Portobello High

[DarthVaderIsMyRealDaddy]

Hello. I am sorry to be another Southerner looking to move to Edinburgh, but it does look like you had things right all along, and all this working from home makes London a lot less attractive. Is there anybody with kids at, or recently at Portobello High ? I have a 13 year old daughter, at a good school in London, she is quite academic, friendly, arty, not sporty but likes scouts, and kayaking ! I absolutely will come up and look at the schools - of course - but I can't find a lot online about the experience of being at Porty High. Grateful for any advice.

I don't have any specific advice about that school. But 'coming up to look at schools' isn't really a thing here. State schools don't do open days or anything like that as you just go to your catchment school and that's pretty much it. I'd be really surprised if schools accommodate this. There no 'choosing a school' unless you have a specific reason to do an out of catchment placement request.

Also with covid parents still are not getting into school buildings, there have been no face to face parents evenings etc. Anything that involves parenting entering school building has been cancelled in my area.

Parents can come into schools for scheduled meetings which your visit would, of course, be.

I don't know Portobello High but hopefully someone else can advise.

It's a new state of the art building with lots of community sports facilities and a full size swimming pool (less important to your daughter if not sporty). This year according to the rankings it came 10th out of Edinburgh schools but as with any Scottish state schools most students get out what they put in. The area will be handy for kayaking.

Have you considered Royal High as an alternative? If you're drawn to the beach Cramond is also on the coast and Royal High is much higher up the league tables.

Do remember you can't read too much into league tables in Edinburgh. 25% of secondary children are in the private sector which has a big impact on results in the state sector.

I am a former Porty student from a looooong time ago. Very mixed demographic at the school as the catchment covers both leafy middle class areas and some deprived areas too. The new building looks great, a huge improvement on the tower block we had.

Ah - you are all fantastic for responding. I hear you - of course you can't just drop in to schools down South either, I meant really that I will do all that I can to get a good feel for a school, and yes, that includes making a visit by arrangement. But also trying to talk to current parents - if anybody knows any that would be fab. I hear you Sootess on the League Tables, and I will adjust my thoughts accordingly. Private School isn't an option for us but I'm confident we will find the right place.

Have you searched online for a local Facebook group? I'm sure there's one for Portobello and it will be full of parents with kids at local schools.