Moving to East lothian/North Berwick schools advice please

[Absofrigginlootly]

Hi,

There is a chance we may be relocating to East Lothian area for my husbands work.

We know nothing about the area but from google I understand that North Berwick is supposed to be nice?

We are looking for an area with nice Countryside and community feel that's not too far from Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders.

DD is only just 3 so school is a little way off but we are keen to find somewhere to settle long term so want to feel comfortable with primary and secondary options.

We want a school that is not purely academic focused. That cares about emotional and social development and ideally has a good arts program and time outdoors/nature emphasis (but not the Steiner school, anthroposophy is bonkers!).

We do not want a school that is purely focused on exam results and pushing early academics!

Any recommendations or advice warmly appreciated

North Berwick is lovely & the schools are good . Hence you don’t get much for less than 400k. Would your budget allow that? ESPC website will give you an idea of the market.

Haddington, Dunbar or Aberlady/Gullane are alternatives, a little cheaper.

Yes our budget could cover that, we could spend up to $800k I expect, but I'd rather not spend it all and have some cash in the bank.... !

Our dream scenario would be to buy some land and build an eco house/grow veg/chickens etc.... we've been planning and saving for decades. I don't know if that would be possible? I.e. If there is farm land available that would still be in school catchment areas or whether you have to live in the town itself?

When you say the schools are good, do you mean results? Or do they offer a more well rounded experience? All I keep reading about (we live abroad at the moment, hence non of it is first hand knowledge) is how the government is pushing for more academic focused at younger and younger ages and how school budgets are so stretched they are axing music/drama/art/sport etc.

Do the alternative towns you listed have good schools too? Do they fed into North Berwick high school?

Is there a local government website that shows you school catchment areas?

Thank you

Oops I meant £ not $

Stupid American phone

This might be useful:

www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/878/schools/1314/school_catchments

All property be it a farmhouse or a flat in a city centre will be allocated a catchment school. If you live in a schools catchment, in theory you are guaranteed a space. Doesn't happen 100% of the time but you should feel confident that it happens nearly always. You don't have to attend that school though, you can apply to any school and if there is space you will be given a place. If more out of catchment apply than available spaces, the council will follow a list of criteria (cared for child, single parent household, special needs, siblings, distance etc in whatever order they publish).

I don't know the area well, but I would think that whilst there may be different ethos in different schools, they are all working within the prescribed curriculum and are judged on the same standards, if you are looking for something radically different, you'll need to go private or home school.

Thank you that's really helpful.

As an aside, I love your username!!

Why thank you! :o Did you know Ralph Macchio recently turned 56! that makes me feel old!

Have you looked at Pathhead? It has a flourishing folk scene (some high profile people in folk world live there or thereabouts) so may have some of the vibe you are looking for? Technically Midlothian but a short jaunt to the borders and as near as dammit East Lothian.

No never heard of it thank you... I'll have a google

Anyone else live in east lothian or north Berwick? Anyone's children go to school in the area? Any advice??