Primary schools in Kinross-Shire

[Bikemum]

Just wondering if there is anyone on here with kids currently in primary in Kinross-Shire? We moved to Kinross a few years ago and are now facing our oldest starting primary next year. For various reasons, we may have to move soon (within the area) so it's got me thinking (again) about schools. Kinross Primary is big but seems to do well, but there are other smaller options nearby too such as Portmoak and Fossoway. For some reason I'd always thought my DS would do well in a slightly smaller school although I have no basis for that at all!
I know that we could make a placing request for one of these schools and stay in Kinross but we've always liked the idea of village life rather than town so not opposed to moving out a little.
Does anyone have any insights on schools in this area - either good or bad? It would be much appreciated, most of our friends children aren't in school yet either so I can't pick their brains yet.

Don't have any experience of Perth and Kinross schools but have had experience of a small primary school. I think small schools are great, friendly and manageable environments for younger children P1-4, particularly quieter children, but we left a small school at P5 stage in favour of a much larger school.

High schools, even 'good' ones, can be a pretty tough environment and it's useful to suss out who's who before you get there and to get to know as many people as possible. I think it must be hard joining a high school from a small school when most of the other children come from large feeder primaries and already know each other.

Small schools tend to have composite classes which are fine, even good, in the early stages but it's useful to be with your peer group further up the school, I think, especially if the composite is unbalanced, e.g 10 P2s and 4 P1s or 12 girls and 2 boys. Classes tend to even out more in larger schools with a bigger potential friendship pool.

Thank you for sharing your insights @SteamPudding. I think I've probably got quite a romantic view of smaller schools (from god knows where) but I've seen your opinion echoed in a few other similar threads about school sizes. I hadn't considered the potential imbalance of composite classes or also perhaps the bigger challenges in adapting to a larger high school (which Kinross High is).
I think I agree, small schools are probably really lovely in the earlier years but might not always be the best option as kids get older.
I am thinking for my first born so am probably having a relapse of first born overthinking . And I'm sure that a lot of children this year may be finding nursery a challenge after almost a full year at home. Teachers will be expecting the challenges to continue for this year and next year's P1 intake I would imagine.
But thanks for replying, always good to hear another parents perspective on it.

Family members children went to Milnathort Primary. Both children did well but their mother struggled with it.

I used to work in a small school in Edinburgh. Less than 70 children. They then went to a huge high school with 1400 and many struggled.

My 2 went to a fairly large school and there was less run ins than I have experienced at smaller schools.

I’ve name changed for this OP.

My kids have all gone to KPS via placing requests as we live in Fossoway. Kinross was easier for us as we work in Kinross and Cowdenbeath plus there was no wrap around care in Fossoway/Crook when ours were young.

I liked the idea of a small school and did think about Cleish Primary but overall pleased we decided on KPS. The only issue we did have years ago was our eldest settling in at P1 as he was just one of 3 in his P1 who didn’t come through school nursery as we used Rosemount. School nursery definitely gives them the structure needed for a smooth transition to P1. I also think the bigger primary set them up for KHS which isn’t a bad thing.

Friends have/had children in Fossoway and Cleish. They worked heavily off composite classes. Sometimes 3 years in one composite class. I know some p7 classes have been very small, ie less than 10 kids moving to High School from Fossoway. Similar numbers moving up from Cleish whereas Kinross has 3 full classes of 30 odd kids going up.

Don’t assume you’d get a placing request granted at Kinross or Milnathort now. Given the new builds and continual building work now, they’ve all but said no. Persimmon and Springfield both have new developments coming. There are also 2 new developments starting in Milnathort.

I am aware of a family whose youngest didn’t get a first year place at High School because they live in Kelty. Their 2 oldest were already in High School and their p7 in KPS. The same family had to sell in Kelty and move to keep their kids at the same school. I have heard of similar with a family who live in Leslie. I also know of a family who asked for a place at KPS but this was declined and they had to take Cleish. They live in Blairadam.

Just adding, mine are all at High School now.

Hi @fossowaymum, don't worry I name changed too for this one too! Thank you so much for such a detailed response, it's really helpful.

My DS is also at Rosemount and I'm hoping that there will be a few other kids moving up to P1 at KPS with him. We applied for the school nursery too as I thought it would help with transition to school but it is so oversubscribed now we didn't get a place. We could have applied again this Autumn term but I didn't really want to move him when he's settled in at Rosemount quite well. Hoping that decision works out ok for us next year.

I think I've definitely been swayed by the benefits of larger primary schools having read a lot about it recently, especially if we stay in the area as obviously KHS is a large school too. It must be really hard going from a teeny primary school, and potentially only knowing 10-15 kids in the year.

It's good to hear though that overall your kids had a positive experience going through KPS. I know I'm probably overthinking it all and really we should just be glad we moved here 6 years ago as we probably couldn't afford it now . Definitely a growing/desirable area!