returning to Edinburgh with teens-advice on school places

[lakewyola]

Hi,
My family and I are relocating from the US to Edinburgh this summer. I originally come from Scotland and went to high school in Edinburgh (Gillespies) so I am very familiar with the city. However it seems that since I was there places at high schools have become a big issue for some schools.
After doing some research I decided that I wanted my two kids to go to Broughton HS as they are very creative/artistic and I felt this would be a good match for them.
We have been avidly trying to find a rental in the catchment area but no luck yet (although I think that will work itself out). The problem now is that we called Broughton yesterday only to find out they have no spaces in S3 (which my son would be going into) and may not have the subject space for my daughter going in to S5.
This has totally thrown us as I don't want to secure a rental in the catchment if the kids are not going to be able to go there.
I'm wondering if anyone can offer any advice on how likely it is that spaces open up between now and August? Also if anyone has kids at the school and what they think. Obviously we are considering other options now at school that do have spaces (but looking on the edinburgh.gov website a lot of the secondary schools don't).
Thinking of Portobello instead (as we love that area). I do know about the issue with the current building of the Portobello HS but in a little over a year they will have a brand new building so that seems good!
Thoughts?
Thanks!

Hi Lake, I bet you are looking forward to coming home. Yes, you are correct in that things have changed quite considerably in the passing years.

I don't want to put a downer on your move back to here but I think you need to address the following...

It is unusual for schools with a full roll to have any movement in those years. If spaces did appear they may have concerns over the curriculum differences between the US and Scotland, especially going into S5. That is a steep learning curve!

As you have done, I would be contacting schools directly to see where spaces are available and go from there.

Could you delay your move for a year or so? I understand that this may not be possible/ or wished but I do have concerns re your eldest entering S5 and doing the two term dash to Highers. That said , possibly she would have to do the NAT 5s first? Who knows?! It's all knew to us too but worth asking the question.

Good luck

Thanks Athensofthenorth,
No I don't think we can consider putting the move off at this point. Although I haven't had anyone give me a definite answer on how her qualifications would transfer I'm not overly worried as she would mostly be taking subjects in the humanities (Art, English, History, possibly French).
Really she is most concerned about taking art as she wants to go to art college.
However I will certainly be asking that of specific schools.

God, I know I'm sounding pessimistic and I'm not trying to put you off BUT the humanities could probably have the most issues.

It really is a different way of education here compared to the US. I know as I grew up in States and have a 16 yr old in S4 ( born and bred in Scotland).

Have you looked at the Curriculum for Excellence and the course matter for each subject? Very, very different to the US.

In Edinburgh pupils take 8 Nat 5s or a combination of Nat 5s & Nat 4s depending on expected grade while in S4.

In S5 depending on the grades received, pupils would take 5 highers or a combination of Nat 5 and Highers. Then in S6 possibly advanced or basic higher.

Most state schools start the S5 year after the Nat 5 exams in May, so your eldest would be playing catchup in August.

Due to the ages of your children, especially your oldest you need to do some really serious investigating on the options available to her.

I hear what you are saying and I do appreciate your advice. We are aware of the structure for exams in Scotland and obviously will do everything to support her through the transition. If need be maybe we can even consider having her come early to be there for the start of the Highers curriculum. We have started a conversation with Broughton and Portobello about the course offerings.

Just wanted to update that I had a great response from Portobello High School. They have space in both years and my daughter would be able to take the subjects she needs for 5th year. They also mentioned that they didn't think it would matter for her to miss the few weeks where they start the new curriculum. I also got some good feedback from people who have teens at the school and think it's good for the arts.
This all makes us lean more towards finding a rental in Portobello seeing as we'd know for sure both kids could attend school there and get the subject choices they want.

Porty is very arty, lots of artists live there. Beautiful place to live, v strong community vibe.

Great to hear Datec!

As much as I like Portobello the place, Portobello the school is one of the poorest performing schools in Edinburgh, although you can't judge everything by league tables. Yes it will have a lovely new building in a couple of years time, but it is the school with the highest roll (if I am not mistaken) in Edinburgh - except private schools. And that number will only get bigger as parents see it as an attractive new school.

What are you basing that on tribal? Last time I looked it was bang in the middle of the league table.

From everyone that I've spoken to with kids there they've all had good things to say. Yes the numbers for league tables may not be as high as some schools in Edinburgh but I'm happy with how it ranks. Hearing first hand that the arts departments in particular are good resonates with us as these are the areas our kids are most interested in. From experience we know that no school is perfect and even the best ranked schools don't work well for all kids. The fact that there is such an issue with places at schools in Edinburgh has definitely been a hurdle for us to deal with.

Just joined Mum's net and just arrived in Scotland, this is my first posting. Any recommendations for swimming clubs have an 8 year old who was swimming a lot and competing. We are based in Cramond. Thanks for any advice.

Swim easy are a fantastic company!

Swim easy are great, I knew Gail Smith who runs it before she set it up and my kids went there but thankfully gave up before the early morning sessions started. Both her son's were brilliant swimmers and her son was in the commonwealth games.

If your cold is already at competition stage then hey are beyond swimeasy which is really for lessons not club swimming. However they feed their swimmers through to Warrender swim club www.swimwarrender.com once they reach that stage. It is the biggest club in the city and sessions take place in various pools all around the city. Other clubs locally are Hearts or Inverleith which are much smaller but may suit you either. Get in touch via the various club web sites and they will arrange a trial. Edinburgh has a large and active competitive sing community!

Heart of Midlothian Swimming club train on the west of the city.