Are there any NRIs/Expats sending their kids to Scottish High?

goabound

Hi.
Just in the final throws of now making a move to Delhi.

I will move out initially to get my business off the ground, and the family will then move over some time after.

This will no doubt give me time to get to know Delhi/Gurgaon a bit better in terms of what it can offer in relation to Accomodation, Sports facilities, Home Help, driver, getting around, Schools etc etc.

We have 3 children, and no doubt schooling is high on the priority list.

Having used this site to research schools, i have read quite a bit about Shri Ram (Thanks Birgit et al), but we like the look of Scottish High.

Is there anybody who is sending their kids to SH, and if so, we just wanted to get a better understanding from an NRI/Expats point of view of how their kids settled in, is it living up to expectations and are there are potential hazards we should be looking out for?

We are a family from West London, and although i will be here by myself for the first few months, it would be interesting to meet other NRI's/Expats to help familiarise myself, and hopefully build up a good network of contacts that will help in the long run to ease my family into Indian life.

Thanks and warm regards.

KateW

Hi I'm in Delhi with school children and was intrigued as I had never heard of the school so being nosy Googled.

Here is what I found maybe not a lot of help but the school taking the parents to court is interesting!

http://www.gurgaonblog.com/tag/scott...tional-school/

and

http://www.gurgaonscoop.com/story/2006/9/3/232041/1713

I'm sorry I can't be more helpful but I just don't know anybody with children there.

Good Luck

goabound

Hi Kate, that is really useful info and links. Just good knowing these websites exist for useful reference.

Can i ask where you children are attending?

I will have to base myself out of Gurgaon initially as that is where i have an apartment i purchased a few years back. It makes sense for me not to rent anywhere else and use the gurgaon flat as a base.

The plan is that i establish taking care of the business i need to do there, but at the same time explore the ideal areas where i can bring my family to live.

This, as is most often the case, dependent on the schools attended, and the feel of the area, including security.

I will no doubt be visiting a number of these schools, but from what i understand the key players are American Excelsior, Shri Ram and the international schools in the diplomatic enclave. Shri Ram is very difficult to get your children into, from what i have read, do you agree with this?

Thanks for your help on this, and to anybody else out there who has children at the above named schools, an at scholls that i have not yet come across.

This will be for sure a learning curve that i am happy to undertake as getting the school right will help my 3 kids make the transistion from UK life to Indian life that much more easier (I hope?).

regards to all.

KateW

Hi

One child at AES and two at The British School. We're on an ex pat package so just about affordable.
I've never asked the questions about the other schools but do know parents of kids at Shri Ram and other schools so will ask and get back.

goabound

Hi Kate.
Any joy with having a chat with other parents who have kids who go to Shri Ram or any other schools that are suited to expat children?
Is the AES school the one that is directly opposite The British School?
Would you be kind enough to list out the schools that you know of that are suited to expat kids from the UK, preferably those that work to a UK curricullum?
Thanks in advance.

KateW

Sorry I didn't go out last Saturday when I usually meet lots of parents but will go this week and ask.
Schools I know of are
AES, which is next to The British School
The British School,
St Pauls and Delhi Public school.
Only The British School covers a UK curriculum.
How old are your children?
It matters much more about the curriculum at crucial times and if/when you are moving between systems.

goabound

Thanks Kate.

My kids are 10, 6 and 2 years old.

We are of Indian descent but my children do not speak Hindi, so that will naturally go against them, other than in a school that does the UK curriculum.

the idea is that i setup in India before hand, and that the kids make the transition after their uk schooling has finished and before the new school term starts in the UK. I know that it will, in effect be, during the Indian school term.

I hope i am not being rude if i ask how much you pay at the British school?

You may wish to PM me if more appropriate.

Thanks.


Are there any other members out there who can add to my original thread request/question?

dillichaat

The fee schedule of the British school can be found here.

I don't have kids so can only speak about what friends told me, read the following keeping that in mind.

One couple are of Indian descent and returned from Europe with their sons, aged 6 and 10. The kids understand hindi but don't write it. They were enrolled in Delhi Public School, english language education but Indian curriculum and of course, hindi as a course. From what I hear it's been brutal so far, a totally different educational system with more emphasis on rote learning. Formal skills (reading and writing) are above what you'd find in a western school but personal skills development takes the back seat.

Another couple have children in the AES: very expensive (but if the employer pays obviously this is not a consideration). The emphasis there seems to be more on personal skills development and the curriculum is solid but from what I hear and see (one of the kids regularly shows me her homework) they tend to be sloppy on things like mathematics and grammar. (who needs to know everything if there's a spellcheck, right?)

British school: follows the UK curriculum, seems well-balanced between formal skills and personal development from what I hear. Also more palatable in the $ department.

I think a major question is what you intend to do. If the move to India is temporary then I'd recommend the AES or British school. If you plan on staying here forever and have your kids grow up in India and get a higher education here then a transition to the local system might be best, brutal as it will be.

Anyway, I'm not an expert at all, if I were you I'd rely on KateW's advice, she knows first hand.

Good luck, must be a tough decision to come back, especially with the kids.

__________________
When the wise man points out the black hole, the fool looks at the finger.

emmbrook

I have a child at AES - very impressed so far though he only started in August. It is expensive (thankfully my employer pays) but has superb facilities and teaching. The British School is directly opposite it - both are in the main diplomatic area - a good distance from Gurgaon but doable I guess. I know quite a few people with kids at both schools - the standard of education seems to be simialar at both though with younger children at AES the emphasis is more on learning through play etc. I have recently heard some complaints about admin issues at the British School and I do know of three famillies who withdrew their children, that said I know of others who are very happy there. I don't kwow anyone who has children at other schools, sorry. AES fees are here.

One key issue you do need to be aware of if considering either school is that places in both are at a premium so you should get on the relevant waiting list as fast as possible. The school year starts in August and it does seem slightly easier to join then as many expats leaving time their departure with the end of the school year, though that may not be possible for you.

Good luck!

namaste_cat

I have looked into teaching at Indian & International schools, and frankly I feel I'd be better suited at the latter because in Indian ones I am not at ease with the rote learning method. My assessment is the same as dillichaat's - that personal & social development take a back seat at a lot of Indian schools.

I would add extra-curricular activities as well, which are still not as valued in India as they are in the U.S. and UK. One could argue the U.S. certainly goes too far in the other direction with academic rigor often taking a backseat I don't know if these threads will help you make a specific choice or not but will give you some perspective from others with experience --
American versus Indian school system

'International' Schools: Worth It or Not? Education in India

If it were me, I'd stick with AES or British school if nothing else to help my kids transition. After you've been there a year or two, if you decide to stay in India for good, only then would I look into a local school. Also by then you will have networked and might be able to find a local school that is just different enough from the rest to be a blend of East and West. I'm told they do exist.

KateW

Schools in Delhi

From what you say you do have time to look round.

AES undoubtedly has the best facilities. It also excludes all children who have not had an international education. Your kids will qualify. It is an American School providing an American education. The costs reflect this.

The British School has a much more Indian soul. Costs are cheaper but they ask for development money which hike up the costs if you are not here for long. They do IGCSE's but you only need to think about this in a couple of years.

Other schools which you could consider are Delhi Public School, Shri Ram, Modern School and St Pauls. I hear The Sanskriti School is good but that is for certain civil servants only.

Look round the schools and see what you think and what is best for your children.

Horses for courses

Good Luck