Admission to schools in Pembrokeshire - Information for Parents

Part 2 - Policies and law

i) At what age does my child legally have to attend school?

Parents of children between the ages of 5 and 16 must ensure that their children receive suitable full time education. A child reaches statutory school age at the beginning of the term following his or her fifth birthday. Conversely, all young people are required to remain in education until they cease to be of compulsory school age; the school leaving date is the last Friday in June in the school year in which a child reaches the age of 16.

 

ii) Can my child be educated in a different year group?

The Local Authority has a Guide to Good Practice on Educating Young People Out of Their Chronological Year Group. This document outlines the procedures that have to be followed when consideration needs to be given to advancing or holding back a young person in education. Parents need to approach their school setting for discussions around this subject.

Further information regarding Educating Young People out of their chronological age can be found on the Pembrokeshire Inclusion Service Website

If you submit an admissions application which includes a request that your child be taught in a year other than their chronological year group, you will be contacted with the above information and advised that your application will be cancelled and that no new application should be submitted until the above procedure has been followed.

 

iii) How does the County Council meet my parental preference?

The County Council is required by law to make arrangements for parents to express their preference for the school where they wish their child to be educated, and provide an opportunity to give reasons for their preference before any places are offered. The Admission Authority must meet your preference if it can, but certain factors may prevent this.

These include:

• the efficient use of resources and accommodation
• the efficient provision of education
• statutory class size limits

All schools have an Admission Number, which is used as a guide in deciding whether any year group within a school is full or has places available. If there are more applications than places available then the oversubscription criteria in Part 1viii are applied. The Admission Number for each school is shown in the School list - Pembrokeshire

Parents may express a preference for their child’s education at:

• Age 3 – early years (Nursery) classes/units attached to infant or primary schools (where these are available). Three year olds attend part time only
• Age 4-5 – Infants schools or infant departments of primary schools (Reception classes)
• Age 11 – Secondary Education

 

iv) Are there class size limits in schools?

Yes. The law says that, apart from some very limited exceptions, no infant class (Foundation Phase) may contain more than 30 pupils being taught by one teacher. The Welsh Government has also set a target that no junior class should exceed 30 pupils.

 

v) Why do you need to know about parental responsibility for my child?

The Authority needs to know who has 'parental responsibility' for each child and the person making an application needs to confirm their status accordingly. This is to ensure that proper authority is given when the school needs parental permission. It will also make sure that people with parental responsibility who do not live with a child can be provided with school reports and given an opportunity to take part in the child’s education, as they are entitled to receive this information unless there is a specific court order preventing this.

Where more than one person has parental responsibility for a child, the person completing the application for a school place must take all reasonable steps to discuss and agree the application with others with parental responsibility, where their whereabouts are known. If the whereabouts of others with parental responsibility are unknown, this should be stated in writing. 

 

Who has parental responsibility for the child?

• Mothers always have parental responsibility (unless a court order is in place that states she will no longer have the responsibility e.g. in adoption cases).
• Fathers who were married to the mother prior to 2003 have parental responsibility.
• Fathers also have parental responsibility for a child if the child was born after 2003 and their name is on the child’s birth certificate.

Unmarried fathers, step-parents, relatives and other person can obtain parental responsibility but they do not have it automatically.

Parents are asked to co-operate with the Admissions Officer by providing details of those people with parental responsibility for a pupil. Your child’s school should be informed of any changes in the arrangements for parental responsibility or in the day to day care of your child. Any reference to parents within this booklet includes anyone having legal parental responsibility.

The County Council may request proof of parental responsibility and/or the child’s birth certificate, if it considers it necessary to do so.

Please note that if the Admissions Team is made aware that an application has been submitted without the consent of all other persons with Parental Responsibility and without them being named on the application form, or that any information has been given fraudulently or is misleading, this may result in the application or school place being lawfully withdrawn.

 

vi) Legal / known name of child

The legal name of your child is that which is shown on his/her birth certificate. Please ensure that this is given on all admission and transfer application forms. Should your child be known by another name, then this should also be included on the relevant forms. There are specific procedures to be followed for changing a child’s legal name, and this can be undertaken by Deed Poll or Statutory Declaration. Please take legal advice before considering this and ensure that your child’s school is made aware of any subsequent changes to the child’s legal name by providing a copy of the relevant documentation.

 

vii) What provision do you make for UK Service personnel?

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. As a result, applications for school places for the approaching school year will be considered if accompanied by an official Ministry of Defence or Foreign and Commonwealth Office letter declaring a return date. School places will then be allocated in advance if the applicant would meet the criteria when they move to their destination. Unit postal addresses for applications from service personnel will also be accepted, in the absence of a new home postal address.

 

viii) What provision do you make for Gypsy & Traveller families?

Admission applications made in respect of Gypsy and Traveller children to a Pembrokeshire school, whether residing permanently or temporarily in the area, will be dealt with as quickly as possible, to allocate the nearest available and appropriate school.

 

ix) What provision do you make for Elective Home Education?

Parents may also choose to educate their children at home. This is known as Elective Home Education. The decision to home educate requires careful thought, as it represents a considerable undertaking in terms of commitment, time and cost. Parents considering this option are advised to contact the LA, and seek guidance from the Elective Home Education Officer on 01437 764551. Further information is available on the Elective Home Education section of the Council website.

 

x) What are the rights of children from overseas?

Children from overseas, whether they are accompanied or unaccompanied by parents, have the same rights to education as British Citizen children. As a result, the County Council will treat such applications for admission to schools in the same way. The Local Authority should ensure that there are no unreasonable delays in securing the admission of asylum seeking and refugee pupils and admission practice must be commensurate with that applied to all other pupils.

 

xi) What are my rights of appeal?

Appeals can be submitted for applications for a Reception place and above. Appeals can be made by e–form or in writing to the Director for Education, setting out the grounds on which it is made. Appeals must be submitted within 14 days (10 working days) of notification of your application for a school place being unsuccessful. There is an appeals form available on the Pembrokeshire County Council website along with further information on the appeal process.

Once received, your Appeal will be considered by the Admissions Authority and if a place is not given then your Appeal will be referred to Legal Services (who act as the Clerk to the appeal panel). Please note that the Admissions Authority may contact your child’s current and applied for schools to corroborate any information mentioned in the Appeal form.

Appeals will be heard and considered by the Independent Appeals Panel within 30 school days of the specified closing date for the receipt of appeals, or within 30 school days of the appeal being received in writing if the appeal is made outside the timetabled admissions process. Appeals received during the summer holidays will be heard within 30 working days. You will have the right to present your case to the Panel in person. The Panel may allow you to be accompanied by a friend or to be represented; in addition, children are permitted to give evidence where they wish to do so. The decision of the Appeals Panel is binding on the County Council and on schools’ governing bodies. However, there is no right of appeal for nursery admissions.

If you are refused a place at a voluntary aided school, the school concerned will advise you of its appeals procedure.

 

xii) What financial assistance might I be eligible for?

If your child stays on at school after statutory school leaving age, he or she may be eligible for a Welsh Government Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA). The allowance is means tested and you will need to provide details of your income. Application forms are available from the secondary school your child attends or from the Student Finance Wales Website  

 

xiii) Curriculum

During primary education and the first three years of secondary education all schools offer a broad and balanced programme, which includes all the National Curriculum subjects.  The aim is to ensure a sound platform of basic skills, knowledge and understanding and to promote the personal development of all pupils.

The Welsh Assembly Government publishes booklets for parents of primary and secondary pupils that explain the national curriculum in Wales and how a pupil’s progress is measured.  These are available from your child‘s school or on the Welsh Government website (opens in a new tab).

 

xiv) What public examinations will my child take?

All public examinations arranged for your child comply with legal requirements and are approved by the Qualifications in Wales, the regulator of non-degree qualifications and the qualifications system in Wales. Approved qualifications are posted on the Qualifications in Wales website (opens in a new tab)  

The decision to enter your child for public examinations is taken by the school. There is a fee to be paid for each examination and the school meets the cost of this fee when your child is entered for the first time. If your child misses an examination without a valid medical reason then you will be liable for the fee. Similarly, you may be liable for the payment of fees for examination re-sits.  However, the school will be able to provide you with further details on these matters.

All schools will provide you with details of their public examination results if you ask them.

In addition to the above, learners in Years 2 to 9 in maintained schools (including community, voluntary-aided, voluntary-controlled and foundation) must take the personalised assessments in reading and numeracy at least once during the school year. Numeracy is taken in 2 parts: Numeracy (Procedural) and Numeracy (Reasoning). Further information can be found here - Latest Welsh Government Information

 

xv) What charges might I have to pay?

During your child’s time at school, the majority of the activities offered by schools are free of charge. However, there are occasions when you will be asked to make a contribution towards costs. Information regarding a school's policy for charges and remissions for school activities can be obtained from the headteacher of the school concerned.

 

xvi) What safeguarding arrangements are in place?

The care and wellbeing of pupils is a principal concern of all schools. All school staff adhere to the Wales Safeguarding Procedures in order to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Every school has a safeguarding policy and will have a named Designated Senior Person (DSP) who is responsible for safeguarding matters and for dealing with individual allegations of abuse.

Schools have a statutory duty to act in the best interests of the child and therefore have a duty to make a safeguarding referral to the Child Care Assessment Team (CCAT) within the Social Services Department if there are concerns about a child’s welfare or if there is an allegation of abuse. Consent for a referral will normally be sought from a parent, however, in order to protect a child it will sometimes be necessary to make a referral without informing the parents. This is a sensitive area of work and the support of parents is important when schools implement safeguarding protocols. Please be assured that school staff are working with the wellbeing of your child firmly in mind. Pembrokeshire schools operate a Preventing Extremism and Radicalisation Policy, which is intended to provide a framework for dealing with issues relating to vulnerability, radicalisation and exposure to extreme views.

All Pembrokeshire schools take part in initiatives with Dyfed-Powys Police called Operation Encompass and Operation Endeavour. Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools when a child or young person has been named in any reported domestic incident. Operation Endeavour is the reporting to schools whenever a child has been reported to the police as missing, this will also include when the the pupil has been found.

The Head and DSP are fully sighted as to how to use the information about both initiatives to ensure that a child and/or their families are adequately supported when they have been involved in, or exposed to, a domestic abuse incident or a missing child incident.

Part 3 - Transfers between schools

i) What is the procedure if I want to move my child to another school?

The Council is prepared to consider requests for transfers between schools other than at normal admission times. However, if you are seeking to transfer your child, you must first discuss this with your child’s present headteacher, or head of year in secondary school. You should also contact the headteacher of the school you wish your child to attend. As term time transfers are discouraged, they are normally made only at the beginning of every half term, except where they arise due to a change of family address. An application must be completed online in all cases, and this is available on the County Council's website. 

Please note - the application form will be shared with both the current and proposed school when a child is transferring from one Pembrokeshire school to another. Applications to transfer will not normally be considered more than 1 term in advance of the transfer and should be submitted at least 1 month prior to the requested transfer date in order for it to be processed on time.

Applications to transfer will not normally be considered more than 1 term in advance of the transfer. If an application is submitted more than a term in advance, you will receive an email confirming receipt of the application along with notification that the application will be put on hold until the term before your requested start date. Your application will be processed within 15 school days of the start of that school term. Applications should also be submitted at least 1 month prior to the requested transfer date in order for it to be processed on time.

Changing schools can be unsettling for pupils and can disturb class organisation. It should be a last resort and considered only when all other options for resolving problems have been explored.  If your request for a transfer is due to concerns about your child’s progress or there are any problems at your child’s school, you should, as a first step, discuss the matter with the headteacher of the present school. 

When a school transfer has been agreed parents will be notified in writing by the Admissions officer normally in the form of an automated e-mail (please check your junk mail box if not received in your inbox). Parents will need to follow a link in the e-mail to accept or refuse the place. If circumstances change after the place has been accepted and a place at a different school, or the previous school is required, a new application must be made.

Parents should note that the place in the school their child is leaving may already have been allocated to someone else.

At its meeting on 13^th June 2019, the Admissions forum agreed that in all cases of admissions to community and voluntary controlled secondary schools with effect from September 2019, the admission number could be breached in the case of applications received from in-catchment pupils. However the Admissions officer is required to discuss each case with the relevant Headteacher and can only do this in cases where there is not already a waiting list for the year group. The same arrangements apply for primary aged pupils and the Admission Authority use their normal act of discretion to consider each application.

ii) How do I add my child’s name to the waiting list?

Once the allocation process has been completed and your preferred school has been refused (see part 2x rights of appeal) your child's name will be automatically added to the waiting list until the end of the half term for which they have applied. Thereafter the parents should be expected to make a fresh application for admission into the school. The priority for any places which become available will be given according to the above oversubscription criteria and not according to the date on which the application for a place was originally submitted.

 

iii) How do I arrange for my child to transfer to secondary school?

Secondary schools in Pembrokeshire offer comprehensive education for pupils of all abilities. The transfer from primary to secondary education normally takes place in the September following a child’s eleventh birthday. For 3-16 schools the pupils will automatically transition to key stage 3, however parents do have parental choice and may choose to apply for another secondary school during the normal admission round process. The Headteacher of your child’s primary school can give you information regarding the secondary school that your child should normally attend. There are educational benefits in your child attending the secondary school linked to his or her primary school as part of the ‘cluster of schools’, (see Part 1xii).

