Moving to Dublin private school from London

[ScarlettKatie]

I'd love to hear from anyone who has moved from London to Dublin at senior school level (either for their DC or their own experience). My DC have been born and raised in London to Irish parents. We didn't think we would have the opportunity to go 'home' before the DC finished school.

We are now exploring the options and trying to get to grips with Dublin private senior day schools which would be the deciding factor of a move. Biggest concern about a potential move is how the transition would be for the DC who are both very happy in existing schools. I have heard that places in the Dublin schools are very much in demand and it might be a case of 'taking what you can get'.

DD is in a mixed London day school and would be 3rd year (year 10) at time of move. Conscious that this could be a bad time to move as she will have missed a lot of the junior cert course in 2nd year.

DS is currently in an all boys school and would be 1st year (year 8). Both children play a lot of sport (not always on top teams) and the facilites at their existing schools are excellent. DS prefers hockey to rugby which I think lots of the all boys don't do in Dublin. Both DC are reasonably academic but by no means 'super selective' level in London.

We can base location to live (like Dublin 6, Sandymount, Blackrock, Monkstown but openminded) around the schools. Would consider single sex or mixed . Would rent initially until we got used to Dublin again, came up with a longer term plan.

Is there a set of schools (for ex Gonzaga, Alex) which are considered to be academically stronger/pushier? Religion not a deciding factor. I'm interested in Alex for DD but worried she might find the transition to all girls tough as she likes her current mixed school. I have heard good things about Sanford Park (but concerned that the site is small/sport maybe limited). Clongowes is only boarding school on the list so far due to potential old family connection. Any views on categories of schools or suggestions to consider would be greatfuly received.

Very big concern about moving children of this age due to possible difficulties about being/feeling 'English'. Trying to balance this with the benefits of teen years in Dublin/Ireland and hopefully university also.

3rd year would be hard as some of the CBAs are done in 2nd year and obviously at least half the curriculum is. Not a great year to move but if you have to you have to. The start of TY would be a great year to move if you could delay a year.

As a parent I would be loathe to move a child from a mixed to same sex school unless the child was really keen themselves.

There are boys' schools where hockey is common place. Private ones I can think of include Sandford which you mentioned, High School, St Andrews, Wesley. Sandford is non-denominational. High School and St Andrews CoI. Wesley Methodist. Gonzaga is a rugby school (as are Marys, Michaels, Blackrock). I can't think of any all boys schools that take hockey as seriously as they do rugby. Sandford is smaller than the others you've mentioned but students can still play sports 5 days a week if they want to.

Andrews, Wesley, Sandford and Alex all have a mix of nationalities attending so I wouldn't be particularly worried about being English in them.

A child could do well academically in all the schools mentioned. You can look at league tables but they tell you as much about the privileged intake and in some cases exclusion of children with SEN than they do about the teaching. You can all look up school evaluations which are carried out. Read between the lines and look for what is not there as well as what is. There are definitely schools that think academics trump inclusion. If your children are "fine" academically they'll be fine in any of the schools you mentioned.

I don't really know how oversubscribed all the private schools are. Places will be offered by now for the coming Sept but there are always some parents have accepted two places and offers can be made as late as the summer but those offers would be to people already on wait lists. Gonzaga certainly presents itself as being very hard to get in but some would say that's not the case when it comes down to it. First year will be the worst. There is always some movement after 3rd year and very often at the end of or even during first year (in pretty well all schools). I'd get on the phone and start ringing and filling in forms (which will all require deposits also).

All the schools you've mentioned will give a good academic education and access to good facilities. They each have a different ethos (I don't mean religious) and values. There are schools you've mentioned that I wouldn't send my children to but that's about what I think is important and values I hold. It is very hard to make sensible suggestions or observations on the individual schools to a stranger who may think other things are important and have totally different values and priorities. It is hard to tell from your post whether you want pushy academics as a priority or if sports facilities are a bigger deal. Subject choices will vary very significantly from school to school and that might also be a consideration. Commutes and public transport links would be another to consider.

You can get a very good feel for the schools by visiting. I don't know how they're managing open days and access this year (presumably they're not) so that does make it harder for you.

My gut feel is that you'll get offers of places for your children but the biggest challenge is probably selling a new and unseen school to them particularly given they're happy where they are.

If you've any specific questions feel free to message me and I'll answer if I can.

Very comprehensive reply from 3timeslucky.
Another two schools to throw in the mix are St.Columbas in Dublin 16 and St.Gerards in Bray.

Thanks so much for taking the time to give so much information 3timeslucky. I agree with you about 3rd year being a bad year to move. If we wait until transition year, she would have missed junior cert and 4th year would be her GCSE year here. So I have a feeling that moving and just skipping all state exams at that stage would not be possible. Otherwise its do GCSE here and then go into 5th year which means that DS would be about to start 3rd year.............So I feel as if its this coming September or we stay in London. As the opportunity to move has come out of the blue, I am totally unprepared.

