St Aloysius' College

Since September 2024, Michael Burrowes (interim). An experienced head, he retired from leading Cardinal Griffin Catholic College, an affiliated Jesuit state school in Staffordshire, in August 2022.

From July 2025, he will be replaced by Séamus

All welcome from age 3 into kindergarten, where there’s no formal assessment; almost 100 per cent move up to junior school. From P2, age-appropriate CAT test, predominantly to make sure they can address any neurodiverse needs. Applicants also write a

Nearly all juniors on to senior school. About 80 per cent stay on for S6 to do Advanced Highers, but pressure from ‘economic imperatives’ mean an increase in those leaving at the end of S5 with Highers. Vast majority to university in Scotland. Top

In 2024, 75 per cent A at National 5 (95 per cent A-C); 56 per cent A at Higher (95 per cent A-C); 39 per cent A at Advanced Higher (88 per cent A-C).

All lessons suffused with the centuries-old Jesuit teaching principles. Starting with the delightful kindergarten, or kindy as it’s known, this means a great emphasis on child-led teaching with lots of activities built on the pupils’ own interests.

Parents rave about the learning support provided by four full-time support staff who move between the junior and the senior school. Mixture of extraction and additional support from teachers and class assistants. School says using the same team from

If only we had a pound for every time someone mentioned school choirs or Schola when we ask them the best thing about the music offering. But singing really is huge at St A and by all accounts ‘absolutely breathtaking’. Top of the tree is the

Staunch, traditional sporting offer backed up with loyal and vocal parent support. Particularly high-achieving rugby teams (esespecially in the 7s). ‘School is known for its rugby,’ parents confirmed. Hockey and basketball teams also in full swing.

Pastoral care, grounded in the Jesuit ethos of Cura personalis (care for the whole person), is altogether outstanding and parents get really quite emotional it: ‘When my boys arrived, they were broken, they’d had a terrible experience and within

Many third and fourth and even fifth generations of St Aloysians attend the school – probably accounts for the incredible old pupil network: ‘I’ve just been golfing with eight old school friends and I’m 48!’ ‘Our social life comes from the school

Bursarial support has always been a huge part of offering; between 10 to 20 full bursaries then a sliding scale. Bursary committee makes these awards for both academic stars and those from a disadvantaged background.

Very Glaswegian school providing a cracking education infused with Jesuit teachings of empathy and kindness. Unashamedly Catholic, with a warm open heart accepting of all.