School places in West Sussex: The hardest primary schools to get into in 2023

Published 18th Jul 2023, 12:37 GMT

Updated 18th Jul 2023, 12:39 GMT

A record number of primary-aged pupils across the country received a place at their preferred school for 2023-24.

Some 92.5% were offered their first choice, up from 92.2% in 2022-23 and the highest figure since 2014-15.

However, there was also a record low number of applications, with just 568,560 children fighting for the school places.

In West Sussex, 7,930 of 8,675 children (91.4%) secured a place at their first preference.

Schools minister Nick Gibb said: "It is great to know that up and down the country families are able to make the right choice for their child, enrolling them in a school and environment that they feel will best support their child to learn and develop.

"Today’s figures attest to the Government’s priority in providing good quality school places, which will ensure every child has the opportunity to meet their potential."

Here are the primary schools in West Sussex which were hardest to get into, based on Department for Education figures showing the proportion of families putting it as their first choice who were successful in getting a place.

Additional reporting by Andrew Dowdeswell, data reporter.

Here are the primary schools in West Sussex which were hardest to get into, based on Department for Education figures showing the proportion of families putting it as their first choice who were successful in getting a place.

. School places in West Sussex: The hardest primary schools to get into in 2023

Here are the primary schools in West Sussex which were hardest to get into, based on Department for Education figures showing the proportion of families putting it as their first choice who were successful in getting a place. Photo: Monkey Business Images/AdobeStock

At Handcross Primary School, 53% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 26 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Handcross Primary School, Handcross

At Handcross Primary School, 53% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 26 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At St Mary's Catholic Primary School, 59% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 21 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Worthing

At St Mary's Catholic Primary School, 59% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 21 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Forge Wood Primary School, 60% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 40 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Forge Wood Primary School, Crawley

At Forge Wood Primary School, 60% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 40 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Jessie Younghusband Primary School, 60% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 18 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Jessie Younghusband Primary School, Chichester

At Jessie Younghusband Primary School, 60% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 18 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Woodgate Primary School, 60% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of eight applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Woodgate Primary School, Slaugham

At Woodgate Primary School, 60% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of eight applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Broadley Heighway Associates Ltd

At Kingslea Primary School, 60% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 36 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Kingslea Primary School, Horsham

At Kingslea Primary School, 60% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 36 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Steve Cobb

At Lavant CofE Primary School, 61% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of nine applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Lavant CofE Primary School, Chichester

At Lavant CofE Primary School, 61% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of nine applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Wisborough Green Primary School, 63% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 18 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Wisborough Green Primary School, Wisborough Green

At Wisborough Green Primary School, 63% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 18 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Derek Martin Photography & Art

At Bartons Primary School, 63% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 17 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Bartons Primary School, Bognor Regis

At Bartons Primary School, 63% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 17 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Staff

At The March CofE Primary School, 63% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 17 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. The March CofE Primary School, Chichester

At The March CofE Primary School, 63% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 17 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Primary School, 66% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 30 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Primary School, Crawley

At Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Primary School, 66% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 30 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Colgate Primary School, 67% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of eight applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Colgate Primary School, Colgate

At Colgate Primary School, 67% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of eight applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Steve Robards

At Lindfield Primary Academy, 68% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 43 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Lindfield Primary Academy, Lindfield

At Lindfield Primary Academy, 68% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 43 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Steve Robards

At Arunside Primary School, 70% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 24 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Arunside Primary School, Horsham

At Arunside Primary School, 70% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 24 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Steve Robards

At Bramber Primary School, 70% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 12 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Bramber Primary School, Worthing

At Bramber Primary School, 70% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 12 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Bolnore Village Primary School, 70% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 25 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Bolnore Village Primary School, Bolnore Village

At Bolnore Village Primary School, 70% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 25 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Liz Pearce

At West Dean CofE Primary School, 72% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of five applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. West Dean CofE Primary School, West Dean

At West Dean CofE Primary School, 72% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of five applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Northlands Wood Primary Academy, 74% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 16 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Northlands Wood Primary Academy, Haywards Heath

