Education and Social Care
Council Office
High Street
Elgin
IV30 1BX
Tel: 01343 563374
Fax: 01343 563478
Email: educationalservices@moray.gov.uk
Procedure for Admissions to Primary School
What’s the difference between “registering” and “enrolling” my child?
“Registering” your child with an Education Authority is the general action you need to take: this simply lets the Education Authority know how many children there are and where. “Enrolling” your child is an action of choice that you take when deciding how and where your child will be educated.
When do I register my child for education in Moray?
Either
- when you move to Moray from another area, in which case you should register your school age children immediately at the local school,
or
- when your child reaches school age (see below)
How do I know when to register my child for P1?
Registration for children due to start Primary 1 in August 2012 takes place in the week commencing 16th January 2012. An advert appeared in the local press, and posters were displayed within the local neighbourhood inviting parents to register their child for Primary 1 at their local catchment area school. If you did not register at this time, please contact your local school as soon as possible. Parents should take their child’s birth certificate to the school when they register. At the same time as registering, parents can get information about making a request for a place in another school of their choice (a “Placing Request”).
A child will normally start Primary 1 in August 2012 if his/her fifth birthday falls between 1st March 2012 and 28th February 2013.
If the child’s fifth birthday falls between 22nd August 2012 (the day after the school term starts) and 28th February 2013, a parent may wish to delay starting Primary 1 until the following August when the child will be 5½ years old. This is known as “deferring entry”. All parents requesting a deferred entry must discuss this with their current pre-school centre and their possible primary school.
My child only just misses the deadline: can he/she be assessed for early entry to Primary School?
If the child is under 4½ years old the parent can make a request for “early entry” to education. The Early Entry Assessment Team will assess the child and make a recommendation as to whether school education is suitable for the child. (see the 'Information for Parents' leaflet entitled “Early Entry to School” for further information)
When and how do I enrol my child at school?
When you register your child for education in Moray you will also be expected to state which of the following options you wish to take:
- enrol your child at your local school
- make a placing request (ie ask to attend another school)
- provide education by other means (eg educating your child at home)
- (P1 entry) defer entry to school for a year
For most parents, the choice is simply to enrol children at their local school.
I want to make a Placing Request. What do I do?
You must still register your child at the local school but you can state on your registration form your intention to make a Placing Request and ask for the appropriate form. Placing Requests for admission to P1 in August should be returned by 15 March. (see the “Information for Parents” leaflet entitled “Placing Requests” for further information)
I want to provide for my child’s education outside the school system. What do I do?
You must still register your child. You must also satisfy the Education Authority that the plans you have made to educate your child are adequate. (see the 'Information for Parents' leaflet entitled “Education at Home” for further information)
What does “deferred entry” mean and is my child eligible?
If your child’s 5th birthday falls between the date that the school term begins in August and the last day of the following February you can choose either to enrol your child for the August before he/she reaches the age of 5 or to delay his/her enrolment in school until the following August. Taking the choice to delay enrolment for a year is known as “deferring entry”.
The Moray Council considers that provision made for 4year olds in Moray should ensure that only in exceptional circumstances should a child’s entry to school be deferred. (see the 'Information for Parents' leaflet entitled “Deferred Entry to Primary School” for further information“)
Information on School Admission and Placing Requests is also available in other languages:
