OK - So as much as people slag off OFSTEAD ...

[MovingOutOfBlighty]

...it would be bloody useful for there to be a Canadian equivalent right now!

How the hell do I choose between 3 different schools, all with places, when I don't know the area. I don't know anyone who lives there to give me advice and I am going a bit crazy about it all!!!!!!!!!!

Help!!!!!!!!

Where do you live?

Do you want french emersion?

I know schools outside Toronto are you there?

Hi. I grew up in Nova Scotia. If you tell me where you will be moving to, I may be able to help. It has been a long time since I have been in school, but things don't change very quickly in N.S.!!

Oh Oh Oh!!!! Quick ladies, talk to me!!!!!

I am moving to Halifax and am looking at three schools in the South End. First the state schools, Inglis St, and St Marys.Then possibly Halifax Grammar if the state ones are no good. What do you reckon?

do you want the french?

ie classes taught in french ~ maths & science etc iyswim

Would also love French Emersion, I was educated in Ontario (ages ago ) in French Emersion but not sure if there is one close by in the South End. Not going to have a car to hand at the beginning, so need to walk.

Come back Canadians. Please. I need help!

Hi. I don't know anything about the two state schools you mentioned. However, the south end is the most affluent bit of Halifax with several Universities located there. For historical reasons, Halifax has a ridiculous number of universities! I digress - South End Halifax = highly educated and affluent. The vast majority of people in NS send their kids to the local state school, so the state schools in the South End will probably have lots of kids from educated middle class families. I knew 2 people from University who went to Halifax Grammar. According to them, they were sent by their parents for "snob" value rather than academic necessity! I'm not sure where your schools are located, but any school located around Dalhousie University, King's College or towards the Armdale Rotary should be fine. You will have a wonderful life - Nova Scotians are incredibly friendly and welcoming!

Thank you so so much mussy - loads of info there.
It is hard as there is really no background to be able to find out about these schools and I am choosing in a vacuum. The only thing is my dd is bright but a bit lazy and I wonder that the Grammar school might keep her up to speed. It is also in dollars what we would spend over here in pounds!!! So it is like half price private education.

The schools are both in the south end, perhaps I should take a punt on them!

I'm not sure that your dd would be more challenged at Halifax Grammar to be honest. Back in the dark ages when I was at school, it was a non-selective private school. Certainly the 2 HG alumni that I knew were thoroughly pleasant people, but not partcularly academically able. A miniscule proportion of the NS population attend private schools - much less than here in the UK or Toronto, for example. Of course, what you do get - particularly at Halifax Grammar - is entrance to Halifax's social elite. That may or may not be a good thing depending on your point of view!

Do you imagine OFSTED helps choice?