New to Cardiff, urgent advice needed regarding Penylan and school catchment areas

[Kka4r]

Hi all,

I am new to Cardiff having moved from the midlands. We are looking at houses around Penylan, particularly around Carisbrooke Way. We are both young professionals.

The area around there seems to be quiet and affordable for us.

The only problem with this area is we are unsure where we stand with schools and catchment areas.

I can see Llanedeyrn Primary School is in the catchment for Carisbrooke Way. I looked into the history of the school and I can see although it has improved most recently on inspection, it has had issues previously. We are planning to have children and obviously schools for the future are a worry.

The houses are in this area are lovely and within budget. Would we have any chance of sending our children to other schools in the area if we were to buy a house in that area of Penylan?

There are plenty of primary schools in the surrounding area! It's such a lovely area of Cardiff. Lakeside, Marlborough and Glyncoed are all close and lovely schools. Your best bet is to look on the school council website and it will tell you what schools are closest to you.
However I wouldn't worry too much about the historic reports, schools can change so much in a short space of time and you wouldn't be looking for quite a few years so it could all be so different by then! When it is time you will be able to go and have a look round the local primary schools and you will get a good sense of the school from those.
Secondary schools in that area of Cardiff are incredibly competitive though. Cardiff High is highly sought after and difficult to get your child into unless you live extremely close. However there are a few high schools in the area that have also got good reviews. All of which are being heavily invested in by the council over the next few years.

Sorry to say its a high school nightmare there unless you go Welsh medium or religious (st teilios). Do either of those appeal..
For primary.
You would not get into Marlborough as a pp suggests.
Howardian didn't have a catchment when it first opened so check that one. I think its quickly become popular though.
I'm not sure about lakeside as it's highly sought after too.
I think some years people do get in.
Llanederyn primary I don't know well. It's on an estate and has a diverse intake. I'd suggest looking around.
Would you consider Welsh as Berllan Deg and Bro Edern are your choices. Both very good.

Although apparently Eastern High is improving according to this

www.walesonline.co.uk/news/education/rioting-pupils-record-gcse-results-15388486

Other people I know living on that road ended up at Cathays high. I hear different things about it, not awful.
Willows is often offered and most people try and find an alternative to be honest. Hope I don't offend anyone. You can see willows on educating cardiff lol

The head at Llanederyn is fab! I have had contact with them as a school due to some outreach we do at work, and although it’s not in the best of areas, it’s a nice school, dedicated staff, and honestly, the head is great.
I’d be more concerned about high school options.

It's go welsh or go broke in that area I'm afraid! Sorry!

Thanks so much, it's reassuring to hear.

we're more concerned with primary school options to be honest, we are hoping to move in the coming 6 years or so, hopefully by then we can move to a better catchment area for high schools.

Is the particular area around Carisbrooke Way a decent area? If we were to resell, do you think there would be any major concerns?

I've done some research into the area and it seems to be fairly family friendly.

Yeah it's not a bad road or area. It changes quite dramatically 'down the hill'. You are adjoining cyncoed, one of the poshest bits of Cardiff. Not much in terms of local facilities though. E.g you can't walk to much

I went Welsh Medium. It meant that I didn't have to worry about catchment. You can always opt out of Welsh Medium but you can't opt in later on. I'm not a Welsh Speaker and it didn't disadvantage my children. Quite the opposite.

If you are a young family I would look around Radyr, Whitchurch area, not Carisbrooke way. You get a much better choice of primary schools and Radyr is still a decent secondary or you can pray and try for Bishop of Llandaff. I would swerve Carisbrooke if I were you as a location.

I went to both of those schools. Mum worked in education and said the 2 places she’d never send her kids were east Cardiff and Cardiff High.

I do think you will find many of the families near you will opt for Welsh medium. Bro edern is on your doorstep and Berllan deg walkable. It's located next to llanedeyrn primary. For us it was go Welsh or move house situation so we opted Welsh.