What to do? Dilemma

[mmsmum]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new here so please be gentle! I'm looking for advice and opinions on my daughters schooling options. I don't have any friends or family I can speak to so turning to all of you :)

She sat the entrance tests for Glasgow private schools and today we got the results. Sadly, we didn't get in to the one she wanted (Glasgow Academy) but did get an offer for another one, Kelvinside Academy, one she is less keen on. So I have a dilemma.

We are, for financial reasons, in the process of selling our house. This means I will have a smallish lump sum which I could either use to pay for a private education or for renting a house in the catchment for a good state school in a nice area. I'm thinking about Mearns Castle in East Renfrewshire.

My problem is is not just about the school my daughter goes to but where we end up living for the next 6 or so years. If she had got into the school of choice, there would be no question, she would go to the school and we would live where ever, but now I don't know what to do.

Does anyone have experience, gossip or opinions of either of these schools? Or had anyone been in a similar situation?

I've asked for tours of both but think I'll have to make a decision about Kelvinside before we get to visit Mearns Castle and hear if they will keep a place for her to start at the beginning of August, in case we haven't moved in time.

Please be honest with what you think, I'm open and will not be offended (well, I'll try lol) What would you do? Thank you

Have a look around Williamwood in the same area. It gets better results than Mearns Castle. It's a brand new school too.

Well they are all good schools. I suppose go for the one that suits your DD best.

Why not visit Mearns Castle and look around the area?

ooo replies! Tries to hide excitement

I have looked at Williamwood, you're right it does get better results, but it seems to have much more expensive houses in it's catchment. I admit I don't know the Williamwood area well but from a quick search it seems out of my budget. What do you think, are there areas that I could look at that are still nice?

I called Mearns Castle school today to ask about visiting and they said someone would call me back, I'm still waiting (I know I'm being impatient!) But hopefully we can go when the hols are over. I know the area and do like it.

Oh look, I learned how to do bold lol

Did you not think about it before you applied? What are the reasons for now not liking Kelvinside Academy now she has done the test and faced the anxious wait. You were obviously happy with sending her there at some point.

I would suggest going with the school that suits her best, what is she most interested in and which school will be best for that, rather than state v private.

Crazycarol I never really intended to send her to Kelvinside, we did the test there as it was before Glasgow our first choice and the High School, back up choice, so she would know what to expect on her 'big days'. So no, I was not obviously happy to send her there at some point.
I don't know as much about Kelvinside as it only had open mornings so there was no evening we could attend but from a tour it looks ok. But, Kelvinside has had bad press recently and we saw a lot of smoking at lunchtime when we visited.
Of course I am choosing a school based on what's best for DD. From my op I think it's perfectly clear that I am asking about the schools, not about state v private so please leave that at the door, it's not the issue here.
It wasn't just about the education she would get, it was about small class sizes, no disruption from unruly pupils, extra curricular clubs and activities, fitting in socially and teachers having high expectations.

A school that has had a bad press is likely to do something about it. Year groups move on and out so it could be quite different in August.

All schools have smokers. The trick is to not let prospective parents see them!

I've just had a look at Kelvinside's website. (Husband went there many moons ago so I'm interested.)

It says you can arrange an additional visit anytime in the school year.
The numbers are very appealing - 650 pupils aged 3 to 18.
The lunchtime activities are many and varied so it should be easy to avoid the smokers.
The exam results are more than respectable.

I'm sure no one smokes at Williamwood, Mearns Castle or Douglas Academy

Thanks Austenreader, we are going for another visit. I liked that kids weren't allowed off school grounds during lunchtime but it appears 5th year and up are. I also expected more discipline than there seems to be.

Normantebbit of course all the schools you have mentioned will have smokers as they are all allowed out at lunchtimes, one of the benefits of private education is that they usually are not. Anyway, I'm only considering Mearns Castle and was only discussing that problem at Kelvinside so not sure why you felt the need to through the other ones in but as long as you're enjoying yourself.

Put this in the glasgow-local topic for more of a response.

I'm glad you're going for another visit, mmsmum. They could play safe and have open evenings with selected students on display. It's braver to have parents in during a working day to see it warts and all because the warts can be off-putting - and there are always warts!
Given the small number of pupils, I would assume that there is a good underlying discipline going on because the staff will know their pupils well. It seems a good-sized school with enough scope to offer a range of subjects without being impersonal.

Blimey I was only joking

If it makes you feel any better, my friend went to Glasgow Academy and doesn't seem to have been very happy there. All that marching...

There are loads of great schools in Glasgow and round about the city. Have you thought about Lenzie? I worked there, it's a fantastic school with a lovely ethos, loads of extracurricular and excellent results. It's in the good schools guide.