Urgent - does anyone know Hastings?

[almostautumn]

I know this isn't an AIBU, but I need some urgent advice so posting here for traffic. DH and I are considering putting in an offer on a lovely house in Hastings, but are unsure about schools - an important factor as I have two young DC.

Does anyone live in Hastings or know the area well - and if so can you tell me about schools, both primary and secondary?

Thank you!

Ah, so not another Line of Duty thread.

@Gladimnotcampinginthisweather 😂😂😂

Hastings?...like the battle

That's exactly what I thought Gladimnotcampinginthisweather

Hesitant to click on it, in case there were spoilers!

Sorry Op

I know it. Lived in Battle a good while ago now. Primaries I dont know but a decade ago the secondaries all struggled and when I trained to teach everyone dreaded being sent there for a placement! Having said that, I know a lot has been invested into them in recent years and most are ofsted Good now. It's not a place you move to for great schools tbh but you will get a nice house for your money.

Hmm, my knowledge is ten years or so out of date, but we moved away from the area specifically because of schools, so I would proceed with caution if I were you.

Hopefully, things have improved significantly over the last decade or so.

I know it, which area are you looking OP?

Totally thought this was LOD!!

X post with @StayingHere.

Hastings... it's a bit Tory, a bit dull, and very grotty. In need of dire investment. Every other shop is boarded up or c charity shop. Schools aren't great. Why Hastings?? Have you family nearby? And have you spent much time there??

Is this really urgent? Are you on a time limit for making this offer?
I would recommend you research the ofsted reports to get a better picture

@Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady

Hastings?...like the battle

I THOUGHT THAT TOO!

aostautumn apologies for misunderstanding to thread, but I am not the only one.
Is it worth asking Mumsnet to change the title to something more obvious like 'Thinking of moving to Hastings'?

Maybe go on some local FB grps to get the feel of the place? Deffo do OFSTED for schools though that's not always entirely accurate - I know our amazing school is 'good' only.
You should deffo spend more time in the land...

10/15 years ago it was an absolute dump. It looks like it’s still pretty deprived if you look here.

vis.oobrien.com/booth/#

I live in Hastings and my job involves working in many schools, there is a good selection of primary schools which have good feedback from parents and are very nurturing. Secondary is more limited but there are schools in surrounding towns such as Bexhill or Battle which have a better reputation.

Some of Hastings is a dive - if you can afford it I'd be thinking of surrounding places like Cooden, little common, Battle

Saying that I know nothing about the schools

Hastings is in the top 15 most deprived area in local authorities in England, ( out of about 350) but that's why the housing is cheap. But you've probably already discovered that.

We’d be in the old town area. I’ve visited a few times for weekends and loved it - it seems far less deprived than places like Margate.

Ah, so not another Line of Duty thread.

Haha - I’ve never watched Line of Duty!

Yeah the old town is quite nice. But as a pp said it is officially one of the most deprived areas in the UK. It will impact upon the local schools.

It's very deprived, the schools are shite. Can you afford the lovely house anywhere else? There is a reason the lovely houses are affordable.

JESUS MARY AND JOSEPH AND THE WEE DONKEY

Urgent? I thought you were lost in Hastings when ai saw the thread title

Urgent? I thought you were lost in Hastings when ai saw the thread title

It's very deprived, the schools are shite.

I honestly didn’t get this impression (about the deprivation) when walking around - and I didn’t just stay in the old town either!

Also some of the primaries are rated good and outstanding. I know the Ofsted rating isn’t the be all and end all (which is why I’m asking on this thread), but it would suggest they’re a little bit better than shite!

@almostautumn

Urgent? I thought you were lost in Hastings when ai saw the thread title

It's very deprived, the schools are shite.

I honestly didn’t get this impression (about the deprivation) when walking around - and I didn’t just stay in the old town either!

Also some of the primaries are rated good and outstanding. I know the Ofsted rating isn’t the be all and end all (which is why I’m asking on this thread), but it would suggest they’re a little bit better than shite!

You've already decided you're happy with the area - just go for it. The schools used to be terrible, maybe they're okay now if they are ofsted Good. If you're happy with with your choice and you've already read the Ofsted report then there isnt much Mumsnet can advise you. Not getting the impression of deprivation on your reccy doesnt change the fact it is a really deprived coastal area though.