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Welcome to Scotsnet - discuss all aspects of life in Scotland, including relocating, schools and local areas.

Original poster

East Lothian High school opinions

45 replies

Enidcat5 · 21/03/2023 04:31

Hi

We're Midlothian and my children are at a lovely ps but the high school isn't great. Love our house but not great area for kids unfortunately.

We're considering a move to East Lothian both to be in a nicer area than we are just now, and for better high school option. I've heard Dunbar, North Berwick both great. Musselburgh not so much. Knox I've heard issues with bullying and culture. I've heard not a lot about Preston Lodge and Ross high.

Can anyone help with opinions from first hand experience please? Which schools do you recommend and which to avoid?

OP posts:
Honeysuckle16 · 22/03/2023 04:37

Definitely North Berwick High. Our DD went through the school system from Law Primary to NBH and had an excellent experience. Very high academic teaching with great pastoral care and many other opportunities.

Invisimamma · 22/03/2023 21:06

North Berwick and Dunbar would be the better of the EL schools.

I wouldn't recommend Knox or Musselburgh and certainly not Ross High. I used to work with the pastrol/guidance teams and from my experience I wouldn't want my DC there. Saying that every school has its issues.

Original poster
Enidcat5 · 22/03/2023 22:06

I really appreciate your messages, thank you! That's the first time I've heard anything about Ross High and I'm very grateful for the insight.

I'd love to move to Dunbar but my husband works in Edinburgh and says its too far. North Berwick might be doable.

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Namechange3579 · 22/03/2023 22:17

I've heard mixed things about Knox, Dunbar and North Berwick but also know parents with kids in all three schools who are happy. I was under the impression Dunbar and Knox are similar, whilst North Berwick has more affluence and kids getting tutors etc, gets better results.

DoNotEatPickles · 22/03/2023 22:24

No experience of high schools really, DD still at primary. But not much difference driving from Dunbar/North Berwick to Edinburgh time wise as Dunbar you are straight onto the A1, while North Berwick you have a fair bit of country roads to do first. I’ve commuted from both and far prefer Dunbar, especially in poor weather.

kate288 · 22/03/2023 23:12

This thread is helpful @Enidcat5 as we've been wondering the same.

We've recently moved to Haddington (love it so far and no issues) but have wondered about whether we will stay here long term as unsure about Knox (DDs are only preschool and a baby so still a while yet). Would love to move to NB but it's really expensive. Would also love to live in Dunbar but from what I've heard, Dunbar and Knox are similar. I did wonder if all of the new housing in Haddington might help shift things for Knox a bit? But who knows! League table wise, both Knox and Dunbar actually came out quite decent this year but of course there's limitations to using them to make judgements.

Also agree with the previous poster re commute time from Dunbar/NB, although Dunbar is further it's a much easier drive straight along the A1 rather than having to go the country roads to NB.

Original poster
Enidcat5 · 23/03/2023 06:44

kate288 · 22/03/2023 23:12

This thread is helpful @Enidcat5 as we've been wondering the same.

We've recently moved to Haddington (love it so far and no issues) but have wondered about whether we will stay here long term as unsure about Knox (DDs are only preschool and a baby so still a while yet). Would love to move to NB but it's really expensive. Would also love to live in Dunbar but from what I've heard, Dunbar and Knox are similar. I did wonder if all of the new housing in Haddington might help shift things for Knox a bit? But who knows! League table wise, both Knox and Dunbar actually came out quite decent this year but of course there's limitations to using them to make judgements.

Also agree with the previous poster re commute time from Dunbar/NB, although Dunbar is further it's a much easier drive straight along the A1 rather than having to go the country roads to NB.

Hi I'm not far from you 😊.

Our catchment currently is Dalkeith, which I don't hear good things about. My son is so happy though at his ps and is settled, so I'm reluctant to move him from there. Which is why I was wondering about moving just over into East Lothian. I'd heard Knox is good academically but that there is a lot of bullying. Haddington is really nice so it was on our list for places to consider.

I'm also looking at Longniddry, Tranent, Gifford and the surrounding areas. For me north Berwick is probably out of our price range but I hear they do take some out of catchment, although you wouldn't want to bank on that of course. I'd love to live somewhere like Gullane but its mega bucks. I love Dunbar but we are very Edinburgh centric in our lives so it felt too far to live. I'll maybe get out this weekend to practise the drive and see how long it takes us.

My ideal would be to keep my son where he is but just move over one high school catchment area, which would be Knox. But the reports I hear really put me off it, hence I wondered about Ross High which would also be doable to still keep him at his school.

Perhaps I need to just do a complete move over to the coast, but it would mean my son having to leave a school he loves and his friends. This would be very hard for him. This is hard!

OP posts:
Namechange3579 · 24/03/2023 06:42

Knox had a change of Head then a follow-up inspection which you can see here education.gov.scot/education-scotland/inspection-reports/reports-page/?id=3308

Haddington is lovely. It will also have a new primary which will feed into Knox. East Linton is Dunbar catchment and not as far East, also lovely. Dunbar and Knox seem to get similar academic results most years except the ones without exams where everything was skewed.

I'm deciding between both too. I'd love to live in North Berwick or Gullane but I can't afford it. Longniddry is lovely but catchment secondary is Preston Lodge which I don't know much about but doesn't perform well academically. Not that that means anything for pastoral etc.

Namechange3579 · 24/03/2023 06:42

Although if you were up for sharing the reports you'd heard that would be useful!

Original poster
Enidcat5 · 25/03/2023 07:56

I'm on a few local Facebook groups, that's where I see the discussions. Can't post them here unfortunately as against group rules. Have a look on Facebook, there are a few if you're interested in moving to the area. We're just across border to Midlothian so a lot of our clubs and time is spent in east Lothian hence I'm on them.

