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.

Old thread, but obviously there is still interest from others now so I’m just going to add that the difference between state and private isn’t as stark in Ireland as UK and it might be worth considering some of the high performing state schools too. Often the state schools have a wider range of subjects. A boy whose abilities might tend towards engineering or architecture wouldn’t get the best subject range in some of the private schools where there’s more emphasis on business and languages (and not getting hands dirty) From a teaching point of view there are benefits to working in the state system so you can’t assume that the standard of teachers is better in private schools (though it won’t be a huge difference). The provision of SEN can be better in state schools as the hours allocated for NEPS for example is influenced by pupil numbers, disadvantaged status etc.

Benildus in Stillorgan, for instance, is a highly regarded boys school with 100% going on to some type of third level education. I know of several families where the dd attends private school and the ds is in Benildus because it’s outperforming the private boys schools.

No middle class in Ireland?! That’s a good one, thanks for the laugh!

@thelegohooverer

Old thread, but obviously there is still interest from others now so I’m just going to add that the difference between state and private isn’t as stark in Ireland as UK and it might be worth considering some of the high performing state schools too. Often the state schools have a wider range of subjects. A boy whose abilities might tend towards engineering or architecture wouldn’t get the best subject range in some of the private schools where there’s more emphasis on business and languages (and not getting hands dirty) From a teaching point of view there are benefits to working in the state system so you can’t assume that the standard of teachers is better in private schools (though it won’t be a huge difference). The provision of SEN can be better in state schools as the hours allocated for NEPS for example is influenced by pupil numbers, disadvantaged status etc.

Benildus in Stillorgan, for instance, is a highly regarded boys school with 100% going on to some type of third level education. I know of several families where the dd attends private school and the ds is in Benildus because it’s outperforming the private boys schools.

I don't disagree with your comments about the value of considering state schools but it is just not true to state that a boy (or girl) tending towards engineering would be better served in a state school. The sciences, maths, applied maths are all widely available in both state and fee-paying schools. Often the range of subjects available is a by-product of the size of the school and sometimes whether it is single sex, or was in the past particularly where specific facilities are needed (I thinking HE blocks, wood-working facilities etc).

True. But widely available isn’t always available.

My background is state Ed and I assumed that private schools would just be better. Several schools we looked at had no woodwork, technical graphics or applied maths or very restricted subject combinations like art or music but not both.

Of course I only cast my net over a particular geographical area and eliminated certain schools with an ethos I didn’t like.

Ds is in private, so I’m not anti private schools by any means but it has been a compromise between supporting his needs and subject choices.

Honestly I don't think those things are entirely related to whether the school is state or fee-paying. My own background is also state Ed and we had odd choice options there and 40 years later it seems to be a common cause of complaint in both state and private schools. There's a big private school near us with excellent woodwork, tech graphics and home ec facilities (but equally others where that's not the case). All this stuff varies hugely and is part of what makes school choices (if you have a choice) so time-consuming. There are very few norms in subject availability or options. The most recent issues I've come across are where new (state) schools are offering subjects based on what teachers they can find (so eg Italian as the only foreign language because that was who they managed to employ).

I was a teacher in the uk for many years but my nieces and nephews have had all their education near Dublin. Can highly recommend Blackrock for boys and St Gerards in Bray which is mixed. I am sure that you know this already but an Irish education is very different to an English one. Private schools in Ireland are considerably cheaper too. It is much easier to be put back a year in Ireland and often happens with no penalty to the pupil or the school.
Are your children able to speak Irish? I believe that they would be at an extreme disadvantage if they did not, especially when taking the Junior Cert. Also please don’t take it for granted that you would be able to just walk in to any of these schools, many have long waiting lists.
Something I would say too is that academically the academic standards of the schools which I have seen there are slightly lower than in private schools in the UK.

Oops just realised that this is an old thread but I hope that my comments were of use to someone.

Would you consider Rathdowne, very exclusive but fantastic academics.. Has an old girls network like Alex so it may be hard for your dd to break through...

Many thanks for the latest comments - always interested in updates if anybody has made the move! I feel in our case it’s next September or never? My son has had to move a few times and I would love to get him into secondary school from 1st year. Trying to save him being the ‘new boy’ again - something that has been very hard to watch from the sidelines! I wish moving to a smaller town was an option but the work remains in London so commute/ connection unfortunately remains vital..

@Allnewfor2020

Many thanks for the latest comments - always interested in updates if anybody has made the move! I feel in our case it’s next September or never? My son has had to move a few times and I would love to get him into secondary school from 1st year. Trying to save him being the ‘new boy’ again - something that has been very hard to watch from the sidelines! I wish moving to a smaller town was an option but the work remains in London so commute/ connection unfortunately remains vital..