Information on secondary school transfer will be distributed during the Autumn term via the primary schools, before your child is due to go to secondary school. You will be asked to express a preference for a secondary school by the end of the Autumn term by submitting an online application form via the Pembrokeshire County Council website. All applications received on time will be considered together and you will be informed of the outcome on the common offer date.

You may be asked to provide proof of your address, e.g. in the form of a signed tenancy or purchase agreement, recent utility bills, child benefit letter or bank statement (dated within the last three months), when applying for a school place.

If there are more applications for places than there are places available the oversubscription criteria in Part 1viii will be applied.

You should not assume that attendance at any open day or evening for prospective secondary pupils will result in admission or the provision of transport.

At its meeting on 13 June 2019, the Admissions forum agreed that in all cases of admissions to community and voluntary controlled secondary schools with effect from September 2019, the admission number could be breached in the case of applications received from in-catchment pupils. However the Admissions officer is required to discuss each case with the relevant Headteacher.

 

Appendix 1 Pembrokeshire County Council website links

Inclusion and Additional Learning Needs

The Inclusion Service promotes achievement and wellbeing for all children and young people.  In essence, it means making sure that all children and young people have access to the same opportunities and services as everybody else and receive a high quality education, which is broad, balanced and relevant to meeting their individual needs.  The Inclusion strategy states that the majority of school age learners can and should be educated with others of their own age in their local community school which is properly equipped and fit for purpose. If you would like some general advice and guidance about your child’s additional need you should contact the Parental Partnership Service by telephoning 01437 776354.

 

School meals service

School meals are provided by Pembrokeshire County Council’s Catering Team.

• Menus and further information
• Information regarding Free School Meals

 

Education transport

There is a statutory duty for Pembrokeshire County Council (as the Local Authority) to provide pupils of compulsory school age with free transport to their catchment school or their nearest suitable maintained school if they live over the statutory walking distance.

Free transport will be provided according to The Learner Travel Wales Measure - Operational Guidance and Pembrokeshire County Council’s school transport policy and further information can be obtained from the school transport page on the Pembrokeshire County Council website.   

 

School list  

Term dates and holidays

Appendix 2 Explanation of terminology

Academic Year

School year commencing 1st September and ending the following 31st August.

 

Admission Number

The number of school places that the admission authority must offer in each relevant age group of a school for which is the admissions authority.  Admission numbers are based on the “Measuring the Capacity of Schools in Wales” regulations and relate directly to the school’s capacity.

 

Catchment Area

The geographical area intended to be served by the school.

 

Compulsory School Age

A child reaches compulsory school age in the term following their 5^th birthday.  A child ceases to be of compulsory school age if they have attained the age of 16 on the prescribed school leaving date, or before the next school year, which is the last Friday in June.

 

County Council

This is the local government body responsible for the organisation and maintenance of the education services. In Pembrokeshire this responsibility falls on Pembrokeshire County Council. The Local Authority undertakes a range of statutory functions.

 

Curriculum

All the activities and opportunities for learning provided by a school.

 

Maintained School

A school funded and maintained by Pembrokeshire County Council (as the Local Authority).

 

Non-maintained or Independent School

A school not funded or maintained by the County Council.

 

Nursery

School places for children from the term after their 3rd birthday until they become of Reception school age.

 

Primary School Place (Reception Class)

School place starts the Autumn term after the child’s fourth birthday.

 

Sibling

Pupils with full, half or step brothers or sisters, or adoptive or foster children, attending the preferred school, whilst living in the same household at the time of admission and are of statutory school age.

 

Voluntary Aided (VA) (Church in Wales or Catholic) School

A maintained school that was set up by a voluntary body (usually the Church in Wales or the Catholic Church). Aided schools control their own admissions and Religious Education syllabus and employ their own staff.

 

Voluntary Controlled (VC) School

This is a maintained school in which Religious Education is provided according to the Authority’s agreed syllabus. Some denominational instruction maybe offered.

Appendix 3 Published Admission Arrangements for 2025/26

School Admission Arrangements for 2025-26 

Appendix 4 Admission arrangements and oversubscription criteria for voluntary aided schools

On this page:

St. Marks VA School, Haverfordwest

St. Oswalds VA School, Jeffreyston

St Aidans VA School, Wiston

Ysgol yr Eglwys yng Nghymru Penrhyn Dewi VA School, St Davids

Holy Name Catholic School, Fishguard

St Teilo’s Catholic Primary School, Tenby

Mary Immaculate Catholic School, Haverfordwest

St Francis Catholic School, Milford Haven

 



St. Marks VA School, Haverfordwest

St. Mark’s V. A. Church in Wales Primary School,

Merlin’s Bridge, Haverfordwest,

Pembrokeshire, SA611JX

Tel no 01437 767623 

E-mail: admin.stmarks@pembrokeshire.gov.uk

  

Our Church School

As a church school our Christian ethos is at the heart of all that we do. Our “school should be a special place, a safe place, a place of learning, a place of nurture and of exploration. A church school must demonstrate openness and acceptance, tolerance and forgiveness. Here, values and attitudes are formed and every individual is celebrated as unique… A church school develops a distinctive Christian character through its religious education, collective worship and ethos, that makes God's love and presence known to the world.” (Church schools website)

 

Mission statement

We are a caring community, where everyone is valued and respected. Surrounded by God’s love every day, we learn, play, pray and grow together so that we become the best that we can be.

 

Motto

Learning, playing, praying and growing together, to become the best that we can be.

 

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The school is committed to ensuring the highest standards of Data Protection. We will treat all personal data as we would expect our own personal data to be treated, i.e. with respect, integrity and confidentiality and in accordance with the GDPR and other Data Protection laws. All of our school policies will adhere to GDPR guidelines. Our Privacy Notice is available on the school website (opens in a new tab)

 

UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child)

The principles of the UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) are embedded throughout all our curriculum, policies and practices. This provides us with a framework which provides a real meaning and understanding for everything we do.

 

Admissions policy

The admissions authority for this school is the Governing Body.  The admissions policy is reviewed annually.

This policy relates to the years up to and including the school year 2025 - 2026

This admissions policy has been developed to ensure a consistent and fair system for admitting children to the school, especially if spaces are likely to be limited due to reaching the admission number of 20 pupils in any particular year group.

The aim of the Admissions Authority is to have admission arrangements that will work for the benefit of all parents and children in the area and be as simple as possible for parents to use and help them make decisions.

 

When can my child start school?

At St Mark’s V A School, as in the rest of Pembrokeshire, children are eligible to attend school on a part-time basis from the first term after their third birthday and full-time basis from the first term after their fourth birthday. Please note that compulsory education commences from the term following their fifth birthday. The date of your child’s birthday determines when he or she can start school, regardless of the date when the term starts and the table below shows when your child may be admitted to school. Parents can opt to defer their child’s start date anytime up until the child is of compulsory school age; for more information please contact the St Mark’s School on 01437 767623.

Child's birthday falls between:

• 1 April - 31 August: autumn
• 1 September - 31 December: spring
• 1 January - 31 March: summer

 Children may attend St Mark’s full time at the start of the term following their fourth birthday.

The law does not require a child to start full time education until the beginning of the school term following the child's fifth birthday. However, pupils are provided with a full-time place the term after the age of four years and are strongly encouraged to attend full time in order to receive the full benefits of Foundation Phase education and experiences.

 

Applications

• 31 December 2023: spring 2024
• 31 March 2024: summer 2024
• 31 August 2024: autumn 2024

Applications for a place at St. Mark’s V. A. School should be made online via Pembrokeshire County Council. If parents do not have an e-mail address an application form is available from the school. The closing date for applications to Nursery is 30^th April preceding the calendar year in which the school place is required. The closing date for applications to Reception is 31^st January in the year in which the school place is required. Parents will be notified of the success of their application by the 31^st July 2024.  Parents who have made an application for Reception will be notified of the success of their application by the 16^th April 2024. St Mark’s V A School is committed to ensuring the highest standards of Data Protection.  

Parents will be asked to provide a copy of the child's birth certificate. Children from overseas, who are lawfully resident in the UK, whether they are accompanied or unaccompanied by parents, have the same rights to education as British Citizen children. As a result, St Mark’s V A School will treat such applications for admission to schools in the same way. 

 

Over subscription criteria

St Mark’s V. A. School is a Church in Wales school which essentially serves the community of Merlins Bridge and the pastoral area of Haverfordwest and the admissions policy reflects this in its prioritised list of over subscription criteria:

1. Current and former Looked After Children (children who are looked after by a Local Authority in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989).
2. Siblings of children already in the school at the time of admission. This will include any full, half or step brothers or sisters or adopted or fostered child living at the same address as a child already in the school.
3. Children residing within the community of Merlins Bridge. (Please see map at end of this document which may be used as a guide.)
4. Children of practising members of the Church in Wales (application to be supported by a statement from their Parish Priest).
5. Children of parents of other Christian denominations who wish their child to have a church school education (application to be supported by a statement from their Faith Leader).
6. Children of parents of other faiths who wish their child to have an Anglican Church school education.

In the event of children resulting from a multiple birth applying for places at our school, they will be considered as a unit and either all or none will be offered a place, dependant on whether admitting them all would cause the admission number to be exceeded.  If the last child to be admitted up to the Admission Number is one of a multiple birth then the other sibling(s) of that multiple birth would also be admitted.

The children of armed forces personnel will be admitted outside the normal admission round, even if their admission would cause the infant class size limit to be exceeded. (Subject to the above oversubscription criteria)

On admission to the school the children are entered into the School Register. Their details, along with any information provided by their parents, are included on computer records that are subject to data protection regulations.

All classes will not contain more than 30 pupils at the start of the academic year. If a child does move into the area during the school year, the number within that class may rise to over 30, but only for that school year.

The Governing Body may refuse to admit a child to school when the admission number is reached.

Anyone expressing an interest in admission will be advised to apply for a place online via Pembrokeshire County Council 

 

Appeals

If entry is refused then parents have the right of appeal. Parents who are unsuccessful should appeal in writing to the Chair of the Governing Body c/o St. Mark’s V. A. School, Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest, SA61 1JX.  Parents will be allowed 14 days (10 working days) from the date of notification that their application was unsuccessful to prepare and submit their written appeals. Receipt of appeal requests will be acknowledged.  Appellants will be given at least 14 days (10 working days) written notice of the date of their appeal hearing. Only parents of children of statutory school age may appeal against refusal.  

 

Parental preference

The Admissions Authority will show regard for the general principle that pupils are to be educated in accordance with the wishes of their parents, unless to admit that child would prejudice the provision of efficient education, or the efficient use of resources.

If a child has been permanently excluded from two or more schools the requirement to comply with the parental preference is disapplied for a period of two years following the second exclusion.

 

Tie breaker for all categories

In the event of a tie when considering the over subscription criteria, the Governors will admit those appliants who live nearest the school. In the case of a child whose parents have joint/shared responsibility the residence of the parent who has the greater responsibility during the school week will be the determining address. Proof of residency (dated within the last three months) will be required in the form of one of the following:

• Council Tax Statement
• Utility Bill
• Benefit Statement e.g. Child Allowance, Pension
• Mortgage Statement
• Bank / Building Society Statement
• Credit Card Statement

The Governing body will use the shortest walking route, calculated using Ordnance Survey customised route data from the front door of the school to the front door of the residence of the applicant. Where necessary, the Governors will request assistance from the local authority to determine the shortest route.

 

Waiting list

A waiting list of unsuccessful applications will be maintained until the normal date of admission is reached. If a place becomes available, the Governors will consider those on the waiting list on the basis of the published over subscription criteria.  If the Governors place an application on the waiting list it will not affect the parent’s right of appeal.b For applications received outside the normal admission rounds (e.g. pupils of non-compulsory school age who wish to join the nursery) waiting lists are held until the end of the academic year.  

 

Transfers between schools

Parents may request a transfer at any time. If the transfer request is due to a change of address and there is room to accommodate the pupil at St Mark’s V A School, the transfer will be made as soon as mutually convenient. 

If the transfer request is not due to a change of address, advice will be sought from the Pupil Support Service. Parents will be invited to discuss the transfer request with the Headteacher, who will determine whether an immediate transfer should be granted.

Changing schools can be unsettling for pupils and can disturb class organisation. It should be a last resort and considered only when all other options for resolving problems have been explored. If your request for a transfer is due to concerns about your child’s progress or there are any problems at your child’s school, you should, as a first step, discuss the matter with the headteacher of the present school. 

 

What safeguarding arrangements are in place?

The care and wellbeing of pupils is a principal concern of all schools. All school staff adhere to the Wales Safeguarding Procedures 2019 in order to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. Every school has a safeguarding policy and will have a named Designated Senior Person (DSP) who is responsible for safeguarding matters and for dealing with individual allegations of abuse.

