Over 97% of children in West Sussex offered one of their preferred secondary school places

Wednesday, 4 March 2026 05:00

By Philip Keeler X @keeler_philip

West Sussex County Council says every child who applied for a secondary school place has been offered one.

There were 8,906 applications this year, slightly down on last year.

More than 86 per cent secured their first choice, while just over 97 per cent were offered one of their top three preferred schools.

Here's the exact breakdown:

  • There were a total of 8,906 secondary school applications, a slight decrease from last year, with every child offered a secondary place 

  • 7,707 applicants (86.5%) will be offered their first preference school 

  • 97.1% per cent of all applicants this year will be offered one of their three preferences, a slight increase on last year’s percentage (96.9%) 

Councillor Jacquie Russell, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Learning, said: “Offer day is a key milestone on the journey into secondary education, and I know that many young people will have been awaiting their offer with great anticipation.” 

“I am pleased that we have once again been able to offer the vast majority of families one of their three preferences. 

“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. 

“A small number of pupils have not been offered a place at one of their preference schools, as is the case every year, and I appreciate that there will be some who are understandably disappointed with their offer. We will always work with families to ensure a suitable school placement can be found. 

“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.” 

 

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