west Scotland
North Ayrshire Schools
Everything you need to know about state schools in North Ayrshire — catchment areas, placing requests, school clothing grants, free school meals and EMA. All links point directly to the North Ayrshire website so you can apply without hunting.
How school catchment works in North Ayrshire
Every address in North Ayrshire 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 North Ayrshire do refuse — you have a right to appeal to an independent panel if your request is turned down.
School Clothing Grant
ConfirmedPrimary: £132 · Secondary: £164
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 →North Ayrshire Education
The North Ayrshire education department handles enrolment, catchment queries, school transport, additional support needs, and all parent-to-council correspondence for state schools in the area.
North Ayrshire schools website →Related guides
Frequently asked questions about North Ayrshire schools
How do I find my catchment school in North Ayrshire?
North Ayrshire 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 North Ayrshire?
The statutory deadline for placing requests in North Ayrshire 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 North Ayrshire website. If your request is refused, you have the right to appeal to an independent panel.
How much is the school clothing grant in North Ayrshire?
North Ayrshire pays £132 per primary pupil and £164 per secondary pupil per school year (confirmed for the current academic year). Apply through the North Ayrshire 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 North Ayrshire?
Yes. All P1 to P5 pupils in North Ayrshire 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 North Ayrshire 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 North Ayrshire?
Yes. Education Maintenance Allowance is available to 16–19 year olds in full-time education (S5, S6 or college) in North Ayrshire 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 North Ayrshire education department, not through your school. EMA is conditional on 100% attendance.
When are school holidays in North Ayrshire?
North Ayrshire 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 North Ayrshire 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.