Admission to School - Information for Parents 2027-2028
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)
- Education Welfare Service
- Trust Funds
- The Careers Service
- Carmarthenshire Family Information Service
- Welsh Government Childcare Offer for Wales: Help with childcare costs for eligible parents of 3 to 4 year olds
- 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
Carmarthenshire County Council – School Transport Policy
Transport is provided in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Learner Travel (Wales) Measure 2008 and the Council's School Transport Policy, which applies to the 2027/28 academic year. The full policy, including detailed eligibility criteria and application information, is available on the Council's website.
Home to School Transport
Free home to school transport may be provided where a learner:
- Is ordinarily resident in Carmarthenshire.
- Is of compulsory school age.
- Attends their designated catchment school and lives beyond the statutory walking distance of 2 miles for primary pupils or 3 miles for secondary pupils.
The Council may also provide transport in other circumstances where this is required or permitted under the policy.
Parents should note that choosing a school outside the designated catchment area does not create an entitlement to free school transport. Any transport arrangements and costs in such circumstances are normally the responsibility of the parent or guardian.
The Council also provides a range of discretionary transport arrangements, including support for eligible post-16 learners and learners attending certain faith schools. These arrangements are subject to the conditions set out in the School Transport Policy and may be reviewed by the Council.
Applications
Applications for school transport must be submitted online and will be considered in accordance with the Council's School Transport Policy.
Eligibility is assessed on an individual basis, taking account of the learner's circumstances and the criteria set out within the policy.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible and, wherever practicable, at least 15 working days before transport is required. Applications received during the summer transfer period between June and September may take longer to process due to increased demand.
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Learners transferring from primary to secondary education are advised to submit a transport application by 1 January in the year of transfer. Early submission allows sufficient time for school admission arrangements to be confirmed and for transport eligibility to be assessed before the start of the academic year.
Full details, eligibility criteria and application information can be found on the School Transport pages.
