On 25 Jan 2010 at 2:48pm Vicky wrote:
Hello all,
I have just been reading an old posting entitled Primary schools in Lewes dated at least 2 yrs ago, with plenty of comments attached. We are moving to Lewes or around Lewes within the next few months and are looking for advice on primary schools. Wondered if the feedback/reputation of the schools have changed since then? Are Western Road and Wallands still the most recommended (ie not church schools)? Many tks for any insight!
On 25 Jan 2010 at 5:19pm Brixtonbelle wrote:
there have been much more recent threads. It's difficult to recommend any school in particular but my daughter is very happy at WEstern Road. Friends children also very happy at Wallands and south Malling. Southover is apparently a bit posher and stricter, St pancras has a falling role and mixed reviews although some parents love it and Pells has gone into special measures after a poor ofsted but hasa strong community and caring feel. Speak to the schools, visit, look at ofsted and results, but base your decision on your gut feeling. Reports and results often don;t tell the full story.
On 25 Jan 2010 at 5:21pm Parent 1 wrote:
Zzzz, not again... what is St Pancras' "falling role"?
On 25 Jan 2010 at 6:11pm Brixtonbelle wrote:
oops - that's meant to read 'falling roll'. ie less children going there, undersubscribed - thats what ESCC told me a few months ago when we were going through the same process. But it's the only Catholic school in the area.
On 25 Jan 2010 at 6:23pm leaf wrote:
really, must we go through this crap again.
On 26 Jan 2010 at 8:47am Papaver wrote:
Leaf- do you have children? If no, shut up...if yes, presumably you were interested in the best schools for them at some point
On 26 Jan 2010 at 1:22pm Southover Parent wrote:
Not sure about the Posh description for Southover, kids and parents all look pretty much the same as the Western Rd and St Pancras ones which cover similar areas. Southover's rep is certainly as a bit more academic focussed than some, though I doubt there's much in it. Worth pointing out that it's CofE but in the state system so you don't have to pretend to be a churchgoer or religious at all, to get in, in case that's an issue for you. Lewes is spoiled for choice for quality primary schools so I wouldn't rule any of them out. You're the one who knows your kids, so just visit them all and see which one feels like the right fit for them.
On 26 Jan 2010 at 2:26pm leaf wrote:
papaver, Yes I do have children and yes I was interested in the best one to send them too, What Im not interested in is the way this thread has the potential in going IE bitching and moaning about the schools. so there we go was it really necessary to tell me to shut up?
On 27 Jan 2010 at 9:22am Papaver wrote:
I was pre-menstrual....
On 27 Jan 2010 at 11:22pm brixtonbelle wrote:
well leaf - you weren't exactly polite. and no one is bitching are they - just giving their opinions and trying to be helpful.
On 28 Jan 2010 at 9:51am Leaf wrote:
BB what did I say that was rude? and I also didnt say people were bitching just it looked like it wouls end up that way.
On 28 Jan 2010 at 1:14pm Vicky wrote:
Tks for everyone's advise. Southover Parent - your comment on the CofE being in the state system, so not having to pretend to be a church goer - is that the same for the Kingston and Iford C&E school? As that one has a very good reputation too and we are not church goers. Any feedback would be great on that point and also on that particular school if anyone can help. Many tks!
On 28 Jan 2010 at 1:36pm Brixtonbelle wrote:
Just cos you don't have to be a church goer doesn't mean they wont ram the religion down your throat any chance they get. The schools round here are all classed as community schools by the ESCC and they control admission to them. But they still do religious assemblies, get the local vicar in, say prayers etc. With the smaller schools it makes your child feeel 'different' if you then choose to withdraw them from services.
The former vicar for Pells school has gone on to run a 'born again' centre, I believe, so there's no denying the agenda of the schools - they are avowedly 'church' schools ! If you don't want that influence on your child I would suggest either Wallands or Western Road. Having said that they are all obliged to teach about all religions as part of the national curriculum.
On 28 Jan 2010 at 2:16pm Dave wrote:
Under the Butler Education Act 1944 all schools were obliged to hold a daily act of worship eg assembly.
We live in a country where the link between Church and State has not been seperated. The Church of England is the established church and our head of state(currently Lizzie) is also our defender of the faith. Unlike the catholic countries of France and Italy, where schools have no such requirement made of them. Here, in church schools the governing body will have "foundation governors" appointed usually by the parish the school is in.
On 28 Jan 2010 at 2:28pm Southover Parent wrote:
Personally, I believe the French and Americans have it right with a strict separation of church and state. Having said that, I'm relatively relaxed about it as kids that age believe in fairies and Santa Claus as well, so don't see the harm in throwing a few other myths and legends into the mix. Hopefully as they get older they'll make their own minds up, as I did at 11. As far as I know all state schools have to have daily worship and religious teaching regardless of being CofE or not, so there's no escaping it completely anyway. Back on topic, Southover poached Kingston's Head Teacher at the end of last year, for what it's worth. Not heard anything about the new one there, which hopefully means all's well.
On 28 Jan 2010 at 4:03pm Mr D wrote:
Hello vicky, if you are still tuned in. Lewes New School was set up about 10 years ago. Its Independent and so does not have any of the obligations of religious studies or religious practices. Being Independent means it does cost, although less than half the average fee paying primary school. And there are bursaries available for families that cannot afford these fees. The school was set up by several local families that were looking for an alternative to the state primary education. Do check it out and let me know what you think? My kids go there, so of course I am bias!
On 28 Jan 2010 at 7:25pm Vicky wrote:
Tks for the insight on the whole CofE thing, as you may have guessed, I have not had any UK schooling, so coming from the continent as written above, there is no religious education in any school! Have checked out New School, looks good, but over budget for now. Tks to everyone 4 ur comments!