Author: Struan Baird

Searching for the best possible education for your child can be a bit of an overwhelming task. Assessing the academic prestige of each school will be at the top of any parent’s list, but other factors such as school ethos, personality, tradition and emphasis on arts and sports can help influence your final decision. Both state and private schools offer a unique education and secondary experience within their own right, so it is important that you have at least some idea of the school’s culture.

Our marketing team here at AMC Removals have compiled a shortlist of Glasgow’s most prestigious schools, both state and private, to help narrow your search down.

The High School of Glasgow

In terms of history, not many schools can compare to Scotland’s oldest school. Established in 1124, The High School of Glasgow was initially founded as the Choir School of Glasgow Cathedral and later became known as Glasgow Grammar School. Honouring their roots, the school still maintains a relationship with the Cathedral by holding an annual Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving in September. Their proud list of graduates includes two British Prime Ministers, two Lords Presidents and the founder of the University of Aberdeen.

Its long list of accolades is backed up by consistent academic successes throughout the years, earning it a reputation of being one of the Glasgow’s best private schools. Here are some of the figures to give you a clearer idea:

• 1% of students gained A passes in their Highers
• 6% of students gained B passes in their Highers
• 88% of students gained five or more Higher passes

The school takes in both boys and girls, with fees per term ranging from £1,423 to £4,112.

Jordanhill High School

If you have the luxury of choosing between sending your child to a private school or a state school, then Jordanhill High School will certainly be one of your first state school options. Founded in 1920, the High School is unique among mainstream state schools in Scotland since it is funded by the Scottish Government instead of the local authority, Glasgow City Council. This is because of its role in teacher training.

Astonishingly, an impressive 91% of students gained 3 or more Higher qualifications last year. Its consistent and stellar academic achievements led them to it being ranked 1st in The Herald’s Top 50 State Schools in Scotland! Here’s a short summary of its academic performance:

• 81% of school leavers gained 5 or more Highers
• 64% of school leavers gained 1 or more Advanced Highers.

The Glasgow Academy

The Glasgow Academy is seen as one of Scotland’s top private schools for both academic and social reasons. The school recently stated that 85% of its graduates gain places at Scottish universities and 13% at English universities. Whilst it has consistently displayed stellar academic performances to justify any parent spending a huge amount of money on school fees (see below), a factor that perhaps makes it more unique is being one of the select number of schools in Scotland which are Stonewall School Champions, an LGBT initiative that provides special training and support for staff and pupils against any form of homophobic bullying.

Glasgow Academy has evidently struck a winning formula in producing successful students, which is clear to see when viewing their long list of notable alumni, which includes John Beattie and Sir Angus Grossart. As you can see below, they fare quite well:

• 4% of students achieved an A grade in their Highers
• 85% of students graduating from Glasgow Academy go to university
• The pass rate at Higher level in 2017 was 97.36%.

Glasgow Gaelic School

As you would have probably guessed, Glasgow Gaelic School differs from other schools in Scotland by being Gaelic-medium. Studies have shown that learning a second language offers a number of benefits to cognitive function. Since the school teaches most secondary subjects in Gaelic, expect your child to graduate with a second language under their belt and a unique advantage in the job market for the years to come. There is no catchment area as the school serves the whole of Glasgow.

Now what about the quality of their education? Well here are the stats:

• Ranked 6^th in The Herald’s best state schools in Scotland in 2017
• 70% of graduates leave with 5 or more Highers
• 69% of pupils reached the national benchmark in their exams

Hyndland Secondary School

Hyndland Secondary School is regarded as one of Glasgow’s most prestigious secondary schools due to its competent performances in exams throughout the years. Although it may not quite hit the same heights as Jordanhill High School in terms of Highers, it certainly fares well. School isn’t just about robotically hardwiring your students to learn how to detect pitfalls in exam questions and earn a place at a university. Hyndland Secondary School is one of the only schools in Scotland that doesn’t make school uniform compulsory, which instils freedom of expression into pupils from a very young age. Fashion is a form of expression, in which our tastes and beliefs can be symbolised merely by the clothes that we wear. Being a graduate of a school that had no uniform myself (James Gillespie’s High School), I am all too aware of this.

