Choosing the right secondary school in Renfrewshire is a balance of academic ranking, vocational opportunities, and modern facilities.
The educational landscape in the county has seen a significant shift, with multi-million-pound campus investments and a surge in Positive Destination results.
This guide provides a comprehensive comparison of all 10 secondary schools in Renfrewshire. Helping parents navigate league tables, catchment zones.
Find comprehensive reviews of each Renfrewshire high school at the bottom of the page.
The Renfrewshire secondary school league table rankings are based on the latest SQA attainment data (percentage of pupils achieving 5+ Highers by the end of S5) and Positive Destinations.
Note that Gryffe High continues to hold its position as the top-performing school in the county and is currently ranked joint 19th in all of Scotland.
| Rank | School | Status | 5+ Highers (S5) | Inspection Rating |
| 1 | Gryffe High (Houston) | Non-Denom | 74% | Excellent |
| 2 | St. Andrew’s Academy | Catholic | 52% | Very Good |
| 3 | Park Mains High | Non-Denom | 50% | Good |
| 4 | St. Benedict’s High | Catholic | 49% | Good |
| 5 | Trinity High (Renfrew) | Catholic | 45% | Very Good |
| 6 | Johnstone High | Non-Denom | 42% | Very Good |
| 7 | Castlehead High | Non-Denom | 41% | Very Good |
| 8 | Paisley Grammar | Non-Denom | 39% | Good |
| 9 | Gleniffer High | Non-Denom | 39% | Good |
| 10 | Linwood High | Non-Denom | 36% | Good |
| 11 | Renfrew High | Non-Denom | 34% | Good |
The current academic year has been one of the most transformative in Renfrewshire’s history. With the £170 million investment into the Renfrewshire school estate, the focus has shifted toward Community Campuses that combine elite schooling with public libraries, sports facilities, and adult learning.
Dargavel: Rapid housing growth in Bishopton has made Park Mains High one of the most sought-after (and oversubscribed) schools in Scotland, leading to a massive extension project due for 2027 completion.
The Passivhaus Standard: New builds like the Paisley Grammar Community Campus are being constructed to “Net Zero” standards, making them the most energy-efficient schools in the UK.
Vocational Parity: A National 5 in Creative Industries or Construction is held in the same regard as traditional sciences, a movement led by schools like St Benedict’s and Johnstone High.
The following table of Renfrewshire secondary schools combines academic attainment (5+ Highers), current enrolment status (as of the March 15th deadline), and the core catchment zones for all 10 mainstream high schools.
| School Name | 2026 5+ Higher Rate | Enrollment Status | Primary Catchment Zones |
| Gryffe High | 69% | Capped | Houston, Bridge of Weir, Brookfield |
| Park Mains High | 58% | Oversubscribed | Erskine, Bishopton, Inchinnan, Langbank |
| St. Andrew’s Academy | 55% | Near Capacity | All Paisley (Catholic catchment) |
| Gleniffer High | 49% | Stable | South Paisley, Foxbar, Lochfield |
| Paisley Grammar | 46% | Growing | Town Centre, Gallowhill, Ralston, Shortroods |
| Johnstone High | 42% | Stable | Johnstone, Kilbarchan, Lochwinnoch, Elderslie |
| Renfrew High | 39% | Stable | Renfrew North, Braehead, Arkleston |
| Trinity High | 37% | Stable | All Renfrew (Catholic catchment) |
| St. Benedict’s High | 35% | Open | Linwood, Johnstone (Catholic catchment) |
| Castlehead High | 32% | Stable | Paisley West, Central Paisley, Elderslie |
Park Mains High School is the most talked-about school in terms of capacity. Due to the massive housing expansion in Dargavel Village (Bishopton), the school roll is projected to hit 2,000 pupils by 2033.
The Solution: A multi-million-pound extension began construction in March 2026 and is scheduled for completion in Summer 2027.
Parent Tip: If you are moving to Bishopton this month, ensuring you have your Proof of Residency ready is vital, as placing requests from outside the catchment are being strictly limited to prioritize local children.
Paisley Grammar New Build
The most exciting move in 2026 is the relocation of Paisley Grammar School to its new £160 million Community Campus on Renfrew Road.
Capacity: The new site is designed for 1,350 pupils with state-of-the-art flexible learning zones.
Impact: This move is expected to increase the school’s popularity for placing requests from families in the North of Paisley and Gallowhill who previously looked toward Gleniffer or St Andrew’s.
While Gryffe High leads in traditional Highers, Johnstone High and St Benedict’s are the 2026 leaders in Positive Destinations.
The Metric: This tracks students moving into a “meaningful” next step within 9 months of leaving.
Why it matters: These schools have pioneered SCQF Level 6 & 7 vocational courses (equivalent to Highers/Advanced Highers) in partnership with West College Scotland, making their leavers highly competitive for modern apprenticeships in the aerospace and engineering sectors.
Renfrewshire Schools Sibling Rule and Placing Requests
The cut off date for placing requests is March 15, afterwards parents are in the Waiting Phase.
Decision day is the 30th of April and you will receive your official letter or email letting you know of your son or daughter has been granted a place at your chosen Renfrewshire high school.
Renfrewshire Council prioritizes applications in this order:
Renfrewshire Council now operates a sophisticated, nutritionally balanced catering service that prioritises local sourcing and digital payment systems.
The Renfrewshire secondary school meal service is designed to be a high-street style experience to encourage pupils to stay on campus during lunch breaks.
