Admissions

The information below is a guide to parents regarding our admissions process, how to secure a place for your child at Summerlea School and some of the transition arrangements.

For further information regarding transition to and from our school, please see our Transition pages.

For further information regarding the admissions process, please see the West Sussex County Council website.

For further information on our Admissions Policy please refer to 'Policies'.

When do I apply for a place at Summerlea School to start in Reception?

All parents of children who are eligible to start school in the following academic year will receive a letter from West Sussex County Council in October each year, advising of the application process and including a leaflet and checklist with further information on how to apply online. The closing date for applications is in January each year.

Is it possible to visit the school before I make the final decision?

Yes absolutely. 

We will be hold several open days and will have all the information on the website to allow you to make an informed decision before the January deadline to apply.  At these events, parents and children have an opportunity to meet staff and have a tour of the school.  In addition, prospective parents are always very welcome to book an appointment to visit the school at any other time. 

When will I know which school my child has been allocated?

The Local Authority, West Sussex County Council, inform parents of their allocated school normally in April, ready for the September.

How are places decided for Summerlea School?

Our Pupil Admission Number (PAN) is 60 children. If 60 or less children apply for Summerlea School then all of those children will be allocated a place.  If more than 60 children apply, then children are prioritised using the Oversubscription Criteria, which is published each year by the Local Authority.  

What is our Oversubscription Criteria?

•  Any child with a statement of special educational needs or EHCP naming the school will automatically be admitted to that school, under section 324 of the Education Act 1996.
• Looked after children (children in public care), children who were previously looked after who leave care under a special guardianship or residence order. See page 7 for further details. Evidence must be provided;
• Children who need a place at the school on exceptional and compelling social, psychological or medical grounds. Evidence must be provided;
• Children with brothers or sisters already at Summerlea School.
• Other children who live in the catchment area for the school to the West of the line shown on the map in the Admissions Policy document;
• Other children who live in the catchment area for the school to the East of the line on the map in the Admissions Policy document;
• Other children who live outside the catchment area.

The tie-break used is a straight line distance.

All distances are measured by a straight line from the school to the child’s home address, using Ordnance Survey address point data from a central point in each building.

Does the school manage the admissions process?

No. 

This process is managed by the Local Authority, West Sussex County Council.

My child does not currently attend Summerlea School but I want them to attend,  is it worth applying?

Yes. 

This decision is based around the availability at the time of application and may result in your child being placed on a waiting list.   West Sussex will be able to advise on this using some up to date pupil numbers given by the school.

My child has been given a place at Summerlea School, what happens now?

The children will take part in a Transition Programme which will involve the Early Years teachers visiting you at home and/or the childcare settings that your child attends.  This all helps in beginning to build relationships and so children become familiar with their new staff and new surroundings.

How do I apply for a school place?