Moving to Aberdeen: good primary schools?

[SallyfromSA]

Hi,

Strong chance my husband will be taking up a job in Aberdeen within the next 6 months. We will be coming from Australia (tho' he was born there and mother-in-law in Portlethen.)

My son turned 4 in April and I'll need to sort out schooling.

Which to do first: find good school and move into that area or are all the state schools generally of a good standard?

Any tips on decent affordable areas within 45 mins drive of the city? I wouldn't mind being in the countryside.

Can't wait!

Any input would be fab. Thanks.
Sally

Friend of ours recently chose Banchory (sp?) for her large family.

Thanks!

I would also recommend Banchory, a lovely Aberdeenshire village. Good schools too. Although it is 45 minutes away from Aberdeen City.
There is also Peterculter, Milltimber, Cults and Bieldside which all have great primary schools and are in the catchment area for Cults Academy. However house prices reflect this and they can be pricey areas to live in, particularly Cults and Bieldside.
You might also consider Westhill, Elrick and Skene. They too have access to good schools but are a little less pricey. Or perhaps Kingswells, a suburb of Aberdeen.
Your son will be going into his pre-school year at nursery. Nursery applications have already opened so if there is a specific school you want to attend it might be worth phoning and checking if there is still spaces available. The chances are there will be but occasionally schools can be oversubscribed.
The best place to look for houses to buy is www.aspc.co.uk
Good luck

Thanks so much for that info. Really useful advice. Oh boy, can feel the stress levels rising. So we should find an area but double check he can get a place before signing a rental agreement, I guess.

Breathe....

Don't worry about places at primary school - a nursery might be full, but if you live in the catchment for a primary then you will be fine.

It would be very unusual not to get your chosen nursery/school due to them being full. But worth checking just in case. I know my local school has no more spaces for p3 at the moment so someone moving to the area had to attend a school slightly further away. I definitely wouldn't worry or be stressed about it though. I would say to find an area/house you like and double check the school has places available (but I would imagine there would be).

Thanks, Ladies. It's all starting to make sense now and I'm glad I don't need to stress too much about places. You seem to have no shortage of nice schools and I'm making a note of the areas.

Stayed in Banchory on our last visit to the mother-in-law and we did like it very much. Going to google the other areas mentioned and get an idea of property prices for rentals.

He'll be working in the city.

Will look out for nursery options. Best I find some old Balamory videos and what's that one with "Granny Murray" on cbeebies to get him used to the accent!! :)

Thanks, Waswondering, it's pretty central. You're up late. ;)

Oh, Euphemia, going to keep my big trap shut now coz I'm showing my ignorance badly...now that you mention it I'm sure my mil pointed that out to me before. Never mind, she'll slap me into shape and teach me the local lingo.