Education and schools in Cardiff

Education in Wales is compulsory from the ages of four to 16. Many students continue their education after age 16, pursuing an academic or vocational certification, usually the Welsh Baccalaureate.

Cardiff is home to over 125 schools, a few of which are independent (private) schools. All schools are regularly assessed by a national organisation known as Estyn. Inspection results can be viewed online.

Useful links

• Estyn

Government schools in Cardiff

Parents moving to Cardiff will have a good range of government schools to choose from. Many of Cardiff's best schools are government schools. The good news is that these can be attended free of charge.

Wales is currently in the process of rolling out a revamped curriculum, beginning with all nursery and elementary students. The rollout is planned to continue year by year until 2026, by which point all students will be under the new curriculum.

Welsh is taught as part of the curriculum. There are both English-language and Welsh-language schools in Cardiff.

Cardiff bases admission priority on a catchment system, so it's wise for those with school-age children to keep this in mind when selecting an area or suburb to live in. While living in a catchment area doesn't guarantee entry to a particular school, those living locally are prioritised over children who live further away.

The structure and location of catchment areas aren't always straightforward, so it's best to check Cardiff's official website to find out about catchment area boundaries.

Useful links

• Cardiff Council – Cardiff schools

Independent schools in Cardiff

Private schools, also known as independent schools, generally offer the same curriculum as government schools, though some use alternative teaching styles and philosophies.

Not all independent schools teach the national curriculum, though. Students at the Cardiff Steiner School, for instance, graduate not with the Welsh Baccalaureate but with the Certificate of Steiner Education. Some independent schools teach through the lens of a particular religion, such as Christianity. 

Unlike government schools, independent schools in Cardiff charge tuition fees and can be quite pricey.

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) has a wealth of information about private schools, including a list of Cardiff schools. 

Useful links

• ISC – Independent Schools in Cardiff

International schools in Cardiff

Though there are no schools in Cardiff teaching the curriculum of a foreign country, there are a handful that offer the International Baccalaureate (IB).

This includes Westbourne School, located in Cardiff, and UWC Atlantic College, situated in the Vale of Glenmorgan, about 30 minutes west of Cardiff. Both are highly ranked institutions offering an excellent standard of education. 

Useful links

• Westbourne School
• UWC Atlantic College

Special-needs education in Cardiff

In Wales, special-needs education is called Additional Learning Needs (ALN). All schools in Cardiff are allocated funding for the purposes of supporting ALN students with resources such as educational psychologists and specialist teachers.

Children who require more support may undergo a Statutory Assessment conducted by the Cardiff council. The final report will include recommendations to improve the student's experience, either in their current school or in another educational environment more suited to their needs.

Useful links

• Cardiff Council – Additional Learning Needs

Tutors in Cardiff

Tutors can be immensely useful for newly arrived families in Cardiff, especially when it comes to getting help to catch up with a new school's curriculum or spending some extra time learning Welsh. Parents also frequently hire tutors in the run-up to big exams, or to tackle a problem subject.

The best way to find a tutor is often to ask around locally, speaking to fellow parents or school teachers for recommendations. There are also plenty of online tutoring companies, which offer a wide selection of tutors, including those with specialised knowledge or experience.

Useful link

• Cardiff & Vale Tutors
• Kip McGrath Cardiff West