Vast majority of new school starters offered first preference

This year West Sussex County Council’s admissions team handled 9,133 applications and every child has been found a place. This year:

• 98.5 per cent of those who applied were offered one of their three preferences

• 90.8 per cent were offered their first preference school

Parents and carers who applied should not be concerned if they haven’t received their email offer yet – they are being sent before 5pm today (April 16).

Nigel Jupp, cabinet member for education and skills, said: “I am pleased to see such a high percentage of children receive one of their preference places. This year our admissions team and schools have together overcome the considerable extra challenges that the current circumstances present to again offer every applicable child a school place.

“I know that there will be concern amongst parents and carers regarding how the coronavirus will affect their child starting school this September. Though the situation remains uncertain, I want to assure people that we will be working closely with schools to ensure the least amount of disruption possible, for all West Sussex pupils.”

The admissions team also handled a total of 1,522 applications for children transferring to junior school. Of those 99.7 per cent will today be offered one of their three preferences, with 99.5 per cent offered their first preference school.

With regards to primary and secondary school admissions appeals, the Department for Education has advised local authorities that independent appeal hearings should not take place under the current circumstances. The county council is working on establishing suitable alternative arrangements which will be communicated in due course.

A message from the Editor, Gary Shipton:

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news, I am asking you to please purchase a copy of our newspapers.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspapers.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Stay safe, and best wishes.