Moving from Australia to Aberdeen in June.

[Minerbird]

Hi everyone,
I have three children, DD (12), DD (11) and DS (9) and we live in Australia. We are moving to Aberdeen in June with hubby's job; he has actually been there 2 weeks already.

Schools we are looking at are:

1. Cults
2. Banchory
3. Inverurie
4. Aboyne

Also Milltimber, Peterculter, Cults Primaries.

Does anyone have any recommendations regarding these schools?

DD1 will be entering S2 in August, DD2 entering S1 and DS entering P6. We got our application to Cults Academy & Milltimber Primary in by 15th March but are anticipating rejections as we are not yet in-zone. Have been informed we are unlikely to get a place even when we move in-zone as they are oversubscribed. This is very frustrating, as in Australia if you live in the zone, they HAVE to accept you no matter what. Trying to sort this out from the other side of the world is very worrying, as we will only be arriving at the end of the present school year. Only 6 weeks to find a school!

My question is, do the Scottish LEAs have Fair Access Protocols like the English LEAs do? We will definitely appeal as we feel we will have a good case, but want to have back-up options, hence the questions regarding the other schools.

Any help most gratefully received!!
Cheers :)

Oh and a lot of them have Pauls Boutique jackets too but it really depends on their style.
Lots of casual wear of super dry and Hollister about with ugg type boots (ooh ate they cheaper on Australia?) or very grown up looking girly and glamorous Jane Norman, new look stuff.

Thanks lazy!!
Not sure if Uggs are cheaper here - all I know is they seem bloody expensive!

Inverurie is a lovely place to live and bring up children. Lots to do and only 25 mins away from Abdn. Good schools and as far as I'm aware where you live will dictate which school your child goes to. As for whats in fashion in school bags I don't think there's an issue with that here. Haven't noticed any 1 brand more than another !

My DD is a student at Inverurie Academy and said it is a lovely school. Inverurie has everything you need, shopping, schools, restaurants etc. For clothes Super dry, Hollister, for girls anything from Topshop would be acceptable. For school they have to wear a uniform. I agree Paul's boutique is Awfull.

please help
we moving to aberdeen in may june my daughter is 3 IN AUGUST AND IAMLOOKING FOR A VERY GOOD SCHOOL FOR HER
IAM FRENCH FROMAIX EN PROVENCE AND HUSBAND IS ENGLIS WORKING FOR LYODDS
I AM TERRYFIED OF MOVING THERE I HAVE BEEN IN THE CENTER FOR A WEEK WITH ELISA AND MY HUSBAND IT IS SO GREY
I AM A POSITIVE PERSON BUT GOD ITS LOOK SO SAD
I AM AT LOST WHERE TO LIVE AS WELL
I DON DRIVE AN D WOULD APPRECIATE RECOMMANDATION FOR LOVELY AREA TO LIVE TO HAVE GOOD SCHOOL MAKE FRIEND AND ACTIVITIES
MY HUSBAND IS THINKING OD THE CENTER NEAR THE HAMILTON SCHOOL
I WOULD SO MUCH APPRECIATE ANY HELP

Minerbird, we live near Inverurie and it is a lovely town. Anything I've heard about Inverurie Academy has been positive.

Noraelisa, Aberdeen is lovely. The weather can be grim, but it's a wonderful place. Your 3 year old will enjoy the parks, Satrosphere science centre, the beach leisure pool, story telling sessions at the library - lots of activities, all accessible.

noraelisa, just to add, I live outside Aberdeen now and my children are older, so I'm out of touch regarding schools, but we lived in Aberdeen when my children were little, and there were lots of activities available centrally, even if you didn't drive. What sort of activities will you be looking for?
The oil industry means that there are people of all nationalities, and you should have no problems fitting in. I realise the lack of sunshine must be off putting, but Aberdeen has a lot going for it; it's one of the most prosperous cities in the UK.

minerbird; my DD is not interested in fashion, so I can't tell you about bags, but I'm pretty sure anything goes at her school.

Hi All
In a similar boat to Minerbird as moving to Aberdeen from abroad but am English. Can anyone give any honest feedback on Portlethen Academy? I know results wise last year it is not up there with Cults, Mackie, Westhill and Banchory but there is a lot of new build housing in that area and the facilities look good. Fed up of driving kids across town for school, want a normal life lol.
OH wants a short commute so probably has to be South side although Westhill may be a possibility.
Properties in Cults catchment are either weird extended semis or too expensive and simply not very available in either category! Rentals seem scarce too.
I looked at the Scottish equivalent of Ofsted reports and most schools seemed not to have had one done for years. This website gives 'free school meals' stats which is a deprivation measure
www.educationscotland.gov.uk.
I also know Portlethen is currently advertising for a new Headteacher. Any experience anyone? Thanks

Hi noraelisa
Is yours a permanent move or are you just posted to Aberdeen? You may want to look at the International School in Millltimber if you are not permanent as based on my experiences when posted abroad it is always easier to make friends in expat circles. Everyone leaves eventually so they are always open to newcomers. It would also follow that that would be an area where other expats might live.
The Hamilton School is private but if it's in your package I say go for it lol. Best Wishes for the move. You will miss the French weather I am sure.

Hi Minerbird,

Did you make the move from Oz? Interested to find out how you have settled in and where you decided to base yourselves, which schools you went with etc as we are looking to move from Perth by the end of December, hopefully.

How it went well for you.

Sally.

Hi, Am new to all this! We are Scottish and have lived in England for the last 8 years and are making the move to Aberdeenshire in the next month. Husband will be working at airport and we like Meldrum Academy and Kemney Academy. Daughter will be going into S2 and Son going into P5. Have recently heard that Meldrum Academy doesn't have a good reputation and am just wondering if anyone has any advice or experience. Thanks in advance x

Please do not consider the Hamilton school. If you can go private try Robert Gordon's, boys and girls or Albyn or St Margaret's for girls. Before anyone says anything my DD went to Hamilton and my friend was a teacher there. The number of children who had to repeat years when they eventually saw the light and left you would not believe. The stories my friend told me would make your hair curl.

I agree with deste. I actually worked there myself and witness things that would indeed make your hair curl. I left quickly as have many staff before me and staff are still leaving as quickly as ever. Yes, the same old storey of children having to repeat years and the emphasis on how children walk down the corridor rather than reading stories and learning to write!! Its all show, no substance!!

I'm not going to comment on the practical process of admissions, just some 'other advice from an UK born Aussue who moved back here with a child in tow....

The 'year pattern' is different - in England they start secondary at 11 not 12 and since they've usually started school here at 4 not 6, the kids here are much more advanced in terms of basic skills. This and the different academic year meant DD missed out about a year of school with the switch - and on vital stuff like 'joined up writing' and major maths concepts. She went from a very confident 9 year old to 'I can't do anything' overnight. Its taken her to age 13 to catch up and get back in her groove.

Also - don't underestimate this - the curriculum is vastly different. DD was baffled by a big school project on Henry the Eighth - her 'history' knowledge revolved around the First Fleet and the Stolen Generation. All sorts of general knowledge that was taken for granted she simply didn't have. Another confidence crusher. Literature and geography was all very different, even science used different methods. And she'd never done 'RE' in her life thanks to her very secular government school in Australia.

Just prepare yourself and them for the difference. You will need lots of patience and to negotiate any necessary catch-up help with school.