lme30005

Hi

Hoping there are some Perth residents who can give me some info about schools. DH has got a job offer and I am looking at schools and getting very confused. The job will likely be only for a few years and then we will come back to the UK so concerned about the children (4 of them) getting behind or missing parts of UK curriculum making it harder when we come back.

The areas I am looking at are Mosman Park, Cottesloe, Mount Claremont, Nedlands, Dalkeith and surrounding areas - I know, all the expensive ones!

Are private schools worth it at primary level or are state schools very good in these areas? We are not religious - the non-religious independent schools seem very expensive. Is it easy for non Catholics to get into the Catholic schools? I have a feeling there are big wait lists there, like here.

I just want the best schools for them to be able to make the transition back to the UK as easy as possible.

Thanks

Louise

CEM

I wouldn't worry about it if you're coming back to the UK before secondary school starts.
My daughter started at Nedlands before we moved her to one of the independent schools after 2 1/2 years. It was a lovely school and the children who went/go there seem to do well. Plenty seem to get scholarships to various high schools. I'm pretty sure the other primaries you mention are the same. I'm still in touch with people there and they still seem happy.
We came back to the UK when the eldest was halfway through year 4 there and about to start yr 4 here and really it was only maths that she had to adapt to here.
From experience (we went to Sydney in 2009 for a year when the eldest was in yr 9), it was the same coming back after that. Even then it wasn't a disaster - we arrived back in the UK when she'd missed a term of her GCSE courses, but she still managed a good set of results. Although her maths didn't recover to the standard it had been before that was mostly to do with the teacher she had in Sydney, rather than the course.

Have fun!

h2oskineil

Hey Louise

Here's a good website to get info on the schools.
http://www.myschool.edu.au/
http://www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsonline/home.do

The areas you mentioned are VERY expensive (as you acknowledged) have you done your maths re rental properties etc?

www.reiwa.com.au
www.realestate.com.au

Good luck

lme30005

Thanks for the info. Good to know they wouldn't be too far behind, I guess I would have to get them a tutor to help them catch up.

I have looked online at the properties available in those areas. We are not looking to buy so rental prices don't look too bad for what we want. I would rather we stretched ourselves to be in a nice area if we don't have to go private