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Original poster

Perthshire schools

30 replies

Jadeak · 18/07/2015 17:30

Hello were hoping to relocate to Perth from Lancashire and have been looking at morrisons academy for our daughter , does anybody have any information on the school please? I've heard it's smaller than dollar? And not as expensive as glen almond for senior day pupils thank you

OP posts:
littlebird22 · 20/07/2015 12:47

Morrison's recently had a few redundancies. I really couldn't say if that is actually indicative of anything about its financial status, however.

Morrison's and Dollar both follow the Scottish curriculum whereas Glenalmond offers GCSE and A Levels which may suit your dd better if you're coming from Lancashire. How old is your dd?

You're right that Dollar is much larger than the other two.

They are three very different schools. I would recommend visiting each if you can and you will probably just know which one is right for your dd. They all offer something very different.

busjs79 · 20/07/2015 20:30

From Perth, Dollar is a lengthier commute - but I would suggest it is the best of the schools from an academic point of view. Dollar (being bigger) also has a really extensive range of co-curricular activities.

Personally I would choose Dollar.

Alternatively, have you considered Kilgraston? Girls only (which you may not want) but good reputation.

Original poster
Jadeak · 21/07/2015 21:35

Hi littlebird22 and busjs79 thank you so much for your replies. I really appreciate it, as we are totally in the dark with regards to areas and schools.
I have had a look at glenalmond college and the fees are £7105. Per term. Compared to morrisons which are around £4000. Which seems a huge difference. I can't seem to find out how many pupils they have? Unfortunately they are currently closed for summer.

With regards to nice areas to live, could you recommend areas which are quite, safe and have a friendly community?

Also do you have experience of riding stables in the area? And dance schools? MANY THANKS

OP posts:
littlebird22 · 22/07/2015 11:35

I don't know a lot about Dollar other than it is very, very large and has international boarders but the majority of pupils do not board and so in many ways it is run as a day school. I would rule it out based on distance as I think the daily commute will get tiresome (unless you decide to live in that area). I know Morrison's, Glenalmond and Kilgraston rather better.

Morrison's has about 500 pupils, Dollar 1500, Glenalmond 400, Kilgraston 300.

Kilgraston has its own riding school and offers riding at the school as an extra-curricular activity. Glenalmond offers livery for those who have their own horses.

The fee difference between Morrison's and Glenalmond (and Kilgraston) is vastly different but this is because they offer completely different things. The value for money offered is something only you can decide based on your dd's interests and personality. Glenalmond and Kilgraston as boarding schools are offering Saturday evening entertainment every week (optional for day pupils but at no extra cost), daily sports coaching and team sports (not optional for day pupils) etc in addition to teaching. These things are all integral parts of a boarding school even for day pupils. However, they are not for everyone.

Have you tried calling the schools? Although they are all closed for the holidays the admissions staff should be working throughout the holidays and able to give you more information about each of them.

I'd start my search for housing in Crieff and Bridge of Earn based on the schools mentioned.

pinkje · 22/07/2015 11:40

Strathallan is also a school you could consider. I have no ideas about fees but there are bursaries available for local children.

busjs79 · 22/07/2015 12:41

In terms of where to live, that would depend very much on where you need to be for work/school etc.

Lots of small and friendly village communities in the area, as well as the slightly bigger town of Crieff - or of course Perth itself. Muthill and Comrie (near Crieff - about 20-30 mins from Perth), Bankfoot (small village) or Dunkeld (slghtly bigger) are both right on the A9 - about 15 mins from Perth city centre.

Hope that helps. OP, I have also sent you a PM.

2rebecca · 22/07/2015 13:07

? also consider High School of Dundee. School buses (and normal ones and trains) go from Perth to it, only 25 minutes away.

Original poster
Jadeak · 22/07/2015 22:05

Thank you, we've not looked at that school but will do. It's hard to know what to look at when we're looking at from a distance.

OP posts:
Original poster
Jadeak · 23/07/2015 19:31

Hi Pinkje we've not considered that school but will look into it. We seem to be getting very conflicting views hit from the feed it also appears that Morrisons lacks direction and technology.

Thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
Jadeak · 23/07/2015 19:36

I've called Gelnalmond and whilst it has a great website and some good recommendations I felt the reception wasn't welcoming. Coming from a cross the boarder it's important that we fit in, more importantly our daughter. At her age it's all important that she's not made to feel an outcast and fits in well.
If we considered Glenalmond can anyone recommend good stables near by and also a dance school. She currently dances 4 times a week and performs, whilst also loaning a horse and riding.
Thank you again for reading and I appreciate your comments.

OP posts:
Doodlemum2 · 23/07/2015 21:58

Sorry to add to the mix but have you considered St Leonards in St Andrews? There's a daily bus from Perth. It's about 550 pupils with a smaller boarding community so mostly day pupils from surrounding area. It's a super friendly happy school and has good riding on offer. Also it's an IB school which might be an easier move for your dd. Good results and all benefits of the IB. As for fitting in there are lots of day pupils with university parents from all over so don't think it would be an issue. Plus it has a very pretty campus! Grin

Good luck with the move, never easy.