So you'd continue to work in London and commute? In that case it would make sense to be north county Dublin to be near the airport. Access from the south of the county is pretty painful when there's any kind of traffic (which is now back to normal and awful). That said, you're a bit limited in looking for private schools on the northside. Sutton Park has (I think) still got a very good reputation.

You should be aware that the new schools admissions policies mean that it is the start of next month that schools are taking admissions applications for 2022. You can take your chances later in the year but your choices will be restricted.

Are your children able to speak Irish? I believe that they would be at an extreme disadvantage if they did not, especially when taking the Junior Cert.

Her children will have completed the final year of primary school and be older than 12, meeting the criteria for Irish exemptions. They wouldn't be sitting Irish exams.

Hello - revisiting this old thread as am at the point of picking an Irish boarding school Glenstal or Clongowes for entry September 2022 - would be very grateful for any experience or input? Many many thanks! 🙏

What ages would your children be in September? The reason I am asking is that in your childhood, children started school at age 4(1/2) here, whereas age 5 (1/2)is more typical now, probably resulting from the two years' free early childcare education. Your daughter might be more appropriately starting in 2nd year than in 3rd year. My own DD sat Leaving Cert at age 18, many of her classmates were already 19 by then, and an odd 17 year old who skipped Transition Year.

It would be for starting in First Year - a 12 year old boy.

Ah, I hadn't realised this was an old thread when you posted @Allnewfor2020 . My post was in response to the OP's original query. @Allnewfor2020 , could I suggest that you start a new thread with Glenstal and Clongowes in the title, might elicit a more specific response. You can also search for Whole School Evaluations conducted by the Department of Education for both schools, bearing in mind that improvements may have taken place based on recommendations.

Is it an option to move them back a year? We have eight years in primary in Ireland. A year 7 child would actually still be in primary school covering a curriculum similar to year 6 UK. Many also start primary school in Ireland close to 5. What ages are they?

Bumping this thread as there are several posters hoping for info.

Also agree with @thelegohooverer - the single national curriculum evens out the playing field considerably, whereas in the English and Welsh system there really is a divide between state and private.

Fee paying schools are few and far between in Ireland, predominantly in the Dublin area. There are something like 51 fee paying secondary schools out of approximately 723.

Hi, did you move back in the end? Would love to know if it worked out. We're in a very similar situation.

@DunbegBoy hi, I know your question is aimed at the OP but I was on this thread back in 2021 asking the same questions. We made the move back to Ireland in 2022. We have since returned to the UK. We found the schools where we were really over subscribed and crowded - also they had lots of issues with recruiting teachers (couldn’t get supply teachers either) because the area was just so expensive teachers couldn’t afford to live in the area. And the prices of houses since 2021/2022 has absolutely exploded. All the primary and secondary schools in our area were over crowded. There was a massive lack of secondary school places and our kids were on waiting lists. In the end, between the cost of housing and the very overcrowded and overwhelmed schools, we decided to return to the UK. The issue as I see it is that the population has increased a lot in certain areas but the infrastructure has just not kept up. A lot of new builds in the pipeline but they can’t get the people to build them. It’s a vicious cycle. Plus, lots of teachers leaving due to COL - our primary school lost 4 teachers and the deputy head in one year.

i’m sure some people have moved and everything worked out but we aren’t the only ones in the past year that moved / moved back again. It seems it’s so much tougher now than say 3/4 year ago to secure a house, school place all within commutable distance to work etc.

what ages are your children? I am guessing it’s because of Labour’s plans to put VAT on fees that you’re looking to move. Issue is however , to get into the private schools in /
around South Dublin you need a very large budget for housing which might be more than the increase in school fees you are expecting.

Hope you manage to get something sorted.

Hi DunbegBoy

I'm the OP and we didn't make the move as just felt that we had run out of time/couldn't get the move organised quickly enough (due to school places/accommodation). Logistics do not come easily to me! At the time, it was beginning of April and we would have had to be moved by Aug before my eldest DC started year 10. Once she started year 10, it felt like I couldn't move her in the middle of the GCSE cycle. I also worked out that we would have a less nice house than we have in SW London for similar money in the areas we like in Dublin so that was definitely a factor.

I've been all over the place to be honest about moving back. Probably the worst of both worlds as didn't feel entirely settled here (although I do love London - just didn't plan on staying here forever) and wasn't sure I could settle at home after so long away. Both DC were happy in their schools here and I was too nervous to take the risk of uprooting them. I'm now in the situation of having an elderly parent (who has aged quite rapidly since my OP) on their own with none of my siblings in the country. I am flying back almost every week to try and support them and it is massively stressful, trying to manage everything with the distance.

