On 20 Jan 2009 at 10:12am Mover wrote:
Hi now for schools.What is priory school like?my daughter at the moment goes to a very good girls school and only has about 18 months left wondering if moving schools will effect how well shes doing at the moment.
On 20 Jan 2009 at 12:19pm Schools Out! wrote:
Mixed - as most of Lewes goes there, it is a microcosm of the town. There are lots of 'nice' middle-class kids and a fair number of chavs who are just killing time until they're old enough to get pregnant or go to prison.
Anecdotally, girls seem to do better than boys. The standards have gone up over the years and if your daughter's bright, the school will provide her with a decent enough education.
If she's the shy, retiring type, I'd consider a smaller school, as there are nearly 1000 kids at Priory.
On 20 Jan 2009 at 12:43pm Ivan Ellavanich wrote:
Why don't you just wait 18 months, then move up north and do us all a favour?
On 20 Jan 2009 at 1:32pm sashimi wrote:
Take no notice of Ivan, Mover. His name says it all. That's why we all avoid bumping into him.
On 20 Jan 2009 at 2:08pm mr happy wrote:
Priory School is an Ok school and I would agree with Schools Out . Ivan were you born and bred in Lewes and what have you got against newcomers?
On 20 Jan 2009 at 3:42pm Ivan Ellavanich wrote:
I come from Poland but my girlfriend is Lewes born so that makes me ok. Other immigrants should have a reason other than 'it looks nice'
On 20 Jan 2009 at 7:02pm I dont live in lewes anymore wrote:
I'd say that removing your daughter from a very good girls school and sending her to Priory is akin to feeding a tasty, delicate morsel to an alert shoal of very hungry sharks.
PhilX
On 20 Jan 2009 at 9:19pm mover wrote:
Really phil! why do u think that?
On 20 Jan 2009 at 9:40pm Schools out. wrote:
I imagine it's because lewes Priory is full of lots of 'down to earth' children that have predominately been brought up on Council estates, you don't find too many of these in good girls schools. Therefore it would be a little frightening suddenly for your Daughter being dropped in with streetwise kids that would probably rip her to shreds for her upbringing.
On 20 Jan 2009 at 10:19pm i dont live in lewes anymore wrote:
schools out hit the nail on the head. i'm sure if you go there in person the management will say its the best thing since sliced bread. dont sign on the dotted line. there is a fence around the school. it wasnt put there to keep the general public out. if your daughter only has 18 months to go it would be foolish to fall at the last hurdle. do some research. there are private schools in the area.
philx
ps.sorry all small shift
On 20 Jan 2009 at 11:24pm mr happy wrote:
You could try for Chailey Secoundary School. There is a bus from Lewes and its a good school as much smaller.
On 21 Jan 2009 at 9:47am Schools Out wrote:
The second 'School's Out!' posting isn't mine - why have they pinched my name? And why the misplaced capital letters?
On 21 Jan 2009 at 2:08pm ham wrote:
I don't know how many people here actually went to Priory or have kids there .... My kids go there and I would say it is has good and not so good points. Good points are that it is mixed and therefore you can find kids like you - from "nerds", to middle class grunge to "streetwise" etc - and that the behaviour generally is good. It is relaxed and laid back and most of the teachers seem Ok and committed. The not so good is that it is laid back - coasting a bit and doesn't push the kids enough e.g. not much homework set. So I think your daughter would enjoy it as lots of nice kids and teachers there but she needs to be self-motivated to get good grades.
On 23 Jan 2009 at 6:18pm Anon wrote:
Having read some responses I feel the need to add a more balanced point of view. I actually teach at Priory. It is comprehensive in almost every sense and the vast majority of children are an absolute pleasure to teach and work with. Yes...most families would be considered "middle class" & yes, there are of course an very tricky element of challenging children, as there are in every state school in the country. We have a huge area from where children travel (Brighton, Eastbourne & Seaford being easily accessible due to the trains etc) so Lewes and village children mix with a variety of cultures and backgrounds. The vast majority of staff, parents and children are very hard working and supportive of all the opportunities offered to the young people. It is such a shame that some people think that their own experiences of education make them the perfect professional judges of what "should" happen! Indeed, most people who write on these forums such as these, may well have an intention to hurt or devalue the work of our local community. (What does that make me???) I have taught in different schools and would say Priory has challenges to face as it is truly unique with pupils exiting as well rounded and confident young adults. I love my job and enjoy teaching virtually all my children at Priory. I have good relationships with them, respect what they have to offer me & have firm but fair discipline to engage and push them as far as I can. I am only human and certainly would not wish to be in the position most Head teachers now find themselves in. The vast majority pupils I speak to miss Priory when they leave, they like and value what Priory has given to them. When choosing a school, the best advice is to not listen to advice! Visit, ignore league tables, what feels right for your child is the key question. Let her have a say. Support her and be practical. Nothing is perfect...but neither is life! I would welcome her into my class and do my best for her....but all too often however, schools are judged before they are experienced. Good luck in your choice!
On 23 Jan 2009 at 6:23pm mover wrote:
Thanks Anon and yes i agree with you its best to ignore and visit.