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Schools and education

Schools, school places and buildings, additional learning needs and Welsh-medium education.

What councils do

Councils run community schools, fund every state school, provide school transport and support pupils with additional learning needs. They plan school places, including Welsh-medium places under a ten-year plan.

Who decides

The Cabinet decides on school changes, such as opening, closing or merging schools, after a formal consultation. Head teachers and governing bodies run each school day to day.

Having a say

Proposals to change a school must be consulted on, and anyone can respond. Parents can also become school governors.

In numbers

  • Welsh councils plan to spend £1,307 per person on this in 2026-27.
  • It ranges from £1,099 in Monmouthshire to £1,475 in Merthyr Tydfil.
  • Year 1 pupils taught in Welsh: 25% across Wales (2025-26).

How each council is doing