Secondary School Catchment Area Survey

What you told us

A total of 1,710 survey responses were received.

Overall, 1,194 respondents (70%) agreed that their home address is zoned to the appropriate secondary school. Common reasons included proximity to the school, established transport arrangements, community connections and continuity from the associated primary school.

The remaining 516 respondents (30%) felt that a different secondary school would be more suitable. The main reasons given were that another school was closer, easier to access, better reflected local community ties, or was within the same local authority area as their home address and primary school. Respondents also raised concerns about longer, less reliable travel routes and limited transport options.

Among respondents who disagreed with the current secondary school catchments, the highest proportion was families and residents from primary schools in the Inverurie Cluster, where 115 respondents (64%) felt their address should be in a different secondary school catchment area. The vast majority of these respondents are currently zoned to Dyce Academy, within Aberdeen City Council. This was followed by families and residents from primary schools in the Ellon Cluster, where 121 respondents (54%) expressed disagreement with the current secondary school zones. The vast majority of these respondents are currently zoned to Bridge of Don Academy, within Aberdeen City Council. In the Portlethen Cluster, 66 respondents (51%) disagreed with the current secondary school zones, with all indicating that their address should instead be zoned to Mackie Academy. In the Stonehaven Cluster, 50 respondents (40%) disagreed with the current catchment arrangements, with more than half indicating that their address should be zoned to Cults Academy. Together, these four clusters accounted for 352 of the 516 responses (68%), showing that concerns about the current secondary school catchments are concentrated in these areas.

When asked which factors were most important in choosing a secondary school, respondents most frequently selected educational provision and subject choice (650), followed by transition from the associated primary school (330). Other factors included the zoned secondary school (160), travel time and transport links (140), proximity to the school (139) and transport entitlement (122). Existing family or sibling attendance and community ties were selected less frequently.

What we are doing

This review forms part of the Learning Estates Strategy, which aims to support a sustainable school estate.

Reviews of several school clusters have identified inconsistencies between primary and secondary school catchment areas, as well as across the boundary between Aberdeenshire Council and Moray Council. Any proposals to address these issues will be developed and considered in accordance with the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010.

The feedback received through this survey will help inform the ongoing review of school catchment areas and the development of any future proposals.