School catchment review expected as Edinburgh's population booms

Demand for city's most popular schools intensifies as more people than ever flock to Scotland's capital.

Published 19th Sep 2017
Last updated 20th Sep 2017

Edinburgh's school catchment areas may have to change to cope with the soaring population.

The number of people living in the city has risen by 12% over the last decade and reached 507,000 in 2016.

The huge influx is heaping yet more pressure on class sizes with competition already fierce for the most popular schools.

Economy Convenor, Cllr Gavin Barrie told Forth News, "I think there is a sensible conversation to be had but there can be no shooting from hip, it is going to be measured.

"It can be done but yes, it is controversial and it would have to be very carefully handled.

"We would not be doing this as a matter of choice, it would be a matter of necessity"