Applications for secondary school places to start in September 2026 open today (Monday 22, September 2025), and families are reminded that applying on time and providing five school preferences can increase their chances of getting a place at one of their preferred schools.

Cardiff Council’s Admissions Team have provided simple step-by-step advice and guidance in the form of 7 tips, to help families who are applying for a school place in Cardiff.

The information is available online and through an animation aimed at children and families, helping to explain how the admissions process works and the importance of using all five preferences available.

Should a family choose to only put one school option for example, they are greatly limiting their chances of securing a preferred school.

It also covers things like:

• the importance of applying on time, by the published application deadline
• the benefits of exploring all the schools in the child’s area by visiting their websites and reading their Estyn reports
• making sure the application form includes essential information such as if the child has a sibling at the school or any additional learning, medical or social needs.

Welsh-medium education is available to everyone regardless of whether Welsh or English is spoken at home. Uned Drochi Iaith Caerdydd is nationally acclaimed and has supported nearly 500 children and young people since 2010. The unit provides a welcoming, inclusive environment for learners of all backgrounds, helping them gain the language skills needed to thrive in Welsh-medium education and feel a sense of belonging in their communities.

Further information about Welsh-medium education can be found here on our new  Our City Our Language - Ein Dinas Ein Hiaith

If any families are in doubt about any aspect of the process, they can access support from our staff based at Council Hubs across the city or by calling C2C on 029 20872087.

To view the 7 tip guidance and the animation please visit:  https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Schools-and-learning/Schools/Applying-for-a-school-place/help-to-apply/Pages/default.aspx#anchor_4

The information is available in several languages including Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Czech, Mandarin, Polish, Portugese, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Ukrainian and Welsh of course.

Applications for applying for a secondary place in September 2026 close on Monday 17th November 2025.

To apply for a school place please go to:  https://www.cardiff.gov.uk/ENG/resident/Schools-and-learning/Schools/Applying-for-a-school-place/Secondary-school/Pages/default.aspx

A Message from Mr Loynd, Headteacher of St Teilo's High School

Our Year 6 Open Evening takes place on Tuesday 14 October 2025 from 5pm-7pm.

Presentations to parents are repeated at 5pm, 5.30pm, 6pm and 6.30pm.

The school is busiest at 5pm. Parents are encouraged to attend at a later time.

Parking on site will be limited due to the volume of visitors.

Parents are encouraged to park safely and considerately on the roads surrounding the school.

Scholarship Opportunities at Kings Monkton School

As the deadline for secondary school applications approaches, I would like to extend an invitation to the pupils and families of Bishop Childs C.W Primary School to explore the opportunities available at Kings Monkton School.

We are a small, non-selective independent school based in the heart of Cardiff, offering an exceptional educational experience from Reception through to Sixth Form. With class sizes capped at 18 and a nurturing, inclusive environment, we pride ourselves on delivering highly personalised, pupil-led learning. Our provision includes both specialist ALN support and enrichment for our Extend pupils, ensuring we cater for a wide range of individual needs within our close-knit school community.

I am particularly excited to share with you details of our scholarship and bursary programme, which offers a range of opportunities for pupils at your school. These include:

• Fully-funded scholarships
• Partially-funded bursaries

• Awards across a variety of specialisms:
  • Academic (Maths, English, Science)
  • Music
  • Sport
  • Performing Arts

I would be delighted to visit your school to discuss how we can support your pupils and their families through the scholarship and bursary application process. Alternatively, I warmly invite you to visit Kings Monkton to see what we offer firsthand.

We will be hosting an Open Evening on 16th October, from 5.00pm – 7.00pm, where prospective pupils and parents can:

• Explore our facilities
• Meet our passionate teaching and pastoral teams
• Take part in engaging activities
• Learn more about our transition support and wellbeing provision

I look forward to the opportunity to connect with you and support your pupils as they take the next exciting step in their learning journey.

Yours faithfully

Mrs Claire Bourne

Assistant Headteacher, Inclusion and Wellbeing

Kings Monkton School