Applying for a place in a West Lothian Council Primary School

Find out how to apply for a place in a Primary School in West Lothian Council, this includes P1 places, out of session or any other stage and applying for a place with specialist provision.

Please select the category that applies for more information.

Applying for a start of session P1 place in a Primary School

When can I apply?

You can apply for an P1 school place from November for the following August intake. Parents/carers of children attending a West Lothian Council nursery class or partner nursery/childminder and who reside in the authority will receive a letter in November advising applications are now being accepted and prompting them to apply.

Deadline

We encourage applications to be submitted by 31 December.

Final deadline 15 March - applications received after this date will be considered, however places may be more limited.

What will I need to apply?

If you've moved home recently, please provide some proof of your new address, such as a recent Council Tax bill, a recent utility bill or a copy of a Child Benefit award letter sent recently to you at your new address.

If your child has not previously attended a West Lothian Council or partner Early Learning and Childcare establishment, please provide a copy of your child's birth certificate.

If you're applying for a place in a denominational (Roman Catholic) school, and your child has been baptised into the Roman Catholic faith, please provide a copy of your child's baptism certificate.

Admission Policy and Procedure

Before starting to complete an application form please read the Primary School Admission - Policy and Procedure carefully.

What are my catchment schools?

All the denominational schools in West Lothian are Roman Catholic. Each home address has both a denominational and non-denominational school assigned. For catchment information for a specific school please select the school from this page - West Lothian Council Primary Schools

How do I apply?

The easiest way to apply is to use the Primary School Application online form.
Alternatively, if you would prefer to complete a paper form, application packs are available from Pupil Placement, from West Lothian Council Primary Schools and from Council Information offices.

What happens to my application?

We will acknowledge receipt of your application within 4 weeks of submission. We will send you another letter after 15 March, to tell you whether your application has been successful, or whether further consideration of your application is required as the school is over subscribed. You will be given the opportunity to give us any information that you think should be taken into account.

Decisions for oversubscribed schools are made by the School Placement Panel. Decision letters for all schools will be sent by the end of April. If your application is refused, we would usually allocate a place at another school and inform you of your right to appeal against the refusal.

Applying for a place in a Primary School during the school session or at a stage other than P1 during the summer holiday

What if my child has additional support needs?

Early Admission to Primary School

1. Policy on early admission to primary school

The Council does not have to educate children who are not of school age, but parents may apply for early admission to a primary school. Before a place is granted, all other ways of providing suitable education will be considered. A place will only be granted if there is evidence that refusal of the application could harm a child's education in the long-term.

2. Early learning & childcare provision

Early learning & childcare provision is delivered in terms of the Curriculum for Excellence, a single curriculum for ages 3-18. The early level of Curriculum for Excellence includes both early learning & childcare and Primary 1 improving the transition from early learning & childcare to primary. The aim of the Curriculum for Excellence is that all children in early learning & childcare and primary school experience stimulating, effective learning in ways that are appropriate to their needs to enable them to develop as successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors.

3. Possible effects of early admission

Refusal to grant a place early is not likely to harm a child's education in the long term. Early learning & childcare provision will be tailored to the needs of the individual child, whether they are more, or less advanced than others of their age. In fact, early admission may itself harm a child's educational development. The child may be too young to cope socially and become frustrated or lose confidence.

4. Applying for early admission

When applying for early admission, reasons and supporting evidence that refusal of the application could harm a child's education in the long-term must be given. It is not enough simply to show that a child might cope with early admission, is 'ready' for primary school, or just misses the entry date. Parents may provide expert written evidence to support their case. The Council does not provide assessments of children for this purpose.

5. Who takes the decision to grant or refuse an application for admission?

The School Placement Panel considers all requests for early admission. It takes into account all information supplied to support the application. The School Placement Panel will consider:-

Whether an Early learning & childcare establishment would meet the needs of the child.
Whether the child has exceptional qualities, for example the child is significantly more advanced than other children of the same age in social interaction and/or intellectual ability, which makes him or her different from other children of the same age.
Whether not being placed in primary school would harm the child's educational development in the long term.

6. Reasons for refusing applications for admission

If the council refuses an application to a primary school, it must give a reason why, that complies with education law. This is the legal 'ground of refusal'. The reason normally given is that the education is not suited to the age, ability or aptitude of the child. There is no right of appeal against refusal of early admission.

Independent Schools and Home Education

Scottish Education Agencies