Choosing the best co-ed boarding school in Scotland

[Leelove28]

Hello Clever people,
My daughter is currently in p6 and we are looking to move her into a co-ed boarding school.
She wants to do science and we have narrowed our choices to Glenalmond, Fettes and Loretto.
Do any of you have any insights into these schools that can help influence our decision? We would also like to know if bullying is something to worry about.
Any advice at this point is welcomed.

btw, Glenalmond's web page says "some" pupils do double science - not that they don't offer triple.

www.glenalmondcollege.co.uk/academic-life/curriculum/fourth-and-fifth-form-(gcse)/

Agree with coffeecamelcase, cargilfield worth looking at. They send pupils all over

We plan to visit next week. Thanks for the recommendation

Leelove did you visit?

Can I ask an honest question? Why chose boarding over day school? Genuine question not goading.. I have friends who were boarders, but no friends who wish to board their children.. some in private and some in state school, genuinely interested in why you are looking at boarding. My friends who did did so at St. George's, gordonston, and Loretto. The day pupils I know ( currently) at fetes do feel slightly left out of activities..

Yes, I have visited Fettes, Glenalmond and Loretto. Fettes had a lot of students and being in town troubles me. The number of girls in the room seemed a lot too (6/8). Loretto and Glenalmond only have 2/3 in a room.
Overall, the head teachers were all amazing and very pleasant.

Hi Datec, my work means I am away a lot as a mum and as my daughter gets older, I know she will need attention which my being absent will not help. A boarding school will help her develop in a social and nuturing environment. It will also help her to gain her confidence. I hope my reasons help.

We also visited Cargifield and Ardvreck prep schools.
We fell in love with Cargifield but they don't offer full boarding. So that riled it out for us . A great school environment for anyone who wanted to send their child there.
Ardvreck had very lovely pupils, staff but the facilities were a bit outdated and they were insisting my daughter repeat a year because her birthday fell after September but the senior schools of Loretto and Glenalmond were fine with this.
So for the moment, we are considering she does the assessment for Fettes and Loretto junior schools.

Thanks for the update Leelove. I'm surprised too that Fettes has so many girls in one room, the rooms we'd seen several years ago were individual (perhaps the children were older). Nice to hear another big thumbs up for Cargilfield. Is the reason for repeating due to English system/Scottish system cut off dates I.E Feb/march rather than Aug/Sept?

Yes Shampoodle. They said the calendar they operate was a first of September cut off and her birthday falls after this. I am not letting anyone make her repeat a class. Her current school reports have never mentioned her struggling socially and I know making her repeat a class will affect her even more.
The house mistress we met at Fettes was a very lovely lady and the rooms were airy and bright. The numbers in the room was just an issue as my daughter likes her space

I have heard good things about Fettes in terms of academic results and highest quality of teaching. DH's (much much younger!) brother is currently doing A-levels at Glenalmond... seems to have an excellent social life but isn't excelling academically even though very bright - but lazy. Issues with alcohol at school and discipline too.. echo pp who said pupils feel they can do what they like

Hi leelove, totally understand, thanks for replying to me. Good to hear your search is going well

Apologies if I offended anyone by posting link to CrowdJustice appeal in this thread. The link is now more appropriately at www.mumsnet.com/Talk/volunteering_and_charitable_giving
Please share.
Glad to hear your search is going well Leelove28 and wish I'd been on mumsnet all those years ago instead of now having to put my child, now "young person", back together again after the heartbreaking consequences of being at Glenalmond.

Coincidentally I recently bumped into one of the governors from Strathallan socially. Have you looked there? We had looked years ago and liked it but mistakenly opted for Glenalmond instead. I remember being very impressed with the junior entry house - Riley.

Hello cloudangel123,
Glenalmond is under new leadership and I am convinced the school is doing whatever it can to improve it's reputation.
I understand that a harrowing experience cannot be wiped away from someone's life and I will do whatever I can to offer support the cause you posted. However, the bullying happened in the past and the new head teacher, who will be 2 years in position in August , is turning things around. It will take time to change things no doubt.
Strathallan is a very sporty school. From what I saw, it will only suit a child that loves sport. It will not suit my daughter. I am trying to select a school where she will thrive.
If you don't mind me asking, why did you choose Glenalmond?

Hi my DS is at Glenalmond and they do offer the option of individual science GSCEs. He is extremely happy there and says it is is top choice of school out of any. The school houses are currently oversubscribed for girls and opening a new girls boarding house this year.

The info about the girls boarding house is really helpful as the boarding quality is as important as the education. Thank you so much.

My DS is boarding at Glenalmond and is extremely happy there. Lovely atmosphere. He says it is his top choice of school out of any. They do offer all three sciences individually or option of dual award. The new head wishes to put focus on sciences, medicine for those looking to do the sciences. My son is loving his music and sport too.

Have no experience of any of the others but I went to Loretto. Did not have a brilliant experience, and now as a teacher I realise that the standard of teaching was mixed at best. I would not send my children there, and I would not teach there either.

FHR, my DH was at Loretto and says the teaching was terrible.

DH has lots of examples. The Chemistry teacher didn't have a degree. He just read a chapter ahead of the class and taught the textbook word-for-word.

Most recently friends went back for a prep school parents lunch at Loretto. The food was inedible. Worse than hospital food, apparently. And this was for their target market of parents!

My 3 have loved Fettes and can't recommend it highly enough. All schools have bullying issues (I rejected Glenalmond as they said there weren't any!) - it depends on how they deal with them. The housemaster/mistress is key in a boarding school so choose one that you like and think will 'get' your child.

Strathallan does seem quite sporty but my daughter who is certainly not into sports loves being there! The music is wonderful, art great and she enjoys that a lot. She is academic and finds the teaching great.

I would definitely consider this school. Friendly, professional enthusiastic staff. Great, confident and happy children.

And the food is amazing - have a look at the menus online. Kippers and waffles for breakfasts, fajita bar for lunch and roast joints for Sundays...

With a menu like that even I want to go... 😊