Applications for secondary school places in Cardiff for the September 2025 intake have now opened, with Cardiff Council providing advice on how to increase the chances of securing a spot at a preferred school. The council revealed that in the previous academic year, hundreds of children were denied entry to their desired secondary schools in the city during the first round of placements. Notably, Cardiff High School stood out as the most oversubscribed maintained secondary school, with more than half of the 467 children who were initially denied a place missing out on this sought-after institution.
Cardiff Council stressed the importance of submitting applications on time and listing five school preferences to enhance the likelihood of securing a spot at one of the preferred schools. By applying to all 12 of the city’s community high schools and five partner schools through the council’s coordinated admissions scheme, families streamline the process through a single online application. However, additional forms or information may be required by individual schools, as outlined in their admissions policies.
To support families through the application process, Cardiff Council’s admissions team has provided advice and guidance, emphasising the significance of timely submissions, researching schools, and including essential information such as sibling attendance or specific needs in the application form. For further assistance, families are encouraged to visit council hubs or contact the admissions team directly.
Cabinet member for education, Sarah Merry, highlighted the benefits of Cardiff’s coordinated admissions system in simplifying the application process and ensuring fair allocations. Moreover, the council emphasised the accessibility of Welsh-medium education, underlining that fluency in Welsh is not a prerequisite for enrollment in Welsh-medium schools. The success of the Welsh Immersion Unit in supporting non-Welsh-speaking children to become fluent was also noted.
Data provided by Cardiff Council revealed the most challenging schools to gain admission to in the previous academic year, including Cardiff High, Fitzalan High, Llanishen High, Radyr Comprehensive, Ysgol Glantaf, and Cathays High, showcasing the high demand for limited spots. While not included in the data, offers at other schools may have been influenced by candidates accepting placements at foundation or church schools, such as Whitchurch High.
In the 2024-25 academic year, nearly 99% of children secured one of their top three preferences for community secondary schools, representing an improvement from the previous year. The high demand for certain schools underscores the competitive nature of secondary school admissions in Cardiff, emphasising the need for careful planning and strategic application choices to secure coveted placements.