S4 advice in Perth

[ReikiG]

I know that this is 'one' of those posts but am after some local knowledge. My son was born Dec2008 and we are hoping to have moved to Perth by August this year. I am assuming that he cannot defer and will straight into S4. Are there any areas/schools to avoid. Many thanks 😊

In theory a December birthday could have been deferred so I'd speak to the school and see what they think

It would be norm for for Jan/Feb birthdays to be deferred but not entirely unusual from the previous October/Nov/Dec. There seems to be a real mix in my sons year - he was February 2008 and will go into S4 in August (deferred entry to P1). I think the decision will be up to you however and I can't see why the Council wouldn't allow it however it may be more pertinent to ascertain whereabouts in the Curriculum he would fit in best if you are coming from outwith Scotland.

Thank you for the information I really appreciate it. He is a high achiever in the English school but not sure how, that translates in the Scottish curriculum. We are coming up to Perth in March and are just trying to narrow down potential schools so might speak with the school.

That would be your best bet - they pick their options for Nat 5's in S3 and are already covering these subjects - some schools will have their prelims (mocks in England I think) before Xmas this year and some after, then actual Nat5 exams in April next year so you would need to be sure that he could pick up his Nat 5 subjects really quickly in S4, each school won't be able to offer every subject (of which there are many) so worth discussing that with the school also. Feel free to shout if I can be of help.

Most Scottish schools also start the next years curriculum in May / June ie S3's become 'S4's and start the new learning then so potentially missing 4-6 weeks if you start in August.

Thank you! It's a lot to take in but just need to be sure he will be okay (us mums always worry). We are going tosee if we can visit some high schools.

Oh I didn't know that thank you. You read so much that after a while my head starts to spin.

My DD is in s4 at Perth High (born Jan 07 but we deferred entry to p1). There's a newish head teacher who has high standards - we've been impressed with him so far. The teaching seems much of muchness with other high schools in the area. As a previous poster said, they start Nat5 learning in May of the previous academic session so I would push for your son to start in s3 if possible. It will give him more time to settle in and be ready for the prelims (mocks) which they do in Dec of s4. Good luck!

With a December birthday he will be amongst the youngest in his year. He may be able to go into S3 and be the oldest (there will be plenty Jan, Feb born kids who were deferred so very near in age)
As PP pointed out going into S4 he will have missed at least the first 4 weeks of the Nat 5 curriculum but possibly longer as most schools start it in last term if S3

Many thanks

Thank you we are looking at Perth HS. Your comments have really been helpful 😊

He would be a young in the year s3 atm.

I'd advise going into s2 instead.

Why disadvantage him unnecessarily?

@Aphrathestorm It will be a new school year by the time OP gets here so it would be S3 by then if he was deferring

Oh okay, I thought as an Oct2008 he would be s3/4?
Thanks

My ds is is an October 2006 birthday and is in S5 currently. A December 2008 birthday would be in S3 currently if they hadn't deferred.

Next school year would be S6 for my ds and S4 for OPs ds. School may allow her ds to go into S3 as deferred children from that year group could also be in that cohort.

I would suggest avoiding Bertha Park High like the plague.

Okay, thanks