Admissions
We look forward to welcoming your child to Rustington Community Primary School.
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:
Schools 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:
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
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.
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.
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 are thinking about going to appeal, please follow this link for more information.
Rustington Primary School’s Appeals Timetable
Appeals for children refused a place at a preferred school for admission to Reception class in September 2025 will be heard in line with the School Admissions Appeals Code (2012).
‘On-time’ appeals will be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for lodging appeals. Appeals lodged after these dates will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline or 30 school days of being lodged, whichever is the later date.
Parents/carers will be notified of their appeal date by the West Sussex Appeals Administrator at least 5 days before the hearing. They will provide a copy of the school’s statement of case which will be sent to each parent/carer at least 5 days before the hearing.
Any additional evidence parents/carers wish to submit in support of their appeal must be sent to the West Sussex Appeals Administrator at least 5 working days before the hearing. Any evidence not submitted by this deadline may not be considered by the independent appeal panel.
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.
Please read this and follow this link to the West Sussex Appeals.