Now, getting back on track, I am assuming that you will want to see some stats, and here they are:

• 55% of graduates leave with 5 or more Highers
• 53% of students met the national benchmark
• Ranked 2^nd in Glasgow’s best state schools

It has been quick four to five years since your child entered this world and before you know it they are ready to start their journey. It all starts with primary school. Choosing the right primary school is no piece of cake since the number of prestigious primary schools in Glasgow will leave you with a lot to think about. Should I send my child to a private school? What school fees can I afford?  What is the school ethos like? The early years of your child’s life are the years that help to mould their personality. Aligning a school’s values to the ones that you wish your child to adopt is just as important as academic performance. At AMC removals many of our team are parents and have young children at primary schools in Glasgow. After a quick discussion in

Thankfully we have got it all covered. In no particular order, we have conducted a list below for what we believe is an excellent choice of primary schools for you to choose from.

Hillhead Primary School

After moving to their new location in 2012, the school has officially become the largest primary school in Glasgow. They now sit comfortably beside the green flourishes of Kelvingrove Park, helping to promote a healthy lifestyle. Despite the classes being on the larger side, don’t let it detract away from the fact the Hillhead performs really well academically, with 76% of pupils achieving the expected national level of reading by the end of p7. The primary school has become a local’s favourite due to Hillhead promoting and maintaining the high standards that pupils are expected to meet. Students tend to move onto one of Glasgow’s most prestigious secondary schools, Hillhead High School.

Battlefield Primary School

‘Be brave. Be bold. Be your best at Battlefield Primary School.’ Their audacious and unflinching statement is a reminder to students as well as the parents of the high expectations that they have of their pupils. Battlefield takes pride in their ability to nurture the differing talents of their students, whether it being in the arts, academic or sporting. Their location is south of the Clyde, just off Queen’s Park. Many Battlefield Primary School pupils end moving to Holyrood Secondary School.

St Mungo’s Primary School

The highest ranked non-independent primary school (4th place) on the School Guide’s Primary League Table for Glasgow is St Mungo’s. Situated north of the Clyde, St Mungo’s educational vision for the children is based on the values of the Catholic Church. Their partnership with their local Parish emphasises their strong ties with their Catholic heritage. On a more academic note, St Mungo’s Primary School tops the school tables for academic brilliance for a reason. On average, 80-90% of students in P7 achieve the national standard for English reading as well as for numeracy.

Scotstoun Primary School

Scotstoun Primary school is one of the smaller schools in the city that offers plenty of opportunities for students to excel in their talents by placing great emphasis on the importance of after-school clubs. Through the number of extra-curricular activities that they have to offer, the endless amount of opportunities for children to socialise together allows them to develop strong interpersonal skills. You can find the school near Victoria Park, that encourages students to maintain an active lifestyle with the tennis and basketball courts available to them.

The Glasgow Academy

If you are looking to send your child to a private school then the Glasgow Academy should be near the top of the list for sure. Founded in 1845, the Glasgow Academy has a rich history that has produced many famous alumni throughout the years. Their prep-school is unique since they have three different sites across Glasgow – Kelvinbridge, Milngavie and Newlands. The school takes pride in facilitating the development of their students on both an academic and sporting level. Expect students to be encouraged to have an active lifestyle through the wide range of sporting opportunities that they provide. School fees for Glasgow Academy range from £3,000 to $4,000 per term.

Kelvinside Academy

Along with The Glasgow Academy, Kelvinside Academy has earned a proud reputation for being one of the most desired primary schools for parents to send their children to. Their school ethos is centred around working hard and maximising your full potential, which is emphasised in their motto of, ‘be the best you can.’ Stretching back to 1878, the school has produced many notable alumni including Scotland’s famous rugby player Richie Gray and the former Rangers owner, Craig Whyte. As you would have probably guessed, the school is located in the Kelvinside area, near the Botanic Gardens. This is a great school for your child to start their journey since the Kelvinside High School exam results are consistently in the top 20 in the country.