Schools have a statutory duty to act in the best interests of the child and therefore have a duty to make a safeguarding referral to the Child Care Assessment Team (CCAT) within the Social Services Department if there are concerns about a child’s welfare or if there is an allegation of abuse. Consent for a referral will normally be sought from a parent, however, in order to protect a child it will sometimes be necessary to make a referral without informing the parents. This is a sensitive area of work and the support of parents is important when schools implement safeguarding protocols. Please be assured that school staff are working with the wellbeing of your child firmly in mind. Pembrokeshire schools operate a Preventing Extremism and Radicalisation Policy, which is intended to provide a framework for dealing with issues relating to vulnerability, radicalisation and exposure to extreme views.

All Pembrokeshire schools take part in a project with Dyfed-Powys Police called Operation Encompass. Operation Encompass is the reporting to schools, prior to the start of the next school day, when a child or young person has exposed to, or involved in, any domestic incident. The Head and DSP have been trained to use the information about the domestic incident to ensure that a child and/or their families are adequately supported when they have been involved in, or exposed to, a domestic abuse incident.



St. Oswalds VA School, Jeffreyston

Admissions Policy November 2023

This policy will apply to admissions during 2025 - 2026

 

Preamble

The policy and arrangements set out below are governed by the relevant parts of education legislation and the provision of the schools Trust Deed.

 

Rights of parents

The school seeks to provide places for all children who reside within the catchment area from which the former Jeffreyston V. C. School and Loveston C.P. School drew their pupils up to 31^st August 2001. However, any parent may apply for his/her child to be admitted to the school. A form of application can be obtained from the school office which must be returned to the Chairperson of St. Oswald’s Governing Body. Parents must also apply via the Pembrokeshire County Council website.

If a child is refused admission the parent may, within a period of 14 days, appeal against the decision to a Panel constituted for that purpose in accordance with the provisions of the Education Acts. Information on how to appeal will be given by the Headteacher at the time of the original decision. All appeals must be submitted to the Chairperson of St. Oswald’s Governing Body. There is no right of appeal for nursery applications.

 

Number of pupils to be admitted

The school’s admission number, established on the basis of the relevant legislation is that 17 pupils will be admitted to the Early Years Class up to that number. The closing date for applications to Nursery is 30th April preceding the calendar year in which the school place is required. Parents will be notified of the success of their application by the 31st July.

St Oswald’s V.A. School is committed to ensuring the highest standards of Data Protection. We will treat all personal data as we would expect our own personal data to be treated, i.e. with respect, integrity, confidentiality and in accordance with the GDPR and other Data Protection laws. Our Privacy Notice is available on the school website (opens in a new tab).

• The closing date for Nursery applications for 2023 is 30th April 2025
• Admission for Reception in Sept 2023 must be made by 31st January 2025

Waiting lists - we keep children on the waiting list for a Reception place until 30th September and then ask parents if they would like their child’s name to remain on the waiting list until the end of the academic year. All others remain on the waiting list until the end of the academic year they have applied for.

Children are eligible to attend school on a part-time basis from the first term after their third birthday and full-time basis from the first term after their fourth birthday. Please note that compulsory education commences from the term following their fifth birthday. The date of your child’s birthday determines when he or she can start school, regardless of the date when the term starts and the table below shows when your child may be admitted to school. Parents can opt to defer their child’s start date anytime up until the child is of compulsory school age; for more information please contact the school.

Child's birthday falls between:

• 1 April - 31 August: autumn
• 1 September - 31 December: spring
• 1 January - 31 March: summer

Children may attend St Oswald’s School full time at the start of the term following their fourth birthday.

Applications to classes will be made where there are vacancies (calculated according to the admission number and statutory size limits set by efficient provision of education or efficient use of resources).

 

Criteria for determining admissions

If the number of children whose parents are seeking admission to the school exceeds the number of places available offers will be made in the following order of priority:

• Pupils Looked After (PLA) or children who were previously PLA.
• Children with parents / carers who are active members of the armed forces or were members of the armed forces no more than six years before the date of the admission application.
• Children with brothers or sisters, these being determined as foster, adopted or permanently living at the same address, who attend the school at the date of the proposed admission.
• Children who live in the catchment area of the school as described in 2 above.
• Children from families living outside the area who are regular communicants at an Anglican Church.
• Children from families of other Christian denominations from outside the area as defined in 2 above whose parents wish them to be educated in an Anglican Church School.
• Children from families outside the area as defined in 2 above who are not active Christian worshippers but whose parents wish their children to be educated in an Anglican Church School.

If the school is named in an Individual Development Plan (IDP), the Governing body has a duty to admit the child to the school.

There is, in all instances a ‘right of appeal’ against a decision that has been made with regard to the refusal of an application for admission which must be made to the Chairperson of the Governing Body.

This policy is reviewed annually and consulted with between all VA and VC schools in Pembrokeshire, the Diocesan Director and between Pembrokeshire Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion Local Authorities as part of the consultation process.

 

Applications

In line with the local authority’s school admission policies, application for admission to St. Oswald’s V. A. School will be made in line with parental preference. Applications are to be made online through Pembrokeshire County Council’s (PCC) online admissions system.

• PCC forward the application via PDF to the school for consideration. The school will confirm with PCC of the number status of the year group/class/es applied for.
• Where the admission number is not exceeded the school would contact the parent/s of the child who have applied for a place. A request to complete a school admission form is made (this must be completed). The school encourages a visit to view the school through meeting with the parent/s and child prior to starting.
• Where the admission number is exceeded, the same arrangements apply as above. The parents will be informed of the school’s waiting list and procedures around this.

St. Oswald’s V.A. School will participate in the co-ordinated admission arrangements operated by the local authority. Consequently, applications for nursery pupils due to start in September, January or April should be received by April 30th of the previous year. The closing date for Reception/Primary Applications is 30^th January in the same year that the child would start in that year group. Parents will be informed in writing of the decision. Families moving into the area will be treated as separate cases but the criteria above will be used.

November 2023

 



St Aidans VA School, Wiston

Admissions Policy

St Aidan’s Church In Wales V.A, School Admissions Policy is policy will apply to admissions during 2025 - 2026

 

The admissions authority for this school is the Governing Body. This policy is reviewed annually with all Pembrokeshire primary phase schools – VA, VC, community 3-11 and both 3-16 schools, the Diocesan Director and Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion Local Authorities are consulted.

Our admission policy has been developed to ensure a consistent and fair system for admitting pupils to our school, especially if spaces are likely to be limited due to reaching the admission number of 17.

St Aidan’s V.A. School is a Church in Wales’ school which essentially serves the community within the parishes of Llawhaden, Walton East, Clarbeston Road, Slebech and Wiston and the admissions policy reflects this in its prioritised list of criteria.

 

In the event of oversubscription, priority will be given to the admission of pupils in the following order:

1. Current and former Looked After Children (children who are looked after by a Local Authority in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989).
2. Children from the parishes of Llawhaden, Walton East, Clarbeston Road, Slebech and Wiston.
3. Children who will have a sibling of statutory school age, at the school, at the time of admission. This will include any full, half or step brothers or sisters or adopted or foster child living at the same address as a child already at the school.
4. Children from families whose parents wish them to be educated in an Anglican Church School.
5. Children from families of other Christian denominations whose parents wish their children to be educated in an Anglican Church School.

In the event of a tie, places will be offered to pupils living nearest to the school, measured by the shortest distance from the nearest available school gate to a point where the pupil’s private dwelling meets the public highway. (Google maps will be used to measure the distances)

The Government has set dates by which children must attain the age of 5 to be of compulsory school age in the following school term: these dates are 31st August, 31st December and 31st March. St Aidan’s has nursery provision and children may join on a part-time basis from the start of the term following the child’s third birthday. The eligibility dates above also apply to these admissions and will determine the term in which the child can start. Those children born between 1st September and 31st March may attend nursery provision full time in the term following their 4th birthday. If an application is made for a Nursery place, a further application also needs to be made for a Reception place.

Admission deadlines adhere to the admissions application timetable as published by Pembrokeshire County Council admissions authority.

 

Appeals

If a child is refused admission the parent may, within a period of 14 days, appeal against the decision to a Panel constituted for that purpose in accordance with the provisions of the Education Acts. Information on how to appeal will be given by the Headteacher at the time of the original decision. All appeals must be submitted to the Chairperson of St. Aidan’s Governing Body. There is no right of appeal in relation to nursery admissions.

 

Waiting list

A waiting list of unsuccessful applications will be maintained. If a place becomes available, the Governors will consider those on the waiting list on the basis of the published over subscription criteria. If the Governors place an application on the waiting list it will not affect the parent’s right of appeal. The waiting list will be maintained until 30^th September at the start of the relevant academic year. Priority for any places which become available will be given according to the oversubscription criteria and not according to the date on which the application for a place was originally submitted. For applications received outside the normal admission round, waiting lists are held until the end of the summer term of the academic year the place was requested.

 

 



Ysgol yr Eglwys yng Nghymru Penrhyn Dewi VA School, St Davids

Admissions Policy 2025/2026

 

Our Church School

As a church school our Christian ethos is at the heart of all that we do.  Our school should be a special place, a safe place, a place of learning, a place of nurture and of exploration. A church school must demonstrate openness and acceptance, tolerance and forgiveness. Here, values and attitudes are formed and every individual is celebrated as unique. A church school develops a distinctive Christian character through its religious education, collective worship and ethos that makes God’s love and presence known to the world.

 

Motto

‘Be Joyful, Keep the Faith and do the little things’.

 

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The school is committed to ensuring the highest standards of Data Protection.  We will treat all personal data as we would expect our own personal data to be treated; i.e. with respect, integrity and confidentiality and in accordance with the GDPR and other Data Protection laws.  All of our school policies will adhere to GDPR guidance.

 

Admissions arrangements and oversubscription criteria

Admission to the school is the responsibility of the Governing Body and applications should be made online via the Pembrokeshire County Council website

 

When can my child start school?

At Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA, as in the rest of Pembrokeshire, children are eligible to attend school on a part-time basis from the first term after their third birthday and full-time basis from the first term after their fourth birthday. Please note that compulsory education commences from the term following their fifth birthday. The date of your child’s birthday determines when he or she can start school, regardless of the date when the term starts and the table below shows when your child may be admitted to school. Parents can opt to defer their child’s start date anytime up until the child is of compulsory school age; for more information please contact the school on 01437 809200 or email admin.penrhyndewi@pembrokeshire.gov.uk 

Child's birthday falls between:

• 1 April - 31 August: autumn
• 1 September - 31 December: spring
• 1 January - 31 March: summer

The law does not require a child to start full time education until the beginning of the school term following the child's fifth birthday. However, pupils are provided with a full-time place the term after the age of four years and are strongly encouraged to attend full time in order to receive the full benefits of Foundation Phase education and experiences.

 

Nursery age children – 3 years old

Date by which the appropriate age must be reached - term of admission:

• 31 December 2024: spring 2025
• 31 March 2025: summer 2025
• 31 August 2025: autumn 2025

 

Primary age children – 4 year olds

Date by which the appropriate age must be reached - term of admission:

• 31 December 2024: spring 2025
• 31 March 2025: summer 2025
• 31 August 2025: autumn 2025

Secondary age children – 11 year olds

Pupils on roll in Year 6 will not be required to apply for transfer to the secondary element

Age: 11 - date by which the appropriate age must be reached: 31 August 2025 - term of admission: autumn 2025

 

Admission timetable – Normal admission rounds

Provision	Age	Starting school	Closing date for applying	Offer/Notification date	Appeals closing date
Nursery	1st Sept 2022 – 31st Aug 2023	January, April, September 2026	30th April 2025	By end of July 2025	No rights of appeal
Reception place (there is no automatic transfer from Nursery to Reception)	1st Sept 2020 – 31st Aug 2021	Autumn Term 2025	31st January 2025	16th April 2025	10 working days from receipt of refusal letter
Secondary School transfer	1st Sept 2013 – 31st Aug 2014	Autumn Term Sept 2025	20th December 2024	3rd March 2025	10 working days from receipt of refusal letter

 

Applications

Applications for a place at Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA School should be made online via Pembrokeshire County Council. The closing date for applications to Nursery is 30th April preceding the calendar year in which the school place is required.  Parents will be notified of the success of their application by the 31st July.   If your child is admitted to Nursery education, this does not guarantee your child a Primary School place (Reception). You must re-apply for a Primary School place. The closing date for applications to Reception is 31st January prior to the start of the autumn term in the same calendar year. Pupils on roll in Year 6 will not be required to apply for transfer to the secondary element. Subject to parental preference, pupils will remain on roll until the end of their statutory school age.

 

Oversubscription criteria

The Admission Number for the school is 27 for Reception to Year 6 and 80 for Years 7 – 11 and, where the number of applications does not exceed this number, then all applicants will be admitted. However, the Governing Body has set a temporary admissions number of 29 Reception to Year 6 and 84 from Years 7 – 11. Should there be more than the above number of applications received for a single year group, pupils will be admitted on the basis of the following oversubscription criteria, applied in priority order as listed below.

