Should I move my kids back to Scotland

[Momamg]

Hi All, We're currently living abroad with 2 kid aged 8 and 11. They attend an British International school. Although it's an amazing lifestyle, we actually aren't that happy here and it has many downfalls. I feel that it's time to rip the plaster off now and go home to prepare for high school life. I have seen many so many older teenagers finish studies here and have to leave for college and jobs and struggle with leaving their foreign home.
My question is are there any parents who have already done so, how did the transition go and how do you compare the Scottish schools with International School. I'm currently looking at Bearsden Academy, Gryffe High and Dunblane High. Hope someone can give me some first-hand experience. Thanks!

No experience of those specific schools, but we loved back to Scotland last year when kids were 10 and 6. 10 year old has had the last year of primary school here so has been able to make some friends to move up to secondary school with. Academically we’ve had no issues at all. I was happy abroad and like you we had a great lifestyle but home is home.

We're in a similar situation and I'm now considering looking for a job back home in Scotland, but on balance for me I think we will stay where we are as the benefits outweigh the cons (just!).
What is it do you think that stops young people from leaving their adopted country? Does it matter actually as now it's their home? How long have you been abroad? Maybe the staying means it's also time to accept that your children's idea of what is home is different to yours.
I've accepted that my youngest won't consider himself a Scot when he is older (and maybe my older ones too) and that they may even get another citizenship. Home is home as a pp has said, but one thing to consider is maybe you are just thinking of your home is everyone's home, whihh cxxx isn't necessarily the case.

Thanks MonsterKidz, Am feeling very stressed and worried, we should have done this sooner. I'm mostly worried about my eldest starting high school and struggling getting a house! I'm glad it went smoothly for you all! X

Maybe I have my timings wrong but won't your 11 year old be due to start high school in August? That doesn't leave much time to move, settle and make any friends. It sounds a lot of upheaval at that age, on the other hand many people have had fluid childhoods (military parents etc) and coped.

As a PP said, is it your home, are you moving for the kids or for you? Neither is wrong but worth checking your thinking on this one.

I have kids at one of the schools mentioned and have no complaints with it at all.

The only thing I would mention is that these three schools you have mentioned are regularly in the top 5 state schools in Scotland which is why you're thinking about them! Getting places is not easy. There was even discussion recently that not all children who live in catchment would get places which is unheard of in Scotland. If your 11 year old is due to start S1 this summer (so turned 11 between 1 March last year and 28 February this year) you really need to get your skates on as places have already been allocated and you only have a chance if you rent/buy in catchment very soon indeed.

I can only speak for Bearsden but the school has kids coming from all over the world as lots of parents connected with the Universities in Glasgow or the hospital choose to live here. Lots of children in my kids' years who have transferred from the English system without any issues at all.

But time is of the essence here. If you message me privately I can give you the contact name for the transitions person at Bearsden.