Ceredigion is a coastal county, bordered by Cardigan Bay to the west, Gwynedd to the north, Powys to the east, Carmarthenshire to the south, and Pembrokeshire to the south-west. The population of the county at the 2001 census was 74,941.

The Department of Education and Community Service which includes Education, Cultural & Leisure Services employs in the region of 2,000 people and is the largest of the County's departments with an annual budget in excess of £56.3 million of which £52.3 million (for 2007/2008) is directed to Education. The admisitrative headquarters for the education service in Ceredigion is situated at Education and Community Services Department, Canolfan Rheidol, Rhodfa Padarn, Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, and provides a focal point of contract for parents, pupils, students, elected members, staff and the general public. In addition to advice on the services noted above which can be obtained from the Education and Community Services Department a number of support agencies such as advisors, educational psychologists and welfare officers are also located at the County Offices.