Portobello/Musselburgh or Balerno/Currie

[sarahepeel]

We are contemplating a move from Somerset to Edinburgh as my husband has been commuting for the last 6 months. We have one son in Y7 and one in Y5 so need a decent primary and secondary. We have narrowed our search to Musselburgh or Balerno - any advice on schools in either area please?

Are you looking at state or private or both, sarahpeel? I brought up my two daughters in Portobello and there couldn't be a better place for children - we have a gorgeous, two-mile sandy beach with prom, and there's loads to do with children (and without them!) locally. Musselburgh's a bit further out but you get more for your money property-wise - Portobello's become much more expensive since I moved here about 20 years ago. My daughters both went to the local schools, Towerbank Primary and Portobello High. I was very happy with both of them. Towerbank's grown a lot since mine were there, and there's been substantial new building locally in the last couple of years which presumably will affect the catchment area. Portobello High has recently moved to a new building and new site which has to be an improvement - there were lots of problems with the building that my daughters were in. They're the only schools I have direct knowledge of, but a good friend's children are at Campie Primary in Musselburgh and they're very happy there.

Hi @morningtoncrescent62, thanks for the feedback. We're definitely looking at state schools - in part because I want my kids to mix with people from all walks of life as I think that's a much better preparation for life in general. Good to know that Portobello High is good and in general it's a great family place - it looks great on paper but it's always good to get first hand advice!

Balerno/Currie have much better reputations than Portobello High IME.

This would seem to be backed up by the latest rankings - Balerno 53% 5+ highers, Currie 52% v Portobello High's 33%.

Portobello/Musselburgh is a nice family area but if state secondary schools are a key consideration it wouldn't be my top pick.