Schools in Dunfermline

[Squicknick]

Hello. We're moving to Dunfermline and looking for primary and secondary school recommendations, ideally Catholic. Can anyone give me any insight into St Margaret's primary or St Columba's High School, which would be our catchment I think. Thanks!

Boness (Borrowstounness is it's Sunday name - is this true? You learn something every day!

I would absolutely avoid Queen Anne, the fact they have a lovely new building doesn't mean it's a good school.

I agree. My DC went there but the old Headteacher left during their time there and the current Head started. The school went downhill rapidly after that.

Bo'ness lies on the south bank of the River Forth and just over two miles north of the historically important Burgh of Linlithgow. And this ancient link helps explain Bo'ness's unusual name. Although Bo'ness is the form of the name used on road signs and maps, it is actually a short form of Borrowstounness. This dates back to the early 1400s when the Burgh of Linlithgow built a harbour on a broad promontory (or "ness") projecting into the south side of the River Forth to allow it to export the ever-increasing amounts of coal being mined in the area. The "burgh's town on the ness" became Borrowstounness, and, eventually, Bo'ness.

www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/boness/boness/index.html

@Mistressiggi - please see above.

Woodmill is pretty good at the moment I’d say. Ironically, after the fire, the temp buildings are a more pleasant environment than what was there before. However, I’m not fully convinced by the plans for the new mega-campus with St Columbas and the college all one one site and sharing facilities though, not quite sure how they think that’s going to work. For that reason I might sway towards Dunfermline High or even Beath?

I am cracking up at the Upper Kinneddar reunion going on up thread. Someone I was at school with lived there in the same era! Saline was always this mythical place that got cut off the minute it snowed 😂

To me as a green horn, am i correct to say that Dunfermline high School seem more safe to start with? I am still loop there thinking i should wait fir DHS to reply me before i rent/buy my flat/house in Scotland?

You will struggle to get anything in your budget in DHS catchment I’m afraid.

This one is the only one i can find in catchment, is a few minutes walk away.

www.rightmove.co.uk/properties/120995270#/?channel=RES_BUY

thx everyone for all the info, very useful. yes its very limited budget... and I am thinking over the whole case again. as my Son desire to study Art and he might do college before getting entry to U (if possible), should I check which college with decent art course first? then I pick that location , and then the high school? would that be more applicable to my case? if yes, anyone has any idea which art college/academy that worth considering? thx a lot all of u.

I think you really need to consider what your main priority is OP. because you're going to have to compromise.
Decent area? School? House?

People often think housing is cheap in Scotland but it really isn't.
To be honest, property in the east central belt (which is all commuting distance to Edinburgh) or the Stirling area which is in your budget will likely be in a dodgy area or need lot of work done to it.

If you're prepared to look at other areas in Scotland then you may find something in your budget. But depending on the area it may not have good local schools or may be quite rural which will limit opportunities for your teenager.

Sorry I don't know about art courses specifically but if your son may attend college then you will need to be near a major town or city.

Would you consider renting to get you in to a specific area and then re-evaluate your situation when your son leaves school?

Sorry that was for @graceandmercy

@graceandmercy remind me, can a 2 bed work? More in that category.
This one espc.com/property/14-green-street-townhill-dunfermline-ky12-0he/36078481?sid=706587
Or go to the other side of the country, and get this 2 bed house in Kilmarnock

Sorry, link here
espc.com/property/2a-lifnock-avenue-hurlford-kilmarnock-ka1-5dr/36062568?sid=851859

@graceandmercy

thx everyone for all the info, very useful. yes its very limited budget... and I am thinking over the whole case again. as my Son desire to study Art and he might do college before getting entry to U (if possible), should I check which college with decent art course first? then I pick that location , and then the high school? would that be more applicable to my case? if yes, anyone has any idea which art college/academy that worth considering? thx a lot all of u.

My DD ended up leaving Queen Anne at 15 (Christmas leaver) and going to Fife College to study art at their Halbeath campus which is at the edge of the town with a bus every 10 minutes. She had a great time there.

I just had a look and a lot of the art courses have now moved to Kirkaldy or Glenrothes which would be quite a long distance to travel. Alternatively he could go straight to uni to study art and the nearest would be Edinburgh.

Thx all lovely angels 😇. here’s such a helpful community I couldn’t thank enough. Will reconsider the whole situation again and i agree it might be better for me to rent before buy.