Whether you’re looking up term dates, applying for a place in one of our Ceredigion schools, or trying to find out what financial help is available, this page is your starting point for everything you need to know about Ceredigion schools. Pick the section you need below.
Ceredigion School Term Dates
Ceredigion 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.
Ceredigion schools have 4 additional non-pupil days per year on top of the published term dates. These vary across schools, so contact your school directly for their specific closure dates.
View Ceredigion Term Dates 2025 to 2028
Applying for a School Place in Ceredigion
Applications for primary, secondary and nursery school places in Ceredigion are made online through the Ceredigion Council admissions portal. 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:
- Ceredigion admits children to primary school from the term after their fourth birthday, so your child may start in January, April or September depending on when their birthday falls
- You can express a preference for more than one school — it’s strongly recommended that you do
- The secondary school deadline closes earlier than primary and nursery, so check dates carefully
- Attending nursery at a school does not give your child automatic entry into Reception there — you must submit a completely separate application
- St Padarn’s RC Primary in Aberystwyth is a Voluntary Aided school and requires two forms: the standard Ceredigion online application and the school’s own form
- Free school transport is only provided to your nearest school — if you choose a different school, transport costs are your responsibility
Ceredigion School Admissions: How to Apply for a School Place
School Grants and Financial Help in Ceredigion
There’s a decent amount of financial support available to Ceredigion 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. The scheme runs from 1 July 2025 to 31 May 2026. Existing claimants are processed automatically over the summer.
- 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. Ceredigion also includes sixth form pupils in its free school meals provision.
- Free Breakfast Clubs: available at primary schools across Ceredigion. Check with your school whether they run one.
- Free School Transport: for eligible pupils who live more than 2 miles from their primary school or 3 miles from their secondary school. Exceptions apply for road safety, medical needs, religious beliefs and post-16 students.
School Grants in Ceredigion: 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.
