Admission to School - Information for Parents 2026-2027

How to Apply

Key Summary

• Parents are encouraged to visit the school of their choice before applying. Once the parent/guardian has decided on the school they wish their child/children to attend it is a requirement for them to submit an application to Carmarthenshire School Admissions
• It is recommended that you apply for 3 schools to increase the chance of getting a place at the school of your choice.
• For all schools (Community, Voluntary Controlled and Voluntary Aided [Faith] schools) applications should be made online at Carmarthenshire School Admissions
• Public computers with internet access are available at Council Hwbs or libraries

A Community or Voluntary Controlled Primary School cannot authorise the admission of a pupil. They can only help with the application form.

Completing the application form

Parental/Guardian Responsibility

The person completing the application form must ensure they have parental responsibility for the child in question and agreement of all people with parental responsibility. If it is not possible to reach a mutual agreement, a court order is required to confirm that the application can be processed. The applicant will be required to tick a box on the online application form to confirm parental agreement. Where there is a disagreement or objection, the application will be placed on hold until the matter is resolved between the parents, or a court order is received stating if an application can be made.

Parental Preference - School Choices

You can apply online for a place in a maximum of three schools. It is recommended that you apply for 3 schools to increase the chance of getting a place at a school of your choice.

If you choose to apply for 2 or 3 schools, you must rank them as 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice.

Initially, all applications will be considered equally, but if a place in the 1st choice school is offered, places will not be offered in either the 2nd or 3rd choices.

If your 1st choice is refused, your 2nd choice will then be treated as if it were your 1st choice. This will continue until a place is offered or until all 3 choices are processed

You should contact admissions@carmarthenshire.gov.uk to discuss an alternative school place if all choices have been unsuccessful.

If multiple applications are received, they are automatically processed in the order they are received.  The earliest application will remain as as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices, and the later application will become the 4th, 5th and 6th choices, and so on.

Changing or cancelling preferred school choices

If you apply for more than one school and later change your mind about the order of your choices, please email admissions@carmarthenshire.gov.uk to tell them about the changes. Please note that changes made after the published closing dates will be treated as late applications.

Language preference –Bilingual Schools

The admitting authority does not offer a place in a particular language stream.

If a school offers more than one language stream, you can express a preference for your preferred language stream on the application form. However, the admitting authority does not offer a place in a particular language stream, only a place in the relevant year group at that school. You should discuss your language stream preference with the school after a place is offered.

Home Address

A pupil’s home address is considered to be a residential property, dwelling or residential building, not including any land attached to it, that is the child’s only or main residency. The catchment area is based on the location of the house in which the pupil lives and not any land surrounding that house and is either:

• owned by the child’s parent(s) or the person with a defined legal parental responsibility for the child; or
• is leased to or rented by the child’s parent(s) or the person with parental responsibility under a written rental agreement, signed by the landlord and tenant, of not less than six months duration.

Proof of Address

The Authority has the right to ask for proof of address when offering a school place. To be considered in the normal admissions round, you may need to provide proof that you live at the address stated on your application form in line with the Admissions Application Timetable.

You can provide any two of the following documents to confirm your address:

• An original Authority Tax or Housing Benefit bill or notification letter being not more than 12 months old.
• An original utility bill (not more than 3 months old).
• An original award letter of Child Benefit or Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit award letter (not less than three months old and stating the name of the child/children).
• A signed and dated tenancy/lease agreement of at least six months duration but with not less than one month duration remaining.
• Original credit card or bank statement showing the address (not more than two months old).
• Written confirmation from the applicants Bank or Building Society confirming details of the change of address and also the date the change was effective from.
• Valid current photo ID driving licence.

As part of the admission process, you are required to provide proof of your address in connection with your application. The Authority will seek to verify the information provided and reserves the right to require the applicant to provide any additional information it deems necessary to confirm residency or to take reasonable action to determine whether or not an application is fraudulent.

If a school place is offered based on an address that is later found to be different from a child’s normal and permanent address, the place is liable to be withdrawn. If a school place is offered and a parent or person with a legal parental responsibility for a child, knowingly and willingly provides a false statement, which would affect the success of their application, they may have the place withdrawn. If no proof of residency is provided, then the Authority will be unable to process the application and the place may be awarded to another pupil.

Moving / Change of Address

If you intend to change residency and are applying for admission to a school based on the new address, then the Authority will take steps to verify the arrangements. 

The Authority will also accept: 

• A solicitor’s letter confirming the completion date of your house purchase (exchange of contract is not sufficient) evidence of completion must be provided prior to the offer of a school place being made. 
• A signed and dated tenancy agreement for at least 6 months, see proof of address. If you cannot provide proof of address by the closing date, then your application will be based on your current address. If you are moving address after the offer day, your application will be treated as late, as places will have already been allocated. 

Temporary Address 

Temporary address will only be considered in limited circumstances such as: 

• Refugees recently moved into the County housed in hotels or temporary accommodation provided by or agreed by the Home Office or through official channels. 
• Documentation proving that the family has been provided with emergency accommodation. 
• Proof that the previous house “family home” has been relinquished.

Evidence of Address 

Only a pupil’s usual address should be used when applying for a school place, Use of a different address to gain an advantage for a school place may be seen as fraudulent and could result in an application not being processed or the place being withdrawn.

Examples of fraudulent applications could include but are not limited to: 

• Using a grandparent’s or other family member’s address for the application. 
• Using other properties that are owned by the parents but not used as the main home address; evidence may be requested of use of other properties. 
• Applying from a relative’s address but keeping your previous property. 
• Rental agreements less than 6 months’ duration. 
• Living at a temporary address whilst construction work is carried out at the “home address”. 

Use of a false address to gain an advantage for a school place may result in an application not being processed, or a place being withdrawn. In such cases, parents may be asked to submit a new application with the correct address. Failure to provide evidence of the home address when requested may result in the application not being processed or may impact the priority of the application under consideration.

Shared Responsibility

Where there is shared responsibility for a child, and the child lives with both parents or persons with a legal parental responsibility for the child, for part of the week, then the main residence will be determined as the address that the child lives at for the majority of the week. Where there is 50/50 residency it will be the address of the parent who is in receipt of Child Benefit. Parents may be requested to supply documentary evidence to support the address used when offering a place. Where any changes are made to the recipient of the child benefit after evidence is requested the application will be classed as a late application.

Additional Learning needs (ALN)

Parents must note if a pupil has any Additional Learning Needs on the application form when asked. This information will help schools plan ahead to put provision in place for pupils should they be admitted to the school. The ALN department will be asked to verify these applications.

Gypsy and Traveller Children

The Authority is obliged, by statute, to ensure that all children of compulsory school age receive education that is appropriate to their age, abilities and any Special Educational Needs, and promotes high standards in the provision of education and the welfare of children. These obligations apply to all children whether or not they are permanent residents in the area. Admission applications made in respect of gypsy and traveller families will be dealt with, with a view to placing these children as quickly as possible at the nearest available and appropriate school.