West Sussex children secure preferred school places

Nearly all children starting school in West Sussex this September have secured a place at one of their preferred schools, according to the county council’s latest Planning School Places 2026 report. Of those starting Reception, 99 per cent received one of their three preferences and 91.8 per cent were offered their first choice.

The report shows that all children transferring to junior school received their first preference, while 97.1 per cent of secondary school transfers were offered one of their three choices and 86.5 per cent secured their first choice.

The council is also preparing for falling demand for primary school places, with surplus capacity forecast to rise from around 11 per cent in 2025 to approximately 15 per cent by 2027 as birth rates fall. It plans to review schools with sustained or forecast falling rolls, with options including reducing admission numbers, federation or academisation, amalgamation, relocation and redesignating provision, including for SEND. School closure would only be considered if other alternatives had been exhausted.