The hardest schools to get into in Brighton and Hove
Secondary: 484 families put Cardinal Newman Catholic School first in 2026 and 338 of them (70%) were offered a place.
Reception: 40 families put Peter Gladwin Primary School first in 2026 and 30 of them (75%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Brighton and Hove with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardinal Newman Catholic School · Hove · faith | 484 | 338 (70%) | 346 |
| 2 | Varndean School · Brighton | 350 | 254 (73%) | 279 |
| 3 | King's School · Hove · faith | 212 | 157 (74%) | 171 |
| 4 | Dorothy Stringer School · Brighton | 290 | 253 (87%) | 319 |
| 5 | Blatchington Mill School · Hove | 252 | 237 (94%) | 323 |
| 6 | Portslade Aldridge Community Academy · Brighton | 150 | 150 (100%) | 172 |
| 7 | Patcham High School · Brighton | 145 | 145 (100%) | 198 |
| 8 | Brighton Aldridge Community Academy · Brighton | 113 | 113 (100%) | 134 |
| 9 | Hove Park School and Sixth Form Centre · Hove | 92 | 92 (100%) | 135 |
| 10 | Longhill High School · Brighton | 70 | 70 (100%) | 93 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Brighton and Hove
What is the hardest school to get into in Brighton and Hove?
For secondary places, 484 families put Cardinal Newman Catholic School first in 2026 and 338 of them (70%) were offered a place. For Reception, 40 families put Peter Gladwin Primary School first and 30 of them (75%) were offered a place.
How many families in Brighton and Hove get their first-choice school?
82.9% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 93.8% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Brighton and Hove published it in its admissions booklet.