Dundee school placing request changes could start with new term

Changes to guidance for placing requests and the transfer of pupils from primary to secondary could be in place for the start of the new term.

Children who live in the catchment area of a school would have the highest priority for admission, if the alterations are approved by Dundee City Council’s education committee on Monday.

But pupils who have, for example, continued to attend their primary school after moving house out of the catchment and may find it harder to go to secondary with their classmates.

One of the organisations to take part in a consultation was Education Scotland, which said: “If implemented, the proposal will be of overall educational benefit to the children and young people who reside permanently within the catchment areas of the primary and secondary schools of the council.

“It will help the council to secure best value in the delivery of its services while ensuring the council is able to provide sufficient school education as efficiently and effectively as possible.”

Education convener Stewart Hunter said: “The current arrangements are out of date given the huge changes to the school building estate over recent years.”