east Scotland
Dundee City Schools
Everything you need to know about state schools in Dundee City — catchment areas, placing requests, school clothing grants, free school meals and EMA. All links point directly to the Dundee City website so you can apply without hunting.
How school catchment works in Dundee City
Every address in Dundee City has a designated catchment primary school and catchment secondary school. Your child has the right to attend their catchment school — the council must provide a place. If you want a different school (a “non-catchment” school), you submit a placing request by 15 March for entry the following August.
Placing requests are assessed after all catchment pupils are placed. They’re usually approved if the school has space, but popular schools in Dundee City do refuse — you have a right to appeal to an independent panel if your request is turned down.
School Clothing Grant
ConfirmedPrimary: £125 · Secondary: £155
Apply →Free School Meals
Universal for all P1–P5 pupils — no application needed. From P6 upwards, meals are means-tested on qualifying benefits (Universal Credit with monthly earnings under £796, Income Support, income-based JSA, 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 →Education Maintenance Allowance
£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 or more). Paid fortnightly to the young person’s own bank account during term time.
Apply →Dundee City Education
The Dundee City education department handles enrolment, catchment queries, school transport, additional support needs, and all parent-to-council correspondence for state schools in the area.
Dundee City schools website →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.
What is the placing request deadline for Dundee City?
The statutory deadline for placing requests in Dundee City is 15 March for entry the following August. Late requests can be submitted but are handled after all on-time requests and are much less likely to be approved if the school is full. You can submit a placing request through the Dundee City website. If your request is refused, you have the right to appeal to an independent panel.
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.
Are free school meals available in Dundee City?
Yes. All P1 to P5 pupils in Dundee City receive universal free school meals automatically — no application needed. From P6 onwards (and through secondary), free meals are means-tested: you qualify if your household receives Universal Credit (with monthly earned income under £796), Income Support, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, or Child Tax Credit without Working Tax Credit. Apply through the Dundee City website. Even in P1–P5, it's worth submitting a means-tested application because it unlocks the school clothing grant and other council-specific support.
Can I get EMA in Dundee City?
Yes. Education Maintenance Allowance is available to 16–19 year olds in full-time education (S5, S6 or college) in Dundee City if household income is below £24,500 (one dependent child) or £27,000 (two or more). EMA pays £30 per week, fortnightly, during term time — roughly £1,140 per year. Apply through the Dundee City education department, not through your school. EMA is conditional on 100% attendance.
When are 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 2026/27 calendar, and use the "Add to calendar" button to download all dates as an .ics file for Google Calendar, Apple Calendar or Outlook.