Scotland - P1 places

[tudorqueenie]

Hello!

applications for p1 places open tomorrow. Never done it before so would appreciate some advice :-) I’d obviously like my daughter to get in to our #1 choice, which is her non-denominational catchment school. Because I’m not a massive fan of the other local non-denominational school, I’m going to place it as third place. For the second place though, I will then have to place the local catholic school.
the area we live in has had a massive amount of people moving here (new builts etc) and I worry that they will struggle with places! Whereas the catholic school usually has less people applying. Should I maybe place them #3 instead? I hope I’m making sense! Thanks so much in advance

I think Scotland is different - you should be guaranteed a place in the catchment school!

HT in Scotland. You apply for a place at your catchment school. Every house has a school allocated denominational and non denominational. I have never heard of a child not getting catchment school. If you want to send your child to another school, you apply to your catchment school and then make a placing request to the school you want to be considered for. Your application is banded with certain criteria getting priority e.g. a sibling in the school.

I don't see why you wouldn't get your catchment school, it used to be you had to do a placing request for the RC primary schools and the RC children got first dibs. put it second but be aware it is a religious school so you might need to take her out of some of the religious aspects if you don't want her taking part.

thank you so much!

You register for your catchment school rather than apply. If you want them to go elsewhere you can apply for an out of catchmenent placement.

Your local authority should have a webpage explaining all this.

It's always hard navigating a different system isn't it. :-)

Thank you! Was just confused why the local authority asked us to list 2, preferably 3 schools!

I think that is a just incase but usually you will get your catchment school.

Catchments guarantee a space as far as I am aware! If helpful try CatchVenn, it is a free iPhone app to find catchments and has all Scotland catchments outlined