Schools in East Dunbartonshire / East Renfrewshire / Motherwell

[SilenceOfTheClams]

We’re looking for a house within reasonable commuting distance from Glasgow but not in the city itself. Good secondary schools are a must (non-denom preferred). So far, we’ve narrowed it down to these areas that look like they might work for us:

Lenzie / Kirkintilloch - Lenzie Academy
Bishopbriggs - Bishopbriggs Academy
Eaglesham (not keen on Newton Mearns itself) - Mearns Castle HS
Clarkston - Williamwood HS
Motherwell - Dalziel HS

Can anyone tell me any more about these schools and possibly how they compare? Academics, extracurriculars, university progression, general atmosphere? I can find the rankings and inspection reports online, but am also interested in more nuanced personal experiences and details that don’t show up in league tables.

Desperately trying to find the right place for a typical young teen who’s reasonably academic, arty and sporty (although not terribly conscientious). They cannot decide if they want to be a doctor or a circus performer, and are definitely not ready to narrow down subject choices yet! 😅 The best option would probably be somewhere with a culture of reasonably high expectations (so they cannot coast too much) but with a well-rounded subject and extracurricular offering.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

I don't have insider knowledge on any of these schools, but they all have fairly good reputations. More so the top 3 on your list. None are 'bad' schools though, it sounds like your DC has good support at home and is bright so will do well anywhere.

You say teen, but then say they're not ready to narrow down subject choices. What age/year are they? Because most schools will be choosing Nat5 subjects in the spring of S2, so 13yrs old.

Thanks @NameChangeScot!

S1 but August born, so 13.

So far, they’re oscillating between ‘I want to do science’, ‘I want to do humanities’ and, occasionally, ‘I want to do arts’.

That’s still mostly all right for Nat 5s, as they can sit quite a few and will be able to leave a couple of options open, hopefully. But I really don’t want them to get to Higher stage and finally make up their mind, only to discover the school doesn’t offer half the subjects they want and need then.

Not much between the two East Ren schools in terms of size, exam performance, extracurriculars. As they are both very large schools I don't think you'd struggle too much to access Highers required when choosing for S5 and S6 or have access to a large variety of extracurriculars. Mearns Castle has just appointed a teacher of AI which would appear to be a sector leading move. HT seems to be quite innovative.

The description of your son would suggests that he'd probably do well wherever he goes, but he would be surrounded by lots of children who are academically able and talented at sport and music. High numbers go to university but there was also always a reputation for the highest number of drop outs. Suggestion was that some found it difficult to cope with the independent study nature of University life once they were out the exam factory bubble of school. Not sure how true that is now.

Lots of parental push, private tutoring and competition to achieve. Not always healthy IMHO and risk of children feeling that they're not good enough. Size of the schools can also mean problems fly under the radar.

In terms of location and future socialising with peers Williamwood catchment very well served by excellent public transport with plentiful buses and two different train lines running through the catchment area. Eaglesham and parts of Mearns have poor public transport networks, so you would do a lot of running around picking up and dropping off if your child wants to socialise outside of the village.

Can't speak in detail about East Dun but both the 'East' local authoritiries are widely similar. Bishopbriggs and Lenzie have smaller rolls than the very large East Ren schools, but they are still large schools so presume opportunities for subject choice and extracurriculars will be decent.
Bishopbriggs probably better for access to both buses and train routes than Lenzie.

No idea about Motherwell.

Don't know about the secondary schools but houses in Clarkston tend to sell very fast, many under offer within 2 weeks and going for over valuation. Doesn't seem to matter whether they are perfectly presented or need work.

Are you sure about the age/year group?

An August-born 13 year old would be S2. S1 tends to be 11-12 years old.

If S2, subject selection will start January, to start the new timetable in May.

Thanks @Stopthebus123. That’s all really helpful information. I’m not really keen on the type of ‘exam factory’ environment you describe, so it looks like East Ren might not be the best fit for us after all. Shame, as I rather like Clarkston (even if the housing market is a bit of a nightmare, as @Delphiniumandlupins pointed out). For example, I’m not against tutoring as such but I do firmly believe it should only be used for extra depth in subjects the child has a genuine interest in, rather than exam coaching.

@Anonmom123 yes, I’m sure about the age and year group, thanks.

@SilenceOfTheClams My older children went to WW and my Stepson has just started St Ninian’s, have lived in East Ren for just over 20 years.

I wouldn’t recommend East Ren as a whole now, but if I had to choose anywhere here in your situation then it would be Clarkston.

Socially it’s really good for teenagers, it’s an incredibly bustling town with loads of open spaces and quick train/bus links into Glasgow.

The sheer number of children/teens means there’s always loads of clubs/activities for them.

Mearns in my opinion is completely soulless with very few local amenities and unless you are one of the lucky few who live close to the train station (which is on the outskirts of the town) then public transport is regular but takes an age.

Eaglesham is lovely, still got the transport issue, but is about to change beyond recognition due to East Ren’s development plans proposing thousands of new builds being added to the village.

Basically bolting loads of ‘Live, Laugh, Love’ style houses on the edge of a conservation village, for that reason I wouldn’t buy here.

I’ve talked at length here before about East Ren and the changes I’ve seen over the years, it’s became a caricature of itself, what were once healthy supportive schools with a relative social balance have become elitist exam factories with no children from poorer backgrounds at all.

The reality is if your child can succeed at one of the schools you’ve listed then they can succeed at any of them, but the non-east ren schools will have much more of a social balance and help them become more rounded.

The Lenzie Academy building is old, crumbling, and desperately needs a new school building - controversy raging in the area over current council plans to build on popular parkland. I wouldn’t recommend for this reason despite a nice area, community and exam results.