I've spent the last 3 years getting to grips with girls, boys & mixed schools in our part of London and supporting the DC with their prep for entrance exams. Trying to figure out the Dublin schools cultures/academic success/extra curricular from London during lockdown on such a tight timescale seems like madness. A part of me thinks, I should just keep them where they are happy/settled, but then the other part/an intense instinct wants to give them those teen/university years in Dublin (because I have such lovely memories) and somewhere to call home for the future that is not London.

There is so much information online about the London schools (on mumsnet and elsewhere) that you can get a feel for them, but I don't know of an equivalent in Dublin -is there?

For example here I would almost be able to categorise the schools academically speaking into top tier, middle tier and lower tier. Which is not to say that you couldn't do very well academically in what is perceived lower tier in terms of 'selective entry'. You can then cross check that with sport/extra curricular. Its taken me years to get to grips with it all!

My Dublin knowledge is over 20 years out of date and slightly hazy in the first place as I didn't grown up in Dublin. My lasting impression is that Blackrock was considered to be quite a prestigious/old school name, top rugby school and that some of the boys had a reputation of being very aware of their schools pedigree and arguably arrogant/entitled. I wonder if Gonzaga, Mary's, Michaels, Clongowes have a similar profile but perhaps less so? Or is that too simplistic? Would they all be considered similar in terms of academics or is there a 'top tier'?

I've got an instinct (but not really based on any fact) that St Andrews might be quite a good swap for DD's existing school although I would hope it would be even slightly more relaxed. I think that High School, Sanford Park & Wesley are all probably worth consideration but I have no idea of how they differ. I ideally would like a decent school site with space and plenty of sport options.

DS is at a very traditional, old school type education/all boys school, chosen by him. Mainly day but some boarding. Its strong academically (nowhere near the top level in London) and I find the level of work/expectations very tough for a just turned 12 year old. Its got an outstanding sports provision. However it also has a very mixed cohort in terms of ethnicity/background so its not at all elitist/doesn't have that historic pedigree. He absolutely loves it.

I would like to think that the first half of senior school life in Dublin would be less pressurised than it is in London. I'm not sure why but the children here seem to be under pressure from age 10/11 and I don't remember it being like this when I was growing up.

LadyEloise thanks a million. I think St Gerards/Bray is a bit too far out for me. Although I went to Bray for a walk when home last and it was lovely. I have a very outdated impression of St Columbas being for the international/wealthy crew when I was growing up. Is that a misconception? Its hard to get my head around the fact that I suppose my DC are the foreigners now.

The Irish Times, Sunday Times and The Independent ( Irish) do a Top Schools League table for secondary schools in Ireland re university entry.
There are non private schools topping those lists.
Worth a look to give you an idea.

Although I would add that personally I believe a child doing their very best, with great school support and passing when they were thought not to have the academic ability is a far greater achievement than a lucky person, gifted with brains and opportunity getting 8A+s in their Leaving. That is overlooked on those league tables.

Oh yes Gonzaga, Michaels, Belvedere, Clongowes, Marys etc consider themselves to be the top- just as good as Rock ( or better ).
There can be an arrogance about some of the pupils.
Someone on Mumsnet upbraided me and said there was no middle class in Ireland. She obviously hadn't lived in Dublin.

I would get views from family and friends living in Dublin with the caveat that what one person thinks was the absolute best school for their child another may think it was dreadful. It really is so subjective.

Also might consider Sutton Park on the north side, private also, mixed, small school, and very into hockey from what a friends says. She has one teen there and other starting.

Have a look at Rathdown in South Dublin, suits extremely acedemic girks..

Schools in Dublin are nothing like London private schools. If that’s what you’re looking for you will be sorely disappointed.

That’s not to say they’re bad, they’re just totally different so you have to let the English private school approach.

I moved DC from the English private school system to Alex and Willow (now in Rock) whilst in jnr school. It has been brilliant for them and not a single regret but there are definitely some frustrations at times.

How are they different DublinBlowin ?

LadyEloise I've had a look at the league tables. Thanks for the suggestion. I agree that its impossible to measure certain important aspects from those tables but its still good to be able to have a look. I also remember that thread where the 'no middle class in Dublin' was discussed. I found that highly amusing based on my experiences growing up.

Teaorwine Thanks also. I wouldn't go north even though some brilliant areas, only because the friends I have are South or Wicklow direction. Otherwise I would move futher out to where I grew up (which I think would be too much of a shock for the London children).

Starzinhereyes Will do. Thanks.

Dublinblowin. Would also love to know how they differ. I'm guessing most are smaller. I would like to imagine that they are less formal/more relaxed and that there is less pressure in the earlier years of senior school. I suspect that due to the smaller numbers and much lower fees that the scale of the schools has to be smaller and the facilities perhaps not quite as glitzy (as some of the London/outer London schools and ofcourse the big name boarding schools).

What ages/year groups were your DC when you made the move? I would love to hear about their transition both socially, academically and extra curricular wise. How did you find the adjustment period personally? I am worried about how I would settle back after 22 years away. PM me if easier to explain.

