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
Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship Education
Sustainable Development and Global Citizenship Education is embedded within the four core purposes of the Curriculum for Wales. All Carmarthenshire schools are committed to supporting Carmarthenshire County Council to become net zero carbon by 2030.
All learners are supported and encouraged to develop the knowledge, skills and values they need to engage with the world including the belief that we can all make a difference. Through purposeful actions learners are empowered to take responsibility for the natural environment and make connections for positive change. This creates a culture of care and responsibility for our future generations.
The use of outdoor spaces to enrich curriculum delivery and support the wellbeing of all learners continues to be a priority across all schools in Carmarthenshire. Accessing the outdoors to gain a deeper connection and understanding of their local environment provides all learners with the opportunity to become active members within their community. The Carmarthenshire Outdoor Schools Network (CODS) provides all schools with the opportunity to work collaboratively and share good practice. The aim of the network is to offer opportunities for all learners to appreciate and connect with nature and become ethical and informed citizens of today and the future.
The Climate Action Consultation Group was established in November 2021 and forms part of an eight-point Climate Action Manifesto. The Manifesto was co-constructed as a part of the global citizenship programme, Walk the Global Walk. All schools across Carmarthenshire are invited to elect two representatives to be part of the group. A formal consultation meeting takes place each term which offers an opportunity for the group, invited guests, local councillors and council officers to discuss issues relating to climate change and implement their manifesto’s recommendations. This pioneering pupil led discussion platform empowers and engages young people in debate and discussion on issues which concern them. All Group members are advocates for positive change across their schools and communities and are supported to seek out solutions and engage in positive actions linked to Climate Change through a culture of care and responsibility.
The Group has been recognised for its work in supporting pupils to be part of the democratic process in the Wales Net Zero Consultation Paper for Welsh Government. The paper recommends establishing Climate Action Groups in every local authority in Wales by 2030, using the Carmarthenshire model as a blueprint.
The Eco Schools Award is an international initiative administered by Keep Wales Tidy. The programme offers schools opportunities to engage with environmental and sustainable development issues through topic areas such as: Litter, Waste Minimisation, Transport, Healthy Living, Energy, Water, School Grounds and Global Citizenship. The programme is also linked to the Healthy Schools and Fairtrade Schools Schemes, these initiatives are recognised and supported by the Welsh Government. All Carmarthenshire schools participate in the Eco Schools Programme, 31 have been awarded as least one Green Flag while 71 have received the Platinum Award for sustaining their excellent work for eight years or more.
Carmarthenshire is a Fairtrade Local Authority and continues to support its schools with the Fairtrade Schools Programme.
Global connections with schools on an international platform continue to be supported through Wales’s International Exchange Programme ‘Taith’. Carmarthenshire schools continue to build on this well-established model of participation with a clear understanding of the value of these transformative school exchange programmes. Well established and successful partnerships working continues to flourish between Carmarthenshire schools and schools in Lesotho, through the Connecting Classrooms programme and Dolen Cymru.
For more information on any of the above please contact:
Associate Education Support Adviser Louise Morgan HeLMorgan@carmarthenshire.gov.uk
Further information is also available through the following links:
Carmarthenshire County Council Climate Action Manifesto
YouTube - The Wellbeing of Future Generations Act
YouTube - An Education System Based on Pupiles - Not Testing
