The hardest primary schools to get a place at in Cardiff

Applications for primary school places in Cardiff for September 2025 have recently opened, with Cardiff Council providing advice on how to increase the chances of securing a place at a preferred school. Last academic year, nearly 100 children did not secure their first-choice school in the city during the initial round of applications. The number of primary school applications rejected by Cardiff Council rose from 63 in 2023 to 94 in 2024, although this was still substantially lower than the 200 rejections in 2022. Parents have until January 13, 2025, to submit their applications for September admission, with notifications expected in April.

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Rhydypenau Primary School emerged as the most oversubscribed primary school in Cardiff this academic year, rejecting 29 applications for the 60 available spots. Ysgol Mynadd Bychan, offering 30 places, had to turn away 12 applicants, marking it as the second most highly sought-after school. Cardiff Council is urging families to apply on time and utilise all five preferences to enhance their chances of securing a spot at their desired school. It is crucial for parents to understand that a child is not automatically guaranteed a reception place at a primary school where they attended nursery, necessitating a new application for a reception class place.
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Every district in Cardiff has access to a Welsh-medium community primary school, an English-medium community primary school, a Church in Wales Primary School, and a Catholic Primary School. The council also manages admissions for 21 of the 23 faith primary schools, with St Patrick’s Roman Catholic primary being the latest addition to the coordinated admissions scheme this year. Applications for faith schools under the coordinated admissions scheme are processed through the council’s online system, except for Llandaff City Church in Wales primary and St John Lloyd RC Primary School, where direct applications to the school are required.

Key dates for the primary school application process include the deadline for submissions by January 13, 2025, with offers set to be made by April 16. Following this, parents will have until April 30 to accept or decline the offered placement. Late applications can be made and are reviewed in May, with decisions communicated by June. Estyn has evaluated Cardiff’s most oversubscribed primary schools, with Rhydypenau Primary School being rated excellent across all areas under the previous inspection system. Similarly, Ysgol Mynadd Bychan impressed inspectors as pupils demonstrated enthusiasm for learning and succeeded as confident learners with well-developed skills.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, various Cardiff primary schools witnessed a high demand for places, with schools like Kitchener, Lakeside, and Marlborough Primary Schools receiving more applications than available spots. Despite the challenges faced by some schools in meeting the demand for places, others like Pontprennau Primary School had a surplus of spots compared to applications. The competitive nature of primary school admissions in Cardiff underscores the importance of parents carefully considering their preferences and applying on time to maximise their chances of securing a place for their child.

This year’s oversubscribed schools highlight the need for families to understand the application process thoroughly, make timely submissions, and consider multiple school options to enhance their chances of securing a preferred placement. The essence of collaborating with the council’s guidelines and meeting application deadlines cannot be overstated, ensuring a smooth and efficient process for both parents and schools. The success of this year’s applications underscores the significance of proactive planning and engagement with the primary school admission process to secure the best educational opportunities for children in Cardiff.