A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
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A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023/24
Educating Children in the Vale of Glamorgan
Table of Contents
1. Letter from Cabinet Member for Learning & Culture and the Director of
Learning & Skills ......................................................................................... 4
2. Applying for a school place ......................................................................... 5
3 Welsh Language Centre………………………………………………………….6
4 School Admissions Code………………….…………………...……………….7
5. Some Important dates…………………………………………………………..7
6. Late Applications………………………………………………………………...8
7. Online School Admissions……………………………………………………...9
8. Applying by post………………………………………………………………....9
9. Admission Number/Infant Class Size Limits………………………………… 9
10. Early Years funding……………………………………………………………10
11. Admission to Early Years Education/Nursery……………………………….10
12. Nursery Admission Arrangements……………………………………………11
13. Statutory School Age………………………………………………………… 15
14. Voluntary Aided Schools ........................................................................... 15
15. Primary School Admissions ...................................................................... 16
16. Primary Education Oversubscription Criteria) ........................................... 17
17. Admission to Reception Classes - Some Questions Answered ................ 19
18. Moving from Primary to Secondary School ............................................... 20
19. Secondary School oversubscription criteria .............................................. 20
20. Transfer from Primary to Secondary(some questions answered) ............. 23
21. Transferring to a different school/ moving intothe area ............................. 24
22. Admissions to Sixth Forms ....................................................................... 25
23. Admissions to Denominational Education/Foundation Schools ................ 25
24. Statutory Appeals ..................................................................................... 26
25. Waiting Lists ............................................................................................. 28
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26. Multiple Births ........................................................................................... 28
27. Definition of Siblings ................................................................................. 28
28. Fraudulent/ misleading applications .......................................................... 28
29. UK Services personnel ........................................................................... 249
30. Provision for Children who have Additional Learning Needes .................. 29
31. Transport .................................................................................................. 30
32. Free School Meals .................................................................................... 31
33. Pupil Development Grant ............................................................................... 31
34. Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) ............................................... 32
35. Public Examinations……………………………………………………………32
36. Charging arrangements for School Trips/Visits ........................................ 33
37. Proof of Address/ more than one address ................................................ 33
38. Compelling Medical and Social Needs ..................................................... 34
Appendix 1 – List of Primary & Secondary Schools maintained by the Vale of
Glamorgan Council……………………………………………..…….. 35
Appendix 2 - List of Primary Feeder Schools to our Voluntary Aided and
Foundation Secondary Schools ….……42
Appendix 3 - List of Registered Early Years Providers ………………………….. 43
Appendix 4 - Family Information Service (FIS) …………...………………………..44
Appendix 5 - List of Special Schools and Special provision in mainstream schools
……………………………………………………………………………………………45
Appendix 6 - Admissions Policies for Voluntary Aided and Foundation Schools.49
Appendix 7 - School Holiday dates……………………..……………………………86
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
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Published 23 September 2022
This document is available in large print and other formats upon request.
This booklet is published by the Vale of Glamorgan Council and contains the
information the Council is required to publish under the School Information
(Wales) Regulations 2011. Although the information is correct at the time of
publication, the Authority reserves the right to make any adjustments where this
is necessary to enable it to comply with changes in policy and/or legislation.
Contact Details
For further information on School Admissions please view our website
www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.
You may also contact the team by emailing
admissions@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or by telephoning 01446 700111.
Our address is Vale of Glamorgan Council, Directorate of Learning and Skills,
Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry CF63 4RU
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Dear Parent/ Guardian
In the Vale of Glamorgan we are very proud of our thriving nursery, primary,
secondary and special schools and we are delighted to welcome you and your child
to our education community. We are committed to high standards of education and
our partnership with parents, governors and schools.
Starting school is an important time for parents and children alike. We understand
the importance of making a well-informed decision about the school you would like
your child to attend. This booklet gives you all the information you need about our
admission arrangements, some facts about our schools and other information that
may be of interest to you. You might find it helpful to visit local schools. Individual
school websites are also an excellent source of information as well as the Council’s
website (www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk) which has a link to the Welsh Government
site “my local school”. You may also wish to read recent Estyn inspection reports.
There are a variety of schools to choose from including English and Welsh Medium
schools, Community Schools and those with their own admission arrangements
such as Voluntary Aided and Foundation Schools (please see appendix 6 for more
information on this). Please be aware that although you have the right to express
a preference for a school, there is no guarantee that your first choice will be offered.
Sometimes there are more applications for a school than there are places
available. When this happens, places will be offered by using the oversubscription
criteria - the rules applied when allocating places - in this guide. Please consider
these rules as it will help you understand the likelihood of your child being offered
a place. Although applications sometimes must be refused, the Vale of Glamorgan
Council is very proud of the fact that over 90% of parents are successful in gaining
a place at their first-choice school.
Having considered all the information available to you and decided about which
schools you would like to apply for, please ensure you make your application by
the closing dates contained in this booklet. By applying on time, you will know that
your application will be considered along with the other applications for your
preferred school. If your application is late, there is a risk that your preferred school
will already be full.
I hope that you find everything you need contained within this guide; however, our
experienced School Access Team are available to provide any advice and
guidance you may need.
Yours faithfully
Cllr Rhiannon Birch Paula Ham
Cabinet Member for Director of Learning & Skills
Education, Arts and the Welsh Language
1. Letter from Cabinet Member for Learning & Culture and the
Director of Learning & Skills
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The entry of children into schools is controlled and administered by an ‘Admissions
Authority’. The admission authority for the Vale of Glamorgan’s Community and
Voluntary controlled schools is the Council and this is managed by our School
Access Team.
In the case of Voluntary Aided and Foundation Schools the admission authority is
the Governing Body of the school. Please view the school’s website for further
information in this case.
Within the council each school has an area known as a catchment area. Pupils
living within the catchment area are prioritised higher than those residing outside
of the catchment area as detailed in the oversubscription criteria. For further
information and details concerning your catchment school, please refer to the “In
your neighbourhood” postcode checker on the home page of the Vale of
Glamorgan website.
All parents are required to express a preference for a school they wish their child
to attend, which must be done by completing an application form, either by using
one of our paper application forms or by applying online. In the majority of cases,
parents or carers are happy to choose their local school but it is necessary for the
school to be named on an application form supplied by parents before a place can
be allocated. When applying for a place in reception or transfer to secondary
School, this is managed by an annual admission round and your application must
be completed by the advertised closing date given in our Some Important Dates
section to give your child the best chance of gaining a place in your chosen school.
No place can be allocated to pupils to attend their catchment school, or any other
school, unless a formal application is made. Those parents who do express a
preference by the closing date will be considered first with late applications only
being looked at once the first round of allocations has been completed. Please be
aware that if you do not apply by the closing date, you may find that your chosen
school is already full and your child could be denied a place at their local school.
Please note that only the Council’s School Access Team can allocate a place for
your child at a maintained school. Any letter received from a school (unless they
are the admitting authority) stating that your child has a place reserved for them,
should not be taken as an indication that a place has been allocated.
Parental Disputes
In advance of submitting an application for their child, parents should discuss which
school they wish their child to attend, and attempt to reach agreement, especially
where more than one person has parental responsibility. If parents are unable to
agree on suitable schooling for their child, we will be unable to process applications
for school admissions until in receipt of a legal document which instructs to do so.
Parents are advised to complete the application carefully and provide as much
information (including supporting documentary evidence where necessary) as
possible as this will be used for assessing where the child will be on the list for
2. Applying for a school place
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each school applied for. The council use an ‘Equal Preference Scheme’ to decide
which school can be offered. This means that when we are making decisions, we
don’t consider the order that parents have put the schools in your application. Each
preference will be assessed against the Council’s admissions criteria, so it is
important that applicants read and understand these fully. The council can only
offer one place within a Community school so when we are allocating places if we
can offer more than one place, we will always offer the school that you have listed
as the highest preference. Therefore, the order parents put the schools in is so
important. In order to ensure that wherever possible pupils access a place at their
local school, parents are strongly recommended to list 3 different Primary Schools,
at least one being their catchment area school.
Is your child aged 5-11? Have you been considering Welsh-medium education?
An exciting opportunity is now available through a new 12-week programme at our
Welsh Language Centre.
If your child is new to the Welsh language, our Centre will allow primary-age
learners to be immersed in the Welsh language and gain a level of fluency that will
enable them to succeed in their Welsh-medium education journey at a Welsh-
medium school in the Vale of Glamorgan.
We help:
Develop literacy skills across the curriculum, with a particular focus on developing
listening and speaking skills
Provide a rich learning environment and bespoke learning resources to support
learners along their journey
Promote all learners' awareness of Welsh culture and enrich families' experiences
of the language and culture
Attending the Welsh Language Centre
Your child will spend a period of 12 weeks (not including school holidays) at the
Language Centre, Monday to Thursday. Your child will attend the school where
they are registered, every Friday during this period. This is to look after your child's
welfare and to make sure that they have the opportunity to get to know the learners
and teachers in their school.
Getting to the Language Centre
The Language Centre is based at Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun y Nant, Barry.
Vale of Glamorgan Schools Language Centre,
Ysgol Gymraeg Gwaun y Nant,
Amroth Court, Caldy Close, Barry, CF62 9DU.
You can transport your own child to the Centre, or take advantage of our taxi
service. Please let us know how your child will get to the Centre so that taxi
3. Welsh Language Centre
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arrangements can be made, or we can arrange a system to reimburse your petrol
mileage costs if applicable.
Contact us
Feel free to contact us to arrange a visit or for a telephone chat.
01446 421723
The Council will adhere to the requirements of the new School Admissions Code
July 2013 and all relevant legislation. A summary of the main changes is provided
below:
a requirement that admission authority’s oversubscription criteria includes
alongside looked after children, ‘previously looked after children’ as the first
criterion in all instances;
the setting of Common Offer dates on which decision letters must be issued.
Please refer to the “Some Important Dates” section.
a requirement that waiting lists are maintained until 30 September, as a
minimum, where schools are oversubscribed
guidance on additional exceptions to the class size legislation. These
additional exceptions assist with the admission of all children of multiple
births when the 30
th
child is from a multiple birth. Previously parents would
have to decide if they wanted to take the place for one child when there was
no space for the other(s). The changes also allow admission authorities to
admit armed forces pupils to their local school should they move into the
area outside of the admission round.
more opportunities to vary existing admission arrangements without seeking
approval from Welsh Ministers (Admission Code 2.21).
You will find below some important dates relating to the application process,
including the closing date and when we will inform you of the outcome of your
application. All admission authorities, including schools managing their own
admissions are required to adhere to these dates.
TIMETABLE
APPLICATION FOR APPLICATION
FOR
APPLICATION
FOR
TRANSFER TO
SECONDARYSCHOOL
ACADEMIC YEAR
20
2
3
/202
4
RECEPTION
ACADEMIC
YEAR
20
2
3
/20
2
4
NURSERY
PLACE
ACADEMIC
YEAR
20
2
3
/202
4
4. School Admissions Code July 2013
5. Some important dates
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Admissions Information
sent to parents/ schools
& Online application
Service opens
23 September 2022 11 November
2022
27 January 2023
Closing date for receipt
of preference forms
25 November 2022 20 January 2023
24 March 2023
Voluntary Aided
Schools notify Council
of results of
applications
3 February 2023 2 April 2023 5 May 2022
Notification of results
posted to parents of
applications to
Community, Voluntary
Aided and Foundation
Schools.
1 March 2023 17 April 2023 19 May 2023
1st ROUND APPEALS TO BE HEARD IN LINE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF
THE SCHOOL APPEAL CODE AND BEFORE THE START OF THE ACADEMIC
YEAR
* Nursery Decision letters for pupils who will be three before the 31 August 2023
will be sent May 2023, letters will be sent to parents of pupils who will be three
between 1 September and 31 December 2023 in October 2023 and pupils who will
be three between 1
st
January 2024 and 31
st
March 2024 will receive their
notification in January 2024.
Only applications received by the closing date for reception and transfer to
secondary school can be considered in the first round of admissions so please note
these dates in order to ensure that your application is received in time to be
considered alongside all other parents applying on time. Late applications will be
dealt with only after the first round of applications has been completed. This may
affect your child’s chances of gaining a place in the school of your choice if for
example, sufficient applications are received prior to the closing date for the council
to admit up to the admission number. This would mean, for example, that
applicants who live outside of the catchment area who apply on time are offered
places instead of pupils who live within the catchment area whose parents did not
apply by the closing date.
The arrangements for late applications are slightly different for nursery due to the
termly allocation process. Once the closing date has passed and the initial round
of allocations made for those pupils eligible for a September start date, any late
applications are added to the allocation waiting lists for younger pupils due to start
in January or April in order of the over subscription criteria.
In all cases, once the first round of allocations has been made and/or all available
places have been offered, any late applications join the waiting list or termly nursery
allocation lists as prioritised by the oversubscription criteria. If any places are
subsequently offered at the school then they will be offered as ranked by this
criteria. In this case, late catchment applications for example would have priority
6. Late Applications
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over “on time” applications categorised in lower criteria who were refused a place
in the first round.
The Vale of Glamorgan Council operated an online admissions process. This
makes it easier for parents to apply for Vale of Glamorgan school places. The
benefits of the system are:
it is quick and easy to use;
you can apply from home 24 hours a day, seven days a week;
there is no risk your application will be lost in the post;
you will receive an email confirming that your application has been
submitted and received by the council;
it is secure and has a series of security features that will prevent others from
seeing your information.
Details of the process and how to apply online is available on the council’s website
and is also included in a letter sent to parents of eligible Vale of Glamorgan pupils
who are known to the school access team in the autumn term on the launch of the
admission round for this academic year. For more details please view our web
pages or email admissi[email protected].
The traditional paper-based process is still available and requires parents to fill in
a paper application form and send it to the council. An acknowledgement will be
sent by post.
Each school has an admission number which indicates the number of pupils a
school is able to admit to a ‘relevant age group'. An admission cannot be refused
to any school in a normal year of entry until its admission number has been
reached. The admission number reflects a school's capacity to accommodate
pupils in terms of the size of the accommodation available. Once an admission
number has been reached an admission can be refused. The admission number
for each Vale of Glamorgan school is provided in Appendix 1.
In addition to Admission numbers, Government legislation determines that no child
aged 5, 6 or 7 years will be in a class of more than 30 pupils as outlined in the
Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998. This regulation places a statutory
duty upon local authorities and school governing bodies to limit to 30 the size of all
infant classes. The Council will adhere to its requirements with relation to
7. Online School Admissions
8. Applying by post
9. Admission Number/Infant Class Size Limits
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admission numbers and Infant class size limits whilst ensuring, wherever possible,
that every pupil is offered a place in a primary school within reasonable distance
of home. Parents should note however that Councils and governing bodies are not
required to comply with parents’ preferences where the admission of a pupil to a
class would be incompatible with the duty to meet infant class size limits, provided
the schools admission number had also been met.
Parents may apply for early years funding with a provider approved by Vale of
Glamorgan Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.
If your child is three years old between:
1 April – 31 August (inclusive). - your child may be eligible for funding during the
following Autumn Term
1 September – 31 December (inclusive) – your child may be eligible for funding
during the following Spring Term
1 January – 31 March (inclusive) - your child may be eligible for funding during the
following Summer Term
How is funding provided?
Application forms are available from registered childcare providers who have an
agreement with the council to provide early years education. Pupils must be
resident in the Vale of Glamorgan, and you will be required to provide a copy of
your child’s birth certificate. You will also be required to provide a Council Tax
Statement and a recent utility bill as proof of residence.
Details of nursery units and schools within the Vale of Glamorgan are listed in
appendix 1. Children are entitled to a part-time place of five half day educational
sessions from the start of the term following their third birthday and must attend
for five half days. The Council is unable to consider nursery attendance
requests for less than 5 days. It is the Headteacher’s decision whether a morning
or afternoon place will be offered. This provision may be either at a nursery school,
nursery unit of a school or an education provider registered with the Vale of
Glamorgan. Please refer to the list of registered education providers within the Vale
of Glamorgan which can be found in appendix 3.
Attendance at a Nursery Class does not automatically entitle a child to a
reception class place in the same school. A separate application will need to
be made and will be considered in line with the published criteria.
10. Early Years Funding
11. Admission to Early Years Education/ Nursery
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Nursery Schools & Classes - Qualifying dates for children to obtain a part
time place
If your child is three years old between:
1 April – 31 August (inclusive). Your child may be accepted during the Autumn
Term
1 September – 31 December (inclusive) your child may be accepted during the
Spring Term
1 January – 31 March (inclusive) your child may be accepted during the Summer
Term
If you would like information on play schemes, childcare and breakfast clubs etc.,
please refer to the section Family Information Service (FIS) or contact individual
schools.
The Council is the admissions authority for all maintained community nursery
Schools and nursery classes in community schools in the Vale of Glamorgan. No
place can be allocated at a community or controlled nursery without formal
application. The Council will normally accept children who are three years old at
the start of term (1 September, 1 January or 1 April) up to the schools approved
capacity. Where the number of applications for admission exceeds the number of
places available, places will be allocated applying the following criteria, in the order
of priority set out below, up to the approved capacity.
Parents should also note that children attending a nursery school will not have an
‘automatic’ right to continued education at the same school when moving up to a
reception class, whether residing within the catchment area or outside it. Parents
will be required to apply for their chosen school (see Primary Education Admission
Arrangements section). As nursery education is not a statutory provision there is
no right of appeal against a decision to refuse a place for a child at a particular
school.
Where a parent provides fraudulent or intentionally misleading information to obtain
the advantage of a particular school for their child, to which they would not
otherwise be entitled, the Council reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a place.
Nursery Admission oversubscription criteria
The Council is the Admissions authority for all maintained community nursery
schools and nursery classes in community and voluntary controlled schools.
Admissions are allocated termly in consideration of applications for pupils who
were three on or before the last day of the previous term (31 August, 31
December or 31 March).
12. Nursery Admission Arrangements
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Children with a statement of Special Educational Needs, when the school is named
as the most appropriate setting, will be admitted before applying the
oversubscription criteria. From 1 September 2021, section 48 of the 2018 Act
requires the governing body of a maintained school in Wales to admit a child to the
school if the school is named in the child’s individual development plan for the
purpose of that section, which is to secure the child’s admission to the school. This
duty applies despite the limits on infant class sizes and even if admitting the child
would result in the school exceeding its admission number. The duty to admit
applies at all times, including where a school is named in a plan outside the normal
admission round.
All applications are ranked by the published oversubscription criteria date
regardless of their start date within the nursery. Pupils residing in catchment or
with a sibling connection who are eligible for a nursery place later in the
academic year will therefore be provisionally allocated places prior to the
allocation of non-catchment applications even when the non-catchment
applications are for older children.
