Will my child get free school transport if my Placing Request is accepted?No. Parents who have made successful Placing Requests for their children to attend a school other than the school serving their area have to make their own home to school transport arrangements for their children. Parents who have applied for a placing request for their child, must sign the declaration that they accept all transport costs associated with the application, other than in exceptional circumstances.
When there are only a limited number of places at a school, how does the council decide which placing requests to grant?Where there are more placing requests for a primary or secondary school than there are places available, priority will be given to:
- Those cases where medical grounds supported by the family doctor and the community medicine specialist, clearly indicate the benefit to the child attending the specified school;
- Thereafter to those children who have older brothers or sisters who are continuing their education in the school.
Where no priority in terms of the above are identified the Council have agreed that the only reasonable solution is to draw lots. This will be done by a member of the Educational Services Directorate accompanied by a Councillor.
How can I appeal against the Council's decision to refuse my child's Placing Request?If you wish to challenge the Council's refusal of your placing request, you may appeal against it. You must do so by writing to the Principal Registrars no later than 28 days from which you received the Council's letter of refusal. In that case, the Council must set up an appeal committee to consider your request for a place in the school.
Do I need to make a placing request for my child to go to school?No. You only need to make a placing request if you want your child to be considered for attendance at a school outside the catchment area.
Do I have to enrol my child at the local school even though I wish to submit a placing request for another school?Yes, this is particularly important for children starting school in P1. If you wish to place your child at another school, you should still enrol your child in the local school as there is no guarantee that your placing request will be successful and your local school needs to take account of your child in their numbers.
Can I make a placing request at any time?Yes, you can make your placing request at any time, but it is preferable that the transfer or admission of children to school takes place at the start of the school session.
Can I apply for a placing request for more than one school at a time?No. You can only apply for one school for your child at a time. If you put more than one school on the placing request form, we will process the placing request for the first named school. However, if your first placing request is unsuccessful you may submit another placing request for another school.