If I had understood how difficult it would be at this stage of life, I would absolutely have moved back when my DC were younger. Close friends have moved back to Dublin for their eldest to start in 2nd year and all three of their children have settled in brilliantly and they are very happy in Dublin. However they were in the great circumstances of having a great house and got places at good schools very close to their house - so when the school places came up, they jumped at the opportunity.

Wish you the very best with your decision.

@LUGG82 sorry to hear that your move didn't work out but well done for giving it a go. At least you won't be looking back now wondering and wishing that you had. How long were you back for? Were you in Dublin?

Every time I'm back, I'm surprised by how expensive everything is in Ireland. From the supermarket to housing. I also pay tax there which I think is higher than here (or certainly miss out on the equivalent tax free allowance) and no ISA and the strict gift rules. Although there are many things that I miss about home, I think financially it would definitely be harsher for me.

Were you sad to come back to the UK or was it a positive move?

Hi @ScarlettKatie thanks for getting back to us. Sorry to hear about your parent - that is really stressful and I’m sorry you’re having to go through that. That is one worry of mine - my parents are on their own in Ireland and at some stage I’ll have to make decisions like yours. That was one of the regrets of moving back but to be honest my parents were supportive of us moving back because they saw how we struggled so much in Ireland and the stress it was having on us and the children and they knew we had a better standard of living / set-up in the UK.

Do I feel sad? Now that’s a question I’ve thought about lots - sometimes I do, but more so I feel quite angry at how difficult Ireland has made for people to make a living and to survive. We have both very well paid jobs yet we struggled with the cost of everything. The thing is - to live within a commutable distance from the city where most jobs are, to live in a decent family home, you need an extortionate amount of money. That meant both of us had to work around the clock just to cover the rent (5k per month) and the bills etc. So that put so much pressure on us as couple and parents. I went from the UK where I didn’t have to work because my husband’s salary was enough for us to comfortably live off, to Ireland where I was working long hours and not seeing the children , just to cover our rent. So in that sense, our standard of living dropped. I had in my head that moving back to Ireland would be more laid back, more family orientated- but it was the opposite. Most parents I knew where we lived worked big stressful jobs (often abroad) just to afford to live and that in itself brought its issues. Since returning to the UK I haven’t had to work and am here for the children more. Also in Ireland - with the shorter school days and summer holidays it was so difficult to juggle as a working parent , not to mention the issue of trying to find childcare and the costs.

We also had a very healthy deposit / budget for houses - but every time we looked at something it was going 10-20 per cent over the asking price (cash buyers are a thing here too) and the places were no where as nice / big as what we have here. And I couldn’t justify spending large amounts of money on a house in an area where the schools were so overcrowded and lacked school places.

In the end, it didn’t make sense for us to stay. The stress of trying to make it work wasn’t worth the desire to “go back home”. My kids are very happy now and settled . I too like you often think I’ll not be here forever but also, I really struggled to settle back into Ireland - like everywhere, things change and my memories are rose tinted - of carefree child growing up - but that wasn’t our experience. Also, Dublin has changed a lot. I really didn’t like working in it if I’m being honest.

Finally, maybe if we had made the move in the early 2010s it would have been easier but then again I’ve made a good life here for myself which I need to remember. The way I see it , things will only get more expensive house wise in the coming years so I doubt we will ever try again. My kids and husband are doing well here and that’s what is important right now.

sorry such a long message - bit of a cathartic exercise! X

Thanks both. This is so so helpful and relevant. We actually (and I know we are very lucky to be in this situation) have the house (bought years ago ) and the school places for end August but are now deliberating where we want to pull the trigger or not. Our house in Dublin is rented and we have to give 6 months notice which means having to rent somewhere so we're running out of time. Also my husband would have to stay on in London while we see how it goes in Dublin and then decide whether to rent or sell the London house and he'd have to find a job in Dublin or see if he could work remotely. My daughter has just finished Y8 and is very well settled but my son hasn't done so well in the whole 11+ BS which is partly why we're thinking of giving it a go now as the school in Dublin for him would be lovely. His current London options aren't as good as we'd hoped. Plus we have the elderly parents thrown. Our issue is that we actually have a very good life in London and it's served us for well for the past 20 years. Some people would say we're mad to give it up but there is always this constant 'what would it be like' in the background. Decisions...

@DunbegBoy Jusf wondering if you’d made a decision? We’re about to pull the trigger!