Key Dates for Edinburgh Primary School's 2026 Open Day and Registration Deadlines.

City of Edinburgh Council primary school open days for children starting Primary 1 (P1) in August 2027 (born between 1 March 2022 and 28 February 2023) take place on

Wednesday, 4 November 2026.

Open Day

Date: Wednesday, 4 November 2026.

Who it is for: All parents, carers and children who are exploring catchment options (non-denominational, Roman Catholic, or Gaelic primary at Bun-sgoil Taobh na Pàirce) for P1 entry in August 2027.

Where to visit: You should visit your designated local catchment school. You can find your specific catchment school using the City of Edinburgh Council Catchment Map. Click here>

Opening Times: Individual schools set their own specific visiting times or blocks for the day. Check your specific school's website or contact their office directly for exact hours. They usually offer a morning slot and one after lunch.

P1 Registration Timeline

Registration Window: Opens in November 2026 via the City of Edinburgh Council Start Primary School Portal. It closes at the end of November.

Application Advice: Complete your online school application shortly after visiting.

Request a school outside your catchment area

If your preference is a school in a different catchment area, you can make a placing request for that school at the same time you register for P1 - from November to 24 December. You must still apply for your catchment school and, in addition, submit an out-of-catchment request.

You can only apply for one out-of-catchment school initially, but if your request is turned down, you can apply for an alternative school at that time. Section 4 of the Edinburgh Council's Placing in Schools guide outlines the procedures for placing requests.