Making a placing request
What is a placing request?
It is customary for children to attend their local school (catchment school), however if you don’t want your child to attend the local school, you have a right to make a written request for your child to attend any other school. This request is referred to as a placing request.
For entry to Primary one and first year of secondary school, the deadline for making a placing request is 15 March each year and parents will be notified in writing (letter or email) on or before 30 April. For placing request applications outwith this cycle, the deadline for receiving notification on a placing request is within 8 weeks from receipt of application by the school.
How do I make a placing request?
A parental placing request for Primary one should be completed the online form. The form will require parents to select a catchment area place, prior to choosing the option to make one or more placing requests. You will be asked to list the schools in order of preference. You can access the online form here
Before accessing the form, you will need to set up a mygov.Scot “myaccount” at www.mygov.scot/myaccount if you do not already have one. Once you’ve set this account up, you will then be able to enrol your child(ren) or make a placing request using the online form. To help you create a mygov.Scot account we’ve made a short ‘how to’ video.
Throughout the year, you can ask for your child to be admitted to another school through a placing request and parents/carers would need to give details of:
- your child’s name and date of birth;
- the school they currently attend or should attend, and
- the date you would like your child to start school.
Through the online enrolment process and for other written placing requests, parents/carers should also give any special reasons for making the request. It will be helpful to indicate if your child has additional support needs and what these needs are. Your application will be considered in terms of the legislation established in the Education (Scotland) Act 1980, and the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004.
If you are considering moving your child at the P7 stage, please let your current primary school know your request.
As soon as a decision has been made you will be notified of the result in writing. For those applications received by 15 March, parent/carers will be notified on or by 30 April. If your placing request is successful, you will be asked to confirm this in writing to the school and at that point, the school will provide information regarding transition planning.
Parents who have made successful placing requests for their children, to attend a school other than their catchment school, have to make their own home to school transport arrangements for their children.
What if my placing request is unsuccessful?
If your placing request is refused you can appeal against the decision.
We will write to you explaining that your request has been refused. We will also:
- give you full details of how to appeal;
- tell you who to appeal to, and
- include full details of the appeals procedures.
You must appeal within 28 days of receiving the refusal letter. If you don’t lodge an appeal, we will assume that our decision has been accepted.
