You can apply to transfer between schools or return to mainstream education online.
There is an online form on this page.
Please read all the information on this page before applying.
Applying does not guarantee a transfer to another school
If your child is currently attending a school in Anglesey, the information you give on this application, including the reason for the application, will be shared with your child’s current school headteacher and the headteacher of your new choice of school.
You must discuss a change of school with a senior member of staff at your child’s current school to avoid unnecessary delays. Do this before you make an application.
Important things to think about
There are a number of reasons why you might want to change your child’s school during the academic year, but it is important that you consider whether a transfer is really the best option.
Changing schools can have a negative impact on your child, such as:
- disrupting their education, which may affect academic progress
- affecting their social environment, friendship groups and extra-curricular activities
- the school you want might not have a place available for your child and if you are hoping to transfer siblings, they may not all be offered the same school
- subject choices in year 10 and 11. You will need to think about whether your child can continue studying the same subjects or option choices in a different school. Your child’s existing coursework may not be applicable to a different examining body. This could mean that your child would achieve less qualifications in years 10 and 11
Changing school can also have an impact on your child’s eligibility for free home to school transport.
Unless absolutely necessary, such as following a house move, you are strongly advised to work with your child’s current school rather than transfer.
Talking to your child and staff at your child’s current school may avoid the need for a transfer.
Common reasons for requesting transfer
What you should do
Discuss your concerns with the head of year, class teacher or headteacher. If you feel the school has not responded appropriately, you should ask the school for a copy of their school complaints procedure and follow the steps outlined. School complaints must be taken seriously.
Our advice
In our experience, moving because of dissatisfaction with the school does not solve the problem. We often see this type of issue resurfacing at the new school and that’s why it’s best to address it before you move.
What you should do
Sit down with your child and try to find out why he or she is not attending school. Talk to your child’s teachers. Find out if here any subjects they are worried about.
Our advice
Children must attend school. We often find that by talking to your child and the school, the issue can be identified and steps put into place. Ask the school to give you with the contact details of their education welfare officer.
What you should do
Contact your school and ask for a copy of their safeguarding, anti-bullying or emotional wellbeing policies (bullying would be considered behaviour by an individual or group, repeated over time, which intentionally hurts others either physically or emotionally). If you feel these policies have not been followed, you should inform the school.
All schools have a responsibility to address bullying, and all schools are equipped to deal with this.
Our advice
If you feel they haven’t dealt with it, contact the headteacher or governing body. If the bullying is particularly severe you can also contact the police, that is, if also occurring outside of school.
All schools have a responsibility to protect the physical and emotional wellbeing of their pupils. If this has not been the case for your family, it must be raised with the school which can mediate, move classes, and so on.
What you should do
Make an appointment to speak to the headteacher. If this does not work, you can raise a complaint.
Ask for a copy of their school complaints procedure and follow the steps outlined. The school has a responsibility to resolve issues with your child.
Our advice
We advise parents discuss the issues with their current school. It would not be appropriate to expect your child to move or to have a ‘fresh start’ because the school is not able to address your concerns (or not given the opportunity to resolve the issue).
What you should do
Talk to your child’s teacher, head of year or headteacher. Check if your child has a pastoral support plan, positive behaviour plan or has been identified as having special educational needs.
Ask for a review of the pastoral support plan or any other plans that are currently in place to support your child's behaviour.
If they are not receiving any additional support, ask to speak to a staff member to discuss this.
Our advice
If there are behaviour concerns from the school about your child, we do not recommend moving them to another school. No school should be suggesting this to your child. A disruption could make the issue worse.
If you require support with this, please contact us.
What you should do
Talk to the teacher in charge of additional learning needs (ALN) at the school and email the local authority’s ALN and inclusion team at GweinyddolADYaCH@gwynedd.llyw.cymru
Our advice
We advise that parents engage with the school’s ALN Co-ordinator or pastoral support team.If after working with your child’s current school you still want to transfer to another school, you will need to make an application.
School admissions policy
We advise parents to read the 'School Admissions Policy 2025 to 2026'.
Parents information handbook
We advise parents to read the 'Parent Information Handbook'.
Apply online
When you get a decision
Primary school transfers
You should get a decision by email within 15 school days or 28 working days (whichever is soonest).
Secondary school transfers
The authority or your chosen school should contact you within 15 school days or 28 working days (whichever is soonest).
You may be invited to have a discussion at the school. This would not be an interview.