Whether you’re looking up term dates, applying for a place in one of our Carmarthenshire schools, or trying to find out what financial help is available, this page is your starting point for everything you need to know about Carmarthenshire schools. Pick the section you need below.
Carmarthenshire School Term Dates
Carmarthenshire County Council publishes term dates covering Spring, Summer and Autumn terms for the current academic year, with dates for 2027 and 2028 also available for families planning ahead. Our page includes add-to-calendar buttons for every half term, holiday and bank holiday so you can save the dates straight to your phone.
Carmarthenshire has one county-wide designated INSET day each year. Schools typically have 5 INSET days in total, with the remaining days set individually by each school. Contact your school directly for their full list of closure dates.
View Carmarthenshire Term Dates 2025 to 2028
Applying for a School Place in Carmarthenshire
Applications for primary, secondary and nursery school places in Carmarthenshire are made online through the Carmarthenshire County Council website. There is no automatic allocation, so even if you live next door to your preferred school you still need to apply formally and receive written confirmation before your child can start.
Key things to know before you apply:
- Carmarthenshire changed its school starting age policy in 2024 — children born on or after 1 September 2021 now start full-time primary in the term after they turn four, rather than all in one September intake
- You can list up to three school preferences — always use all three slots
- Nursery and full-time primary places require separate applications — getting a nursery place does not give your child automatic entry into Reception
- There is no automatic transfer from primary to secondary school — you must apply in the autumn term of Year 6
- Secondary admissions are based on your home address, not which primary your child attended
- If you’re applying to St John Lloyd Catholic School in Llanelli, you also need to complete the school’s own paper application form alongside the council’s online one
- Free school transport is only provided to your nearest or catchment school — if you apply elsewhere, transport costs are your responsibility
Carmarthenshire School Admissions: How to Apply for a School Place
School Grants and Financial Help in Carmarthenshire
There’s a decent amount of financial support available to Carmarthenshire families with school-age children, and it’s not always well advertised. The main things worth knowing about are:
- School Essentials Grant: up to £125 per child (or £200 for Year 7) to help with uniform, kit, stationery and equipment. Apply through the Carmarthenshire County Council online portal.
- Free School Meals: all primary pupils get a free meal automatically, but you still need to apply for means-tested Eligible Free School Meals (eFSM) separately to unlock the School Essentials Grant and extra school funding. You only need to apply once.
- Free Breakfast Clubs: Carmarthenshire runs free breakfast clubs at 96 primary schools across the county, one of the highest uptakes in Wales. Check with your school for opening times.
- Free School Transport: for eligible pupils who live more than 2 miles from their primary school or 3 miles from their secondary school.
- Charitable Trust Funds: Carmarthenshire County Council administers a number of local charitable trust funds for students, covering drama, higher education, medical studies and more. Most open on 1 April each year.
School Grants in Carmarthenshire: Free Meals, Uniforms & Financial Help
For a full overview of all financial help available to families across Wales, including the Education Maintenance Allowance for 16 to 18 year olds and free Microsoft 365 licences for all learners, take a look at our Help With School Costs in Wales guide.
