Consultations - St David’s RC High School Catchment and Admissions Consultation

The report on the Admissions Consultation will now be on the November Agenda of Midlothian Council. This will allow time to conclude discussions with East Lothian Council before the report is presented to Elected Members for consideration.

We would like to thank pupils, parents, carers, staff and members of the wider community who took the time to share their views and feedback during the consultation process. There were 416 online responses. All of these contributions will continue to inform the council's consideration of the proposal. We will share the outcome on this page, on our Citizen Space consultation portal and on social media (Facebook and X).

The existing Education Policy Admission to Primary and Secondary Schools remains in place for entry to schools in the current academic session (2026/27).

• The survey is now closed

Proposal 1:

Clarification of the catchment area of St David’s RC High School

It is proposed that the catchment area of St David’s Roman Catholic High School is formally clarified as covering all addresses within the Midlothian Council area only.

Following the disaggregation of Lothian Regional Council in 1996, this catchment area was not formally defined.

Proposal 2:

Variation to the Education Policy – Admission to Primary and Secondary Schools

Midlothian Council has one denominational secondary school, St David’s Roman Catholic High School.

Under the proposal:

• Only children living within the clarified Midlothian catchment area would be deemed catchment pupils for St David’s RC High School.
• Research carried out by the Council indicates that Loretto Roman Catholic Primary School does not form part of the formal catchment area of St David’s RC High School.
• Pupils from Loretto RC Primary School have historically been given priority through an informal arrangement, rather than a formal agreement.

On 9 September 2025, Midlothian Council instructed officers to set aside any historical arrangement and, if required, enter into a new formal agreement with East Lothian Council, including any priority for Loretto RC Primary School pupils.

If a new agreement is established, admissions would be determined using the revised priority groups set out below.

Pupils attending Midlothian Council denominational schools may be affected by these proposals.

Families are encouraged to read the example scenarios in the full consultation document to understand how they may be affected.

Proposed priority groups (if a new agreement is formed)

Entry to S1 at St David’s Roman Catholic High School

1. Midlothian resident children offered a place in the school’s Complex Needs Provision by the Education Resource Group (ERG)
2. Midlothian resident catchment children prioritised due to exceptional circumstances
3. Midlothian resident catchment children baptised Roman Catholic with a sibling at the school
4. Midlothian resident catchment children baptised Roman Catholic with no sibling at the school
5. Loretto RC Primary School catchment children, Roman Catholic, with a sibling at the school (S1 entry only)
6. Loretto RC Primary School catchment children, Roman Catholic, with no sibling at the school (S1 entry only)
7. Midlothian resident catchment children not baptised Roman Catholic with a sibling at the school
8. Loretto RC Primary School catchment children not baptised Roman Catholic with a sibling at the school (S1 entry only)
9. All remaining Midlothian resident catchment children
10. All remaining Loretto RC Primary School catchment children (S1 entry only)
11. Any remaining places allocated through placing requests in line with the admissions policy

You can share your views by:

• Completing the online survey
• Completing the questionnaire included in the full consultation document on Citizen Space and returning it by email or post

Email:
EducationConsultation@midlothian.gov.uk

Post:
Admissions Education Consultation
Freepost SCO 622
Midlothian Council
Dalkeith EH22 1DN

In another format
The consultation documents on Citizen Space can be requested in another format, such as large print and Braille. To request the documents in another format email: 

EducationConsultation@midlothian.gov.uk

Public meetings
In‑person public meetings will be held at:

• Tuesday 19 May 2026, 6.30pm
  Woodburn Primary School
• Monday 1 June 2026, 6.30pm
  Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Primary School

Virtual drop‑in sessions
Virtual drop‑in sessions will take place on:

• Wednesday 13 May 2026
• Tuesday 26 May 2026

Sessions will be available in 20‑minute slots between:

• 2pm – 4pm
• 5pm – 7pm

To book a virtual slot, please email:
EducationConsultation@midlothian.gov.uk