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Placing Requests

A placing request is a written request by a parent that their child go to a particular school. Placing requests are made to the local authority which manages the school in question. The authority must grant a placing request unless there is a ground for refusal.

There are a number of grounds for refusal, for example:

• if the education normally provided at the school isn't suited to the child's age, aptitude and ability;
• if placing the child at the school would be seriously detrimental to order and discipline at the school;
• if placing the child at the school would be seriously detrimental to the educational well-being of the pupils there;
• if placing the child at the school would mean that the education authority was unable to keep "reserved places" at the school; etc. etc.

Most commonly, placing requests are refused because the school or the year group specified in the request (usually P1 or S1) is full. However, just because a year group is at its capacity in terms of pupil numbers does not mean that a request can be refused. The education authority have to demonstrate that placing the child in that year group would mean one of the grounds for refusal is satisfied.

If a placing request is refused, there is a right of appeal. Appeals against the refusal of a placing request are heard by the education appeal committee. There is a further parental right of appeal to the Sheriff Court.

Every year, Govan Law Centre handles dozens of placing request appeals. Our record of success in this field is second to none and is reflected in a string of victories at both appeal committees and Sheriff Courts.