Blaenau Gwent School Catchment Areas

Blaenau Gwent is a compact Welsh valleys authority administered from Ebbw Vale, covering 23 schools across four main areas: Ebbw Vale, Abertillery, Tredegar, and Brynmawr. Admissions in Blaenau Gwent are co-ordinated by the county borough council under the Welsh Government's School Admissions Code, which differs in several respects from the English system.

The authority is one of the smaller in Wales, with most families having a relatively limited choice of secondary schools. Catchment areas in Blaenau Gwent are drawn geographically and reviewed periodically by the council. Unlike some English authorities, Blaenau Gwent does not have selective or grammar schools – places are allocated on the basis of catchment residence, siblings, and then distance.

Families considering schools in Blaenau Gwent should consult the council's admissions team directly for the most current catchment boundary maps and oversubscription criteria. The admissions timetable in Wales differs slightly from England, with a common application window published by the council each year. Welsh-medium education is available within the authority for families wishing to apply for Welsh-language schooling.