Parents claim Cardiff High pupils were told the news that sixth form sport is under review while the school itself has confirmed it is considering its options but said no final decision had been taken
Cardiff High in Cyncoed tops the list as the hardest maintained secondary school to get into in the city
Cardiff’s most oversubscribed maintained secondary school is looking at dropping sixth form extra-curricular sport prompting fury from parents.
Parents said children at Cardiff High were suddenly told at the end of term that senior boys’ rugby and football would stop. Teams have not been entered into leagues for the next academic year, they said.
Pupils told their parents staff informed them verbally that all extra-curricular sport for senior pupils was ending. Never miss a Cardiff story by signing up to our daily newsletter here
Cardiff High, which posts some of the best GCSE and A-level results in the city and Wales, confirmed it is now “looking at all available options” for extra-curricular sport.
A spokesperson said the school is “trying” to provide a full range of extra-curricular opportunities for all year groups, including sixth form, and no final decision has been made.
Parents have written to the school’s governing body and head demanding an explanation.
They said some pupils would have chosen to go elsewhere for A-levels had they known extra-curricular sixth form sport was under review and they are now at a disadvantage
They are also furious that the decision to review sixth form sport was communicated verbally to pupils days before the end of term.
Parents said the news, which was upsetting for affected pupils, came out of the blue and without discussion or any formal letter to parents.
One parent, who did not want to be named, said: “All of the children have been told but nothing officially has been sent out. But they have definitely made that decison and told children in senior teams who have chosen to take PE at A-level.”
He said he understood schools have limited resources but said Cardiff High had not sought parent volunteers to help with sports as some schools have done.
“I don’t think the school has lost any teachers. I have some sympathy for the school because of stretched budgets but I think to land this on children at the end of term is not great.”
The letter from parents to the school, seen by WalesOnline, asks for the school to consider other options.
“We are writing on behalf of a number of parents and pupils following information communicated to senior boys by teaching staff on July 14, 2026,” the letter says.
“The pupils understood that organised senior boys’ rugby and football will no longer be provided for A-level students from the end of the current (summer) term and Cardiff High have not had teams registered in the leagues for next season.”
It goes on to: “Our immediate concern is not simply that a change may be under consideration but the timing, process, and communication of a decision that will materially affect current and prospective sixth-form pupils.
“A number of the affected pupils made their post-GCSE education decisions considering both the academic and the wider opportunities available at Cardiff High School.
“Some had alternative college or sixth form options but actively chose to remain or join Cardiff High following open day information, discussions with staff, and direct encouragement regarding participation in senior sport.
“If the position communicated to the pupils is correct the timing immediately before the end of term leaves pupils and families with little or no meaningful opportunity to reconsider their arrangements, identify alternative provision, or understand whether any solution could be developed before September.”
The parents also demand “urgent clarification” on whether a final decision has been made to discontinue organised senior boys’ rugby and football for Years 12 and 13, who made or approved the decision, when, and why.
Their letter also asks how the impact upon existing pupils and pupils who selected Cardiff High School for sixth form study was assessed and whether any pupils, parents, staff or the governing body were consulted.
Parents also want to know why the decision was made to tell shocked pupils verbally right at the end of term and whether any alternative options are being looked at.
“Our intention is to establish the facts, understand the school’s constraints, and work collaboratively towards an outcome that supports pupils while remaining realistic and sustainable for the school,” the letter adds.
Responding to the letter and asked about the future of sixth form sport at the school a Cardiff High spokesman said: “The school remains committed to trying to provide a full range of extra-curricular opportunities for all year groups, including the sixth form.
“Therefore the school has committed to explore all available options and as such no final decision has been made about future arrangements for sixth form extra-curricular sport.
“The school’s senior leadership team recognises the importance of extra-curricular sport as part of the wider sixth form student experience alongside the school’s commitment to supporting health, wellbeing, and personal development.
“Our priority is to ensure that sixth form students can continue to participate in competitive extra-curricular sport while identifying an approach that is sustainable and works for the wider school community.
“Senior members of staff will meet again at the start of the new term to review and consider all available options in detail.”
