Admissions
We look forward to welcoming your child to Rustington Community Primary School.
Admissions to our school are managed by the Local Education Authority and applications must be made through their offices at the Education Office (South).
Telephone: 03330 142 903
e-mail: admissions.south@westsussex.gov.uk
West Sussex have released guidance on applying for a school place for those eligible to start school in September 2025. The application window opens on 7th October and closes on 15th January 2025. See the links below for further information.
Please also see our starting school information for New Families.
Admission Policy
If you would like to view our current or previous Admissions Policy for entry into EYFS or any other year group, please click on the link below:
Admissions Policy 2023/2024
Schools Admissions Policy 2024/2025
Schools Admissions Policy 2025/2026
Details of the Admissions Policy for West Sussex Schools can be found at:
Preliminary visits
New children and their parents are most welcome to visit the school by appointment made with Debbie Lee at School Reception.
On these occasions, you will be given a guided tour of the whole school and the Headteacher will usually be available to answer any questions you may have.
Starting dates for new entrants
Rustington Community Primary School is an academy catering for children aged 4 – 11 years.
New entrants can start at any time in the year but most start as a new intake each September.
The school caters for the last year of the Foundation Stage (Reception), Key Stage 1 (5 – 7 years), and Key Stage 2 (7 – 11 years) of the National Curriculum.
The decision concerning whether children start on a full-time or part-time basis lies with the parent. Parents should consult the school well in advance of their child’s admission to confirm starting dates if there are any possible problems. Otherwise, the process will be made clear at the New Intake evening in the summer term.
PLEASE NOTE: parents must, by law, ensure that their children start school (or are otherwise educated) by the start of the term following their fifth birthday.
Applying for a school place in West Sussex
Schools in West Sussex are categorised as community, voluntary controlled or voluntary aided and academies.
Academies, community and voluntary controlled schools serve catchment areas. Voluntary aided schools serve wider areas. This school is an academy.
Under the Education Act, parents can express a preference for any school but parents do not have a right to choose a school. West Sussex Education Authority does, however, make every effort to meet parental preference where possible. Further information about how places are allocated at this, and other schools in the County, is contained in the Authority’s Information for Parents Booklet a copy of which is available from the school office or the Pupil Admissions Office. Further details relating to admissions including appeals can be found on the West Sussex County Council website.
Applications for children with SEND
Applications for children with SEND must follow the same admissions process. Please refer to the policy above. If you would like to discuss the specific needs of your child our Assistant Head for Inclusion, who is also our SENDCo, will be able to advise you further. Please contact the school office to arrange a mutually convenient time for a conversation and, if appropriate, additional visits to the school.
Children with an Educational Health Care Plan (EHCP) follow a different admissions pathway and SENAT are responsible for consulting with schools in these instances. If your child is in receipt of an EHCP we do still recommend that you contact the school if you are wanting your child's placement here so we can discuss any additional provisions that may be needed.
Appeals
If you have applied for a school place at Rustington Community Primary School and have not been successful we are very sorry, however, I am sure you will appreciate that by law we are only allowed to take up to 30 children per class, therefore only 90 children in total despite the appeal process. The best course of action is to apply to put your child on the waiting list as we do usually have children moving and changing school preferences during the summer term.
If you wish to visit the school prior to making an application, please phone the school on 01903 785271 or email office@rustington.academy to make an appointment.
If you are thinking about going to appeal, please follow this link for more information.