The main thing with changing schools, is to physically visit your candidate schools. Ask to meet their additional support department, as your autistic child may need them. Set up taster days for your children, schools are keen to offer these. Phone today!
Children travel from a wide area so don't worry about a few extra miles to get the right school.
We visited all the schools we were interested in and chose based on the responses of the staff, the general atmosphere and whether our child liked it.
Most of the Glasgow independent schools are academically focused with good STEM. There are other considerations that may affect your children:
- additional support - is it also available to high achievers?
- is there an alternative to rugby?
- is Combined Cadet Force compulsory?
In order of distance, starting with High School:
High School has a good reputation for maths for example offers both types of Advanced Higher i.e. Mechanics of maths, and Statistics whereas most schools offer one, usually mechanics. Also good on music. Plus, sports facilities are on site, so less time wasted on bussing kids to playing fields.
Kelvinside Academy, prides itself on being nurturing. Small class sizes. However, compulsory CCF in S3. Design centre facilities look great if your kids are interested. Bus to playing fields.
Glasgow Academy is a big busy school with about 1600 pupils. Facilities are good, with some families leaving other independent schools to go there. My impression is that it is a bit "sink or swim". Very CCF and sports focused. Bus to playing fields.
St Aloysius has small class sizes, good results in all subjects. Warm atmosphere. Enthusiastic new headteacher. You would need to be happy with the religious focus. City centre location with big on-site sports building. Bus to playing fields.
Southside has Hutchesons' Grammar, Belmont and Fernhill. The latter two are tiny schools.