1. Current and former Looked After Pupils of Authorities in Wales and England in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989 as amended by the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations..
2. Children who reside in the school’s catchment area.
3. Children who have brothers and sisters already attending the school at the time of admission. (a sibling is a full, half or step brother or sister, or adopted or foster children, living in the same household at the time of admission).
4. Pupils who have attended a feeder school
5. Children of parents who wish their child to have an Anglican Church School education.
6. Children of Christian denominations living outside the catchment area of the school whose parents specifically wish them to have a Church School education. (With a supporting letter from their priest or minister).

Where preferences exceed places available, priority will be given under each oversubscription category to multiple birth siblings (e.g. twins or triplets). If the last child to be admitted up to the Admission Number is one of a multiple birth, then the school will also admit the other sibling(s). 

In the event of a tie, places will be offered to pupils who live nearest the school, measured by the shortest walking distance from the nearest available school gate to a point where the pupil’s private dwelling meets the highway.

 

Appeal

If entry is refused then parents have the right of one appeal per application per academic year to the Diocesan Admissions Appeal Panel, an independent body that the Diocesan Education Authority has set up for the Governing Body.  (There may be a second appeal if there appears to have been faults in the first hearing or if there has been a significant and material change in the circumstances of the parent or young person or school (i.e. medical reasons or house move).  Parents who are unsuccessful should appeal in writing to the Headteacher, Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi VA, Dewi Campus, St Davids, Pembrokeshire, SA62 6QH or via email to: admin.penrhyndewi@pembrokeshire.gov.uk (FAO: Headteacher). Parents will be allowed 14 days (10 working days) from the date of notification that their application was unsuccessful to prepare and submit their written appeals. Receipt of appeal requests will be acknowledged. Appellants will be given at least 14 days (10 working days) written notice of the date of their appeal hearing. Only parents of children of statutory school age may appeal against refusal.

 

Waiting list

A waiting list of unsuccessful applications will be maintained.  If a place becomes available, the Governors will consider those on the waiting list on the basis of the published over subscription criteria.  If the Governors place an application on the waiting list it will not affect the parent’s right of appeal.  For applications received outside the normal admission rounds waiting lists are held until the end of the Summer term of the academic year the place was requested.

 

Applying outside the normal admissions round

Moving into the area

Parents planning to move into the area should apply no earlier than a term in advance of their children’s anticipated start date. Applications received more than a term in advance will be held until the appropriate time. Delays in moving into the area may result in offers being withdrawn, unless good reason is given.

School transfers during the year

Changing schools requires serious consideration and should, in the first instance, be fully discussed with the Headteacher of your child’s present school. Should parents still need to transfer their child from one school to another then they must apply through submitting an online application which will be treated in the same way as any other application for admission.

 



Holy Name Catholic School, Fishguard

Admissions Policy 2024-26

 

Holy Name is a Catholic Primary School situated in the Diocese of Menevia and is maintained by Pembrokeshire Local Authority.

The Governing Body is responsible for determining and administrating the policy relating to admission of pupils to the school. It is guided in that responsibility by:

• the requirement of the law
• the advice of the Diocesan Trustees on the nature and purpose of its duties and in fulfillment of its Trust Deed and Instrument of Government
• its duty towards the school and Catholic community it serves
• the Catholic character of the school and its Mission statement

The ethos of the school is Catholic. The school was founded by the Catholic Church to provide education for children of Catholic families. We ask all parents applying for a place here to support and respect this ethos, its importance to the school community and the education it provides. This does not affect the right of parents who are not of the faith of this school to apply for and be considered for a place here.

The school’s admission number for each year group is 18.

Applications to year groups will be made where there are vacancies (calculated according to the admission number and statutory size limits set by efficient provision of education or efficient use of resources).

If the number of applications exceeds the admission number, the governors will give priority to applications in accordance with the criteria listed provided that the governors are made aware of that application before decisions on admissions are made.

Applications for a place in the school must be made using the online form on the Pembrokeshire County Council website.

Parents will be informed in writing of the outcome following a meeting of the admissions committee.

The governing body has delegated responsibility for determining admissions to its Admissions Committee, which will consider all applications at the same time and after the closing date for admissions, made in accordance with the admissions criteria .

Pupils who are admitted to the school will enter the Reception Class the term after their fourth birthday. All parents have to re-apply for the Reception/Primary year group – which is the academic year that a child turns 5.

If an application for admission has been turned down by the Governing Body, parents can appeal to an Independent Appeals Panel. This panel must be sent in writing to the clerk to the Governors at the school within 14 days (10 working days) of refusal. There is no right of appeal for nursery applications.

In the event of any oversubscription in the number of applications made under any of the categories above then the admissions committee will offer places first to children living nearest to the school by the shortest walking distance using public highways from the child’s front door to the main entrance of the school.

Waiting lists - we keep children on the waiting list for a Reception place until 30^th September and then ask parents if they would like their child’s name to remain on the waiting list until the end of the academic year.  All others remain on the waiting list until the end of the academic year they have applied for.

 

Holy Name Primary School admissions criteria

Where the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, the Governing body will apply the following over-subscription criteria in priority order:

1. Baptised Catholic children within the parishes served by the school.
2. All children baptised in the Orthodox Church living in the school’s catchment area.
3. Other baptised Catholic children.
4. Children who have a brother or sister in the school at the time of admission.
5. Children of other Christian denominations.
6. Children of other faiths whose parents seek a Catholic education
7. Non-Catholic children whose parents seek Catholic education for their child.
8. Children for whom the LA has specifically asked for a place at the school

All schools have a duty to admit children with a Statement of Education Needs where the school is named in the statement.

In all of the above categories Looked After Children (LAC) will be given priority.

• In the event of any over-subscription, the number of applications made under any of the categories above then the Admissions Committee will offer places first to children living nearest to the school by the shortest walking distance using public highways. All Christian applicants will be required to produce baptismal certificates.
• Parents must give reasons for appealing in writing and the decision of the Appeals Panel is binding on the Governors.
• As required by law, the Governing Body will not admit more than 30 pupils to any one Reception of Foundation Phase class. 

 



St Teilo’s Catholic Primary School, Tenby

Admission Policy 2024-2026

 

St Teilo’s is conducted as a Catholic school in accordance with Canon Law and the teachings of the Catholic Church and in accordance with the Trust Deed of the Diocese of Menevia. In the application of this policy, St Teilo’s School will have regard, in particular, to advice from the Diocese of Menevia.

St Teilo’s School will act in accordance with all relevant provisions of the statutory Codes of Practice (the Welsh Assembly Government School Admissions Code and the School Admission Appeals Code of Practice 2013 as they apply at any given time to maintained schools and with the law on admissions as it applies to maintained schools.

Reference in the codes or in this policy to “admission authorities” or “the governors” shall be deemed to be references to the Voluntary Aided Governing Body of St Teilo’s School. References to “the local authority” shall be deemed to be references to Pembrokeshire County Council.

The ethos of the school is Catholic. The school was founded by the Catholic Church to provide education for children of Catholic families. We ask all parent/s or guardian/s applying for a place here to support and respect this ethos, its importance to the school community and the education it provides. This does not affect the right of parent/s or guardian/s who are not of the Catholic faith, or whose children are not of the Catholic faith to apply for and be considered for a place here.

Our admission policy has been developed to ensure a consistent and fair system for admitting pupils to our school, especially if spaces are likely to be limited due to reaching the admission number for September 2024, which is 13.

 

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The school is committed to ensuring the highest standards of Data Protection. We will treat all personal data as we would expect our own personal data to be treated; i.e. with respect, integrity and confidentiality and in accordance with the GDPR and other Data Protection laws. All of our school policies will adhere to GDPR guidance.

 

Admission arrangements and oversubscription criteria

Admission to the school is the responsibility of the Governing Body and applications should be made online via the Pembrokeshire County Council website:  https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/school-admissions

 

When can my child start school?

At St Teilo’s School, as in the rest of Pembrokeshire, children are eligible to attend school on a part-time basis from the first term after their third birthday and full-time basis from the first term after their fourth birthday. Please note that compulsory education commences from the term following their fifth birthday. The date of your child’s birthday determines when he or she can start school, regardless of the date when the term starts and the table below shows when your child may be admitted to school. Parents can opt to defer their child’s start date anytime up until the child is of compulsory school age; for more information please contact the school on 01437 762324 or email  admin.maryimmaculate@pembrokeshire.gov.uk 

The normal age for admission to school in Pembrokeshire, in a school like St Teilo’s with nursery provision, is the start of the term following the child’s third birthday. In the context of when a child can commence school, please note the timescales below:

Child's birthday falls between:

• 1 April - 31 August: autumn
• 1 September - 31 December: spring
• 1 January - 31 March: summer 

  

The law does not require a child to start full time education until the beginning of the school term following the child's fifth birthday. However, pupils are provided with a full-time place the term after the age of four years and are strongly encouraged to attend full time in order to receive the full benefits of Foundation Phase education and experiences.

Nursery age children – 3 years old

Date by which the appropriate age is reached - term of admission:

• 31 December 2024: spring 2025
• 31 March 2025: summer 2025
• 31 August 2025: autumn 2025
• 31 December 2025: spring 2026
• 31 March 2026: summer 2026
• 31 August 2026: autumn 2026

 

Primary age children – 4 year olds

Date by which the appropriate age must be reached - term of admission:

• 31 December 2024: spring 2025
• 31 March 2025: summer 2025
• 31 August 2025: autumn 2025
• 31 December 2025: spring 2026
• 31 March 2026: summer 2026
• 31 August 2026: autumn 2026

 

Secondary age children – 11 year olds

Date by which the appropriate age must be reached - term of admission:

• 31 August 2025: autumn 2025
• 31 August 2026: autumn 2026

 

Applications

In line with the local authority’s school admission policies, application for admission to St Teilo’s School will be made in line with parental preference. The closing date for applications to Nursery is 30th April preceding the calendar year in which the school place is required. Parents will be notified of the success of their application by the 31st July. If your child is admitted to Nursery education, this does not guarantee your child a Primary School place (Reception). You must re-apply for a Primary School place. The closing date for applications to Reception is 31st January prior to the start of the autumn term in the same calendar year. Parents will be notified of the success of their application by 16th April.  Pupils in Year 6 must apply for Secondary places in their preferred school by 20th December in the year prior to the start of the autumn term in the following calendar year. Parents will be notified of the success of their application by 1st March.

 

Application process

• Applications are to be made online through Pembrokeshire County Council’s (PCC) online admissions system 
  
• PCC forward the application to the school for consideration.
• Where the admission number is not exceeded, a place will be offered.
• The school encourages a visit to view the school to meet with the parent/s or guardian/s and child/children prior to starting.
• Where the admission number is exceeded, the place will be refused, and the parents will be advised. The parent/s or guardian/s will be informed of the school’s waiting list and procedures around this (see below).

Admissions criteria

Definition

Child or Young Person Looked After (CYPLA). The definition of a Child or Young Person Looked After - is a child who is looked after by the Local Authority in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989. Looked after children will take priority in all categories below.

Siblings. For admission purposes, a sibling is a child who is a brother/sister, half brother/sister (children who share one common parent), stepbrother/sister (children related by marriage) or an adopted or fostered child living at the same address. Pupils who have siblings in each category will have priority in that category. The sibling connection will apply to those children who have a sibling on roll at St Teilo’s School in the September the applicant would begin school. Parent/s or guardian/s must state any sibling connection in their application.

Catholic. A Catholic is a person who has been Baptised within the Latin Rite (‘Roman’) Catholic Church

or another of the 23 Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See.

Orthodox. An Orthodox Christian is a person who has been Baptised within an Orthodox Church in partial communion with the Holy See, and whose Church has a valid sacramental structure recognized by the Holy See.

Parishioner.A person who is geographically resident within the boundary of a given parish (worshiping in a church building of another parish, doesn’t qualify a person to be a member of that other parish).

Admissions and Oversubscription Criteria

Where the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, the governors will apply the over- subscription criteria. Governors will admit children in the following categories and in the priority listed. Evidence of baptism will be required in the form of a Baptism Certificate issued from the parish of baptism, or a Certificate of Reception into the Catholic Church issued by the parish where the reception took place.

1. Baptised Catholic children of parent/s or guardian/s who are parishioners of the Catholic Parish of Tenby.
2. The Baptised Catholic children of parent/s or guardian/s who are parishioners of Catholic parishes adjoining Catholic Parish of Tenby.
3. Baptised children of Orthodox churches living in Catholic Parish of Tenby and neighbouring Catholic parishes.
4. Children who are not baptised but have siblings in the school.
5. Baptised children of other Christian denominations who reside in the areas referred to in category 2. This includes members of Ecclesial Communities who are members of Churches Together in Wales (Cytûn) and other Christian Ecclesial Communities. Priority will not be given to applications in this category unless an accompanying letter from the current minister is provided confirming Baptism, or unless there is an accompanying statement of affiliation, signed by the minister or minister’s representative, confirming membership in that Christian Ecclesial Community.
6. Children of other faiths whose parents seek a Catholic education.
7. Children for whom the LA has specifically asked for a place at the school.

In all of the above categories, Children and Young People Looked After (CYPLA) will be given priority.

