Moving school

1 Overview

This information only applies if you want to apply to move your child during the school year.

We aim to process applications within 10 school days but it can take longer at busy times, for example around school holidays, or if the information required is delayed or complex.

If you are considering changing schools because you are not happy with how your child is getting on at their current school, you should discuss your reasons for the move with the current school.

In-year applications will only be considered under the exceptional and compelling criteria at the time of the original application unless there is an unforeseeable change of circumstance after the application was made.

2 When you can apply

You can apply at any time of the year.

Admissions process applications within 10 school days. After we offer a school place, the pupil should join the school within 10 school days from the date on the offer letter. We recommend parents apply about 4 weeks (20 school days) before they want their child to start at the new school.

Applications for the start of the 2026 to 2027 academic year cannot be made until late May 2026. These applications will then be processed and any place offered will be held until the child can start the new school in September 2026.

Be aware that there is no guarantee that a place will be available at your preferred school.

You do not need to apply for an in-year admission if your child is:

starting Reception class in September - you need to apply for starting school place
moving to Year 3 at junior school in September - you need to apply for a junior school place
due to move to Year 7 at secondary school in the coming September - you need to apply for a secondary school place.

Before you apply make sure that you read the admissions policies.

3 Moving to, or within, West Sussex

If you are applying for a school place in West Sussex the process depends on the school you are applying to. This is because some schools manage their own admissions.

Before applying

Visit the school's website to find out more about it and read the relevant guidance:

Apply to a school where we manage the admissions

Complete the online form to apply for a place at a community or controlled school where we manage their admissions:

Online application form (external link)

If you are not able to apply online:

complete the WSCC - managed admissions (IYA/WSCCMA) form (Word, 72KB)
return the completed form to the relevant Pupil Admissions Team.

We are currently receiving a large number of in-year applications. You will receive confirmation that your online form has been submitted. Please do not chase up your application for at least two weeks after submission. This will allow the team to concentrate on statutory work, processing applications and making offers as quickly as possible.

Apply to a school where the school manages the admissions

Please contact the school direct to apply for a place at a school that manages its own admissions.

Supplementary information forms

Regardless of who manages their admissions, some schools may ask you to complete a supplementary information form as well as an application form.

4 Applications for vulnerable children

In accordance with the School Admissions Code, a Fair Access Protocol exists to ensure that unplaced children, especially the most vulnerable, are offered a place at a school as quickly as possible.

You will be contacted after you have returned an application form if your application is to be processed under the protocol.

5 Applications from service personnel and crown servants

Service personnel

Members of the armed forces with automatic right of entry to the UK who are able to provide evidence of their relocation may apply for a school place ahead of a move.

An application can be made as soon as confirmation of the relocation is available, with no restriction on how far in advance the application can be made.

Armed forces applications must be supported by an official letter that declares a relocation date and a unit postal address or quartering area address. It is this address that will be used when considering the application.

There is no guarantee that a place will be available at a preferred school; each application will be considered in line with the school's admissions criteria. Please note that only applications made from the unit postal address or quartering area address can be processed in advance.

Crown servants

Crown servants with automatic right of entry to the UK who are able to provide evidence of their relocation may apply for a school place ahead of a move.

An application can be made as soon as confirmation of the relocation is available, with no restriction on how far in advance the application can be made.

For crown servants, a UK address can only be used if there is evidence of the address the child is returning to. There is no guarantee that a place will be available at a preferred school; each application will be considered in line with the school's admissions criteria.

6 Applying for a place from outside England

Apply to a West Sussex school by completing the relevant moving school application form.

If a child is coming from abroad to the UK, certain conditions must be met. Before applying for a state-funded school place it is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that either:

they and their child have a right of abode in the UK
the conditions of their immigration status otherwise permit them to access a state-funded school

Information about the English address where you will be living should be provided with the application.

If an English address is not provided, the child’s current address will be used, which will generally give the lowest priority for a school place.

Acceptable proof of address includes:

proof of current ownership
proof of exchange of contracts on a new purchase
a signed and dated rental agreement on a rental

Do not send original documents as these cannot be returned. If you have any queries, contact the Pupil Admissions Team for advice.

7 Moving out of West Sussex

If you are moving out of West Sussex you will need to apply direct to the new local authority for the area you are moving to, and in some cases direct to the school.

See GOV.UK to find out who your local authority will be.