Moving from London to Edinburgh with a 3 year old and a 6 year old

[Cosima7]

Hi,
We're re-locating from Hackney to Edinburgh for my husband's job, and I would really appreciate some advice on good state primary schools there that aren't too over subscribed. I don't know Edinburgh at all, and we would base our choice of area on the catchment of good primary / secondary schools. My son turns 4 in August, so I guess he would be able to start P1 in August 2017, my daughter is 6 (February birthday), currently about to start Y2 in September here, what Year would she need to move to in Scotland? We only found out about the move yesterday, so would be so appreciative of any advice! Thank you!

If your daughter is 6, you probably have the choice. She could either go into P3 in August as one of the very youngest, or P2 in August as one of the oldest. I would make that decision based on her personality rather than academic ability - if you think she is quiet and shy and may find it hard to adjust to a new school and new system, it may be better to have her as one of the older children. May also depend on where in Edinburgh you are moving and what schools have spaces at which stages.

Thanks Luna - that's food for thought, as you say I guess it will depend on what's available and I guess there's a chance she could end up without a school for a while?! Particularly as we will most likely move mid academic year.

I don't think she'll be without a school. There will be one, somewhere in the Edinburgh City Council area with a space. I think if you move mid-year and there are no spaces in the catchment primary that they will pay for transport to the nearest school with a space. That's what happens in my council area anyway.

If you want views on Edinburgh schools, browse or post in the Mumsnet Local Edinburgh thread. If you may be in Edinburgh for a few years, think about catchment for high school. Most primaries are perfectly good and I'd be confident you get them into a decent state school straight away, although there are waiting lists for the schools that are more considered highly desirable, but they have to give you a place in the end if you live in catchment. We didn't want DS to change school twice so we haven't tried for the catchment school and are quite happy with where he is. Choice of school is something of an Edinburgh obsession, as you will see from the local board and the impact of catchment area on house prices. If you can keep your head and not obsess about the handful of most desirable schools you will save yourself a lot of stress. The tier down in desirability is perfectly good, if not better but lacking in leafy suburb location and cache.

OP, haste ye to the Scotsnet topic where there's a thread about family-friendly areas and schools in Edinburgh! And congratulations on your decision to relocate to the best city in the world - I moved here when my DDs (now grown-up) were in primary school and I wouldn't live anywhere else now.

Thanks all! That's really helpful - I will go and check out the Mumsnet Local - excellent advice not to get carried away with the most desirable schools - thanks King Looie, and good to know that the Council will help with transport costs Luna.

Hello Cosima7, Let me know how you get on! I am the MNetter who started the thread about moving to Ed on Scotsnet!