Moving back to scotland after living abroad

[Blueskyswift]

Hi everyone!

We are a Scottish family living abroad and will move back to the homeland next month.
We are very torn between where to locate; hometown on the outskirts of Glasgow, close to family, old friends, lower house prices and ok schools.

Or Dunblane... for all the same reasons as everyone else - good schools, nice area to raise kids, safe environment to become independent etc.

We're tipping more towards dunblane but have a few reservations...

I read that the HS is not all is appears to be, and owes its success to private tutors. There is also a fair but of antisocial behaviour and bullying which isnt addressed - is this the case?

We have 3 children; DS 13, DS 9 and DD 6.
My eldest son will move into s2 and is fairly shy and quite reserved. He likes gaming, cycling, swimming... not a football, outgoing type. I'm wondering if he will find it difficult to make friends there? He has an international/English accent also which may make him a target for bullying.

High school is harder to adapt and make new friends, Does anyone know what the set up is for new kids starting? How does the school support and help build relationships with kids who are anxious and fairly sensitive to change?

We wont be able to visit until last week in June, just before end of term so any help would be wonderful.
If anyone has children the same age, living in the area and could reach out that was also be amazing. We'd love to meet new friends over summer break and hopefully recognising familiar faces on the first day of school would help with transition.

Thanks so much. Xx

Can't help with any particulars but I grew up in 3 countries. I'm in my 60's. Have 2 sisters, all live in different countries. Kids, grandkids, different cultures from around the world.

They will survive. In fact, they will thrive!

Modern life you need to be flexible. It's people who get stuck in their ways I feel sorry for.

You have to go with the flow in life. What alternative is there?

Oh, and isn't the new Scottish Minister from a different culture growing up there? Fabulous!

Absolutely, the ability to be flexible is a great attribute. Choosing good schools and recognising the influence of their peers greatly encourages those skills to flourish.

"I read that the HS is not all is appears to be, and owes its success to private tutors. There is also a fair but of antisocial behaviour and bullying which isnt addressed - is this the case?"

I don't have personal experience of the HS but had a long conversation recently with a parent whose kids attended there. They expressed exactly this.

The pastoral care for her bullied DD was almost non existent and the school didn't even make contact with the perpetrators parents. She was contrasting this with the bog standard Glasgow secondary her DD now attends which dealt immediately and effectively with bullying incidents.

She said the school was pretty disinterested in less academic kids, and completely missed one of her kids severe dyslexia. She didn't rate it at all and described it as toxic.

I'm sure you'll get different perspectives but I was really shocked hearing her experience given how it's regards as one of Scotland's best state schools.

Goodness, poor girl.

Unfortunately we have witnessed this type of behaviour and lack of care at other 'exceptional' schools in London. Where the administrators and teachers seem to close ranks to protect the reputation rather than address the issue. Sad really. Hoping to avoid this.

I know a lot depends on friendship groups and peer groups at school but we've had lots of friends move for "good" schools in the East Renfrewshire and East Dunbartonshire areas and it's not all been happy endings. Tutors still bought in, bullying rife but not dealt with, kids not put forward for exams due to not being deemed able to achieve high grades, kids struggling once at uni.

Good luck with your move wherever you decide to land and hope your kids have a great school experience.

Might be worth opting in Scotsnet to get responses from people who know Dunblane