Bonbonchance · 23/07/2015 22:25

Julie Young dance studios in Perth v.gd especially ballet

Bardeno · 25/07/2015 13:32

Don't be sorry I really appreciate everyone's advise, yes iVe had a look at St Leonard's and it looks lovely. I'm just concerned it's near St. Andrews on the coast and for my husbands buisness we need to be in a rural area. Do you know where the nearest rural locations are to start looking for a property? We need a minimum of 1 acre of land.
Thank you bonbonchance for the ballet school recommendation too, I've had a look at looks perfect,

Many thanks again

Bardeno · 25/07/2015 13:32

Ps I've changed my username!

Doodlemum2 · 26/07/2015 08:26

Yes St Andrews is at the seaside but it's pretty rural all round it. North Fife is beautiful and all farming. From Newport west to Newburgh and to the south of St Andrews between the town and the East neuk is also rural. Should be a problem to finding somewhere around there with land. We love living near St Andrews. Small safe town but thanks to the uni and golf it has all the amenities of a larger city. Great place to bring up children. If you come up for a visit I would try to put St Leonards / St. Andrews on your list. You'd be surprised how rural it is around the town and as I say the town offers a great deal. Dancing wise I think there's a school called Jennie Kings and another I can't remember but there's also ballet in the Junior School. Good luck.

impartialme · 26/07/2015 13:39

DD at St Leonards went to Jemma King Dance Academy. There's Yvonne Gray in Cupar. too. Yes, definitely worth considering St Leonards. It's next to the Byre Theatre, which it uses for its school productions. I like that it's by the sea but also within minutes of hundreds of miles of countryside. I have to say, though, that if you move to anywhere near St Andrews you will have no end of self-invites from friends (some you never knew you had!) wanting to come and stay Grin

Bardeno · 26/07/2015 18:32

thank you doodlemum2 I'm just about to have a look for property in those areas now, i really appreciate all this advise as i honestly didn't know where to start! I've had a look at st leonards website and it looks lovely as mentioned. ill have a look at the schools mentioned now too :)

impartiaime thank you too, the theatre next to the school sounds great. ill have a look this evening, ha ha as for the invites well that sounds positive, obviously a lovely area! thanks

3nationsfamily · 26/07/2015 20:34

Just be aware that I think St Leonard's does the International Baccaulauriat rather than A levels or Scottish Highers so you need to factor that into your considerations. Property in St Andrews itself is really expensive due to the University and the .golf with lots of students, lecturers and second home/ holiday houses all competing for a very small supply of housing. Have a look around Cupar or Inland from the coast between St Andrews and Largo

sjel97 · 24/08/2015 01:21

Hello - joining this post very late, so you may already have made your decisions. If not, I hope that this may be of some help.

We made a similar move recently, and in retrospect, it probably wasn't as important to choose a school following an English based GCSE/A level curriculum as we thought at the time. DD moved immediately following her English GCSEs, and we looked only at schools which offered A level (with the accompanying financial implications). We now wish that we had also included those which taught Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher in our search.

I'm not familiar with Mumsnet, so don't know if there is a PM facility, but if so, I'd be happy to discuss this in more detail. DD is currently about to start her last year at one of the schools mentioned in the thread, and we visited many of the others. And if it's any help, I can also offer some advice with regard to livery yards around Glenalmond :-)

Bardeno · 25/08/2015 21:25

Hi there sjel97

Thank you for your message, were actually up here at the moment. We're really stuck on what decisions to make :( I'll send you a direct message so we can discuss that way

Thanks again

Bardeno · 01/09/2015 17:50

Hello every one thank you for all your advise so far, were struggling to find a property in the Fife area near St Leonard's which is suitable for my husbands business. We have also have been advised to consider strathallan school and wondered if anyone has any information about the school and local area? We want to make the move as soon as possible so any advise would be very much appreciated thanks

Pepperpot69 · 02/09/2015 18:29

Strathallan is a nice school, very sporty with good sports facilities. In a lovely location and small enough campus with fairly new boarding houses although my DC stayed in one for a rugby camp this summer and they could do with some serious TLC! Similar type of location as Glemalmond and just down the road from Kilgraston School (all girls) too. We looked at Strath and thought some of the teaching facilities where pretty dated but it depends on what you are looking for. I believe they offer GCSE & Highers depending on the child's ability.

Bardeno · 06/09/2015 21:51

Hi pepper pot thank you I have sent you a PM.

Does anyone have any further information on dollar please?

I'm worried it is such a large school compared to the others mentioned.

Thank you

mrsmosquito · 25/09/2015 09:05

Hi, I have personal experience of Strathallan too - my 2 older kids went there and my youngest will hopefully start next year. A very happy parent indeed!

Bardeno · 13/10/2015 22:21

Hi thank you

Can anyone give me any further information on the ib system at St Leonard's please? And also beaconhurst school too please?

Thank you in advance