Cardiff Council launches a new guide to help families apply for school places
A campaign which provides families with simple guidance to applying for primary and secondary school places in Cardiff has been launched.
Cardiff Council’s School Admissions team have put together 7 tips to help people by explaining how the admissions process works, the importance of using all preferences available to them and why they should apply on time.
Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: “Applying for a school place can be a nerve-racking time, particularly if families are not fully aware of how the application process works or that completing the application incorrectly, could hinder their chance of getting a place at their preferred school.
“The aim of this campaign is to make the application process as simple and transparent as possible, so that every family in Cardiff has the knowledge, support and understanding to ensure that they are not at a disadvantage when applying for a school place.”
The campaign features a new animation aimed at children and families which helps to explain the 7 tips. It 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 reports
- the need to include a full list of school preferences in the first application form to increase the chance of getting a school of choice 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.
Information is also included on how to make an appeal if you are not offered your preferred school.
Cllr Merry added: “Cardiff has many great schools so places can go quickly. This campaign will hopefully be of benefit to many communities in Cardiff and help raise awareness of the support available to parents when making decisions and applications for school places.”
To view the 7 tip guidance and the animation please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqFFf-qb0HU
Applications for applying for a secondary place in September 2021 open on Monday, 28 September and close on Monday 23, November 2020.
Primary school applications open on Monday 16 November 2020 and close on Monday 11, January 2020.
To apply for a school place please go to: www.cardiff.gov.uk/schooladmissions
The latest 7 tips School Admissions campaign supports Cardiff’s commitment to becoming one of the UK’s first Unicef Child Friendly Cities, placing the rights and voices of children and young people at the heart of Cardiff’s policies, strategies and services.
The information will also be available on the webpage in several languages including Arabic, Czech, Romanian, Portuguese, Polish, Somali and Bengali. The Council is grateful to academics at Cardiff University’s School of Modern Languages who have supported the campaign by providing voice-overs for the animations in these languages.
Please see links below of videos and leaflets in different languages:
Arabic – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBSw2n2P4Ms
Bengali https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxbcFgDVmFA
Bengali Cardiff Admissions.pdf
Czech https://youtu.be/2rSd_AwMsB0
Polish https://youtu.be/V-vEZxiAI4E
Romanian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY0yOk0U4Ak
Romanian Cardiff Admissions.pdf
Somali https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPhMftowlRc&feature=youtu.be
Portugese https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ7dfuIcj5g
Portuguese Cardiff Admissions.pdf
English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqFFf-qb0HU
English Cardiff Admissions.pdf
