Cardiff Education Bylaw: KS1-KS4 Curriculum & Tests
Cardiff, Wales schools follow national curriculum requirements while local authorities and school leaders manage delivery and assessment arrangements. This guide explains how the Curriculum for Wales applies across Key Stages 1 to 4, how testing schedules are published, and where Cardiff families and school staff can find official instructions, forms and contacts. It summarises enforcement points such as attendance notices and routes to appeal, and sets out practical steps to prepare for statutory assessments and local reporting obligations.
Overview of Curriculum & Assessment Framework
The Curriculum for Wales sets the statutory framework for learning from ages 3 to 16. Local delivery is the responsibility of schools and the local authority, with national guidance and timelines published by the Welsh Government. For official guidance on the Curriculum for Wales see the Welsh Government page below.Curriculum for Wales[1]
Key Stage Coverage and Common Requirements
- KS1 (ages 5-7): literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing emphasis; schools report progress to parents.
- KS2 (ages 7-11): broader subject coverage; schools follow locality arrangements for assessment.
- KS3 (ages 11-14): curriculum areas prepare learners for qualifications and personalised learning pathways.
- KS4 (ages 14-16): qualification choices (GCSEs and approved vocational qualifications) and formal reporting on outcomes.
Testing Schedules and Reporting
National assessment windows and reporting expectations are published by Welsh Government and implemented by schools and local authorities. Schools will notify parents of internal testing dates and any national assessment windows in advance; check school or local authority notices for current schedules.Curriculum for Wales[1]
Penalties & Enforcement
Enforcement for statutory duties connected to schooling — most commonly school attendance — is carried out by the local authority and its education welfare services. Cardiff Council administers attendance procedures and can issue fixed penalty notices or pursue prosecutions where unauthorised absence persists. See Cardiff Council education attendance pages for local enforcement contacts and procedures.Cardiff Council - Attendance[2]
- Fines and fixed penalty notices: not specified on the cited page; see the Cardiff Council attendance page for local figures and thresholds.[2]
- Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited page; Cardiff Council explains steps taken before formal notices are issued.[2]
- Non-monetary sanctions: enforcement can include school attendance orders, referrals to the courts and welfare interventions; specific orders are set out by the local authority.[2]
- Enforcer and complaint pathway: Cardiff Council Education Welfare Service (contact via attendance pages) handles investigations and complaints.[2]
- Appeals and reviews: appeal routes and statutory time limits are not specified on the cited page; parents should follow the review and complaint instructions on the Cardiff Council attendance page.[2]
Applications & Forms
School-level forms (admissions, absence explanation, special arrangements) are handled by Cardiff Council or the individual school. The council publishes admissions and related application pages where parents can submit online applications and requests for special arrangements.
- Admission applications and appeals: see Cardiff Council admissions pages for form names, deadlines and online submission instructions.
- Requests for assessment adaptations or special arrangements: apply to the school or local authority education services using the forms listed by the council.
Action Steps for Schools and Parents
- Review national curriculum guidance and local school notices early in each term to align teaching and assessment plans.[1]
- Contact Cardiff Council Education Welfare Service for absence reporting, fixed penalty queries and enforcement procedures.[2]
- Keep records of communications and evidence when applying for assessment adaptations or appealing enforcement actions.
FAQ
- Who sets the curriculum for KS1 to KS4 in Cardiff?
- Curriculum for Wales is set by the Welsh Government and implemented by schools with local authority oversight.[1]
- Where can I find the testing schedule for national assessments?
- National assessment windows and guidance are published by Welsh Government; schools will share local dates with parents.[1]
- What happens if my child has unauthorised absences?
- Cardiff Council manages attendance procedures and may issue fixed penalty notices or pursue further action; see the council attendance pages for details.[2]
How-To
- Check the Welsh Government Curriculum for Wales guidance and any published assessment guidance to confirm statutory expectations.[1]
- Consult your child’s school calendar for internal testing dates and contact the headteacher for clarifications.
- If you face attendance or statutory assessment issues, contact Cardiff Council Education Welfare Service via the council attendance pages to report concerns.[2]
- For appeals or formal requests (admissions, special arrangements), submit the council or school form within the published deadline and keep copies of all submissions.
Key Takeaways
- The Curriculum for Wales is national; Cardiff schools implement it locally.[1]
- Attendance enforcement is handled by Cardiff Council; specific penalty amounts should be checked on the council pages.[2]
Help and Support / Resources
- Cardiff Council - Schools and learning
- Cardiff Council - Admissions
- Welsh Government - Curriculum for Wales
- Estyn - Education Inspectorate for Wales