Targeting incompetent teachers and moving them to non-teaching roles has been one of the strategies adopted by Glasgow City Council to raise attainment in recent years.

Maureen McKenna, the council’s executive director of education, has also focused on improving attendance and reducing exclusions.

An analysis of inspection reports over the past four years suggests that Glasgow schools are beginning to close the gap with others elsewhere in Scotland.

Since 2008-09, the proportion of Glasgow’s schools rated “very good or excellent” has risen from 27 per cent to 50 per cent; from “good or better” from 72 per cent to 87 per cent”; and from “satisfactory or better” from 91 per cent to 96 per cent.

In 2007, only 22 per cent of secondary pupils in the city achieved five or more Credit passes at Standard grade; in 2012 it was 27 per cent.