Applying for a place in a school or nursery applying for a place; school placement; nursery placement

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Applying for a place in a school or nursery

The Pupil Placement section deals with all applications for pre-school and wraparound, and deals with applications for the August primary one (P1) and secondary one (S1) intakes. Schools deal with applications for other stages and for P1 and S1 after the pupils start school. To apply for a school, pre-school or wraparound place you must fill in an application form. You can get application forms from schools, nursery schools, libraries, Council Information Service Offices and from the Pupil Placement Section. We do not currently have online application forms.

The Pupil Placement Section has a database with details of children under 19 living in West Lothian. We get information from letters we send to households, from the Health Board when children are born, from application forms and from the schools databases. If we have your child's details on our database we will write to you to ask you to apply for nursery, P1 and S1 at the appropriate times.

For more information on applications and links to the admission policies please click on the relevant link on the left hand side.

Updated: 28/09/2012

Frequently Asked Questions

Click a question to see the answer.

What do I do if I have already applied and I want to change my application?

Please write to Pupil Placement with the details of your new request. You can also email us at pupilplacement@westlothian.gov.uk.

What happens if my application is refused?

If your pre-school application is refused, the Pupil Placement Section will grant your child a place at your second or third choice school if available, and if not they will write to you to tell the closest available places. If your P1 or S1 application for next session is refused the Pupil Placement Section will grant your second or third choice if possible, and if not they will allocate a place at a local school. If you apply for other stages or during the current school year and the school refuses your application, please contact the Pupil Placement Section and they will help you find a place for your child. If your primary or secondary application is refused, you have the right to an appeal. There are no appeals for pre-school or wraparound placements. Further information regarding Placing in Schools Appeals may be viewed using the link under Online Tools on the right.

What happens if there are too many applications for my preferred school?

If there are too many applications we would use the council's admission guidelines to decide which applications to grant. To find out more please click on the admissions policy on the right.

When should I apply for my child's P1 place?

If you are applying for the next primary one (P1), you should fill in a form and send it to Pupil Placement no later than 31 December before your child is due to start school. If you are applying for other stages of primary school, you should give the form directly to your first choice school.