Welcome to St Richard’s Catholic Primary School

Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions a family can make. At St Richard’s Catholic Primary School, we are proud to provide an ambitious, nurturing and inclusive education where every child is known, valued and encouraged to flourish academically, socially and spiritually.

As a Catholic school and proud member of the Bosco Catholic Education Trust, Christ is at the centre of all we do. Whilst Catholic teaching underpins school life, we warmly welcome applications from families of all faiths and none. Our diverse school community reflects the rich cultural and religious backgrounds of the families we serve, and we value the contribution each child brings to our school.

We encourage all prospective parents and carers to visit the school to experience our vibrant learning environment, meet our staff and pupils, and see our school in action.

School Tours and Open Events

We offer regular tours throughout the school year, giving families the opportunity to visit classrooms, meet staff and hear from our pupils about life at St Richard’s.

To arrange a visit, please contact our Admissions Officer, Mrs Farrands, via:

Telephone: 01243 784549
Email: office@strichardsprimary.co.uk

We look forward to welcoming you to our school.

Reception Admissions

St Richard’s Catholic Primary School is its own admissions authority and administers admissions in accordance with the school's published Admissions Policy and the School Admissions Code.

To apply for a Reception place, parents must complete:

1. The West Sussex County Council online application.
2. The school's Supplementary Information Form (SIF).

The Supplementary Information Form enables the school to apply the oversubscription criteria outlined within the Admissions Policy.

Where applicable, families should also submit:

• A copy of their child's Baptism Certificate.
• Evidence of church membership or attendance (if applying under a faith criterion).
• Any additional supporting documentation required within the Admissions Policy.

If your child already has a sibling attending St Richard’s, please ensure this information is included on your application.

Application Deadline

For children starting Reception in September 2027, applications open on Monday 5th October and completed applications should be submitted by Friday 15th January 2027.

Applying for a Place

Before making your decision, we encourage families to:

• Visit the school.
• Read our Admissions Policy carefully.
• Ask questions about school life, curriculum and pastoral care.
• Consider the needs of your child and family when choosing a school.

Our admissions team is happy to guide you through every stage of the process.

Should you require assistance completing forms, please contact Mrs Farrands, who will be pleased to support you.

In-Year Admissions

Applications for places outside the normal Reception admissions round are known as In-Year Admissions.

If you would like your child to join St Richard’s during the school year, please contact the school office on:

01243 784549

or email:

office@strichardsprimary.co.uk

We will be happy to discuss current availability and explain the application process.

Appeals

If your child is not offered a place at St Richard’s Catholic Primary School, you have the right to appeal against that decision to an Independent Appeal Panel, established in accordance with Sections 88 and 94 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

Appeals must be made in writing and should clearly set out the reasons for the appeal. Appeals should be addressed to the Admissions Appeal Clerk at the school address and submitted no later than 20 school days after National Offer Day for primary school admissions.

All completed appeal paperwork must be received by the school before the appeal can be processed. Appeals will be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for lodging appeals. The appeals process is entirely independent of the school, ensuring that all cases are considered fairly and impartially. Parents and carers also have the right to attend the hearing and make oral representations to the Appeal Panel.

For late applications, appeals will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

For in-year admission applications, appeals will also be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.

Further information about the appeals process can be obtained by contacting the school office on 01243 784549 or by emailing office@strichardsprimary.co.uk.

New Starters

Once a place has been allocated, families will be asked to complete the school's New Pupil Information Forms. These forms help us ensure a smooth transition and allow us to provide the highest standard of care and support from your child's first day.

School Uniform

We are proud of our school uniform, which helps promote a sense of belonging and identity within our community.

Branded uniform items can be purchased from:

Game Set & Match
Unit 1, Beaver Trade Park
Quarry Lane
Chichester
West Sussex
PO19 8NY

Telephone: 01243 538800

Opening Hours

• Monday-Friday: 9.00am-5.30pm
• Saturday: 10.00am-4.30pm

Website: www.gsam.co.uk

Unbranded uniform items are widely available from local supermarkets and retailers.

Second-Hand Uniform Shop

Our school operates a popular Second-Hand Uniform Shop (SUS Shop) every Tuesday during term time before and after school.

• Most items cost just £1
• Items are 50p when making a uniform donation
• Pupils eligible for Free School Meals can access uniform free of charge

Private viewings can also be arranged.

Admissions Documents

Please refer to the documents below for the most up-to-date information:

• Admissions Policy
• Supplementary Information Form (SIF)
• New Pupil Information Forms
• School Uniform Information

If you have any questions regarding admissions, please do not hesitate to contact the school office. Our team is always happy to help and guide families through the admissions process.

Telephone: 01243 784549
Email: office@strichardsprimary.co.uk

We look forward to welcoming you and your family to St Richard’s Catholic Primary School.