We are in the process of applying to emigrate from the UK, and hae 2 children (6 and 3). In general how do Canadian schools compare to schools in the UK?

Well, my personal opinion is that if you live in a fairly well to do area - doesnt matter where you are in Canada - the schools will be perfectly fine. Obviously in every country in every city there are rough areas and the schools are not schools where most people would want their children to attend.

Even as far back as when I went to school - which was in the 50's, I lived in Purley and I went by bus to school in Kenley because the nearest school - Roke - was viewed to be a rough school and my parents didn't want us going there.

You will get responses from people who seem to have absolutely nothing positive to say about Canada. I sometimes wonder why they don't go back to England if they don't like anything here.

I am sure that there are schools in south London that are far worse than the worst schools in Canada. My sons both went to school in Regina. They both grew up just fine, both have jobs, one has a university degree.

If you come to Canada you have to accept what Canada has to offer - both the good and the bad. I am sure your kids will have perfectly good educations so long as you don't send them to some inner city school - but as you probably wont be living in those neighbourhoods - you will be fine.

My impression is that the overall standard is pretty similar to the UK. Whats also seems quite similar is that a lot can depend on the area you live in. If you live in one of the more expensive parts of vancouver then the schools are goods, and so are academic performances.....same as some schools in the UK.If you live over in the east side of van for example, then the schools can be quite rough, drugs doing the rounds, bullying etc.....same as some schools in the UK. Check which area you're going to live in, and check out the schools there.
In the long run this doesn't really concern me though, as I'm taking liz's advice and moving back to the UK . Can't wait....

lizwil & bcboy
Thanks that seems like realistic and helpful

Not that this has anything to do with education - but to be perfectly honest - if I had no family here and if I had plenty of money - I would move back to England too! Not becuase of anything bad about Canada but the older I get the more I miss my family and the more I miss the things that happen in a small English village.

As I said - its not becuase of things I hate about Canada, but more the family side of things.