28/09/20
A campaign which provides families with simple
guidance to applying for primary and secondary school places in Cardiff has
been launched.
Cardiff Council’s School Admissions team have
put together 7 tips to help people by explaining how the admissions process
works, the importance of using all preferences available to them and why they
should apply on time.
Cabinet Member for Education, Employment and
Skills, Cllr Sarah Merry said: “Applying for a school place can be a
nerve-racking time, particularly if families are not fully aware of how the
application process works or that completing the application incorrectly, could
hinder their chance of getting a place at their preferred school.
“The
aim of this campaign is to make the application process as simple and
transparent as possible, so that every family in Cardiff has the knowledge,
support and understanding to ensure that they are not at a disadvantage when
applying for a school place.”
The campaign features a new animation aimed at
children and families which helps to explain the 7 tips. It covers things like;
-
The importance
of applying on time, by the published application deadline
-
the benefits of
exploring all the schools in the child’s area by visiting their websites and
reading their reports
-
the need to
include a full list of school
preferences in the first application form to increase the chance of getting
a school of choice making sure the
application form includes essential
information such as if the child has a sibling at the school or any additional
learning, medical or social needs.
Information is also included on how to make an
appeal if you are not offered your preferred school.
Cllr Merry added: “Cardiff has many great
schools so places can go quickly. This campaign will hopefully be of benefit to
many communities in Cardiff and help raise awareness of the support available
to parents when making decisions and applications for school places.”
To view the 7 tip guidance and the animation
please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqFFf-qb0HU
Applications for applying for a secondary
place in September 2021 open on Monday, 28 September and close on Monday 23,
November 2020.
Primary
school applications open on Monday 16 November 2020 and close on Monday 11, January 2020.
To apply for a school place
please go to:cardiff.gov.uk/schooladmissions
The latest 7 tips School Admissions campaign
supports Cardiff’s commitment to becoming one of the UK’s first Unicef Child
Friendly Cities, placing
the rights and voices of children and
young people at the heart of Cardiff's policies, strategies and services.
The
information will also be available on the webpage in several languages
including Arabic, Czech, Romanian, Portuguese, Polish, Somali and
Bengali. The Council is grateful to academics at Cardiff University’s School of
Modern Languages who have supported the campaign by providing voice-overs for
the animations in these languages.