Primary schools in West Sussex

[Eularia]

We are planning a move back to the UK from Spain later this year. Our DS and DD are currently in year2 and reception in an international school following the UK curriculum. We are looking at the South Downs area - anywhere from Steyning/Storrington across to Arundel or Midhurst . This may sound like a wide area but it depends where we can find a house to rent (there seems to be so little around). We have been told there are some excellent primary schools in the area, but as we will need to have an address before we can apply, I was hoping for any help in how quickly we might find school places and how hard it is if you are in the catchment area to get a place in the school you might want. Do we contact the school or the local authority? Also, which schools might we want to aim towards? Thanks so much, Josia

Hello Josia - I have just done a move from Worthing to Shoreham. I found the house, then called the West Sussex Education board about spaces in the local school, we were very lucky as twins had just left reception in the local school. I had to apply immediately to get the place and my DS starts just after half term. I called the school who (unofficially gave me the heads up there were spaces) then they chased the LA when my application was in to ensure I got the space. We did a visit to the school as well. There are some really great schools around, so I would choose the area first then check out the schools. Kate