Once the initial September allocations have been made, any late applications are
added to the waiting list/ termly allocation list and places offered on that basis. In
these cases, late catchment applications, for example, will be ranked higher up
the allocation list than “on time” applications qualifying under a lower criterion.
Autumn term admissions (allocated in May for a September start date)
1. Children who will be three on or before 31 August where evidence has
been supplied to confirm that they are looked after or have been previously
looked after by a local authority in accordance with section 22 of the Children Act
1989.
2. Children who had their third birthday before the last day of the previous
term and are resident within the defined catchment area of the school on or
before the published closing date for receipt of application forms. Evidence of
permanent residence will be required. In the event of over-subscription by
applicants from this category alone, the criteria set out below, in order of priority,
will be applied to produce an order of preference;
(a) Children who have a brother or sister in attendance at the school during
the academic year in which the child is to be admitted. (Where preferences
exceed places available, the council determines priority by reference to the age
of the pupils’ youngest sibling in the school, the youngest commanding the
highest degree of priority).
(b) Children in chronological date of birth order, the oldest being admitted first.
If two or more children have the same date of birth priority will be given to
children living nearest the school as measured by the shortest available walking
route, those living nearest will have priority. The council uses a Geographical
Information System (GIS) to calculate home to school distances.
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3. Children who had their third birthday before the last day of the previous
term and whom the Council judges that there are compelling medical or social
grounds for their admission to a specified nursery school/class i.e. those children
recommended for placement with regard to medical, psychological or special
education reasons. (Written recommendations from appropriate external
agencies or professional advisers will be required in such cases)
4. Children who had their third birthday before the last day of the previous
term and have a brother or sister in attendance at the school during the academic
year in which the child is to be admitted (Where preferences exceed places
available, the council determines priority by reference to the age of the pupils’
youngest sibling in the school, the youngest commanding the highest degree of
priority).
Spring term admissions (Allocated in October for a January start date)
5. Children who will be three on or before 31 December where evidence has
been supplied to confirm that they are looked after or have been previously
looked after by a local authority in accordance with section 22 of the Children Act
1989.
6. Children who will be three on or before 31 December, resident within the
defined catchment area of the school on or before the published closing date for
receipt of preference forms. Evidence of permanent residence will be required.
In the event of over-subscription by applicants from this category alone, the
criteria set out at point 2 (a) and (b) above, in order of priority, will be applied to
produce an order of preference.
All remaining applications will be prioritised using points 3 and 4 above.
Summer term admissions (allocated in January for an April Start date)
7. Children who will be three on or before 31 March where evidence has
been supplied to confirm that they are looked after or have been previously
looked after by a local authority in accordance with section 22 of the Children Act
1989.
8. Children who will be three on or before 31 March, resident within the
defined catchment area of the school on or before the published closing date for
receipt of preference forms. Evidence of permanent residence will be required. In
the event of over-subscription by applicants from this category alone, the criteria
set out at point 2 (a) and (b) above, in order of priority, will be applied to produce
an order of preference.
All remaining catchment applications will be prioritised using points 3 and 4
above.
Remaining applications
9. Where there are still spaces available after applying the criteria above,
these will be allocated to children who had their third birthday before the last day
of the previous term (31
st
August, 31
st
December or 31
st
March) with priority given
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to those living nearest the nursery school/class as measured by the shortest
available walking route, those living nearest having priority. The council uses a
Geographical Information System (GIS) to calculate home to school distances.
Proof of Residency
In all cases evidence of permanent residence of a pupil at the time of application
is required. Any place approved on the basis of residence will be withdrawn if the
pupil is not permanently resident at the address at the beginning of the school term
to which the application relates.
Where a child permanently lives at two addresses over the course of a school
week, then the home address will be determined as the address where the child
lives for the majority of the week (i.e. 4 out of 7 days). Parents will be required to
provide documentary evidence confirming the child is resident at the address they
wish to be considered for allocation purposes. This will be legal documentation,
Child Benefit confirmation, evidence from Social Services, Health Professionals or
other professionals.
Withdrawal of Places
Where a parent provides fraudulent or intentionally misleading information to obtain
the advantage of a particular school for their child, to which they would not
otherwise be entitled, the LA will withdraw the offer of a place.
Admission to Nursery Classes Some Questions Answered
I have had my child’s name down at the school of my choice since he/she
was born. Does that guarantee I will get a place or give me an advantage over
other applicants?
No. Although schools sometimes find it helpful to keep lists, those lists are not
relevant to the admission process. Parents must still apply through the admitting
authority for a place at the school. The application will be processed using
applications received and by applying the published admission criteria. There is no
advantage to having your child’s name on a list at a school.
I have another child attending the school of my choice, but we live out of
catchment. Does having a sibling at the school put my child in a higher
criterion?
Having a sibling at the school is part of the criteria used, but does not guarantee
you a place at the school of your choice. Catchment children will still always take
priority.
My childcare arrangements make it important for me to get a place at the
school of my choice, which is outside my catchment area. Will this be taken
into consideration?
Unfortunately childcare arrangements cannot be taken into account. Catchment
children will always be placed as the highest priority to children from outside the
catchment area.
When will my child be eligible to start?
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If your child is 3 between:
1 April – 31 August (inclusive). Your child may be accepted for the following
Autumn Term (September)
1 September – 31 December (inclusive) your child may be accepted for the
following Spring Term (January)
1 January – 31 March (inclusive) your child may be accepted for the following
Summer Term (April)
Your child can start full time education in the September following their fourth
birthday, so, depending on their date of birth they may attend nursery for up to 5
terms.
The Council’s policy allows all children who have attained their fourth birthday on
or before the 31
st
August to attend full time school that September. This, however,
is not a legal requirement. Some parents may choose not to send their children to
school until later in the year or when they reach five years old and are of statutory
school age. This will be a matter for parental decision however when considering
this, please ensure that you are aware of the significant implications of this
decision. The School Access Team would be able to provide you with advice as
will individual schools if you are considering this course of action.
For information purposes, compulsory school age is defined as the start of the term
following a child’s fifth birthday. If your child is five on or before:
1 September
1 January or
1 April
then they must be enrolled at school at the beginning of that term. For example, a
child who became five on 31 August would be of compulsory school age for the
September term; a child who became five on 1 September would not be of
compulsory school age until the start of the January term.
Out of Chronological Age Applications
The Vale of Glamorgan Council operates a separate policy on Out of Chronological
Age applications. If a parent requests to place their child in a year group that is
outside of their chronological age group and the request is at the point of
admissions, the Local Authority will consider each request based on their individual
circumstances.
The appropriate admission authority for this category of schools is the governing
body to which all applications should be made. The Council and other admission
authorities within its geographical area must however agree common offer dates
13. Statutory School Age
14. Voluntary Aided Schools
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in order to assist parents. Voluntary Aided Schools have their own published
oversubscription criteria. These can be found in appendix 6. Contact details for
each school are given in the school list in appendix 1. The school website is also a
useful source of information.
The Council is coordinating admissions for eight partner voluntary aided schools
who are their own admissions authority, these include;
● All Saints CIW Primary;
Llansannor CIW Primary;
St Andrews CIW Primary;
St Brides CIW Primary;
St David’s CIW Primary;
St Joseph’s R.C Primary;
Wick & Marcross CIW Primary;
St Richard Gwyn Catholic Secondary School
In addition to Vale of Glamorgan Community Schools you can now also apply for
places in these schools by applying to the Council direct or using the Councils
online application service. Please ensure that you have read and clearly
understood the admission criteria for each school above that you are applying for.
In order to ensure that wherever possible pupils access a place at their local school,
an equal preference system is in place for applications to primary school where
parents are invited it to identify up to 3 preferences. Parents are strongly
recommended to list 3 different Primary Schools, at least one being their catchment
area school.
The Council is the admission authority for all maintained Community and Voluntary
Controlled Infant and Primary Schools in the Vale of Glamorgan. In the case of a
voluntary aided school the appropriate admissions authority is the governing body
to which all applications for admission should be made. Applications for reception
places for the eight partner voluntary aided schools mentioned in section 13 are to
be made to Council direct using the Councils online application service. The
Council will ensure, as far as possible, that every pupil is guaranteed a place in a
primary school within reasonable distance of home.
All parents are required to express a preference by applying for the school they
wish their child to attend/transfer to, even if it is a catchment area school. In the
autumn term parents of eligible Vale of Glamorgan pupils known to the admissions
authority will be invited to apply for their preferred primary school for the following
September. Parents will be notified of decisions in line with the timetable provided
in this guide. Attendance at a nursery class does not entitle a child to a reception
class place in the same school. A separate application must be made. No
guarantee can be given that a parent’s preference can be met in every case as
requests for places in certain schools may exceed the number of places available.
15. Primary School Admissions
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All Primary schools are listed in appendix 1 of this document. Primary schools are
categorised as “Community Schools”, “Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled
Schools” and “Voluntary Aided Schools” (which can either be Church in Wales or
Catholic). The Council will meet parental preference wherever possible provided
there are spaces available and a school’s admission number will not have been
exceeded. However, where the number of applications for admission to a school
exceeds the number of places available, places will be allocated applying the
admission criteria, in the order of priority, set out below.
Children with a statement of Special Educational Needs or Individual Development
Plan, when the school is named as the most appropriate setting, will be admitted
before applying the following oversubscription criteria.
1. Children where evidence has been supplied to confirm that they are looked
after or have been previously looked after in accordance with Section 22 of
the Children Act 1989.
2. Children who are currently permanently resident within the designated
catchment area of the school on or before the published closing date for
receipt of preference forms. Evidence of permanent residence of a child
must be supplied if requested. In the event of over-subscription by
applicants from this category alone criteria (4), (5) and (6), in order of
priority, would be applied to produce an order of preference.
3. Children not currently permanently resident within the designated
catchment area of the school whose parents have satisfied the Council, on
or before the published closing date for receipt of preference forms, that the
child will be taking up residence within the catchment area by the
commencement of the school term to which the application relates. In the
event of over-subscription by applicants from this category alone criteria (4),
(5) and (6), in order of priority, would be applied to produce an order of
preference.
4. Children in respect of whom the Council judges that there are compelling
medical or social grounds for their admission to a specified primary school
i.e. those children recommended for placement at a named school with
regard to medical, psychological or special education reasons. (Written
recommendations from the appropriate external agencies or professional
advisers will be required in such cases). In the event of over-subscription by
applicants from this category alone criteria (5) and (6), in order of priority,
would be applied.
5. Children who have a brother or sister in attendance at the school in
Reception to Year 6 during the academic year in which the child is to be
admitted. In the event of over-subscription by applicants from this category
16. Primary Education Oversubscription Criteria
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alone, the Council will determine priority and allocate places by reference to
the age of the pupil’s youngest sibling in the school, the youngest
commanding the highest degree of priority.
6. In determining applications for admission in respect of other pupils the
Council gives regard to the proximity of the pupil’s home to the primary
school as measured by the shortest available walking route, those living
nearest will have priority. The Council uses a Geographical Information
System (GIS) to calculate home to school distances and is updated regularly
to ensure the most accurate information is used to calculate the distances
used to consider applications.
In order to ensure that wherever possible pupils access a place at their local school,
an equal preference system is in place for applications to primary school where
parents are invited it identify up to 3 preferences. Parents are strongly
recommended to list 3 different Community Primary Schools, at least one being
their catchment area school.
Expressing a preference does not guarantee admission to a chosen school. It will
give the children of applicant’s priority over children whose parents have not
expressed a preference for that school. If parents do not apply for 3 different
Community Primary Schools or submit their application late, it will be less likely the
child will be able to attend their preferred or catchment school as late applications
will be assessed after the applications considered in the initial round and their
preferred or catchment school may already be fully subscribed.
Parents are advised to complete the application carefully and provide as much
information (including supporting documentary evidence where necessary) as
possible as this will be used for assessing where the child will be on the list for
each school applied for. The council use an ‘Equal Preference Scheme’ to decide
which school can be offered. This means that when we are making decisions, we
don’t take into account the order that parents have put the schools in your
application. Each preference will be assessed against the Council’s admissions
criteria, so it is important that applicants read and understand these fully. The
council can only offer one place within a Community school so when we are
allocating places if we can offer more than one place, we will always offer the
school that you have listed as the highest preference. This is why the order parents
put the schools in is so important.
Proof of Residency
In all cases evidence of permanent residence of a pupil at the time of application
is required. Any place approved based on residence will be withdrawn if the pupil
is not permanently resident at the address at the beginning of the school term to
which the application relates.
Where a child permanently lives at two addresses over the course of a school
week, then the home address will be determined as the address where the child
lives for the majority of the week (i.e. 4 out of 7 days). Parents will be required to
provide documentary evidence confirming the child is resident at the address they
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
19
wish to be considered for allocation purposes. This will be legal documentation,
Child Benefit confirmation, evidence from Social Services, Health Professionals or
other professionals.
Withdrawal of Places
Where a parent provides fraudulent or intentionally misleading information to obtain
the advantage of a particular school for their child, to which they would not
otherwise be entitled, the LA will withdraw the offer of a place.
These are the answers to some of the questions parents ask most often about
admission to reception classes.
At what age can my child enter reception class?
Children are admitted to reception classes in the September following their fourth
birthday. This is not compulsory, but all children by law must start school no later
than the first day of the term after their fifth birthday. Current policy allows for a
single intake in September, which enables reception age pupils to be admitted to
school full time in the September of the academic year in which they are five
years old. Any child reaching the age of five between 1 September and 31
August may be admitted into school at the start the autumn term before their fifth
birthday. (Please see Statutory School Age section).
Is my child automatically guaranteed a place in the reception class of a
school where he/she attends nursery?
No. The attendance at a nursery class attached to a school, will not automatically
entitle a child to a reception class place at the same school. An application must
be made. Priority will always be given to those children who live within the
catchment area of the school following application of the published criteria.
Attendance in the nursery class is not a factor given consideration in the
oversubscription criteria.
How are admissions decided if a school is oversubscribed?
In the event of oversubscription i.e. where there are more applications than
places available, applications will be admitted applying the oversubscription
criteria published in this document. In the case of Voluntary Aided and Catholic
Schools please refer to the admission criteria detailed at appendix 6.
What arrangements are there for me to appeal?
All parents have a statutory right of appeal against decisions made to refuse an
admission to a school once their child reaches statutory school age. Parents who
have applied unsuccessfully will be informed in writing of the decision made,
offering the right to appeal with a closing date for submission. The appeal will be
heard by an Appeal Panel which is independent of the Council and whose
decision is binding. Please refer to the section on Appeals for further information.
17. Admission to Reception Classes - Some Questions Answered
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The Secondary schools in the Vale of Glamorgan are listed in appendix 1 of this
booklet. Secondary schools are classified as Community, Foundation or Aided
Schools. The Council is responsible for the admission arrangements for
Community Schools, whilst individual school governing bodies are responsible for
the Foundation and Aided sector. Applications for St Richard Gwyn Catholic High
School are to be made to Council direct using the Councils online application
service
Children normally transfer to secondary school in the September following their
eleventh birthday. In the autumn term Parents of Year 6 pupils are invited to apply
for their preferred secondary school for the following September. In deciding upon
admissions, the Council will consider each individual application received by the
published closing date. No guarantee can be given that parents` preference can
be met in every case as requests for places in certain schools may exceed the
number of places available. The Council will meet parental preference wherever
possible provided there are spaces available and a school’s admission number will
not have been exceeded. However, where the number of applications for
admission to a school exceeds the number of places available, places will be
allocated applying the admission criteria, in the order of priority, set out below.
Children with a statement of Special Educational Needs or Individual Development
Plan, when the school is named as the most appropriate setting, will be admitted
before applying the following oversubscription criteria.
1. Children where evidence has been supplied to confirm that they are
looked after or have been previously looked after by a local
authority in accordance with section 22 of the Children Act 1989.
2. Pupils who are currently permanently resident within the designated
catchment area of the school on or before the published closing date for
receipt of preference forms. Evidence of permanent residence of a child
must be supplied if requested. In the event of over-subscription by
applicants from this category alone criteria (4), (5), (6) and (7), in order of
priority, would be applied to produce an order of preference.
3. Pupils not currently permanently resident within the designated catchment
area of the school whose parents have satisfied the Council, on or before
the published closing date for receipt of preference forms, that the child will
be taking up residence within the catchment area by the commencement of
the school term to which the application relates. In the event of over-
subscription by applicants from this category alone criteria (4), (5), (6) and
18. Moving from Primary to Secondary School
19. Secondary School oversubscription criteria
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
21
(7), in order of priority, would be applied to produce an order of preference.
4. Pupils who were on roll at a previous feeder primary school prior to the
withdrawal of the feeder school arrangement in September 2020. In the
event of over-subscription by applicants from this category alone criteria
(5), (6), and (7), in order of priority, would be applied to produce an order
of preference.
5. Pupils in respect of whom the Council judges that there are compelling
medical or social grounds for their admission to a specified secondary
school i.e. those children recommended for placement at a named school
due to medical, psychological or special education reasons. (Written
recommendations from the appropriate external agencies or professional
advisers will normally be required in such cases). In the event of
oversubscription by applicants from this category alone criteria (6) and (7)
would be applied to produce an order of preference.
6. Pupils who have an elder brother or sister at the school in years 7 to 11
during the academic year in which the child is to be admitted. In the event
of over-subscription by applicants from this category alone, the Council will
determine priority and allocate places by reference to the age of the pupil’s
youngest sibling in the school, the youngest commanding the highest
degree of priority.
7. In determining applications for admission in respect of other pupils the
Council gives particular regard to the proximity of the pupil’s home to the
secondary school as measured by the shortest available walking route,
those living nearest will have priority. The Council uses a Geographical
Information System (GIS) to calculate home to school distances.
Only applications received by the published closing date for receipt of preference
forms will be considered in the initial round of allocation of places.
In all cases evidence of permanent residence of a pupil at the time of application
is required. Any place approved based on residence will be withdrawn if the pupil
is not permanently resident at the address at the beginning of the school term to
which the application relates.
Where a child permanently lives at two addresses over the course of a school
week, then the home address will be determined as the address where the child
lives for the majority of the week (i.e. 4 out of 7 days). Parents will be required to
provide documentary evidence confirming the child is resident at the address they
wish to be considered for allocation purposes. This will be legal documentation,
Child Benefit confirmation, evidence from Social Services, Health Professionals or
other professionals.
Where a parent provides fraudulent or intentionally misleading information to obtain
the advantage of a particular school for their child, to which they would not
otherwise be entitled, the LA will withdraw the offer of a place.
