Education Executive have approved officer recommendations to delay a statutory consultation previously planned for early 2026 at their meeting on 13 January.
This follows feedback from the recent non-statutory pre-consultation process to review the non-denominational secondary school catchments at West Calder High School, James Young High School and Winchburgh Academy, which looked at four potential options to better match pupil numbers with school capacity.
These were: move Calderwood Primary School catchment to The James Young High School in Livingston; move Calderwood Primary School catchment to Winchburgh Academy; a new East Calder High School; and a further extension to West Calder High School.
The postponement will allow council officers to carry out further engagement with key stakeholders to address concerns received during the non-statutory consultation process.
Executive councillor for Education Andrew McGuire said: "Thanks to everyone who took part in this pre-consultation process over potential catchment changes involving Calderwood Primary.
"It's clear the strength of feeling in the local community over this, which is why are pausing the planned statutory consultation phase.
"This will allow us engage further with the local community and further explore possible options."
Pupils from Calderwood Primary in East Calder's catchment area will continue to attend West Calder High School until August 2027, which means West Calder will continue to be the catchment school for current P6 and P7 pupils.
A solution is still to be agreed from August 2028, when current P5 pupils will move up to secondary school. Forecasts for pupil numbers at West Calder High School show it will not be able to accommodate all the children currently attending the associated primary schools in the future.
The school was recently extended to take the capacity to 1,320 pupils, which will ensure places for all catchment young people in the short-term while a long-term solution is agreed.
