Out of catchment Aberdeenshire

[januarysickntiredofyou]

I was wondering if anyone had experience of applying for out of catchment schools in Aberdeenshire? I'm going to make an application but I'm not sure how likely it is to be successful. A few people I know who have done it said they were refused initially but got it on appeal.

Any advice? It is for Primary (P1) if that helps.

Bumping this a bit for you.

I have no personal experience, sorry.
But I have heard it's extremely difficult and unlikely.
My dbro and family were out of catchment just because they lived on the wrong side of the road. They wanted Airyhall. They were offered Hazlehead. They ended up going private. So they didn't pursue it.

They are looking to move to the west of the city to access the schools in that area.

Where I live it's common to put your kids on a waiting list and move when a place becomes available. I'm not sure this is common practice in Aberdeen and shire.

Sorry I can't be of more help.
Good luck.

It might depend on where you are; we had no problem but that was about 6 years ago.

We are trying to get into Inverurie but it seems Inverurie's catchments have changed as well (because of the new school?) so not sure if that makes it easier or harder.

I had heard that it was really difficult in the city but was hoping the shire was easier (we are in the shire). Thanks for the answers so far!

www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/schools/school-info/admissions/out-of-zone-school/

Have you seen this?

I had no issue with my out of catchment when I lived in Peterhead, but to be fair, the school I wanted the kids to go to was undersubscribed and the there were not many children of primary school age zoned for the school I applied for. I think that made the request pretty much a dead cert.

Im not sure how it would be if the school you wanted them to go to was near it's pupil roll limit.

The council should be able to point you to clear guidance for placing requests - but at the end of the day it will come down to whether there is a space in P1 after all the catchment children have enrolled. You'll most likely be advised to enrol your DC in their catchment school during enrolment week and then send your placing request in after that.

Thanks for the replies. We have enrolled at our catchment school and we have to submit the out of catchment paperwork soon.

I had heard from someone that they tend to refuse and then you are more likely to get your requested school on appeal. Inverurie has had its zones redrawn this year so will the schools have a good idea of whether they are likely to be oversubscribed? I was hoping the re-zoning might mean the older schools had a bit more capacity this year.