School placing requests

Introduction

Normally, children attend the school that serves the area where they live. However, there are times when parents want their children to go to another school.

Primary 1 children

If your child is starting Primary 1 in August and you do not want them to attend their catchment school, you must still register your child at the catchment primary school even if you do intend to make a placing request. The best time to submit placing requests for the next school session is from mid January until 15 March and you should receive a response no later than 30 April.

If you wish to make a placing request after your child has started P1, this can be done at any time during the school year.

Secondary (first year) children

If your child is starting S1 in August and you do not want them to attend their catchment school, you can make a placing request. The best time to submit placing requests for the next school session is from mid January until 15 March and you should receive a response no later than 30 April.

If you wish to make a placing request after your child has started S1, this can be done at any time during the school year.

Siblings of P1 and S1 children

If you are making a placing request for a P1 or S1 child (as set out above) and you also wish to make a placing request for other children in the family, you should do this at the same time as the request for the P1 or S1 child.

Placing requests at all other stages

Should you wish to make a placing request during the school year, this can be done at any time by completing one of the online forms listed below.

Placing request forms

If you have any difficulties with the online form or require a paper copy of the form, please contact Education Support Services by email: edsuppserv.helpline@southlanarkshire.gov.uk.Completed forms should be returned to Education Resources, Council Offices, Almada Street, Hamilton, ML3 0AA.

If you live in South Lanarkshire and decide to make a placing request, we will not reserve a place at your catchment school until we have made a decision on the placing request. If your placing request is not accepted and all places at your local school are filled, you will be offered a place at the next nearest appropriate South Lanarkshire school.

If we grant the place, we will let you know if your child can join at the start of the new session in August. If we receive your request after 15 March, we will let you know our decision within two months.

If your application is unsuccessful we will contact you and provide further information on what to do next. If you wish to appeal the decision, you can complete a placing request appeal application form.

For more information on placing requests, including who has priority for places, reasons for refusal and the appeals process, please read the information contained in the placing request application form.

The Scottish Government has produced a booklet for parents on choosing a school - download the booklet.