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Rise in school placing requests Rise in school placing requests
(11 minutes later)
The number of placing requests made by parents of primary and secondary school pupils in Scotland rose by almost 5% in a year, official figures have revealed.The number of placing requests made by parents of primary and secondary school pupils in Scotland rose by almost 5% in a year, official figures have revealed.
In total 29,892 parents asked for their child to sidestep their local school to be educated outside their catchment area, a 4.9% increase on 2007-08. In 2008-09, 29,892 parents asked for their child to sidestep their local school to be educated outside their catchment area, a 4.9% rise on 2007-08.
The number of requests granted also rose in 2008-09, by 1.5%.The number of requests granted also rose in 2008-09, by 1.5%.
The majority of requests are made for primary pupils with Edinburgh having the highest percentage. The majority of requests are made for primary pupils, with Edinburgh having the highest percentage.
In Edinburgh, 36.4% of the P1 school roll made a placing request, compared a Scotland-wide average of 24%. In the capital, 36.4% of the P1 school roll made a placing request, compared a Scotland-wide average of 24%.
Aberdeen and Dundee had the second and third highest proportion of requests for P1 pupils.Aberdeen and Dundee had the second and third highest proportion of requests for P1 pupils.
School choice
East Renfrewshire had the most requests for S1 pupils of all the council areas, followed by Glasgow and Aberdeen.East Renfrewshire had the most requests for S1 pupils of all the council areas, followed by Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Placing requests have been put in on behalf of 34.3% of S1 pupils in East Renfrewshire, compared to 13.8% nationally.Placing requests have been put in on behalf of 34.3% of S1 pupils in East Renfrewshire, compared to 13.8% nationally.
A total of 83.8% of all requests were granted in 2008-09, up from 82.3% in 2007-08.A total of 83.8% of all requests were granted in 2008-09, up from 82.3% in 2007-08.
The government figures showed that 79.5% of secondary school placing requests were granted last year, while the figure rose to 86.1% for primary placing requests.The government figures showed that 79.5% of secondary school placing requests were granted last year, while the figure rose to 86.1% for primary placing requests.
This is the lowest percentage since 1990-91, but is only an 0.1% year-on-year drop.This is the lowest percentage since 1990-91, but is only an 0.1% year-on-year drop.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "The vast majority of parents in Scotland choose their local school for child to attend, demonstrating the faith parents have in our education system.
"Parents can however express a preference for the school choice and today's statistics show most of these placing requests - over 80% - are granted.
"The number of placing requests received have fallen in recent years and today's statistics show placing requests in 2008/09 were lower than every year from 1998 to 2006."