We are SW London and South Dublin house prices are a shock to the system. Much closer to here than I had anticipated and obviously not as much housing stock. I would love my DC to spend their teenage/College years in Dublin and maybe settle in Ireland (and selfishly I would love to 'come home' for the later part of my life) but I'm becoming increasingly worried that I've left it too late as they are both now settled in senior school here which we are generally really happy with. In particular DS who doesn't have a place for 1st year in Dublin, might end up in a school which he feels is too different (because I suspect our options would be very limited). I think the transition might be a big shock to them and we might all take a long time to settle/adjust. We also have a tricky situation with family here so which ever option we choose means a lot of travel back and forth.

Primarily they are less competitive with a much broader demographic due to significantly cheaper fees.

Being less exclusive seems to lead to a more relaxed ethos and less pressured approach, which is a plus but can take some adjustment when you used to a very academic English prep school.

In my experience the facilities tend to be less sophisticated but the standard of teaching remains high.

School uniform is also significantly less of an issue. My girls in particular have gone from blazers and straw boaters to tracksuits and trainers. There seem to be few hang ups about jewellery, tied up hair, nail polish or hair dye that were all prevalent in their last school.

@ScarlettKatie took so long posting that I crossed with your questions.

DC were 11,10 and 5 when we moved so a different situation, although there is a steady stream of people in your position returning to Dublin so would be amazed if he was the only new starter going into first year.

This also leads to the issue you’ve noted: no housing stock. As in literally nothing. I regularly look within a 5km of where we are and I could count on one hand the number of suitable houses that have come up in the past two years.

Also it’s much more common here to educated DC in state for primary and then move them at 13 to senior school so there’ll be a lot of DC that join from a range of schools.

Fees are lower in private secondary schools in Ireland as the government pays some of the teachers' salaries in the secondary schools. I'm not sure exactly how it works.
It is different in private primary schools as the salaries of the teachers are paid out of school fees. There is no government involvement.

Fees are lower in private secondary schools in Ireland as the government pays some of the teachers' salaries in the secondary schools

This is correct, although not by much. I think there’s less than €1k in it with my DDs fees. Although of course the rise in fees from pre prep to A-levels was as I recall at least double at their last school so it certainly feels more beneficial here.

Look up Kings Hospital.

It's CoI, co-ed, boarding and day school.

They field teams in rugby, hockey, athletics, cross-country, swimming, football, basketball, cricket, and badminton.

They prioritise CoI students for admission but admit many others.

You could live further south and get there from the M50.

Living far away might hamper socialising though.

St Andrews is co-ed and offers the IB, which might suit better than the LC for your DD?

St Andrew's and King's Hospital were the two that sprung to mind for me. Best of luck!

Perhaps a bit late but have you considered Belfast for Boarding schools? You have the benefit of the lower fees coupled with staying in the UK education system and it’s only a bus/train journey away.

Thanks BelfastBellex, Hey Girl & Mathanxiety

Math - I have a couple of friends who went to KH and agree with you about location/socialising.

My kids go to KH - one finished last year & is now in college and I still have two in the school
They absolutely love it and have been involved in many of the after school activities. You should definitely consider it

Just wondering if any update on this thread? Did you make the move? I’m in a very similar situation and any information/ advice desperately needed..

Any consideration given to St Conleths?

Love to know what happened here. We too are pondering a move back. We have a DD who would be starting secondary in Ireland in Sept and then two younger DS. Unsure as to where we would go and even if it could happen. I like the look of Holy Child in Killiney and St Joseph of Cluny. Not a fan of Alex or Blackrock - the level of superiority is too much to deal with.

@IrishMumInLondon2020 my girls went to cluny, there has been a new principal since they left. Loreto Dalkey is lovely also. Let me know if you want anything info.

@IrishMumInLondon2020

Love to know what happened here. We too are pondering a move back. We have a DD who would be starting secondary in Ireland in Sept and then two younger DS. Unsure as to where we would go and even if it could happen. I like the look of Holy Child in Killiney and St Joseph of Cluny. Not a fan of Alex or Blackrock - the level of superiority is too much to deal with.

Mmmm, that's exactly how I feel reading this thread. I am so glad to live in a village in the West of Ireland with limited choices, where everyone pretty much piles in together, where you have all sorts, where it costs very little and where anxiety levels about this kind of thing are much lower. Ye can all relax, I'm sure your uber middle class children will do just fine in life regardless of which of these places you choose.

Hi , I was wondering how those who were pondering a move back to Ireland got on? We are thinking the same (I’m Irish) with 3 DC - 10,6 and 3. Thinking about moving from Bristol to somewhere outside Dublin (no idea where though) . But the housing crisis is kind of putting me off. Wondered how everyone had got on in their moves? Many thanks

I was also going to come on and suggest Kilkenny college. Coed. Hockey school. Diverse nationalities. Great results.
Many kids travel down from Dublin to weekly board.