School starter information
Children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 are eligible to start primary/infant school in September 2027.
Applications open on 5 October 2026, with a national deadline of 15 January 2027. Offers are released on 16 April 2027, and parents can defer entry until the compulsory school age.
Key Dates for 2027 School Starters (Primary/Infants):
- 5 October 2026: Application process opens; families can visit schools.
- 15 January 2027: Deadline to submit applications (11:59 PM).
- 15 April 2027: National Offer Day.
- September 2027: Children start school.
After you get your school offer
To help you understand the 2027 intake, after the relevant offer day you'll find details below about the total number of places offered, the last criteria/category and furthest distance offered within that criteria/category for each school in West Sussex.
If you did not get the school place you wanted, your child will be placed on a waiting list and you may want to appeal. For more information on the Appeals process, please visit the link below :
We also have a useful guide for school starters, which you can download here :