Children In West Sussex Offered Secondary School Places

Monday, 3 March 2025 14:35

By Dominic Kureen @WriteOnDom

West Sussex County Council has again worked with schools to ensure that every child in the county who applied for a secondary school place this year has been offered one.

Today is National Offer Day and in West Sussex:

There were a total of 9050 secondary school applications, a slight decrease from last year, with every child offered a secondary place
7882 applicants (87.1%) will be offered their first preference school, which is slightly up on last year’s percentage (86.8%)
96.9% per cent of all applicants this year will be offered one of their three preferences

Cllr Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People, Learning and Skills, said:

“Offer day is a key milestone on the journey into secondary education, and I know that many young people will be awaiting their offer with great anticipation.”

“I am pleased that we have been able to offer a large number of families one of their three preferences, with an increased percentage securing their first preference.

“I do appreciate that there will, however, be some who are understandably disappointed with their offer, as unfortunately a small number of pupils have not been offered a place at one of their preference schools, as is the case every year.

“I would like to thank schools for working with our admissions team, and especially those schools who have offered additional places to help secure the preferences of more families.

“I hope that all children currently in year 6 enjoy their final term at primary school I would like to wish you all good luck as you start your secondary education in September.”

The Admissions Team continues to look at opportunities to help give parents and carers more information on the process through attendance at secondary school open events and briefings for parents in areas where there are currently pressures, and this will be repeated for the process this year.

West Sussex County Council admissions officers are on hand to speak to parents, carers and pupils should they want to discuss their offer and the options available to them such as an independent admission appeal, by calling 03330 142903 or emailing admissions.south@westsussex.gov.uk or admissions.north@westsussex.gov.uk

Some children may be feeling nervous or worried about starting secondary school. Our Your Mind Matters website has lots of resources to support the wellbeing of children and young people along with advice to help parents and carers.

Do not worry if you haven’t yet received your offer; emails should be received no later than 5pm today.

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