The hardest schools to get into in West Sussex
Secondary: 289 families put St Oscar Romero Catholic School first in 2026 and 169 of them (59%) were offered a place.
Reception: 25 families put Rake CofE Primary School first in 2026 and 12 of them (48%) were offered a place.
Every state school in West Sussex 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; last distance offered from West Sussex's admissions booklet.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places | Last distance offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Oscar Romero Catholic School · Worthing · faith | 289 | 169 (59%) | 172 | - |
| 2 | St Wilfrid's Catholic Comprehensive School, Crawley · Crawley · faith | 284 | 170 (60%) | 175 | - |
| 3 | St Paul's Catholic College · Burgess Hill · faith | 268 | 170 (63%) | 173 | - |
| 4 | Chichester Free School · Chichester | 80 | 54 (68%) | 67 | - |
| 5 | Hazelwick School · Crawley | 405 | 278 (69%) | 290 | 1,362m |
| 6 | Bohunt Horsham · Horsham | 305 | 226 (74%) | 234 | - |
| 7 | St Philip Howard Catholic School · Bognor Regis · faith | 257 | 195 (76%) | 203 | 5,446m |
| 8 | Bishop Luffa School, Chichester · Chichester · faith | 287 | 224 (78%) | 232 | - |
| 9 | Tanbridge House School · Horsham | 340 | 279 (82%) | 292 | - |
| 10 | Warden Park Secondary Academy · Haywards Heath | 350 | 295 (84%) | 322 | - |
| 11 | Davison Church of England High School for Girls, Worthing · Worthing · faith | 296 | 252 (85%) | 265 | - |
| 12 | Ormiston Six Villages Academy · Chichester | 140 | 120 (86%) | 147 | - |
| 13 | Ifield Community College · Crawley | 209 | 182 (87%) | 235 | - |
| 14 | Oathall Community College · Haywards Heath | 265 | 232 (88%) | 264 | - |
| 15 | Downlands Community School · Hassocks | 257 | 229 (89%) | 241 | - |
| 16 | Oriel High School · Crawley | 247 | 221 (90%) | 260 | - |
| 17 | Shoreham Academy · Shoreham-by-Sea · faith | 350 | 316 (90%) | 325 | - |
| 18 | Worthing High School · Worthing | 213 | 193 (91%) | 205 | - |
| 19 | The Forest School · Horsham | 204 | 185 (91%) | 216 | - |
| 20 | Imberhorne School · East Grinstead | 270 | 250 (93%) | 270 | - |
| 21 | The Angmering School · Littlehampton | 212 | 204 (96%) | 258 | - |
| 22 | The Academy, Selsey · Chichester | 111 | 107 (96%) | 116 | - |
| 23 | Weald School, The · Billingshurst | 273 | 266 (97%) | 291 | - |
| 24 | Durrington High School · Worthing | 287 | 286 (100%) | 325 | - |
| 25 | The Regis School · West Sussex | 266 | 266 (100%) | 273 | - |
| 26 | Steyning Grammar School · Steyning · faith | 244 | 244 (100%) | 268 | - |
| 27 | Felpham Community College · Bognor Regis | 227 | 227 (100%) | 244 | - |
| 28 | The Sir Robert Woodard Academy · Sompting · faith | 224 | 224 (100%) | 242 | - |
| 29 | Midhurst Rother College · Midhurst | 221 | 221 (100%) | 233 | - |
| 30 | Sackville School · East Grinstead | 216 | 216 (100%) | 236 | - |
| 31 | The Littlehampton Academy · Littlehampton · faith | 182 | 182 (100%) | 217 | - |
| 32 | Holy Trinity CofE Secondary School, Crawley · Crawley · faith | 159 | 159 (100%) | 235 | - |
| 33 | St Andrew's CofE High School · Worthing · faith | 143 | 143 (100%) | 166 | - |
| 34 | Bohunt School Worthing · Worthing | 132 | 132 (100%) | 161 | - |
| 35 | Bourne Community College · Emsworth | 119 | 119 (100%) | 137 | - |
| 36 | Thomas Bennett Community College · Crawley | 103 | 103 (100%) | 205 | - |
