Secondary Schools Fife/Kinross/Stirlingshire

[oldmac]

I am hoping to get some personal insight from fellow mumsnetters about secondary education in these areas of Scotland. We are hoping to move in the next few months and while I have read all there is to read about particular schools, there is nothing like first hand knowledge. HMIE reports can tell me attainment etc but not what the school is really like. So I am looking for information on how nurturing, anti-bullying, encouraging, supportive, both academically and socially/emotionally, etc these following schools are and any other information that you think could be helpful in deciding between them.

The schools we are thinking about are Dunblane, Wallace High, Kinross, Madras College, Bell Baxter, Waid Academy, Balwearie and Inverkeithing.

(have posted this on local sites too but not much traffic there!)

Wyldfyre Ahh - I see. Not many places are better than St Andrews!

Thanks for the helpful info. My head says Dunblane but my heart lies in Fife I'm afraid! It is so difficult. I visited Dunblane High and loved it. I love that the ethos is on praising effort and not attainment (but the bi product of course is a raise in attainment). I noticed that the girls were not all dolled up to the nines and caked in makeup with short skirts (in fact most wore trousers). From what others have said on here it allows children to be themselves without judgement and that is what I want for my kids. However I also visited Kinross and while I noticed a few more short skirts and make up, it also had a good feel about it and is a lovely building (toilets open so no nonsense can go on!). Classes seemed engaged and very quiet! Have yet to visit any of the others. Any one know about the reputation of the creative arts departments in Dunblane? Also, they are just in the process of getting a new head teacher which may change things. I have heard from friends that the new head teacher at Madras is very good and the head teacher at Kinross is relatively new and folks don't seem sure about her. Decisions, decisions...keep your advice, thoughts, experience coming please... :)

I agree with everything you said about your visit to Dunblane. However, as far as arts go I think it's a bit of a mixture.

They don't have a Drama department as such and don't offer Drama at exam level. they do however put on school shows - my two are not that way inclined so I have never been. i think Drama is covered as part of English

Music I think is much better represented and there are several teachers I think, there is a singing club and choir and orchestra and I think a folk group?

Art itself only has 1 and a half teachers, I haven't been overly impressed but only DS1 has done art to exam level and we don't have his results yet - getting info from him is like getting blood from a stone though so he will be no help. I liked the teacher who left and she hasn't been replaced. One of the Art teachers consistently calls my son the wrong name - even in his report.

We are hoping for news on the new Head soon, interim head seems okay thus far but I guess he is a caretaker role until a final appointment is made. he is being supported by two other heads at the moment. I wondered if he was one of the applicants and was having a trial run but obviously that's just my thoughts :)

My priority was finding an environment where my elder son would feel safe from bullying and be allowed to be himself and secondly to do well academically. It works for us and DS2 who is a bit more outgoing fits in well too, they are both happy there. I've changed name btw, I was Magnum earlier in the thread.

Are there any other considerations for the move apart from schools? What else do you and your kids do? I don't think you've mentioned their current ages.

We like being outdoors and cycling/walking (the dog). The kids are very into all things nature and we currently live practically on the beach so they love that. They are P6 and P2. As far as clubs go they go to a great art class, brownies/guides, both play musical instruments, highland dancing/gymnastics and horse riding. I have researched all the areas we are looking at and most cater for all of this and are surrounded by countryside perfect for being outdoors so it kind of comes down to the school. I love the East Neuk/Howe of Fife but wonder if, as they become teenagers, somewhere like Dunblane will offer them more. I am focusing on secondary schools as it is not far away for my eldest and it is usually harder to find the right fit of secondary than it is primary.

I don't know much about the new headteacher at Kinross, only set eyes on her this week at DS3's S1 induction parents evening, she seemed quite serious and professional but perhaps a bit dull? The previous rector Mr Keatings ( previously a Maths teacher at Balwearie) was a larger than life character, a good leader but fun and good with the kids too so she may be suffering by comparison. KHS has a good drama dept and there is a lot of music ( and dance). Dunblane had a rubbish art dept when I was there but I still managed to get in to art school! I was a teenager in Dunblane and enjoyed it, I know many teenagers in Kinross and surrounding area who have a great time. I don't think Dunblane offers much more than Kinross apart from the train station and The Kinross area is very horsey ( DS3 goes riding every week ). Bigger choice of catchment villages for Kinross too, some much more affordable than Dunblane. I have had to do quite a lot of collecting from teenage parties in the middle of nowhere.
Ds3 ( arty, horsey, quite shy) has just had his two Transition induction days at KHS and has come away all enthused with 6 new pals.
I nearly moved back to Dunblane when Ds1 was in p7 but we couldn't find a house we liked in budget so stayed put. You may find house hunting helps you decide?

wigglybeezer what primary school did your kids go to? There is definitely more choice of housing and better value for money in the kinross area and I love Loch Leven. Have you had any issues with bullying or incredibly poor teachers at the high school? My family all live in Fife or Edinburgh so that is what is driving the move really - I want to be closer! If we stay put I still have a choice of several high schools where we are and so more confusion! It does seem that Kinross and Dunblane are very similar and there is not a lot between them from what I can gather. Thanks for your insight!

