Secondary state school in the west end of Glasgow

[ceciledxb]

Hello Ladies,

I am moving to the west end of Glasgow with my 12 year old boy (31/12/2004) and I am looking at Cleveden or Hyndland secondary school, I know Hyndland is praised, and would be my number one on the list but I know nothing about Cleveden secondary, does any one know about it ? Thanks.

[ceciledxb]

Just wanted to add that my son although very bright and advanced potential is not very academic, so I do not know if cleveden secondary would fit. Thanks again.

[nothruroad]

I would definitely pick Hyndland over Cleveden.

[wecanbeheroes]

Can I ask why cleveden is not a preferred option? I know it doesn't have a great reputation but wonder why that is.

[thethoughtfox]

Generally regarded as rough.

[thethoughtfox]

TBH the West end schools are all poor performers compared with Bishopbriggs / Bearsden/ East Ren.

[thethoughtfox]

But Cleveden is considered 'rougher' than others.

[TheBogQueen]

What about Hillhead High? Is that too far away?

Most parents seem very happy with the high schools in the West End although they are more of a social mix than the schools in various middle class enclaves of the suburbs.

[ceciledxb]

Is Hyndland adapted for a child that is very advanced intellectualy ( high potential kid) but not very academic (as opposed to very old academic school in renfrewshire like St Ninians) ? Please give me your views, ladies.

[crazycatlady82]

Hi,

I believe hyndland or hillhead would be the better schools.

I hate to say it but it's also partly about the socio-economic status of the catchment area i.e. Hyndland and Hillhead parents are more pro-active at home with their children in outside school activities.

The catchment area for Cleveden includes some very deprived areas.

I hope that's helpful.

If you are able to afford private school then kelvinside academy they cater more as an 'all rounder' school.

Overall though I think there is nothing better than going to the schools with your son and seeing which one 'feels like a fit'.

Good luck

[ceciledxb]

Thanks for the advice crazycatlady82 and the other ladies.
We are looking to rent properties in Hyndland catchment area now. So thanks for all the advice. As for private schools we won't be able to afford that and to be honest my son has been in private schools in Dubai and an english one here in France and they were awful..not duty of care snd no respect for parents. I am sure private schools in the UK are much different than "expat private schools" first they are double the price in the UK and second as expats you do not have a choice so no competion for the schools.
To Thethoughtfox and TheBogQueen, thanks also. I did look at east ren, and bearsden but the schools look extremely academic (a bit military-religious style and yes with high performance) for a French person it is not easy to adapt. My son went to French curriculum and English but with american style approach. So that is why I would like a more "modern", open minded approach. I hope Hyndland will be more of a adaptable transitions for him. Let's hope that at S2 level, I am doing the right choice. If not in a year time I can move to these areas...
So what would be the difference between Jordanhill, Hillhead and Hyndland ? There are so many differences between the schools in UK, it is hard for me to grasp a part from the rougher areas aspect..

[artisanroast]

Jordanhill is very academically driven. It's the only non-fee paying funded school in Scotland. It has a tiny catchment and parents pay the extra to live in that catchment. It's a weird one because it's government funded (I think) and is run like a private school but it's open to all (in the catchment). I believe they don't accept students with disabilities. They also have a strict school uniform.

Hyndland on the other hand (I think I'm right in saying) is the only school in Scotland which has no school uniform. However, from what I can tell with Hillhead and Hyndland being my two local schools, the Hyndland pupils seem better behaved. I also have never seen them eating a greggs sausage roll but that's an aside 😂

[wecanbeheroes]

You would be very unlikely to get a place at Jordanhill as there will be a huge waiting list. But it would be worth calling the scool to ask. However it is really quite pushy and they emphasise the academic. It's the highest performing state school for exam results but probably not for you based on what you've said. Hyndland gets better results than hillhead historically but hillhead has been coming up in the last few years. Hillhead primary is very popular and mostrich of those kids will go on to hillhead. I think it's supposed to be one of the most internationally integrated schools. It also has a school uniform whereas hyndland doesn't. Hillhead probably has more of a mixed catchment as well.

[ceciledxb]

Thanks very helpul. But ehat in earth is a greggs sausage roll ? I've got to know!

[Totality]

I have experience of Cleveden, Hyndland and Hillhead. I wouldn't recommend Cleveden because there is a high proportion of 'difficult' children there. Having said that the majority of kids are delightful and the teachers are brilliant. It's just that the difficult kids are very disruptive. Actually Hyndland is similar but with slightly less behavioural problems.
Hillhead has far fewer difficult kids than Cleveden and Hyndland and has an excellent behavioural management system. The teachers are mostly very professional, very approachable and discipline is much better maintained there. There is a strong caring ethos in the school and far less disruption such as fighting and classroom misbehaviour. Teachers and pupils are mutually respectful. The one really great thing about Hillhead is that every Friday the last period is given over to extra curricular activities for the whole school. I really don't know why other schools don't adopt it: the children love it and do a mind bogglingly wide range of activities from sport to gardening. It creates an entirely unique relationship between staff and pupils and cuts down massively on truancy.
Hillhead is a much sought after school and for good reason.

[ceciledxb]

Thanks "totally", great insight advice and info. I couldn't have wished for more.

[ceciledxb]

Sorry I ment "Totality".

[wecanbeheroes]

I found this very helpful too!

And as for Greggs sausage rolls, well you'll have to try one when you get here. They are legendary junk food -but also my secret craving when I was pregnant!

[Totality]

You're welcome. I just noticed you mentioned a French and American aspect. Hillhead has a very diverse spread of nationalities amongst its pupils and is geared up to help in that situation. Quite a few of the teachers are also non-British. There are several French children there and a few American children too. Hillhead is the most multi-cultural school I have seen in Scotland.
I forgot about Jordanhill: a member of my family works there. I have no personal experience of it but they said: it is very popular because of its perceived superiority but that too many teachers are not "child friendly." I can't vouch for that, of course, but they do have 15+ years experience in education and several years at Jordanhill.

[ceciledxb]

Thanks again, I didn't consider Jordanhill because I read it doesn't accept kids anymore (not private but not under Glasgow council I really don't know about the UK, so..)

So are you children still in Hillhead or older now ?

[TheBogQueen]

I'd echo what Totality says about the range of extra curricular activities at Hillhead. Loads of opportunities for art, music and sport which is nothing short of heroic for a school which has no playing fields!

And yes to multicultural aspect too.

If you are interested in Hillhead high then some advice - this is the first year they have struggled with a surplus of applications to attend HH. It helps to be in catchment - which is still fairly wide - and looking at the size of the primary that feeds into HH pressure on numbers will worsen. Hyndland still good school too!

[ceciledxb]

Thebogqueen, thank you. My son is entering S2 in the catchment of Hillhead but closer located to Hyndland so I do not know how they will decide where he will go since I have no experience of this.
As for extra curriculum art, music and sport are not my son's favorite with major art and music and sport important figures in the family and he ferls very different with a big preference for mathemathics and computers quite advanced. So I do not know from the schools websites and curriculum which would be the best for computers and maths ??? If any one knows ?? Thanks again to all

[Rangirl]

Just to say you need to be in the catchment area to definitely get a place,or else you have to put in a placing request.It may be difficult to get in to Hyndland on placing request,you should check this.Probably easier to get in to Cleveden.But again check

[Rangirl]

Sorry had missed Page 2 !

[susanjc9]

Why does Hyndland get better ratings than Hillhead? It sounds like from the description there are more disruptive students at Hyndland.