Allocation Factsheet for Year 7 places September 2025

Preferences for the Community Secondary Schools in Brighton & Hove were allocated according to the council’s admission priorities and are set out in the tables below. 

The table also shows preferences for:

• Brighton Aldridge Community Academy
• Cardinal Newman Catholic School
• King’s School
• Portslade Aldridge Community Academy 

Each have their own admission arrangements used to allocate places. 

Any student living within Brighton & Hove who was not offered a place at one of their preferred schools would have been offered a place at the nearest school with places available. 

The figures include successful applications from outside Brighton & Hove.

Numbers in brackets show the places offered at this school.

*Kings School have admitted 180 pupils this year. 

This document does not show how late applications were processed, or how directions were made for students who could not be offered a school of preference. Therefore, schools that initially had places left may now be full (with directions, or late applications received before the 22 January 2025).

For children starting Secondary School in Year 7 in September 2025 onwards, a new admission priority has been introduced for the Community Schools: children eligible for Free School Meals (FSM). 

Priority 4 is for children eligible for Free School Meals and living within the school’s catchment area. Priority 5 is for other children eligible for Free School Meals, up to the city average (30% for 2025). 

Once children in Priority 4 (FSM in catchment area) have been allocated places, children in Priority 5 will then be considered. If the number of children allocated under Priority 4 is equal to or exceeds the number of FSM priority places available (as determined by the city average – see table below), then no places will be available for children in Priority 5. 

If there are places available for some children in Priority 5, but not all, then the random allocation tie-breaker is applied to determine which of those children in Priority 5 can be offered the remaining FSM places (up to the city average). Children who are not successful under Priority 5, will still be considered under Priority 7. 

For September 2025, all schools were able to admit all students from Priorities 4 and 5. If a student has not offered a place under Priority 4 or 5, it is because they have been offered a place at a higher preference school. 

Find more information about the Free School Meals priority. The Free School Meals priority is not automatically applied; the parent/carer must indicate on their application if they wish for their child to be considered under this priority.

Blatchington Mill School admitted students from priorities 1 to 6. If students from priorities 1 to 5 have not been offered a place at Blatchington Mill School, it is because they have been offered a higher preference.

8 students were automatically offered a place due to having the school named in their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

There were 11 students in catchment area (priority 6) who couldn’t be offered Blatchington Mill School or a higher preference.

Dorothy Stringer School admitted students from priorities 1 to 7. If students from priorities 1 to 6 have not been offered a place at Dorothy Stringer School, it is because they have been offered a higher preference.

7 students were automatically offered a place due to having the school named in their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

There were 52 students out of catchment area (priority 7) who couldn’t be offered Dorothy Stringer School or a higher preference.

Hove Park School admitted all students from priorities 1 to 7. If students from priorities 1 to 7 have not been offered a place at Hove Park School, it is because they have been offered a higher preference.

10 students were automatically offered a place due to having the school named in their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Longhill High School admitted all students from priorities 1 to 7. If students from priorities 1 to7 have not been offered a place at Longhill High School, it is because they have been offered a higher preference.

3 students were automatically offered a place due to having the school named in their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Patcham High School admitted all students from priorities 1 to 7. If students from priorities 1 to7 have not been offered a place at Patcham High School, it is because they have been offered a higher preference.

12 students were automatically offered a place due to having the school named in their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

Varndean School admitted students from priorities 1 to 6. If students from priorities 1 to 5 have not been offered a place at Varndean School, it is because they have been offered a higher preference.

15 students were automatically offered a place due to having the school named in their Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP).

There were 112 students in catchment area (priority 6) who couldn’t be offered Varndean School or a higher preference.

If you require clarification on this factsheet or would like information about which schools have spaces available, send an email to schooladmissions@brighton-hove.gov.uk. 

If you are unable to send an email, phone 01273 293 653. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 1.30pm.