That's interesting about knox report thank you I'll take a look. Much appreciated!

My friend stays in east Linton and loves it. Another is moving to Gifford. That area is beautiful

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EVHead · 25/03/2023 08:02

My friend lives in Dunbar and works in Edinburgh: she takes the train and it takes 20-30 minutes. In your shoes I would choose Dunbar.

North Berwick - pain in the arse to get to the A1 to go anywhere
Ross High - too rough
Preston Lodge - too rough
Musselburgh Grammar - too rough
Knox Academy - I’ve heard awful things about pupil behaviour and teacher attitude!

Original poster
Enidcat5 · 25/03/2023 10:52

EVHead · 25/03/2023 08:02

My friend lives in Dunbar and works in Edinburgh: she takes the train and it takes 20-30 minutes. In your shoes I would choose Dunbar.

North Berwick - pain in the arse to get to the A1 to go anywhere
Ross High - too rough
Preston Lodge - too rough
Musselburgh Grammar - too rough
Knox Academy - I’ve heard awful things about pupil behaviour and teacher attitude!

You have exactly the same thoughts for the schools as in my head, I've been a bit polite on here but actually that was my opinion from what I'd heard. I think I'm swaying to Dunbar but would mean my son moving primary so a lot to consider, thank you

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MistressIggi · 25/03/2023 11:53

If you move schools I would suggest moving for p7 as otherwise your dc has to start secondary not knowing anyone at all. It does sound like you're choosing from a list of schools you think are bad anyway, so why not just stay where you are and let him move up with his friends?

liveforsummer · 25/03/2023 12:02

MistressIggi · 25/03/2023 11:53

If you move schools I would suggest moving for p7 as otherwise your dc has to start secondary not knowing anyone at all. It does sound like you're choosing from a list of schools you think are bad anyway, so why not just stay where you are and let him move up with his friends?

I do agree with this however at the same time the same reasons are stopping me moving. Currently in Edinburgh and would love to move out to Midlothian but schools are putting me off. Surely though Dalkeith isn't that much worse than most of the other schools listed. NB sounds unlikely (would be for me) and Dunbar as with me is just too far and not actually sure how much better that school is either - we need to travel to nr gorebridge almost daily

Original poster
Enidcat5 · 25/03/2023 12:22

MistressIggi · 25/03/2023 11:53

If you move schools I would suggest moving for p7 as otherwise your dc has to start secondary not knowing anyone at all. It does sound like you're choosing from a list of schools you think are bad anyway, so why not just stay where you are and let him move up with his friends?

Because hardly any of his friends will go to the catchment school. Most go private, some how out of catchment. Unfortunately that seems to be the thing for this area.

OP posts:
Original poster
Enidcat5 · 25/03/2023 12:25

liveforsummer · 25/03/2023 12:02

I do agree with this however at the same time the same reasons are stopping me moving. Currently in Edinburgh and would love to move out to Midlothian but schools are putting me off. Surely though Dalkeith isn't that much worse than most of the other schools listed. NB sounds unlikely (would be for me) and Dunbar as with me is just too far and not actually sure how much better that school is either - we need to travel to nr gorebridge almost daily

Show quote history

I'd like to avoid sending him to a school I don't think will be good for him. He's bright and we'll behaved. We can't afford private so I'm trying to get recommendations for state secondary schools so that we can make an informed decision about what's best for him

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MistressIggi · 25/03/2023 13:22

I don't know the schools east of Edinburgh unfortunately but I would say (though I'm sure you realise this) that Facebook posts about schools are not going to say anything positive! So take them with a pinch of salt. It does sound like your son is likely to succeed anywhere, which is a good start!

NeighbourhoodNewbie · 25/03/2023 18:18

Have you thought about Lasswade High?

Original poster
Enidcat5 · 25/03/2023 18:41

MistressIggi · 25/03/2023 13:22

I don't know the schools east of Edinburgh unfortunately but I would say (though I'm sure you realise this) that Facebook posts about schools are not going to say anything positive! So take them with a pinch of salt. It does sound like your son is likely to succeed anywhere, which is a good start!

That's a great point, thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
Enidcat5 · 25/03/2023 18:42

NeighbourhoodNewbie · 25/03/2023 18:18

Have you thought about Lasswade High?

Yes it's actually about 10 mins away and we do clubs there. It's quite oversubscribed I believe, but it's one to consider

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NeighbourhoodNewbie · 25/03/2023 18:47

Yeah I've heard good things. I went to Dunbar School and it was fine but most of my year moved to Edinburgh or elsewhere as soon as they finished school due to lack of jobs, further education etc in the area.

bob1985 · 25/03/2023 20:03

Just for info Ross High is certainty on the up I believe.

Headteacher getting good reputation and large amount of investment in school infrastructure (extension etc)

I think it's also fairly certain that the 'demographic' of the school is going to change over next few years due to the amount of housing being built.

bob1985 · 25/03/2023 20:03

That being said you really can't go wrong with North Berwick

RomeoOscar · 25/03/2023 20:16

Musselburgh has a new HT with high ambitions for the school and extremely high standards for the staff.

They run about 70 Twitter accounts so you can get a feel of the school from there.

There was a question on a local Facebook group recently and several parents commented their children were thriving at the school.

The parents there recently won the right to single sex toilets for their children.

Also new high school opening in Wallyford. Rosehill High. It's going to have a STEAM plaza. (Science, technology, engineering, arts, maths).

Brand new school. Totally brand new with only S1-S3 pupils from August 2023

Maybe add that one to your list?

RomeoOscar · 25/03/2023 20:18

Rosehill will eventually have S1-S6 pupils as they move up the school.