Schools across West Sussex

Local authority · 340 schools across 39 towns

Total Schools

340

227 primary · 38 secondary

Total Pupils

128,624

91% capacity used

Ofsted Rated

94

13 outstanding · 81 good

Capacity

141,239

12,615 spare places

Ofsted Ratings

81
229
Outstanding: 13
Good: 81
Requires Improvement: 15
Inadequate: 2
Not inspected: 229

Area Performance (2025)

KS2 Reading

72.9%

KS2 Maths

68.7%

School Capacity

Primary Schools

90% full
62,498 pupils69,727 capacity

7,229 spare places

Secondary Schools

94% full
47,822 pupils51,118 capacity

3,296 spare places

Pupil Absence

Avg Overall Absence

6.1%

2024/25

Avg Persistent Absence

15.1%

2024/25

Schools Reporting

270

2024/25

Absence trend across West Sussex schools

4.6%
18/19
4.3%
20/21
7%
21/22
6.6%
22/23
6.4%
23/24
6.1%
24/25

Source: DfE pupil absence statistics. Average across all open schools in this LA.

EHCP Timeliness

Issued Within 20 Weeks

11%

Plans Issued

1,495

Assessment Requests

2,448

Tribunal Cases

148

EHCP timeliness trend (% issued within 20 weeks)

78%
2019
56%
2020
36%
2021
17%
2022
4%
2023
11%
2024

Source: DfE EHCP timeliness statistics. Shows how quickly this LA issues Education, Health and Care Plans.

Admission Appeals

2025 admission appeals by school phase

Primary

11,237 admissions

187

Lodged

(1.7%)

102

Heard

10

Successful

(10%)

Primary (infant classes)

9,006 admissions

156

Lodged

(1.7%)

75

Heard

2

Successful

(3%)

Secondary

10,094 admissions

492

Lodged

(4.9%)

353

Heard

60

Successful

(17%)

Total

21,331 admissions

679

Lodged

(3.2%)

455

Heard

70

Successful

(15%)

Total appeals lodged per year

1591
2019
2000
2020
1726
2021
1884
2022
1912
2023
2166
2024
1514
2025

Source: DfE admission appeals statistics. Shows how competitive school places are in this area.