Parents of pupils at Cardiff High School in Cyncoed have expressed fury after being told that sixth form extra-curricular sport may be dropped. The school, which is the most oversubscribed maintained secondary school in Cardiff, is reviewing its provision for senior boys' rugby and football.
Parents said children were suddenly informed at the end of term that the sports would stop, and teams have not been entered into leagues for the next academic year. Pupils told their parents that staff informed them verbally that all extra-curricular sport for senior pupils was ending.
School confirms review
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 demand answers
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 decision 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.
A letter from parents to the school, seen by WalesOnline, asks for the school to consider other options. It states: “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 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.”
The letter goes on to express concern about “the timing, process, and communication of a decision that will materially affect current and prospective sixth-form pupils.” It notes that some affected pupils made their post-GCSE education decisions considering both academic and wider opportunities, and that some had alternative options but actively chose Cardiff High following open day information and discussions with staff.
The parents demand “urgent clarification” on whether a final decision has been made, who made or approved it, and why. They also ask how the impact on pupils was assessed and why the decision was communicated verbally at the end of term.
School response
Responding to the letter, 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 spokesman added that the school’s senior leadership team recognises the importance of extra-curricular sport for health, wellbeing, and personal development, and that senior staff will meet again at the start of the new term to review options.
