Orchards Infant School

When there are more applications than places for 2026-27 (Reception), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1. 1Children with an Education Health and Care Plan
2. 2Looked after children (children in public care), children who were previously looked after who ceased to be so because they were adopted or became subject to a special guardianship order or child arrangements order. This includes children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. Evidence must be provided
3. 3Children who are subject to a special guardianship order who have not previously been in local authority care. Evidence must be provided.
4. 4Children who need a place at the school on exceptional and compelling social, psychological or medical grounds. See page 13 for more information. Evidence must be provided.
5. 5Children who live in the catchment area with brothers or sisters already at the school or who will be attending the linked junior school when the child starts.
6. 6Other children who live in the catchment area.
7. 7Other children who live outside the catchment area with brothers or sisters already at the school or who will be attending the linked junior school when the child starts.
8. 8Children of staff in either or both of the following circumstances: where the member of staff has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time which the admission to the school is made; and/or the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
9. 9Other children who live outside the catchment area.

Published by West Sussex County Council in the Information for Parents Appendix 1 for entry in September 2026: the oversubscription criteria of every school that does not use the county's standard list for community and voluntary controlled schools. The council records that all applicants who requested this school for September 2025 were offered a place, so no cut-off distance exists for that year. Published by West Sussex County Council in the Information for Parents Appendix 1 for entry in September 2026: the oversubscription criteria of every school that does not use the county's standard list for community and voluntary controlled schools. The council records that all applicants who requested this school for September 2025 were offered a place, so no cut-off distance exists for that year. Published by West Sussex County Council in the Information for Parents Appendix 1 for entry in September 2026: the oversubscription criteria of every school that does not use the county's standard list for community and voluntary controlled schools. The council records that all applicants who requested this school for September 2025 were offered a place, so no cut-off distance exists for that year. Primary Allocation Day statistics: West Sussex council primary (distances in metres, straight line).

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.