Dunblane was actively encouraging placing requests the last I heard and I don't think anyone has been turned down for years (both mine are placing requests and I've been at meetings where the head has asked parents to spread the word about spaces available as they need enough pupils to keep their staffing level and run their timetable). That might open up more options for you? You'd want to live within walking distance of BofA of Stirling train stations or or on bus route round causewayhead and along Henderson Street. There is a great Art class available through the Tolbooth, also music lessons and drama. A lovely lady also runs a little art class in BofA. There are brownies and guides available in both BofA and Dunblane though the Girls Brigade seems to be a big thing in Dunblane if you can handle the religious aspect. Tbh we are not from this area originally but I've found that there isn't anything that you think your DC might like to try that isn't available.

Just to be awkward we live in Dollar, midway between Kinross and Dunblane, so we are out of catchment.

DS2 was briefly bullied ( ironically by someone he had been at primary school with, who I suspect felt it was safe to show off by humiliating DS2 as he knew DS2 would not react) he has Aspergers and is a bit different. When he eventually told me about it it was swiftly dealt with by his guidance teacher. The head of learning support is very approachable and they have been very helpful and supportive of DS2s needs even though he is out of catchment. I find it difficult to comment on teachers, DS1 disliked nearly all of his, DS2 says the same teachers are fine! I have heard a few grumbles but no horror stories.
It is lovely round Loch Leven, I drove to Loch Leven's larder this afternoon after picking the boys up (as Ds3 doesn't have a bus pass yet) to buy ice creams, the countryside looked lovely. I never tire of driving from Dollar to Kinross, apart from late at night in winter.

Here we are promoting Dunblane and Kinross, I don't live in Dunblane and wiggly doesn't live in Kinross :o

Good point! I always seem to do things the awkward way! To think I used to shake my head reading all the English school choice angsty threads. I had to think about all these issues while living next door to Dollar Blooming Academy and hearing about its marvellousness all the time, I have alternated between green eyed jealousy and serene indifference at times and have reached mature acceptance now!

What's your catchment wiggly? (for those who don't have mega bucks)

Alva academy, bit like Wallace High. I do feel a bit guilty about not sending my boys there, and some other parents were a bit offended, but at the time DS1 was adamant that he did not want to go there for various reasons ( and he has a very strong will) and I suspected that Ds2 would manage Kinross better as it was smaller. With the benefit of hindsight Alva would probably have been a good fit for DS1, but Kinross has suited DS2. At the end of the day I now know children from similar families who have been through all my local schools and all the schools have produced some kids with brilliant highers and some with more modest results so I feel a bit more relaxed about the whole thing and think you might as well chose a school because of the clubs or the buildings or the social mix or a nice house and just get on with it and not worry too much!

Yup, it it wasn't for the bullying wee shites at primary then DSs probably would have gone to Wallace and I would have saved myself a lot of time and money transporting them to Dunblane every day. But having said that it's suited them both very well and I know we made the right decision.

There's a lot of luck involved with peer groups too, a few extra nice kids or a couple of " wee shites" can tip the balance and change the culture of a whole year group, and you don't find that out until you are in the middle of it.

DS2s year is a bit of rough one comparatively speaking. It's 2/3rds boys and a couple of them see themselves as hard men - reality is that they wouldn't stand 5 minutes with some of the other kids that come from "other" nearby locations. One of them thought he'd mark his territory at the induction sports day by pushing another boy over, he was looking for his next victim and glanced at DS2 who simply looked him in the eye and raised one eyebrow and the boy looked away. Ds2 is soft as putty but a big strapping lad and when everyone found out he went to a "rough" school they had eyes like saucers :o

However the "hard guys" are really just their own worst enemies, I think a bit of school skipping and smoking etc. They are a very small select band - DS thinks they are hilarious. I don't think they cause anyone else any bother and they'll be gone this time next year.

Dc3 at Kinross High as were dcs 1 and 2. We deliberately chose to go out of catchment to get places there. Agree new head has yet to make a mark but is trying to fill the very big shoes ( and multicoloured socks) of the previous head! School is good academically, strong on music and the guidance department were wonderful with Ds who really struggled in first year. A bullying issue was dealt with swiftly and fairly and we have had lots of understanding from staff. Ds goes into 4th year now and is happy and confident with lots of nice friends. DDS both did very well there.

Come to Aberdour- we desperately need rising P7s! DS will be in a class of 10.

As an ex Madras pupil I loved the split site thing. It was great being in S4-6 and being in town. I know it is unworkable but it is a real shame that they'll be losing that (eventually).

I have friends who teach/taught in Aberdour . Whilst up the road here we have a whole 2 pupils heading to Balwearie at end of term, although I hear rumours of 8 P1's enrolling for August

I had a wee afternoon out with DH in Aberdour a couple of weeks ago, just because the sun was out! Drove past the school and thought, that looks nice! Aberdour is one of a select list of places I visit and can imagine living in.

hidingwithwine, I think I've just figured out where you're talking about. If I'm right I didn't realise the school there was quite so small!

We're a two teacher school just now. DS2 is about to move from the P1-3 class into the "big" class 😊

Auch, that sounds exciting ;-) I'm not very far away in the seat of kings.

Ah! I teach in Dunfermline for my sins and know a few folks in your neighbourhood

I have friends who teach/taught in Aberdour grin.

And one who lives there .

Wanders off to the tune of 'When will I see you again?' (I'm not at the poo-filled pool very often these days.)