 

Tiebreaker for all categories

In the event of a tiebreaker, being required in any of the categories above, the governors will admit those applicants who live nearest the school. In the case of a child whose parent/s or guardian/s have joint/shared responsibility, the parent/guardian who has the greater responsibility during the school week and whose residence is nearer the school will be the determining factor. Proof of residency will be required in the form of one of the following:

Current Council Tax notification letter for the address on the application

Current child tax credit note

Current child benefit notification letter Current income support notification Current pension award notification Current housing benefit notification

The governors will use the shortest walking route calculated using Ordnance Survey customised route data from the front door of the school to the front door of the house or flat of the applicant. Where necessary, the governors will request assistance from the local authority to determine the shortest route.

 

Waiting list

A waiting list of unsuccessful applications will be maintained. If a place becomes available, the governors will consider those on the waiting list on the basis of the published oversubscription criteria, not on the date the application was received. If the governors place an application on the waiting list it will not affect the parents’ or guardians’ right of appeal. The waiting list will be maintained until 31st  August in the school year that the application was made. After that date, the parent must inform the school that the application should be taken forward to the next academic year.

 

Appeals

If an application for admission has been turned down by the Governing Body, parents can appeal to an Independent Appeals Panel. This appeal must be sent in writing to the clerk to the Governors at the school within 14 days (10 working days) of refusal. There is no right of appeal for nursery applications.  Applicants will be given at least 14 days (10 working days) written notice of the date of their appeal hearing

 

Applying outside the normal admissions round

Moving into the area

Parents planning to move into the area should apply no earlier than a term in advance of their children’s anticipated start date. Applications received more than a term in advance will be held until the appropriate time. Delays in moving into the area may result in offers being withdrawn, unless good reason is given.

School transfers during the year

This policy has been shared with headteachers in Pembrokeshire and neighbouring local authorities, the Director of Education for the Diocese of Menevia – Paul White, members of the Governing Body and the Local Authority Admissions Office.

Date approved by Governors: 21 March 2024

Review by: March 2025

 

  



Mary Immaculate Catholic School, Haverfordwest

Admissions Policy 2024-26

This policy will apply for admissions 2024-2026

(written in line with Diocese of Menevia Catholic Schools Admissions Policy)

 

Mary Immaculate is conducted as a Catholic school in accordance with Canon Law and the teachings of the Catholic Church and in accordance with the Trust Deed of the Diocese of Menevia. In the application of this policy, Mary Immaculate School will have regard, in particular, to advice from the Diocese of Menevia.

Mary Immaculate School will act in accordance with all relevant provisions of the statutory Codes of Practice (the Welsh Assembly Government School Admissions Code and the School Admission Appeals Code of Practice 2009) as they apply at any given time to maintained schools and with the law on admissions as it applies to maintained schools.

Reference in the codes or in this policy to "admission authorities" or "the governors" shall be deemed to be references to the Voluntary Aided Governing Body of Mary Immaculate School.

References to "the local authority/' shall be deemed to be references to Pembrokeshire County Council.

The ethos of the school is Catholic. The school was founded by the Catholic Church to provide education for children of Catholic families. We ask all parent/s or guardian/s applying for a place here to support and respect this ethos, its importance to the school community and the education it provides. This does not affect the right of parent/s or guardian/s who are not of the Catholic faith, or whose children are not of the Catholic faith to apply for and be considered for a place here.

Our admission policy has been developed to ensure a consistent and fair system for admitting pupils to our school, especially if spaces are likely to be limited due to reaching the admission number for September 2024, which is 29.

 

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The school is committed to ensuring the highest standards of Data Protection. We will treat all personal data as we would expect our own personal data to be treated; i.e. with respect, integrity and confidentiality and in accordance with the GDPR and other Data Protection laws. All of our school policies will adhere to GDPR guidance.

 

Admission arrangements and oversubscription criteria

Admission to the school is the responsibility of the Governing Body and applications should be made online via the Pembrokeshire County Council website  

 

When can my child start school?

At Mary Immaculate School, as in the rest of Pembrokeshire, children are eligible to attend scho ol on a part- time basis from the first term after their third birthday and full-time basis from the first term after their fourth birthday. Please note that compulsory education commences from the term following their fifth birthday. The date of your child’s birthday determines when he or she can start school, regardless of the date when the term starts and the table below shows when your child may be admitted to school. Parents can opt to defer their child’s start date anytime up until the child is of compulsory school age; for more information please contact the

school on 01437 762324 or email  admin.maryimmaculate@pembrokeshire.gov.uk 

 

The normal age for admission to school in Pembrokeshire, in a school like Mary Immaculate with nursery provision, is the start of the term following the child’s third birthday. In the context of when a child can commence school, please note the timescales below:

Child's birthday falls between:

• 1 April - 31 August: autumn 
• 1 September - 31 December: spring
• 1 January - 31 March: summer 

  

The law does not require a child to start full time education until the beginning of the school term following the child's fifth birthday. However, pupils are provided with a full-time place the term after the age of four years and are strongly encouraged to attend full time in order to receive the full benefits of Foundation phase education and experiences.

Nursery age children – 3 years old

Date by which the appropriate age must be reached - term of admission:

• 31 December 2024: spring 2025
• 31 March 2025: summer 2025
• 31 August 2025: autumn 2025
• 31 December 2025: spring 2026
• 31 March 2026: summer 2026
• 31 August 2026: autumn 2026

 

Primary age children – 4 year olds

Date by which the appropriate age must be reached - term of admission:

• 31 December 2024: spring 2025
• 31 March 2025: summer 2025
• 31 August 2025: autumn 2025
• 31 December 2025: spring 2026
• 31 March 2026: summer 2026
• 31 August 2026: autumn 2026

 

Secondary age children – 11 year olds

Date by whcih the appropriate age must be reached - term of admission:

• 31 August 2025: autumn 2025
• 31 August 2026: autumn 2026

Applications

In line with the local authority’s school admission policies, application for admission to Mary Immaculate School will be made in line with parental preference. The closing date for applications to Nursery is 30th April preceding the calendar year in which the school place is required. Parents will be notified of the success of their application by the 31st July. If your child is admitted to Nursery education, this does not guarantee your child a Primary School place (Reception). You must re-apply for a Primary School place. The closing date for applications to Reception is 31st January prior to the start of the autumn term in the same calendar year. Parents will be notified of the success of their application by 16th April. Pupils in Year 6 must apply for Secondary places in their preferred school by 20th December in the year prior to the start of the autumn term in the following calendar year. Parents will be notified of the success of their application by 1st March.

 

Application process

1. Applications are to be made online through Pembrokeshire County Council’s (PCC) online admissions system 
   
2. PCC forward the application to the school for consideration.
3. Where the admission number is not exceeded, a place will be offered.
4. The school encourages a visit to view the school to meet with the parent/s or guardian/s and child/children prior to starting.
5. Where the admission number is exceeded, the place will be refused, and the parents will be advised. The parent/s or guardian/s will be informed of the school’s waiting list and procedures around this (see below).

 

Admissions criteria

Definition

Child or Young Person Looked After (CYPLA). The definition of a Child or Young Person Looked After is a child who is looked after by the Local Authority in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989. Looked after children will take priority in all categories below.

Siblings. For admission purposes, a sibling is a child who is a brother/sister, half brother/sister (children who share one common parent), stepbrother/sister (children related by marriage) or an adopted or fostered child living at the same address. Pupils who have siblings in each category will have priority in that category.  The sibling connection will apply to those children who have a sibling on roll at Mary Immaculate School in the September the applicant would begin school. Parent/s or guardian/s must state any sibling connection in their application.

Catholic. A Catholic is a person who has been baptised within the latin rite (‘Roman’) Catholic Church

or another of the 23 Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See.

Orthodox. An Orthodox Christian is a person who has been baptised within an Orthodox Church in partial communion with the Holy See, and whose church has a valid sacramental structure recognized by the Holy See.

Parishioner. A person who is geographically resident within the boundary of a given parish (worshiping in a church building of another parish, doesn’t qualify a person to be a member of that other parish).

 

Admissions and oversubscription criteria

Where the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, the governors will apply the over- subscription criteria. Governors will admit children in the following categories and in the priority listed. Evidence of baptism will be required in the form of a Baptism Certificate issued from the parish of baptism, or a Certificate of Reception into the Catholic Church issued by the parish where the reception took place.

1.  Baptised Catholic children of parent/s or guardian/s who are parishioners of St David and St Patrick’s Catholic Parish and parishioners of Narberth.
2. The baptised Catholic children of parent/s or guardian/s who are parishioners of Catholic parishes adjoining St David and St Patrick’s Catholic Parish.
3. Baptised children of Orthodox churches living in St David and St Patrick’s Catholic Parish and neighbouring Catholic parishes.
4. Children who are not baptised but have siblings in the school.
5. Baptised children of other Christian denominations who reside in the areas referred to in category 2. This includes members of ecclesial communities who are members of Churches Together in Wales (Cytûn) and other Christian ecclesial communities. Priority will not be given to applications in this category unless an accompanying letter from the current minister is provided confirming baptism, or unless there is an accompanying statement of affiliation, signed by the minister or minister’s representative, confirming membership in that Christian ecclesial community.
6. Children of other faiths whose parents seek a Catholic education.
7. Children for whom the LA has specifically asked for a place at the school.

In all of the above categories, Children and Young People Looked After (CYPLA) will be given priority.

 

Tiebreaker for all categories

In the event of a tiebreaker, being required in any of the categories above, the governors will admit those applicants who live nearest the school. In the case of a child whose parent/s or guardian/s have joint/shared responsibility, the parent/guardian who has the greater responsibility during the school week and whose residence is nearer the school will be the determining factor. Proof of residency will be required in the form of one of the following:

• Current Council Tax notification letter for the address on the application
• Current child tax credit note
• Current child benefit notification letter
• Current income support notification
• Current pension award notification
• Current housing benefit notification

The governors will use the shortest walking route calculated using Ordnance Survey customised route data from the front door of the school to the front door of the house or flat of the applicant. Where necessary, the governors will request assistance from the local authority to determine the shortest route.

 

Waiting list

A waiting list of unsuccessful applications will be maintained. If a place becomes available, the governors will consider those on the waiting list on the basis of the published oversubscription criteria, not on the date the application was received. If the governors place an application on the waiting list it will not affect the parents’ or guardians’ right of appeal. The waiting list will be maintained until 31st  August in the school year that the application was made. After that date, the parent must inform the school that the application should be taken forward to the next academic year.

 

Appeals

If an application for admission has been turned down by the Governing Body, parents can appeal to an Independent Appeals Panel. This appeal must be sent in writing to the clerk to the Governors at the school within 14 days (10 working days) of refusal. There is no right of appeal for nursery applications.  Applicants will be given at least 14 days (10 working days) written notice of the date of their appeal hearing.

 

Applying outside the normal admissions rounds

Moving into the area

Parents planning to move into the area should apply no earlier than a term in advance of their children’s anticipated start date. Applications received more than a term in advance will be held until the appropriate time. Delays in moving into the area may result in offers being withdrawn, unless good reason is given.

 

School transfers during the year

Changing schools requires serious consideration and should, in the first instance, be fully discussed with the Headteacher of your child’s present school. Should parents still need to transfer their child from one school to another then they must apply through submitting an online application which will be treated in the same way as any other application for admission.

 

This policy has been shared with headteachers in Pembrokeshire and neighbouring local authorities, the Director of Education for the Diocese of Menevia – Paul White, members of the Governing Body and the Local Authority Admissions Office.

Date approved by Governors: 14 March 2024

Review by: March 2025

   



St Francis Catholic School, Milford Haven

Admissions Policy 2024-26

 

St Francis is conducted as a Catholic school in accordance with Canon Law and the teachings of the Catholic Church and in accordance with the Trust Deed of the Diocese of Menevia. In the application of this policy, St Francis School will have particular regard to advice from the Diocese of Menevia.

St Francis School will act in accordance with all relevant provisions of the statutory Codes of Practice (the Welsh Assembly Government School Admissions Code and the School Admission Appeals Code of Practice 2009) as they apply at any given time to maintained schools and with the law on admissions as it applies to maintained schools. 

Reference in the codes or in this policy to “admission authorities” or “the governors” shall be deemed to be references to the Voluntary Aided Governing Body of St Francis School.

References to “the local authority” shall be deemed to be references to Pembrokeshire County Council.

The ethos of the school is Catholic. The school was founded by the Catholic Church to provide education for children of Catholic families. We ask all parent/s or guardian/s applying for a place here to support and respect this ethos, its importance to the school community and the education it provides. This does not affect the right of parent/s or guardian/s who are not of the Catholic faith, or whose children are not of the Catholic faith to apply for and be considered for a place here.

Our admission policy has been developed to ensure a consistent and fair system for admitting pupils to our school, especially if spaces are likely to be limited due to reaching the admission number for September 2025, which is 19.

Compulsory education does not have to begin until the term following a child’s fifth birthday.

