Admissions
Primary Education
Currently children are admitted into the Nursery Class during the September after their third birthday. Nursery classes are half a day in duration and are mornings only. When numbers allow, places are offered to children in January who have turned three years of age between September and December 31st. For pupils who reach the age of three between December and the start of the summer term, a place may be offered at the commencement of this term. All places are subject to availability, and are ultimately determined by the Local Education Authority.
An application form for a school place will be sent to you in the October preceding your child’s admission.
The recognised criteria for admission to schools are:
(a) Looked after children.
(b) In catchment with sibling links already in the school.
(c) In catchment without sibling links.
(d) Out of catchment with sibling links already in the school.
(e) Out of catchment.
Parents who are considering sending their child to Cwmdâr Primary are warmly invited to visit us by appointment. To get in contact, please email or ring the school.
Admission to Nursery Class
Starting school is an important milestone for your child. However, the learning has already begun with you at home. You and your family are your child’s most influential educators. We look forward to welcoming you and your child to the Foundation Phase Department at Cwmdâr Primary school and to working closely together to help your child settle and gain a strong sense of belonging within the class in readiness to learn.
The Local Authority currently provides part time Nursery Education for children at the commencement of the Autumn Term following their 3rd birthday. When numbers permit, the L.A. will allow us to accommodate children in January who have turned three between September and December 31st. For pupils who reach the age of three between December and the commencement of the summer term, a place may be available at the commencement of this term. All places are subject to availability and are ultimately determined by the local authority.
Parents who whose child is due to be admitted to Nursery are contacted in the term prior to when they are due to start. They are invited to visit the Nursery to meet staff and other children and to become familiar with the Nursery environment. This will be through informal “Link-Up” sessions.
The Nursery aims to provide a happy, stimulating, secure environment where children learn to socialise with adults and their peer group. They are encouraged through various structured activities to extend their knowledge, use appropriate language, and to express themselves creatively.
At Cwmdâr Primary school we have embraced the Welsh Government’s Foundation Phase Curriculum fully as an exciting and positive approach to learning. It places greater emphasis on experiential learning and active involvement in developing children’s skills.
The Foundation Phase curriculum will encourage your child to have a positive attitude to learning, build their self-esteem and confidence to experiment, investigate and to be expressive when responding to new experiences. Children will be provided with opportunities to explore the world around them, understand how things work through engaging in practical activities relevant to their developmental stages. The outdoor area has recently been developed to embrace effective outdoor provision where children will have first-hand experiences of solving real-life problems and learn about conservation and sustainability. Please see our ‘Welcome to Cwmdâr Nursery Class’ handout for more details.
Secondary Education
The children usually transfer via formal applications at 11+ to two local secondary schools including: St John’s Church in Wales School and Aberdare Community School
For specific admissions policy details please refer to the LEA Admissions Policy available at the school or from the LEA.
Admissions Forms, Pupil Information, Home School Agreements, Consent Forms
On the admission of your child to our school, you will be required to complete information forms that will give consent or agreement to a range of activities that will be on offer to your child. We will require several of these forms to be updated on a regular basis. Please feel free to ask us for support to complete these forms.