LEWES primary schools- Southover, Iford & Kingston, Lewes Grammar

[JackyJax]

Hello, We're planning on moving to Lewes area next year. We know we need to apply to schools before January next year but are unsure which school would suit us best. We're British but have been in Australia for the last decade so are a bit out of touch.

Husband would love to move to village life eg Kingston which would make Kingston a first choice but initially we may live in Lewes central which would mean Southover as first choice. Throw into the mix the thought of a private school like Lewes Old grammar and we're totally confused.

We're already going to be moving boys from Oz school so don't want to move them into a British primary then a year later move them somewhere else.

Anyone with experience of any of these schools, I'd love to hear your feedback. Also, for your info, we are currently in Oz so can't really come back to check out the schools.

Thanks so much for any help- we're very confused as to what to do!

Hello

I don't know anything about Lewes Grammar, but Iford and Kingston has a good reputation, definitely for results, far as I know they're good with their children too.

Southover is a big school with good reviews. Also, pretty much next door is Western Road, smaller but also good and creative apparently.

I've heard both described as 'artyfarty' but people say that about Lewes anyway, probably a bit unfair but with some truth in it! I suppose I'd go for Southover as it is bigger and you get more teachers. Have a look at the Ofsted reports for them. Friends kids went to Wallands and both of them loved it - friendly, creative, fun, and they got challenged. All good.

Lewes is a fab town frankly (they're not paying me, just had a lot of fun there)! Oh there's a thread here also, don't know if you've seen it. Primary Schools in Lewes

Good luck

Thanks so much for taking the time to write, I really appreciate it. I've seen ofsted report and both south over and Iford and Kingston perform well. We would be moving from oz and wouldn't know anyone so one of my concerns would be friendliness of kids and parents eg do the parents do play dates after school for kids, do people go somewhere central after school day eg some south over parents go to grange gardens. Do the schools welcome parent helpers? Not sure how to find out about some of these things but thanks once again for replying.

Hi again - really not sure about those I'm afraid..I wonder if it's possible to call a school and ask to speak to one of the teachers, just saying you want to get an idea of what they could use parent helpers for? Then you could chat wiht them (if they're chatty types) and ask if the parents get together for coffee etc, that they've noticed. But I'm not sure how you could find out much more without moving first to be honest..

What I can say from my own experience as a teacher (not in Lewes) is that if someone joins the school from a different country (or time away in one), the kids generally make a good effort to make them feel welcome; I'm sure the Lewes children would make yours feel at home :)

Thanks for your suggestion Karen. Thhink that's a good idea to contact both schools once term starts and ask them about parent helpers.

Both schools did well in OFSTED report so they're both supposed to be really good.

Am feeling a bit anxious I guess because husband and I not sure whether to move back to Lewes which is a town or to the nearby village of Kingston for a more rural type life. Will already be moving son out of school he loved in Australia so want to make sure I move him to the right school- if there even is such a thing!