26/09/22

Applications for secondary school places to start in September 2023 will open today (Monday 26, September) and families are reminded that by providing five school preferences can increase thechance of getting a place at one of their preferred schools.

This is one of 7 tips from Cardiff Council's Admissions Team, which aims to help families who are applying for a school place in Cardiff. Simple step-by-step advice and guidance is available online and through an animation aimed at children and families, helping to explain how the admissions process works and the importance of using all five preferences available.

It also covers things like;

-         the importance of applying on time, by the published application deadline

-         the benefits of exploring all the schools in the child's area by visiting their websites and reading their Estyn reports

-         making sure the application form includes essential information such as if the child has a sibling at the school or any additional learning, medical or social needs.

Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills said: "We want to make applying for a school place as fair and straightforward as possible sothat every family in Cardiff has the knowledge, support and understanding to ensure that they are not at a disadvantage when applying for a school place.

"Aseries of initiatives have been developed to promote a more equitable system of allocating school places in Cardiff including our 7 tips admissions campaign which provides guidance and support to families, making the admissions process simple and transparent so that everyone has the same chance of securing one of their preferred schools."

Following public consultation on Cardiff Council's School Admission Arrangements for 2023/24, there are changes to the admissions applications process for some faith schools in the city. This year The Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales High School joins 15 other secondary schools in Cardiff's coordinated school admissions process. Parents wishing to apply for a place at The Bishop of Llandaff, must submit an application form directly to the school  and complete an online application form on the Council's admissions website.

Cardiff Council has successfully co-ordinated its admissions arrangements since the 2018/2019 intake year. Now, all12 of the city's Community High Schools, Whitchurch High School (foundation school) and three faith (voluntary aided) schools including St Teilo's Church in Wales High School, Corpus Christi Catholic High School and The Bishop of Llandaff High School have joined the scheme which enables parents to submit their preferred schools all on one online application.

Cllr Merry added: "Our coordinated admissions simplifies theprocess of applying for a school place and also preventsparents from receiving multiple offers which then 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 first round of admissions and avoids unnecessary stress for the families that otherwise would not secure a place.

"We have been working closely with the Catholic Archdiocese and the Church in Wales Diocese to expand the coordinated arrangements and I am pleased that The Bishop of Llandaff is the latest secondary school to join the process, helping to ensure a fairer and easier way of applying for a school place."

The 7 tips School Admissions campaign supports Cardiff's commitment to becoming one of the UK's first Unicef Child Friendly Cities,placing therights and voices of children and young people at the heart of Cardiff's policies, strategies and services.

Cllr Merry added: "If any families are in doubt about any aspect of the process, they can access support from our staff based at Council Hubs across the city or by calling C2C on 029 20872087." 

To view the 7 tip guidance and the animation please visit  here

The information is available in several languages includingArabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Czech, Mandarin, Polish, Portugese, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Ukrainian and Welsh of course. 

For families requiring help and assistance during the application process, please visit any Council Hub where staff will be able to help or call C2C on 029 20872087. 

Applications for applying for a secondary place in September 2023 close on Monday 21^stNovember, 2022.

To apply for a school place please go  here