The number of school placing requests knocked back by Renfrewshire Council this year is the highest figure recorded in seven years. 

A total of 66 applications to either change school or attend a school outside of a child’s catchment area have been refused in 2018/19.

The figure represents a sharp rise from the 15 rejected the year prior and is 10.5 per cent of the total amount (627) requested this year. 

The number of requests made in high schools stood at 45, while the number for primaries was 21. No placing requests have been recorded for additional support needs schools this year.

Renfrewshire Council data shows the refusal tally this year is the highest recorded since 84 were knocked back in 2011/12. 

The council has a duty to grant placing requests in its schools wherever possible but cannot always do so. 

The size of the school, current roll and number of children already living in the catchment area affect the council’s ability to grant a placing request. 

Of the 66 applications knocked back this year, 60 decisions were made because accepting the request would prevent the council reserving a place for a child likely to move into the catchment during the school year.

The remaining six were refused because it would be considered “seriously detrimental to the continuity of the child’s education”. 

Requests may also be refused if new pupils mean the school needs to employ an extra teacher or spend more money or if education in the school is not considered suitable for the age or ability of a child. 

Pupils may also be refused if the council believes a pupil would disturb the order and discipline in that school, or the educational wellbeing of another child. 

The total number of requests granted this year stands at 534, while 27 were withdrawn during the process. 

Last year 658 were granted and in 2016/17, 543 were accepted. 

The most popular schools were Gryffe High School and Ralston Primary School, which received 39 and 38 requests respectively. 

The secondary school in Houston has been the pick of most placing requests consistently since 2010/11 when Paisley Grammar School received more. 

Gryffe High School also has the highest number of refusals among secondary schools this year, with 23 of 39 rejected. 

Ralston Primary School has the highest number of knock backs among its peers, with 17 of 38 refused. However, the academic year is still ongoing and these figures could change. 

Decisions on placing requests are made by the council’s director of Children’s Services Peter MacLeod.