Inverurie or Ellon?

[Hannah2199]

Hi

We are hoping to move to Scotland from England and weve narrowed it down to either Inverurie or Ellon. OH prefers Inverurie - bigger town, housing, seemed to be more going on. But I'm worried about schools the latest inspection report from Inverurie academy is pretty poor. Ellon is really good. However in the league tables Ellon is only one place above Inverurie. So I'm not sure this is showing the full picture.

Can anyone give any insight please? Which area is better for kids? And which secondary is better? Our kids are still primary and nursery age but want dont want to have to move twice to get a better school.

Also, anyone if Inverurie academy isn't great is there an alternative? I understand the scottish system is you go to your nearest zoned school so wouldn't have a choice?

Thank you

Can't comment on the specific schools as I'm in Glasgow, but you can put in placing requests and if the school isn't full, they'll be accepted. In most areas, the placing requests' order of priority is cared for kids/special health needs (not sure which comes first), sibling requests, then all the rest. And you won't get travel costs if your placing request is accepted.

I’d say Inverurie. More going on, rail links to Aberdeen etc. Can’t comment on the secondary school but I believe there is a new community campus due to open in the spring which incorporates the academy. Meldrum Academy in Oldmeldrum is meant to be a great school and isn’t far away, might be worth considering if they have space for out of area pupils.

I felt I should comment as I at least am originally from "up north" although have lived in Glasgow for over 30 years now. I have one friend with children at Inverurie Academy and another friend or a friend who relocated back to Glasgow and and I have heard good and bad things about the school but I guess it is like all towns where there is only one local secondary school and it is truly comprehensive. Not sure where your nearest school to place request would be but you don't want to have your kids commuting too far. I think you should visit both towns and both schools and see what you think.

OP I will message you what my friend said about the school

Thank you!

Banchory Academy is very good and is 11th in Scotland according to the school league tables for exam results (my DSs go there). Banchory is also a lovely town.