south Scotland
Dumfries and Galloway Schools
Scotland's southernmost council area, stretching from Stranraer to Gretna. Dumfries and Galloway runs around 90 primaries and 16 secondaries across a large, predominantly rural area. Many primaries are very small and serve scattered farming communities. School transport provision is extensive. The council area borders England and some families near the border consider schools in Carlisle — though different curricula apply.
£134–£150
Clothing grant
15 March
Placing deadline
South Scotland
Region
Universal
Free meals P1–P5
£30/week
EMA
Find your catchment school in Dumfries and Galloway
Every address in Dumfries and Galloway has a designated catchment primary and secondary school. Your child has the right to attend their catchment school — the council must provide a place. For a different school, submit a placing request by 15 March.
Secondary schools in Dumfries and Galloway
14 state secondaries. Data from Scottish Government open records.
| School | Area | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Annan Academy | Annan | Non-denom |
| Castle Douglas High School | Castle Douglas | Non-denom |
| Dalbeattie High School | Dalbeattie | Non-denom |
| Douglas Ewart High School | Newton Stewart | Non-denom |
| Dumfries Academy | Dumfries | Non-denom |
| Dumfries High School | Dumfries | Non-denom |
| Kirkcudbright Academy | Kirkcudbright | Non-denom |
| Langholm Academy | Langholm | Non-denom |
| Lockerbie Academy | Lockerbie | Non-denom |
| Moffat Academy | Moffat | Non-denom |
| Sanquhar Academy | Sanquhar | Non-denom |
| St Joseph's College | Dumfries | RC |
| Stranraer Academy | Stranraer | Non-denom |
| Wallace Hall Academy | Thornhill | Non-denom |
The honest take on Dumfries and Galloway schools
Scotland's southernmost council area, stretching from Stranraer to Gretna. Dumfries and Galloway runs around 90 primaries and 16 secondaries across a large, predominantly rural area. Many primaries are very small and serve scattered farming communities. School transport provision is extensive. The council area borders England and some families near the border consider schools in Carlisle — though different curricula apply. Below you’ll find catchment information, placing request links, clothing grant amounts, free school meals eligibility and EMA details — all linking directly to the Dumfries and Galloway website.
Primary
£134
Secondary
£150
Available to families receiving qualifying benefits. No deadline — applications open year-round.
Apply at Dumfries and GallowayUniversal for P1–P5 — no application needed. From P6 onwards, means-tested on qualifying benefits (Universal Credit with earnings under £796/mo, Income Support, etc.).
Even if your child gets universal free meals, apply for the means-tested version — it unlocks the clothing grant and other council support.
Apply at Dumfries and Galloway£30/week
For 16–19 year olds in S5, S6 or college from households with income below £24,500 (one child) or £27,000 (two+). Paid fortnightly to the young person’s own bank account.
Apply for EMAFree transport to your catchment school if the walking distance exceeds:
Primary
2+ miles
Secondary
3+ miles
Additional Support Needs in Dumfries and Galloway
Dumfries and Galloway operates a presumption of mainstreaming — most pupils with ASN attend their local school with additional support. The council’s ASN team manages referrals, assessments, and Coordinated Support Plans. If you believe your child needs additional support, contact the school’s Support for Learning teacher as a first step.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions about Dumfries and Galloway schools
How do I find my catchment school in Dumfries and Galloway?
Dumfries and Galloway doesn't have a central online school finder. Contact the council's education department directly with your address to confirm your catchment primary and secondary schools. Placing requests for a non-catchment school must be submitted by 15 March.
How much is the school clothing grant in Dumfries and Galloway?
Dumfries and Galloway pays £134 per primary pupil and £150 per secondary pupil per school year (confirmed for the current academic year). Apply through the Dumfries and Galloway website — most councils use a combined form for clothing grants and free school meals, so you can apply for both in one go.
What are the school holidays in Dumfries and Galloway?
Dumfries and Galloway sets its own school holiday calendar each academic year. Term dates, October break, Christmas, February, Easter and summer holidays all vary by council — they're not the same as England. See our dedicated Dumfries and Galloway school holidays page for the full calendar with downloadable .ics files for Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook.
Last updated April 2026.
Clothing grant and free school meals data from Dumfries and Galloway. School transport entitlements follow national statutory distances. See our editorial policy for how we source this data.