Top Scottish Primary Schools 2026: Here are the 10 best performing primaries in Scotland according to a new report - including four in North Lanarkshire

A total of 84 of Scotland’s primary schools ensure that almost ever primary seven pupil is up to standard in reading, writing, numeracy, listening and talking according to a new league table.

The Sunday Times report used data submitted by schools in each of the four categories to come up with a mark out of a maximum of 400.

Read more: Prestigious international school that claimed steady pupil numbers could shut over falling roll

A total of 1,197 primary schools provided data for the annual Achievement in Curriculum for Excellence Levels publications, with the remaining 729 on the government database not participating, either because no children were up to standard, the school roll was too small or the data was not collected centrally.

Schools with a higher proportion of deprived pupils were weighted to rise up the league table to recognise their achievement in delivering a good education despite the challenges of poverty.

The schools were then placed in a league table according to how well they were performing.

Chapelside Primary, in Airdrie, came top of the list - scoring a maximum of 400 points, despite over 90 per cent of pupils coming from ‘very deprived’ families.

The North Lanarkshire school has attempted to instil a “reading culture”, opening a new library in 2024 with input from staff and pupils on the genres and authors to be included.

Inspectors recently praised the school’s “wonderful writing” initiative, which was “impacting positively on pupil motivation and ability to write independently”.

Here are the top 10 best performing primaries according to the report.

Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.