Irvine's two secondary schools have failed to place in the top 200 schools in Scotland, according to the latest league table.

In figures published last week by The Times, 339 schools across the country were judged on the percentage of pupils to achieve five or more awards at SCQF, the equivalent of highers.

Both Irvine Royal and Greenwood Academies failed to make the top 200, placing at 267 and 208, respectively.

At Irvine Royal only 24 per cent of pupils achieved five or more highers while at Greenwood Academy that figure is 30 per cent.

Kilwinning Academy fared slightly better ranking at 171 with 33 per cent achieveing five or more highers whilst St Matthew’s only just made the top 200 ranking at 194th place with just 31 per cent of pupils gaining five or more highers.

Largs Academy was the top performing school in the area, as they came 60th with 46 per cent. None of the other eight North Ayrshire academies featured in the top 100 and Ardrossan Academy was near to the bottom of the pile at 318 with just 17 percent.

While the table makes grim reading for parents, North Ayrshire Council say they judge their schools on a number of factors, not just the results of exams and they believe the system of league tables is outdated.

A council spokesperson said: “We believe that the simplistic method of ranking schools in a league table format is outdated and does not properly reflect or analyse the outstanding work which is being delivered throughout our schools in North Ayrshire.

“Schools across the author ity continue to make very good progress in raising attainment and achievement across the board.”

The full list of North Ayrshire school places:
60 - Largs Academy
111 - Arran High School
171 - Kilwinning Academy
193 - Garnock Community Campus
194 - St Matthew’s Academy
208 - Greenwood Academy
228 - Auchenharvie Academy
267 - Irvine Royal Academy
318 - Ardrossan Academy

Do you agree with the league tables? Let us know by emailing editorial@irvinetimes.co.uk