Admissions

Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make on behalf of your child(ren). The Catholic Diocese of Arundel & Brighton has wonderful state-funded Catholic primary and secondary schools. Please click on the link below for more information.

Catholic Diocese of Arundel & Brighton – Choosing a Catholic Primary School in Sussex

The Governing Body, as the admissions authority, has overall responsibility for admissions to St Mary’s Catholic Primary School. However, the administration of admissions as part of the normal admissions round, (EYFS September starters) is carried out by West Sussex County Council Admissions team. 

The school’s Published Admissions Number (PAN) for 2023/2024 is 45.  Admissions arrangements are reviewed annually, and updated policies and criteria can be found on this page.  Alternatively, paper copies can be arranged via the school office.

If you would like to find out more about our school, our admissions criteria, the application process or simply have questions about our school in general, please get in touch.

West Sussex County Council School Admissions

West Sussex County Council guidance on how to apply for a school place or move schools within West Sussex can be accessed here.

Normal Admissions Round for Reception Class Starters

Admissions 2024 – 2025

Admissions Policy 2024-25

Supplementary Information Form 2024-25

Guidance for Parents and Carers 2024-25

Normal Admissions Round for Reception Class Starters

Admissions 2025 – 2026

Admissions Policy 2025-26

Supplementary Information Form 2025-26

Visits from prospective parents are always welcome, please contact Mrs. Winstanley, Business Manager, to arrange a mutually convenient appointment. For more information about our school, our Early Years virtual tour can be found on the Home page.

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a visit to the school please contact Mrs. Winstanley by telephone on 01243 822287 or by email:

In Year Admissions for St Mary’s Catholic Primary School

From 1 September 2023 until 31 August 2024

What are In Year Admissions?

You can make an in-year application if your child needs to join a school outside of the normal admissions round – for example, if you move house and your child can no longer attend their current school.

How Parents can apply for a school place

If you want to apply for an In-Year admission to St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, you need to complete:

  1. The School’s Supplementary Information Form available here Supplementary Information Form 2023/24  You MUST return the Supplementary Information Form to Mrs Winstanley, Admissions Manager at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Glamis Street, Bognor Regis, West Sussex, PO21 1DJ

    Who processes your application?

    The governing body is the admissions authority for St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and has responsibility for admissions to the school, including setting the priority of admissions when the school is oversubscribed. The governing body will consider whether it has any vacancies and if so, whether they are able to offer a place. The school will confirm to West Sussex County Council as soon as possible. The school will contact you to let you know the outcome of your application.

    When will parents be notified of the outcome of their application?

    Upon receipt of an In Year application, the school will aim to notify parents of the outcome of the application in writing within 3 school days. You must respond to any offer of a place within ten school days.

    The right to appeal

    If you are refused a place at any school you applied for, you have the right to make an appeal to an independent appeal panel. Where an application is refused, the school will set out the reason for refusal.

    For applications for In Year Admissions, appeals must be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged. If parents wish to appeal, they must set out the grounds for appeal in writing.

    Other Information

    Where an applicant is offered a school place following an in-year application, and the offer is accepted, arrangements should be made for the child to start school as soon as possible, particularly where the child is out of school.

    If your child is not offered a place, you can add their name to a waiting list. Waiting lists are ranked according to each school’s admission criteria. Your child’s position on a waiting list may go down as well as up, for example, if other children with greater priority according to the school’s admission criteria are added to the list.

    Note: a hard copy of this online page is available on request for parents who don’t have internet access