| 37 | The Burgess Hill Academy · Burgess Hill | 102 | 102 (100%) | 239 | - |
| 38 | Millais School · Horsham | 100 | 100 (100%) | 162 | - |
| 39 | Chichester High School · Chichester | 92 | 92 (100%) | 151 | - |
| 40 | The Gatwick School · Crawley | 23 | 23 (100%) | 61 | - |
Primary schools (Reception)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places | Last distance offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rake CofE Primary School · Liss · faith | 25 | 12 (48%) | 14 | - |
| 2 | Lavant Primary School · Chichester · faith | 29 | 14 (48%) | 15 | - |
| 3 | Thakeham Primary School · Pulborough | 29 | 15 (52%) | 15 | - |
| 4 | Rumboldswhyke CofE Primary School · Chichester · faith | 21 | 13 (62%) | 16 | - |
| 5 | Kingslea Primary School · Horsham | 94 | 59 (63%) | 60 | - |
| 6 | Blackwell Primary School · East Grinstead | 45 | 29 (64%) | 29 | - |
| 7 | Jessie Younghusband Primary School · Chichester | 43 | 28 (65%) | 30 | - |
| 8 | St Mary's Catholic Primary School · Worthing · faith | 41 | 28 (68%) | 30 | - |
| 9 | St Margaret's CofE Primary School · Littlehampton · faith | 84 | 59 (70%) | 60 | - |
| 10 | Heron Way Primary School · Horsham | 78 | 55 (71%) | 59 | - |
| 11 | Rudgwick Primary School · Horsham | 42 | 30 (71%) | 30 | - |
| 12 | Lindfield Primary Academy · Haywards Heath | 124 | 89 (72%) | 89 | - |
| 13 | St Wilfrid's Catholic Primary School · Burgess Hill · faith | 81 | 59 (73%) | 60 | - |
| 14 | Camelsdale Primary School · Haslemere | 38 | 28 (74%) | 30 | - |
| 15 | Fittleworth CofE Village School · Fittleworth · faith | 27 | 20 (74%) | 20 | - |
| 16 | Turners Hill Church of England Primary School · Crawley · faith | 27 | 20 (74%) | 20 | - |
| 17 | The March CofE Primary School · Chichester · faith | 36 | 27 (75%) | 30 | - |
| 18 | Fairway Infant School, Copthorne · Crawley | 77 | 58 (75%) | 59 | - |
| 19 | Arundel CofE Primary School · Arundel · faith | 37 | 28 (76%) | 29 | - |
| 20 | Handcross Primary School · Haywards Heath | 34 | 26 (77%) | 29 | - |
| 21 | Easebourne CofE Primary School · Midhurst · faith | 39 | 30 (77%) | 30 | - |
| 22 | Lyminster Primary School · Littlehampton | 39 | 30 (77%) | 30 | - |
| 23 | Bartons Primary School, Bognor Regis · Bognor Regis | 36 | 28 (78%) | 29 | - |
| 24 | St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, Crawley · Crawley · faith | 75 | 59 (79%) | 60 | - |
| 25 | Seal Primary Academy · Selsey | 38 | 30 (79%) | 30 | - |
| 26 | Ashington CofE Primary School · Pulborough · faith | 38 | 30 (79%) | 30 | - |
| 27 | Albourne Church of England Primary School · Hassocks · faith | 38 | 30 (79%) | 30 | - |
| 28 | Seaside Primary School · Lancing | 113 | 90 (80%) | 90 | - |
| 29 | St Mary's Church of England Primary School, East Grinstead · East Grinstead · faith | 30 | 24 (80%) | 29 | - |
| 30 | Aldingbourne Primary School · Chichester | 36 | 29 (81%) | 30 | - |
| 31 | Bohunt Horsham · Horsham | 57 | 46 (81%) | 58 | - |
| 32 | Arunside School, Horsham · Horsham | 68 | 56 (82%) | 60 | - |
| 33 | Birchwood Grove Community Primary School, Burgess Hill · Burgess Hill | 70 | 58 (83%) | 60 | - |
| 34 | Elm Grove Primary School, Worthing · Worthing | 36 | 30 (83%) | 30 | - |
| 35 | Ferring C of E Primary School · Worthing · faith | 36 | 30 (83%) | 30 | - |
| 36 | London Meed Community Primary School · Burgess Hill | 62 | 52 (84%) | 60 | - |
| 37 | Estcots Primary School · East Grinstead | 56 | 47 (84%) | 59 | - |
