Relocation to Glasgow - HELP!!

[ElasticaBungees]

I am currently living in the US with DH and our three DC (DTs 7 and DD 4). He has been offered a job in Glasgow which we think he will accept. It will mean moving in about three months. Being from London we know nothing about the area, the DT started school in the US so I have no idea about the UK schooling system either! So I need some help and information and am hoping you can help!

We are thinking about East Renfrewshire to live; good schools & on the right side of the city for traveling South. Can anyone tell me about the area and schools? DS1 has dyslexia and dyscalculia, how would she be supported in school? What is the admissions process, of course we would be moving part way through the school year. Would it be possible to get a preschool place for DD part way through the year?

What's the area like, is there plenty of property for sale and rent (we'd need to rent first then buy, presumably in the same school catchment area). What is the scottish schooling system like, in general? I get the impression it will be much different to here!

That's my initial brain dump, sure there will be more later. TIA!

Welcome! I moved to Glasgow over 10 years ago from England. I stay in Glasgow West End and love it. Property can be very expensive in Glasgow so it's important to consider what your budget will be.

There are areas outside of the the main city like Milngavie, Bearsden and Newton Mearns that have good schooling and reputation. In the West End, Jordanhill, Broomhill and Hydland are the most sort after locations. In addition do you need things like after school club? Remember not all schools offer this!

It depends on the level of support your DD needs as to what may be offered really. Places in the most sort after locations are limited and you may not get a place in the school you want. The most important thing is to decide where you want to live and then look at schooling in the area.

Maybe PM me and I'm happy to send more information answer questions as well as I can.

I grew up in East Renfrewshire, and would recommend it. I can't comment on the schools currently, but areas to consider are Newton Mearns, Whitecraigs, Giffnock, netherlee, Clarkston..

Funny, I've just moved to Glasgow. Originally from Belfast, I have lived in Edinburgh for the last 14 years but my husband - though actually originally English - lived in Glasgow for 23 years before I married him. Problem? Like this lady I don't know the city and get lost on the way to Morrisons...any offer of advice about getting to grips with Glasgow would be much appreciated! Children are past the schooling stage so not an issue!

Where in Glasgow are you Maggie?

Hello Op, I'm from East Renfrewshire, although DD is currently in her last year of nursery.

Given the level of support at the nursery for children with additional requirements I am confident that the schools would be equally so.

Rental in East Renfrewshire is competitive, especially around about school enrolment time as everyone piles in to get into catchment. Buying wise, there's a varied price range of houses and also some new builds in the area which subscribe to the 'Help to buy' scheme.

The Scottish schooling system, it's hard to compare really as it's not my own personal experience, I think it's a lot less competitive than in England...but East Renfrewshire might be the one place that bucks that trend.

It's a great place to live, good amenities/parks/clubs for kids etc. It's also nice that all the families have the same general goal as we have all moved to this area to benefit from the excellent school reports.

Feel free to send me a message if you need a bit more information with regards to areas/catchments/schools etc

Have had a little bit of experience with ASN in both primary and secondary stages in a few different schools in East Ren Council area. Don't really want to go into personal detail, but would say that from what I have seen the Council appear to be very proactive. IME schools tend to act early to offer support to pupils with a wide variety of needs.
Good luck with the move.

Looking at this, do we need a Glasgow Masterclass Meetup??

I lived in Glasgow for a year 22 years ago when doing my pgce at Jordanhill, and having lived in Edinburgh and the Outer Hebrides in between, have now been back here for 8 years and I can't see us moving away anytime soon!

To Elasticated the OP, I can't really advise on East Ren. We live (just) within the Glasgow city boundary and our dc attend the Sgoil Ghaidlig Ghlaschu - Glasgow Gaelic School. This isn't really an option for you. My dd1 is 14, in s2 (probably 2nd year of junior high in the us) and is dyslexic. She has a scribe and reader for exams (though she's a voracious reader I'm not sure she needs that service) and has 1-2-1 reading/spelling sessions during her English classes. I think we're lucky that she really wants to read!!

Scottish system differs from English, one of the main ways is admissions. They work on a calendar year system (rather than the English Sept-sept system) and children born in Dec-Jan-Feb have the option to defer without missing a year. So my dd1 and ds (who both have Feb birthdays) both started school - without having to skip a year as In England - at 5y6m. Dd2, a Nov birthday, started at 4y9m and I was soooooo worried she was too young! This means I have a 14yo in S2, a 12yo in p7 and a 10yo in p6.

Glasgow is a fantastic place to live! Due to some very personal choices about our life we live in Castlemilk, one of the peripheral housing schemes (we do stick out - I'm a teacher and dh is a GP) but it's where our church is and it helps our community involvement. There are other great places to live. If East Ren isn't working, do consider the West End (though Hillhead primary is becoming oversubscribed) or the Southside - Glendale in Pollokshields or Shawlands Primary are good (friends in both) and Shawlands Academy is a great secondary. Kings Park High is also one of the most improved schools in the city - we know 5 children there, at least one is aiming for medicine.

Please feel free to post or PM. And if/when you get here, there's a great group of weegie Mumsnetters about!!

Thanks everyone. We have just come back from a whirlwind visit to find a house. We are moving in April! We were certainly not spoiled for choice, there were only about five houses that fitted the bill! Despite that we ended up with a nice house in Bearsden, and the children all have places at Culquhoun Park Primary, even at nursery for DD2. I really liked the area, it's close to DHs work and the school impressed me, especially the head who gave me a lot of confidence re the dyslexia. Actually the only other suitable house was in Carmunnock, which was a bit remote for me, and I didn't really take to Newton Mearns.

So, the upshot is I now have to pack up and sell this house and we will be on our way in a few weeks! Very excited now, 4years in the US has been long enough! And I am definitely up for a meet up!

Hi ElasticaBungees, just wondered if you have moved yet? If you need some adult company,let me know! X