Secondary Schools in Bognor Regis
Secondary education and sixth form options
Secondary education in the Bognor Regis area is provided by a smaller number of schools than the primary sector, and the choices available to families are correspondingly more limited. The Regis School is the main comprehensive serving the Bognor area, and it takes children from across the town, Aldwick, Felpham and the surrounding communities.
The Regis School is a large comprehensive that has been through various phases of development and reorganisation over the years. The school serves a wide catchment area and a diverse student body, providing education from Year 7 through to sixth form. The facilities include specialist classrooms, science laboratories, sports facilities and other resources expected of a large secondary school. Ofsted inspections have rated the school at various levels over the years, and parents should check the most recent report for the current assessment.
The school offers a broad curriculum at Key Stage 3 and a range of GCSE options at Key Stage 4. The sixth form provides A-level and vocational courses, though the range of subjects available depends on student numbers and staffing. For some A-level subjects, particularly the less commonly studied ones, students may need to look to colleges or schools in Chichester or further afield.
Felpham Community College is another secondary school in the area, serving primarily the Felpham and eastern Bognor communities. The school has its own character and ethos, and the choice between the available secondary schools is one that families make based on location, reputation, Ofsted ratings and personal preference. Open evenings in the autumn term provide an opportunity to visit the schools, meet staff and get a sense of the atmosphere.
For families who are not satisfied with the local secondary options, there are alternatives. Chichester has secondary schools that draw from a wider area, and the Bishop Luffa Church of England School in particular has a strong reputation that attracts applications from well beyond its immediate catchment. Transport to Chichester schools from the Bognor area is feasible, with school bus services and public transport providing options, though the commute adds time to the school day.
Private education is available in the wider area, with schools in Chichester and further afield offering independent secondary education. The cost of private school fees places this option beyond many families, but it exists as an alternative for those who can afford it.
The transition from primary to secondary school at age eleven is managed through the West Sussex coordinated admissions process. Applications are submitted in the autumn of Year 6, and places are allocated in March. The process generates considerable anxiety for some families, particularly where the popular schools are oversubscribed and the allocation depends on distance and other criteria.
Post-16 education beyond the school sixth forms is provided by Chichester College, which has a campus in Bognor. The college offers a wide range of A-level and vocational courses and provides an alternative to school-based sixth form education. For students who prefer a college environment, or who want to study subjects not available at their school, the Bognor campus is a valuable local resource.