Edinburgh - anyone gone private for S5 & S6

[Yoollyball]

Basically that's my question and if so are there school where this would be acceptable to do.
I can't afford to send both my two DDs for the full 6 years each but i can for part - max 3 years each.
Is this doable (moving for levels at a private 6th form seems the norm down south) but i have the feeling it's very different here and places are very limited if at all.

My friend did that to ensure her DD got the required grades for Medicine and because a doctor told her it mattered which school you went to.
She had the advantage of teaching at the school so got a discount.

Heriots website say they welcome S3 and S5 admission - but do they really? DDs can choose their school, but Watson's and Heriots are best logistically.

I benefited greatly in S6 - mainly to ease the transition to uni but is it worth the money - i would hate to make Dds to have to leave at end S5 and would S3- 5 though more money be a better investment?

How about a 2 year 6th form?

I'm in Scotland

My DC are at Watson’s and yes, a small number (single digits) join in S5 and S6.

If you're in Edinburgh you could have a 2 year A level 6th form (eg Fettes, Merchiston). However this is a more expensive option.

I like the broad reach that highers give over a levels and that you can use 6th year to do advanced highers and maybe something new as a crash higher. I think a levels are more limited too soon.

I asked this question at parents' night when my DD1 was in P7. The advice I got was that private schools always have room for demonstrably bright DC. DD1 has just left school and a steady progression of her school friends to the private sector throughout secondary backed this up.

I am Glasgow area but I would expect an Edinburgh state school teacher to be able to advise you how things work there.

I know of a child who transferred into a new fee paying school from the state sector at the start of S3. But that was at the end of May / beginning of June as schools usually switch timetables at that stage to give more teaching time.

If they're happy to take kids in S3, then they will into S5. For me, the key consideration would be whether the new school would offer the same combination of Highers.

I did this myself. Was a great decision and a great experience. The Merchant Company group of schools are certainly open to this and it’s not that unusual.

At the open day at George Heriots they said they took 17 children into S5 this year. I am looking for a school for my son and daughter for S5 and S6 too. My son will go first, and then his sister will follow a year later. On here trying to find advise on which school!

That's my situation too- DD2 will follow soon after DD1 ( the reason we can only afford 2 years). I've told Dds that when the time comes they can decide - stay where they are or pick the school they want to go to ( within reason and logistics). Dd1 is in s1 so my plan is to save for the next 3 years so the pot for both is there.

Ironically though if they stay in state for S5 year, due to streaming it might actually end up better than S3/4 and wondering if they will get the value just for highers. It means the uni pot will be pretty empty.

Dd1 has said though that knowing it's an opinion has changed her perspective for the better now she knows she can move if she wants. She struggled with others mucking about and isn't really being stretched. I survived a mixed state comp and came put with great highers but the 1980s was a different world

Issues

1. Many kids won’t want to transfer schools at that age. They are generally very attached to their friends.

1. Most private schools will start on Higher work well before the August of 5th year

1. Your child will NOT get into medicine etc easier if they attend a private school ( contrary to what a PP said )

In your case I would spend the £60,000 - £85,000 on a house in the catchment area of a better state school. I mean better than the one you are in right now.

If your children are already at an excellent state school then they will get very little benefit from transferring to a private school for 2 years.