Pulling kid out of private to go to (poor performing) state secondary

[Caplin]

Ok, I know it has been done many times.

We live in a relatively new build in an ‘up and coming’ area in Edinburgh. Our primary catchment school was of the worst in the city, so we decided to put the kids into private primary, but it is killing us.

We had already decided to pull them out for high school as the school was doing ok, but in the latest tables our catchment high school is in the bottom five performing in the city. Now I am panicking as eldest goes next year. Only 26% of kids got 5 highers.

Even before corona virus we knew we couldn’t afford private for high school. So do we risk it, or do we try and move? Looking around that means doubling our mortgage for a smaller house that needs fully refurbed. With corona virus, we might be even more screwed trying to sell our house 🥺

To be clear, I have no issue sending them to a state school, in fact it would probably be better for my eldest as she doesn’t do well with academic pressure, but I do have an issue sending them to a school that is crap. I can easily live with middle of the table, but this is just so poor performing.

Thinking about it, it's a bit two faced OP to complain that your DC isn't coping with academic pressure and therefore wanting to send her to a school that might not be as pressured and encourage the dance etc that your DD is interested in....then be concerned that that the schools academic record isn't what you'd expect....

I thought I posted a message last night, but can't see it. My son is also moving to Leith Academy from private school - though this will be starting High School. Love to hear from other parents of children at the High School

If I'm honest i would choose a school based on pastoral care and MH support over academia, i get everyone is different!!

They’re not all fashionable places (try Falkirk rather than Linlithgow

Not a single falkirk school in the top 100 in Scotland. Not a great choice there.

Hi there, what are your opinions of Queensferry High School? It was 48% 5 or more highers (last year's table) and drop to 37% ( latest table this year)..any opinion is much appreciated.

I'd move to a smaller house in a better catchment area. We have a decent (not amazing) house near a great school in a lovely village. We could sell up and get a palace in a different area but location is more important IMO