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
The Teaching of Welsh and English in Carmarthenshire Schools
Since September 2023, new school categories have been introduced nationally.
The linguistic provision couples closely with: the County's Welsh in Education Strategic Plan; contributing towards the Welsh Government's target of having a million Welsh speakers by 2050; embedding the Languages and Communications Area of Learning of the Curriculum for Wales and the four purposes of the curriculum where it is stated that pupils will be able to communicate effectively in different forms and locations, through Welsh and English as well as complying with the Well-being of Future Generations Act.
As a result, there is a clear expectation that all schools will develop provision that increases the use of Welsh in the formal and extra-curricular curriculum, as a means of achieving the County's recognised 10-year WESP between 2022-2032.
The Local Authority and the Schools have agreed on the most suitable category based on current provision from the following new list:
Primary School
Category 1 - English-medium School
English is the school’s main language of internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is recognition that creating a Welsh language ethos within the school will support and encourage positive attitudes towards Welsh language use. A learner in a school of this category will be able to read, write, speak and listen in English according to their age and ability, and will have some understanding of Welsh. Welsh is taught as part of the Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE) for languages, literacy and communication At least 15% of the learners’ school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh.
Category 2 - Dual language School
Welsh and English will be used for internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is clear understanding that maintaining a Welsh language ethos within the school will support positive attitudes towards Welsh language use. A learner in a school of this category will be able to speak, read, write and listen in English and Welsh according to age and ability and stream of education. Welsh language skills will be further strengthened by increasing the amount of learning opportunities (curricular as well as extra-curricular) offered through the medium of Welsh. Where Welsh is used as a medium of learning, occasional English is used at times to reinforce the learners' understanding. With the right support, learners could progress to a Category 3 Welsh-medium secondary school. At least 50% of the learners’ school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh. This could be achieved in different ways depending on the school's context. It could be by using full Welsh-medium imme
Category 3 - Welsh-medium School
Welsh is the school’s main language of internal communication. Communication with parents and carers is in either English, Welsh or bilingually as needed. This is a school with a strong Welsh language ethos at its core, supporting and enabling learners’ Welsh language use in all social context in and outside of school. In a Welsh immersion setting all learners are taught fully in Welsh, with English being used on occasion to ensure understanding during early immersion. From aged 7 onwards at least 80% of learner’s school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh. Pupils will become fully bilingual.
SECONDARY SCHOOL
Category 1 - English-medium School
English is the school’s main language of internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is recognition that creating a Welsh language ethos within the school will support and encourage positive attitudes towards Welsh language use. A learner in a school of this category will be taught mainly through the medium of English, and will be able to speak, read, write and listen in English according to age and ability. Welsh is taught as part of the Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE) for languages, literacy and communication At least 15% of the learners’ school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh. Learners will be able to speak some Welsh in familiar situations and in some subject contexts using subject-specific terms and vocabulary depending on the areas of the curriculum provided in Welsh.
Category 2 - Dual language School
Welsh and English will be used for internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is clear understanding that maintaining a Welsh language ethos within the school will support positive attitudes towards Welsh language use. A learner in a school of this category will be able to speak, read, write and listen in English and Welsh according to their age and ability. Welsh language skills will be further strengthened by increasing the amount of learning opportunities (curricular as well as extra-curricular) offered through the medium of Welsh. Depending on the amount of time devoted to learning through the medium of Welsh and use of the Welsh language outside the classroom, learners would be able to apply their Welsh skills in a range of different Areas of Learning and Experience. At least 40% of learners undertaking at least 40% of school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) in Welsh.
Category 3 – Welsh-medium School
Schools in this category are sectioned into two parts: Category 3 Welsh-medium and Category 3P designated Welsh-medium.
For all schools in this category Welsh is the main language of internal communication. Communication with parents and carers is in either English, Welsh or bilingually as needed. These are schools with a strong Welsh language ethos at their core, supporting and enabling learners’ Welsh language use in all social contexts in and outside of school. A learner in this category of schools will be able to speak, read, write and listen in both English and Welsh according to age and ability.
Category 3 – Welsh-medium school will offer a wide range of their Areas of Learning and Experience (AoLE) through the medium of Welsh. At least 60% % of learners undertaking at least 70% of their school activities (curricular and extra-curricular) in Welsh. Category 3 schools are expected to continue to reflect the linguistic context of the area whilst working towards increasing their Welsh medium provision over time.
A Category 3P School – Designated Welsh-medium School – delivers all Areas of Learning and Experience (AoLE) through the medium of Welsh. 100% of learners will undertake at least 90% of their school activities (curricular and extra-curricular) in Welsh.
Transitional Sub-categories T2 and T3
These are bridging categories between two main language categories. These transitional arrangements enable schools to plan how they will realise an increase in Welsh-medium provision over time. Increasing the Welsh-medium provision, in order to move to the next category, is the aim of the transitional sub-categories. Therefore, T2 bridges a category 1 and 2 school, with the aim of becoming a category 2 within a period of 10 years and T3 bridges a category 2 and 3 school with a goal of becoming a category 3 School within a period of 10 years.
It’s never too late to choose Welsh-medium education
Welsh-medium education helps children become confident bilingual speakers, able to communicate and thrive in both Welsh and English. Research shows that learning through Welsh does not hinder English development; instead, it equips children with valuable language skills that can benefit them throughout their lives.
For families considering Welsh-medium education for older children or families moving to Carmarthenshire, Carmarthenshire County Council offers Welsh Language Immersion Centres for pupils in Years 2–6 who are new to Welsh-medium education. These centres provide intensive Welsh language support in a welcoming and nurturing environment, helping children develop their Welsh skills quickly and confidently before returning to their local Welsh-medium school.
The immersion programme is designed to help pupils acquire Welsh naturally through engaging activities, building confidence in speaking, listening, reading and writing. Children are supported every step of the way, ensuring a smooth transition into Welsh-medium education and enabling them to fully participate in school life.
Choosing Welsh-medium education opens doors to bilingualism, opportunity and confidence along with a sense of belonging.
For more information about Carmarthenshire’s Welsh Language Immersion Centres, visit the webpage.
Key Facts
- Be aware of your chosen school’s Welsh language category. Welsh-medium education is the most successful way of producing bilingual pupils.
Key Summary – Admission to secondary school and sixth forms
It is expected that pupils who have attended Welsh-medium primary education would transfer to a Welsh-medium secondary school or stream and continue with their linguistic pathway.
