WEST FIFE parents and carers are now able to enrol their youngsters for Primary 1 on the internet.

The trial system has been introduced which will allow the process – which will also include placing requests – to be carried out at www.fife.gov.uk/schooladmissions.

Councillor Craig Walker, convener of the education and children’s services sub committee, said: “Although this is something we’ve been considering, COVID-19 has brought our plans forward. Usually, parents would attend a session at their catchment school, where they would fill in the enrolment documents.

"However, because of the current pandemic and restrictions, and to make sure our schools, staff, children and parents/carers stay safe, face-to-face contact is being kept to a minimum, we’re piloting a new system for the 2021/22 session.

"This will give parents/carers the opportunity to apply online for a new primary one place or request that their child(ren) attends a school outwith their catchment area.

“Parents and carers will be able to access the new system on their smart phone, personal computer or tablet and the step-by-step online form is quick and easy. They will also be able to upload photographs of documents to help the education service verify details.

“We can email or post out a form to any parents/carers who don’t have their own smartphone, iPad/tablet or personal computer and documents can be verified by arranging a socially-distanced appointment once school buildings re-open.”

The education service intends to trial the new system for one round of enrolments and then carry out a review to see what worked and where things can be improved.

Should this new online system be effective and efficient for parents/carers, a permanent change from the existing manual process, to an online one, may be considered the best way forward. However, wider consultation may be required and approved by a future committee before this happens.

Fife Council say the system is now live and a high volume of applications are expected so have urged parents to enrol by February 15 to ensure the required checks can be carried out.

Parents/carers making placing requests have up until March 15 to do this but, again, are encouraged to complete the online form by February 15.

To get started, a mygov.Scot myaccount will need to be set up at www.mygov.scot/myaccount. For more information, including a short ‘how to’ guide to setting up a myaccount, visit www.fife.gov.uk/schooladmissions.