Relocating to Aberdeen - Looking for input on schools

[Amharlin]

Hello - We are in the process of relocating to Aberdeen. I have been for a visit and had a look at Albyn, Hamilton, International School, and plan to have a look at the Banchory Devenick primary. My oldest son will be in lower primary and my youngest son in nursery school. I just wondered if anyone has any input on the local reputation of these schools - are the education standards, are there any discipline issues, etc. Since the schools are out for the summer, I am finding it incredibly difficult to make a decision. If you have any information to share, I would greatly appreciate it. Also, all of these schools have waiting lists for their nursery. Does anyone have any recommendations for nurseries (I realize it is rather late in the game!). Many thanks!!

Hello, there is a Local folder for Aberdeen. I can't help much as my wee one is only 16 months, but it is private schools particularly you are interested in? Are you going to be in Banchory-Devenick? Generally, the schools have a good reputation in the area, so you won't go too wrong with state schools.

Depends on why you are coming to Aberdeen, and what you want. My girls are in state school, which is excellent. The albyn is the most traditional independent school of those you have mentioned, although as it was a girls' school, some find it not so good for boys. I am not so familiar with the Hamilton, have known 3 or 4 expat families use it, but no local families - nearly everyone I know with boys at private school chose Robert Gordon's. International school has excellent facilities, but doesn't follow the Scottish curriculum, so not so easy to switch from if you are staying in Scotland.

Personally, I would choose a school which my kids can walk to - not a big fan of Aberdeen traffic. But if my company were paying...... Albyn has mostly local kids, international school has mostly expats (so high turnover of kids, but understand expat lifestyle). I think Hamilton is best for younger kids.

Thank you very much for the responses. I am new to mumsnet and did not realise there was a whole folder devoted to Aberdeen so I will check that out. We are Americans and we have been living in Belgium for the last 2 years. My older son was at an intl school and younger one was at a Montessori school, but we were having some issues at the intl school. So I am not rushing anything and taking my time to look at all options. Had we stayed in Belgium, I would have moved my older son to Montessori this year. I am quite interested in the local Banchory Devenick school as we will be living in that area, but I was unable to get in contact with anyone as of yet. My biggest concern with the local school is meeting people in the local schools. Do you think it will be a struggle if we are not "local"? We will be there for at least 3 years and quite possibly longer. Someone mentioned to me that they felt the intl school was a little lax on discipline and that was one of our issues in Belgium so it raised a concern for me. I appreciate your help and will check the other boards too!

as a non-Aberdonian (though still Scottish) I do find the locals can be hard to talk to; lovely once you get to know them but reserved until then. However, there are so many expats of different nationalities that actually having had a baby here, it is easier to make friends than I expected. A large number of my Mum friends are from areas outside Aberdeen.

I went to school in Aberdeen, albeit in the 80s. There were only a couple of private schools but the state schools were good, with a couple of notable exceptions. Our teacher from Edinburgh said he couldn't believe how good the behaviour was after his experiences teaching in Edinburgh.
I left school, went to university and moved to england always wondering why people went on about schools so much, but then my children started school in England and I realised what the issue is.

As to the people, they speak a different language (Doric), so you'll need to know what a mannie, wifie, quine and loon are. However, Aberdeen is a very cosmopolitan because of the oil industry that moves families in for a few years before posting them on again. So unlike Edinburgh and Glasgow, there's very little cold-shouldering of people who were not born and brought up there.

Maybe they seem cold because they are quite unemotional, although I don't think any east coast Scots are known for their excitability?

Michael Gove, the education secretary, is a product of Aberdeen state primaries and a scholarship to Robert Gordon's (at the time the only boys private secondary). I can see a lot of his views about what education should be in what he would have experienced himself.

Did you know that Scottish schools get inspected and the reports are published online? Here is the link for the school you mentioned:-www.educationscotland.gov.uk/inspectionandreview/reports/school/primsec/BanchoryDevenickSchoolAberdeenshire.asp

If you look at others, then you need to be aware that the places you mention are outside Aberdeen City. They are in Aberdeenshire.

Thanks Anice! I appreciate your input and the link to the school evals. I will check them out. I am in contact with the local school now and they seem lovely. Just waiting to see if there is space.

I was an expat in France with children at international school for five years. Everything was sooooo easy, everyone was extra friendly, kids fitted into the school, and most importantly, the school understood the needs of expat kids. Been in Aberdeen for 3 years now, and it has taken longer to settle.... But we ate here for the long haul so no problem with that. From what I've heard, Banchory devinick is a good school, so all the schools you have mentioned would be a good choice. Your answer will be what lifestyle you will feel comfortable with - lots of expat friends and socialising (Intl school) might suit you, if you remember that the local (esp state schools) have a higher proportion of mums who work..... Not so easy to make friends then! Personally, the Hamilton and albyn don't offer much of an advantage - if you are going to have to drive / have friends out of your local area, you might as well choose a school that offers a significant benefit to your kids, ie understanding the needs of expat kids such as curriculum, holidays, friends leaving..... Don't forget, you can get involved with local people through other activities, scouts, church etc.

Have you checked out Robert Gordon? In my opinion, it's superb. A friend has her son there.

Had my littles one at The Hamilton for a while, it was excellent and my kids got great pastoral care and developed very well academically. In fact, my son was accepted into the very selective Albyn school after doing a year at Hamilton. We didn't move him to Albyn though.....

Albyn and Robert Gordon are selective. Hamilton is not. So consider that when looking at results. If kids like sports, Robert Gordon offers a better extracurricular choice.

.....have heard it is very hard for expat kids to be accepted into Gordon's though.