Turnbull High School is a Roman Catholic secondary school located in Bishopbriggs. Approximately 650 pupils attend the school each year and places are sought after. Combining faith based values and an excellent curriculum for local Catholic pupils in the East Dunbartonshire area.

Read our guide to the school and find the latest Turnbull High ranking, useful resources for pupils and parents, and more information about the school.

What Rank is Turnbull High School?

Turnbull High currently ranks 21st in the country and has consistently ranked in the top 25 secondary schools in Scotland for the past 5 years. The school adds to the impressive list of East Dunbartonshire schools that rank high each year in the school league tables.

Turnbull High School Catchment Area

Turnbull High School is a Catholic high school, so the catchment area works differently from the likes of Bishopbriggs Academy. The catchment zone covers a broader area as Turnbull High is the only secondary Catholic school in the area.

Children living in Bishopbriggs, Torrance, Lennoxtown, Bearsden, and Milngavie can attend Turnbull High School. Due to the limited places at the school, the local council is strict with the admission policy and catchment zone.

Primary Feeder schools for Turnbull High School

Catholic families living within the boundaries of any of the following primary schools will be guaranteed a place at Turnbull High.

• St. Helen’s Primary School: Catchment zone covers Bishopbriggs, including Cleddens Park, Woodhill, King’s Meadow, Bishop’s Meadow, and Auchinairn.
• St. Matthew’s Primary School: Covers the west and north part of Bishopbriggs.
• St. Machan’s Primary School: Torrence and Campsie fall under St. Machan’s Primary catchment zone.
• St. Nicolas’ Primary School: Pupils will be guaranteed a place at Turnbull High School.
• St. Joseph’s Primary School: Milngavie pupils attending St. Joseph’s will gain a place.

Admission Policy for Turnbull High School

With a top 30 ranking and a catchment zone covering a large area for pupils, Turnbull High is extremely difficult to get an out-of-catchment placing request.

East Dunbartonshire Council follows a strict admission policy as shown below.

1. Baptised Roman Catholic pupils living within the Turnbull High catchment zone and attending a feeder primary school will be priority.
2. Non-Catholic children living within the catchment zone and attending one of the above primary schools will be guaranteed a place.
3. Roman Catholic pupils living outside the catchment zone and not attending a feeder primary school will have the last opportunity to get a place at the school.

If you are thinking of moving to Bishopbriggs to secure a place at the school, make sure to submit the address before the 15th March deadline. East Dunbartonshire Council requires a child benefit document confirming the address, a utility bill within the last 3 months, and your latest Council Tax notice.

Find another E. Dunbartonshire high school guide here for Boclair Academy. 

Turnbull High School Term Dates & Holidays

Find the 2026/2027 Turnbull High School term dates and holidays below. The school follows the same program as all the East Dunbartonshire High Schools.

Famous People Who Went to Turnbull High

Turnbull High School has some famous alumni you may have heard of.

• James McFadden: Earned 48 caps for the Scotland football team and had an equally impressive club team record playing with Everton, Birmingham City, and Motherwell.
• Stephen Maguire: Pro snooker player and ranked the 2nd best in the world. Bagged six ranking titles, reached the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship, and won the UK Championship.
• Nicky Delvin: Played for Aberdeen and Livingston FC plus the Scotland National Team.
• Gary Britton: Another pro footballer who attended Turnbull High. Became the Chief Executive of Partick Thistle F.C. after playing for the team.
• Paul Sweeney: Served as a Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Glasgow North East region.
• Alberto Costa: Served as a parliamentary private secretary and a Member of Parliament (MP) for South Leicestershire.
• Johnathan Rice: Singer-songwriter who attended Turnbull High before moving to the US. Played Roy Orbison in Walk the Line, released several solo albums, and collaborated with many stars including Elvis Costello.
• Frances Mayli McCann: Starred as Bonnie Parker in Bonnie & Clyde and the stage and screen actress has appeared on the BBC and other West End shows in London.
• Nieve Jennings: Represented Scotland in Miss World and the Miss United Kingdom competitions after winning Miss Scotland.

Helpful Links for Turnbull High Parents and Pupils

Find a few useful resources below for pupils attending Turnbull High School.

• Turnbull High School Placing Request: Submit your placing request to the school through the East Dunbartonshire Council website. All out of catchment area requests must be made by the 15th of March.
• SQA Statistics: Find the latest Higher results for Turnbull High School, exam boundaries, pass rates, National 5 and Higher frameworks.
• Free School Meals & Uniform Grant: Check if your son or daughter is able to get free school meals or a school clothing grant on the E. Dunbartonshire Council site.

FAQs

Is Turnbull High School a Catholic School?

Yes, Turnbull High is a Catholic secondary school for children living in East Dunbartonshire.

How Old is Turnbull High?

Turnbull High School is 49 years old and was built in 1976. The old school has since been demolished, and a new campus was built in 2007, with a sports hall built in 2003 also part of the new facilities.

What is the Motto of Turnbull High School?

Respice Finem is the school motto for Turnbull High. Latin for Look to the end or Look to the goal, to encourage pupils to look at long-term goals and not short-term ones.