Changing schools

Changing schools within the Academic Year is a significant step for a child, but we understand that such a decision may be unavoidable, and in the first instance we would ask that you first discuss this with the child’s present headteacher.

If, following this discussion, you still wish to transfer your child to a new school please complete a transfer application form. 

Primary Schools

If there is a suitable vacancy, a child will be admitted to the school. Classes may include more than one age group in which case the headteacher will have the task of allocating the child a place in the most appropriate class.

From September 2001 the Government limited the number of children able to attend infant classes and reception classes to a maximum of 30 pupils. This could result in no suitable vacancy being available.

Secondary Schools

There may be strong educational reasons why a transfer should not take place which parents need to consider, particularly in the case of pupils in Years 10 and 11 where pupils have already begun examination courses. 

Where a request relates to a pupil in year 10 or 11, details of the option courses being taken must be provided. 

Although the admission number in the child’s age group may not have been reached it may not be possible to offer the child’s current options.

If the relevant year is able to accommodate the child and the published admission number will not be exceeded then the child should be admitted to the school.

Click the following link to obtain a School Transfer Application.  Please use a browser such as Chrome, Edge or Safari to use the application form. It will not work in Internet Explorer.

Special Diets

To request a special diet, please complete the special diet request form and return it to the address at the bottom of the form.

Once the Catering Department and Dietitian have received the form, you will either receive a special diet menu for your child by post/email or they will contact you to discuss your child’s requirements in more detail before sending a menu out to you. Please allow up to 3 weeks for your menu to arrive.

To protect the health of your child, the Catering Department request that you provide your child with a packed lunch from home until you have received a confirmed start date.

Universal Primary Free School Meals

All primary school children in Wales will get free school meals by 2024. This commitment is in response to the rising cost-of-living pressures on families and our shared ambitions of tackling child poverty and ensuring no child goes hungry in school. The Welsh Government is committed to implementing the scheme as quickly as possible.  There are also wider benefits of free school meals, including promoting healthy eating across the school, increasing the variety of food learners can eat, improving social skills at mealtimes, as well as improving behaviour and attainment.  The policy is part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru, which will see free school meals extended to all primary school pupils over the next three years.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council began delivering free school meals to pupils attending full time nursery, Reception, Years 1 and 2 at the start of the autumn term 2022.  The offer will be extended to Years 3 to 6 in September 2023.

There is no registration needed, your child will just need to state whether they require a school meal in registration at the start of the school day. Also if your child has an allergy or intolerance you will need to complete and return the Special Diet Application Form.

Related Documents

Contact Information

Name of Team: Education Transformation team, School Admissions

Telephone Number: (01495) 355493/ (01495) 355340

Address: Education Directorate, Floor 8, Anvil Court,  Abertillery., NP13 1DB

Email Address: schooladmissions@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk