Admissions

Thank you for your interest in joining The Sir Robert Woodard Academy and our community! 

Our catchment area includes all Lancing and Sompting primary schools and extends into Shoreham. In recent years, demand for a school place at The Sir Robert Woodard Academy has increased greatly, particularly in the area of West Shoreham.  

All places at the Academy are free and open to children of all abilities, and from all backgrounds. The prospectus for The Sir Robert Woodard Academy and for our Sixth Form, W6, can be viewed or downloaded here:

SRWA ProspectusW6 Prospectus

Admissions arrangements for year 7 entry for September 2026:

West Sussex County Council manages applications for The Sir Robert Woodard Academy for students joining year 7 in September from primary school, referred to as the ‘normal admissions round’. To find out more about how to apply for a place, please visit WSCC: School Places.

You can apply for up to three different schools in order of preference. The first school listed should be the one you would most like your child to go to. We would always recommend taking advantage of all three choices in case schools are oversubscribed.  

The closing date for applications is Friday 31 October 2025. It is very important that you submit your application before the deadline. 
 

Key dates: 

The Sir Robert Woodard Academy has an agreed Published Admission Number (PAN) of 240 students into Year 7. Our Admissions Policy contains full details of arrangements for the normal admissions round including: 

• Application process and timeline
• Consideration of applications, including oversubscription criteria
• Catchment area map
• Right of appeal for unsuccessful applicants  

Admissions into Year 7 for September 2026 will be considered under The Sir Robert Woodard Academy Admissions Policy 2026-2027.

Admissions arrangements for in-year admissions: 

Applications for entry to Year 7 after the end of the routine admissions round (ending on 31st August), and applications for entry into Year 8 to Year 11 at any time, will be processed as in-year admissions. Applications should be submitted directly to the Academy as the school is its own admission authority and manages in-year applications directly. The application form for in-year admissions, including guidance on how to complete the form, can be found below:

The Sir Robert Woodard Academy In-Year Admissions (IYA) Application Form.

The form should be completed as fully as possible as any gaps could lead to the processing of the form/admissions request being delayed.  Once completed, please return electronically to admissions@srwa.co.uk.

Our Admissions Policy contains full details for arrangements for in-year admissions including: 

• Consideration of applications, including oversubscription criteria
• Operation of waiting lists 
• Fair access protocol 
• Right of appeal for unsuccessful applicants  

Please note that we do not give out information regarding which position a child is on the waiting list.

In-year Admissions during the academic year 2025-26 will be considered under The Sir Robert Woodard Academy Admissions Policy 2025-2026. 

Admissions arrangements for W6 sixth form

Applications for W6 are managed via the admissions platform Applicaa.

Full details about W6 can be found under the Sixth Form section of our website including: 

• How to apply
• Courses and entry requirements
• Planned open evenings 
• Key contacts 

The Sir Robert Woodard Academy will admit up to 100 students to year 12. The number of external students admitted will be 100 minus the number of internal students who progress to the sixth form, subject to achieving the required levels of attainment. Further information can be found in our Admissions Policy.

Admissions contact information

Please contact Sir Robert Woodard Academy Admissions either by telephone on 01903 767434 or email: admissions@srwa.co.uk. 

Enquiries about the application process for year 7 entry should be directed to the WSCC Pupil Admissions Office (Area South) which can be contacted at 033 301 42903 or by email at admissions.south@westsussex.gov.uk.