In order to ensure that wherever possible pupils access a place at their local school,
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
22
an equal preference system is being introduced for applications to secondary
school. This system is already in place for reception and nursery applications
where parents are invited to identify up to 3 preferences. Parents are strongly
recommended to list 3 different Community Secondary Schools, at least one being
their catchment area school. In the case of applicants for Ysgol Gymraeg Bro
Morgannwg, it is acknowledged that parents may choose to only nominate the
Welsh Medium Secondary School however applicants can nominate an alternative.
if they wish.
Expressing a preference does not guarantee admission to a chosen school. It will
give the children of applicant’s priority over children whose parents have not
expressed a preference for that school. If parents do not apply for 3 different
Community secondary Schools or submit their application late, it will be less likely
the child will be able to attend their preferred or catchment school as late
applications will be assessed after the applications considered in the initial round
and their preferred or catchment school may already be fully subscribed.
Parents are advised to complete the application carefully and provide as much
information (including supporting documentary evidence where necessary) as
possible as this will be used for assessing where the child will be on the list for
each school applied for. The council use an ‘Equal Preference Scheme’ to decide
which school can be offered. This means that when we are making decisions, we
don’t consider the order that parents have put the schools in your application. Each
preference will be assessed against the Council’s admissions criteria, so it is
important that applicants read and understand these fully. The council can only
offer one place within a Community school so when we are allocating places if we
can offer more than one place, we will always offer the school that you have listed
as the highest preference. Therefore, the order parents put the schools in is so
important.
Secondary oversubscription criteria (in year transfers)
1. Children where evidence has been supplied to confirm that they are
looked after or have been previously looked after by a local
authority in accordance with section 22 of the Children Act.
2. Pupils who are currently permanently resident within the designated
catchment area of the school on or before the published closing date for
receipt of preference forms. Evidence of permanent residence of a child
must be supplied if requested. In the event of over-subscription by
applicants from this category alone criteria (4), (5), (6) and (7), in order of
priority, would be applied to produce an order of preference.
3. Pupils not currently permanently resident within the designated catchment
area of the school whose parents have satisfied the Council, on or before
the published closing date for receipt of preference forms, that the child will
be taking up residence within the catchment area by the commencement of
the school term to which the application relates. In the event of over-
subscription by applicants from this category alone criteria (4), (5), (6) and
(7), in order of priority, would be applied to produce an order of preference.
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4. Pupils who were on roll at a previous feeder primary school prior to the
withdrawal of the feeder school arrangement in September 2020. In the
event of over-subscription by applicants from this category alone criteria
(5), (6), and (7), in order of priority, would be applied to produce an order
of preference.
5. Pupils in respect of whom the Council judges that there are compelling
medical or social grounds for their admission to a specified secondary
school i.e. those children recommended for placement at a named school
due to medical, psychological or special education reasons. (Written
recommendations from the appropriate external agencies or professional
advisers will normally be required in such cases). In the event of
oversubscription by applicants from this category alone criteria (6) and (7)
would be applied to produce an order of preference.
6. Pupils who have a brother or sister in attendance at the school in years 7
to 11 during the academic year in which the child is to be admitted. In the
event of over-subscription by applicants from this category alone, the
Council will determine priority and allocate places by reference to the age
of the pupil’s youngest sibling in the school, the youngest commanding the
highest degree of priority.
7. In determining applications for admission in respect of other pupils the
Council gives regard to the proximity of the pupil’s home to the secondary
school as measured by the shortest available walking route, those living
nearest will have priority. The Council uses a Geographical Information
System (GIS) to calculate home to school distances and is updated regularly
to ensure the most accurate information is used to calculate the distances
used to consider applications.
Some Questions Answered
These are the answers to some of the question’s parents ask most often about
transfer to secondary education.
At what age will my child enter secondary school?
The Council's policy is that children transfer to secondary school in September of
any year if they have reached the age of eleven on or by 31 August in that year.
What are the arrangements for transfer from primary to secondary school?
If your child is attending a Community or a Church in Wales primary school and is
due to transfer to a secondary school next September, you will receive
correspondence from the Council in the autumn term of year 6. All parents must
apply for the school they wish their child to attend/transfer to. Failure to apply could
lead, if demand exceeds the number of places available, to some children being
denied a place at their local school. You are strongly advised to apply by the closing
20. Transfer from Primary to Secondary Education
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24
date. The Council will consider applications received prior to the closing date
before any late applications. If you wish to apply for Stanwell you should apply to
the Governing Body of the School, who will consider them in the light of their own
admission arrangements. Applications for St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School
are to be made to Council direct using the Councils online application service.
Details of the admission arrangements for the Bishop of Llandaff Church in Wales
Secondary School are available from the school itself.
How are admissions decided if a school is oversubscribed?
In deciding admissions, the council applies the published oversubscription criteria
which is found in this booklet
What should I do if I want my child to attend a denominational secondary
school, (i.e. a Church in Wales or Catholic secondary school) or a Foundation
school?
Admissions to these schools are dealt with by the Governors of each school.
Details of how to apply for Church in Wales secondary schools are distributed to
pupils in their final year at County primary schools and the Church in Wales primary
schools. Details about the admission arrangements for the Catholic secondary
school will be distributed to pupils in their final year at Catholic primary schools.
Applications for St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School are to be made to Council
direct using the Councils online application service. In addition, any parent can
obtain information about the admission arrangements for a particular
denominational or foundation school from the school itself. Admission policies and
feeder schools for our Foundation and Voluntary Aided Schools are provided in
Appendix 2 and 6.
What arrangements are there for me to appeal?
Please refer to our appeals section. An Appeal Panel is independent of the Council
and comprises of lay persons, persons who have experience in education, are
acquainted with the educational conditions in the area, or are parents of a
registered pupil at another school. Parents who have applied unsuccessfully for an
alternative Community secondary school and who wish to appeal must submit their
appeal form by the deadline provided. Appeals submitted after the deadline will not
be considered except in exceptional circumstances, e.g. where a family changes
address at a time which makes compliance with the deadline impossible. Separate
and distinct Appeal Panels hear appeals against decisions of aided and foundation
schools. Guidance on such an appeal should therefore be sought from the schools
concerned.
At what age can my child legally leave school?
A child can legally leave school on the last Friday in June following their 16th
birthday.
Parents can ask to change schools at any stage of a child’s education. They may
of course be forced to do this because they are moving to a new house, but in other
21. Transferring to a different School/ moving into the area
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25
cases it is generally considered to not normally be in the best interests of the pupil.
A change of school mid-year or after year 7 can seriously disrupt the continuity of
a child’s education and cause difficulties over curriculum compatibility, examination
arrangements etc. If your child is in years 9, 10 or 11, the range of subject options
chosen may also be a factor. If parents feel that a problem at school is so serious
as to necessitate a change, you are urged to take all reasonable steps to resolve
the issue with the school first, and then to seek advice from the Council if
necessary, before applying formally for a transfer.
Applications to transfer to a different school are normally completed ten school
days from their receipt by the School Access Team. Where more applications are
received than there are places available, the relevant oversubscription criteria will
apply. In all cases the request and the reasons for the request may be shared with
Headteacher of both the current and prospective schools. Parents should not
remove children from a school until an Admission to an alternative school has been
agreed. Where a need has been identified, advice may be sought from other
specialist teams within the Directorate.
As applications to transfer schools are normally completed in ten school days, the
Council would not normally process an application to transfer (outside the annual
admission round for Reception and transfer to Secondary Education) more than
six weeks before the places are required. For September places this process would
begin around mid-June in order to finalise prior to start of the summer break in July.
Applications received in school holidays would not normally be able to be finalised
until schools reopen in the new term.
The Governing Bodies of Community Schools are responsible for the
determination of admission arrangements to sixth forms. Application should
therefore be made directly to the school.
A) Denominational Education
(i) Catholic Schools
The appropriate admission authority is the governing body to which all applications
are normally made. St Richard Gwyn is the only Catholic Secondary School in the
Vale of Glamorgan which has two linked feeder schools, St Helens and St Joseph’s
Catholic Primary Schools. Parents of pupils attending these linked schools will be
advised of admission procedures and arrangements during the autumn term by the
school itself. Applications for St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School for transfer
from primary to secondary education are to be made to Council direct using the
Councils online application service. Those pupils who do not attend a linked school
but who attend another Vale of Glamorgan school will be invited to apply for a
22. Admissions to Sixth Forms
23. Admissions to Denominational Education/Foundation Schools
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26
school place by the council. If they apply for a school that manage their own
admissions, the school access team will notify the relevant school. Parents of
pupils not attending a Vale of Glamorgan primary school will need to contact the
school itself for further details and an application form. Relevant admission policies
for the school are shown in Appendix 6.
(ii) Church in Wales Schools
There is no Church in Wales Secondary Schools in the Vale. Parents wishing a
Church in Wales Secondary education will need to contact neighboring authorities.
The Council has established links with the Bishop of Llandaff CIW secondary
school in Cardiff. As the appropriate admission authority for the school is the
governing body, parents will need to contact the school for further details and an
application form. School transport would be considered to this school for Vale
pupils, subject to statutory qualifying limits. Please refer to the section on school
transport in this booklet.
B) Foundation Schools
The appropriate admission authority is the governing body to which all applications
should be made. The linked feeder schools are described in appendix 2 of this
document. Details of how to apply to Foundation Schools will be distributed to
pupils in the linked feeder schools in their final year at Vale of Glamorgan Primary
schools. Those parents of pupils not in a linked feeder school will need to contact
the schools for further details and an application form. Relevant admission policies
for foundation schools are shown in Appendix 6.
All parents have the right to appeal if they are refused a place for their child at a
school. The only exception to this is Nursery School as this is not statutory
education. If parents are dissatisfied with the result of an application for a particular
Community school, an appeal may be submitted to an Appeal Panel, which is
independent of the council, and comprises of lay members who have experience
in education, or who are acquainted with the educational conditions in the area, or
are parents of registered pupils at a school. Separate and distinct Appeal Panels
hear appeals against decisions of the Governors of Church and Foundation
Schools. Guidance on such an appeal should therefore be sought from the school
concerned. An appeal must be made in writing on the appropriate form by the
prescribed deadline, setting out the grounds on which it is made. Parents who
submit an appeal will be given the opportunity to speak before the Appeal Panel if
they wish. The decision of an Appeal Panel is final and is binding on the Council or
the Governors, as appropriate. In the case of an unsuccessful appeal, unless there
is subsequently a significant change in the circumstances relating to the original
application there will be no further right of appeal available as far as the academic
year in question is concerned.
School admission appeals held during the academic year September 2021
24. Statutory Appeals
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27
to July 2022
There were 89 appeals held during the academic year 2021/22. The outcomes
were as follows: (to be updated)
School Number of
appeals
outcome
Barry Island Primary 1 1 Unsuccessful
Cadoxton Primary 2 2 Unsuccessful
Cogan Primary 4 4 Unsuccessful
Evenlode Primary 7 7 Unsuccessful
Gwenfo C.W Primary 2 2 Unsuccessful
Llangan Primary 1 1 Unsuccessful
Palmerston Primary 2 2 Unsuccessful
St Athan Primary 1 1 Upheld
Sully Primary 7 2 Upheld, 5 Unsuccessful
Victoria Primary 4 4 Unsuccessful
Y Bont Faen Primary 2 1 Upheld, 1 Unsuccessful
Ysgol Bro Morgannwg 4 4 Unsuccessful
Cowbridge Comprehensive 3 3 Unsuccessful
Pencoedtre High 4 4 Unsuccessful
St Cyres Comprehensive 9 9 Unsuccessful
Whitmore High 35 4 Upheld, 31
Unsuccessful
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Where an application is refused, the pupil will be placed on a waiting list until the
end of the current academic term following their application (Sept-Dec, Dec-Apr,
Apr-Jul). This waiting list is ranked in the order of the relevant oversubscription
criteria and therefore their position on the list is subject to change if, for example
additional applications qualifying under higher criteria are received. No account is
taken of the length of time the pupil has been on a waiting list, the particular infant
or primary school the child is attending in the meantime or to the length of time the
school has been aware of the parental intention to apply for a place at the school.
If a parent wishes their child to remain on the waiting list for the following academic
term (Sept-Dec, Dec-Apr, Apr-Jul) they will need to contact the School Access
Team to arrange this.
When only one place is available and a parent of multiple Birth Children (i.e. twins,
triplets etc.) apply, the admission authority can normally only offer the number of
places available at the school. It will be for the parents to determine if they wish to
take the place available for one of their children. In these exceptional cases, advice
should be sought from the School Access team as in some cases in Key Stage
one, permitted exceptions apply.
This includes all children living within the same household with one or more parent
who has full parental responsibility. This includes a brother/sister; or
stepbrother/step sister; or half-brother/ half-sister adopted or fostered permanently
resident at the same address Evidence of parental responsibility may be required.
In these circumstances, advice should be sought from the School Access team.
Where a parent provides fraudulent, false or intentionally misleading information to
obtain the advantage of a particular school for their child, to which they would not
otherwise be entitled, the Council will withdraw the offer of a place. An example of
this would be a false claim to live at an address within a catchment area which
would effectively deny a place being offered to another child.
In these cases, the council can withdraw the place, even if the child has started at
the school. Where a place is withdrawn based on misleading information, the
25. Waiting Lists
26. Multiple Births
27. Definition of Siblings
28. Fraudulent/ Misleading applications
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
29
application must be considered afresh, and a right of appeal offered if a place is
refused.
The Vale of Glamorgan Council has a long history of welcoming children of UK
service personnel to our schools. The council is aware that Service families often
must relocate quickly, and proof of residency is not always available, and this is
taken into consideration when dealing with applications from UK Service families.
Due regard to welsh government advice and statutory guidance in the case of
exceptions to Infant class size limits on this matter is given. The council will:
ensure that the needs of the children of UK Service families are considered;
allocate a school place in advance of a move if the application would meet
the criteria when they move to their destination;
invite a service representative to join the admissions forum;
accept a unit postal address for applications from service personnel in the
absence of a new home postal address.
The council will not:
reserve places for blocks of these children, or
refuse a place to a child of a UK service family because the family does not
currently live in the area.
The Welsh Government has passed new legislation, called the Additional
Learning Needs (Wales) Act, and Additional Learning Needs (ALN) Code, which
will replace all of the legislation and guidance about special educational needs.
As part of the Additional Learning Needs Educational Tribunal (ALNET) (Wales)
Act 2018 the Welsh Government has replaced the term ‘special educational
needs’ (SEN) with ‘additional learning needs’ (ALN). However, the definition of
ALN is different and you may find that your child currently has SEN but will not
have ALN. This should not affect the support and help they receive in school to
access learning.
ALN will cover those who:
have a significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of others
of the same age
29. Applications for children of UK Service personnel and other
Crown Servants
30. Provision for Children who have Additional Learning Needs
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
30
have a disability which prevents or hinders them from making use of the
educational facilities generally provided for others of the same age in
mainstream maintained school or Further Education Institution.
Under the new ALN system:
- For any learner identified as having an ALN that requires additional
learning provision (ALP), the school has to create and maintain an
Individual Development Plan (IDP) and take all reasonable steps to ensure
that the necessary ALP to meet the assessed need, is secured.
- The IDP is the document that contains a description of the ALN that acts
as a barrier to the learner in achieving their educational potential and the
ALP that is necessary to overcome or mitigate this barrier. It is created
through collaboration with the learner and the learners’ parents/carers in
conjunction with any other professionals that might be involved. It is meant
to be a working document which is used to inform teaching and learning,
and not simply be part of an administrative process.
- In most cases an IDP will be maintained by a school. However, for a small
number, where the complexity of the additional provision required to meet
the needs of learners is unreasonable to expect a mainstream setting to
provide, the School can refer to the Local Authority for consideration of the
LA maintaining the IDP. It would be expected that parents / carers / young
people liaise with schools to discuss any concerns they may have.
- To ensure that the IDP continues to accurately reflect the learner’s needs
and details the provision required to meet those needs, there is a minimum
requirement for IDPs to be reviewed at least annually and revised
accordingly.
Councils have a statutory duty to provide pupils with free transport to the nearest
suitable school if they reside beyond ‘walking distance’ to that school. The law
relating to ‘walking distance’ is defined as two miles for Primary age and three miles
for secondary age, measured by the nearest available walking route.
The Vale of Glamorgan Council provides transport as follows:
for primary age pupils residing 2 miles or more from their nearest suitable
school and;
for secondary age pupils residing 3 miles or more from their nearest
suitable or ;
The council uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) software
package to measure the “walking distance”.
The definition of nearest suitable school for pupils attending a mainstream school
is the local education authority prescribed catchment area school.
31. Transport
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
31
The above distance criteria will apply to both denominational, English and Welsh
medium education provision. However, where pupils attend, as a result of parental
preference, a school other than the nearest suitable school, it must be understood
that parents accept full responsibility for transport costs and arrangements. If a
child qualifies for free transport, a place will normally be provided on a special
contract vehicle if there is one serving the particular area.
Pupils who do not qualify for free transport are sometimes permitted to travel on
special contract vehicles on payment of a fare but only where spare space exists.
It must be understood that the provision of this facility does not represent an
obligation on the Council, and dependent on the capacity of the vehicle used, may
result in the withdrawal of the facility at relatively short notice.
In cases where a pupil qualifies for free school transport, but no contract buses are
provided parents may apply for travelling expenses.
Further information regarding school transport can be found on the webpage:
http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/working/education_and_skills/schools/sch
ool_transport/school_transport.aspx
Eligibility for free school meal entitlement is provided for parents who are in receipt
of certain support payments. The relevant support payments are:
Income Support (IS)
Employment Support Allowance (Income Related) (ESA (IR)).
Income Based Job Seekers Allowance (IBJSA)
Support under Part VI of the immigration and Asylum Act 1999
Child Tax Credit (but not Working Tax Credit) with an annual income not
exceeding £16,190, but who are NOT entitled to Working Tax Credit
Guaranteed element of State Pension Credit
Children who receive IS or IBJSA in their own right are also eligible to
receive free school meals
If you think your child or children might qualify for free school meals, then you will
need to complete an application form available from the Benefits Department, Civic
Offices, Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4RU. Tel: 01446 709244 or email:
benefits@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.
A Pupil Development Grant (PDG) is available to assist families on a low income
to buy school uniform, sports kit, uniform for enrichment activities, school bags,
32. Free School Meals
33. Pupil Development Grant
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
32
stationery etc. This grant can be used to help with the following:
The purchase of school uniforms including coats and shoes
Uniform for enrichment activities including but not limited to; scouts, guides,
cadets, martial arts, sports, performing arts or dance.
