Relocating to Faslane - HELP!

[AntM]

Hi Ladies
My DH is going to be posted to Faslane in September 13. I have DD aged 3 (4 by the time we move) and another baby on the way, expected June 13. I am really in a pickle as DD is due to start School in September 13. She is enrolled in Hampshire but I am unsure when and where are the best primary schools near HMNB. My preference would be to keep her in Hampshire for 1st term and then move her as I think SO many changes could be damaging... maybe I am soft.
Also, can you advise on where we should be looking to live. It will be officers accommodation but I am completely clueless as to areas, what the accommodation is like etc and being the control freak that I am, it makes me come out in hives!! ;)
Any help and advice greatly appreciated.

I can't help on specifics of fans lane but we moved 2 years ago in October half term when dd1 was 4, in our old area she was a January start but in our new area was a september start. We started her into reception at her new school after half term and she settled well. If we come across this situation again I would be tempted to just keep her out till after the move. Good luck

What month is her birthday in as she may be in a different year group in Scotland.

www.patchpedia.co.uk

Might find some useful information there. Sorry I can't be more help, we're not due to get there for another 10 months.

I don't know why I put 2013! Christmas is taking its toll! We are due to move 2012!!

AntM, I'm not forces but have lived near Faslane. Firstly your DD would probably not be school age in Scotland. She would be in preschool, as they don't start school until 4.5 minimum here, unless her birthday is before end of Feb 2012, then she would start primary 1 in August.. Rhu is a lovely village, lots of forces families live there and it has a nice little school. The toddler group was great when I lived there. Rhu is definitely nicer that Helensburgh town itself.

It really is a lovely part of the world.

If you contact the hive they will send you an information pack. We moved earlier this year, still finding our feet a bit but you are welcome to PM me. Your little one won't start school here this year, unless her birthday is before the end of February. There is a fantastic pre-school on the rhu patch. Might be worth seeing if moving dates are at all flexible so she can start in mid-August.

Hi OP
I lived in Faslane but 25 years ago as a child in H'burgh, Rhu and Shandon.
My only advice would be have a look in Jan sales for wet weather gear as one of the reasons it's so beautiful is all the rain.
Best of luck with it all and the impending arrival

I think DD will go mad if she can't start school until 2013... She is already asking me every day and seems completely ready for big school, I think waiting another year will frustrate her. She isn't 4 until June might end up staying down South and sending my DH ahead for 10 months... Eeek!!

No matter how long you wait down south for, there is still going to be a mis-match between her year group/starting age as the two education systems are very different.

If you want to know about schools (as the application process is different here as well - I'm west coast but not near Faslane) the best thing you can do is contact the local authority and they'll advise you about which primary school/nursery she can go to and when she can start.

The Royal Caledonian Schools Trust is the charity that helps forces families deal with the Scottish education system and they're very helpful.

Lots of schools have a nursery 'class' attached to them though which your DD could attend for her per school year. My DC goes to this and calls it school.

Olympics2012OliviaMumsnet any hints and tips on ark building?! I don't remember the last time we had a day without rain here!!

AntM would it be at all possible for you and your family to visit the Helensburgh area soon? I guess being so far south and pregnant might make it a bit tricky to do so, but would give you a chance to have a look at the quarters/schools/local area.

@countingdown

I don't remember the last time we had a day without rain here!!

Don't want to depress the OP too much and bear in mind I was a wee bairn (lived between there and various postings until I went Away To School at nearly 9) but my overwhelming memories are of rain. There is one photo of me on a sledge with about an inch of snow on the ground and a photo of us all having lunch outside because it wasn't raining. Also went camping in the Highlands one summer which boasted amazing sunsets sure there was rain then too but I can't remember

Oh God.... You're not selling it to me Ladies! OH finishes exams at the end of this week, once they are over I can overload his brain and sit down to talk to him properly about what will happen over the next 18 months. I don't want to give up my job, friends etc just yet. It would mean that I would finish here for Maternity leave in June and then never come back! :(
Thanks for all the info though, its been very helpful indeed.
X

I was brought up there and it is one of the most stunningly beautiful places in the world! At night the lights from across the Clyde are beautiful. When I was little I thought it was America, because I was told that was across a big ocean and I could not imagine anything bigger than the Clyde! It's a great idea to take a trip on the Waverly from Helensburgh (a paddle steamer). It used to be a frequent school trip for us. Also take a drive across to Loch Lomond over Glen Fruin (sp?) - gorgeous! I do hope you drive as the trip further north is worth a bundle of happy memories.
Oh but the downside is the midgies. I'm afraid a good insect repelent will be needed if you want to enjoy the evening sunshine in summer/autumn. They don't bite me at all (maybe i'm immune?) but it's not nice to inhale them, lol! There is plenty of sunshine from May as the gulf stream warms the coast. I believe there are still palm trees on the front in Helensburgh (if last winter didn't see them off.

Hi AntM,

I lived there for nearly 2 years when my DH was based up there. I would move up when he does, honestly, it will be less disruptive in the long term. We lived in Officer's accommodation in H'burgh which is fine. There is one main drive and then a road running parallel which we lived on> Yes, it rains a lot but we are now based in Plymouth and, well, it rains a lot! You can walk into town from the Officer's patch. Lots of little shops, soft play. Great playgroup up in Rhu that we went to. Glasgow is lovely for shopping. Honestly, it will be fine!!

DH moved back there last summer and were it not for the fact that my two are settled in education and I have a job, I'd have moved back like a shot. I loved it. Absolutely stunning area to live in and great for family time.

PM me if you want any more info.

Suzie

I will pm you AntM as by naming the street I did, I upset someone.