State vs Private in Glasgow

[Tabsicle]

So, I recently moved to Glasgow and I've been slightly thrown by the fact that every single person I know sends their children to private school.

Are the state schools here that bad? What kind of reputation do they have? I'm pregnant right now so it's a while before I need to make a decision but I'm interested. Should I be planning for private school and starting to save now? I'd prefer a state school but obviously I want what is right for my kids.

[howabout]

See some of the comments upthread on "culture". 30 years ago it was not the "done thing" for the professional classes of Glasgow to use State education. This included doctors, lawyers, accountants and teachers and there were generous bursaries to protect this position.

On "moving" I would only say that I think it is easier to go from State to Private than it would be to do the reverse if financial circumstances changed or your DC did not fit the private school culture. The State sector serves a much broader section of the community which obviously has its disadvantages but for me the risk of "not fitting in" is lower because of this.

[Getanswers1]

Hi there.. . Many thanks for your comment. Really appreciate it. Still undecided though as I am trying to avoid mid school transfer after the poor girl has made friends. Hubby is for private n I am for public... so not still sure which way it will shift. Can I ask what do u mean about "culture about private schools in Glasgow in the past"?

[howabout]

No idea about St Joseph's or St Barbara but St Aloysius has a good reputation and I know ex pupils, parents and teachers there. However the advice I was given was to start with the State sector and move if not happy - I have a 14 and 16 year old and I have never felt the need but they have lots of friends who have. The Glasgow private schools are always happy to accept transfers in ime. In the past there was a culture of private schooling in Glasgow and it is relatively affordable compared to other areas which is why it persists to the extent it does.

[Getanswers1]

hi ... is anyone still here?
does anyone know about st joseph's primary school in Stepps or st Barbara in Muirhead? i am in a dilemma of choosing either of the two or go private for St Aloysuis. can anyone comment on any of the schools?

[Alohamora]

I went to Clober Primary and Douglas Academy in Milngavie but that was over 20 years ago . Many of my year went on to study Medicine or Law.

[prettybird]

Cheeseandcrackers - it's 38 years since I left Bearsden Academy! a loooooong time ago even if I did go to Uni from 5th Year

Nulgirl - as far as I know, Shawlands has always been able to accommodate all placing requests. But Hyndland is on a par with it for results (there is friendly competition) and would surely be more convenient for you if you don't move.

[nulgirl]

You should be fine with Hyndland. I wouldn't bother with the expense of private especially at primary level.

We however are taking the traditional route of leaving Glasgow to move to East Ren for secondary though as our local school is Hillpark which I don't want my kids to go to. If we don't end up moving in going up put in a placement request for Shawlands.

[cheeseandcrackers77]

Prettybird I'm ex Bearsden Academy (25years ago). My kids now go there and it's just been inspected and got the highest award it could and it really is a fab school even back in my day it was great and was in the top 5 for exam results every year.

Bearsden Primary however is recovering from a bad inspection, my kids didn't go there but apparently it was the head that caused the problems, she is now gone and the new head is doing great work.

[ditherydora]

I think Hyndland or Broomhill primaries would be absolutely fine. And Hyndland secondary is meant to be good too. You can Google the schools results for 2014 and most of the glasgow schools do okay compared with the rest of Scotland. There are a couple in less privileged aread that don't have decent results.

[OneMagnumisneverenough]

Rugby was only ever deemed a toffs game by city folk. Head to the borders and it's a different story. Cricket now.....

[Rangirl]

I think for a lot of people the choice is move to East Ren/East Dunbartonshire or go private That is not to say that individual children will do very well in Glasgow schools
I know nothing about Rugby

[prettybird]

I beg to differ. It took 6 years for the DO to get into ds' primary school - and that was with us reminding the headteacher regularly (as dh and I had a good relationship with her).

[prettybird]

No - the DOs can't go into the schools to promote rugby because the teachers won't let them . We get a steady stream of kids coming along at the weekend to give it a go from the schools they are allowed to go into.

But you're right: it's not a thread about rugby. I shouldn't have risen to the snarky and irrelevant comment.

[prettybird]

Because I know the demographic of the kids at the rugby club and it is very wide.

And while people make silly assumptions, it doesn't help encourage boys and girls to come along. I know the DOs (Development Officers) work very hard with schools across Glasgow. There are some schools they struggle to get into though, because the teachers there have prejudiced distorted views about rugby.

[prettybird]

Re Bearsden Primary: I was there over 40 years ago

But I did know that in the interim Bearsden Academy also got a poor HMI report (I think it was the headmaster after the one I had or even the one after that ). I've often argued that Bearsden Academy wasn't as good a school as the one my mum taught at (Clydebank High): fine if you were clever, like my friends and me, but absolutely rubbish if you weren't academic and motivated as they just left you on the scrap heap ignored you. In fact, my mum ended up tutoring my brother's girlfriend sister as Bearsden Academy refused to enter her for her English Higher (for fear she'd impact on their previous results). My mum helped her get a B - entered privately.

[Ubik1]

Sorry obs hyndland primary not a secondary.

Long day. And I'm not even drunk

[prettybird]

...posted before I meant to....

But what sport ds chooses to do does not alter the demographics of the school.

And anyway, what precisely are you trying to insinuate? Glasgow now has a number of schools that are SRU funded "Schools of Rugby". Even those that aren't official "Schools of Rugby" are playing rugby and entering tournaments organised by Glasgow/West of Scotland's Rugby Development Officers, who work with the schools to encourage the sport.

[Tabsicle]

And yeah, I'm fine with a social mix. I've been both state and privately educated and I would prefer a decent state school if that's available and I'd like to be part of a local community.

[Ubik1]

Well hyndland primary and hyndland secondary are desirable primary schools. Hillhead is also good has had very good HMi in spite of its space issues. Notre dame also eel regarded.

[Tabsicle]

I'd be looking at Hyndland Primary in the first instance as we're literally across the road.

[prettybird]

Re the Rugby club - I think amongst the 200 kids at the rugby club (between 5 and 16), seven go to private schools . So don't let your prejudices get in the way of the facts

The rest are at a mix of schools across the Southside and East End, both Catholic and Protestant state primary and secondary schools.

[prettybird]

You're right - it's not just about the academic ones at the "top" - it's also about the ones who struggle to achieve - are they achieving their full potential?

I've already mentioned that I'm happy that at ds' school, they do indeed try to do the best by all the pupils, working as hard to improve the positive outcomes of the non-academic kids as the ones destined to go to Uni and working to develop rounded individuals through sport/drama/music/DofE/volunteering and other extra-curricular activities. (I'd mentioned the Oxbridge example only because in one of the arguments discussions, the other MNEr refused to believe it was possible to go to a "good" Uni from a Glasgow state school).

So, while the school is pleased to have made the Sunday Times "Top 50 Schools on Scotland" this year, it's still working on ensuring positive destinations for all the pupils.

Like many Glasgow schools, it has to cope with a very wide demographic (from millionaire's kids, to those who don't know where their next meal is coming from), a number of Roma and asylum seekers and many different languages. Rather than seeing it as a problem, it's part of what makes it the dynamic school it is