Greater Glasgow house buying & schools

[HettyMeg]

We are in one of the desirable school areas beginning with "East". We have grown out of our house - although we like it, it isn't big enough for our growing family (preschool age) and we can't really afford to upsize around here. Everything goes to a closing date and the ones we can afford are miles away from amenities. These are not period properties. They are average houses that are being valued at more than what they are worth (IMO).

Maybe has always been the case, but it has got us thinking. Aside from the apparently excellent schooling, we don't love the area, partly because we don't really know anyone. And it isn't that convenient for our jobs anymore. So considering moving (within Glasgow area) to get the bigger house, and hopefully a better sense of community. But from what you'd read online, you'd think that moving away from this area will be a disservice to our kids in terms of education. Everyone repeats the same messaging about having to be in ED or ER schools but before moving here I hadn't really considered it, and we are still nursery age. For what it's worth I am not from Glasgow and grew up in a very average school in a rural town - my friends and I all got good grades and went to uni.

I suppose I just want to hear from others who live in other parts of Greater Glasgow or Glasgow itself. What do you like about where you live, is it a good community? And what are the schools like where you are? How much do you read into league tables?

Honestly? We are ED and just moved before my eldest started school. The community is fantastic, and effortless. I get that you want to move but we're going to see out the school years because it's been so easy to become part of a community.

Thanks
I think a lot of people have that experience of the suburbs but it hasn't really been ours. Possibly because we live on a street where it's mainly retirees with hardly any other children around. People I know who live in new build estates seem to have a better experience in terms of meeting others at a similar life stage. The people I have met in baby classes live in other areas miles away, all seem to already have their friend circles from school, and everyone drives everywhere as things are quite spread out. It's not the close-knit feel I expected when we moved here.

I grew up in Glasgow, from hearing people talk you’d think kids from Glasgow never achieve and never get to uni. Depending on where you’re looking you might not find houses too much cheaper though cos there’s still the “good school” premium to consider. For good high schools you’re looking at the west end, which is expensive. Garrowhill Primary is excellent I’m not sure how much that carries through to high school but Garrowhill/Bailieston is worth a look, as is Scotstoun and Pollockshaws. In terms of community you’ll find that you’re breaking into established groups but if you’re prepared to put yourself out there you’ll find friends through school, hobbies and activities.

I love Glasgow, it’s just a case of finding where you fit.

A lot of the East Ren/Dun schools do so well in the league tables because the parents can afford tutoring for their exams.

Move to a cracking house in a cheaper area with a reasonable school, you can afford that tutoring.

I'm in one of the 'East' areas, moved here a few years ago when my eldest started nursery. I felt similar to you for the first couple of years (especially recognise the retired people bit!) but while I think it's still fair to say that I wouldn't choose this area if I was child free, things have improved a lot since my eldest started school. It seems to be much easier to tap into the community now, and I'm slowly starting to feel more integrated.

we moved out of Glasgow when expecting children as did all our friends
All in ED
Worked brilliantly for us

Presumably helped by the fact that you already had a friendship group though!

I'm in ER area, moved here due to proximity to motorway for work when we were childless so in the rare position of definitely not moving into the area for the schools. Now have 2 kids in high achieving secondary. Believe me there's a lot of reasons these schools score highly and it's not all down to good teaching (which there is a lot of)

1 as mentioned families can afford tutors

2 what happens if your child is not academic? Borderline for getting a nat 5? The school won't have confidence in you and let you sit nat 5 to see if you get it as if you don't, your result affects the school results. Therefore you only get to sit nat 4. Totally immoral in my opinion.

3 again, if kid is not academic then they are encouraged strongly to leave.

4 the pressure on these kids is horrendous. One of mine got 9 A Nat 5s but 2 were of the lower banding of the A range. They were devastated and I'm at the side going, why aren't you happy? This is amazing! The school really screws up the kids thinking on what is a good achievement.

5 remember if parents are looking for a good school then they value education. That encouragement alone goes a long way. So if you value education and will be supporting your child then they'll do well in the vast majority of schools although I accept this is just my opinion.

In general I've felt welcomed into the community and settled well kids are generally happy apart from exam pressure. If I had known schools were like this I would really have reconsidered sending my kids there but they're nearly finished now.

A bit but we made lots of new friends too
The education was the main reason for moving and that is what really worked

We moved to ED from the other end of the country when my eldest was 3. We literally knew nobody. Being part of a community does not happen by itself. You have to put yourself out there and join the PTAs and help with the Rainbows and respond to the appeals for litter pickers and all the rest of it. That’s true wherever you live.

Garrowhill primary has an excellent reputation and the house prices aren't over the top. However, the high school the primary feeds into has an awful reputation and I know of a number of parents who have moved when their kids are due to start high school or have put in a placing request for the RC schools in the area.

Thank you for your reply! I love Glasgow too and I agree it's about finding the right fit for us

A lot of people say that when their child starts school, things change, so maybe I would feel differently!

Thank you, these are some of the concerns I now have. I am
academic and did well at school but what if my kids aren't as academic or more creative, is it still a well rounded environment or is it all geared towards exams as I've heard?

I agree which is why I volunteer with a play group and other group locally. I still don't feel part of the community unfortunately.

Our school is very exam focused. One child is artistic and the art department is a dream for someone creative but still the expectation is on exam results e.g. child not allowed to do their own still life composition but rather given a composition the teachers know will score well because of the elements it includes. Now I can't say this doesn't happen in other schools as I only know what goes on in ours. Maybe this is standard practice but I thought you would have more freedom in your choices in an art class.

Oh that's really bad! Perhaps it is standard practice but it makes me bristle. I'm not even that rebellious!

Thank you- good insight. But we want to move somewhere with a decent enough high school, as we want it to be a "forever home" ideally. Don't want to have to rely on placing requests for high school

If you are looking for an alternative to ED then Stirlingshire has lots of good schools. Strathblane, Balfron and surrounding area all feed into Balfron High, which has a good reputation.
Alternatives to ER would be Stewarton, Strathaven or Lochwinnich. All rural areas within reach of Glasgow with reasonable schools. If you don't want to go rural you can look at Shawlands. Good primary schools but Shawlands Academy has mixed reviews.

Depends where you'll be working really, Killearn and Balfron are lovely but no good if you work in Giffnock.

Have a look at the catchment area of Knowetop Primary in Motherwell. There are several newer estates with lots of families with children. It feeds into Dalziel High which has always had a good reputation. Motherwell has great transport links.

I agree with those commenting on the high school that Garrowhill primary feeds into. It used to be a great school but it has taken a nosedive more recently.

If your children are still nursery age, I'd consider moving back into Glasgow and going for Gaelic Medium. There's a real community, good academics, but also strong sport, music and increasingly more vocational options. There are now 4 Gaelic primaries, so localish friends, but they all feed in to the same High School. It's a big commitment, but worth a thought.