Frant village school near Tunbridge Wells

[Becksw115]

Sorry for two posts but I can’t find how to change the title of an existing post! I am moving to Tunbridge Wells and struggling to find primary schools for my two children. I am extending the search to the village schools. Does anyone have a view on Frant village school or experience of sending their children there please? They teach in mixed year groups - years 1&2 get taught together, 3&4 and 5&6 with 15 kids in each year taught together. I’m not sure how that really works in practice and would love any help please. Thanks so much

I don’t know that school, but my children went to one the same size and it was excellent.

class sizes are still 30, plenty of friend opportunities. Lots of encouragement to play with people outside their year group, which I liked. It was normal to play with children of different ages.

big enough for sports teams, but everyone gets a chance. Plenty of rural schools tournaments and things.

small enough they can be spontaneous and react to opportunities quickly

Academically, the staff were used to differentiating. At my children’s school they taught the syallabus on a two year cycle for topic type stuff (so bigger schools might always do the fire of London in year 2. At my children’s school you might do it in year 1 or year 2. But would still cover the whole curriculum.

honestly , I think it’s an excellent size of school.

rhey went to a secondary with 210 in a year group, and had no trouble transitioning.

Sorry I don't know that school either. But my children have/are attending a small rural school, I fact all of KS2 are in a class together.
The eldest is now 3rd year of uni and youngest is year 5. Both have excelled there. The teachers adapt each lesson for the individuals needs, something you don't get in a class of 30 the same age with differing needs. The children learn empathy and how to support younger children and they also learn from older peers. I have never encountered bullying of any description.

I work in education and see both sides and honestly, I am devastated at all the small school closures. Individual needs simply cannot be met in larger schools and hence I am a huge advocate for the smaller school, particularly if DC have any extra needs whether that be physical, emotional or educational.

Frant is in East Sussex, so a different LEA from TW. Would it be easy to have your kids accepted at a school out of county?

Also, Kent still has the 11+ and grammar schools, so it might affect which secondary school they can go to.