east Scotland
Dundee City Schools
Dundee is Scotland's fourth-largest city with around 35 primaries and 8 secondaries. The city has undergone major regeneration around the V&A museum and waterfront. Dundee schools have benefited from significant investment in new builds — several primaries and Harris Academy were rebuilt or refurbished in recent years. Catchment areas are well-established and the council provides an online school finder.
£125–£155
Clothing grant
15 March
Placing deadline
East Scotland
Region
Universal
Free meals P1–P5
£30/week
EMA
Find your catchment school in Dundee City
Every address in Dundee City 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 Dundee City
7 state secondaries. Data from Scottish Government open records.
| School | Area | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Baldragon Academy | Ardler | Non-denom |
| Braeview Academy | Whitfield | Non-denom |
| Grove Academy | Broughty Ferry | Non-denom |
| Harris Academy | West End | Non-denom |
| Morgan Academy | Stobswell | Non-denom |
| St John's RC High School | City Centre | RC |
| St Paul's RC Academy | Downfield | RC |
The honest take on Dundee City schools
Dundee is Scotland's fourth-largest city with around 35 primaries and 8 secondaries. The city has undergone major regeneration around the V&A museum and waterfront. Dundee schools have benefited from significant investment in new builds — several primaries and Harris Academy were rebuilt or refurbished in recent years. Catchment areas are well-established and the council provides an online school finder. Below you’ll find catchment information, placing request links, clothing grant amounts, free school meals eligibility and EMA details — all linking directly to the Dundee City website.
Primary
£125
Secondary
£155
Available to families receiving qualifying benefits. No deadline — applications open year-round.
Apply at Dundee CityUniversal 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 Dundee City£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 Dundee City
Dundee City 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 Dundee City schools
How do I find my catchment school in Dundee City?
Dundee City provides an online school finder tool on their website where you enter your address or postcode to identify your catchment primary and secondary schools. Every Scottish address has a designated catchment school — if you want a different school, you need to submit a placing request by 15 March.
How much is the school clothing grant in Dundee City?
Dundee City pays £125 per primary pupil and £155 per secondary pupil per school year (confirmed for the current academic year). Apply through the Dundee City 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 Dundee City?
Dundee City 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 Dundee City 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 Dundee City. School transport entitlements follow national statutory distances. See our editorial policy for how we source this data.