday, February 12, 2027
(Wednesday 17 February is an In-Service Day) | Thursday, February 18, 2027 |
| Easter Weekend | Thursday, March 25, 2027 | Tuesday, March 30, 2027 |
| Spring Break (Easter Holidays) | Friday, April 2, 2027 | Monday, April 19, 2027 |
| May Day Holiday | Friday, April 30, 2027
(Tuesday 4 May is an In-Service Day) | Wednesday 5 May 2027 |
| May Bank Holiday Weekend | Thursday 27 May 2027 | Tuesday, June 1, 2027 |
| Summer Holidays Begin | Wednesday 30 June 2027
(Early closure time applies) | — |
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.
| Metric / Feature | Bearsden Academy | Boclair Academy |
| National Ranking (Scotland) | Joint #5 | Joint #5 |
| 5+ Higher S5 Pass Rate (2026) | 79% | 79% |
| Education Scotland Rating | Excellent | Excellent |
| School Campus Condition | Traditional PPP Build (Maintained) | Brand New State-of-the-Art £40m+ Campus |
| Approximate Student Roll | ~1,200 pupils | ~1,000 pupils |
| Feeder Primary Schools | Baljaffray, Bearsden, Castlehill, Mosshead | Killermont, Westerton, Colquhoun Park, Torrance |
| Main Catchment Areas | Bearsden (North, West, Central Cross) | Bearsden (East, South/Westerton), Torrance |
| Tuition Fees | £0 (State Funded) | £0 (State Funded) |
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.
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