west Scotland
Glasgow City Schools
Everything you need to know about state schools in Glasgow City — catchment areas, placing requests, school clothing grants, free school meals and EMA. All links point directly to the Glasgow City website so you can apply without hunting.
How school catchment works in Glasgow City
Every address in Glasgow 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 Glasgow City do refuse — you have a right to appeal to an independent panel if your request is turned down.
School Clothing Grant
Statutory minPrimary: £120 · Secondary: £150
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 →Glasgow City Education
The Glasgow City education department handles enrolment, catchment queries, school transport, additional support needs, and all parent-to-council correspondence for state schools in the area.
Glasgow City schools website →Related guides
Frequently asked questions about Glasgow City schools
How do I find my catchment school in Glasgow City?
Glasgow 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 Glasgow City?
The statutory deadline for placing requests in Glasgow 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 Glasgow 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 Glasgow City?
Glasgow City pays £120 per primary pupil and £150 per secondary pupil per school year (this is the Scottish Government statutory minimum — the council may pay more but we haven't confirmed a higher figure for this year). Apply through the Glasgow 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 Glasgow City?
Yes. All P1 to P5 pupils in Glasgow 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 Glasgow 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 Glasgow City?
Yes. Education Maintenance Allowance is available to 16–19 year olds in full-time education (S5, S6 or college) in Glasgow 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 Glasgow City education department, not through your school. EMA is conditional on 100% attendance.
When are school holidays in Glasgow City?
Glasgow 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 Glasgow 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.