The normal age for admission to school in Pembrokeshire, in a school like St Francis with nursery provision, is the start of the term following the child’s third birthday. In the context of when a child can commence school, please note the timescales below:

Child's birthday falls between:

• 1 April - 31 August: autumn
• 1 September - 31 December: spring
• 1 January - 31 March: summer 

Applications

In line with the local authority’s school admission policies, application for admission to St Francis School will be made in line with parental preference. Applications are to be made online through Pembrokeshire County Council’s (PCC) online admissions system.

• PCC forward the application via PDF to the school for consideration. The school will confirm with PCC of the number status of the year group/class/classes applied for.
• Where the admission number is not exceeded the school would contact the parent/s or guardian/s of the child/children who have applied for a place. A request to complete a school admission form is made (this must be completed). The school encourages a visit to view the school to meet with the parent/s or guardian/s and child/children prior to starting.
• Where the admission number is exceeded, the same arrangements apply as above. The parent/s or guardian/s will be informed of the school’s waiting list and procedures around this.

St Francis School will participate in the coordinated admission arrangements operated by the local authority. Consequently, applications for nursery pupils due to start in September, January or April should be received, at the latest, by the previous 30^th April, and will be considered shortly after that date (see table 1).

For Reception places, applications should be made by the last working day in January of the same year for a September start. Please note that if that child is already in the Nursery class at the school, the parent/s or guardian/s must reapply for a place.

Families moving into the area will be treated as separate cases, but the criteria below will be used.

 

Admissions criteria

Definitions

Looked After Children. The definition of a Looked After Child is a child who is, or has been,  looked after by the Local Authority in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989. Looked after children will take priority in all categories below.

Siblings. For admission purposes, a sibling is classes as a sibling of statutory school age already attending the school. The sibling connection will apply to those children who have a sibling on roll at St Francis School in the September the applicant would begin school. Parent/s or guardian/s must state any sibling connection in their application.

Catholic. A Catholic is a person who has been Baptised within the Latin Rite (‘Roman’) Catholic Church or another of the 23 Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See. 

Orthodox. An Orthodox Christian is a person who has been Baptised within an Orthodox Church in partial communion with the Holy See, and whose Church has a valid sacramental structure recognized by the Holy See.

Parishioner. A person who is geographically resident within the boundary of a given parish (worshiping in a church building of another parish, doesn’t qualify a person to be a member of that other parish).

 

Admissions and oversubscription criteria

Where the number of applications exceeds the number of places available, the governors will apply the over-subscription criteria. Governors will admit children in the following categories and in the priority listed. Evidence of baptism will be required in the form of a Baptism Certificate issued from the parish of baptism, or a Certificate of Reception into the Catholic Church issued by the parish where the reception took place.

1. Baptised Catholic children of parent/s or guardian/s who are parishioners of St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish.
2. The Baptised Catholic children of parent/s or guardian/s who are parishioners of Catholic parishes adjoining St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish.
3. Baptised Children of Orthodox churches living in St Francis of Assisi Catholic Parish and neighbouring Catholic parishes.
4. Children who are not baptised but have siblings in the school.
5. Baptised children of other Christian denominations who reside in the areas referred to in category 2. This includes members of ecclesial communities who are members of Churches Together in Wales (Cytûn) and other Christian Ecclesial Communities. Priority will not be given to applications in this category unless an accompanying letter from the current minister is provided confirming baptism, or unless there is an accompanying statement of affiliation, signed by the minister or minister’s representative, confirming membership in that Christian ecclesial community.
6. Children of other faiths whose parents seek a Catholic education.
7. Children for whom the LA has specifically asked for a place at the school.

All schools have a duty to admit children with a Statement of Education Needs where the school is named in the statement. In all of the above categories, Looked after Children (LAC) will be given priority.

 

Tiebreaker for all categories

In the event of a tiebreaker, being required in any of the categories above, the governors will admit those applicants who live nearest the school. In the case of a child whose parent/s or guardian/s have joint/shared responsibility, the parent/guardian who has the greater responsibility during the school week and whose residence is nearer the school will be the determining factor. Proof of residency will be required in the form of one of the following:

• Current Council Tax notification letter for the address on the application
• Current child tax credit note
• Current child benefit notification letter
• Current income support notification
• Current pension award notification
• Current housing benefit notification

The governors will use the shortest walking route calculated using Ordnance Survey customised route data from the front door of the school to the front door of the house or flat of the applicant. Where necessary, the governors will request assistance from the local authority to determine the shortest route.

 

Waiting list

A waiting list of unsuccessful applications will be maintained. If a place becomes available, the governors will consider those on the waiting list on the basis of the published oversubscription criteria, not on the date the application was received. If the governors place an application on the waiting list it will not affect the parents’ or guardians’ right of appeal. The waiting list will be maintained until 31^st August in the school year that the application was made. After that date, the parent of pupils in N1 must inform the school that the application should be taken forward to the next academic year, N2. Parents of all others must make a new application as it for a different academic year. Waiting lists for Reception under the normal admission round are to be held until 30th September. We will then ask parents if they would like to remain on the waiting list until the end of the academic year, or remove them from the list.  Right of appeal – children in the nursery do not have right of appeal – only from Reception (normal admission round) upwards.  

 

This policy has been shared with Pembrokeshire, Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire Headteachers, the Director of Education for the Diocese of Menevia – Paul White, members of the Governing Body and the Local Authority Admissions Office.

 

 

 

Appendix 5 The Teaching of Welsh and English in Pembrokeshire Primary and Secondary Schools

The Teaching of Welsh and English in Pembrokeshire Primary Schools

School type	Curriculum	Language of School	Outcomes
1 (English medium school)	All pupils experience areas of learning through the medium of English. At least 15% of the learners’ school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh. A learner in a school of this category will be able to read, write, speak and listen in English according to age and ability, and will have some understanding of Welsh. Welsh will be taught and assessed as part of the Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE) for languages, literacy and communication.	English is the school’s main language of internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is recognition that creating a Welsh language ethos within the school will support and encourage positive attitudes towards Welsh language use. Some Welsh used as a language of communication with pupils to improve capacity to use everyday Welsh. The school communicates with parents either in English or in both languages	Normal expectation is that pupils will transfer to English medium secondary provision and continue to learn predominantly through the medium of English, learning Welsh as a second language.
TR2 (Transitional School)	English medium school/provision or those with a high proportion of Welsh provision transitioning to being a dual language school/provision over time. Curriculum provision and learners’ school activities will reflect an increase in Welsh medium provision over time.	The increase in Welsh provision over time would reflect the everyday use of the Welsh language.  The school communicates with parents in both languages	This is a bridging category between two main language categories. These transitional arrangements enable schools to plan how they will realise an increase in Welsh-medium provision over time. Increasing the Welsh-medium provision, in order to move to the next category, Category 2 would be the outcome.
2 (Dual Language)	At least 50% of learners’ school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh. This could be achieved in different ways depending on the school context. It could be by using full Welsh-medium immersion up to age 7 with choice offered in the other year groups, or that 50% of school activities are in Welsh throughout.   A learner in a school of this category will be able to speak, read, write and listen in English and Welsh according to age and ability. Welsh language skills will be further strengthened by increasing the amount of learning opportunities (curricular as well as extra-curricular) offered through the medium of Welsh. Where Welsh is used as a medium of learning, occasional English is used at times to reinforce the learners' understanding	Welsh and English will be used for internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is clear understanding that maintaining a Welsh language ethos within the school will support positive attitudes towards Welsh language use. Both Welsh and English are used in the day-to-day business of the school. Language of communication is determined by nature of curricular provision. The school communicates with parents in both languages.	With the right support, learners could progress to a Category 3 Welsh-medium secondary school.
TR3 (Transitional School)	Dual language (Welsh and English) school/provision transitioning to being a Welsh medium school/provision over time Curriculum provision and learners’ school activities will reflect an increase in Welsh medium provision over time.	The increase in Welsh provision over time would reflect the everyday use of the Welsh language.  The school communicates with parents in both languages	This is a bridging category between two main language categories. These transitional arrangements enable schools to plan how they will realise an increase in Welsh-medium provision over time. Increasing the Welsh-medium provision, in order to move to the next category, Category 3 would be the outcome.
3 (Welsh medium school)	All learners are taught fully in Welsh, with English being used on occasion to ensure understanding during early immersion. From aged 7 onwards at least 80% of learner’s school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh. Foundation Phase – medium of Welsh. Key Stage 2 (KS2) – at least 80% of teaching through medium of Welsh.	Welsh is the school’s main language of internal communication. Communication with parents and carers is in either English, Welsh or bilingually as needed. This is a school with a strong Welsh language ethos at its core, supporting and enabling learners’ Welsh language use in all social context in and outside of school.	Pupils, regardless of home language will be able to transfer to Welsh medium secondary provision and by the end of KS2 will have reached equivalent standard in English to that reached by pupils in predominantly English medium schools.

 

 

The Teaching of Welsh and English in Pembrokeshire Secondary Schools

School type	Curriculum	Language of School	Outcomes
1 English medium school	All pupils experience areas of learning through the medium of English. At least 15% of the learners’ school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) will be in Welsh. Welsh will be taught and assessed as part of the Area of Learning and Experience (AoLE) for languages, literacy and communication. A learner in a school of this category will be able to speak, read, write and listen in English and according to age and ability.	English is the school’s main language of internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is recognition that creating a Welsh language ethos within the school will support and encourage positive attitudes towards Welsh language use. Some Welsh used as a language of communication with pupils to improve capacity to use everyday Welsh. The school communicates with parents either in English or in both languages	Any pupils choosing Welsh medium options if available could be assessed through the medium of Welsh in those subjects at all levels. Most pupils would be assessed in English and progress to English medium post 16 study.
2 (Dual Language)	A learner in a school of this category will be able to speak, read, write and listen in English and Welsh according to their age and ability. Welsh language skills will be further strengthened by increasing the amount of learning opportunities (curricular as well as extra-curricular) offered through the medium of Welsh. Depending on the amount of time devoted to learning through the medium of Welsh and use of the Welsh language outside the classroom, learners would be able to apply their Welsh skills in a range of different Areas of Learning and Experience. At least 40% of learners undertaking at least 40% of school activities (both curricular and extra-curricular) in Welsh.	Welsh and English will be used for internal communication as well as with parents and carers. There is clear understanding that maintaining a Welsh language ethos within the school will support positive attitudes towards Welsh language use.	Any pupils choosing Welsh medium options, could be assessed through the medium of Welsh in those subjects at all levels and may potentially progress to study at post 16 through the medium of Welsh in those subjects. Most pupils would be assessed in English and Welsh and progress to English or Welsh medium post 16 study.
3 Welsh medium	A Welsh-medium School offers a wide range of their Areas of Learning and Experience through the medium of Welsh. At least 60% of learners undertaking at least 70% of their school activities (curricular and extra-curricular) will be Welsh. Category 3 schools are expected to continue to reflect the linguistic context of the area whilst working towards increasing their Welsh-medium provision over time.	Welsh is the main language for internal communication. The school will communicate with parents and carers in either Welsh, English or bilingually as needed. There is a robust Welsh ethos, supporting and enabling learners to use Welsh in all social contexts in and outside of the school. Learners will be able to speak, read, write and listen in Welsh and English according to age and ability.	Assessment at Key Stage 3 (KS3) and Key Stage 4 (KS4) will be through the medium of Welsh in all subjects apart from English or other languages. Pupils will be able to progress to Welsh medium Post 16 provision.
3P Designated Welsh Medium	A Designated Welsh-medium School delivers all Areas of Learning and Experience (AoLE) through the medium of Welsh. 100% of learners will undertake at least 90% of their school activities (curricular and extra-curricular) in Welsh.	Welsh is the main language for internal communication. The school will communicate with parents and carers in either Welsh, English or bilingually as needed. There is a robust Welsh ethos, supporting and enabling learners to use Welsh in all social contexts in and outside of the school. Learners will be able to speak, read, write and listen in Welsh and English according to age and ability.	Assessment at Key Stage 3 (KS3) and Key Stage 4 (KS4) will be through the medium of Welsh in all subjects apart from English or other languages. Pupils will be able to progress to Welsh medium Post 16 provision.
T2 and T3 Transitional Sub-categories	These are bridging categories between two main language categories as for Primary Schools above. These transitional arrangements enable schools to plan how they will realise an increase in Welsh-medium provision over time. Increasing the Welsh-medium provision, in order to move to the next category, is the aim of the transitional sub-categories. Therefore, T2 bridges a category 1 and 2 school, with the aim of becoming a category 2 over time and T3 bridges a category 2 and 3 school with a goal of becoming a category 3 School over time.	The increase in Welsh provision over time would reflect the everyday use of the Welsh language.  The school communicates with parents in both languages.	Assessment would be aligned to the increase in Welsh provision and according to the bridged categories as above.

 

 

Part 1 - Choose and apply

i) When can my child start school?

In Pembrokeshire, children are eligible to attend school on a part-time basis from the first term after their third birthday and full-time basis from the first term after their fourth birthday. Please note that compulsory education commences from the term following their fifth birthday. The date of your child’s birthday determines when he or she can start school, regardless of the date when the term starts and the table below shows when your child may be admitted to school. A timetable of deadlines and notifications can be found in Part 1v. Parents can opt to defer their child’s start date anytime up until the child is of compulsory school age; for more information please contact the Admissions Officer.

