west Scotland
West Dunbartonshire Schools
West Dunbartonshire covers Clydebank, Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven — communities along the north bank of the Clyde and the southern shore of Loch Lomond. The council runs around 30 primaries and 5 secondaries. The area has faced industrial decline but has seen investment in new school buildings. West Dunbartonshire was one of the first Scottish councils to expand free school meals beyond the statutory minimum.
£120–£150
Clothing grant
15 March
Placing deadline
West Scotland
Region
Universal
Free meals P1–P5
£30/week
EMA
Find your catchment school in West Dunbartonshire
Every address in West Dunbartonshire 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 West Dunbartonshire
5 state secondaries. Data from Scottish Government open records.
| School | Area | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Clydebank High School | Clydebank | Non-denom |
| Dumbarton Academy | Dumbarton | Non-denom |
| Vale of Leven Academy | Alexandria | Non-denom |
| Our Lady and St Patrick's High School | Dumbarton | RC |
| St Peter the Apostle High School | Clydebank | RC |
The honest take on West Dunbartonshire schools
West Dunbartonshire covers Clydebank, Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven — communities along the north bank of the Clyde and the southern shore of Loch Lomond. The council runs around 30 primaries and 5 secondaries. The area has faced industrial decline but has seen investment in new school buildings. West Dunbartonshire was one of the first Scottish councils to expand free school meals beyond the statutory minimum. Below you’ll find catchment information, placing request links, clothing grant amounts, free school meals eligibility and EMA details — all linking directly to the West Dunbartonshire website.
Primary
£120
Secondary
£150
Available to families receiving qualifying benefits. No deadline — applications open year-round.
Apply at West DunbartonshireUniversal 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 West Dunbartonshire£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 West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire 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 West Dunbartonshire schools
How do I find my catchment school in West Dunbartonshire?
West Dunbartonshire 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 West Dunbartonshire?
West Dunbartonshire 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 West Dunbartonshire 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 West Dunbartonshire?
West Dunbartonshire 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 West Dunbartonshire 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 West Dunbartonshire. School transport entitlements follow national statutory distances. See our editorial policy for how we source this data.