Equipment e.g. school bags and stationery
Specialist equipment where new curriculum activities begin such as design and
technology
Equipment for out of school hours trips such as outdoor learning e.g. waterproofs
And laptops or tablets
Who is Eligible?
The grant is available to pupils who are eligible for free school meals or are
looked after children who are entering:
Reception class, Year 1, Year 3 or Year 5 of a maintained primary school at the
beginning of a new school year
Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10 or Year 11 of a maintained secondary school at
the beginning of a new school year
In Reception, Year 1, Year 3, Year 5, Year 7, Year 8, Year 9, Year 10, Year 11 or
equivalent in a special school, special needs resource base or a pupil referral unit
Please note this is not available to pupils attending private schools. The funding
is also available to all looked after children of compulsory school age.
The parent/guardian making the application must be receiving one of the
following:
Income Support
Income based Job Seekers Allowance (JSAIB)
Income related Employment Support Allowance (ESAIR)
Child Tax Credit, with a household income of £16,190 or less
Pension Credit (guarantee element)
Universal Credit with net household earnings of less than £7400 p/a
Working Tax Credit is not a qualifying benefit and if you are in receipt of Working
Tax Credit you will not be eligible for a Pupil Development Grant even if you get
this together with one of the income above.
How to Apply
If you meet these criteria and think your child or children might be eligible, complete
and return a Pupil Development Grant Application Form, available from
benefits@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.
The Education Maintenance Allowance provides financial support for 16-18-year
34. Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
33
old’s who are continuing with their education at schools or further education
institutions. It is means tested and to be eligible you will need to be:
Aged 16 to 18
Living in the UK
In Full Time Study
Studying eligible course
If you think you may be eligible please contact your school directly. Further
information is available at www.studentfinancewales.co.uk
The Vale of Glamorgan Council adheres to the advice, guidance and legislation
provided by Welsh Government regarding entrance for public examinations.
Further information on school policy can be gained from the school direct, along
with details of public examination results. All pupils are entitled to be entered for
public examinations at the appropriate level for the subjects they study.
Examination fees are normally paid by the school, subject to terms and conditions.
A charge is normally required for accommodation and food for children taking part
in activities involving an overnight stay and schools often request voluntary
contributions for activities and day trips. Support is available for some family’s
dependent on circumstances. For more information on what can be provided free
and what you will need to pay for, please contact your school.
In all cases, evidence of permanent residence of a pupil at the time of application
is required. Any place approved based on residence will be withdrawn if the pupil
is no longer permanently resident at the address at the beginning of the school
term to which the application relates.
Where the family states that they are already resident at the address used on the
application form, this will be checked by the School Access Team with council Tax
records and other sources. Any place approved on the basis of the address
provided will be withdrawn if this address is found to be incorrect or if the pupil is
not permanently resident at the address at the beginning of the school term to
which the application relates. Where parents/carers have shared responsibility for
a child, and the child lives with more than one parent/carer for part of the school
week then the home address will be determined as the address where the child
3
5
.
Public
Examinations
36. Charging arrangements for School Trips/Visits
37. Proof of Address/ more than one address
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
34
lives for the majority of the week (i.e. 4 out of 7 days). Parents will be required to
provide documentary evidence to support the address they wish to be considered
for allocation purposes. This will be legal documentation, Child Benefit
confirmation, evidence from Social Services, Health Professionals or other
professionals.
If a parent advises when applying that they will be moving to a new address after
the closing date but before they are due to take up the school place, this new
address will only be taken into consideration if documentary evidence is provided
with the application form prior to the closing date. This evidence will be exchange
of contract, proof of purchase or a rental agreement. If this information is not
provided, the address used for considering the application will be the current
address. Due to the high number of applications being processed, the School
Access Team will not contact the parents to request this information if it is
missing. It is the responsibility of the parent to provide it.
In certain rare cases, the particular circumstances of a child will allow for their
application to be considered under this criterion. For this to take place, disclosure
of the facts of the case should be provided confidentially by no later than the closing
date. This evidence should be from a medical professional or social services and
will need to specify that the pupil can only attend the school in question and the
specific reasons for this. In these rare cases, advice should be sought as soon as
possible from the School Access Team in advance of the closing date. Without this
evidence the application will not be able to be considered under this criterion. Due
to the high number of applications being processed, the School Access
Team will not contact the parents to request this information if it is missing.
It is the responsibility of the parent to provide it.
38. Compelling Medical and Social Needs
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
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Appendix 1
Schools maintained by The Vale of Glamorgan Council
The Admission Number indicates the normal intake number for each year group. All
schools are co-educational, unless otherwise stated.
Primary Schools
The following schools are Vale day schools that cater for pupils of both sexes
between the ages of 4 and 11 years. Those schools marked * incorporate a
Nursery Unit for younger children.
English Medium
Albert Primary School*
Albert Road, Penarth, CF64 BX
Telephone: 029 20707682
Headteacher: Mr. A Gilbert
Capacity - 385
Admission Number – 55
www.albertprimary.co.uk
Barry Island Primary School*
Clive Road, Barry, CF62 5UZ
Telephone: 01446 733807
Headteacher – Matt Gilbert
Capacity - 210
Admission Number – 30
www.barryislandprimary.com
Cadoxton Primary School*
Victoria Park Road, Cadoxton, Barry,
CF63 2JS
Telephone: 01446 741518
Headteacher: Mrs. J Hayward
Capacity - 420
Admission Number – 60
www.cadoxtonprimary.com
Cogan Primary School*
Pill Street, Cogan, Penarth, CF64 2JS
Telephone: 029 20708497
Headteacher: Susan Sibert
Capacity - 210
Admission Number – 30
Nursery provision is provided at the
former Cogan Nursery site
www.coganprimary.ik.org
Colcot Primary School*
Florence Avenue, Barry, CF62 9XH
Telephone: 01446 735719
Headteacher: Nia Cule
Capacity - 315
Admission Number – 45
www.colcotprimary.ik.org
Cowbridge School (Primary Phase)
Aberthin Road,
Cowbridge CF71 7EN
Telephone: 01446 772311/773948
Headteacher: Debra Thomas
Admission Number – 30 **
**subject to implementation of school
organisation proposal
www.cowbridgecomprehensiveschool.co.
uk
Dinas Powys Primary School*
Cardiff Road, Dinas Powys, CF64 4JU
Telephone: 029 20512151
Headteacher: Jon-Paul Guy.
Capacity - 420
Admission Number – 60
www.dinaspowysis.co.uk
Evenlode Primary School*
Evenlode Avenue, Penarth, CF64 3PD
Telephone: 029 20702168
Headteacher: Ruth Foster
Capacity - 420
Admission Number – 60
Nursery provision is provided at the
former Bute Cottage Nursery site
www.evenlodeschool.co.uk
Fairfield Primary School*
Dryden Road, Penarth, CF64 2RT
Telephone: 029 20709035
Headteacher: Sian Lewis
Capacity - 315
Admission Number – 45
www.fairfieldpenarth.co.uk
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
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Gladstone Primary School*
Gladstone Road, Barry, CF62 8NA
Telephone: 01446 735321
Acting Headteacher: Ceri-Ann Clark
Capacity - 420
Admission Number – 60
www.gladstoneprimaryschool.co.uk
High Street Primary School*
St Paul's Avenue, Barry, CF62 8HT
Telephone: 01446 734553
Acting Headteacher: Sarah McKee
Capacity - 210
Admission Number – 30
www.highstreetprimary.co.uk
Holton Primary School*
Holton Road, Barry, CF63 4TF
Telephone: 01446 734844
Headteacher: Ty Golding
Capacity – 420
Admission Number – 60
www.holtonprimary.com
Jenner Park Primary School*
Hannah Street, Barry, CF63 1DG
Telephone: 01446 735587
Headteacher: David Morris
Capacity - 216
Admission Number – 30
www.jennerparkprimary.co.uk
Llandough Primary School*
Dochdwy Road, Llandough, Penarth,
CF64 2QD
Telephone: 029 20702835
Headteacher: Mark Ellis
Capacity – 210
Admission Number – 30
www.llandoughps.ik.org
Llanfair Primary School*
The Herberts, St Mary Church,
Cowbridge, CF71 7LT
Telephone: 01446 772245
Headteacher: Rhys Jones
Capacity - 140
Admission Number – 20
www.llanfairps.com
Llangan Primary School*
Llangan, Bridgend, CF35 5DR
Telephone: 01446 772403
Headteacher: James Griffiths
Capacity - 106
Admission Number – 15
www.llanganprimaryschool.ik.org
Oakfield Primary School*
Amroth Court, Caldy Close, Barry,
CF62 9DU
Telephone: 01446 744606
Executive Headteacher: Janet Hayward
Capacity - 210
Admission Number – 30
www.oakfield-primary.co.uk
Palmerston Primary School*
Pen-y-Bryn, Cadoxton, Barry, CF63
2XL
Telephone: 01446 747393
Headteacher: Sarah Casson
Capacity- 210
Admission Number – 30
www.palmerston.ik.org
Rhws Primary School*
Fontygary Road, Rhoose, Barry, CF62
3DS
Telephone: 01446 710258
Headteacher: Matthew Worth
Capacity - 375
Admission Number – 53
www.rhwsprimary.co.uk
Romilly Primary School*
Romilly Road, Barry, CF62 6LF
Telephone: 01446 736934
Headteacher: Katy Williams
Capacity - 630
Admission Number – 90
www.romillyprimaryschool.co.uk
South Point Primary School
Rhoose Way, Rhoose, CF62 3FD
Telephone: 01446 781375
Headteacher: Colin Smith
Capacity – 210
Admission Number – 30
www.llancarfanprimaryschool.co.uk
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
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St Athan Primary School*
Rock Road, St Athan, Nr Barry, CF62 4PG
Telephone: 01446 751480
Headteacher: Louise Haynes
Capacity - 210
Admission Number – 30
www.stathanprimaryschool.co.uk
St Illtyd Primary School*
Station Road, Llantwit Major, CF61 1ST
Telephone: 01446 796335
Headteacher: Roger Hardy
Capacity - 379
Admission Number – 54
www.stilltydprimaryschool.co.uk
Sully Primary School*
Burnham Avenue, Sully, Penarth, CF64
5SU
Telephone: 029 20530377
Headteacher: Andrea Waddington
Capacity - 350
Admission Number – 50
www.sullyschool.co.uk
Victoria Primary School*
Cornerswell Road, Penarth, CF64 2UZ
Telephone: 029 20709225
Headteacher: Samantha Daniels
Capacity - 420
Admission Number – 60
(www.victoriaprimary.co.uk
Y Bont Faen Primary School*
Borough Close, Cowbridge, CF71 7BN
Telephone: 01446 772374
Headteacher: Julia Adams
Capacity - 210
Admission Number – 30
www.ybontfaen.com
Y Ddraig Primary school*
Ham Lane East, Llantwit Major, CF61 1TQ
Telephone: 01446 792368
Headteacher: Rebecca Cadman
Capacity - 420
Admission number – 60
http://www.ysgolyddraig.co.uk/
Welsh Medium
Ysgol Gymraeg Dewi Sant*
Ham Lane East, Llantwit Major, CF61 1TQ
Telephone: 01446 709595
Headteacher: Helen Scully
Capacity - 210
Admission Number – 30
www.ysgolgymraegdewisant.co.uk
Ysgol Gwaun y Nant*
Amroth Court, Caldy Close, Barry, CF62
9DU
Telephone: 01446 421723
Headteacher: Rhydian Lloyd
Capacity – 420
Admission Number – 60
www.ysgolgwaunynant.co.uk
Ysgol lolo Morganwg*
Broadway, Cowbridge, CF71 7ER
Telephone: 01446 772358
Headteacher: Sara Rees
Capacity - 210
Admission Number – 30
www.ysgoliolomorganwg.co.uk
Ysgol Gymraeg Pen y Garth*
Redlands Road, Penarth, CF64 2QN
Telephone: 029 20700262
Executive Headteacher: Nia Cule
Capacity – 420
Admission Number – 60
www.ysgolpenygarth.ik.org
Ysgol Sant Baruc*
Telephone: 01446 735595
Headteacher: Rhian Andrew
Capacity - 420
Admission Number – 60 **
** subject to implementation of school
organisation proposal
www.ysgolsantbaruc.co.uk
Ysgol Sant Curig*
College Road, Barry, CF62 8HQ
Telephone: 01446 744222
Headteacher: Rhodri Jones
Capacity - 420
Admission Number – 60
www.ysgolgymraegsantcurig.com
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
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List of Denominational (Church) Primary Schools Aided - Catholic Infant,
Junior Voluntary Aided Primary Schools
Church in Wales Voluntary Controlled Schools (4-11 Years)
Gwenfo C/W Primary School*
Old Port Road, Wenvoe, CF5 6AN
Telephone: 029 20593225
Headteacher: Nicola Starke
Capacity - 210
Admission Number – 30
www.gwenfoprimary.co.uk
Peterston-S-Ely C/W Primary
School*
Heol Llanbedr, Peterston-S-Ely CF5
6LP
Telephone: 01446 760328
Headteacher: Owen Turner
Capacity - 189
Admission Number - 27
www.peterstonprimary.net
St Nicholas C/W Primary School
St Nicholas CF5 6SG
Telephone: 01446 760239
Headteacher: Rachel Evans
Capacity – 126
Admission Number – 18
www.stnicholascinw.ik.org
St Helen's Primary School (4-11
years) *
Maes-y-Cwm Street, Barry, CF63
4EH
Telephone: 01446 732834
Acting Headteacher: Michelle
Clawson
Capacity - 308
Admission Number – 44
http://www.sthelenscps.co.uk
.
St Joseph’s Primary School (4
-
11
years) *
Sully Road, Penarth, CF64 2TQ
Telephone: 029 20702864
Headteacher: Laura Taylor
Capacity - 210
Admission Number –30
www.stjosephsrc.com
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
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Church in Wales Voluntary Aided School (4-11 Years)
Those schools marked * incorporate a Nursery Unit for younger children.
All Saints C/W Primary School*
Plas Cleddau, Off Severn Avenue,
Cwm Talwg, Barry CF62 7FG
Telephone: 01446 745726
Acting Headteacher: Mr Aled
Williams
Capacity - 210
Admission Number – 30
www.allsaintsps.net
St Bride's Major C/W Primary
School*
Heol yr Ysgol, St. Brides Major,
Bridgend CF32 OTB
Telephone: 01656 880477
Headteacher: Duncan Mottram
Capacity - 203
Admission Number – 30
www.stbridesprimary.org.uk
St David's C/W Primary School(3-
11)*
Colwinston, Cowbridge CF71 7NL
Telephone: 01656 656447
Headteacher: Ceri Hoffrock
Capacity - 210
Admission Number – 30
www.stdavidscwprimaryschoo.co.uk
Llansannor C/W Primary School*
Llansannor, Ystradowen, Cowbridge
CF71 7SZ
Telephone: 01443 223545
Acting Headteacher: Stephanie
Davies
Capacity - 210
Admission Number – 30
www.llansannorschool.net
Pendoylan C/W Primary School*
Pendoylan, Cowbridge CF71 7UJ
Telephone: 01446 760272
Headteacher: Paula Vaughan
Capacity - 210
Admission Number – 30
www.pendoylan.com
St Andrew's Major C/W Primary
School*
St Andrew's Road, Dinas Powys
CF64 4HB
Telephone: 029 20513089
Headteacher: Mrs. G Hallett
Capacity - 210
Admission Number – 30
www.standrewsweb.com
Wick and Marcross C/W Primary
School
Church Street, Wick, Cowbridge.
CF71 7QE
Telephone: 01656 890253
Headteacher: Mrs. Ceri Thomas
Capacity - 154
Admission Number – 22
www.wickmarcross.co.uk
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
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Secondary Schools Maintained by The Vale of Glamorgan Council
All the following schools are Vale of Glamorgan Comprehensive day schools. In
accordance with Section 8 (4) of the Education Act 1996 there is now a single
school leaving date. This is the last Friday in June in the school year in which a
child reaches the age of 16.
Community Secondary Schools
Foundation School
Aided School
Catholic Secondary School
Welsh Medium 3-18 School
Pencoedtre High School
Merthyr Dyfan Road, Barry, CF62 9YQ
Telephone: 01446 403500
Headteacher: Lee Humphreys
Co-Educational 11-18
Capacity - 1280
Admission Number – 210
https://www.pencoedtrehigh.org.uk/
St. Richard Gwyn Catholic Comprehensive
School
Argae Lane, Barry CF63 1BL
Telephone: 01446 729250
Headteacher: David Blackwell
Boys and Girls 11 – 16
Capacity - 813
Admission Number – 163
www.strichardgwyn.co.uk
Whitmore High School
Port Road West, Barry, CF62 8ZJ
Telephone: 01446 411411
Headteacher: Innes Robinson
Co-Educational 11-18
Capacity - 1100
Admission Number – 180
https://www.whitmorehigh.org
Cowbridge Comprehensive School
Aberthin Road,
Cowbridge CF71 7EN
Telephone: 01446 772311/773948
Headteacher: Debra Thomas
Boys and Girls 11-18
Capacity - 1586
Admission Number – 240
www.cowbridgecomprehensiveschool
.co.uk
Llantwit Major School
Ham Lane East, Llantwit Major CF61
9TQ
Telephone: 01446 793301
Headteacher: Cedric Burden
Boys and Girls 11-18
Capacity - 1050
Admission Number 180
www.llantwitschool.org.uk
St Cyres Comprehensive School
St. Cyres Road, Penarth CF64 2XP
Telephone: 029 20708708
Headteacher: Peter Lewis
Boys and Girls 11 -18
Capacity - 1285
Admission Number – 210
www.stcyres.org
Stanwell School
Archer Road, Penarth CF64 2XL
Telephone: 029 20707633
Headteacher: Trevor Brown
Boys and Girls 11-18
Capacity - 1856
Admission Number – 299
www.stanwell.org
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41
3-18 Welsh medium community school
Other Secondary Schools Serving the Vale of Glamorgan
The following secondary schools in Cardiff also serve the needs of pupils
in the Vale of Glamorgan.
The following school is a voluntary
aided comprehensive school
catering for boys and girls between
the ages of 11 and 18.
Bishop of Llandaff Church in
Wales High School
Cardiff
CF5 2NR
Telephone: 029 20562485
Headteacher:Mr Marc Belli
www.bishopofllandaff.org
The following school is the only
designated Church college under
Further Education regulations in
Wales. It caters for students from
16-19 and offers a wide range of
courses including A levels.
Students from St Richard Gwyn
Catholic Comprehensive School
are guaranteed a place on an
appropriate course.
