Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Urgent - does anyone know Hastings?

158 replies

almostautumn · 28/04/2021 12:38

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!

OP posts:
GoodbyePorpoiseSpit · 28/04/2021 21:36

Primary schools are good
But we ruled it out in favour of North Kent because of the secondary schools
Unless you can go private? Good arts school though - the ARK
Personally I would move there if I had pre school children

Vintagevixen · 28/04/2021 21:39

@GreyhoundG1rl

Do you live in Hastings or did you just visit once in 1997? People don't experience things in exactly the same way. Why isn't that poster's opinion as valid as yours?
Because I live in Hastings!! And it gets regular bashing on Mumsnet from people who don't really know the town as a whole.

She is just coming on, declaring it a shithole, giving no background or context or saying how well she knows the town. Calling the schools crap, not saying whether she has/had children at them etc etc.

I could just as well go on the Brighton thread and declare it awful, but I've only been there on day trips, I don't know the whole town or the realities of day to day living there.

HarkAVagrant · 28/04/2021 21:41

There is a place called Battle? That's great!

Battle is where the battle actually was, I believe.

GreyhoundG1rl · 28/04/2021 21:43

I'd assume anyone calling the schools crap had reason for that view, but maybe not. It's certainly an odd statement for someone with no skin in the game to make.

Vintagevixen · 28/04/2021 21:45

@GreyhoundG1rl

I'd assume anyone calling the schools crap had reason for that view, but maybe not. It's certainly an odd statement for someone with no skin in the game to make.
Well I have a child at one of the schools so that makes my impressions of them quite current and valid I would think.
GreyhoundG1rl · 28/04/2021 21:49

Of course. But someone could think the opposite and it would be equally valid, if they had the same experience.

ClashCityRocker · 28/04/2021 21:53

Hastings is the Cuthbert the Caterpillar of Brighton.

It's an odd one on MN - if you say you plan to move there you'll be inundated with people saying how rough it is.

If you ask for decent southern seaside towns to live but can't quite stretch to Brighton prices, it's the place to be.

(Never lived there, btw, but have enjoyed day trips there.)

Vintagevixen · 28/04/2021 21:55

@GreyhoundG1rl

Of course. But someone could think the opposite and it would be equally valid, if they had the same experience.
Well yes so if the other poster has/had children at school in Hastings they need to give detail of why they had problems not just shout "shit"

I do get really fed up of people declaring Hastings a dive without context or relating their experiences. Yes Hastings is very deprived in areas but other areas (the ridge, Alexandra park, parts of St Leonard's) are lovely. I was walking through a country park past million pound houses in Hastings only today with not a drunk in sight!

GreyhoundG1rl · 28/04/2021 21:58

Fair enough Smile

Thisnamewasnttaken123 · 28/04/2021 21:59

Yes my kids went to a school in Hastings it wasn't crap.
I don't live there anymore but my friend's have children in schools that are not crap and they are happy with.
I don't think anyone would be correct if they said ALL the school's there were shite as a poster did previously write, there are alot of schools so it's simply not going to be true.

rossclare · 28/04/2021 22:06

@Stevenetween

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??
Seriously? When were you last there? Hastings is vibrant and diverse with a great art scene and loads of loads of cool independents and antique and home stores.

It's attracting a huge London crowd, d desperate to escape the city and get some outside spaced

HeronLanyon · 28/04/2021 22:07

Hastings - fascinating the mixed views and from people who know it. It’s always been this way - seems to have a really mixed character. I’ve only been for a day many years ago. Liked it a lot as a ‘day tripper’. It was always on a list of places I’d like to go back to - never have. Have a work colleague who lives there who loves it.

Vintagevixen · 28/04/2021 22:13

@Stevenetween is over on the Brighton thread bigging up Brighton at present so clearly she hasn't left Brighton to come visit Hastings for a long time if she thinks it's so conventional!

We do have a Tory MP sadly but it's possibly more to do with the bits of the constituency outside the town - Rye I'm looking at you!

wagonwheelsforever · 28/04/2021 22:16

People saying " as in battle of .." if you know this you surely know it's where it took place.... 😂😂😂 and the MOTHER OF GOD JOSEPH MARY AND THE WEE DONKEY comment is the best comment I've ever read had me in stitches I read it in teds accent in my head too 😂😂😂😂😂

rossclare · 28/04/2021 22:18

@Vintagevixen

I moved to Hastings last April from London.

Got a super house for a good price right next to an amazing park, I'm very happy.

My DD goes to the main secondary - no it's not shite as others seem to think. It amalgamated from two single sex schools to co-Ed about a year and a half ago so is going through changes but we are happy so far.

Yes there's deprivation- if you just go to the new town you would get a completely one sided impression. The old town is really super - loads of independent shops and places to eat. St Leonard's very very arty. Very lively music scene in normal times.

Alexandra park is amazing. St Helens wood beautiful. The cliffs have amazing views and walks.

Hastings attracts so much slagging on Mumsnet - usually people who once did a day trip and think that makes them experts! Think there are a few on this thread..

I've just bought a townhouse in St L which we are renovating flat by flat - it's along the road from the coolest row of independent shops. Next door a couple from London have just moved in. Reading these posts is the absolute opposite to what i see when we come through. I love it and would move in a heartbeat if i din't have children in schools elsewhere.
Fruitbatdancer · 28/04/2021 22:21

Sorry OP, I live about 30 mins away, it’s extremely deprived and run down, bad reputation. I hear no good things at all...

PleaseReferToMeAsBritneySpears · 28/04/2021 23:08

A very good friend of mine lives in old town. She teaches in a local secondary school as well as a local charity. Her own children get a train and have an hour commute to get to a better school. Sorry, but I think that says it all.

pink1173 · 28/04/2021 23:15

Hastings is lovely. Brought up there and survived to tell the tale! Some great Primary schools, the Old Town is lovely and plenty of other places nearby like Rye and Pett Level. Loads for small children to do. Lovely arty vibe in the old Town. I miss it a lot and visit whenever I can. Unfortunately I cannot move back due to my husband’s work but my family and parents are still there so go as often as I can. Good luck!

SteveArnottsEyebrows · 28/04/2021 23:15

Another click hoping for LOD info.

Sorry OP.

GreyhoundG1rl · 28/04/2021 23:16

What exactly is an "arty" vibe?

IFionlyhadbrains · 28/04/2021 23:33

Hasting is the only place I've experienced open racism as in your not welcome in this pub racism. I was visiting friends who moved down from London. It's cheaper. It not even a nice Sandy beach. It's small, it's got a few nice restaurants and sweet shops, would I move there no. Do I know about schools no.

Physnicall · 28/04/2021 23:39

The local health services in East Sussex, especially Hastings are pretty dire. There is no money or investment. Poor hospitals.

deardia · 28/04/2021 23:45

Lol I clicked on the thread thinking it's line of duty

TaraR2020 · 28/04/2021 23:48

There's only one Hastings and I don't think he's H.

Sorka · 28/04/2021 23:48

I came here for Line of Duty.

I know there was a battle in Hastings nearly a thousand years ago

Swipe left for the next trending thread