Most secondary schools in Renfrewshire use a cashless catering system (ParentPay or iPayimpact). Pupils pay using their Young Scot National Entitlement Card or a biometric thumbprint, which keeps queues moving and removes the stigma for those receiving free school meals.
Secondary Meal Deal: £2.60 to £2.80 (This typically includes a main course, a side/salad, and a dessert or piece of fruit).
Individual Items: “Grab and Go” items like baguettes, pasta pots, and paninis range from £1.50 to £2.20.
Primary Schools: All pupils in P1 through P5 receive universal free school meals, regardless of household income.
Every meal served in a Renfrewshire school now meets the strict Food and Drink in Schools (Scotland) Regulations 2020, meaning reduced sugar, limited deep-frying, and at least two portions of vegetables served with every lunch.
With the ongoing cost-of-living adjustments in 2026, the Scottish Government and Renfrewshire Council have expanded the eligibility for free meals.
Universal Support: All P1–P5 pupils.
Income-Based (P6–S6): You are eligible if you receive:
Universal Credit: Monthly earned income must not exceed £850 (as of 2026).
Income Support or Income-based JSA/ESA.
Child Tax Credit: (Income under £19,995 and no Working Tax Credit).
Holiday Payments: Families eligible for free school meals receive £2.35 per day, per child as a direct payment into their bank account during the October, Christmas, February, Easter, and Summer breaks.
Renfrewshire Council takes a Safety First approach to allergies. If your child has a medically diagnosed allergy or requires a specialized diet (Halal, Vegan, Gluten-Free):
Notification: You must complete a Medical Diet Request Form, available on the Renfrewshire Council website.
Consultation: The catering manager for your specific school (e.g., Park Mains or Gryffe) will meet with you to create a bespoke menu plan.
Digital Tagging: Once approved, the student’s digital payment account is flagged to alert canteen staff to any allergens during checkout.
Keep well ahead of the upcoming school holidays for Renfrewshire pupils below.
| Term / Holiday | Dates |
| Teachers Return (In-Service) | Friday 14 August 2026 |
| Pupils Return (S1–S6) | Tuesday 18 August 2026 |
| September Weekend | Friday 25 Sept – Monday 28 Sept 2026 |
| October Half-Term | Monday 12 Oct – Friday 16 Oct 2026 |
| In-Service Day (Pupils Closed) | Monday 19 October 2026 |
| St. Andrew’s Day (Closed) | Monday 30 November 2026 |
| Christmas Break | Wednesday 23 Dec 2026 – Tuesday 5 Jan 2027 |
| Schools Re-open | Wednesday 6 January 2027 |
Find helpful links for Renfrewshire schools below.
Renfrewshire Council: Submit a Placing Request (2026/27) – Direct link to the MyAccount portal for S1 and P1 placement applications.
Renfrewshire School Catchment Finder – Use your postcode to find your designated non-denominational and Catholic schools.
Placing Request Appeals Guidance – Essential reading if your March 15th request was refused.
Apply for School Clothing Grant & Free School Meals (2025/26) – The current portal for the £150 secondary grant.
ParentPay Login – The primary system used across Paisley and Renfrewshire for cashless school meal payments.
Education Scotland: Find an Inspection Report – Search for the most recent HMIe reports for schools like Gryffe High or St Benedict’s.
Parentzone Scotland: School Data Dashboard – View official 2026 SQA attainment data and Positive Destination statistics for any Renfrewshire secondary.
Free School Transport Application – Apply for bus passes if you live more than 3 miles from your catchment high school.
West College Scotland: School Programs 2026/27 – Details on the vocational courses available to S4–S6 pupils in Renfrewshire.
Still got questions about Renfrewshire high schools? Check out some of the answers below to common questions.
Gryffe High School is consistently ranked as the best high school in Renfrewshire academically, currently sitting in the top 20 state schools in Scotland with a 69% 5+ Higher attainment rate. However, the best choice depends on your child’s goals: St Andrew’s Academy is the top-performing Catholic option, Castlehead High is the premier choice for creative arts, and St Benedict’s leads the region in vocational engineering and modern apprenticeships.
If you submitted your placing request for the August 2026 intake before the March 15th deadline, Renfrewshire Council is legally required to give you a decision by April 30. If you applied after March 15th, your application is considered late, and you will typically receive a decision within two months of your submission date.
Yes, you can appeal. If your placing request is refused, you have a statutory right to appeal. You must lodge your appeal in writing within 28 days of receiving your refusal letter. Most appeal hearings in Renfrewshire take place in May and June.
Applications for the new academic year typically open in June 2026. In Renfrewshire, the 2026 grant is valued at £120 for primary pupils and £150 for secondary pupils, with an additional £50 winter payment usually issued in October. You can apply via the MyAccount portal on the Renfrewshire Council website if you receive qualifying benefits like Universal Credit (income under £850/month) or Council Tax Reduction.
Generally, no. If you choose to send your child to a school outside your catchment area (e.g., a placing request to Gryffe High from Paisley), you are responsible for their transport. However, most secondary pupils utilise their Young Scot National Entitlement Card for free bus travel across the region, which significantly offsets these costs.
The largest high school in Renfrewshire is Park Mains High School in Erskine. While traditionally a mid-sized school, the rapid development of Dargavel Village in Bishopton has caused the school’s population to surge. As of the most recent 2026 census data, Park Mains serves over 1,500 pupils, officially making it the largest secondary in the local authority
