The race for primary school places in Cardiff for September 2025 has once again shown the high demand and competition among parents to secure spots for their children. According to recent data from the Cardiff Council, more than 80 applications for primary schools in the city have been rejected this year, indicating the ongoing challenge of securing spaces in popular schools.
Ysgol y Wern in Cardiff emerged as one of the most sought-after schools, receiving an impressive 102 preferences for its 90 available places. Despite the high number of applications, the school did not have to turn away as many applicants as some others. St. Mellons Church in Wales School, on the other hand, had only 30 spots available but received 49 applications, resulting in 19 applicants being denied a place.
Following closely behind in terms of oversubscription was Ysgol Melin Gruffydd, which received 72 applications for its 60 spaces. Rhydypenau Primary School in Cyncoed, known for its high demand in previous years, had 67 applications for 60 places and had to reject six applicants for the upcoming September intake.
Despite the fierce competition, the majority of families were able to secure a place for their children at one of their preferred schools. The council highlighted the importance of listing multiple choices on the application to increase the chances of getting a preferred placement. This year, 98.1% of applicants received their first-choice primary school, reflecting a slight increase from previous years.
For those who did not secure a spot at their preferred school, there are still opportunities available at 69 primary schools across Cardiff. As of April 15, there were over 1,100 places available at both Welsh and English medium primaries for the upcoming academic year, providing reassurance to families still seeking spots for their children.
Parents who were unsuccessful in securing a place have the option to appeal to the Cardiff Independent School Appeals Panel for a review of their application. The council assured that efforts are being made to simplify the application process and provide support to families to ensure a fair and transparent allocation of school places.
A spokesperson from Cardiff Council emphasized that there is a place available for every school-age child in the city, highlighting the ongoing efforts to accommodate the increasing demand for primary school spaces. The council reported a high percentage of online applications this year, indicating a trend towards digitalisation in the application process.
In conclusion, the competition for primary school places in Cardiff remains intense, with popular schools receiving more applications than available spots. While challenges exist in securing preferred placements, the council’s commitment to transparency and support for families throughout the application process aims to provide equal opportunities for all children in the city.