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

Best schools in these areas

7 replies

Ruby990 · 18/04/2025 17:19

Moving to Aberdeenshire from England. DC will be starting P1 in 2026.
considering the areas of;
Inverurie
Kemnay
Alford
Banchory
Criteria is a town with a shop and community not far from Westhill and Aberdeen. Any suggestions for schools in these areas? Will note DC is ASD and applying for EHCP, am aware will need the equivalent in Scotland.

OP posts:
ThatsNotMyTeen · 19/04/2025 15:26

No knowledge of the areas but there is no such thing as the EHCP in Scotland. The only legally binding formal plan is a co ordinated support plan, which the vast majority of children will not be entitled to.

information here

www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/education/extra-help-at-school/scotland/co-ordinated-support-plans#:~:text=A%20CSP%20is%20an%20education,set%20for%20them%20to%20achieve

Fundays12 · 20/04/2025 13:34

I don't know about this area for schools but I would start by looking at which schools have an enhanced provision base which is a ASN support base.

Groovee · 21/04/2025 18:16

You won’t get an equivalent of EHCP. But they should take your child’s needs into account. I’d recommend speaking to schools first.

DangerFrog · 23/04/2025 21:46

Is there any reason you're not considering Westhill itself? It would seem to fit your criteria and have the least commute time 😉Kemnay is smaller (much smaller) than the others; the others have much better facilities locally. Are these your final shortlist of places?

There's full details about all schools in Aberdeenshire and ASN support here: Aberdeenshire schools. When are you moving? If your wee one is starting P1 in 2026, they'd be entitled to a school nursery place from when they turn 3. I think most primaries have an attached nursery, but you might want to double check that.

Will you be driving or using public transport? I'd double check bus routes if necessary. If you want access to trains, Inverurie and Kintore would be the better options.

Schools - Aberdeenshire Council

https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/school-info

BoredZelda · 23/04/2025 22:24

If money is no object, then consider Westhill surrounding villages, or Banchory (or surrounding villages) These are the areas which have the best high schools which means their cluster primary schools are probably pretty good. Banchory and Westhill are the most expensive of the areas on your list. Alford/Kemnay are the cheapest. IMO they aren’t particularly good places to live (but I’m sure someone will be along to tell me how perfectly lovely they are!) They are far more remote too. You could go further West from Banchory and consider the villages towards Aboyne. Torphins, Lumphanan (not Kincardine O’Neil it’s tiny!) Aboyne Academy is quite good too, and the village is lovely too.

It will depend on the level of additional support your child needs. If they will be in mainstream with additional support, all schools provide this, but if they need to be in enhanced provision, you would need to contact Aberdeenshire council to find which schools have a unit within the school.

Co-ordinated support plans (CSP) are not easy to get as the criteria is pretty strict. They are for children with complex or multiple disabilities which need a high level of support from the school / local authority, or from an outside agency. My daughter has ASD and cerebral palsy but even her level of disability was not considered to qualify for a CSP. Most local Authorities avoid them as far as they can.

What you will have instead is an Individualised Education Plan (IEP). This is actually a more useful document. It has to be updated every year and this is triggered by a Team Around the Child (TAC) meeting. It can actually address more than the CSP as it focuses on the whole picture rather than just what each agency is involved in.

The North East of Scotland is lovely, I have very fond memories of growing up there and would love to relocate. Good luck!

totalwinwin · 24/04/2025 21:41

Banchory is really lovely. Look at the catchments carefully, you want Banchory primary rather than Hill of Banchory.

Electricfireplace · 24/04/2025 22:57

Strathburn in Inverurie has an enhanced provision unit but EP is not available for any child in Shire under P3? I think- you need to check this carefully if you are expecting anything like what might be offered in England at the same age.
Inverurie is lovely- the Academy is ok. Town very nice.
Banchory is very nice- the academy is great and high performing but I don’t think either of the primary schools there have Enhanced Provision (Aboyne does but that’s further out)

I live in this area and I’m a teacher here- navigating additional needs provision is very difficult and only getting harder with the funding cuts sadly.

it’s a lovely place to live and much cheaper than England fwiw.

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