School placing requests

Normally, children attend the school that serves the area where they live. However, there are times when parents want their children to go to another school.

Primary 1 children

If your child is starting Primary 1 in August and you do not want them to attend their catchment school, you must still register your child at the catchment primary school even if you do intend to make a placing request. The best time to submit placing requests for the next school session is from mid January until 15 March and you should receive a response no later than 30 April.  

If you wish to make a placing request after your child has started P1, this can be done at any time during the school year.

Secondary (first year) children

If your child is starting S1 in August and you do not want them to attend their catchment school, you can make a placing request. The best time to submit placing requests for the next school session is from mid January until 15 March and you should receive a response no later than 30 April. 

If you wish to make a placing request after your child has started S1, this can be done at any time during the school year.

Siblings of P1 and S1 children

If you are making a placing request for a P1 or S1 child (as set out above) and you also wish to make a placing request for other children in the family, you should do this at the same time as the request for the P1 or S1 child.

Placing requests at all other stages

You can make a placing request at any time during the school year by completing one of the online forms below.

Placing request forms

• Primary school placing request form
• Secondary school placing request form

Applying for a placing request

You can complete a placing request online. If you need help using the online form, or would prefer a paper copy, please email edsuppserv.helpline@southlanarkshire.gov.uk

Completed paper forms should be returned to:

Education Resources
Council Offices
Almada Street
Hamilton
ML3 0AA

If you live in South Lanarkshire

If you submit a placing request, we will not reserve a place at your catchment school while your application is being considered.

If your placing request is unsuccessful and your catchment school is full, we will offer your child a place at the next nearest suitable South Lanarkshire school.

Placing requests - mid session

When you will receive a decision

If your placing request is approved, we will tell you whether your child can start at the requested school within two months

Placing requests – August start

If we receive your placing request by 15 March we will write to you with a decision by 30 April

If we receive your application after 15 March, we will write to you with our decision within two months.

If your application is unsuccessful

We will contact you to explain the decision and provide information about the next steps.

If you would like information about the appeals process, email EducationAppeals@southlanarkshire.gov.uk.

We recommend that you read the Parent information booklet, which explains the options available to you.

Further information

See the grounds of refusal and admissions policy pages for more information about placing requests, including who gets priority for places, why a request might be refused and how to appeal a decision. 

You can also read the Scottish Government's Choosing a school: a guide for parents booklet for independent advice on selecting a school.