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Moving to Battle/Hastings and good areas for schools?

11 replies

SarfEast1cated · 18/02/2017 18:18

Hi everyone, still looking to move from London to somewhere nice by the sea, and really like Hastings. Spend lots of time there as BIL has weekend house in Old Town. Can you give me any advice on schools? DD is 9, quiet, bookish and creative would suit a friendly school with a creative ethos. But I also need to be in catchment of a decent secondary. My online research of the secondaries in the area doesn't come up with any favourites - Helenswood looks nice as it is a girls school and specialises in the performing arts, but has a terrible Ofsted. It appears that Claverham College in Battle has the best results/Ofsted in the area. Can you give me any recommendations? Much appreciated - it's a bit of a minefield when you don't know the area.

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OCSockOrphanage · 20/02/2017 17:07

Bit disjointed but hopefully useful. From family and friends living in this corner, schools are generally not great. The best apparently is in Battle, probably the one you mention. One nephew briefly attended Robertsbridge but it was awkward for bus routes. Childless friends who live in Battle say they (Netherfield Hill, TN33) are in Claverham's catchment. Old Hastings is pretty but parking is a problem; Bexhill should improve now the road has been re-done (but is a dump unless you are near golf course/beach, then it is pricey and fairly geriatric.) Disclaimer: we have no loyalties to the area; just go for visits and would not move there.

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SarfEast1cated · 20/02/2017 17:22

Thank you Sock much appreciated. We really like Hastings and surrounding areas, but don't know many families there to ask about schools. Thanks for replying.
DH will have to commute to London a few days a week, so Bexhill might not be on the right trainline. Battle is good because it's on the "faster" route.

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Equimum · 20/02/2017 19:42

Yes, the chances of getting into Claverham from hastings are fairy low (some children do, but it's competitive). I'm also not sure how creative Claverham is. It traditionally has a reputation of being very academic and a bit stuffy. The schools in Hastings are all pretty poor, and the academy in bexhill is much the same. If you happen to be Catholic, St richards at Bexhill is very high achieving, but you are very unlikely to get a place if not RC.

As for where to live, Battle is very nice, but it is a rural town, and quite different to Hastings Old Town, so you'd need to think if that could suit you. Claverham's catchment includes quite a few villages (Westfield, Sedlescombe, Whatlington, Ninfield, Catsfield........), so you might consider them too. The commute from Battle and Hastings is quite long. We considered Robertsbridge a while ago, but DH felt it was just a bit too much of a push for him.

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SarfEast1cated · 20/02/2017 20:32

Thank you Equi much appreciated. The primaries in Hastings are mostly 'good', so you would think that that would trickle up to the secondary schools. Very useful to hear that Claverham is a bit stuffy - all schools seem to aspire to that now don't they. There is a creative studio school in Rye, but that has just got pasted by Ofsted.
Oh the decisions!

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Equimum · 21/02/2017 13:58

If you love Hastings Old Town, have you considered Lewes and Brighton? Similarly arty (although you'd need to choose your area known Brighton) and the schools in Lewes get very good Ofsted reports as far as I know. These are more expensive, though.

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jackofall · 21/02/2017 14:02

Both my children went to Claverham and they had very different needs socially and academically. We found it to be an excellent school and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. Staff are very positive and encouraging and have a great relationship with the students. Neither of mine are arty but the school always had fantastic displays up in the hall!

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Equimum · 21/02/2017 14:12

Just to clarify, I wasn't my trying to be discouraging about Claverham, as it is a very good school.

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SarfEast1cated · 21/02/2017 17:03

Thanks both, I really appreciate you coming back to me. My school was pretty stuffy and it didn't stop me from having a career in a creative field, so I guess it doesn't have to be like something out of 'Fame!'
I assume that a big school like that would have quite good art/science facilities though?
I do really like Lewes, but hadn't considered it so far. Will have a google. As much as I like the Old Town of Hastings, I am happy to be within traveling distance, I don't need to live there, 'd rather have a decent garden!

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StickyProblem · 17/03/2017 18:37

hi SarfEast, I lived in St Leonards till last year, now live in Battle, you can guess why from the thread :) and we went through secondary admissions (Claverham/Helenswood/Robertsbridge/Rye) last year. PM me if you still need info!

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CMamaof4 · 17/03/2017 22:43

I think st leonards academy in hastings have just been rated good for their ofsted?
Personally I am looking to move out of hastings as house prices are ridiculous for four beds here, I cant justify what u get for the money compared to other prettier places in the uk for less money..

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SarfEast1cated · 01/04/2017 20:23

Sorry for the lack of reply March posters, not sure how I missed you. I have pm'd Sticky for some info. I'm not really sure how I feel about Academies CMama, and Hastings seems to be full of 'em!
I feel a bit nervous about moving out of London and away from all of the schools I know here, but I can't help thinking that DD would be happier with more space and a more relaxing childhood. Thanks all for your help!