Loanhead school catchments altered

Midlothian Council has agreed to change schools' catchments along the A701 corridor following a two month consultation. Councillors approved the changes last week.

A CGI image of the new Bilston Primary

The cabinet member for education, Councillor Bob Constable (SNP) said: “Thank you to all the people who gave us their views on the proposed changes. We listened to what local people had to say and have taken their views on board. 
“For example, we want to reassure all pupils already attending a school whose house is moving from one catchment to another that they will be able to remain at their current school.”

The proposals will mean all housing in Bilston will move from the catchment of Roslin Primary to form the catchment area of the new school when it opens this August.

The residential areas at Damhead, Lothianburn, Nivensknowe Park, Pentland Park, Straiton Park and recently built houses at Corby Craig will also transfer from the catchment of Loanhead Primary into the catchment of the new Bilston School when it opens.

The residential areas in the vicinity of Mayshade Road and Park Avenue and housing development site h54 ‘Ashgrove’ will transfer from the catchment of Loanhead Primary to the catchment of Paradykes Primary when the replacement for Paradykes opens, expected to be August 2017.

School travel plans will be reviewed and revised where appropriate.

Transition arrangements will also be put in place to minimise any adverse effects of the changes. For example, the council will continue to prioritise the granting of placing requests for siblings of children already at a school.