Q: We moved to Glasgow in the spring. I know there are places where you can find information about good primary and secondary catchment areas, but I have no idea where to start.

I would really appreciate some tips on this as it all seems so overwhelming right now.

many thanks
guy: confused:

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A:I wouldn't even think of Jordanhill, these days a child needs to be born while parents are living in the catchment area to be sure of a place.
What size house are you considering? A 3 bed in Bearsden will set you back at least ￡300k for a reasonable one , ￡350-￡450k for a 4 bed, depending on location and type. The older houses generally cost more as they have bigger rooms and more garden.
Your other option if your children are "brainy" is to move to a less expensive area and get them into one of the private schools. Best one is the High School of Glasgow which has the junior school in Bearsden and the senior school at Anniesland Cross. Fees are between ￡4000 and ￡8000 per annum depending on which class they are in. I think the entrance tests are in the early spring, they have a website. Competition to get in is fierce. Other private school that side of town is Glasgow Academy. Then there is Hutchesons Grammar on the south side, and a few others.

I am curios… how do the fees work for the High School?

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A:Two suggestions:-

1. Look at the published intakes for the various schools in the area, it will show not only how many catchment applications there are but how many non catchment applications. The school with high levels of out of catchment applications will generally be one of the best schools in the area as the locals will all know the schools and base their applications on local knowledge.

2. Go to the area one day, drop into a cafe/bistro/library/bar/pub/community centre, and talk to people. Simply explain the situation and ask them if they know about the reputation of the local schools. Pick your subjects as well as possible, eg dont ask an 85 year old bloke who's just in the library to get out of the rain. This might sound cheeky but its usually how I find out about areas on holiday etc.

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A:Hi there

we are considering a 3 or 4 bedroom. Will probably go for Bearsden or Lenzie. Not sure yet, lots to think about.

Our first step is to get our own house ready to sell.

with warmest wishes
H

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A:I wouldn't even think of Jordanhill, these days a child needs to be born while parents are living in the catchment area to be sure of a place.
What size house are you considering? A 3 bed in Bearsden will set you back at least £300k for a reasonable one , £350-£450k for a 4 bed, depending on location and type. The older houses generally cost more as they have bigger rooms and more garden.
Your other option if your children are "brainy" is to move to a less expensive area and get them into one of the private schools. Best one is the High School of Glasgow which has the junior school in Bearsden and the senior school at Anniesland Cross. Fees are between £4000 and £8000 per annum depending on which class they are in. I think the entrance tests are in the early spring, they have a website. Competition to get in is fierce. Other private school that side of town is Glasgow Academy. Then there is Hutchesons Grammar on the south side, and a few others.

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A:thank you so much everyone for all your replies. I have had computer problems, so haven't checked my mail for a while, hence the delay.

Jordanhill school seems fantastic, but is doubtful that we would get the kids in.:confused:

Need to give some thought to Bearsden prices being sky high.

Good schooling is such a high priority that we would be prepared to downsize to get into the right catchment area.

It is very helpful to know that the schools in Lenzie are very well thought of and that the ones in Bishopbriggs are not. I am guessing that the house prices there are not so high as Bearsden.

I will have a good dig around at school info and come back to you all. Thank you for all your help and support.

with warmest wishes on this chilly, chilly night

Hullaballoo
xx

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A:Jordanhill is extremely popular, house prices in the area are sky high as you have to be in the cathcment area.

I know East Dunbartonshire well – Lenzie Academy is a good school which gets excellent results. Bishopbriggs is a nice area but the schools aren't up to much.

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A:there's not really such thing as a good school, just a good intake.

Find a nice middle class area (= expensive house prices), and then find the best school in it, call them up and find out about admissions and there ya go.

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A:Is it RC schools or non denominational school. There are a few good schools in the areas you are looking.

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A:Apparently Bearsden has the 2nd highest average house prices in Scotland, after St Andrews.

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A:For Jordanhill you normally need to be in the area & have the childrens names down from birth to get in to primary. My son was on the list from 2 and didn't get in till
1st year. Every year is obviously different, depending on child numbers. Broomhill primary is in a good area, but was terrible till the head teacher "left" 2 years ago… I am sure it will be a great school now though.

Kirkie has 2 good primary schools next to each other Lairdsland (RC) or Gartconner. Small class numbers in Gartconner and a great wee school!

I expect Bearsden is generally ok. It's a good area, I can get further information on Jordanhill, Lenzie, Kirkie or Bearsden, if you would like any, just ask or PM me.

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A:Probably one of the best schools in Glasgow for performance is Jordanhill but you have to live in the Jordanhill catchment area to go there, house prices there are a bit on the expensive side.
Once you decide on an area it might be easier to find the information you need.

Kind regards
Lin

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A:many thanks for the useful websites, they have given me lots of ideas.

Right now we are thinking of East Dunbartonshire, Bearsden, Kirkintilloch, Bishopbriggs, Lenzie or Torrance.

thanks also for the offer of further help, I may well take you up on that.

all the best
guy:j

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A:Whereabouts are you heading for??? Glasgow proper or the suburbs?

I have just moved from Milngavie (9 miles outside the centre) – I researched schools via the HMIE site http://www.hmie.gov.uk/. The best primary in my area appeared to be Craigdhu Primary School, and secondary, Douglas Academy (which has a specialist music school attached)

The Scottish education system is by and large very good indeed – use upmystreet to focus on an area you're interested.

Anything else I can help with please pm me – hth

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A:there is usually a big spread in the herald and the scotsman when the results are revealed. I tried searching their websites without success. did you try the local authority website? http://www.glasgow.gov.uk/en/Residents/GoingtoSchool/index.htm

Glasgow is a lovely city. hope you enjoy your move. loads of good shopping, museums (all the council ones are free) parks…and the people are very kind and very chatty I lived there for a number of years and I loved it.

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A:hi there

Thank you for the responses. I couldn't find anything on ofsted as it is for English Schools, however I did find some info on the Scottish Executive website.

I am also going to give upmystreet a go.

many thanks
guy:

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A:hi there,

www.upmystreet.com is a good web site for crime rates, schools etc for all area's

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A:have you looked on the Ofsted website?

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