School System - Primary School in Scotland

[Mama0ftw0]

Hi all

Hoping for some guidance on the Primary School System in Scotland.

I am potentially moving to Scotland this summer therefore, I am looking at everything to do with the move.

My child is currently in Reception Class aged 4 and will turn 5 this May 2024. Therefore she completes Reception class July 2024.

I would not have posted this post however, I am a little confused.
I am also fully aware the School system is different in Scotland and start of school age is.
I spoke to one Primary School in Scotland and they said that my child would start from the beginning in Primary School this August if we moved there and given that my child gets a school place.

However a friend has said that they would start in Year 1 this August.

If anyone has any information/guidance on this I would appreciate it.
Do you think my child will have to repeat Reception year or will they continue as normal?

Finally, I have looked online at the Scottish Education page etc however I just wanted to ask on here with the confusion.

Thank you !!!!!

@DramaLahma

Thank you. After talking to you all and the advice I think yes I’ll just go from the start and like you said all in the same boat.

Thank you for the info.

@mrmagpie thank you very much.

You said:She wouldn't be right to start in P2 because she would be quite a bit younger than some of the kids in P2.

Thank you for this makes sense also.

thanks again.

@mrmagpie

Yes definitely after hearing from you all today I feel much better about going to P1.

This helps if going on holiday at some locations because the children in England still in school for the beginning of the Scotland School hols.

Thanks again

School summer holidays are more aligned with Scandinavia which is good as the weather usually turned by August and July too hot to be in school/exams!

@TabbyM agree with you !!

P1 isn't directly equivalent to reception, so don't worry too much about that side of things. It was a long while ago, but my eldest started aged 5 years and 5 months, and could read and write before he went to school. It wasn't a problem and teachers were used to different levels of ability.
When we moved to England later in his school career, he had to slot into his year (age) group. It effectively meant he missed a whole year of secondary school, having been at primary until he was past the age of 12. I don't know if it's still the same now, but it might be something to look out for in the future.

I was in a similar position 4 years ago although my daughter is an August birthday. Also COVID year so she only had 2 terms in reception.

Content wise in my non-leafy school I'd say P1 started in the same place as Reception but moved faster as the kids are 6 months older than the English age range.

My DD was in a composite class (mixed P1/P2) and has ended up largely working with the year above for some topics, and her best mate is one of the youngest of the year above. We're in a small school with mixed classes throughout which has worked well for us.

There is more flexibility to "work ahead" of the year's designated curriculum than there seems to be in the English system. So she's working at a level that challenges her in maths regardless of her "age". Which is good because she's not great when bored, as I discovered during COVID ...

Yes! We often go on holiday to caravan sites, like Haven and the like, in England early in July because the schools aren't finished there and you get such better deals, same for 'October week' which you get in Scotland instead of half term.

To my previous point, if she started P2 this year she would be 5 years and 2 months (ish) old. As a comparison both of my sons were six when they stated P2, one of them was 6 years and 5 months old in fact. So it would be quite a big difference. I'd definitely stick with P1 for her.

Coming from the English system another difference is that half terms aren't really a thing other than October week. And are often very different between councils/regions, as are bank holidays.

Schools work on local bank holidays, your employer might be on English, Edinburgh or Glasgow bank holidays. The lack of unity is great for doing things on bank holidays (although don't try and go to Troon, Cumbrae or Loch Lomond on a sunny Glasgow holiday because the queues are bad).

For me (Glasgow Area) we start around 2nd/3rd week in August, September Weekend is 4 day weekend end of September then we get a week in mid October. East coast and more rural areas get 2 weeks in October (Potato Picking) which may or may not overlap.

Christmas is 2 weeks, as is Easter, in February we get 3 days (Mon to Weds) and in May there's another 3 day "half term".

The lack full week half terms was a bit of a shock for me/DH and makes meeting up with cousins rather more complicated.

Also with the Scottish system, May is a perfect time to have a birthday!
I also think it's a perfect time for you to move just before he goes into P1, children come from all settings to start at school (in my area anyway) so your child definitely won't be 'the new kid' as they'll all be starting the new journey and likely other children who won't know others.

Thank you @DahliaMacNamara really appreciated.

I forgot to mention sorry, it’s only for 3 years but yes I guess they will have to go back a year here or forward and miss a year.

Thank you @Randomsabreur

Its good to know this. Much appreciated

@Broodywuz

Yes I agree. I think definitely best to start from the first year group new journey together as you said.

Hopefully we will move for May.

many thanks again

@Randomsabreur I never knew this so it is good to know.
yes this will be a problem for us also because family are down south.
thank you again really helps !

@mrmagpie

Yes I thought this, that holiday costs you get much better deals and less people around.

Yes if she went to P2 5 years 3 months start of year.

thank you.

that isn't strictly true... compulsory school age is the term after their 5th birthday. So for your May-born you're correct about reception not being compulsory, but for my September-born it is compulsory from January..