ONE of Edinburgh's biggest primary schools has been ranked among the top 12 state schools in Britain.
Edinburgh's South Morningside Primary was listed by Tatler magazine, with editors of the high-society bible saying the school ranked high in areas including pupil performance, teaching methods and facilities.
They said it had become one of a number of council-run schools which attracts parents who struggle to afford high fees at private institutions.
The guide advises readers: "These days, the smuggest mummies aren't those at the gates of shiny preps, they're the ones who've snagged a place at the best state primaries."
South Morningside Primary has a roll of about 630 pupils and is one of Edinburgh's most cramped schools which caused educations chiefs to put forward £700,000 on a new annexe.
Headteacher Liz Grierson said the school's success was down to a willingness to embrace innovation and a tight-knit parent community.
She said: "We have a very special catchment and a very strong community, and we're obviously blessed and fortunate in that our parents really care."
Parents have praised teachers for the successful efforts, despite having to deal with severe overcrowding.
Craig Hilton, chair of the parent council, said: "Teachers work very hard in quite a trying environment and this is a credit to them, they do a huge amount to make sure that accommodation issues do not impact on the school or the kids.
"I would like to think Tatler's guide is based on the teaching rather than the area or something like that."
The only Scottish secondary school to make the UK list was James Gillespie's High in the Capital.
Headteacher Donald MacDonald said: "We have a reputation as being a great school and that has continued through the years.
"We also have a very engaged and supportive group of parents who make demands and work very closely with us."
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