Primary schools in Badenoch

[MariaSh]

Hi mums, we have just moved to the Highlands from London and there is a couple of things I don’t quite understand and would be very grateful for your advice.

• what primary schools are considered good and well regarded in Badenoch (or in and near Kingussie)? As far as I understand the Ofsted grading system doesn’t exist in Scotland and my local knowledge isn’t good enough to understand what schools have good reputation/history/well regarded, etc.

• I can’t find any independent schools in the area. It looks like Gordonstoun is the nearest, but still it is very far from us. Are there any independent/private schools that are commutable from Kingussie?

Any advice would be much appreciated x

Unless you are going private then children generally just go to their catchment school which I'm guessing might be Kingussie? If you go on the council website then it should allow you to see the catchments or input your postcode. You can complete a placing request for another school, but you would be completely responsible for getting your child to and from that school.

Schools are inspected in normal times and you might be able to see reports on the council or school website, but most will be out of date as they aren't done often anyway and I think all have been suspended due to covid.

Your main source of info will be word of mouth but that's very subjective to be honest as people have differing expectations and experiences.

I don't know that there are any private schools locally, if you want private I think you'd have to look at boarding.

Did you have to move in a hurry OP?

Most people will go to their catchment school

There are very few really bad schools, they all have good and bad points.

Can't help with private schools. I suppose it would depend on whether you wanted to integrate into the community

There are no fee paying schools in the area.

Did you not do a bit of research before your move @MariaSh London v the Highlands is quite a leap. If you are desperate for private schooling then there a few boarding schools in Scotland you could consider.

Another surprised that you didn't research this in advance. I don't believe there are any independent schools in the Highlands now. There used to be one near Nairn, I think, but it's closed now. Attending the catchment state primary is very much the norm in the Highlands. A tiny handful of kids will leave for boarding late primary or secondary.

See, i was trying to be kind and subtly find out why anyone wouldn't research about schools if they had young children or were planning them and you folks just come out with it...

You’re in for a shock. The downwards step from SE English primaries to primaries here is HUGE. We really tried to make the best of it after we moved from Home Counties but (like a number of local friends) we gave up battling as it was so depressing and we got nowhere. Now they board, with lots of weekends out, at an amazing prep two hours away. There are simply no independent schools within daily commuting distance - you’ve moved to a private school no man’s land! Gordonstoun prep do flexi boarding which would be your best bet travel wise if they’re little. Otherwise it’s up and down the A9 to Perthshire at exeats/weekends - depending on ages of your kids there are quite a few good options there but bear in mind Saturday morning school does make it harder. Good luck.