Which primary school in North of the city

[Misamisagrl]

We are living in the catchment area for Trinity primary but we'd like to move to a bigger place soon. My daughter is only 2.5 years old however we'd rather not keep moving around. The question is whether worth sticking around in the same area or move to another primary's catchment instead areas like Victoria, Granton or Flora's catchment area?

Any of you have a child who is going to one of these primaries who could give me some feedback?

Thanks

Flora has a very good reputation and we considered applying for DD, but decided against it as our catchment is equally good ime (Stockbridge), and it is very full! If I had to chose from your options I would probably put Flora top and Granton bottom - don't know the other two so well but I think both are pretty good. Wardie (which is kind of in between) also has a very good reputation

However, as you probably know all the schools are heaving so most importantly if you are looking to move make sure you are in catchment area before you have to put your name down for schools (check rough dates on council websites) as the way things are just now around that side of down you will be lucky to get anything other than catchment school.

Also, depending on how long you are planning to stay have a look at/think about the catchment high school too. The primary schools are full to breaking just now - the high schools aren't quite as bad but by the time your DD goes the bulge years we have just now will have hit the high schools, so don't bet on getting anything out of catchment there either! IIRC Granton and Floras both feed to Broughton, and Wardie/Trinity/Victoria all feed to Trinity Academy.

Thanks for your reply. I've been doing more and more research on the catchment ares of Trinity Academy and Broughton High. If we can find a flat big enough in our current Trinity catchment area then problem solved. But only way to get into Broughton High's catchment area is through Granton Primary. It seems Flora's catchment isn't in our price bracket for the space we need. :/ so feeling a bit down.
There is another option, a drastic one for that matter which is to move into Granton's area but sending my daughter to Holy Cross RC, St Thomas of Aquins for secondary. Both side of our family isn't religious the least, let alone RC. So don't know how she will be treated or what she would be subjected to during/between lessons.
Have you heard anything about these school and how they treat their non-denominational students? As far as league tables, seems to rate particularly well for the secondary.

I don't know what your budget is, but have you considered the tail edge of the Floras catchment area? The south side of Telford Road (just behind the western general) - the bit called "Grigor" - not especially beautiful but on the right side of the road! Do you mind saying what your rough budget and needs are and we might be able to suggest a few options?

I think that Holy Cross is fairly busy so you might struggle to get in as a non-catholic, it's not currently oversubscribed but all the others locally are and have started giving priority to baptised catholics so it is only a matter of time before it goes the same way.

Thanks again. I will look into Grigor. Possibly around £190-200k. We checked places around Pilton farm avenue which again is Granton's area :/ but well in budget.

The problem is we definitely would want a kitchen bigger than shoebox -a breakfast kitchen and boxroom/3rd bedroom for an office. We are thinking about putting our place on the market mid-July after coming back from our holiday so no idea what the market will be like. Whole of process of selling & finding a place we like/afford to buy sounds stressful.

Shame to hear about but not surprised about Holy Cross's situation. Oh well, that kills that option. I am more and more tempted to stay in where we are. Grrrr.

It is tricky, we looked at buying in those areas recently (hence knowing the bloody catchments off by heart!) and the jump in prices when you cross over in to the Granton catchment is pretty big. We were also looking at your sort of budget

Few other places I can think of that get quite good schools in that sort of budget would be:

• Clermiston (feeds to Royal High) - more north west than north, some dodgy bits but some pretty nice and IME probably nicer than Granton (lived in Granton so not being mean :) )

-the edge of Silverknowes on the border with Davidsons Mains. This is one to study catchment maps with care but there are a few Silverknowes streets which feed to Davidsons Mains Primary, and then on to Royal High

-Butt ugly, but Saunders Street flats in Stockbridge aren't too far off that budget

-you get the odd reasonable property in the Blackhall catchment - this for eg

-if you don't mind slightly dull flats then there are a few other options. East and West Court in Ravelston House Park (none on the market right now but info here go for under £200k for a 3 bed, are a decent size and Blackhall/Royal High catchment. They're the random dull blocks in a lovely area and pretty spacious.

-Barnton flats here - either davidsons mains or cramond primary, and royal high

Slightly wild card option as it's the other side of town but I know quite a few families who have moved to Buckstone, which has a good primary and then feeds to Boroughmuir for high school. [[http://www.espc.com/properties/details.aspx?pid=334450 this just under offer @ 210 )

It is indeed tricky. Price difference both side of the street is irritating the keast. Whereabouts in Granton you lived? It is worse than Leith than ?

I was looking into royal high, davidsons mains and buckstone. Finding the right street as usual. I would love to send my daughter Royal high or Broughmuir to be honest. We don't mind too much sacrificing our current very central location as long as it is the right house. The problem also is house market is picking up, means more possibility of being outbided.
Have you moved yet then ?

Ideally would like to decide now or sort it out before she starts to nursery in January.
Is it possible to go visit schools by the way to see how they are?
Decisions, decisions...

We were on the edge of Granton really - actually more Wardie but had to go through Granton to get there from many places. It's always hard to say if one area is better or worse isn't it and Leith is pretty diverse, some lovely bits and some rough pockets.

I think the Pilton Farm bit is pretty nice but ...I dunno, it probably makes me a snob but it wouldn't be my first choice of schools. I grew up in another stereotypically deprives bit of Edinburgh and I wouldn't choose to send my DD to school there either.

We didn't end up moving - change of plans! We're still in the City Centre, Stockbridge catchment for now at least!

Yeah I agree though. We mostly like where we live in Leith, 5 mins walk to Ocean Terminal, lots of restaurants, in Trinity's catchment, only catch is our flat isn't as big as we would like to.
But can't blame you, school is very important and I would not move so easily if I was in Stockbridge's catchment.
I notice there are flats etc in really good school areas within top range of our budget but needs their kitchen, bathroom completely re-fitted, which means need keep some cash for those updates, ends up going over budget. Call me fussy if we move this is it for a very long long time it has to be perfect. ^^
So we will see.