Councillors will be asked to approve the number of reserved places in Perth and Kinross schools when they meet next week (April 2).
Reserved places are the spaces held back in schools to accommodate children from families moving into new catchment areas, ensuring that pupils can attend their nearest schools.
Reserved places are crucial for managing school admissions, particularly in areas experiencing population growth or residential developments.
By holding back a designated number of spaces, Perth and Kinross Council aims to ensure that families moving into the catchment area during the year can enrol their children in their local school.
If children have to attend school outside the catchment area it can incur additional transport costs for the Council and create inconvenience for families.
Historical patterns of migration, residential developments, and anticipated population shifts have been carefully analysed to determine the reserved places for the next school year.
While the reserved places system has been in place since 1997, it is reviewed annually to reflect changing demographics and ensure fairness. The success of this system is evident in the high percentage of pupils able to attend their first-choice schools in recent years.
Councillors will also discuss adjustments to reserved places at certain schools due to fluctuations in rolls, new housing developments, and changes to school infrastructure.
Councillor John Rebbeck, convener of Perth and Kinross Council's Learning and Families Committee, said: "Planning for reserved places is essential to ensuring pupils can attend their nearest school.
"It is a hugely complicated but vital process and I am sure parents and carers appreciate this work as much as I do."
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