How full is your Highland school? Six schools over capacity

Millburn Academy in Inverness is the most over capacity school in the Highlands. Image: Sandy McCook/DC Thomson

Six Highland schools are currently over capacity, with more pupils than the buildings are deemed suitable for.

And a further 12 are near their maximum roll.

Millburn Academy in Inverness has 1,290 pupils, but a capacity of 1,195, while Craighill Primary School is 61 pupils over capacity, making it Highland’s fullest school at 140.7% of capacity.

Other schools currently running over capacity include Croy Primary School, Lochardil Primary School, Beauly Primary School, and Knockbreck Primary School in Tain.

You can find out how full your Highland school is by searching for it in our table below

Craighill Primary School in Tain is at 140.7% of capacity, making it Highland’s most overcrowded school. Image: Andrew Smith

Others above 90% capacity in the latest statistics released by the Scottish Government are:

Avoch Primary School
Bun-sgoil Ghaidhlig Loch Abar
Carrbridge Primary School
Charleston Academy
Dalneigh Primary School
Dingwall Primary School
Glenurquhart Primary School
Inverness Royal Academy
Kinmylies Primary School
Kirkhill Primary School
Newtonmore Primary School
Wick High School

The capacity of a school is based on the size of available teaching space, rather than the entire building.

Statistics released by the Scottish Government are based on a pupil census conducted in September 2023.

Many schools well below capacity

At the other end of the scale, many Highland schools have far fewer pupils than they could.

Durness Primary School has just two pupils, 4.2% of its capacity. Image: Ross Hempseed/DC Thomson

As many as 64 schools in the region are running below 50% of capacity.

Durness Primary School has only two pupils, despite capacity for 48.

St Columba’s RC Primary School in Caol near Fort William is only 10% full, with 15 pupils, while Edderton Primary School is 12.5% full with just six pupils.

Meanwhile at Millburn Academy, there are fears that overcrowding could get worse.

In October 2023, Highland councillors approved plans for 165 new homes on the south side of Inverness.

This will impact Millburn Academy, as well as Milton of Leys Primary School which is projected to exceed 90% of capacity within the next four years. Local residents had raised concerns over a lack of school places.

See the fullest schools where you are in the chart below