PARENTS and carers enrolling children for primary school in Fife can now do this online.

To get started, parents and carers will need to set up a mygov.Scot account if they haven’t already got one.

Once set up, they’ll be able to enrol children or make a placing request using the same online form.

Councillor Craig Walker, convener of the Education & Children’s Services Sub Committee, said: “I’m pleased that we’re trialling this new system so that we can make things easier for parents and carers to enrol and request a place for their children for primary school.

“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 reopen.”

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.

The form is now live and Fife Council is expecting a high volume of applications. The council is requesting that enrolment is done by February 15.

To find out more, including a short ‘how to’ guide to setting up a myaccount to enrol any children, visit www.fife.gov.uk/schooladmissions.