Kilsyth academy

[Gotosleep123]

Considering moving into the catchment, does anyone know how good to secondary is?

[Gotosleep123]

Good the secondary sorry

[WankerDeAsalWipe]

here are the stats for Higher passes for all schools in scotland - but it isn't necessarily all about the academics as this doesn't show you where it sits in terms of its comparator schools. i.e. if it is punching at, below or above it's weight when compared to schools with similar numbers of FSMs etc. Also it would depend on what you mean by good and what is important to you. It could be that you want a good sports programme or pastoral care etc. You would need a local to coma and hive you that info so hopefully someone comes along soon :)

www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/how-well-your-kids-school-5407127

[WankerDeAsalWipe]

*come and give..

[backwardpossom]

Have you checked the latest inspection report? Should be here.

That said, that doesn't tell the full story of a school, either. I'd arrange a visit - a member of the senior management team should be able to take you on a tour of the school - it's easy to get a feel for the place on a visit.

[Gotosleep123]

Thanks for you replies, they are very helpful. It looks like the school is kind of middling. It's tricky as my eldest is only 2 but we want our next move to be to our family home. Who knows what the school will be like in 9 years?!

[WankerDeAsalWipe]

lol - yes, exactly though it would be rare for a school to change drastically without a change to catchment or a change within catchment such as a new housing scheme etc. You also have no idea what your children will be like or what needs they may have that might mean you want a different type of school....or you may win the lottery and want a private school but then you'd probably move house too :o

[WankerDeAsalWipe]

My children attend a school that works out about 3rd in the country on those lists. They attend via placing requests and the school are keen to take more on placing request as their role is falling and if it falls too far then they cannot sustain the courses and teacher numbers - things like that are worth looking into too.

[prettybird]

There's another weighting that is more relevant useful is a weighting that takes into consideration what the school's demographic would expect to get and what it actually achieves. It's slightly more sophisticated than the FSM measure. Can't remember what it's called though - but most school handbooks will include it in the tables at the end.

I agree that you need to look at the HMI reports in conjunction with league tables.

[Gotosleep123]

Thanks again! I hadn't heard of placing requests before, definitely something worth bearing in mind.

There is a big new housing development currently under way. I did wonder if that might make a difference as they do look to be nice houses.

[backwardpossom]

A change of head teacher can make a huge difference to a school - 9 years is a looooong time in academic years!