UK State Schools

This article came out recently:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-44227869

So, yes... refer to Ofsted ratings with a grain of salt.

This article came out recently:  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-44227869

So, yes... refer to Ofsted ratings with a grain of salt.

Welp, that means they are officially close to pointless! In the US they would publish standardised test results, but that's also not the greatest indicator of how good a school is because those are quite rigid tests. Critical thinking and problem solving skills are more important but often not tested.

The teaching profession is currently experiencing a recruitment and retention crisis after years of no pay rises, effectively funding cuts, combined with increased expectations and unreasonable demands by government (and an army of helicopter parents).

This is not just a UK thing. My sister and her husband are both high school teachers in the US and it's the same for them 

This is not just a UK thing. My sister and her husband are both high school teachers in the US and it's the same for them 

Can't comment on the USA situation, but the government decided to add 1/3 more content to the GCSE syllabus because... people think Physics is easy??? It's now a situation where they have to lower the grade boundaries so that 20% is a pass. On what planet is 20% a pass? How does that instill any confidence?

They changed from modular A Levels to linear to be 'more like university' where you sit exams each term?!?!

Can't comment on the USA situation, but the government decided to add 1/3 more content to the GCSE syllabus because... people think Physics is easy??? It's now a situation where they have to lower the grade boundaries so that 20% is a pass. On what planet is 20% a pass? How does that instill any confidence?

They changed from modular A Levels to linear to be 'more like university' where you sit exams each term?!?!

20% being a pass kills me.  50% kills me.  I can't help but think "You can do a half assed job and pass." 

20% being a pass kills me.  50% kills me.  I can't help but think "You can do a half assed job and pass." 

So true :/


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Can't comment on the USA situation, but the government decided to add 1/3 more content to the GCSE syllabus because... people think Physics is easy??? It's now a situation where they have to lower the grade boundaries so that 20% is a pass. On what planet is 20% a pass? How does that instill any confidence?

Wow!  . And it's weird because I get the impression (from tv anyway) that people are more ambitious than they used to be.

Happy to fill you in on what it’s like up here in Scotland, but won’t bore you with details if you don’t think you’ll be moving here. Just let me know. Xx

Happy to fill you in on what it’s like up here in Scotland, but won’t bore you with details if you don’t think you’ll be moving here. Just let me know. Xx

I mean you won’t bore me at all! I have no clue where we will end up, but I am happy to hear anything you have to share! X


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Very happy with the state schools my kids are in. Both are Church of England, one in primary and one in secondary.

A good place to get opinions on schools is Mumsnet. Just google the area and school you’re curious about and  you’ll find some good threads. Or start one! Good luck.

Mumsnet is also a good way to see how many families got waitlisted in your child's reception year (age 4/pre K) using its archives. When we were looking at places to live with our 5yo we could read discussions about which schools were so oversubscribed the previous year we wouldn't waste our time looking for a house nearby.

Our council publishes lists saying how many students are waiting/spots are open at each school after they announce the reception placements in the spring, but there are still several months of shifting before the term starts. I'm not sure if other places do, but worth having a look if so.

Happy to fill you in on what it’s like up here in Scotland, but won’t bore you with details if you don’t think you’ll be moving here. Just let me know. Xx

I would love to hear about schooling in Scotland. My son is only 2yo but it doesn’t hurt to start researching. I was raised Catholic, but non practicing. I’ve been tinkering with the idea of sending him to a Catholic school to appease my mom. I understand you have a choice between a non-denominational and a Catholic school based on your catchment area. My concern with choosing the Catholic school is the size of the classes since they’re fewer schools.


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Can't really give you any info on the schools in Scotland, but if I had a young child I would put him/her in a Catholic school. I was sent to one for grades 2-5 and was several years ahead of my peers in (USA public) state schools when I left there. This may only have been the luck of the draw, but I've spoken to many other people who said that discipline was better and learning more focused in Catholic schools, so I do think they can be a good option. (Note, I'm not Catholic.)