Back to School -- Scotland Style

Today, Cormac and Declan finally started school. Due to some misguidance from the UK Immigration authorities, the boys did not have the right visas to attend public school. However, through Liam's perseverance on the phone and email, the Glasgow city council agreed to allow them to enroll in our neighborhood schools, mostly because they had no special needs and English was their primary language -- the sad, but true state of education everywhere means stretching limited funding as far as possible. Both schools are a short walk from our house and quite near the university, so drop-off and pick-up are easy and convenient. Cormac walked home by himself even on the first day!

So, Cormac is going to Hillhead Secondary (equivalent grades are 7-12) where he is in S2. Although the school looks quite institutional on the outside (the fog does not lighten its grim appearance), Cormac reports that all went well and that they can go off-campus for lunch!

Cormac's school uniform is a white, dress shirt with red school tie and black trousers (not pants, which mean underwear here). He opted out of the black jumper (sweater) part of the uniform.

Declan goes to Hillhead Primary, where he is in P6 (the second to the last grade in the school). His teacher's name is Mrs. Butcher, but he reports no big knives and that she's quite nice. Though when going over the rules, she said she does not allow any "cheeky monkeys" in her class and one boy was made to stand by the door for saying three was a fraction -- a little cheeky, I guess. They eat lunch outside, standing up, and there is an hour for lunch/recess, which Declan says is too long.

His school is very modern with open spaces and separate classrooms, a walkway between buildings, and green roofs.

Declan's school uniform is grey trousers and a white polo with the school crest on it. He is deliberating about whether or not he wants the green jumper (sweatshirt) part of the uniform, but you know he's not one to say no to an accessory!

Neither boy had any homework, so they both predict school will be easier here, but since it was just their first day, we'll see if that holds true. And despite, their lack of smiles in the morning, they survived their return to school!