East Renfrewshire Schools

[mummy54321]

Hello,

We have recently moved to Newton Mearns and are in the catchment for Saint Cadoc's which feeds into Saint Ninian's High School which has got a good name. Just wondered if anyone had any personal experience of these schools - both primary and secondary? Just wondering in terms of internal politics, diversity and fairness. We are from abroad and many of my family (myself included) went to catholic schools so I would actually quite like to send my kids there but have heard conflicting accounts of pupil experiences in denominational schools although I would encourage my kids to participate fully and not exclude them from any activities.

My husband is keen on going private but as private schools are eye-wateringly expensive I am less keen on this when we have perfectly good schools (both denominational and non-denominational) in our area.

Any opinions/personal accounts would be much appreciated.

Thanks!

my son and his soon to be wife both went to St Ninians - he also to St Cadocs. Both schools are excellent in all respects - education, social, sport, drama etc - and having caring and exceptional teachers who will go the extra mile. The HT at St N is fantastic and has improved educational results year on year from a high starting point. It is a school that endeavours to ensure every pupils reaches his/her full potential - whether academic, vocational, arts etc. Although my son currently lives in Glasgow he will move back into Newton Mearns when he has children to ensure they can go to St Ninians. As regards private schools when East Ren was formed in 1996 about 11% of children went to private schools - the figure is now about 1.1% as the state schools give the brightest pupils the same level of education and results are the same (once you take out those pupils who would not have been allowed into a private school. A friend of ours took their child out of St C to go private - he achieved far lower results than all of his friends who stayed at StC and went to St N. The private school in East Ren does not perform as well as St N.

I went to a non-denom in East Ren but a lot of friends were at St N and it's genuinely a great school. If we move back to East Ren there's no chance I'd pay for a private school as there's really no need. I don't know about St C as I was Clarkston rather than the Mearns (St Joseph's) but I can't imagine there being anything negative.

Thanks everyone - very helpful!

My daughter is attending Landside but I am keen to move to east Ren. Can you please name a few good primary school pls?

Paanya, all of the primary schools are great to be honest. Catchment areas are very strict so best focusing on which high school to go to and ensuring there is a feeder primary within catchment

Thanks MadameCumberbatchio for your message.I am new to Glasgow, if you can please share your thoughts on primary school and high school pls?

the "top" primary and secondary schools are in the former Eastwood part of East Ren - but the Barrhead schools are catching up fast as the Council invests big in education.

If you are choosing a property based on the catchment for the secondary school then consult with the education department - there have been numerous case where a builder/estate agent has said a property is in the catchment area for a particular school when in fact it isn't. There will be a new catholic primary school opening in Newton Mearns in August 2017 which will be zoned for St Ninians. There is a lot of house building in East Ren which means that in near future only residents will be able to get schooled in the area.

Paanya it totally depends on what you want- non denominational or otherwise. But if you look at the league tables then either Williamwood (non-Dom) or St Ninians (Dominational) come out top every year.

Primary schools are all much of a muchness. Maybe visit a few in your proposed catchment and see what feel you get for them.