St David's Catholic Sixth Form
College
Ty Gwyn Road
Penylan
Cardiff CF2 5YD
Telephone: 029 20498555
Principal: Mark Leighfield
www.st-davids-coll.ac.uk
Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg
Colcot Road, Barry
Telephone: 01446 450280
Headteacher: Rhys Angell Jones
Boys and Girls 3 – 18
Capacity – 1151(KS 3&4)
Capacity – 210 (KS 1 & 2)
Admission Number – 240 (KS3&4)
Admission Number 30 – (KS 1 & 2)
www.bromorgannwg.org.uk
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
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Appendix 2
Transfer to Secondary Education: Feeder primary schools for Voluntary
Aided and Foundation Secondary Schools
CATHOLIC
ST RICHARD GWYN C. High School
St Helens C. Primary School
St Joseph’s C. Primary School
FOUNDATION SCHOOL
STANWELL
Albert
Evenlode
Sully
Victoria
The Admission Authority for Foundation and Catholic Comprehensive
Schools are the Governing Body.
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
43
Appendix 3
EARLY YEARS
List of Registered Providers
St Donats Playgroup
Atlantic College, St Donats, Llantwit Major CF61 1WF
01446 799276
Contact name: Donna Pearce
Swallow Playgroup
West Camp Community Centre
RAF St Athan, Barry CF62 9WA
01446 798370
Tracey O’Callaghan
A Parental Guide to School Admissions in the Vale 2023-24
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Appendix 4
Family Information Service (FIS)
FIS is a one stop information and advice service for families in the Vale of
Glamorgan. Parents can contact us to find out about the following:
Registered childcare including: child-minders, day nurseries, playgroups,
Cylchoedd Meithrin (Welsh playgroups) crèche, breakfast and after school
clubs and holiday care schemes.
Unregistered childcare including breakfast clubs, open access play
schemes, Childcare Approval Scheme, nannies, au pairs and baby sitters.
This information is tailored to parents needs and includes details of cost, opening
times, whether your child can be picked up and dropped off from school, whether
there is wheelchair access, those child-minders who have vacancies in the area,
and much more.
FIS also provide information on:
Parent & Toddler Groups and Cylch Ti a Fi
Other services and activities for children and young people age 0-19
years.
Services and activities for children with additional needs, including the
Disability Index
Summer Activities Brochure, containing details of what’s going on during
the school summer holidays.
Help with childcare costs, for example Tax Credits and Childcare
Vouchers.
Family Support Services
Training in childcare and how to set up childcare provision.
Contact details:
Telephone: 01446 704704.
Office opening hours: 8:30am – 5:00pm Mon – Thurs and 8:30am – 4:30pm
Friday. Answering service at all other times.
Facebook: Vale Family Information Service
Twitter page: @ValeFIS
Visit: www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/fis where parents can search for childcare
using our ‘on line’ childcare database
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Appendix 5
List of Special Schools and Special provision in mainstream schools
Provision for Pupils with Statements of Special Educational Needs
The following provision can only be accessed from a school referral and where
the school has followed the ALN Act and ALN Code. In most cases children and
young people with identified ALN that requires ALP will be supported in their
mainstream school with an IDP maintained by their school. However, for a small
number of pupils, where the complexity of the additional provision required to
meet the needs of learners is unreasonable to expect a mainstream setting to
provide, the School can refer to the Local Authority for consideration of the LA
maintaining the IDP. It would be expected that parents / carers / young people
liaise with schools to discuss any concerns they may have.
For further information please contact the Achievement for All Service
A multi-disciplinary team coordinated by the Lead officer for Inclusion who can be
contacted at Civic Offices, Holton Road, Barry CF63 4RU.
Telephone: 01446 709180
alncomplexneedsreferrals@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
LA Provision in Maintained Special Schools
Special School
Special Educational Needs
Ysgol Y Deri
Sully Road
Penarth
CF64 2TP
Tel: 02920 352280
Headteacher: Mr C Britten
Children with a diagnosis of autism
(severe and complex autistic spectrum
condition)
Severe and complex cognition and
learning needs
Severe physical and complex medical
needs
Boys and Girls 3-19 years
Horizon provision – Wellbeing class
at Ysgol Y Deri
Sully Road
Penarth
CF64 2TP
Tel: 02920 352280
Headteacher: Mr C Britten
Supporting learners with high anxiety
and/or other mental health related
issues
Boys and Girls – Key Stage 4 (Year
10 & 11)
Canolfan Dderw Newydd – Ysgol Y
Deri
Supporting learners with Social,
Emotional & Mental Health (SEMH)
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Key Stage 3: Years 7, 8, & 9) based at
The Amelia Trust Farm
Whitton Rosser
Barry
Vale of Glamorgan
CF62 3AS
Tel: 01446 782039
Key Stage 4: Years 10 & 11) based at
The Courthouse,
Westgate,
Cowbridge,
Vale of Glamorgan,
CF71 7AR
Tel: 01446 782039 / 774460
Teacher in Charge: Mr M Sweeden
Headteacher: Mr C Britten
difficulties.
Boys and Girls aged 11-16 years
LA Provision in Mainstream Primary Schools
School Resource
Cogan Primary School
Pill Street
Cogan,
Penarth
CF64 2JS
Telephone: 02920 708497
Headteacher: Ms S Sibert
Children with hearing impairment
Boys and Girls – Primary age pupils
High Street Primary School
St Paul’s Avenue
Barry
CF62 8HT
Telephone: 01446 734553
Acting Headteacher: Mrs S McKee
Children with social, emotional and
behavioral needs
Boys and Girls - Key Stage 2
Jenner Park Primary School Children with cognition and learning
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Hannah Street
Barry
CF63 1DG
Telephone: 01446 765587
Headteacher: Mr D Morris
difficulties
Boys and Girls - Primary age pupils
Llandough Primary School but
currently based at Ysgol Y Ddraig
Ham Lane East
Llantwit Major
CF61 1TQ
Tel: 01446 792368
Children with speech and language
difficulties
Boys and Girls - Primary age pupils
Palmerston Primary School
Pen-y-Bryn
Cadoxton, Barry
CF63 6QH
Telephone: 01446 747393
Acting Headteacher: Ms S Cason
Children with physical and complex
medical difficulties
Boys and Girls - Primary age pupils
St Illtyd Primary School
Station Road
Llantwit Major
CF61 1ST
Telephone: 01446 796335
Headteacher: Mr R Hardy
Children with a diagnosis of autism
Boys and Girls – Primary age pupils
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Canolfan Hafan – Ysgol Y Deri
based at Gladstone Primary School
Gladstone Road
Barry
Vale of Glamorgan
CF62 8NA
Tel: 01446 735321
Teacher in Charge: Ms R Evans
Headteacher: Mr C Britten
Children with behavioural, emotional,
and social difficulties
Boys and Girls - Primary age pupils
Early Intervention Base Unit –
Ysgol Y Deri
based at St Joseph's R.C. Primary
School
Sully Road
Penarth
Cardiff
CF64 2TQ
Tel: 02920 702864
Headteacher: Mr C Britten
Children with a diagnosis of autism
and pre-diagnosis
Boys and Girls Primary age pupils –
Key Stage 1
LA Provision in Mainstream Secondary Schools
St Cyres Comprehensive School
St Cyres Road
Penarth
CF64 2XP
Telephone: 02920 708708
Headteacher: Mr Peter Lewis
Children with additional hearing needs
Children with additional physical
needs
Boys and Girls – Secondary School
aged 11-16 years
Whitmore High School
Port Road West
Barry
Pupils with a diagnosis of autism
Boys and Girls Secondary school age
aged 11 – 16 years
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CF62 8ZJ
Tel: 01446 411411
Executive Headteacher: Dr V Browne
Head of School: Mr I Robinson
Appendix 6
Admissions Policies for Voluntary Aided Church in Wales Schools
Voluntary schools’ governing bodies are responsible for their own admissions, and
each school has its own admissions policy. Applications should therefore be made
to the school, not the Council. For full details of the procedure and closing dates
etc. parents should contact the school as soon as possible. In this section the
admissions criteria for each voluntary aided school in the Vale of Glamorgan are
listed for you to consider. These policies were correct at the time of publication
however please ensure you contact the schools direct for full details as changes
may occur.
All Saints church in Wales Voluntary Aided Primary School
All Saints Church in Wales Primary School is Voluntary Aided and co-educational.
One of its foremost aims is to provide a Christian education in accordance with the
rites, ceremonies and doctrines of the Anglican faith as practised by the Church in
Wales. Parents should be aware that the faith and doctrines of the Church in Wales
are an integral part of the curriculum and, as such, are implicit in everything we do
at school. The school’s Admissions Policy is reviewed annually.
Arrangements for Admission of Pupils
The standard admission number is the number of children that the Governing Body
will admit to its Reception Class. The standard number of pupils admitted to the
Reception Class in this school is 30 – provided that pupils are four years of age on,
or before, the preceding 31st August. Applications from families in the Nursery Unit
will be considered on the same basis as all others but when considering places for
morning nursery, priority will be given to those pupils who have attended afternoon
nursery. The offer of a place in the Nursery Unit does not guarantee a place in the
Reception Class.
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Casual Admission
Where an existing class number has reached 30, no new admissions will take place
until a place becomes available. Places will be offered during the school year if
there is room in the year group.
Religious Education and Collective Worship
Religious education and collective worship takes place within the school according
to the denominational teaching and practice of the Church in Wales.
Criteria for Determining Admission
Children of parents, who wish them to attend All Saints Church in Wales Primary
School, subject to the availability of places within current legislation, will be enabled
to do so providing that the number seeking admission does not exceed the
accommodation available.
Over Subscription Criteria
If the number of applications does exceed the standard number, the Governing
Body will admit children to the school in the following criteria.
Firstly:
Category A – Looked After Children
Looked After’ Children (LAC) in the care of the Local Authority, or provided with
accommodation by them e.g. foster parents (Section 106 of the Education Act 2005
and Education (Admission of Looked After Children) (Wales) Regulations 2009 and
previously Looked After Children. Looked after children of faith will have priority
over looked after children not of faith.
Category B – Exceptional Reasons
Children with a statement of educational need, when the school is named as the
most appropriate setting.
Secondly: Children who have a sibling (see definitions) who is a pupil registered
At the school on the date when the applicant child is due to commence School
Thirdly: Children whose parents can demonstrate regular involvement in an
Anglican community who reside
a) in the Rectorial Benefice of Barry
b) in neighbouring parishes
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Fourthly: Children of other denominations whose parents can demonstrate their
regular involvement in a Christian community
a) in the Rectorial Benefice of Barry
b) in neighbouring parishes
Fifthly: Children who:
a) reside in the Rectorial Benefice of Barry
b) reside in the neighbouring areas within the Vale of Glamorgan whose parents
express a desire for them to be educated in the school, and to take a part in the
school worship and religious education provided.
Sixthly: Children who do not fall into any of the above categories
Priority will be given to those whose place of residence is closest to the school.
Application Forms
Admission application forms are available, on request, and need to be returned by
the date advised by the school. The forms will then be considered by the
Admissions Sub-committee of the Governing Body. Once all applications have
been considered, firm offers of places for entry, in the following September, will be
sent to parents / carers.
Unsuccessful Applicants
All unsuccessful applicants will be put on a waiting list. If additional places become
available, they will be allocated to those on the waiting list on the basis of the
oversubscription criteria, and not on the date the application was added to the list.
The waiting list will remain in operation until 31st August 2017 or until the place is
no longer required.
Appeals Procedure
All unsuccessful applicants have the right of appeal to an independent Admissions
Appeal Panel, administered by the Llandaff Diocesan Board of Education,
according to the Welsh Assembly Government’s Code of Practice on School
Admissions Appeals. To exercise that right, the appeal must be made in writing to
the Clerk of the Governors at the school within 15 days of receiving the letter of
refusal. There is no Appeals Procedure for Nursery places.
Definitions
Regular involvement in an Anglican/ Christian community
The determination of regular involvement in an Anglican community/ other
Christian community is made by reference to the application form and supporting
letter from parish clergy, ministers, pastors etc.
Place of Residence
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Residence is deemed to be the child’s usual place of residence – a residential
property at which the parent/s or carers reside at the closing date for receiving
applications for admission to the school. Where parental responsibility is held by
more than one person, and those persons reside in separate properties, the child’s
usual place of residence will be deemed to be that property at which the child
resides for the greater part of the week, including weekends.
Proximity
Priority within each of the above will be based on the proximity of the home to the
school. Proximity is measured by calculating the shortest distance from the home
to the school, using the home and school post codes.
Sibling
For the sibling criteria to be applicable, one of the following conditions must exist:
●a brother and/ or sister (including half brothers/ sisters) is to be permanently
resident at the same address
●a stepbrother and/ or stepsister is to be permanently resident at the same address
●for multiple birth children (the eldest) would be admitted (for any criteria) and
due to oversubscription their siblings are not, the siblings would have priority on
the waiting list *, for the next available place (unless a child from criteria 1 or 2 was
added to the list within this time, who would then take priority).
Parent
●A ‘parent’ is defined as someone who has parental responsibility for the child or
a primary carer.
Llansannor & Llanharry C/W Primary School
Llansannor and Llanharry Church in Wales Primary School is a Voluntary Aided
primary school with a strong and distinctive Christian character. The admissions
and over-subscription policy are based on the following principles:
●The school’s Christian ethos and its close links with its local Anglican churches,
emphasising the importance of prayer, worship and Christian teaching;
●The school’s commitment towards supporting the family, equal opportunities and
non-elitism;
● Our role as a local educational establishment serving the local community;
● Our role as a school fulfilling its statutory educational requirements.
1. Dates for submitting applications
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Applications for Reception should be submitted in line with the Vale of Glamorgan’s
school’s admission dates which are agreed and published annually. All dates
regarding admission to Nursery and Reception will be published in advance,
including on the school’s website.
2. Admissions Number
The capacity of the school is calculated using the Welsh Government Circular
021/2011- Measuring the capacity of schools in Wales. The capacity of the school
is 210 pupils. The admission number is the number of pupils that the Governing
Body shall admit to a year group in the school and is calculated from the capacity
of the school. The admission number for this school calculated by the Local
Authority is 30.
3. Class sizes
The school will ensure compliance with Welsh Government’s directive to ensure all
foundation phase (reception to year 2) class sizes are limited to 30 children. Across
key stage 2 (years 3 to 6), the average class is 30 pupils.
4. Admission to the Nursery Classes
Llansannor & Llanharry C/W Primary School offers part-time Nursery places five
mornings and five afternoons each week. Children are admitted to the morning
nursery class in the autumn term of the academic year of their fourth birthday. (The
academic year runs from 1st September to 31st August.)
There is also a rising 3’s afternoon Nursery class to which pupils are admitted at
the beginning of the half term following their 3rd birthday.
The school admits up to 32 nursery pupils each year in each class. In the event of
more than 32 applications for nursery places, the same oversubscription criteria
would be applied as set out for the allocation of places in the Reception class (refer
to point 7 below).
Applications for Nursery places should be submitted directly to the school by the
last school day before the February half term break. Parents will be notified of the
decision on the last day of the spring term, prior to the Easter break. As in all
schools, children who are admitted to our nursery classes will not have an
automatic right of admission to full time education (reception class) at our school.
A child’s name can be entered onto the waiting list at any age from birth to school
age, but no guarantee of a place can be given.
Operation of Waiting List
Children will only be entered onto the waiting list when the form is returned to the
school office. The child’s name and details will be entered onto the nursery waiting
list under the term after which the child turns 3 years old. Entry onto the waiting list
is no guarantee of a nursery place.
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Admission to the Reception year and any child joining one of the older years
Children who are four years of age up to and including 31st August in a given year
shall be eligible for admission to Reception in September of that year.
Applications should be made via the Vale of Glamorgan website in line with
published dates. All applications must be received by the beginning of January
(see website for exact date each year). Decisions will be made by the school’s
Admissions Committee and parents will be informed whether their child will have a
place that April.
All applicants up to the admission number of 30 will be admitted. Where
applications for the Reception class exceed the admission number, all applications
will be assessed against the oversubscription criteria below, in the order stated, in
order to allocate places up to the admission number.
Oversubscription Criteria
The Governing Body shall give priority to:
1. Looked after children and previously looked after children.
2. Children with a Statement of Special Educational Need, which names the school,
as determined by the Local Education Authority.
3. Children who have a sibling who is currently registered at the school on the date
the applicant is due to commence full time education (reception to year 5).
4. Children of parents who are actively involved in an Anglican church (at least
twice a month) within the school catchment area, as defined on the attached map.
5. Children of other Christian denominations or faiths, that live within the school
catchment area as defined on the map attached and are actively involved with their
faith community. Priority shall be given to those residing in closest proximity to the
school, using the Geographical Information System (GIS) to measure distance.
6. Children who live within the school catchment area, as defined on the attached
map. Priority shall be given to those residing in closest proximity to the school,
using the Geographical Information System (GIS) to measure distance.
7. Children of parents who live outside the school catchment area, as defined on
the attached map, and are actively involved in an Anglican Church (at least twice
a month).
8. Children of parents who live outside the school catchment area and are actively
involved in other Christian denominations or faiths (at least twice a month).
9. Children whose parents wish them to be educated at Llansannor & Llanharry
CiW Primary School.
All children who are not offered a place will be entered onto a waiting list until 30th
September in the school year for which they have applied. The school will contact
Parents/ Guardians, should a place become available.
All children who are not offered a place will be put onto a waiting list, until 30
th
September in the school year for which they have applied. The school will contact
Parents/ Guardians, should a place become available.
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Definitions
Definition of active involvement at a church:
By active involvement at a church we understand the following: baptism; regular
church attendance (at least fortnightly); Sunday school and/or Messy Church
attendance. Baptism shall be considered alongside regular attendance. A more
specific indication of attendance shall be requested on the application form. When
dealing with applications based on faith commitment, parish priests or their
representatives will be contacted to verify application details.
Definition of the school catchment:
A map showing the school catchment boundary is attached to the policy. Places
are allocated on faith and residence within the area marked in a blue broken line
on the map attached.
Definition of sibling
For admission purposes a sibling is a child who is a brother/sister, half-brother/
sister (children who share one common parent), step brother/ sister (who reside at
the same address for at least part of the week). This definition also includes
adopted or fostered children at the same address. Any sibling connection must be
stated on the application form.
Distance from School
Pupils who live beyond walking distance from school and for who Llansannor and
Llanharry Primary is the nearest school or the nearest church school, will be
provided with free home/school transport by the Vale of Glamorgan Local Authority.
The Vale of Glamorgan council defines walking distance as 2 miles and provides
school buses for primary school age pupils, but not for those not in the nursery
classes. Rhondda Cynon Taff council currently provide discretionary transport
based on walking distance of one and a half miles and includes nursery class
pupils.
