Applications for primary school places in Cardiff for September 2025 have opened. Cardiff Council has offered advice on increasing chances of getting a place at a preferred school.

Nearly 100 children didn’t get into the primary school of their choice in the city for this academic year in the first round. The number of primary school applications refused by Cardiff Council increased from 63 in 2023 to 94 in 2024, but still significantly less than the 200 refused applications in 2022.

Parents have until January 13, 2025 to apply for a place in September. They find out whether they have been successful in April.

Primary school admissions data shows Rhydypenau Primary School was the most over subscribed primary in the city this year, turning away 29 applications for the 60 places on offer this academic year. Ysgol Mynadd Bychan, with 30 places on offer, had to turn away 12, applications, the second highest.

Cardiff Council is appealing to families to apply on time and to make use of all five preferences "to get the best chance of securing a school they want". The authority is also remininding people that a child is not automatically entitled to a reception place at a primary school where they attend the nursery - a new application must be made for a reception class place at primary school.

Every area of Cardiff is served by a Welsh-medium community primary school, an English-medium community primary school, a Church in Wales Primary School and a Catholic Primary School.

The council also coordinates admissions for 21 of the 23 faith primary schools. This year St Patrick’s Roman Catholic primary has joined the coordinated admissions scheme. For a place at a faith school that is part of coordinated admissions scheme, applications are through the council’s online admissions system but those applying for a place at Llandaff City Church in Wales primary or St John Lloyd RC Primary School have to apply directly to the school.

Key dates: Parents have until January 13 to apply with offers made on April 16 after which parents have until April 30 to accept or refuse the place offered. Late applications can be made and these are processed in May with decisions sent out in June.

Estyn’s verdict on Cardiff's most over subscribed primary schools

Rhydypenau Primary School - The school was last inspected pre-pandemic in 2018. At that time Estyn rated it under the old system and judged it excellent in all five areas loked at - wellbeing, attitudes to learning, standards, teaching, leadership and management and good for care, support and guidance.

Inspectors said: “Overall, pupils at Rhydypenau Primary School make very good progress and achieve excellent standards by the time they leave the school. They develop outstanding literacy skills and a very strong capacity to solve number problems.”

Ysgol Mynadd Bychan - the school was last inspected under Estyn's new system in December 2023. At that time inspectors said: "Pupils enjoy learning and are very enthusiastic during lessons and tasks. They are keen to work with staff and each other and, as a result, to succeed as confident andambitious learners. During their time at the school, most pupils develop purposeful literacy and digital competence skills and nearly all implement successful social skills."

Cardiff primary schools over subscribed in the 2023-2024 academic year

Kitchener Primary School

Total places on offer: 60

Total applications refused: 9

Lakeside Primary School

Total places on offer: 60

Total applications refused: 5

Marlborough Primary

Total places on offer: 60

Total applications refused: 9

Millbank Primary School

Total places on offer: 30

Total applications refused: 9

Pencaerau Primary School

Total places on offer: 30

Total applications refused: 8

Pontprennau Primary School

Total places on offer: 60

Total applications refused: 1

Rhydypenau Primary School

Total places on offer: 60

Total applications refused: 29

Ysgol Gymraeg Nant Caerau

Total places on offer: 30

Total applications refused: 9

Ysgol Cymraeg Treganna

Total places on offer: 90

Total applications refused: 4

Ysgol Mynydd Bychan

Total places on offer: 30

Total applications refused: 12

The rest of the city's primaries all had more places available than applications.