A major date in the Newport education calendar has arrived – as applications for reception or primary school places have opened.

From this week, parents in the city are able to apply for which schools they want their children spending the next few years of their education lives in.

Applications can be made for any children in the city who will celebrate their fourth birthday before September 2022.

This means, children born between September 1 2017, and August 31 2018 are eligible for the places.

Parents have until January 12, 2022, to make an application, which is submitted to Newport City Council – who oversee education in the city.

Anyone who misses this window will instead have to submit an in-year transfer application.

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But, for some parents, it might be too early to decide to send their children off to primary school.

For them, there is a second option available.

There is an option for parents to delay admission until the term following their child’s fifth birthday.

Anyone interested in this must still make an application within this current window, and the school place will be held.

According to Newport City Council: “Entry cannot be delayed beyond the beginning of the term after the child’s 5th birthday, or beyond the school year for which the application was made.”

Parents are being advised to contact schools directly should they have any questions as to how reception level education is catered for, and for any specific admissions related questions.

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How to apply for school places

In Newport, there are three ways to apply for a school place.

These are online, which can be done here.

Alternatively, parents can print out this application form and post it in to the council.

The same form can be requested by calling 01633 656656.

How to decide which school to apply for

Children in Newport have the option of attending a Welsh medium, English medium, or faith based school.

Every Newport address even has a designated English and Welsh medium catchment school – though being in a catchment area doesn’t guarantee a place, if more applications than places are received, though they are prioritised in many cases.

Preference is also given to those who apply for a specific school, and as such, it is recommended that expressing a preference for at least three schools is made, in a bid to increase the likelihood of getting a desired place.

More information can be found on the Newport City Council website here.