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Applications for 2023 primary school places in Cardiff are now open

Primary school applications close on Monday, January 9, 2023

APPLY NOW: Primary school children at work (Image: Rob Browne/Media Wales)

Applications for September 2023 primary school places are now open for residents in Cardiff.

Parents and carers are encouraged to make use of all five choices to ensure the best chance of securing a school they want.

A child is not automatically entitled to a reception place at a primary school where they attend the nursery. A new application must be made for a reception class place at primary school.

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Every area of Cardiff is served by a Welsh-medium community primary school, an English-medium community primary school, a Church in Wales Primary School and a Catholic Primary School.

Applications for admission to community schools are made directly to the Council through the online admissions system. The council also coordinates admissions for 20 of the 23 primary faith schools in Cardiff.

For a place at a school that is part of coordinated admissions scheme, parents and carers must apply through the Council's online admissions system. They may also need to submit an additional form and/ or further details directly to the preferred school (or schools).

Parents applying for a place at Llandaff City C.W. Primary School, St John Lloyd R.C Primary School or St Patrick's R.C Primary School, should apply directly to the school.

For a list of the 20 faith schools included in the coordinated scheme and for more information about school admissions visit the Cardiff Council website.

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Cabinet member for education, employment and skills, Councillor Sarah Merry, said: "Our aim is to make sure families understand clearly how to apply for a school place and how the admissions process works and since the launch of our admissions campaign three years ago, we have seen an incremental rise in parents applying for school places correctly and on time.

"This means that more families are able to secure one of their preferred schools and is a positive step towards ensuring that every family in Cardiff has the knowledge, support and understanding so that they are not at a disadvantage when applying for a school place.

"This year, changes to the application process means that parents can now provide five preferred schools instead of three. It is also encouraging that 19 additional faith schools have joined our coordinated admissions process, meaning that those families who wish to apply for both community and faith schools, can do so using the Council's admissions portal.

Each area of the city is served by a Welsh medium community primary school. Welsh-medium education is available to everyone regardless of whether Welsh is spoken at home and Cardiff has primary school immersion unit which provide children with additional language support.

Further information about Welsh-medium education can be found here

Councillor Merry added: "Welsh medium education is available to all families, whatever language is spoken at home and enables children to become fully fluent in both English and Welsh, providing them with additional opportunities, experiences and skills. Cardiff's plans to develop a bilingual Cardiff, will promote the Welsh language as a vibrant living language and reflects our ambition that every young person has the opportunity to hear, speak and enjoy Welsh."

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Further guidance related to the admissions application process is available from Cardiff Council's School Admissions team and seven tips have been identified to assist families by explaining how the admissions process works, the importance of using all preferences available to them and why they should apply on time. To view the seven tip guidance and the animation click here.

Straightforward advice and guidance can be accessed in 11 different languages in addition to Welsh and English, and parents can also seek help and advice from any of Cardiff's Hwbs and libraries.

Primary school applications close on Monday, January 9, 2023.

To apply for a school place visit

Submitted by Cardiff Council