Escorts are provided on all buses. If there are spaces available on Vale school
buses, parents who are not eligible for free transport may be able to pay for a bus
pass. Enquiries are handled by the local authority concerned.
Place of Residence
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The child’s ordinary place of residence will be deemed to be a residential property
at which the person or persons with parental responsibility for the child resides at
the closing date for receiving applications for admission to the school.
Where parental responsibility is held by more than one person and those persons
reside in separate properties, the child’s ordinary place of residence will be deemed
to be that property at which the child resides for the greater part of the week,
including weekends.
Right of appeal:
If a child is not offered a place, parents have the right to appeal against the decision
of the Governing Body. The appeal should be made in writing within 15 days of the
notification, addressed to the Chair of Governors, c/o Llansannor & Llanharry C/W
Primary School, Llansannor, Ystradowen, Cowbridge, CF71 7SZ.
The appeal shall be considered by an independent Admission panel, administered
by the Llandaff Diocesan Board of Education, according to the Welsh Assembly
Government’s Code of Practise on School Admission Appeals. The parents are
invited to an appeal hearing within 30 school days of the specified closing date for
the receipt of appeals.
10. Applicability of this policy:
New versions of this admissions and over-subscription policy shall be effective
from 1st September, the start of the new academic year, after formal adoption by
the full governing body. This is in order to ensure that parents of applicant children
have sufficient notice of the over-subscription policy when selecting a school.
Pendoylan C/W Primary School
Admissions Policy
Pendoylan Church in Wales Primary is a voluntary aided, English medium co-
educational school with a distinctively Christian character.
It serves as the local village school for the communities of Welsh St Donats and
Pendoylan but also draws pupils from a wider area including parts of RCT such
as Miskin, Llantrisant and Pontyclun. It is the nearest Church in Wales school
serving that area. One of the school’s foremost aims is to provide a Christian
education in accordance with the denominational teaching, doctrines and practice
of the Church in Wales. It also accepts and welcomes pupils of all faiths and
denominations and none.
The Governing Body is the admissions authority for the school and reviews its
admissions policy annually.
Admissions Number
All maintained schools must admit pupils up to their published admission number.
An admission may not be refused to any school until a school’s admission number
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has been reached. The published admission number has been calculated in
accordance with the Welsh Governments school capacity calculation methodology
“Measuring the Capacity of Schools in Wales (MCSW)”. As this number is based
on the physical capacity of the school to accommodate pupils it should not be
exceeded in normal circumstances.
The standard number of children that may be admitted to the Reception class each
year is
30. This number is based on the capacity of the school (210 FTE and 30 part-
time nursery places, subject to review) also reflects the statutory class size limit.
Equality
Every child is given an equal opportunity to take up a place at Pendoylan Church
in Wales Primary, irrespective of gender, ethnicity, attainment, disability, cultural,
social or linguistic background. Discrimination of any kind towards these protected
characteristics is unacceptable and Governors welcome applications for admission
from all sections of the community, providing that applicants meet the Admissions
Policy criteria.
Admission to the Nursery
Pendoylan has a nursery class to which children are admitted in the Autumn
Term of the academic year of their fourth birthday (The academic year runs
from 1
st
September to the 31
st
of August).
Nursery places are available in the mornings. The school admits up to 30 nursery
pupils each year. In the event of more than 30 applications for nursery places, the
same oversubscription criteria would be applied as are set out below for the
allocation of places in the Reception Class. Application for places in the morning
nursery class should be submitted by the end of December of the academic year
prior to their entry to the school. The Admission Committee will notify parents of
their decision by the last day of the following Spring Term.
Attendance in the Nursery has no bearing on the admission to the main school:
securing a place in the nursery does not guarantee or increase the chances of
securing a place in the Reception class. A fresh application form will need to be
completed for admission to Reception.
The school also offers a Sessional Day Care facility in the afternoons on a
fee-paying basis. If eligible, parents can also apply for the Wales Childcare
Offer, partly funded 30 hours, for a place in the afternoons. Children are admitted
to our Sessional Day Care facility the term after their 3
rd
Birthday and applications
for afternoon sessions should be made separately.
As nursery education is non-statutory provision parents have no right of
appeal under the School Standards and Framework Act if they are
unsuccessful in gaining a nursery place.
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Admission to Reception
Children are admitted to the Reception Class in the Autumn Term of the academic
year of their 5
th
birthday. Application forms will be available from November of
the academic year prior to their entry to the school and should be returned by the
following January. Decisions will be made by the Admissions Committee and
offers of places will be issued by the end of the Spring Term. Exact dates may
change annually to coincide with other schools in the Vale and across Wales.
Late Applications received after the deadline date (except in exceptional
circumstances) will not be considered until offers have been made to those who
applied on time and responses have been received to those offers. This means
that if the school is oversubscribed a late applicant may fail to secure a place
even if they score more highly under the oversubscription criteria than applicants
who applied by the deadline.
In-Year Admission
Any pupils wishing to attend the school in-year will be subject to the same
admission and over subscription criteria. If the year group being applied for is
fully, the child will be placed on a waiting list for a term and priority will be given
in relation to the over subscription criteria. Any applicant who is unsuccessful has
the same right of appeal as stated in this policy.
Over Subscription Criteria
If the number of applicants should exceed the number of places available, the
Governing Body will apply the criteria set out below in order of priority, to
allocate places up to the published admission number.
1. ‘Looked after children’, previously ‘looked after children’
2. Children who have a sibling who is a pupil registered at the school on the
date when the applicant child is due to commence school.
3. Children living in the parish* whose parents are practising members of the
Church in Wales
4. Children living in the parish* whose families are practising members of
another Christian denomination
5. Children living in the parish* who are practising members of another faith
community
6. Other children in the parish* who wish to attend a Church in Wales Primary
School
7. Children living outside the parish* catchment area whose families are practising
members of the Church in Wales
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8. Children living outside the parish* catchment area whose families are
practising members of another Christian denomination
9. Children living outside the parish* who are practising members of another
faith community
10.Other children living outside the parish* who wish to attend a Church in Wales
Primary School
* parish= previously known as the ecclesiastical parish of Pendoylan and
Welsh St Donats which now sits in the Rectorial Benefice of the East Vale.
Please note that children with a Statement of Educational Need which names
the school as the most appropriate setting, will automatically be admitted.
The distance between family home and the school will be the determining factor
if there are more applicants in any category than the number of places
remaining. Multiple birth children will be submitted together even if this takes the
intake over the admission number if it means splitting children because one
would be the 31
st
child.
Appeals Procedure
Should your application be unsuccessful, you have the right to appeal. Such an
appeal should be made to the clerk of governors, c/o the school, within three
calendar weeks of receiving the letter refusing a place. An appeal form will be
enclosed with the letter. The appeal will be considered by an independent
Admission appeal Panel administered by the Llandaff Diocesan Board of
Education , according to the Welsh Government Code of Practice on School
Admission Appeals.
In the event that the school is oversubscribed, all children who are not offered a
place will be put on the waiting list until the end of the Autumn Term of the school
year for which they applied. Parents/guardians will be contacted should a place
become available.
Transportation
The Vale of Glamorgan Council does not provide free school transport for nursery-
age children other than those children who have a Statement of Special
Educational Needs (SEN). The Council has a statutory duty to provide free school
transport for pupils of statutory school age who reside beyond walking distance to
the nearest appropriate school.
“This is defined as more than 2 miles to the nearest suitable school for Primary
Pupils. Distances are measured by the nearest available walking route.”
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Definitions
‘Families who are practising members of the Church in Wales’, means where
at least one parent is a regular attendee of the Church in Wales and attends
church at least once a month. Confirmation will be required from the relevant
parish clergy.
‘Families who are practising members of another Christian denomination’
means where at least one parent is a regular worshipper (at least once a month)
within another Christian community (registered with CYTUN- Churches
Together in Wales). Confirmation will be required from an appropriate faith
leader.
‘Families who are practising members of another Faith Community’ means
where at least one parent is a regular worshipper (at least once a month) within
another recognised Religious community (recognised by the Interfaith Council
of Wales). Confirmation will be required from an appropriate faith leader
A map of parish boundaries which delineate the catchment area is available
at the school. Distance between home and school will be measured by an
approved GIS system. (Please see Map attachment- Appendix 1)
‘Sibling’ includes half or stepbrothers or sisters who are permanently resident
at the same address. The older sibling must still be a registered pupil at the
school on the date that the pupil applying for a place would start school.
St Andrew’s Major C/W Primary School
Admissions and Oversubscription Policy
St Andrews Major Church in Wales Primary School is a Voluntary Aided Primary
School with a distinctively Christian character. The admissions and over-
subscription policy is based on the following principles:
the school’s Christian ethos with its close links with its Parish churches,
emphasising the importance of prayer, worship and Christian teaching;
the school’s commitment towards supporting the family, equal opportunity
and non-elitism;
our role as a local educational establishment serving the local community;
our role as a school fulfilling its statutory educational requirements.
Dates for submitting applications
Applications for Nursery and Reception should be submitted in line with the Vale
of Glamorgan’s schools’ admission dates which are agreed and published
annually. All dates regarding admission to Nursery and Reception will be
published in advance, including on the school’s website and weekly newsletter.
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Applications for Reception class are made via the Vale of Glamorgan website.
Nursery applications are made directly to the school.
Admission Number
The capacity of the school is calculated using the Welsh Government Circular
021/2011 – Measuring the capacity of schools in Wales. The capacity of the school
is 210 pupils. The Admission Number is the number of pupils that the Governing
Body shall admit to a year group in the school and is calculated from the capacity
of the school. The Admission Number for this school calculated by the Local
Authority is 30.
Class sizes
The school will ensure compliance with the statutory infant class size regulations
and Key Stage 2 classes will be limited to 30 children, as per Welsh Government
directives, unless “excepted pupils” are admitted as specified by class size
regulations.
Admission to the Nursery
Part-time Nursery provision at St Andrews is for a maximum of 30 children for either
morning or afternoon places. Children are entitled to a part-time place from the
start of the Autumn Term following their third birthday. Children must attend for five
half days. Morning or afternoon places will be decided by the head teacher.
Admission to Reception
Children who are four years of age up to and including 31
st
August in a given year
shall be eligible for admission to Reception in September of that year. However,
parents may choose to defer their child’s entry until the term following their child’s
fifth birthday.
All applicants up to the admission number of 30 will be admitted. Where
applications for the Reception class exceed the admission number, all applications
will be assessed against the oversubscription criteria, listed below.
Where the number of applications for admission to the school exceeds the number
of places available, the Governing Body will apply the criteria set out below, in order
of proximity, to allocate places up to the Admission Number.
The Governing Body shall give priority to:
1. Looked after children and previously looked after children.
2. Children with a Statement of Special Educational Need, which names the
school, as determined by the Local Education Authority.
3. Children of parents who regularly attend an Anglican church in the Parish
of St Andrew’s Major with Michaelston-le-Pit.
4. Children who live within the Parish of St Andrew’s Major with Michaelston-
le-Pit.
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5. Children of parents who live outside the parish and attend an Anglican
church.
6. Children whose parents wish them to be educated at St Andrews Major
C/W Primary School.
Where the number of applicants within a category exceeds the number of
places available, the following qualifying criteria shall be applied:
1) Priority shall be given within each category to children who have a sibling,
an elder brother or sister, who already attends St Andrews Major Primary
School (in Reception to Year 5) at the time of making the application, and
shall be attending together with their sibling upon admission. Priority will
be by reference to the youngest sibling in the school, the youngest
commanding the highest degree of priority.
2) Children resident within the local parish in closest proximity to the school.
Local parish means resident within the local parish of St Andrews Major
(Dinas Powys) with Michaelston-Le-Pit. Distance shall be measured by the
safest available walking route from home to school using the Geographical
Information System (GIS) adopted by the Vale of Glamorgan. A map
showing the Parish boundary may be viewed at the school.
3) For children resident outside the parish, priority shall be given to those
residing in closest proximity to the school. Distance shall be measured by
the safest available walking route from home to school using the
Geographical Information System (GIS).
4) If when applying the oversubscription criteria the last child to be admitted is
one of a multiple birth the governors will admit the other sibling(s). In
Foundation Phase these children would be regarded as excepted children.
* All children who are not successful in being offered a place will be put on a waiting
list until 30
th
September in the school year for which they have applied. Parents/
guardians will be contacted by the school should a place become available.
DEFINITIONS:
Definition of active involvement at a church:
By active involvement at a church we understand the following: baptism; regular
church attendance (at least monthly); Sunday school attendance. Baptism shall be
considered alongside regular attendance. A more specific indication of attendance
shall be requested on the application form. When dealing with applications based
on faith commitment, parish priests or local ministers will be contacted to verify
application details.
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Definition of the local parish:
The local parish is the parish of the Rectoral Benefice of St Andrews Major, St
Peter’s and Michaelston-le-pit. A map showing the Parish boundary may be viewed
at the school.
Definition of a sibling:
For admission purposes a sibling is a child who is the brother / sister, half-brother
/ sister (children who share one common parent), step brother / sister (who reside
at the same address for at least part of the week). This definition also includes
adopted or fostered children at the same address. Any sibling connection must
be stated on the application form.
Distance from school
Distance to school shall be measured from the main entrance of the family home
(cf. place of residence) to the main gate of the school, using the Geographical
Information System adopted by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.
Place of residence
The child’s ordinary place of residence shall be deemed to be a residential property
at which the person or persons with parental responsibility for the child resides at
the closing date for receiving applications for admission to the school.
Where parental responsibility is held by more than one person and those persons
reside at separate properties, the child’s ordinary place of residence shall be
deemed to be that property at which the child resides for the greater part of the
week, including weekends.
NOTES:
Notification of the Governors’ decision:
The applicant’s parents or carers shall be informed of the Governors’ decision for
entry to Nursery and Reception (for the following September) in line with the
Local Authority published dates.
Right of Appeal:
If a child is not offered a place, parents have the right to appeal against the decision
of the Governing Body. The appeal should be made in writing within 15 days of
notification, addressed to the Chair of the Governors, c/o St Andrews Major C/W
Primary School, St Andrews Road, Dinas Powys, Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 4HB.
The appeal shall be considered by an independent Admission Appeal panel,
administered by the Llandaff Diocesan Board of Education, according to the Welsh
Assembly Government’s Code of Practice on School Admission Appeals. The
parents are invited to an appeal hearing within 14 days (ten working days) from the
date the appeal is submitted to the panel.
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* Nursery Education is not compulsory and parents have no right of appeal
if their application for a Nursery place is unsuccessful.
Applicability of this policy:
New versions of this admissions and over-subscription policy shall be effective
from 1 September (start of a new academic year) 12 calendar months after its date
of formal adoption by the full governing body. This is in order to ensure that parents
of applicant children have sufficient notice of the over-subscription policy when
selecting a school.
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St Brides Major Church in Wales V.A. Primary School
POLICY STATEMENT
ADMISSIONS
1. The Welsh Government School Admissions Code requires the Governing
Body to publish its arrangements for the admissions of pupils to the school.
The Admission Number for St. Brides Major C/W Primary school is 28.
Under the School Admissions Code of Practice of 2009 the Governing Body,
who is the Admission Authority for St. Brides Major Primary School, will
consult with the admissions authorities of other schools in the area, i.e. St.
David’s, Colwinston and Wick and Marcross as well as the Vale of
Glamorgan and the Diocesan Director of Education..
2. The aim of this policy is to set out the procedures for parents applying for a
place at the school in 2021/22 and for the consideration of these
applications by the Governing Body.
3. Parents who require a place in reception for September 2021 should
complete the Local Authority
Admission Form which can be found on their website from November
2020 and closes in January 2021.
http://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk .
Those children already admitted into the school nursery are not guaranteed
a place in the Reception class the following year.
4. The Governing Body will consider applications received by the closing date and
priority will be given to:
a. children with a Statement of Special Educational Need where the school is
named as the most appropriate setting,
b. looked after children or previously looked after children.
5. In the event of more applications being received than places available, places
will be allocated (within whichever of the categories the oversubscription first
occurs) strictly according to the oversubscription criteria (in order), as follows:
a. Children who are resident solely within the communities of Ewenny and St
Brides Major as defined by the attached map.
b. Children not currently permanently resident within the designated
catchment area of the school whose parents have satisfied the Governing
Body (by providing appropriate written evidence such as a rental agreement
or confirmation of house purchase), on or before the published closing date
for receipt of preference forms, that the child will be taking up sole residence
within the catchment area by the commencement of the school term to
which the application relates.
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c. Children who are resident some of the time within the communities of
Ewenny and St Brides Major as defined by the attached map and some of
the time elsewhere.
6. Children who will have an older sibling (full, half or step - brother/sister) attending
the school at the time of the actual enrolment at school. In the event of
oversubscription by applicants from this category alone, the Governors will
determine priority and allocate places by reference to the age of the pupil’s
youngest sibling in the school, the youngest commanding the highest degree of
priority.
7. a. Children who have a parent who is actively engaged in the life of the Anglican
Church and attend a Church in Wales service at least twice a month in the
communities of Ewenny and St Brides Major, as defined by the attached map, for
a minimum period of six months or each month since moving into the school
catchment.
b. Children who have a parent who is actively engaged in the life of the Anglican
Church and attend a service at least twice a month for a minimum period of six
months.
c. Children who have a parent who is actively engaged in the life of a non-Anglican
church or chapel and attend a service at least twice a month for a minimum period
of six months. (Applicants applying for a place under categories 7a b and c will be
expected to provide a faith reference.)
8. Should the number of applications for places still exceed the Admission number
of 30, priority will be given in any of the categories above (in order) according to
the proximity (as measured by the Local Authority) that applicants live to the school.
The Council uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to calculate home to
school distances. Those living nearest the school will have priority.
9. Where the school is unable to admit all siblings of a multiple birth, none will be
admitted.
10. Firm offers of places for the 2021/2022 intake will be sent to parents in April
2021. Applications for any year group, at any time of the year (e.g. families who
have recently moved into the catchment area), will be considered by Governors for
any available places in that year group. Appeals against the Governors’ decision
not to admit a child should be sent to the Clerk of Governors c/o the school, within
21 days of the date of the letter of refusal for consideration by an Independent
Appeals Panel. Where an appeal is unsuccessful, further applications for a place
will not be considered during the same academic year unless there are significant
and material changes in circumstances of parents or the school.
11. Parents whose applications for admission into Reception to start from the
beginning of the academic year (also referred to as ‘normal admissions’) are
unsuccessful can opt to go on a waiting list in case a place becomes available, but
any such waiting list will expire on 30th September. After this date a new application
must be made. Such an application will be treated as an ‘in year application’. (See
13 below.)
