5/3/2022

 A public consultation on Cardiff Council's School Admission Arrangements for 2023/24 has now concluded and views have been given on a range of proposals including changes to Cardiff's coordinated school admissions.

The coordinated school admissions process enables parents to apply for a school place using just one form for community schools, voluntary aided (faith) schools and foundation schools.

Plans to bring The Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High School within the co-ordinated secondary school admissions process from September 2023, were broadly supported during the consultation and responses suggested thatthis would make applying for a school place fairer, more straightforward and that the more schoolsincluded in coordinated admissions, the better the allocations process will work.

Cardiff Council has successfully run its co-ordinated admissions arrangements since the 2018/2019 intake year, with all Community High Schools and three partners secondary schools; Whitchurch High School (foundation school), St Teilo's Church in Wales High School (voluntary aided) and Corpus Christi Catholic High School (voluntary aided).

The proposals also included implementing a coordinated primary school admissions process for Reception intake from September 2023 and responses largely supported the move with viewsthat it would streamline the process, make it easier and morestraightforward for parents and pupilsand that it will stop people unfairly holding multiple places.St Mellons Church in Wales Primary School has been a successful part of the coordinated admissions since September 2021.

Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills said: "Our coordinated admissions makes the process of applying for a school place as fair and straightforward for families as possible, promoting a more equitable system of allocating school places in Cardiff.

"It is encouraging that so many responses are in support of expanding coordinated admissions for both primary and secondary schools, not only simplifying the process but also preventingparents from receiving multiple offers which stops other children being offered these places. Parents can state their order of preference when applying which provides a betterchance of securing a preferred school in the firstround of admissions and avoids unnecessary stress for the familiesthat otherwise would not secure a place.

"In 2020 we launched our admissions campaign which looked to make the admissions process as simple and transparent as possible so that all families in Cardiff have the same chance of securing one of their preferred schools. We are also working closely with the Catholic Archdiocese and the Church in Wales Diocese to develop proposals to expand the coordinated arrangements, helping to ensure a fairer and easier way of applying for a school place" Cllr Merry added.

Other proposed changes to Cardiff's School Admission Arrangements for 2023/24 includes increasing the Published Admission Numbers for Pentyrch Primary School, Ysgol Y Wern, Cantonian High School and Radyr Comprehensive School.

A report detailing the consultation results will go to Cardiff Council's Cabinet when it meets on Thursday 10, March. You can read the report in full hereAgenda for Cabinet on Thursday, 10th March, 2022, 2.00 pm : City of Cardiff Council (moderngov.co.uk)