Brighton secondary confusion and how to have a plan b !

[waterrat]

Hi any advice really appreciated. We are moving to Brighton in spring and one child is in year 5. I understand the lottery system but am unclear of how to try and maximise best possible second choice. If we move into the varndean catchment (the school I would prefer) but are one of a small number who don't get a place then what is the best school that won't be over subscribed? Should we put hove park secpnd to avoid longhill or baca? Would we be better off living to the west of thr catchment to avoid these schools or do you just get sent where this is space ?

I don't need a school to be perfect but having researched longill and baca they seem very low performing. Or am I being too negative?

If anyone has more positive news on baca and Longhill that would also be useful as I know schools can get an unfair reputation

If you move into the Varndean Catchment you will also be in the Dorothy stringer catchment. Most people put one as first choice and the other one as second. Stringer is more popular than Varndean and Brighton is past it’s baby boom peak and numbers of school age children are falling so the likelihood is you’ll get your catchment school. If not you’ll be allocated a place at the nearest school with places. These are usually Hove Park, BACA, PACA or Longhill. It doesn’t matter where you actually live in the catchment really.

I have a child at Stringer. I’ve heard horror stories about behaviour, police being called bad behaviour, from Stringer, Varndean, Hove Park and Blatchington Mill. In big city schools the catchment is so varied there are problems in all schools, you can’t avoid them.

I think BACA and Longhill get an unfairly bad rep from snobbery. I know a few children at BACA who are happy and fine. I don’t know any at Longhill though. The only bad thing I’d say is that Longhill is awkward to get to unless you live very close.

Thanks so much that is really helpful. I agree schools are often written off by snobbery. I have a friend with children at baca and they are happy..I just absolutely loved varndean when I went to the open day . But as long as my kids are safe and in a happy and positive environment it doesn't have to be super high achieving.

If you are moving to Varndean catchment you are probably also in the catchment for Dorothy Stringer. Patcham High school would probably also be close to you.

Thanks I thought it might be best to put an under subscribed school as second choice so we are sure to get a place somewhere we actually choose. but perhaps it doesn't work like that.

Patcham High School is a smaller school and my children are very happy there. Both have nice friends and excellent predicted grades.

I would advice looking at the schools. And also join local Facebook groups to see if anything is said about them.

I have no personal experience of varndean or those schools as I live the other side of Brighton and my daughter is at PACA.

But initially I wasn't happy her going there (was our second choice) but actually she has been so happy, thrived and made so many new friends. I wanted Shoreham academy but after speaking to friends and things I've heard ive realised it wouldn't have been right for dd1. We actually moved closer to Paca ready for dd2 starting secondary as I've been so impressed with the school.

Thank you @nocutsnobuttsnococonuts that's really interesting that's the kind if info I want. I want to have a good option lined up from one of the not so over subscribed schools.