St Aloysius’ College

Sitting proudly at the top of the School Guide’s Primary League Table for Glasgow, is St Aloysius’ College. This private school, situated north of the city centre, is named after the Jesuit Aloysius Gonzaga.  St Aloysius’ College has adopted a Jesuit education for their students, meaning that faith and values are at the centre to everything that they do. As well as their strong Catholic following, care and respect are at the forefront of their values, and in their own words, St Aloysius’ want each of their students to be ‘happy, holy and hardworking throughout their education.’ Students finishing juniors will move onto the secondary school that consistently performs well academically. These are school fees:

P1-P6: 3,486

P7: 3,666

Ensuring that you secure the best possible education for your child tends to top the list of priorities for most parents, and understandably so. One of the many superlatives that Edinburgh has to offer is that this historic city is packed full of well-respected secondary schools – both private and public. Here at AMC we have delivered removal services to Edinburgh for the last two decades and a number of our team have children at the local high schools. We put our heads together and put down a list of the best local Edinburgh high schools.

 James Gillespie’s High School

A school packed full of character along with academical consistency, this rather ‘hippie’ school is neatly tucked away in the centre of Marchmont. Yes, you’ve read it correctly – ‘hippie.’ Unlike their closest neighbours, Boroughmuir High School, Gillespie’s have placed emphasis on the importance of self-expression by allowing their students not to wear uniform. By steering away from the conventional approach to attire, Gillespie’s enables students to help construct their social identity through fashion. The school offers students a wider social experience, a better insight into ‘the real world’ from their differing catchment areas and an emphasis on collectivism through their school ethos of diversity. Although traditionally a more musical school, Gillespie’s has recently produced successful athletes, such as Scotland rugby player Damien Hoyland and Olympic Gold Medallist Callum Skinner.

Now, freedom of expression is great but you may ask how does Gillespie’s perform academically? Well, Gillespie’s has been nothing but consistent throughout the years in academic performance, to say the least, by achieving the following:

• In 2015 Gillespies was named ‘Scottish State School of the Year’
• Ranked 2nd best state school in Edinburgh by Schoolguide
• 59% of school leavers have 5 or more Highers (average is 31%).
• 1,251 pupils

Boroughmuir High School

Across Bruntsfield Links to their soon to be new location, Fountainbridge, is Edinburgh’s official number one state school for academic performance, Boroughmuir High School. Unlike their closest rivals Gillespie’s, students have to follow the more traditional dress code of shirt and tie. Despite being a state school, throughout the years Boroughmuir has managed to construct an almost private school image through their many sporting and academic achievements. They boast a rugby team capable of competing against Scotland’s private schools, their consistent academic performances would make you question spending large sums of money on a private school, and they own a dashing blazer that would make any Morningsider proud. In short, this is a school that offers plenty of opportunity. Here are the stats:

• Ranked best state school in Edinburgh by Schoolguide
• 74% of school leavers have 5 or more Highers (average is 31%).
• 1,196 pupils

Broughton High School

Tucked in between Edinburgh’s famous Stockbridge and Inverleith Park is Broughton High School. This school offers a lot more to students than just a quality education. It is home to a specialised music department: the City of Edinburgh Music School, and has also been chosen to be one of the seven schools selected in Scotland by the Scottish Football Association to support young talented footballers by providing them with extra coaching.

It may not have the urban hippie feel that Gillespie’s provides, nor quite the academic reputation of Boroughmuir, but it does present a number of opportunities for students to flourish in both traditional academia as well as sport and the arts. Although its stats trail somewhat behind both Boroughmuir and Gillespies, it still sits high up the table of Edinburgh’s best state schools at 5th:

• 24% of students leave with 5 or more highers
• 1128 pupils
• Ranked 5th best state school in Edinburgh by Schoolguide

The Edinburgh Academy

Going to Edinburgh Academy is like being given a golden key that will open a lot of doors in the years to come. It sits imperiously at the top of table for last year’s Advanced Higher results, with an impressive 86.53% of Edinburgh Academy students gaining A’s and B’s. If you want your child to achieve something in sport, then Edinburgh Academy isn’t a bad choice either. Most famously known for producing international rugby players, the school has nurtured Scotland’s previous rugby captain Mike Blair, Scotland 7s player Jamie Farndale, not to mention the exciting prospect of Blair Kinghorn.