| 38 | Sheddingdean Community Primary School · Burgess Hill | 25 | 21 (84%) | 30 | - |
| 39 | St Mary's CofE (Aided) Primary School · Horsham · faith | 33 | 28 (85%) | 29 | - |
| 40 | Forge Wood Primary School · Crawley | 67 | 57 (85%) | 60 | - |
| 41 | Wisborough Green Primary School · Billingshurst | 34 | 29 (85%) | 30 | - |
| 42 | Castlewood Primary School · Horsham | 34 | 29 (85%) | 30 | - |
| 43 | Chichester Free School · Chichester | 59 | 51 (86%) | 59 | - |
| 44 | Northlands Wood Primary Academy · Haywards Heath | 60 | 52 (87%) | 59 | - |
| 45 | Barnham Primary School · Bognor Regis | 45 | 39 (87%) | 44 | - |
| 46 | Woodgate Primary Academy · Crawley | 33 | 29 (88%) | 30 | - |
| 47 | Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Primary School · Crawley · faith | 68 | 60 (88%) | 60 | - |
| 48 | Loxwood Primary School · Billingshurst | 28 | 25 (89%) | 30 | - |
| 49 | St Philip's Catholic Primary School · Arundel · faith | 30 | 27 (90%) | 30 | - |
| 50 | The Laurels Primary School, Worthing · Worthing | 33 | 30 (91%) | 30 | - |
| 51 | Funtington Primary School · Chichester | 22 | 20 (91%) | 20 | - |
| 52 | St Margaret's Church of England Primary School · Crawley · faith | 58 | 53 (91%) | 58 | - |
| 53 | Fishbourne CofE Primary School · Chichester · faith | 25 | 23 (92%) | 30 | - |
| 54 | Kingsham Primary School · Chichester | 27 | 25 (93%) | 30 | - |
| 55 | Harlands Primary School · Haywards Heath | 57 | 53 (93%) | 60 | - |
| 56 | Springfield Infant School and Nursery · Worthing | 60 | 56 (93%) | 58 | - |
| 57 | St Andrew's CofE Primary School · Crawley · faith | 31 | 29 (94%) | 30 | - |
| 58 | Parklands Community Primary School · Chichester | 50 | 47 (94%) | 58 | - |
| 59 | Holbrook Primary School · Horsham | 53 | 50 (94%) | 59 | - |
| 60 | Milton Mount Primary School · Crawley | 94 | 89 (95%) | 90 | - |
| 61 | Barns Green Primary School · Horsham | 20 | 19 (95%) | 20 | - |
| 62 | Georgian Gardens Community Primary School · Littlehampton | 55 | 53 (96%) | 58 | - |
| 63 | South Bersted CofE Primary School · Bognor Regis · faith | 28 | 27 (96%) | 30 | - |
| 64 | St Joseph's Catholic Primary School · Haywards Heath · faith | 58 | 56 (97%) | 60 | - |
| 65 | Warnham CofE Primary School · Horsham · faith | 29 | 28 (97%) | 30 | - |
| 66 | Chidham Parochial Primary School · Chichester · faith | 30 | 29 (97%) | 30 | - |
| 67 | West Green Primary School · Crawley | 30 | 29 (97%) | 29 | - |
| 68 | The Oaks Primary School & Nursery · Crawley | 61 | 59 (97%) | 59 | - |
| 69 | Tangmere Primary Academy · Chichester | 31 | 30 (97%) | 30 | - |
| 70 | Eastbrook Primary Academy · Brighton | 43 | 42 (98%) | 42 | - |
| 71 | East Preston Infant School · Littlehampton | 88 | 86 (98%) | 90 | - |
| 72 | Shelley Primary School · Horsham | 52 | 51 (98%) | 57 | - |
| 73 | Summerlea Community Primary School · Littlehampton | 56 | 55 (98%) | 60 | - |
| 74 | Southway Primary School · Bognor Regis | 58 | 57 (98%) | 60 | - |
| 75 | The Gattons Infant School · Burgess Hill | 78 | 77 (99%) | 90 | - |
| 76 | Thomas A Becket Infant School · Worthing | 134 | 134 (100%) | 138 | - |
| 77 | Maidenbower Infant School and Nursery · Crawley | 86 | 86 (100%) | 90 | - |
| 78 | West Park CofE Primary (Controlled) School · Worthing · faith | 85 | 85 (100%) | 90 | - |
| 79 | Billingshurst Primary Academy · Billingshurst | 84 | 84 (100%) | 88 | - |
