Which school around Edinburgh?

[sN0drop]

We are looking to make a home back in Scotland while my husband stays south for work (being RAF his job will change every 2 years so we need stability for our boys in Secondary). Our boys would be of age to start S1 and p7 in August 2012 and have been in a prep school in Oxfordshire till now. Our eldest would be okay on admissions tests I think as he's doing well but our youngest would be terrified. I have more faith in the Scottish Ed system than down here so would like to consider going back to state system. (It may seem trivial but I am concerned though about how they would fit in with their preppy accents). We had been considering Dollar but want to know if anyone can recommend other options. It's going to be a major and daunting move for us all as its just me (mum) and the boys making a new start, new home while dad commutes. I am sorry this is long winded but I hope someone out there might be able to help us with the benefit of their experience. Thank you

I think you're fooling yourself if you think the Scottish system is better and I can tell you that they will be in for a very rough time if they go into the state sector with posh preppy accents. I am Scottish and the education system was at one point better than the English system but it leaves a lot to be desired now. The bullying of English students was ghastly as well.

Why do you need to move to Edinburgh, can your children not just board for continuity? If you do move them to Edinburgh then I'd suggest sending them to Cargilfield until Year 9 and the school can give you lots of advice. Dollar Academy is ok, but I wouldn't rate it over Edinburgh schools.

What about St Leonards in St Andrews? It's fully co-ed, day and boarding, very inclusive. The kids are from quite a range of backgrounds - including what you call "preppy!" There are marginally more boys than girls throughout. Loads of mums have partners who commute down south - the platform at Leuchars for the Sunday night sleeper is packed with St Leonards dads (and a few mums like me)! It has its own junior school until year 7, with a new building opening in August. The senior school starts in Year 8. Students follow the English system to GCSE, as well as IGCSEs, and then in the sixth form it is IB-only. There's a range of boarding options - full, weekly and limited flexi. We're really pleased with the school since moving here a couple of years ago. Definitely worth you asking for a prospectus and going to see it if you can.

Our experience of prep school here in the south is ab first rate but unfortunately when it comes to senior school, there's little option for day pupils round here. My experience of going to secondary in Glasgow (to the one at the top of the current tables too) was dire. Really sink or swim and bullying a big issue. Maybe private sector will reduce that risk??

Our move back to Scotland is really motivated by wanting to be home nearer family as I'm a bit out on a limb down here while my husband's work will change location every 2 years. The schools here are great but we'd gain so much fr

...from settling into a real family home for the first time.

If you go private the accent issue will disappear, plenty of English kids at private schools in Edinburgh. Look at Fettes, Loretto, Merchiston and Edinburgh Academy, all great schools. I know a housemaster at Fettes and have spent time in and around the school and the kids are lovely and pastoral care seems very good which may be especially important for your younger DS? I know of boys who were day pupils at Merchiston but begged to be allowed to board because the other kids were having such a good time. And listen, don't worry about the accent thing as half of the people living in Edinburgh are English or have very subtle scottish accents so your kids won't stick out. Be careful when choosing which areas you live in, Morningside, Stockbridge, New Town etc all great and a real mixture of Scottish and English people all living together quite happily.

You may want to consider the Edinburgh independant day schools - Watsons, George Heriots or Stewarts Melville. They are similar to Dollar - academic and fairly sporty. They do follow the Scottish exam system - not a major problem if you are staying in Scotland.

Watsons and Melvilles run bus services out in to West Lothian (both) and Falkirk (Melville's only). Dollar and Beaconhurst (in Stirling) also run a bus service to Falkirk. Beaconhurst is smaller than the other schools mentioned so far, and is not selective, which may suit your second son.

If you want to go back to the state sector, you might be better in the Borders or in Fife than in Edinburgh.

My son has retained his English accent after moving up to Scotland from Lincolnshire when he was just 4 - he is now 12. (He did lose a fairly strong Lincolnshire accent and is now closer to my old-fashioned RP.) I don't think it has been a major problem, but as others have said most of the independant schools have a fair sprinkling of incomers! However, I do have an English colleague whose son had an absolutley awful time at a Fife state primary school, because of being English.

I wish you the very best of luck with the move.