**Hardest Secondary Schools to Secure Places in Cardiff for 2025**
The wave of school allocations in Cardiff for September 2025 has unveiled the most challenging secondary schools to get into in the Welsh capital. According to a recent publication by Cardiff Council, parents and students eagerly waited to discover if they had secured a spot at their preferred choice of school.
**Demand vs. Availability**
Fitzalan High School emerged as one of the most sought-after institutions in Cardiff, with a high number of applications vying for limited spots. The school faced a significant surge in demand, turning down 144 more applicants this year compared to the previous academic year.
Cardiff High claimed the top spot once again as the most oversubscribed state secondary school in the city. With 269 applications rejected this year, parents faced disappointment as the school received 509 applications for 240 available slots.
Radyr Comprehensive, Llanishen Comprehensive, Ysgol Glan Taf, and Ysgol Plasmawr also encountered more applications than they could accommodate, leading to a competitive selection process for prospective students.
**Varied Results Across Schools**
While some schools struggled with oversubscription, others faced undersubscription. Cantonian High School, for instance, received 175 applications for 240 spaces, indicating a slightly lower demand compared to other schools on the list.
On the other hand, Willows High and Ysgol Bro Edern had fewer applications than available spaces, providing an alternative for students who might not have secured a spot at their preferred schools.
**Application Process and Offers**
Applications to schools such as Whitchurch High and several religious secondary schools in Cardiff were not included in the recent list, as their application procedures differ from those of maintained secondary schools. Offers for these schools were expected to be disclosed shortly.
Cardiff Council initiated the process of issuing offer letters for secondary school placements starting from March 3, 2025. Parents and students were informed that they would either receive an offer for their first choice school, a lower preference school, or no offer at all. Those securing a spot at a lower preference school were advised to accept the offer and explore options for appealing their decision.
The council assured that alternative placements were available for students who did not receive any offers or failed to secure a spot at their preferred schools. Information regarding available spaces in other Cardiff schools was provided to ensure all children had access to education.
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**Conclusion**
The allocation of secondary school places in Cardiff for 2025 highlighted the competitive landscape of education in the city. As families received offers and notifications about school admissions, the process underscored the challenges and opportunities students face in securing placements at their preferred institutions. With a mix of oversubscribed and undersubscribed schools, the allocation results provided a snapshot of the dynamic educational environment in Cardiff.