Bearsden/Milngavie primary school advice please

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Hi we are relocating due to hubby getting a new job and have been looking to buy a house in the Bearsden/Milngavie suburbs of Glasgow. Are all the schools ok? Any to avoid?
We looked at one house which is in Westerton primary school catchment area-we don't know the area at all so any advice appreciated.
I have heard through word of mouth that Bearsden primary and Killermont are good but as I say we are new to the area and don't really have a clue!
Any advice appreciated….

Best bet is to visit and get a feeling for yourself, one persons idea of good is different from another's.

Most kids in Scotland go to their nearers primary.

Bearsden is good. I love Killermont - had a placement there as student.

Don't know about Westerton.

We recently moved from Switzerland to Scotland and decided to rent a house in Bearsden. We have now been here just over a year and bought a house as we love it so much. We stay in Baljaffray which is a lovely family friendly community with a fantastic primary and secondary school. We looked at the Westerton area but if your budget can stretch I would say try looking at the areas around Bearsden primary, baljaffray primary and milngavie primary.

Craigdhu primary also.has a good reputation.

Bearsden primary is on the corner of two very busy roads. The playground must be quite exposed to traffic pollution. It also.doesnt have a sports field.

I second Baljaffray primary. Great school, I went there and so do my kids.

My mum went to Bearsden Primary and while it's a good school the playground is all concrete and if you don't live in walking distance parking is not great and as another poster mentioned is on a corner of a busy junction.

If you are willing to live a wee bit further out, then baldernock primary is lovely - idyllic setting and small village school. They are keen to have new students, too!

If you are willing to live a wee bit further out, then baldernock primary is lovely - idyllic setting and small village school. They are keen to have new students, too!

I think all the primary schools in the area are fine - everyone I know is happy with their children's school (give or take the usual grumbles).

Personally I would think about where would you would like to live. Bearsden/Milngavie is a big area and places differ eg Westerton station is served by two train lines so best for transport & closest to the West End. Milngavie (or Baldernock) are better if you want to be able to walk or cycle in the countryside, without having to drive. Parts of Bearsden particularly are a long way from the shops, library etc and you would have to drive everywhere, if that bothers you.

I know that its a little late but just if you haven't decided yet.

My daughter recently joined Westerton Primary from a private school and she loves it the community have welcomed us and the school made a great effort to make the transition easier.

The community is great, small and friendly. They have a gala day in September which gets the whole community involved - parade through the village, day of activities and stalls selling things in the hall and on the community green.

I went to a private school so wasn't sure about any public schools and we have just moved to Westerton and I can honestly say Westerton is amazing! The village is so quiet and beautiful looking. There is trees everywhere, a local park, library, tennis club, the best train station and the school so far has been wonderful. Also you are 5 mins drive to west end which is a bonus for us. The parents all seems so friendly and the teachers are great. All the schools have good results so I'm sure it doesn't matter too much. Hope this helps.

Hi thanks for all the replies. We are still house hunting…boo! Any advice on Milngavie? We had focussed more on Bearsden but have missed out on a couple of houses at closing dates….damn you Scottish system!! After that disappointment we had a break but are back looking again.
What are the schools like in Milngavie? Are there any areas to avoid? Any schools which are better than others?
Husband's new job starts soon and we will need to relocate over the next couple of months…. we may end up having to rent somewhere….!

All the schools in Milngavie have a good reputation. The council want to merge St Joseph's with St Andrew's in Bearsden on the Bearsden site, so you might want to bear that in mind if you are interested in a Catholic school.

Personally the only areas I might avoid in Milngavie are the bits that are furthest from the village because I really like being able to walk there. But that mightn't bother you.