| 80 | Rose Green Infant School · Bognor Regis | 83 | 83 (100%) | 89 | - |
| 81 | Hassocks Infant School · Hassocks | 80 | 80 (100%) | 85 | - |
| 82 | Hilltop Primary School · Crawley | 79 | 79 (100%) | 85 | - |
| 83 | Pound Hill Infant Academy · Crawley | 77 | 77 (100%) | 86 | - |
| 84 | Gossops Green Primary · Crawley | 76 | 76 (100%) | 78 | - |
| 85 | Vale School, Worthing · Worthing | 74 | 74 (100%) | 75 | - |
| 86 | Northgate Primary School · Crawley | 67 | 67 (100%) | 70 | - |
| 87 | Edward Bryant School · Bognor Regis | 66 | 66 (100%) | 68 | - |
| 88 | Downview Primary School · Bognor Regis | 66 | 66 (100%) | 70 | - |
| 89 | St Lawrence CofE Primary School · Hassocks · faith | 65 | 65 (100%) | 70 | - |
| 90 | River Beach Primary School · Littlehampton | 65 | 65 (100%) | 68 | - |
| 91 | Orchards Infant School · Worthing | 64 | 64 (100%) | 67 | - |
| 92 | Southwater Infant Academy · Horsham | 62 | 62 (100%) | 66 | - |
| 93 | Broadwater CofE Primary School · Worthing · faith | 60 | 60 (100%) | 60 | - |
| 94 | Bolnore Village Primary School · Haywards Heath | 55 | 55 (100%) | 59 | - |
| 95 | Yapton CE Primary School · Arundel · faith | 55 | 55 (100%) | 59 | - |
| 96 | The Mill Primary Academy · Crawley | 53 | 53 (100%) | 55 | - |
| 97 | Leechpool Primary School · Horsham | 53 | 53 (100%) | 58 | - |
| 98 | Holy Trinity Church of England Primary School, Cuckfield · Haywards Heath · faith | 52 | 52 (100%) | 55 | - |
| 99 | Kilnwood Vale Primary School · Horsham | 51 | 51 (100%) | 56 | - |
| 100 | North Lancing Primary School · Lancing | 51 | 51 (100%) | 55 | - |
| 101 | Nyewood CofE Infant School · Bognor Regis · faith | 50 | 50 (100%) | 52 | - |
| 102 | Langley Green Primary · Crawley | 50 | 50 (100%) | 53 | - |
| 103 | St Nicolas & St Mary CofE Primary School · Shoreham-by-Sea · faith | 50 | 50 (100%) | 50 | - |
| 104 | St Wilfrid's CofE Primary School · Haywards Heath · faith | 49 | 49 (100%) | 54 | - |
| 105 | Waterfield Primary School · Crawley | 47 | 47 (100%) | 48 | - |
| 106 | Three Bridges Primary School · Crawley | 47 | 47 (100%) | 50 | - |
| 107 | White Meadows Primary Academy · Littlehampton | 47 | 47 (100%) | 53 | - |
| 108 | St Peter's CofE Primary School · Henfield · faith | 47 | 47 (100%) | 49 | - |
| 109 | Warden Park Primary Academy · Haywards Heath | 47 | 47 (100%) | 57 | - |
| 110 | Broadfield Primary Academy · Crawley | 47 | 47 (100%) | 51 | - |
| 111 | North Heath Community Primary School · Horsham | 47 | 47 (100%) | 57 | - |
| 112 | Crawley Down Village CofE School · Crawley · faith | 46 | 46 (100%) | 54 | - |
| 113 | The Bewbush Academy · Crawley | 45 | 45 (100%) | 48 | - |
| 114 | Goring-By-Sea CofE (Aided) Primary School · Worthing · faith | 45 | 45 (100%) | 48 | - |
| 115 | Halsford Park Primary School · East Grinstead | 45 | 45 (100%) | 52 | - |
| 116 | The Globe Primary Academy · Lancing | 44 | 44 (100%) | 48 | - |
| 117 | Buckingham Park Primary School · Shoreham-by-Sea | 44 | 44 (100%) | 44 | - |
| 118 | Upper Beeding Primary School · Steyning | 44 | 44 (100%) | 45 | - |
| 119 | Durrington Infant School · Worthing | 44 | 44 (100%) | 44 | - |
| 120 | Southbourne Infant School · Emsworth | 43 | 43 (100%) | 46 | - |
| 121 | Seymour Primary School · Crawley | 43 | 43 (100%) | 48 | - |
| 122 | Desmond Anderson Primary Academy · Crawley | 41 | 41 (100%) | 42 | - |
| 123 | Sompting Village Primary School · Lancing | 40 | 40 (100%) | 48 | - |
