Edinburgh High Schools

[PK2022]

I'm hoping to get some advice. I'm a single parent, just moved up to Edinburgh with my son to start a new life after a very hard few years. I worked for months to get a flat in a central area to have what get was a solid chance of getting into a good state school. We got our offer today, for Tynecastle High School. I'm disappointed - not just by the low academic achievement level (307th/340 in Scotland!) and the distance from our home (2 buses, 45 minutes) but also the website content which gives a very amateur impression and has little to reassure me.

I'm planning to appeal, so my question would be, does anyone have experience of appealing, to know what chance I might have?
Or, does anyone here have kids at Tynecastle and can vouch for the quality of the teaching and environment?

Thanks for any information.

I'd repost this in the Scotsnet section, you'll be more likely to get replies.

I have two DCs at Tynecastle. It’s actually a very good school. One DC has just sat Nat 5s and I’ll be very disappointed (and surprised) if they don’t get 7 As (as forecast). Teaching is very good and both my DCs are very happy there.

Higher ranking as I understand it is based on the number of pupils on the S4 role in the previous year who go on to get 5A - C highers. I think Tynecastle probably loses out (at a guess) from a lower proportion of pupils staying on to S5. My DC and all their their friends are taking 5 highers as far as I’m aware.

Presumably Tynecastle is your catchment school? You generally have to have a very good reason to get an out of catchment place. The highest performing schools are pretty full.

I'm really surprised that you've been offered Tynecastle if it's that far away - 'offers' in Scotland just don't work like that, generally DCs go to their catchment school unless you've specifically asked to go elsewhere for a particular reason.

What's your catchment school? Is that one full and Tynie your second nearest, maybe?

And because most DCs go to their catchment schools, all school websites are generally rubbish. Please don't make any decisions based on a website - schools don't 'sell' themselves to parents up here and their websites are usually a bit of an afterthought.

Like others have said you don't apply for and get offered a place in Scotland, kids just go to their catchment area school, unless it's full I guess. I think most schools keep places for people moving into the area like you though.
Speak to the Council if you are not happy

Some schools are so full they can’t fit in all their catchment pupils if they move after the date the places are being allocated. Tynecastle occasionally gets kids from out of catchment who are waiting for places at their catchment school. Sometimes they just stay at the school.

This is very reassuring and is what I suspected - thanks! I have already sensed that there is a lot of judgment and snobbery around schools in Edinburgh and I would definitely prefer for my son to go to a state school if possible. So then it's basically this long journey that is the problem, although we are renting and could move if the school works out to be a good fit for him.

Sadly there are 4 high schools closer than Tynecastle - we are 2.5 miles away!

I'm really surprised as well, because this is what I had heard. Tynecastle is the 'nearest school with places' to my catchment, which is Gillespie's.

Yes, thanks, I intend to but I also want as much information as possible.

Thanks everyone for replying! :)

Ah, Gillespies is rammed. That explains it.

Still worth speaking to the council though - there will be a waiting list and you should be fairly near the top if it's your catchment.

Definitely worth speaking to the council about appeals and what the process is for going on the waiting list for other nearer out of catchment schools. But get on the phone this morning if you can just in case you end up needing to speak to any schools directly, they'll shut at lunchtime for the summer.

Guessing your next nearest is Boroughmuir, also rammed, extension delayed.

What is your catchment school?

I would think a place at Gillespies will come up eventually. In my experience, Tynecastle tends to be viewed less favourably by those whose children don’t go there and kids who like the social experience of a very big school. Another advantage is that apparently my DCs can get a slightly lower grade for entry to local HE institutions because of the lower attainment of the school as a whole - this doesn’t seem quite fair in our case but it is what it is.

Some of the school catchments in Edinburgh are very odd shapes. We must live far closer to Boroughmuir than many of those who live in its catchment - it stretches almost to the bypass.

Thank you. Apparently my son have been given a place on the waiting list automatically and is in with a good chance to get a spot, as we are so close to the school (I can see it from the window!).

But the wait is the thing - DS just wants somewhere to belong, bless him.

Thank you everyone for your messages! Very precious information, much appreciated 😊

If you are so close to Gillespies he’d be far quicker walking to Tynecastle than getting buses. It’s not that far on foot.

Google maps is saying 39 minutes' walk, which feels like a long way twice a day for his wee legs!

Wee legs! Maybe if it was P1-3! Google maps is usually an over-estimate. Many children will be walking for longer to get to their catchment school. I'd find hanging around for two buses more tiring than walking.

Also, it's telling me 28 mins from Gillespie's to Tynecastle. DS was doing the same distance to get to primary.

Maybe get one bus and walk the rest?

I’m fairly new to the Scottish system - so because you missed the deadline you’ve had to do a placing request?
Can you try and get on a waiting list for another school? What are the other two that are nearer?

Sorry, I missed one of your posts - you’re on the waiting list.