Relocating to Scotland, how do I find the best schools???

[scottswede]

My family are moving to Scotland within the next 2 years. I have a 7 yr old and a 5 yr old. We haven't decided which area yet, so I am trying to find information on good schools. Not having much luck. Any websites I can check out. I would appreciate any help.
Thanks

If you haven't come across these yet:

www.heraldscotland.com/content/school-exam-performance-2011
www.educationscotland.gov.uk/scottishschoolsonline/
www.educationscotland.gov.uk/inspectionandreview/reports/school/index.asp - Not all of these are up-to-date, though -- e.g. several in ABZ are from as far back as 2007, pre-CfE roll-out and probably pre-current head teacher. If the school is new school (like a merger of two state primaries), there may not be any report published.
www.scswis.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7644&Itemid=489 - childminding and nurseries only, but maybe that will be handy?

There's this table as well, which lines the high schools up with Scotland average results. thesteamie.scotsman.com/viewpost.aspx?id=503

Definitely not the be-all and end-all. My local academy hasn't been listed on these tables for a few years, due to it being a newly merged school, so DH and I had to read primary school reports, have a look at the school websites, consider what the students were doing in the community, and make our decisions re: housing from there. But hopefully, it will give you something to start with.

house prices get elevated in sought after catchment
you need to elaborate more about area and preferences to get more specific advice
scotland,well...its a big and diverse area

Or you could just choose a private school, and have no need to worry about catchment areas..

it's private you're after plenty in edinburgh
25% private educated in Edinburgh (secondary level)
less common in weeg and more if an issue

It's been a while since I have been on here, thanks for all the replies ladies.
I think we have narrowed our area down to Angus in Scotland. I realized that asking for such general information was a little unreasonable.
So if anyone has any info on Dundee/Montrose I would love to hear from you, any information good or bad will really help. I would love to move this year, but we have to sell up here first. Thanks again ladies.

In Dundee you'll want to be in the ferry, in Grove catchment. There is oner private school in the city, Dundee High School.

I'm in Angus too, though not a teacher. The main concern for me at the moment is the decision to limit DCs to 6 subjects at N5. Most other councils seem to be going 7 or 8, or allowing schools to decide for themselves. Of course that may all be sorted out before it is anything for you to worry about.

School websites are pretty shockingly variable in Angus too, you won't always get much useful information. One good thing though is that the school buildings are I think mostly in either really good condition, newly built or refurbished, or about to be re-built.

Lots of fresh air, fantastic beaches, and lots of really good music in schools. There is also a brilliant NYCOS training choir which the DCs can join from P4. It's in Forfar, but people travel from the whole of Angus to it, so it's also a nice way to meet other families.

You'll get lots of house for your money in Montrose compared with nearer Dundee.

Thanks for the information. We are in the position that we can choose where we want to move too. I thought that would be fantastic, but it's a pain. I have no idea where to start looking. I'm asking the kids things like, would you like to live by the sea or the mountains??? As you can imagine it changes from week to week ( they are 7 & 5 ) so some proper grown up help is great. I have been looking around the Montrose area for houses, it looks like a nice little place. Thanks again.

Not sure i would reccomend living in Dundee particularly. The best comps are roughly national average because all the catchments include at least some deprived areas. Check the percentages of free school meals carefully. Lots of people on here will be horrified at me saying that but it was years before i realised that it was this factor which made my own school years difficult.

Montrose is very small and could be claustrophobic for teens. Have you considered Fife? I seem to remember Madras had a good rep? Some very scenic parts in St Andrews and East Neuk but striking distance to edinburgh for culture/shopping/etc etc

Just to be nosy, why Angus?

I went to Madras.

I grew up in Cupar, Fife. I went to Bell Baxter High School for a while, then changed to Madras. Madras was great!

I live in Angus and feel very lucky as there are gorgeous walks and beautiful scenery all around. Schools are much the same in the town I live in, none that you wouldn't want to send your child too.

Twooter: My husbands work is based in Aberdeen, though he travels a lot so we don't have to be within commuting distance. The east coast seems to be calmer weather wise.
Tricot39; Never considered Fife, don't know why....
The only thing I'm going on is I don't really fancy the Glasgow side. Hubby has to have access to trains and airports and kids need good schooling, other than that I really haven't discounted anywhere.
It's so hard to narrow down an area, all the advice I'm getting on here really helps. I have been checking out the official school sites but think it best to get a personal insight from real parents. If there was a perfect place to live with perfect schools then we would all be living there,I'm sure.

It's about a 1hr drive from Montrose to Aberdeen without rush hour. Depending on where his work is in Aberdeen you could easily add on another hour for the rush hour if his work are based in Dyce. Montrose is very small. If his work is in Aberdeen why not look at somewhere closer?
(I live in Aberdeen and have family in Montrose).

Montrose doesn't have a cinema or much nightlife either. Which is fine for when they are small but not when you become a taxi driver later on. DH says (it's his family there). He always ended up having to go to Dundee or Aberdeen. They have a few supermarkets now. But not much for older kids to do in the evenings. He also said that most of the people in Montrose have always lived in Montrose. Also since the Glaxo factory closed there was a big rise in unemployment within Montrose so most people commute to work.

In Scotland you have everything from cosmopolitan cities to the remotest of locations where children may have to board at state high schools because distances are so great. You could have a look on Mumsnet Local once you have more of an idea where you would like to be. Employment opportunities are far greater in the central belt, Dundee, Inverness and Aberdeen. Stunning scenery is inspiring but doesn't pay the rent. Large parts of rural Scotland can be very quiet in the winter months and in some of them "white settlers" can feel rather unwelcome. For example, Plockton is sometimes referred to as "Sussex in Scotland" because of the number of second homes which are owned by southerners.

I am from the south of England and have lived in Scotland for 20 years. When I retire in approx five years time I will probably go back "home". Scotland has never felt like home although I have enjoyed living here and have had fantastic career opportunities.

I have considered Aberdeen as an option, Cults area and schools keep coming up on top. What are the areas outwith Aberdeen like as I don't want to be IN a city. If was just me then I would move to the Highlands for the scenery.
We are coming over this summer for a visit so I would like to have narrowed down our search area. So far it's the East coast from Inverness to Dundee. Massive area I know. Let me ask, Is there anywhere that shouts a big NO NO for anyone??

No nos in Aberdeen for me are Northfield, Woodside, Mastrick, Kincorth and Torry. They are the less affluent areas.
Cults, Milltimber and Peterculter are the most well off.
The biggest suburb is Bridge of Don.
Which side if Aberdeen is your DHs work on? If you try to get from north to south of Aberdeen in rush hour it can take upwards of an hour! If its Altens it's the south of Aberdeen. If its Bridge of Don/Dyce then North. If its in the city centre it doesn't matter really as its pretty much the same.