| 124 | Downsbrook Primary School · Worthing | 40 | 40 (100%) | 41 | - |
| 125 | Bishop Tufnell CofE Primary School, Felpham · Bognor Regis · faith | 40 | 40 (100%) | 44 | - |
| 126 | Rustington Community Primary School · Littlehampton | 39 | 39 (100%) | 42 | - |
| 127 | Homefield Primary School and SSC · Worthing | 39 | 39 (100%) | 47 | - |
| 128 | Storrington Primary School · Pulborough | 38 | 38 (100%) | 49 | - |
| 129 | Glebe Primary School · Brighton | 36 | 36 (100%) | 36 | - |
| 130 | Oak Tree Primary School · Burgess Hill | 35 | 35 (100%) | 55 | - |
| 131 | Trafalgar Community Infant School · Horsham | 35 | 35 (100%) | 48 | - |
| 132 | Swiss Gardens Primary School · Shoreham-by-Sea | 33 | 33 (100%) | 35 | - |
| 133 | Steyning CofE Primary School · Steyning · faith | 31 | 31 (100%) | 31 | - |
| 134 | East Wittering Community Primary School · Chichester | 30 | 30 (100%) | 33 | - |
| 135 | The Meads Primary School · East Grinstead | 30 | 30 (100%) | 31 | - |
| 136 | St Mary's Church of England Primary School · Pulborough · faith | 30 | 30 (100%) | 31 | - |
| 137 | Portfield Primary Academy · West Sussex | 30 | 30 (100%) | 42 | - |
| 138 | Brook Infant School and Nursery · Crawley | 30 | 30 (100%) | 31 | - |
| 139 | Bersted Green Primary School, Bognor Regis · Bognor Regis | 29 | 29 (100%) | 30 | - |
| 140 | Bosham Primary School · Chichester | 28 | 28 (100%) | 30 | - |
| 141 | St Peter's Catholic Primary School · Shoreham-by-Sea · faith | 28 | 28 (100%) | 28 | - |
| 142 | Bramber Primary School · Worthing | 28 | 28 (100%) | 29 | - |
| 143 | Shoreham Beach Primary School · Shoreham-by-Sea | 27 | 27 (100%) | 29 | - |
| 144 | Medmerry Primary School · Chichester | 27 | 27 (100%) | 30 | - |
| 145 | Thorney Island Community Primary School · Emsworth | 26 | 26 (100%) | 28 | - |
| 146 | Walberton & Binsted CofE Primary School · Arundel · faith | 26 | 26 (100%) | 30 | - |
| 147 | North Mundham Primary School · Chichester | 26 | 26 (100%) | 30 | - |
| 148 | Eastergate CofE Primary School · Chichester · faith | 25 | 25 (100%) | 30 | - |
| 149 | English Martyrs Catholic Primary School, Worthing · Worthing · faith | 25 | 25 (100%) | 27 | - |
| 150 | Petworth Cof E Primary School · Petworth · faith | 24 | 24 (100%) | 25 | - |
| 151 | St Catherine's Catholic Primary School, Littlehampton · Littlehampton · faith | 24 | 24 (100%) | 29 | - |
| 152 | Heene CofE Primary School · Worthing · faith | 24 | 24 (100%) | 31 | - |
| 153 | Jolesfield CofE Primary School · Horsham · faith | 23 | 23 (100%) | 23 | - |
| 154 | Holmbush Primary Academy · Shoreham-by-Sea | 23 | 23 (100%) | 24 | - |
| 155 | Blackthorns Community Primary School · Haywards Heath | 21 | 21 (100%) | 30 | - |
| 156 | Plaistow and Kirdford Primary School · Billingshurst | 21 | 21 (100%) | 27 | - |
| 157 | The Gatwick School · Crawley | 20 | 20 (100%) | 25 | - |
Getting into a school in West Sussex
What is the hardest school to get into in West Sussex?
For secondary places, 289 families put St Oscar Romero Catholic School first in 2026 and 169 of them (59%) were offered a place. For Reception, 25 families put Rake CofE Primary School first and 12 of them (48%) were offered a place.
How many families in West Sussex get their first-choice school?
87.5% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 92.4% 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 West Sussex published it in its admissions booklet.