Your child starting in P1 is an exciting time for everyone. However, it can also be a nerve-raking process as each authority does things differently. Below is all the information you will require to support you through this process.
To enrol your child in P1, all parents must register with the preferred catchment school in the November before your child is due to start P1. When looking at your catchment school options, you will have a choice of:
- non-denominational catchment school
- Roman Catholic (RC) catchment school. (Places at RC schools are not guaranteed, and we give priority to children who are baptised in the Roman Catholic faith. Where we cannot offer a place, most children are given a place in their non-denominational catchment school.)
- Edinburgh’s Gaelic primary school, Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce. (No knowledge of the language is needed for entry to the Gaelic school.)
If your preference is a school in a different catchment area, you can make a placing request for that school. However, You can only apply for one school initially. If your request is turned down you can apply for an alternative school at that time. Placing request applications open in November 2025 for children starting school in August 2026.
For further information and advice with applying for P1, please look at the City of Edinburgh’s ‘Apply for a school place‘ website. It has all links to register, the information you require along with helpful support guides.
Gracemount Primary School 