Primary schools in Motherwell

[todpole]

Dd starting school is a while off but we're currently renting at the moment and want to think about school catchments before buying.
I grew up here but I've been away for a while and don't really know anyone with school age children here at the moment so I'd really appreciate peoples opinions and experiences

I suggest checking the catchment areas and associated (feeder) primary schools for the secondary school you want, then choosing from the primary schools. I don't have personal knowledge of the primary schools.

NLC information on catchments, there are links to primary catchments on this page too: https://gisdata.northlanarkshire.gov.uk/datasets/nlcmaps::non-denominational-secondary-schools-catchments/about

Dalziel High is the best-rated academically in North Lanarkshire but it's a big school that can't accommodate many placing requests, so being in catchment is very important.

Braidhurst High and Brannock High don't have good reputations for attainment or discipline.

You don't say if you want denominational or non-denominational. If you want to move from one system to the other, you may need to make a placing request. You would need to check NLC's policy on this if you think it will impact your child.

Muir Street isn't getting a good name at the moment and there has been a mass exodus to other primaries, although it has recently had a new head so things may change.
Glencairn and Knowetop both get a good name, as does Cathedral if you want a denominational school.

In terms of high schools, Dalziel is rated very highly but the pressure put on the pupils is also very high; a friend went to Dalziel and has a good uni degree but they are catchment for Braidhurst and has chosen to send their DC to Braidhurst. I know of young people were S5 at Braidhurst in 2020 who have gone on to study medicine and dentistry and a current S5 at Brannock who is on target for a good degree place in the autumn.