Wednesday February 25th 2026
St Davids High School, Dalkeith
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
East Lothian Council has agreed to contribute towards the additional education costs for pupils from Loretto RC Primary School attending St David’s RC High School in Midlothian during the 2026/27 school year.
Currently there are 129 East Lothian secondary pupils in Midlothian secondary schools.
At Tuesday’s full Council meeting, councillors were advised both local authorities are continuing to work together to develop a formal long‑term agreement covering future admissions of Loretto pupils to St David’s. This follows constructive discussions and builds on the council’s previous commitment to ensure clear, fair and sustainable arrangements for denominational secondary education.
Midlothian Council also confirmed that a statutory public consultation will begin in April on proposed changes to how children are admitted to the area’s Roman Catholic (denominational) primary and secondary schools. The aim is to make the admissions process clearer, fairer and easier for families to understand.
The consultation will focus on a revised set of “priority groups” used when allocating places where demand is higher than available capacity. While the updated policy applies to both primary and secondary schools, the changes would only affect secondary admissions to St David’s High School.
Proposed priority groups for admission to St David’s RC High School:
1. Midlothian children allocated a complex needs provision place
2. St David’s RC HS catchment – exceptional circumstances
3. St David’s RC HS catchment – Roman Catholic, with a sibling
4. St David’s RC HS catchment – Roman Catholic, no sibling
5. Loretto RC PS catchment – Roman Catholic, with a sibling
6. Loretto RC PS catchment – Roman Catholic, no sibling
7. St David’s RC HS catchment – not Roman Catholic, with a sibling
8. Loretto RC PS catchment – not Roman Catholic, with a sibling
9. All remaining St David’s RC HS catchment children
10. All remaining Loretto RC PS catchment children
11. Children outwith St David’s RC HS catchment
Councillor Ellen Scott, Cabinet Member for Education, said: “This is positive news for all families interested in denominational education in Midlothian, including those at Loretto. Our ongoing work with East Lothian Council, alongside this consultation, will help ensure our admissions system is both fair and transparent for everyone.”
Once the consultation closes, a final report will be presented to full Council for a decision on whether to adopt the revised policy.
Click here for the previous update from December 2025.
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