 

Child's birthday falls between	Nursery admission term
1 April - 31 August	Autumn
1 September - 31 December	Spring
1 January - 31 March	Summer

 

The majority of Pembrokeshire schools cater for pupils from 3+ and children may attend full time the term following their fourth birthday, or part time the term following their third birthday. Please refer to the schools list for further information. Where arrangements exist between schools and private early years providers, pupils may commence at the school setting at the beginning of the second or third term following a child’s third birthday. You should contact the Admissions Officer to check on the specific arrangements for individual schools.

 

The schools for which the above applies are as follows:

• 2^nd term only – Broad Haven, Spittal
• 3^rd term only – Maenclochog, Narberth, Roch, Tavernspite, Templeton, Ysgol Bro Preseli
• Full time nursery only – Clydau, Eglwyswrw, Puncheston, Holy Name

Where schools do not accept part time pupils in the term following their third birthday, the applications will still be processed in the same cohort of children according to their date of birth and the Admissions authority will inform parents of the relevant start date for the particular school.

The law does not require a child to start full time education until the beginning of the school term following the child's fifth birthday. However, pupils are provided with a full-time place the term after the age of four years and are strongly encouraged to attend full time in order to receive the full benefits of Foundation Phase education and experiences. The age range of each school is shown on the Schools list  

 

ii) How do I apply for a part-time education place for my 3 year old child?

All children in Wales are entitled to a free, part time early education place in an approved early years setting from the term following their 3rd birthday and prior to gaining full time entry into school (term following their 4^th birthday). 

Pembrokeshire County Council agrees to provide the funding received from Welsh Government to offer all 3-4 year olds in Pembrokeshire a minimum of 10 hours funded part-time education in an approved setting during the school term. Parents can choose to take up the child’s entitlement in either a maintained or a non-maintained setting: 

A maintained setting – a nursery class in a school offering 10 hours or more a week of Foundation Learning. For further information on how to apply for a part-time education place in a maintained setting, visit the Pembrokeshire school admissions webpage

or

A non-maintained setting – This could be a private day nursery, a playgroup or a Cylch Meithrin that has approved status offering up to 10 hours a week of funded early education over a minimum of 3 days. This can be accessed over 2 settings.

All non-maintained approved settings who receive the funding:

• are registered with the local education authority to deliver early education.
• are Inspected by CIW and ESTYN on a regular basis
• supported by a qualified teacher on a regular basis
• have appropriately trained staff

For further information on how to apply for a part-time education place in a non-maintained setting, visit the 10 hours of Funded Early Education – 3-4 year olds webpage

 

The Childcare Offer for Wales:  The Childcare Offer for Wales provides 30 hours a week of government-funded early education and childcare for eligible working parents of 3 to 4 year olds, for up to 48 weeks of the year. For further information visit: Childcare Offer Wales

 

Childcare:

From the term after their second birthday each child will be offered a place at a registered Flying Start playgroup for 12.5hrs a week over five days for up to 39 weeks a year.

Health:

Your child’s wellbeing comes first, the health team will offer extra support and advice throughout pregnancy and the first four years of your child’s life.

Parenting:

Flying Start offers a variety of parenting support services where parents pick up advice and skills, swap ideas and share common experiences through our structured groups and informal groups such as Parent & Toddler’s and Baby Massage.

Early Language Development:

Early Language Development is supported through a range of activities including play, crafts, songs and stories in a group setting or in your home.

Please contact the Flying Start Information Officer to see if you are eligible for the Flying Start Project on 01437 770004.

 

iii) How do I choose a school for my child?

Each school in Pembrokeshire serves a defined area, known as its catchment area. To find out the name and location of your local school enter your home postcode into the “Services in your Area” search facility on the Pembrokeshire County Council website. Upon choosing the actual address on the subsequent screen, a list of “Nearby Services” is displayed; pressing the “Schools” button will display a list of all catchment schools for the address in question. There is no guarantee for admission to the chosen school, even if you are living in the catchment area.

Details of the area served by each school are available at the school, or on the County Council’s website. Most pupils attend the catchment school serving their area, but you may express a preference for a different school. Before doing so, you should read the Clusters of Schools Part 1xii and School Transport information, which consider the educational and transport implications of your child’s attendance at your preferred school.

A list of schools is available on the County Council’s website.

 

This shows the following information (for the previous school year):

• The school’s language category
• The age range of each school
• The capacity of the school and resulting admission number
• The number of pupils on roll
• The number of written applications received for places at the school
• The number of successful appeals

If you are considering moving into the north east of Pembrokeshire, you need to be aware that Welsh is the main medium of life and work in schools in that area.

You are advised to contact the school you are considering in order to obtain a copy of their prospectus and arrange with the relevant headteacher to visit the school before making your decision. Please note – a visit does not guarantee a place at the school. In addition, you may obtain independent information on a school’s performance by visiting the ESTYN website (opens in a new tab) in order to view the findings of its most recent inspection report. ESTYN is the office of Her Majesty’s Inspectorate for Education and Training in Wales – You may also visit the  My Local School (opens in a new tab) website, which provides access to school data for anyone with an interest in their local school.

 

iv) How do I apply for a Nursery and/or Primary place for my child?

Applications for places in all Pembrokeshire schools should be made online via the Council's website by the deadlines shown in Part 1v.  If you do not have access to a computer/laptop/tablet/smart phone please visit your local library or Customer Service Centre to use their facilities.  Schools can also assist you in completing the online form.  In exceptional circumstances, for example, where parents do not have an e-mail address, hard copy forms are available from the Admissions Team.

By law, all applications for admission must be made by means of a completed application form (online). Please note that telling the headteacher of your preferred school is insufficient to secure a place and that they are also unable to make a decision on offering a place. In the case of voluntary aided schools, the admission officer will share details of VA school applications with the relevant headteacher in order for a decision to be made by the admissions committee of the governing body of the school on whether or not a place can be offered.

Offers to any school operating on more than one site will be to the school and not a particular site. The site that children attend is a matter for the internal organisation of the school. Appeals cannot be made against the site allocated.

You may be asked to provide proof of your address, e.g. in the form of a signed tenancy or purchase agreement, recent utility bills, child benefit letter or bank statement (dated within the last three months), when applying for a school place.

You may express a preference for more than one school and it would be advisable for parents to apply for more than one school in case the first preference cannot be met.  All applicants will be admitted to a school unless the Admission Number for that school is exceeded. The County Council will then allocate places according to the oversubscription criteria shown in Part 1viii.

If your child is admitted to Nursery education at a school, this does not guarantee your child a Primary School place (Reception class). You must re-apply for a Primary School place.  

The Reception year class starts the Autumn Term of the academic year in which a child attains the age of 5. If there are more applications than Primary places available, the oversubscription criteria explained in Part 1viii will be applied.

Once a School place has been agreed and you wish to defer entry to school, this must be made in writing to the Admissions Officer and can only be deferred within the academic year (unless for Reception – see below), otherwise a new application must be made. If the child has not started at the school within four weeks of the agreed start date the place may be withdrawn.

Parents applying for a Primary School Place (Reception year group) for their child (during or after the normal admission round for these places) may request that entry is deferred until their child is of compulsory school age (term after 5th birthday). If your child was born in the summer term then your child would go straight into year 1.  The admissions authority will, in these circumstances, hold the agreed place for the child so that the place is not available for another child.

A school place may be withdrawn if a parent gives incorrect or fraudulent information when applying for admission. You may be required to provide proof of your address in connection with your application for a school place.

 

v) When should I apply for a place at my preferred school?

Admissions Application Timetable Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools

Provision	Children Born Between	School Start Date	Information Out to Parents	Application Deadline Date	Notification Date	Appeals Closing Date
Nursery Place	1 Sept 2022 to 31 Aug 2023	January, April or September 2026	n/a	30 April 2025	By end of July 2025	No right of appeal for Nursery  admissions
Reception Place	1 Sept 2020 to 31 Aug 2021	Autumn Term Sept 2025	Autumn Term Sept 2024	31 January 2025	16 April 2025	Within 10 working days of notification
Secondary Education Transfer **	1 Sept 2013 to 31 Aug 2014	Autumn Term Sept 2025	Autumn Term Sept 2024	22 December 2024	3 March 2025	Within 10 working days of notification

**Pupils in 3-16 or 3-19 schools will not be required to apply for a transfer to the secondary element of such schools, however, if they would like to apply for a different school these timescales will apply**

Applications for Nursery and Primary School places can be made at any time; all applications received by the deadline date are considered together, no preferential treatment is given to early applications. Applications received after the closing date will be processed as late applications and will not be considered until those received before the deadline have been allocated and may reduce your chance of getting a place in your preferred school. To avoid disappointment and maximise the chance of obtaining a place at your preferred school please ensure you submit your application by the specified deadline date.

Please note that if more than one application is submitted for the same pupil, the most recent application will be used for processing purposes and any previous applications will be cancelled. We encourage parents to check with the Admissions Team prior to submitting a duplicate application because if a new application is received after the closing date then the new application will be classed as late and may have a bearing on whether a child is allocated a place.

 

vi) Will my child be eligible for school transport?

You are advised to check if you are eligible for free transport before you decide which school to send your child. You can check if you are eligible for school transport on the school transport website.

All transport enquiries should be made directly to the Transport Department by contacting School transport or phoning 01437 775222. 

 

vii) Do schools have a limit upon the number of pupils that can be admitted?

Yes. All schools have a capacity from which an Admission Number is calculated. All schools must admit pupils up to their admission number.

The Admission Number will reflect the capacity of the school for each year group and your child will be allocated a place at a school unless the year group is full. If the number of applications to a school is the same as or less than the Admission Number, all applicants will be admitted. If the number of applications exceeds the Admission Number, all applications will be assessed against the over-subscription criteria and places awarded accordingly.

 

viii) How are school places allocated?

Pembrokeshire County Council is the Admission Authority for all community and voluntary controlled schools in Pembrokeshire. The Council’s admissions policy and the oversubscription criteria shown below apply to all community and voluntary controlled schools in Pembrokeshire.

Children will be admitted to the preferred school when provision and accommodation allows. If there are more applications for admission to Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools than there are places available, the County Council will use the following oversubscription criteria (applied in order) to prioritise applications from parents expressing a preference for the school:

Oversubscription Criteria for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools - in Priority Order 

1.     Current and former Looked After pupils of authorities in Wales and England in accordance with S.22 of the Children Act 1989 as amended by the Social Service and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016.

2.     Pupils with a statement of Special Educational Needs/IDP that names the School

3.     Exceptional medical, psychological or additional learning needs (note a)

4.     Pupils living in the catchment area of the school, who will have a sibling of compulsory school age, at the school, at the time of admission (note b)

5.     Pupils living in the catchment area of the school, who have attended a feeder school (note c)

6.     Pupils living in the catchment area of the school

7.     Pupils living outside the catchment area of the school, who will have a sibling of compulsory school age, at the school, at the time of admission (note b)

8.     Pupils living outside of the catchment area of the school, who have attended a feeder school (note d)

9.     Pupils living outside of the catchment area of the school

N.B. where there is a Statement of Educational Needs/IDP naming a particular school then this must be stated clearly on your application form. Such applications are dealt with separately and prior to the oversubscription criteria being applied.

 

Notes

a) Medical or Psychological Needs can be for either the child or their parents. To be considered under this criterion parents must provide independent supporting evidence at the time of application, which sets out why the preferred school is the most suitable school for the child and the difficulties that would be caused if the child had to attend a different school.

Supporting Evidence which would be considered appropriate would include:

       i.          Letter or report from one to the following registered health professionals; Specialist          Consultant, Community Paediatrician, Psychologist, Educational Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist.  The letter or report must be based on the professional’s own knowledge of the child / parent’s condition and circumstances. 

      ii.          Letter or report from a registered Social Work professional, which must be based on their own knowledge of the child / parent’s condition and circumstances.

No priority will be given under this criterion if the required evidence is not produced at the time of application.

Additional Learning Needs must be confirmed by the Local Authority’s Inclusion Service.

b) A sibling is a full, half or step brother or sister, or adopted or foster children, living in the same household at the time of admission. 

c) A feeder school is a primary school within the same ‘cluster of schools’ as a secondary school.

 

Where preferences exceed places available, priority will be given under each oversubscription category to multiple birth siblings (e.g. twins or triplets). If the last child to be admitted up to the Admission Number is one of a multiple birth, then the Authority will also admit the other sibling(s). 

For the oversubscription categories that include a sibling criteria (categories 4 & 7), if preferences exceed places available priority will be given to multiple birth siblings and then to those pupils who are closest in age to the sibling already at the school (i.e. pupil with a sibling in year 3 would have a higher priority than a pupil with a sibling in year 6.  For a secondary school admission a pupil with a sibling in year 9 would have higher priority that a pupil with a sibling in year 11).

In the case of a 3-16 or 3-19 school, a pupil with a sibling in a separate phase will not meet the criteria in categories 4 and 7 by virtue of the school having separate admission numbers for primary and secondary phases (e.g. a primary aged pupil with a secondary aged sibling in the same school).