However, as you would expect this golden key doesn’t come cheap, with student fees costing around £4,548 per term. As with other independent schools, Edinburgh Academy does provide scholarships to students, with bursaries potentially making up to 100% of school fees.

Fettes College

Fettes College has officially become Scotland’s most expensive boarding school, taking in both boys and girls. With fees amounting to a whopping figure of almost £27,000 per year, you are not only sending your child the best possible education that Scotland has to offer, but you are also sending them to be potentially part of Scotland’s social elite. Having your child brought up in an environment that includes some of Scotland’s most privileged, undeniably provides a unique network of connections that can benefit them in the future.

Just take a look at some of the previous graduates to come out of Fettes College. The boarding school enjoys a glittering list of the famous successful including film producer Tilda Swinton and the former prime minister, Tony Blair.

Directly comparing Fettes College’s academic performances to other Scottish schools is tricky since their pupils sit A-levels and International Baccalaureates. Fettes College stated that last year 56% of its students achieved an A+ or an A at A Level or IB.

Its called a smartphone for a reason. Designed to make your life easier, smartphones offer a more organised and less chaotic lifestyle if you fully make use of the apps available to you. Trying to organise a family home can sometimes be nothing but chaotic. An endless amount of tasks manage to sneak up on us and before we know it, we fall behind in our responsibilities that mount up to a point where we are one straw away from breaking the camel’s back. These endless amounts of distractions that manage to detract us from achieving our goals is a daily battle that we all have to face up to, so its plan more prudently with one of the many house organising apps available to us. At AMC Removals we see ourselves as house removals

Throw away your old school planner, push away your prejudices on modern day technology and become more organised. Below we have outlined five useful apps for IOS and Android to help you become more organised and to think more linearly.

Wunderlist app

Our first app is incredibly useful for those sharing a flat together. Long gone are the days when you leave a ‘honey to do list.’ Wunderlist allows people to share lists of responsibilities through the app, enabling people to send reminders or sudden tasks that have sprouted up out of nowhere. Fancy a coffee but have ran out of milk? Then send a message on the app to your flatmate to remind them to buy some milk on the way home. The app can share tasks and responsibilities on a range of different devices – smartphones, tablets, laptops – ensuring that you are always on the same page.

Mint app

To many of us, checking our bank balance at the end of the month is a dreaded experience that often leaves us puzzled as to how we have managed to burn through so much cash. You then start to realise how this is possible after counting the number of coffees, sandwiches and probably for a lot of us, pints we have treated ourselves to. Impulsive purchases eventually add up to a fee that is a lot higher than you think, a fee that we try to neglect and a fee that can easily be reduced. As you have probably guessed, we have an app that will help tackle this problem.

The Mint app essentially helps you to keep on top of your bills by creating daily budgets. The app will help you become more frugal as well as helping you to keep track of where exactly your money is going each month.

Stylebook app

Are you one of those people that suffer from an untidy wardrobe? If so then the Stylebook app has a solution to your problem. By taking photos of all your clothes, the app is able to categorise your wardrobe into certain groups, such as ‘casual,’ ‘work,’ ‘nineties’ and more. This may help you realise whether or not you own too much clothing – I for one can own up to this.

Another advantage that Stylebook has to offer is that you are able to collage two pieces of clothing together on your smartphone to get a vivid image of what goes well together and what doesn’t. Have you got an important work night out coming up? If yes, then feel free to fiddle around with the many different pictures of your clothes to see what fits. As well as this, you are able to log in what days you have worn certain clothes, which will help you to keep track of what clothes are due a wash.