As of 2024, Gleniffer High was ranked the 95th state school in Scotland, as measured by the percentage of students (43%) achieving five Higher passes.

[5] The Head Teacher, Mr David Nicholls, told the local press he was "absolutely delighted by how positive this report is";[6] thus fulfilling his self-stated key duty to "promote and protect the school ... [to] ... parents, the media and politicians".

The head teacher posts weekly blogs concerning the school's progress on Gleniffer's website.

The Daily Record wrote:[9] 'A source at Gleniffer High said Mr Nicholls was attacked when he was called in to deal with an argument between the boy and a teacher.

The Scotsman newspaper wrote of Mr Nicholl's fury over this matter: 'The headteacher at Gleniffer High School (David Nicholls) was so concerned by their scaremongering that he phoned the (SNP) leader of Renfrewshire Council (Derek Mackay] to complain about Labour's tactics on this issue.[12].'

[4] On a similarly positive note, a December 2011 publicly published letter from inspectors cited one of the school's key strengths as "The inspirational leadership and drive of the headteacher.

[13]" The schools origins are in the late 20th century where the current main campus of the building is; just northwest of Stanely reservoir in the South West of Paisley (Foxbar area).

The Campus, which was square in shape when viewed from above, across four floors, had identical tall rectangular windows across all four faces of the building.

However, it also raised concerns over poor writing standards across the school, and inconsistency by staff in dealing with discipline issues.

The school's alumni include David Sneddon, winner of the BBC's Fame Academy in 2003, starting Gleniffer in August 1990.

Screenwriter Steven Moffat, whose notable works include head writer and executive producer of Doctor Who (2010-2017) and creating Sherlock with Mark Gatiss in 2010.

[17] Those with good passes at Standard Grade then choose up to 5 Highers for their 5th year, which forms the basis of Scottish school students' university applications.

[21] 35 pupils - that is, 14% - of the 248 who had begun their fourth year in autumn 2008 were able to achieve at least one 'C' pass at Advanced Higher in the 2011 May/June final exams.

It shows Gleniffer to have a considerably better academic performance compared to poorer schools, and indeed to have better results by some measures than Scotland as a whole.

The opening of the building was delayed in late 2006 due to failure of the Carillion contractors to meet the agreed finishing date of July of that year.

Staff, equipment and supplies were therefore delayed also in being transported to the new facilities, with Carillion having been said to have had five figure fines for each day it overran.

By order of apology, the company nonetheless offered to pay for extra tuition for pupils after classes - a service that had then recently been cut by Renfrewshire Council Education Department.

The uniform may include, as listed by the Gleniffer High website: Black jumper/black skirt/pinafore/trousers/black shoes/white shirt and school tie.

However, 6th year senior pupils wear sky blue coloured ties instead, that sport the Gleniffer High logo.

P.E Kit For Physical Education, pupils are expected to wear a red T-shirt, preferably with the Gleniffer logo, with black shorts.

Most pupils come to Gleniffer directly from the following local primary schools: Brediland, Bushes, Heriot, Langcraigs, Lochfield.