Admissions

Starting School

Admission to school is managed by the Pupil Admissions Office at West Sussex County Council on behalf of the School.

Parents may apply online through ‘West Sussex – Admissions‘.

This means that instead of applying separately to different schools’ parents can use a single application form to express their preferences. Applications for school must be made via the West Sussex Admissions. Children are normally admitted to the school in September at the beginning of the school year in which they reach their fifth birthday. From the age of 5 years children are of statutory school age and must attend school full-time. At the start of the autumn term not all children in their Reception Year are of statutory school age however are entitled to attend school on either a part-time or full-time basis if the parent wishes. Starting school is an important and significant event in a young child’s life and we aim to ensure this is a positive experience for the child and parent. In order to support a positive start, we recommend a short induction period which enables staff to provide individualised support for each child starting school.

We are pleased to receive applications for all children regardless of gender, race, or special needs. Children with Special Educational Needs or disabilities are treated no less favourably than other applicants for admission to school.

All applications must be made through the Pupils Admissions Office. 

The admission of children who have an Education Health Care Plan is undertaken in liaison with the Special Education Assessment Team, which is part of the West Sussex Learning Service.  The Fair Access & Inclusion Team may also be involved in the arrangements for some pupils.

In Year Admissions

Admissions to The Mill Primary School at any point other than Reception Year are also managed by West Sussex County Council.

Oversubscription

The oversubscription criteria apply when the school receives more applications than its admission number of 90.  Please see our Admissions Policy under the policies tab.

Timetable for Appeals – Primary

Your appeal will be heard at what is called a Hearing, within a time scale of 40 school days from 12th May 2023. It is likely to be heard at the end of June.

All other appeals known as ‘in-year’ admissions and those for Year R submitted after 12th May 2023 will be heard within 30 school working days of submitting the request.

Your appeal request should state your reasons for your request and any additional information/documentation/appendices should be submitted five days before the Hearing to allow time for it to be copied and distributed to all the interested parties. At least 10 working days before your appeal, unless you choose to waive this right, you will be sent detailed information regarding the process and also the date and names of the independent panel members who will hear the appeal.

The school is unable to guarantee that any original work/evidence/folders, submitted as part of the appeal, will be returned. Appellants may wish to submit copies in advance and then take important original documents verifying evidence to the appeal.