In the case of a tie, places will be offered to pupils living nearest to the school, measured by the shortest walking distance from the nearest available school gate to the point where the pupil’s private dwelling meets the public highway.

The County Council utilises a Geographical Information System (GIS) to calculate home to school distances in miles. The shortest route is calculated using Ordnance Survey (OS) data from where the applicant's home meets the public highway to the point where the nearest school entrance meets the public highway. The co-ordinates of an applicant's home address are determined using OS data and a Property Gazetteer. In the event of any disputed distances, an officer measures the distance using a vehicle with a calibrated odometer.

It is important that all applications are received by the set dates so they can be considered together and the oversubscription criteria applied fairly and equitably in each case. This will also enable any appeals to be dealt with promptly and allow the decision to be made in good time before the child is due to start school.  Early applications are not given priority – all applications received by the published closing date are considered together.

Where there is a shared parental responsibility for a child, and that child lives with both parents or person with a legal parental responsibility, for part of the week, then the main residence will be determined as the address where the child lives for the majority of the school week (i.e. 3 out of 5 days) or the address where the child benefit is paid.

Should the County Council be unable to offer a place to a child at their preferred school during the normal admission round (Primary and Secondary) due to oversubscription, your child’s name will be added to the waiting list until 30th September in the school year for which they have applied. Thereafter it is the parent’s responsibility to submit a further application.  The priority for any places which become available will be given according to the above oversubscription criteria and not according to the date on which the application for a place was originally submitted.

See Appendix 4 for the oversubscription criteria for Voluntary Aided schools.

 

ix) How will I be told the outcome of my application for a school place?

You will receive notification from the County Council’s Admissions Officer, on the common offer date, see Part 1v for Admissions Timetable, which will give the outcome of any admission application. Where a place is offered, parents may accept by responding to the email sent out by the Admissions system.

In the event that you no longer require the school place, please write to the Admissions Officer as soon as possible. In the event of your application being rejected, the email/letter you receive will outline the reasons for such a decision, information that your child’s name has been added to the waiting list and information regarding your right of appeal against the decision, see ‘What are my rights of appeal? Part 2x.

Please note that there is no right of appeal for nursery applications (i.e. non-compulsory school age children).

 

x) If I miss the published admission deadline, how will my application be dealt with?

Late applications for places, i.e. applications received after the closing date, outlined in Part 1v, will be considered after all applications received on time (unless there are exceptional reasons why the application is late, which must be explained at the time of application). Applications will be considered on the basis of the date received and oversubscription criteria, having regard to current and allocated places and prospective pupil numbers at the time the application is made. This means that if your preferred school is oversubscribed, even if you are making an application for your child to attend the catchment school, you may be less likely to be allocated a place if your application is late.

If you change your mind about your preferred school after submitting your original application, you must complete a new online application form. If this application is made after the published closing date, your application for the new preference will then be treated as a late application even if your original application was received on time. The same applies if you submit a duplicate application after the published closing date. 

 

xi) Can I apply for a school outside Pembrokeshire?

Yes, but in this case, you should apply to the County Council maintaining the school of your choice. All County Councils produce an information booklet for parents and include application criteria and guidelines.

If you wish to apply for a school place in one of our neighbouring County Council areas, applications should be made online to the appropriate authority:

 

Carmarthenshire (opens in a new tab)

Director of Education & Children’s Services

Carmarthenshire County Council

The Department for Education and Children

Building 2

Parc Dewi Sant

Jobs Well Road

Carmarthen

SA31 3HB

Tel: 01267 246500

 

Ceredigion (opens in a new tab)

Director of Education & Community Services

Ceredigion County Council

Department of Education & Community Service

Canolfan Rheidol

Rhodfa Padarn

Llanbadarn Fawr

Aberystwyth

SY23 3UE

Tel: 01970 617911

 

xii) What are Clusters of Schools?

Schools in Pembrokeshire work on a ‘Cluster of Schools’ basis and there is close co-operation between them. The aim of the Cluster of Schools model is to strengthen links between schools in a way that ensures progression, continuity and support for pupils as they move through the different stages of their education. Children normally transfer to the link school within the Cluster of Schools. Some primary schools ‘feed’ more than one secondary school because their catchment areas overlap.

Please note that when considering admission to a secondary school, it is the home address which is used to determine a catchment school and not the primary school attended. 

xiii) What if I want a Church influenced education for my children?

General information about Church in Wales and Catholic schools can be obtained from the appropriate Diocesan Director of Education. Addresses and contact details are as follows:

Church in Wales                                 

Revd John Cecil                                   

Diocesan Director of Education             

The Vicarage                                       

Steynton                                              

Milford Haven                                       

SA73 1AW                                           

Tel: 01646 692974                              

Email: CecilJ7@hwbcymru.net  

 

 

Catholic Church

Mr Paul White

Diocesan Director of Education 

27 Convent Street

Swansea

SA1 2BX

Tel: 01792 652757

Email: education@menevia.org.uk

Applications for places in voluntary aided church schools must be made online using the Council's website. However, decisions in relation to admission are made by the admissions committee of the governing body of the appropriate school. These schools have their own oversubscription criteria, details of which are given in Appendix 3.

 

xiv) How do I apply for Sixth Form Education?

Admissions to secondary schools’ Sixth Forms sits within the umbrella of the county council by virtue of the fact that it is the Admissions Authority for all community and voluntary controlled schools.  However, the day to day arrangements for administering such applications is delegated to the relevant secondary school. Arrangements for admission to Sixth Form Education should be discussed with the individual school. The school will provide you with an application form. Should your application be unsuccessful, details will be provided within the refusal letter on how to appeal. 

 

xv) How do I apply for Portfield Special School and School Based Learning Resource Centres (Attached units)?

Admissions to Portfield Special School and designated Learning Resource Centres attached to mainstream schools are dealt with by the Authority’s Inclusion Service on the basis of pupils’ assessed level of learning difficulties and complex needs.

If you currently reside in Pembrokeshire and would like to apply for your child to join or transfer to the above, then you are advised to contact The Parent Partnership Service who will be able to offer you advice and assistance.

If you are due to move into Pembrokeshire then you are advised to refer to our website and scroll down to the information on the Move into County School Application Process - Specialist Provision and Settings.

 

xvi) Teaching of Welsh and English in Schools

The County Council asserts its belief in the educational value of acquiring two languages. The aim of this bilingual policy is to educate pupils so that they are thoroughly bilingual in the use of both Welsh and English on leaving the primary school so that they can participate fully in the bilingual community of which they are a part.

The Council wishes to ensure that all pupils are able to access Welsh medium education of the highest standard and has a clear vision for developing and expanding this provision. This vision is articulated in the Council’s Welsh in Education Strategic Plan and is based on the following key principles, i.e.

• To recognise every child’s right to learn Welsh and to promote the benefits of bilingualism;
• To increase the percentage of pupils opting for Welsh medium education and to ensure that it is available to all learners, within a reasonable travelling distance from their homes;
• To build upon past achievements and to promote the highest academic standards possible;
• That learners who have attended a Welsh medium setting in the primary phase will be encouraged and expected to continue with this when  transferring to subsequent key stages in the secondary phase.

Welsh medium secondary education is now accessible to children in all areas of Pembrokeshire and the Council’s aspiration is that this is replicated for primary education. 

All schools have language categories that define the extent to which they teach Welsh, and Pembrokeshire currently has a mixed economy of Category 3 Welsh Medium, Category 2 Dual Language, Transitional and Category 1 English Medium schools. Welsh Government’s current language categories are outlined in Appendix 5

Further information regarding Welsh Medium Education in Pembrokeshire can be on the Pembrokeshire County Council Website

 

Welsh Language Centres in Secondary Schools

As outlined above, the development and expansion of Welsh medium education remains as our vision and we recognise the importance of creating opportunities for all Pembrokeshire pupils to become bilingual.  Pembrokeshire has three Language Centres whose objective is to provide intense Welsh language learning to enable children to gain a level of fluency needed to transfer to education in a Welsh medium school. 

These Language Centres operate from Ysgol Bro Preseli, Ysgol Bro Gwaun and Ysgol Caer Elen and the provision is targeted towards pupils in key stage 2.  The three centres support latecomers to Welsh with a two year part time course which has a strong focus on developing pupils’ oracy, reading and writing skills with language patterns and vocabulary based on classroom practice, and expressive language in order to support the natural integration of pupils into their schools. Language centre staff communicate regularly with the pupil’s school and parent to discuss pupil progress.

Due to a Welsh Immersion grant from Welsh Government pupils that enter Welsh Medium education as latecomers to Welsh in Years 7, 8 and 9 will be offered additional support to facilitate the early acquisition of Welsh skills. This support will be in place until the grant ceases in March 2025.

 

 

 

 

Admission to schools in Pembrokeshire - Information for Parents

2025 - 2026

Admissions to School Service

For a copy of this publication in Braille, larger print or audio tape or an alternative language, please contact Pembrokeshire County Council on (01437) 764551

Please note: The information in this booklet is relevant and accurate at the time of publication. This booklet is reviewed annually and replaces all previous versions. Some adjustment of policy, regulation, provision and resources may be necessary for, or during, the academic year 2025/2026.

 

Foreword

A message from the Director of Education, 1 September 2024

 

Dear Parent or Guardian

This booklet is designed to assist you in making important decisions about which school your child can attend.

To inform your decision making, we recommend that you visit local schools, read the school prospectus and visit the My Local School website (opens in a new tab)

Prior to making your application, we encourage you to use the transport eligibility checker to consider the transport options available to you. The transport checker can be found here – Transport eligibility checker

Whilst most applications are successful, it is not possible for all applications to succeed. 

This booklet explains the process of application and appeal in the event that you do not get your first choice. It is important to note that a successful application to a school does not in any way imply that transport to and from the school is provided.

I wish your child every success in the future.

Steven Richards-Downes

Director for Education

Pembrokeshire County Council

County Hall

Haverfordwest

Pembrokeshire

SA61 1TP

Tel. (01437) 764551

School admissions website

 

Local Charter

Admissions to School Service

As at April 2024 there were 60 schools in Pembrokeshire serving 9087 Full-time and 872 Part-time Primary pupils, and 7041 Secondary age pupils

Pembrokeshire County Council is the Admission Authority for community and voluntary controlled schools in Pembrokeshire and the Admissions Team deals with all schools’ admissions and transfers, except to voluntary aided schools. The Admission Authority for voluntary aided schools is the governing body of the school concerned.

What you can expect:

• to receive reliable and impartial advice about schools and expressing a preference
• to have your application for a school place handled fairly and efficiently
• that the offer of a place will be made in good time (subject to your application being received in time)
• a place in your preferred school, unless there are more applications than the admission number will allow entry. If this occurs, all applications will be assessed against the oversubscription criteria
• to be informed of the County Council’s policies relating to admissions
• to be informed how to receive a school prospectus and how to arrange a school visit and other relevant information relating to schools in Pembrokeshire
• information relating to the right of appeal, to an independent appeals panel, if you are not allocated a place at your preferred school
• an open, fair and effective complaints procedure if you are not satisfied with the services you receive.

What we can expect:

• for parents/guardians to provide all necessary information as requested when submitting an application form and to contact the admissions team as soon as possible if something has been entered incorrectly
• for parents/guardians to read this booklet and to therefore be aware of the way applications are dealt with and the timescales involved

If your child has reached compulsory school age and you are not allocated a place at your preferred school, you have the right of appeal to an independent appeals panel. Any parent (except one whose child has been permanently excluded from two schools) whose child is refused any school place, or young person who is refused a place in a school sixth form, has a statutory right of appeal to an independent appeal panel (this right of appeal does not extend to applications for nursery education). Parents of young people who have had an offer of a place withdrawn also have a right of appeal.

You must submit your appeal in writing. Details of how to appeal will be included with your letter/email of notification and are also included in this booklet. If you are dissatisfied with the service provided you may make an official complaint.

 

Equal opportunities

The policies and practices of the County Council relating to the admission and transfer of pupils and the provision of school transport are not discriminatory and comply with the Equality Act 2010.

Information on the teaching of English and Welsh in Pembrokeshire schools is in Part 1, xvi.

If you feel you have been treated unfairly from an equal opportunities point of view in connection with school admissions or transport please contact:

 

Admissions:                                        

David Thompson,                                           

Education Access & Compliance Manager     

Education Directorate                                     

County Hall,                                                    

Haverfordwest                                                 

Pembrokeshire                                                

SA61 1TP                                                     

Tel: 01437 764551                                        

Email: admissions@pembrokeshire.gov.uk     

 

School Transport:

Owen Roberts

Statutory Transport Officer

Transportation & Environment Directorate

County Hall

Haverfordwest

Pembrokeshire

SA61 1TP

Tel: 01437 764551

Email: school.transport@pembrokeshire.gov.uk 

 

 

Complaints

The County Council Complaints, Compliments and Comments procedure

 

Data Protection

The information given on the application form will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018. The information on the form will be used for the administration of school admissions or transfers.

 

Admissions Fair Processing Notice

Admissions Fair Processing Notice