School Advice

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Which schools around South Fife / North West Edinburgh have the best support for learning provision? We have been out of the state system for a while so I’m not sure which schools to look at. My daughter is severely dyslexic and in S4 going into S5 in August. We are unexpectedly having to find a new school for her from August. She is planning on doing 3 highers, and will need support to do so. We are just in Fife and whilst we are in catchment for Fife schools, it’s not unusual for children from the area to go over the bridge to Edinburgh schools. Thank you

That's quite hard to answer. A dyslexic student in S5 will be wanting extra time in exams, either typing or a scribe - and any support for learning department will apply for the additional arrangements needed. But surely what will help her most is decent support and help from the classroom teachers of the subjects she takes. Which is not easy to know before you join a school. Is there anything in particular you are looking for?

I’m going to assume she was at Kilgraston and if so, I’m so sorry her education is being disrupted like this. If it’s an option to stay private then what about Clifton Hall? Small school and quite nurturing I’ve heard. Staying all girls there’s St George’s and they might do a bus from Fife. Sorry I can’t help with State options.

I’m assuming this is Kilgraston too. It’s devastating. I have also heard Clifton Hall is good. St George’s is doing an open day especially for Kilgraston families tomorrow and Thursday.

How close are you to Dundee? The learning support department there is amazing and the school is really friendly.

Thanks all. Yes, it’s Kilgraston. It was working so well for her and we had a plan for August so it’s really upsetting that we need to disrupt an education already disrupted by Covid. We are open to both state and private, want to stay in the Scottish exam curriculum. Unfortunately we live the other end of Fife to make Dundee doable. Happy with either mixed or all girls.

My DD moved to Cliftonhall in J4. She is now S6 and heading to university in September. She is dyslexic and received extra time and use of laptop for exams. We have all loved the school, who have been immensely supportive of DD. School has amazing ethos, is small and family like. I would definitely recommend. They run a bus from Fife too.

@squix the closure of Kilgraston must be devastating for you all.

You will no doubt have checked already but, if not, Clifton Hall does Scottish Curriculum all the way through and St. George’s does GCSE’s followed by Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers rather than A Levels.

DD left her boarding school after GCSEs (pandemic) and attended St. George’s for 6th Form and loved it but she had no SEN so I can’t comment on their support. However, it does have a completely different feel compared to (what I call a more traditional boarding school). It doesn’t have that homely feel that I know existed at Kilgraston but don’t let that put you off as their academic support to my DD was brilliant.

I suspect Clifton Hall might have that more nurturing feel about it but that’s hearsay as I’ve never visited.

What about Inverkeithing High or Queen Anne in Dunfermline?

A friend has a DC at Clifton Hall, started in S1 this year. He has ADD and it has been fantastic for him. I really wish I could afford to send my dyslexic DS there.

I’ve heard very good things about Clifton Hall. If I were doing it again (and still going private) that’s where I’d send my children.