Cardiff primaries in-year admissions?

[MovingtoCardiff]

We are likely to be moving to Cardiff for work reasons in the next year or so. We're currently in London.

I have two DC, the eldest is 4 and joining reception this September.

The area we are hoping to move to is Cyncoed (Cardiff High catchment). But I'm very worried about what the primary options will be for my older DC as she'll need to join either part way through reception or at the start of year one.

The primary schools in that area look excellent but clearly are in high demand. Our preference would be Lakeside or Rhydypenau or All Saints CIW (we do attend church).

Realistically, is it possible that a place would come up at any of these schools? If not where would we be likely to get a place? Could we end up with a really awful primary or are they generally good across the city? We could afford a private prep at a push but the only one I could see is Cardiff Montessori which is a long journey from Cyncoed. I'd be reluctant to start her at any of the all through independent schools as wouldn't then want to move her away from her friends for secondary school.

Any advice welcome!

The primaries that feed into Cardiff high are lakeside, Rhyd y penau, roath park and Marlborough, although some children do not get into Cardiff high from Marlborough as they live too far away in old Penylan. All of these schools are lovely. You should find a space become available in one of these primaries, but remember the primary school you go to does not affect whether you can get into Cardiff high, which is largely based on whether you live in catchment area and not what primary school you go to. You could accept a place in any primary school
for now, but keep your name on the waiting lists for your preferred primary schools. Cardiff high is very over subscribed, so make sure your house is well within catchment, as not all children in catchment got a place this year.

Sorry having re-read your post, I can see that your children are younger so you aren't worrying about Cardiff high just yet! If you want any more advice on this area please let me know. There are other things private schools you could consider too.

Sorry I should proof read, on 'the' area, as in this part of Cardiff. I'm not an expert on school admissions!

@bettyboo44 thank you so much for your detailed response, that's helped to get things a lot clearer in my mind. I'd be happy with any of those 4 schools I think, it's just a case of a place coming up when we need it. I really hope one does. I know they are oversubscribed but hopefully there is some movement over the course of year so a place becomes available.

Yes, as things stand I think we would want Cardiff High for the DC but of course things can change and they're still very young. I expect we will buy as close as we can though to try and ensure we get a place if we want it, I know the catchment can be very small.

All of those primary schools are massively over subscribed and the catchments are tiny, especially Rhydypenau. You may find yourself waiting and appealing for a space even if you are in the catchment. Try to move as close as possible to either lakeside or Rhydypenau to stand a chance. Also a good idea for Cardiff High as their results are the same as the private provision in the city. You may need to put your child in prep while you go on the waiting list for a space. I know one family who had their child out of school for months while they appealed for a space and they lived very close to Rhydypenau. That was 20 years ago and it's only got worse! I would just buy as close to Cardiff high as possible so at least you get a space there for later.

Rhydepennau does not have a lot of in year movement.
Lakeside would have better chance.
I'd put Marlborough as a last choice

Can you consider catholic provision? Corpus Christi HS is excellent

I really want to avoid moving my DD twice to be honest, if at all possible.

If an in year space were to come up at Lakeside I'd happily accept it based on what I know. Why is there more movement there than at Rhydypennau?

I have nothing against catholic provision but am not actually catholic (though attend CofE church). Is that a problem?

To be clear, there's no way we will be moving before September so DD will definitely start at primary school in London first. Once we move I really don't want her to have to go to two different schools in a short space of time so I really feel that appealing/waiting lists just wouldn't be an option for us.

That's good advice about living as close to the school as possible. My kids went to lakeside and there was movement there. Her best friend joined in Year one. A few children left to live overseas. You probably wouldn't get into Corpus Christi unless your child is baptised Catholic, and also going to a Catholic feeder school, which is high up on their admissions criteria. They are also over subscribed. Have you had a chat to someone who deals with admissions at the council?

If you're struggling in Cardiff then do consider other schools in the area - e.g. Cowbridge (in Cowbridge, obviously) and Stanwell (in Penarth) catchment areas. I think you would be happy with those too (although Cowbridge may be too rural after London). They are both very popular schools too but you might have more luck. Have you rung the Council to ask where there are spaces?

This is for reception admissions, I think, but gives you an idea of the challenges of getting a place: www.google.com/amp/s/www.walesonline.co.uk/news/education/hardest-primary-schools-place-cardiff-18101490.amp

I agree unless you're catholic and in a feeder school it's highly unlikely, wasn't sure which church you attended

Lakeside is slightly more moveable as there are a lot of families who move back to the Middle East when their studies end

Are you set on cyncoed?
I'm in north Cardiff but wouldn't thank you for cyncoed, but that's just my opinion

Bishop of llandaf is also an excellent high school. Pass rates in the high eighties. You could consider a feeder church in wales school ? Much better chance of not being frustrated or disappointed.

I've emailed the council but couldn't find a phone number. If anyone has one, I'd be grateful

Why not Cyncoed? It works best for us in terms of getting to work and I also like the area.

Are there any CIW schools which are particularly good?

Yes Llandaff church in wales school and I believe there is a good one in creigau? Catchments also small but easier to get in than the Cyncoed school. The issue is getting an in year placement at the most popular schools in the city. It's going to be tough!

Agree that Cardiff High is not automatically the best option for all. Bishop of Llandaff’s rep very high at present too. DC are elsewhere, so no bias, simply the experience of friends and teacher acquaintances.

02920 872087 then choose the option for school admission

I find cyncoed soulless, much prefer Whitchurch, thornhill, rhiwbina & lisvane
Nice pubs, little shops, train and bus options

Cardiff high runs on its reputation from 20 years ago. A high percentage of children there have extra tutoring

No bias here either
Ageee Bishop is a great school

Hi @MovingtoCardiff, I find myself in a very similar situation to you a year later and have been scouring the internet to try to gain an understanding of my daughters chances of getting into one of the primary schools that you mentioned. My daughter will likely be mid-reception by the time we move. Would love to hear how things panned out for you and whether you managed to get into any of the schools you mentioned. Thanks in advance!