Council consults on proposed changes to its school admission policy
Midlothian Council wants to hear your views on proposed changes to its school admission policy.
Highest priority to pupils in designated catchment
If the proposal to vary the admissions arrangements for primary and secondary education is approved by councillors in September 2025, the change would aim to give the highest priority to children and young people living within the designated catchment area of a Midlothian school.
Non-denominational schools
In non-denominational schools, the proposed variation to the enrolment would be; children who have been offered a place in the school’s Complex Needs Provision class by the Education Resource Group (ERG) are given priority, followed by catchment children prioritised based on exceptional circumstances, catchment children who will have siblings attending the school at the same time, remaining catchment children, then out of catchment placing requests, and finally, out of authority placing requests.
Denominational schools
For denominational schools, the proposed variation to the enrolment would be: children who have been offered a place in the school’s Complex Needs Provision class by the Education Resource Group (ERG) are given priority, followed by catchment children prioritised based on exceptional circumstances, catchment children who are baptised in the Roman Catholic faith and will have siblings attending the school at the same time, catchment children who are baptised in the Roman Catholic faith, catchment children who are not baptised in the Roman Catholic faith and will have siblings attending the school at the same time, remaining catchment children, then out of catchment placing requests, and finally, out of authority placing requests.
Out of catchment or authority placing requests
Children and young people living in Midlothian and wishing to attend a school outside their catchment area will be required to submit an out of catchment placing request. Children and young people living outwith Midlothian will need to submit an out of authority placing request. Midlothian Council will aim to grant these requests if places are available after enrolling all Midlothian children and retaining reserved places within the agreed intake limit.
Does not affect August 2025 admissions process
The proposed changes do not affect the current admissions process for August 2025. If approved, the changes will take effect from September 2025 for the August 2026 intake.
Fast growing population
Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Education Councillor Ellen Scott said: “Midlothian Council is recognised as Scotland's fastest-growing local authority. This rapid growth has brought significant challenges, particularly for education. This growth has led to heightened pressures on schools which includes applying intake limits at several schools to safeguard places for pupils to be able to attend their catchment school.
Significant risk
“There is a significant risk that the council will not have a place for every pupil at their catchment school. In the short term this risk is mitigated by the application of limits on pupil intake, reviews of placing requests, and, in the case of denominational schools, by giving first priority to those who are baptised Roman Catholic. However, we need to review the admissions policy with a view of providing a longer term solution.”
Give your views
Note
The historical arrangement between Midlothian Council and Loretto RC Primary School in East Lothian dates back to the Local Government etc (Scotland) Act 1994, which ended the two tier system of regions and local authority districts and led to the creation of single tier local authorities in 1996. This informal arrangement allows children attending Loretto RC Primary School to attend St David’s RC High School, and it has continued up to the present academic year. This arrangement does not apply to any other Roman Catholic primary school in East Lothian.
Should the proposed variations to the School Admission Policy be adopted, giving priority to catchment children then Midlothian children before non-Midlothian children, pupils from Loretto RC Primary School will be treated as out-of-authority placing requests. If a parent or carer wishes their child to attend St David’s RC High School, they will need to submit a placing request.
The proposal to vary the school admissions policy will directly affect all Midlothian schools, excluding Saltersgate, as admissions to special schools are managed through the Education Resource Group (ERG).