Schools in Scotland (Stirling area)

[Jo121Cambridge]

Hi all

We are hoping to move to Scotland this year, my husband will be transferring to Stirling. Ideally we would like to live in a village, but as we have 2 young schools - this is our priority!

So if any Scottish mums can help out in recommending nice areas with good schools that would be great. I have a 5 year old and a 3 year old (due to start school next year).

I have no knowledge at all of Scotland (i'm in England) and would really appreciate any help at all!

Thanks, Jo

[soontobeslendergirl]

Dunblane High which is in the top 5 or 6 state schools in the country is actively encouraging placing requests from out of area children. Rubbish for public transport now though you can get the train from BofA or Stirling stations. I drive, takes about 10 minutes.

[Tabby1963]

I am biased in favour of Polmont area, OP. We moved here nearly 20 years ago, brought our kids up here, and love it. Ten minute walk from train station, and right by fab canal system, a bit rural but close to lots of amenities. Stunning view of Ochil Hills from our house (and from many others). The Kelpies are here too! Cheaper house prices than Linlithgow, which is just about five miles walk along the canal path, great walk with kids, dogs or cycling.

[Nothingtosay]

Yes of course, South Queensferry!

I agree with Wiggily Beezer's comments wholeheartedly. A very good assessment.

Slender is right IMO too about Alloa - I lived there from the ages of 4 -10 years and I hardly ever choose to revisit.

Wiggily you haven't said much about Linlithgow. Wouldn't you put that high up on Jo's list? My nomadic parents lived there for ten years up until 2005 and they should never have left.


Jo it can't be easy for you being 350 miles away and not being able to check these locations for yourself with lots of randomers like me coming up with place names...

For what it's worth, I vote 1) Linlithgow and 2) Dunblane. Linlithgow is my top choice because it is so accessible for Edinburgh, has a nice vibe and has highly rated schools, and importantly lots of incomers. I would rent for a bit first even if it meant a smaller home.

[wigglybeezer]

Yes, I would, the only thing that puts me off is my sister 's slight smugness about her choice, she likes it even though she was living in New York before she moved there, her English DH likes it too. ( my house is more interesting than hers though!)

I contemplated moving from Dollar at one point, to solve the high school issues but didn't want to leave my good friends and lovely neighbours so found a workable compromise.

I know someone from Dollar who has just got her son into Dunblane on a placing request, I told her they had been very negative about the idea when I suggested it a few years before, implying places were like hens's teeth but there seems to have been a big change.

[soontobeslendergirl]

wiggly, yes, it used to be hard to get into but falling school rolls etc has put it in the situation of needing more pupils in order to be able to keep funding for staff and the timetable running. There are only 6 classes in one of my son's years and only 5 in the other ones year. I think about 160 in one year and 140 in the other.

We applied for eldest with fingers desperately crossed and got a place no bother and didn't worry about the younger one at all.

Council website is misleading as it still says that places are hard to come by. Driving there is no bother at all though and actually Dollar might be on the public bus route through BofA though it doesn't go right up to the school anymore afaik.

[Jo121Cambridge]

It seems to me my budget isn't enough for the areas and size house I want lol. If this goes ahead and they offer my husband a lot more money then perhaps we will need to review the budget!

Thanks for all your input it's very helpful!

[Jo121Cambridge]

Soontobeslendergirl - thank you that would be great if you could pm some houses so I can get a more "real" idea of what I would be looking at.

[wigglybeezer]

Another thing to bear in mind is if you move somewhere attractive and accessible it's easier to get people to visit you!

[wigglybeezer]

You would have to change buses in causewayhead I think, plenty going the other way taking kids from Dunblane to dollar academy!

I think I got the deputy head on a bad day when I visited Dunblane high! she was very negative! it was before the new head mind you. it really put me off, which is a shame as it's my old school.

My boys are all at Kinross now, which is fairly similar anyway.

[wigglybeezer]

Must stop talking about high schools the OPs DD is only three!

[soontobeslendergirl]

lol wiggly - yes, I think there were real issues before the change of head. The only issue I currently have is the assumption that everyone is a practising Christian but don't get me started on that one!

High school comes round so quickly though and you don't want to leave yourself in an awkward position for a few years hence. I think the Dollar bus goes near me too. Previous occupants of my house went there.

[cjg4]

Sorry to jump on this thread so late on - We have moved up to Stirling from down south. We have been here nearly 3 weeks now. I am a qualified secondary school teacher but due to the timing of our move (due my to husband's job) and the registration process to teach in Scotland I am now a stay at home mum. I was hoping someone on here would be able to point me in the right direction for a friendly toddler group I can take my little ones to?
My daughter is due to turn 4 in June and my son will turn 2 in the same week. Unfortunately there is very limited nursery school places at the state nurseries so come August I still cannot get them both in full time. It would be good to try and establish a friendship base with some local mums as until they both reach Primary School age it looks like I won't be able to go back to work with private nursery fees coming in at nearly £1400 per month for the pair of them full time!!
Like I said sorry to jump on board but many of you seem to have really good local knowledge.
Any advice on good groups would be very much appreciated.

[Gardenfarm]

Does anyone know Dunmore, Falkirk? I'm hoping to move there next month.

[ADishBestEatenCold]

"Does anyone know Dunmore, Falkirk? I'm hoping to move there next month."

Think you should start a fresh thread, Gardenfarm. This is a zombie thread ... over 3 years old.