Glasgow West End secondaries

[LostInTranslation00]

Hi, we're moving to Glasgow next year with late primary-age kids, and I'd like to ask for any insights into the secondary schools in the West End. I've seen lots of helpful discussions on schools in other parts of the city (thanks to those who've recently posted on the Southside & East Renfrewshire options, I've read it all and it was really useful!), but the West End seems to get less attention. We're thinking of Hyndland but would consider others that do at least as well academically. I'm particularly keen to hear about school culture, risk of bullying, acceptance of non-locals, etc - I want the kids to have a good academic environment, but also a welcoming (and not intimidating) social environment. Any advice/insights would be hugely appreciated. Thanks very much!

The school your children will attend will be determined by where you live. So you will need to decide whats more important, area whete you want to live or quality of school to send your children. Successful placing requests are getting fewer and far between

Avoid Cleveden
Come to East Dunbartonshire.

Thanks. We haven't decided where to live yet - I'm still gathering info on schools and visiting areas. Then we'll move into the right catchment. I'd love to hear from anyone who knows current/recent pupils at schools in the West End & can comment on what they're like.

I've just got my Dd into Hyndland on placing request for 4th year.
She's not started yet, but it's imminent.
It's got a brilliant reputation, not only academically but for pastoral care too, they have a dedicated full time counsellor, (important for us).
There's no uniform, which of course appeals to DD, and they have no problems with it, it's to encourage individuality.
I do believe you have to live very close for an S1 place, it's a very tight catchment.

Just to add, I'm English, Dd born here but has an English twang at times and she's a LAC (looked after child), I'm a single Mum with a chronic illness/disability on benefits.
The school are aware of this and I'll make sure they do support her.

Thanks IHaveBrilloHair, and good luck with your daughter's transition.

Hillhead is a good school. It's more multi-cultural than Hyndland and probably 'adds more value' as it's a more mixed catchment. Many of the kids at Hyndland would probably do well wherever they were. It has a uniform, which I personally think is a good thing. It depends what your kids are like. It certainly seems to work for kids who are a bit kooky, independently minded whatever. Lots of middle class lefty parents.

I would agree with the poster who advised you to avoid Cleveden. There's also Notre Dame if you're RC and have girls.

Thanks, GirsWhoWearGlasses - that's really helpful.

Notre Dame will accept non RC kids too but they are lower on the priority list I think. I've heard negative stuff about cleveden but I have a friends daughter there who seems to be very happy. They have high teacher to pupil ratio and head teacher knows all the kids individually I think. I'm still trying to work out why it has such a bad press

I think bullying can be a problem at Cleveden. That was my rationale. I've known both pupils and staff have issues there.

Thanks, everyone!