At Northlands Wood Primary Academy, 74% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 16 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At North Mundham Primary School, 74% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 10 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. North Mundham Primary School, North Mundham

At North Mundham Primary School, 74% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 10 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Plaistow & Kirdford Primary School, 75% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 10 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Plaistow & Kirdford Primary School, Plaistow

At Plaistow & Kirdford Primary School, 75% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 10 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Blackthorns Community Primary Academy, 76% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of eight applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Blackthorns Community Primary Academy, Lindfield

At Blackthorns Community Primary Academy, 76% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of eight applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Heron Way Primary School, 76% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 17 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Heron Way Primary School, Horsham

At Heron Way Primary School, 76% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 17 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At West Green Primary School, 76% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of nine applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. West Green Primary School, Crawley

At West Green Primary School, 76% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of nine applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Steve Robards

At Rusper Primary School, 76% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of four applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Rusper Primary School, Rusper

At Rusper Primary School, 76% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of four applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At North Lancing Primary School, 77% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 16 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. North Lancing Primary School, Lancing

At North Lancing Primary School, 77% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 16 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Ashurst Wood, 77% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of five applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Ashurst Wood Primary School, Ashurst Wood

At Ashurst Wood, 77% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of five applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Fishbourne CofE Primary School, 78% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of eight applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Fishbourne CofE Primary School, Chichester

At Fishbourne CofE Primary School, 78% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of eight applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Parklands Community Primary School, 78% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 14 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Parklands Community Primary School, Chichester

At Parklands Community Primary School, 78% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 14 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, 80% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of three applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, Lower Beeding

At Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, 80% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of three applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At William Penn School, 80% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of two applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. William Penn School, Coolham

At William Penn School, 80% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of two applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Turners Hill CofE Primary School, 80% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of five applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Turners Hill CofE Primary School, Turners Hill

At Turners Hill CofE Primary School, 80% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of five applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Walberton & Binsted CofE Primary School, 81% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of seven applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Walberton & Binsted CofE Primary School, Walberton

At Walberton & Binsted CofE Primary School, 81% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of seven applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, 82% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 12 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, Crawley

At St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, 82% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 12 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Steve Robards

At Portfield Primary Academy, 83% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of eight applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Portfield Primary Academy, Chichester

At Portfield Primary Academy, 83% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of eight applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Kate Shemilt

At Kilnwood Vale Primary School, 83% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 12 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Kilnwood Vale Primary School, Faygate

At Kilnwood Vale Primary School, 83% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 12 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At The Laurels Primary School, 83% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of six applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. The Laurels Primary School, Worthing

At The Laurels Primary School, 83% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of six applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Contributed

At South Bersted CofE Primary School, 83% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of six applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. South Bersted CofE Primary School, Bognor Regis

At South Bersted CofE Primary School, 83% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of six applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Southway Primary School, 83% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 12 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

. Southway Primary School, Bognor Regis

At Southway Primary School, 83% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 12 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

Here are the primary schools in West Sussex which were hardest to get into, based on Department for Education figures showing the proportion of families putting it as their first choice who were successful in getting a place.

1. School places in West Sussex: The hardest primary schools to get into in 2023

Here are the primary schools in West Sussex which were hardest to get into, based on Department for Education figures showing the proportion of families putting it as their first choice who were successful in getting a place. Photo: Monkey Business Images/AdobeStock

At Handcross Primary School, 53% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 26 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

2. Handcross Primary School, Handcross

At Handcross Primary School, 53% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 26 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At St Mary's Catholic Primary School, 59% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 21 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

3. St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Worthing

At St Mary's Catholic Primary School, 59% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 21 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google

At Forge Wood Primary School, 60% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 40 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in.

4. Forge Wood Primary School, Crawley

At Forge Wood Primary School, 60% of parents who made it their first choice were offered a place for their child. A total of 40 applicants had the school as their first choice but did not get in. Photo: Google