By Trevor Larkin, Editor of IHS News.

So, the critics (armed with the latest Government league tables) are descending on Inverness High School. Yet tables fail to mention School policy is to present all but a tiny minority of candidates for examination.

The School pioneered the Discipline For Learning system, which countless other schools have since copied. DFL rewards pupils for good behaviour and application in class, rather than punish them with detentions and lines - which never had the desired effect.

Unlike in some schools, all pupils use computers from First Year onwards. The Computing Department recently complemented the existing Apple Mac room with the addition of state-of-the-art PCs.

A High-Flyers Day is held annually, where leading figures from industry explain time management, motivation and forward planning to students. These are very beneficial to all - I went in 1997 and still remember the main points.

The thriving Business Studies Department has competed in the European Business Game for some years now. In 1997 and 1998 the School won the Scottish heat of the EBG, and last year narrowly lost out on being voted overall winners.

Modesty prevents me from dwelling too long on IHS News, the monthly school newspaper re-introduced in 1997. It is entirely produced by pupils, who gain valuable writing and computing skills in the process.

Inverness High is the town’s smallest secondary, which leads to greater personal attention from the staff. There really is a tremendous atmosphere in the School - every teacher is approachable and friendly.

Statistical data can never take into account all the aspects of a successful education - something which extends far beyond the certificates one leaves school with - something comfortably provided by Inverness High School.