Admission to School - Information for Parents 2026-2027
In this section
- Introduction
- SECTION A - Admissions to Carmarthenshire Schools
- When to Apply
- At what age can children start Primary school?
- Admission to secondary schools and sixth form
- Choosing a School and Catchment Areas
- How to Apply
- Awarding Places – Oversubscription Criteria
- Moving / Changing Schools outside the normal admissions arrangements (Mid/in Year Transfers)
- Notification of Offer of a Place at a School
- Appeals Regarding Admission of Pupils to Community / Voluntary Controlled Primary or Secondary Schools
- Admission to Voluntary Aided Schools
- SECTION B - Information on Education and Learning
- Learning Experiences
- The Teaching of Welsh and English in Carmarthenshire Schools
- Public Examinations
- Exclusion of Pupils
- School Activities
- School Leaving Date
- School Governing Bodies
- SECTION C – Services to Pupils
- Carmarthenshire County Council – School Transport Policy
- School Meals & School Essentials Grant
- Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
- School Safeguarding and Attendance Team
- Trust Funds
- The Careers Service
- Carmarthenshire Family Information Service
- The Childcare Offer
- Health & Well-being Promoting Schools Programme
- Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship Education
- SECTION D – Schools and Pupil Summary
- SECTION E - Carmarthenshire Schools: Nursery Schools
- Carmarthenshire Schools: Community, Voluntary Controlled and Voluntary Aided Primary Schools
- Carmarthenshire Schools: Secondary Schools and Voluntary Aided Secondary Schools
- Carmarthenshire Schools: Special Schools
Admission to secondary schools and sixth form
Key Summary
- There is no automatic transfer from primary to secondary school.
- By law you must make an application to the Admissions Authority for a place.
- The pupil’s home address is used as the basis for admission to a secondary school, not the primary school attended.
- It is not possible for any person or organisation to guarantee, in advance, a place for a child at a school. Any such comments or assurances must be disregarded.
- You will receive an email from the Admissions Authority informing you if your application has been successful or refused.
- A child cannot start at a secondary school until the parent/guardian has accepted the place with the Admissions Authority.
- Read the Transport to school policy before making your final choice of school
- Deadline for submitting an application is the 28 November 2025.
Primary school children are required to start at a secondary school in the September following their 11th birthday. It is a requirement that a parent/guardian must complete an online application for secondary school for their child by the prescribed closing date as set in the Admissions Application Timetable.
Any applications received after the prescribed closing date will not be considered until those received before the deadline date have been allocated places. These will be considered as Late Applications as detailed in this document.
If there are more applications than places available, the Authority will prioritise applications in accordance with its over-subscription criteria as detailed in this document.
The primary school which the pupil is attending is not a factor which is considered when places are allocated.
Application forms must be completed online by the prescribed closing date.
If the form is not submitted by the deadline, the chances of getting a place at your preferred school are reduced. Missing the application deadline can also affect your child’s chance of having free transport to school.
It is our intention to issue decision letters in respect of these applications received by the deadline by the offer date set in the Admissions Application Timetable.
APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR A SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACE IS 28 NOVEMBER 2025
As part of the application process, parents of children in their last year in primary school will receive an email from the Authority. Applications must be made online. It is important that you complete the online form by the deadline date as these applications will be considered first for any places available. Any applications received after the closing date will not be considered until those received before the deadline date have been allocated places. Living within the designated catchment area of a secondary school does not guarantee your child a place at that school. However, the admission criteria give a higher priority to applications from pupils who live within the catchment area. The primary school which your child attends is not a factor in the application process.
Please follow the guidance provided, complete the online form accordingly and read the section in this booklet relating to parental preference and school transport to ensure you understand your obligations in such circumstances.
There is no automatic transfer arrangement and no automatic right to progress from Primary School to Secondary School.
Forms must be completed and submitted by 28 November 2025. If the form is not submitted by the closing date, the chances of getting a place at your preferred school are reduced. It is our intention to send decision letters by email for applications made on time on 1 March 2026or the next working day.
Parents who wish their child to be admitted to a secondary school at a time other than the usual primary to secondary year 7 admissions should, in the first instance, contact and discuss the matter with the Headteacher of the school who will also be able to give advice in relation to applying for admission. Alternatively, advice may be sought from the School Admissions staff at the Department for Education and Children.
Sixth Form Admission
Arrangements for admission to Sixth Form Community Schools should therefore be discussed with the individual school prior to submitting an application for admission.