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12. Unsuccessful applicants for admission into Reception to Year 6 (inclusive)
whose application was received outside the normal admissions round (referred to
as an ‘in-year application’), will remain on a waiting list until the end of the term in
which the child would start school.
Once the waiting list expiry date has been reached, should a parent wish their child
to continue to be considered for admission, a new application must be submitted.
Note: In the case of points 11 and 12 above, places are not prioritised on the
basis of how long a child has been on a waiting list. Priority is determined in
accordance with the oversubscription criteria. Applications are considered
in line with the criteria and any places that become available will be allocated
on that basis. A child’s position on the waiting list may change as
applications may be received that have a higher degree of priority under the
subscription criteria.
13. Late applications and appeals will only be accepted if there is a good reason
for them being late.
14. The Governing Body will be responsible for the implementation of this policy.
As outlined by legislation, it will be reviewed annually. This policy has been
accepted by the Governing Body, as outlined in the minutes of the meeting of the
full body.
Nursery Admissions: Admissions to nursery will follow the same set of criteria as
the main admissions policy. However, there is no right to appeal if the school
does not offer a place. Admission to the nursery does not guarantee a place in
Reception the following year. This will be done by re-application the following year.
The Nursery admission number will be 24 for both mornings and afternoons making
48 in total. Offers of places will take place 3 times a year (in July 2021 and
December 2021 and March 2022,) for children who become 3 years old before the
start of the appropriate term.
St David’s C/W Primary School
SCHOOL ADMISSIONS POLICY
St. David's Church in Wales Primary School is a voluntary aided school with a
strong and distinctive Christian character. This is reflected in the whole life of the
school. It is situated in the beautiful village of Colwinston, midway between
Bridgend and Cowbridge. The school serves the parish* of Colwinston, Llysworney
and Llandow, within the Rectorial Benefice of Cowbridge. However, not exclusively
so, as according to the Trust Deed, the school can look beyond the borders of the
parish for pupils. Therefore, subject to places being available at the school and
with the agreement of the Governing Body, children may be admitted from outside
the parishes.
School Admission Number
All maintained schools must admit pupils up to their published admission number.
An admission may not be refused to any school until a school’s admission number
has been reached. The published admission number has been calculated in
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accordance with the Welsh Governments school capacity calculation methodology
“Measuring the Capacity of Schools in Wales (MCSW)”. As this number is based
on the physical capacity of the school to accommodate pupils it should not be
exceeded in normal circumstances.
A new 210 place school for St David’s CIW Primary School has been included as
part of the council’s 21st Century Schools programme. On 15 July 2019, the Vale
of Glamorgan Council’s Cabinet approved the proposal to expand St David’s CIW
Primary School from 140 places to 210 places from September 2021. As a result
a new building for St David’s CIW Primary will be built on the current school site,
with all staff and pupils transferring to the new building by September 2021.
The capacity of the school will be 210 FTE pupils plus 32 part time nursery pupils.
The admission number is the number of pupils that the Governing Body shall admit
to a year group in the school and is calculated from the capacity of the school. The
admission number for the new school, calculated by the Local Authority will be 30.
Infant Class Size Regulations
The Government introduced a policy to reduce class sizes for children aged five,
six- and seven-year olds as part of its overall aim to improve educational standards
in schools.
Section 1 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1988 and the Education
(Infant Class Sizes) (Wales) Regulations 1998, which came into force on 1
September 1998, placed a duty upon Local Authorities and school governing
bodies to limit to 30 the size of classes for 5, 6 and 7 year olds from September
2001 i.e. children in reception, year 1 and year 2 classes. No Foundation Phase
class will contain more than 30 pupils, except where permitted exceptions apply.
Exceptions include: -
●Multiple birth, if it would mean splitting children because one would be the 31st
child.
●Within reasonable capacity if military personnel are posted to the area after the
due deadline and who have the correct documentation to confirm this.
Admission authorities are not required to admit a child to an infant class where to
do so would be incompatible with the duty to meet infant class size limits, because
the admission would require measures to be taken to comply with those limits
which would cause prejudice to efficient education or efficient use of resources.
For mixed year group classes set at September, admission authorities can only
refuse mid-year admission based on infant class size prejudice if the admission
number for both year groups has already been reached.
Dates for submitting applications
Applications for Nursery and Reception should be submitted in line with the Vale
of Glamorgan’s schools’ admission dates which are agreed and published
annually.
https://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/living/schools/admissions/School-
Admissions.aspx
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Late Applications received after the deadline date will not be considered until
offers have been made to those applications made before the deadline, and the
parents/carers’ responses to these offers have been received. This means that if
the school is over-subscribed and a late applicant fulfils a higher criterion than that
under which places have been offered to other applicants, they will still be
unsuccessful.
Equality
Every child is given an equal opportunity to take up a place at St David’s,
irrespective of gender, ethnicity, attainment, disability, cultural, social or linguistic
background. Discrimination of any kind towards these protected characteristic is
unacceptable and Governors welcome applications for admission from all sections
of the community, providing that applicants meet the Admissions Policy criteria.
A detailed Disability Audit plan outlines the reasonable measures that the school
takes to ensure access for all and prevent disabled pupils from being treated less
favourably than other pupils. Wherever practicable and within the resources
available, the school is prepared to modify the physical environment, the
procedures, the teaching materials and other resources (wheelchair ramps and a
toilet for use by the disabled have already been installed), to enable disabled pupils
to gain full access to the National and wider curriculum. In exceptional
circumstances the school can apply to modify or disapply the curriculum to meet
the needs of the child.
NURSERY ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS
St David’s includes a 32-place morning nursery unit. A wrap around childcare
provision, Colwinston Childcare will use the room in the afternoons. Children are
entitled to a part-time nursery place from the start of the term following their third
birthday and can also register for the fee-paying Childcare. If eligible parents can
also apply for the Wales Childcare Offer partly funded 30 hours for a place in the
afternoon.
Application Forms
Admission application forms are available on request from the school office or can
be downloaded from the website. Applications for Nursery places should be
submitted directly to the school by the last school day before the February half
term break.
The Governing Body will consider each individual application received by the
published closing date. Parents will be notified of the decision on the last day of
the spring term, prior to the Easter break. In the event of more than 32 applications
for nursery places, the same oversubscription criteria would be applied as set
out for the allocation of places in the Reception class. If there are spare places
a second intake for 3-year olds would then be offered each term. (After Christmas
and after Easter.)
No account is taken of the infant or primary school the child is likely to attend
subsequently or to the length of time the school has been aware of the parental
intention to apply for a place at the school.
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Parents should note that children attending a nursery school will not have an
‘automatic’ right to continued education at the same school when moving to
reception class. All parents of children in a nursery class who are due to commence
reception class in a following year, whether residing within the catchment area or
of a school or outside it, will be required to complete an application form by the
published closing date.
As nursery education is non-statutory provision parents have no right of
appeal under the School Standards and Framework Act if they are
unsuccessful in gaining a nursery place.
RECEPTION ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS
(Including any child joining one of the older years)
Attendance at a Nursery Class does not automatically entitle a child to a
reception class place in the same school.
Children are admitted in September during the academic year of their fifth birthday
(the academic year runs from 1st September 2022 to 31st August 2023).
Normally for Voluntary Aided Schools the Admission Authority is the Governing
Body of the school. However, following a consultation to introduce a pilot scheme
for co-ordinated admission arrangements for the Reception age group for the 2021-
22 academic year, the governing body has agreed to participate in the scheme.
Application for Reception 2021-22 places should be made using the Vale of
Glamorgan Council online application service.
https://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/living/schools/admissions/primary/Primar
y-School-Admissions.aspx
Oversubscription Criteria:
Where applications are equal to or less than the admission number then everyone
will be admitted.
Should there be insufficient places to accommodate all applicants who qualify
under any one of the categories, places will be considered according to the
proximity* of applicants place of residence* to the school, for whom St David’s is
the closest Church school.
Children with a Statement of Educational Need, when the school is named as
the most appropriate setting are admitted ahead of the oversubscription
criteria.
1. “Looked After”, previously “Looked After” children.
2. Children who have a sibling* who is a pupil registered at the school on the date
when the applicant child is due to commence school. (In priority order: first siblings
in Reception, then Year 1, then Year 2, then Year 3, then Year 4, then Year 5 and
finally Year 6)
3. Children who live within our parishes.
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4. Children who live outside the school’s parishes, who can demonstrate their
active involvement* in a Christian community.
5. Children who live outside the school’s parishes, who can demonstrate their
active involvement* in another faith community.
6. Children whose families wish them to be educated in a Church in Wales school.
Appeals Procedure
Parents/carers who are not offered a place for their child have the right to appeal
to an independent appeal committee under the Education Acts. Parents wishing to
appeal should complete the appeal form attached to the letter regarding their
child’s non admittance. The form should be sent to reach the Clerk to the
Governors, within 15 days of the date of notification of the decision. The appeal will
be considered by an independent Admission Appeal Panel according to the Welsh
Assembly Government’s Code of Practice on School Admission Appeals.
Transportation
The Vale of Glamorgan Council does not provide free school transport for nursery-
age children other than those children who have a Statement of Special
Educational Needs (SEN). The Council has a statutory duty to provide free school
transport for pupils of statutory school age who reside beyond walking distance to
the nearest appropriate school.
“This is defined as more than 2 miles to the nearest suitable school for Primary
Pupils. Distances are measured by the nearest available walking route.”
The P121 currently serves St David’s CIW Primary School from Cowbridge through
local villages. See map.
The Governing Body will be responsible for the implementation of this policy. As
outlined by legislation, it will be reviewed annually.
Definitions
Definition of a sibling: a brother/sister; or stepbrother/step sister; or half-brother/
half-sister adopted or fostered permanently resident at the same address.
Proximity: distance from school is measured by the shortest available walking
route from the main entrance of the family home to the main gate of the school,
using the Councils Geographical Information System (GIS) to calculate home
to school distances for all maintained schools within the county borough.
Place of residence: the child’s ordinary place of residence will be deemed to be a
residential property at which the person or persons with parental responsibility for
the child resides at the closing date for receiving applications for admission to
school. Where parental responsibility is held by more than one person and those
persons reside in separate properties, the child’s ordinary place of residence will
be deemed to be that property at which the child resides for the greater part of the
week, including weekends.
Parish: the three parishes of Colwinston, Llandow and Llysworney; and wider
Rectorial Benefice of Cowbridge. See map Appendices.
Waiting List: the school operates a waiting list in line with the Oversubscription
Criteria. Children are placed onto the waiting list in a position which reflects the
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criteria, with no reference to the date that they were placed on the list. This is held
until 30th September.
Active Involvement in a Christian Community: those who have been Baptised
or Christened or attend Christian worship on the majority of Sundays (verified by
the parish priest).
St Helen’s R.C. Primary School
Introduction
St Helen’s Catholic Primary School is a voluntary-aided Catholic school situated in
the centre of Barry. The school is on two sites. St. Helen’s serves the following
Parishes in Barry and the Vale of Glamorgan.
St Helen’s, Barry including Sully
Our Lady and St Illtyd, Llantwit Major
St Cadoc’s, Cowbridge
Admission Number
The admission number to the Primary school is 44. In addition to the admission
number, Government legislation determines that no child aged 5-7 years will be
taught in a class of more than 30 pupils as outlined in the Schools Standards and
Framework Act 1998.
The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 gives parents the right to express
a preference for their children to attend a particular school. Admissions to St.
Helen’s school will be made in accordance with parental choice, subject to
available places.
If the Governing Body receives applications in excess of the 44 available places, it
will apply the oversubscription criteria below in order to determine all applications.
This policy takes due regard of the Welsh Government Admission Code 2013.
Oversubscription Criteria
Children will be admitted in accordance with the following priority:
Priority will be given to children who are Looked After by a Local Authority (CLA)
in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989 in each category. Equal
priority will also be given to previously Looked After Children. (Code 2.32)
Priority will also be given to an applicant with a Statement of Special Educational
Needs (SEN) which names St. Helen’s Catholic Primary School. (Code 3.51)
1. Catholic children who have been baptised in the Catholic Church who will
have a sibling on roll at St. Helen’s Catholic Primary School. (Baptismal
certificate required)
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2. Catholic children who have been baptised in the Catholic Church.
(Baptismal certificate required).
3. Christian children who have been baptised in another Christian
Denomination who will have a sibling on roll at St. Helen’s Catholic Primary
School. (Baptismal certificate or letter from a minister of religion required).
4. Christian children who have been baptised in another Christian
Denomination. (Baptismal certificate or letter from a minister of religion
required).
5. Children from other faiths who will have a sibling on roll at St. Helen’s
Catholic Primary School where there is no provision for their children to
attend a school of their own faith in the area (letter from minister of religion
required).
6. Children from other faiths where there is no provision for their children to
attend a school of their own faith in the area (letter from a minister of religion
required).
7. Children, who will have a sibling on roll at St. Helen’s Catholic Primary
School, whose parents are seeking a Catholic environment for their child’s
education and for whom a Catholic education is the prime consideration.
Accompanying letter to be written to Governing Body clearly stating this aim.
8. Children whose parents are seeking a Catholic environment for their child’s
education and for whom a Catholic education is the prime consideration. An
accompanying letter to be written to Governing Body clearly stating this aim.
The Governing Body may admit any child without consideration to the above
Criteria (with the exception of applicants in category 1 and 2) who demonstrate
exceptional medical reasons. Evidence in support of such an application must be
supported by a medical letter/report from a professional consultant or social
services at the time of application, clearly stating why St. Helen’s is the most
suitable school and outlining any difficulties from attending a local authority school.
(Code 2.39)
Tie- breaker
If the Governing Body is unable to admit all applicants who fall into the lowest
criterion a tie-breaker will be applied where priority will be given to children who
live closest to the school; as measured by the shortest available walking route. An
independent Geographical System (GIS) carried out by the local authority is used
to calculate home to school distances. This is determined from the applicant’s
home address to the school gate on Maes Y Cwm Street.
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Guidance Notes
To apply for a place at St Helen’s Primary School, a parent/guardian must provide
the following documentation: Baptism and birth certificates along with the
admission application form which is available from the school. Proof of address
should also be provided.
Siblings
For admission purposes, a sibling is a child who is the brother/sister, half
brother/half sister (children who share one common parent), step brother/step
sister where two children are related by marriage. This definition also includes
adopted or fostered children living at the same address. Any sibling connection
must be stated in the application.
Multiple Births (e.g. twins or triplets)
When the last child admitted is one of a multiple birth then the remaining siblings
will be admitted as excepted children.
Children of UK Service personnel and other Crown Servants (including
diplomats)
Families of UK Service personnel and other Crown Servants are subject to frequent
movement within the UK and from abroad, often at relatively short notice. School
places must be allocated to children and their families in advance of the
approaching school year if accompanied by an official Ministry of Defence (MOD)
or Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) letter declaring a return date. Children
of UK Service Personnel may be given excepted status for infant class size
purposes when admitted to a school outside the normal admission round. (Code
3.65)
Late Applications
Only applications received by the published closing date will be considered in the
initial round of allocation of places. Application forms received after the published
closing date will be processed in the same way, but will be considered only after
all the applications received on time. This could mean that there may not be a place
available at the School. In exceptional circumstances, a late application may be
considered by the Governing Body at the same time as the initial round of
applications. (Code 3.15)
Waiting List
Where a place has been refused, the applicant will be placed on a waiting list.
Applications received in the annual allocation of places will remain on the waiting
list until the 30
th
of September in the year of admission.
Applications received outside of the annual allocation of places for the year
admissions will remain on the waiting list until the 30
th
September in the year of
admission. After this time the parents will be expected to make a further application
for admission.
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Right of Appeal
Details of the procedure in accordance with the Education (Admission Appeals
Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations 2005 are followed; if an appeal against any
decision of the Governing Body on admission is contemplated, information may be
obtained from the Admissions Appeal Committee:
C/o Clerk to the Governing Body,
St. Helen’s Catholic Primary School
Maesycwm Street
Barry
CF63 4EH
St. Joseph’s RC Primary School
Admission Policy
The Governing Body has sole responsibility for admissions to the school. (This
policy does not relate to St Joseph’s Nursery Class.)
From September 2021, the Vale of Glamorgan Council is coordinating admission
for St Joseph’s RC Primary School. In the first instance, parents and carers apply
through Vale of Glamorgan admissions online application service. Following the
closing date, parents and carers will be notified by the Vale of Glamorgan of the
results, approximately three months later, and are asked to accept the place. A
timetable for the application process can be found on the Vale of Glamorgan
Admissions website. Following receipt of acceptance, parents and carers will be
contacted by St Joseph’s RC Primary School to complete a more detailed school
application form and provide all necessary supporting evidence as detailed
below.
The school has a 30 place Reception class. The minimum age of entry of pupils
to the Reception class will be 5 years of age between 1
st
September and 31
st
August.
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The Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998, Section (86), gives parents the
right to express a preference as to which school their children attend. If the
number of applications received for September 2022-2023 matches or is below
our indicative admissions number then places will be allocated to all applicants.
This policy takes due regard of the Welsh Government Admission Code 2013.
If the applications for places exceed the school’s indicative admissions number
the following Oversubscription Criteria will be applied:
Over subscription criteria: The Governing Body will give priority of admission
as follows:
1. Children who are Looked After by a Local Authority (CLA) in accordance
with Section 22 of the Children act 1989 in each category. Equal priority will
also be given to previously Looked after Children (Code 2.32)
2. Children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) which
names St Joseph’s RC Primary School. (Code 3.51).
3. Baptised Catholic children residing in the Parishes of St Joseph’s, Penarth
and St Mary’s Dinas Powys. (Parish boundaries are in accordance with the
Vale of Glamorgan’s County Borough boundaries of Penarth and Dinas
Powys).
4. Baptised Roman Catholic children with a brother or sister currently in the
school
5. Baptised Roman Catholic children living outside of the Parishes of St
Joseph’s Penarth and St Mary’s, Dinas Powys.
6. Brothers or sisters of children already in the school
7. Children whose parents are Baptised Catholics
8. Baptised children from other Christian denominations
9. Non-Catholic children where the parents understand and accept that their
child/children will be educated in an environment that reflects Christian
values. An accompanying letter to be written to the Governing Body clearly
stating this aim will be required.
In the event of two or more applicants applying for one place and the Governing
Body being unable to separate them using the above oversubscription criteria, the
place will be allocated on the basis of proximity to the school, determined by the
Strategic Planning and Performance Department of the Local Authority. An
independent Geographical System (GIS) carried out by the local authority is used
to calculate home to school distances. This is determined from the applicant’s
home address to the school gate on Sully Road.
