Moving to Scotland - Education Help!

[Pixie2012]

Hi all, We are in the process of selling up and moving to Aberdeenshire which will most likely be spring 2025. My daughter is 15 (September born and year 10.) She is due to sit her GCSE’s in June 2026. I am worried that she will struggle with the change to the Scottish education systems. How does it work? Will she has to repeat a year so she doesn’t miss any coursework etc? Any advice would be appreciated. - Amy

I’m not sure if anyone has said it, but you start primary school in Scotland in the August after you turn 4 and a half (so the end of Feb is like the 31st Aug/1 Sept cut off) which is why people are saying your daughter is in her Nat 5 year and many schools will have started the curriculum for them in May June 2024 to sit next Spring. If it was me I’d be looking at a nat 5 year starting May 25, knowing that most kids will be a school year younger OR you leave her where she is until she sits her GCSE’s in June 2026, Even if you were trying to move her within England during GCSEs it is a bad idea because of the different exam boards and the order schools cover the topics. I appreciate that there may be no option but to move her so losing a year could be the least damaging option especially as she is bright and will be competing with the brightest in the Scottish system as she progresses.

Can I request this as a parent for my child to be put in S4 rather than S5 if she hasn't done GCSE yet?

this is an old thread @worriedmumasking so you might be better starting a new one with a bit more info about your circumstances. Depends on age/birthday/stage but if your child hasn’t done GCSE’s, nat5’s would be preferable to going straight into the Higher courses.