Ages 
'We’re a small school, in a national park setting, with an ambition to go global,' says rector. He believes it’s not just about 'farming and changing beds,' although both are very viable ways of making a living. He wants to enthuse his pupils to look further afield and try something different. And with such strong support from the whole community, it’s hard to see how they can fail. Small school with grand ambitions in the grandest setting of all. What could be more uplifting? Scottish education as it should be.
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Overview & data
- Pupil numbers
- 641 ·
- Sixth form numbers
- 174 ·
- Religion
- Non-denom
- Local authority
- Stirling Council
Headteacher
Rector
Mr Marc Fleming
Since 2013, Marc Fleming, BA (applied consumer studies), SQH. He was previously depute head of Dalziel High and prior to that taught home economics at Galashields Academy and the Community School of Auchterarder. Quietly charming but surprisingly
Entrance
There are 11 feeder primaries. Half of the pupils live in Callander. The other half are from a wide and varied rural catchment area. Parents tend to work in hospitality, farming, forestry, gillies, tourism.
- Open days
- See website
Exit
Over half on to higher education, most if not all to Scottish universities. Glasgow, Edinburgh, St Andrews, Strathclyde and Stirling all popular. About a third into employment/apprenticeships, the rest to further education. A strengthening
Latest results
In 2020, 63 per cent A-C at National 5.
Teaching & learning
McLaren High School seems to run a tight ship. Following the Scottish system, it offers a broad general education from S1 to S3, followed by senior phase S4 to S6, when pupils knuckle down and sit national qualifications from National 3s to Advanced
Arts & extracurricular
Being situated right in the middle of a national park, it encourages everyone to get outside and make the most of these natural facilities, trekking, biking, camping, etc. Runs a week long Junior Park Ranger course which involves wall building, path
Sport
The school has an impressive three Astro pitches, paid for by fundraising parents. This pretty well marks out this school’s impressive sporting ethos. As one parent said, 'McLaren operates a tripartite system. That means the parents give as much as
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1892 by Donald McLaren, a banker from Strathearn, links with the clan remain strong. In fact, the pupils have recently voted to adopt a school tie in the McLaren tartan. (Quite the fashion statement, we say.)
Light, modern, attractive
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
A 'very knowledgeable and protective' pupil support team works across the three school houses. (They are currently developing and strengthening the house system.) This team consists of a pupils’ support leader assigned to each house along with a
Pupils & parents
Largely rural catchment area so plenty involvement with farming and tourism. Very strong sense of community and strong backing for school from parents and local businesses.
Money matters
Original McLaren foundation (tiny as far as income goes) but school is well supported by local businesses, which can and will provide extra funds for excursions etc.
The last word
'We’re a small school, in a national park setting, with an ambition to go global,' says rector. He believes it’s not just about 'farming and changing beds,' although both are very viable ways of making a living. He wants to enthuse his pupils to look