Unsuccessful applicants have the statutory right of appeal. Any such appeal will
come before an Independent Appeals Panel the decision of which will be binding
on both parties. Details of the appeal process are available upon request from the
School Administration Officer: School Administration Officer, St. Joseph’s RC
Primary School, Sully Road, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan. CF64 2TQ
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Attendance at the Nursery Class
Attendance at the Nursery Class at St Joseph’s does not automatically entitle a
child to a Reception Class place in the same school. A separate application must
be made by the published closing date if the application is to be considered in the
first round of allocations.
Admissions Application forms for the Reception Class for September 2022/ 2023
will be available from the Vale of Glamorgan Admission site and the school office.
School Admission Number
All maintained schools must admit pupils up to the published admission number.
The admission number for St Joseph’s RC Primary School is 30.
The published admission number has been calculated in accordance with the
Welsh Government’s school capacity calculation methodology ‘Measuring the
Capacity of schools in Wales (MCSW)’.
Infant Class Size Regulations
The Government introduced a policy to reduce class sizes for children aged five-,
six- and seven-year-olds as part of its overall aim to improve educational standards
in schools.
Section 1 of the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 and the Education
(Infant Class Sizes) (Wales) Regulations 2013 placed a duty upon Local Authorities
and school governing bodies to limit to 30 the size of classes for 5,6- and 7-year-
olds, i.e., children in Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes. Therefore, no
Foundation Phase class will contain more than 30 pupils, except where permitted
exceptions apply.
Admission authorities are not required to admit a child to an infant class where to
do so would be incompatible with the duty to meet infant class size limits, because
the admission would require measures to be taken to comply with those limits
which would cause prejudice to efficient education or efficient use of resources.
The school can only refuse admission on the basis of infant class size prejudice if
the admission number has already been reached.
Supporting Evidence
To apply for a place at St Joseph’s Primary School, a parent/ guardian must provide
the following documentation:
Admission application form (available from the school)
Birth certificate
Proof of residency. The child’s ordinary place of residence will be deemed
to be a residential property at which the person or persons with parental
responsibility for the child resides at the closing date for receiving
applications for admission to school. Where parental responsibility is held
by more than one person and those persons reside in separate properties,
the child’s ordinary place of residence will be deemed to be that property at
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78
which the child resides for the greater part of the week, including weekend
(i.e. nights out of 7).
If you have indicated that your child is a Baptised Roman Catholic or has
been received into the Roman Catholic Church, evidence is required to be
submitted with the application. Evidence may include a Baptismal Certificate
or written confirmation from a priest.
Siblings
For admission purposes, a sibling is a child who is the brother/ sister, half-brother/
half-sister (children who share one common parent), step brother/ step sister where
two children are related by marriage. This definition also includes adopted or
fostered children living at the same address. Any sibling connection must be stated
in the application.
Late Applications
Only applications received by the published closing date will be considered in the
initial round of application of places. Application forms received after the published
closing date will be processed in the same way but will be considered only after all
the applications received on time. This could mean that there may not be a place
available at the school. In exceptional circumstances a late application may be
considered by the governing body at the same time as the initial round of
applications. (Code 3.15)
Waiting List
Where a place has been refused, the applicant will be placed on a waiting list.
Applications received in the annual allocation of places will remain on the waiting
list until the 30
th
September in the year of admission.
Applications received outside of the annual allocation of places for the year
admissions will remain on the waiting list until the 30
th
September after the
application was received. After this time the parents will be expected to make a
further application for admission if they wish to remain on the waiting list.
Right of Appeal
Details of the procedure in accordance with the Education (Admission Appeals
Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations 2005 are followed if an appeal against any
decision from the Governing Body on admission is contemplated, information may
be obtained from the Admissions Appeal Committee:
C/O Clerk to the Governing Body
St Joseph’s RC Primary School
Sully Road
Penarth
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CF64 2TQ
stjosephsps@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk
St Richard Gwyn Catholic High School
Admissions Policy and Oversubscription Criteria
The Governing Body is the Admitting Authority for St Richard Gwyn Catholic High
School. In accordance with the provisions of the Government of Maintained
Schools (Wales) Regulations 2005, the Governing Body has delegated
responsibility for determining admissions to its ‘Admissions Committee’.
Our catchment area covers the parishes of Our Lady and St Illtyd’s, Llantwit Major,
Cowbridge and Rhoose, St Helen’s, Barry, St Mary’s Dinas Powys, and St
Joseph’s Penarth. Our designated feeder schools are St Helen’s, Barry and St
Joseph’s,Penarth.
All applications must be completed using the Vale of Glamorgan Council online
application process. This must be completed by the closing date of 26
th
November
2022. Late applications received after the closing date will only be considered
‘when a good reason is given’, School Admissions Code No 005/2013. If no ‘good
reason is given’ late applications will be considered after those applications
submitted before the closing date have been determined.
In the event of oversubscription applications will be placed on a waiting list until
30
th
September 2023. Applications will be ranked in accordance to the
oversubscription criteria. The governing body will consider applications received
from families of multiple birth children (twins, triplets etc.) collectively against the
oversubscription criteria. The planned admission number is 163. In the event of
oversubscription, applications will be prioritised in the following order:
AN ORIGINAL BIRTH CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED FOR ALL APPLICATIONS.
Descriptor Evidence required from parent
1 Children who are designated as ‘Looked
After’ or previously ‘Looked After’.
Local Authority Care Order
2 Baptised Catholic Children Original baptismal certificate
only required if not currently
attending a faith primary school.
3 Baptised Catholic Children who do not
attend a faith school but currently have a
sibling (defined as brother, sister, half-
brother and half-sister residing at the
same address as the sibling) at St
Richard Gwyn.
*No further evidence required.
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4 Children who attend a Catholic or
Church in Wales primary school or
another faith school.
*No further evidence required.
5 Non-Catholic children who currently
have a sibling at St Richard Gwyn.
*No further evidence required.
6 Members of other Christian
denominations not currently attending a
faith school.
Christening (or other initiation)
certificate.
7 Members of religious faiths, not defined
as Christian, wishing to receive a faith
education.
Christening (or other initiation)
certificate.
8 Any other children whose parents seek a
faith education at St Richard Gwyn
Priority will be given to those
that have a supporting letter
from a faith leader.
*Verified by St Richard Gwyn.
Where there are more applications from children within a criterion than the
available capacity and the evidence requirements have been met, priority will be
given to those children who reside closest to the school. This is decided by a
proximity measure.
The closing date for applications for Year 7 is 25
th
November 2022, complying
with the local timetable. Decision letters will be issued by 1
st
March 2023.
The governors will consider application for admission all year groups at any time
except for Year 7 students, where applications will be considered after 30
th
September.
Appeals procedure
In accordance with the requirements of the Schools Standards and Framework
Act 1998, the Governors have established an Appeals procedure.
Parent(s)/Carer(s) of a child who has not been admitted to the school may appeal
against the decision. The panel is appointed by the Diocese of Cardiff and is
entirely independent of the School and the Local Authority. Notice of intention to
appeal should be sent to the Admissions Officer at the School who will then
inform the Diocesan Office for Education. Appellants will then be contacted
directly by the Diocesan Office with details of an appeal hearing.
Notes
1 ‘Looked after children’ are children who are registered in the care of the
local authority (under section 31 of the Children Act 1989) or who are
provided with accommodation by the local authority (under section 20 of
the Children Act 1989);
2 ‘Sibling’ is defined as a biological brother or sister, half brother or sister,
adopted brother or sister, foster children who live at the same address and
who will still be on the school register at the time of admission. In the case
of multiple birth children the governing body will seek to ensure that all
children are admitted to avoid family separation;
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3 ‘Proximity’ refers to the distance measured by calculating the metres
based on a student walking to school using the Councils GIS system.
Stanwell School
Admissions Policy
This policy has been drawn up in line with the School Admissions Code of 2013.
Pupils will be admitted at the age of 11 without reference to ability or aptitude. The
number of intended admissions for the year commencing 1 September 2023 will
be 299, which is currently under review as the indicated admissions number.
Where applications for admission exceed the number of places available, the
following oversubscription criteria will be applied, in the order set out below, to
decide which children to admit.
Oversubscription Criteria
1. Looked After Children as defined by Section 22 of the Children Act 1989.
Priority is given to Looked After Children and previously Looked After
Children in accordance with the Education (Admissions of Looked After
Children, Wales) Regulations 2009 and the School Admissions Code of
2013.
2. Pupils who are on the register in one of the designated feeder primary
schools (Albert, Evenlode, Sully and Victoria). In the event of
oversubscription by applicants from the designated feeder primary
schools alone, criteria (4), (5) and (6) would be applied to produce an
order of preference.
3. Pupils who are not on the register of one of the designated feeder primary
schools but whose parents have satisfied the school by the published
closing date for receipt of applications that the pupil will be taking up
residence within the catchment area of the designated feeder primary
schools. Children of UK service personnel posted to the area must provide
proof of the posting with their application form.
4. Pupils who have older brothers and/or sisters on roll. The term ‘brothers
and sisters’ is defined for this purpose as a) fraternal relations who
have the same mother and/or father b) adoptive brothers and/or sisters
c) stepsisters and/or brothers who live at the same address. Due to large
cohort numbers, multiple birth children will always be allocated or
refused a place together so that the situation will never arise that one
child would be admitted and their sibling(s) not admitted.
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5. Pupils of whom the Governors judge there are compelling medical or
social grounds for their admission. (Positive recommendation from the
Health Authority or the Director of Social Services will be required in such
cases).
6. In determining applications for admission in respect of other pupils the
Governors give particular regard to the degree of proximity of the pupil’s
home to the school. This will be measured by quickest driving route from
the school’s main entrance t
o the pupil’s home.
The school has established arrangements for appeals against non-admission in
line with the School Admission Appeals Code of July 2013. In the case of an
admission being refused, parents have the right to appeal to an Independent
Appeal Panel. Anyone wishing to make such an appeal will be advised in writing
at the time their application is refused of the procedures to make such an appeal.
If an appeal is unsuccessful, parents must wait until the following academic year
before re-applying.
For Year 6 – 7 transition, Stanwell operates the same admissions timetable as the
Vale of Glamorgan L.A. Pupils in the designated feeder schools will be given an
application pack automatically through their primary schools. Parents of pupils from
other primary schools can request an application pack by writing to or telephoning
Miss S Owen, Admissions tutor, at Stanwell School. Similarly, parents of pupils
who wish to make an application outside the normal admission round should also
contact Miss S Owen.
Waiting lists
Following the allocation of places during the normal admissions round, pupils will
remain on the waiting list until the 30
th
September in the school year in which they
apply. If places become available, the oversubscription criteria will be used to
determine the allocation of places.
Wick and Marcross Church in Wales Primary School
Wick and Marcross Church in Wales Primary School is a voluntary aided school
with a strong and distinctive Christian character. The Governors, as the admissions
authority, admit the children of families who chose to have their children educated
within a Christian community where the importance of prayer, worship and
Christian teaching is reflected through the whole life of the school.
All maintained schools must admit pupils up to their published admission number.
An admission may not be refused to any school until a school’s admission number
has been reached. The published admission number has been calculated in
accordance with the Welsh Governments school capacity calculation methodology
‘Measuring the Capacity of Schools in Wales (MCSW)’.
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Infant Class Size Regulations
The Government introduced a policy to reduce class sizes for children aged five,
six- and seven-year olds as part of its overall aim to improve educational standards
in schools.
Section 1 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1988 and the Education
(Infant Class
Sizes) (Wales) Regulations 1998, which came into force on 1 September 1998,
placed a duty upon Local Authorities and school governing bodies to limit to 30 the
size of classes for 5, 6- and 7-year olds from September 2001 i.e. children in
reception, year 1 and year 2 classes.
Therefore, from September 2001 no Foundation Phase class will contain more than
30 pupils, except where permitted exceptions apply.
Admission authorities are not required to admit a child to an infant class where to
do so would be incompatible with the duty to meet infant class size limits, because
the admission would require measures to be taken to comply with those limits
which would cause prejudice to efficient education or efficient use of resources.
Admission authorities can only refuse admission on the basis of infant class size
prejudice if the admission number has already been reached.
Children are admitted in September during the academic year of their fifth birthday
(the academic year runs from 1st September 2021 to 31st August 2022).
The Admission Number for pupils entering the Reception class in any given
September is 22.
Once the Reception Year applications exceed 22, the governors will consider
applicants using the oversubscription criteria set out in this document.
For classes in Foundation Phase the class size must not exceed 30 pupils, unless
it includes “excepted pupils” as specified by Regulation. Exceptions include:-
• Multiple birth, if it would mean splitting children because one would be the 31st
child.
• Within reasonable capacity if military personnel are posted to the area after the
due deadline.
Equality
Every child is given an equal opportunity to take up a place at Wick and Marcross,
irrespective of gender, ethnicity, attainment, disability, cultural, social or linguistic
background. Discrimination of any kind is unacceptable and Governors welcome
applications for admission from all sections of the community, providing that
applicants meet the Admissions Policy criteria.
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A detailed Disability Audit plan outlines the reasonable measures that the school
takes to ensure access for all and prevent disabled pupils from being treated less
favourably than other pupils. Wherever practicable and within the resources
available, the school is prepared to modify the physical environment, the
procedures, the teaching materials and other resources to enable disabled pupils
to gain full access to the National and wider curriculum. In exceptional
circumstances the school can apply to modify or disapply the curriculum to meet
the needs of the child.
Oversubscription criteria
Where applications are equal to or less than the admission number then everyone
will be admitted. Should there be insufficient places to accommodate all applicants
who qualify under any one of the categories, places will be considered according
to the proximity* that applicants live to the school.
Children with a statement of Special Educational Need, when the school is named
as the most appropriate setting, will be admitted before applying the
oversubscription criteria.
a. Children who are currently or have previously been looked after by the
Local Authority as set out in The School Admissions (Infant Class Sizes)
(Wales) Regulations 2013 and in accordance with section 22 of the
Children Act 1989.
b. Children whose parents / guardians are practising communicants of the
Church in Wales who are in regular attendance at a church within the
Rectorial Benefice of the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, or whose children
regularly attend in the company of others. Clergy references will be used
to determine regularity of attendance.
c. Children whose parents’ guardians live within the community council
boundary for Wick and Marcross.
d. Children who have a sibling* who is a pupil at the school on the date when
the applicant child is due to commence school.
e. Children whose parents / guardians are practising communicants of the
Church in Wales living in the Rectorial Benefice of the Glamorgan
Heritage Coast but who are in regular attendance at another parish
church, or whose children regularly attend another parish church in the
company of others.
f. Children whose parents / guardians are practising communicants of the
Church in Wales living outside the Rectorial Benefice of the Glamorgan
Heritage Coast and who are in regular attendance at another parish
church, or whose children attend another parish church in the company
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of others. Clergy references will be used to determine regularity of
attendance.
g. Children whose parents / guardians are active and practising members in
another faith community. References will be used to determine regularity
of attendance.
h. Children whose families wish them to be educated in a Church in Wales
school. Priority will be given to those whose place of residence* is closest
to the school for whom St James’ is the closest church.
For multiple birth children, when one child (the eldest) would be admitted (for any
criteria) and due to oversubscription their sibling/s are not, the siblings would have
priority on the waiting list*, for the next available place (unless a child from criteria
1 or 2 was added to the list within this time, who would then take priority).
Application process
Applications for places in reception should be submitted in line with the Vale of
Glamorgan’s schools’ admission dates which are agreed and published annually.
Applications for reception places are made via the Vale of Glamorgan portal and
then passed to the governing body admissions committee.
Late applications
Applications received after the deadline date will not be considered until offers have
been made to those applications made before the deadline, and the parents/carers’
responses to those offers have been received. This means that if the school is
oversubscribed and a late applicant fulfils a higher criterion than that which places
have been offered to other applicants, they will still be unsuccessful.
Appeals procedure
Parents/carers who are not offered a place for their child have the right to appeal
to an independent appeal committee. Parents wishing to appeal, should appeal in
writing to the reach the Clerk of the Governors within 15 school days of the date of
notification of the decision. The appeal will be considered by an independent
Admission Appeal Panel, administered by the Llandaff Diocesan Board of
Education, according to Welsh Government’s Code of Practice on School
Admission Appeals.
The Governing Body will be responsible for the implementation of this policy. It will
be reviewed annually.
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DEFINITIONS
Place of residence
The child’s ordinary place of residence will be deemed to be a residential property
at which the person or persons with parental responsibility for the child resides at
the closing date for receiving applications for admission to the school. Where
parental responsibility is held by more than one person and those persons reside
in separate properties, the child’s ordinary place of residence will be deemed to be
that property at which the child resides for the greater part of the week, including
weekends.
Proximity
Distance from the pupil’s home to the school using the shortest available walking
route. In line with the Vale of Glamorgan council, the Governing Body uses a
Geographical Information System (GIS) to calculate home to school distances.
Waiting list
The school operates a waiting list in line with the oversubscription criteria. Children
are placed onto the waiting list in a position which reflects the criteria, with no
reference to the date that they were placed on the list. The waiting list for the normal
admission round will be maintained until 30
th
September in the relevant year.
‘Regular Attendance’
Regular attendance is defined as attendance twice monthly.
Sibling
For the sibling criteria to be applicable, one of the following conditions must exist:
i. a brother and / or sister permanently resident at the same address.
ii. a stepbrother and / or stepsister permanently resident at the same address.
iii. a half-brother and / or half-sister adopted or fostered permanently resident
at the same address.
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SCHOOL HOLIDAY DATES 2023/24
Term Begin Half term End No. of School
Begin End Days
Autumn
2023
Monday
4 Sept
2023
Monday
30 Oct
2023
Friday
3 Nov
2023
Friday
22 Dec
2023
75
Spring
2024
Monday
8 Jan
2024
Monday
12 Feb
2024
Friday
16 Feb
2024
Friday
22 March
2024
50
Summer
2024
Monday
8 April
2024
Monday
27 May
2024
Friday
31 May
2024
*Monday
22 July
2024
70
TOTAL 195
i) Monday 4 September 2023 and *Monday 22 July 2024 will be designated
INSET days for all LEA Maintained Schools. The remaining three INSET days
to be taken, will be at the discretion of each individual school. *It is intended
that this INSET day will either be taken on Monday 22 July 2024 or at an
alternative time to be decided by individual schools following appropriate
consultation with staff i.e. on a weekend, during existing holidays or in the
form of twilight sessions.
All schools will be closed on Monday 6 May 2024 for the May Day Bank Holiday.
Significant dates: Christmas Monday 25 December 2023
Easter Good Friday 29 March 2024
Easter Monday 1 April 2024
May Bank Holidays Monday 6 May 2024
Monday 27 May 2024
