Changes to school catchment areas

Parents are being urged to check if they’re affected by changes to school catchment areas.

Approval has been given to changes in Blackburn, Linlithgow and Bangour/ Dechmont areas following public consultations.

This means that Hopefield Nursery in Blackburn will relocate into Blackburn Primary from April 2023.

The current standalone Hopefield Nursery building is no longer suitable for purpose, and the new purpose-built Early Learning and Childcare facility at Blackburn Primary School can accommodate all the Hopefield Nursery children.

Minor alterations will be made to the catchment areas of non-denominational schools in Linlithgow from August 2023 to prevent potential future capacity issues.

This will also see a small number of properties at Tartraven in the Bathgate Hills moved from the catchment of Boghall Primary School in Bathgate to Linlithgow Primary School to fit community ties.

Dechmont Infant School will move into the planned new primary school at the Bangour Village development when it opens in 2026. It is the only remaining infant school in West Lothian and serves P1 to P3, with P4 to P7 currently going to Kirkhill Primary in Broxburn.

Plans are currently progressing for a new P1 to P7 primary school within the Bangour Village development.

Executive councillor for education Andrew McGuire said:“Thanks to everyone who shared their views on both the Hopefield, Linlithgow and Dechmont/Bangour consultations.

“Parents/carers and Education Scotland were supportive of the moves that will deliver education benefits for local children.

“With improved facilities available at Blackburn now, or planned for the future at Bangour, both these moves make perfect sense and will provide the best possible setting for learning for more of our young people in the future.

“The Linlithgow changes will help ensure we have the capacity to meet local demand at all local schools.”