Moving to Hassocks or Lewes

[lisec]

Hello, I really need some advice from people who live in Hassocks or Lewes or nearby about secondary schools. We're moving to the area from Manchester for work and to be near to friends in Brighton. We had a look around both Hassocks and Lewes last weekend and liked both ( train to London and Brighton but near countryside etc. ) Our daughter is ten so we need to be thinking about secondary schools and Downlands in Hassocks looks good . Has anybody got any insider info or experience of it and what its like that could be helpful ? Also thought about Priory school Lewes but when I went on a lewes forum somebody described it as a bearpit ??? In Lewes ?! anyway any local advice really welcome about schools and living in both areas :-) our daughter is quite sensitive , arty and a bit nerdy so we really want to find a school that she would fit into ! Thanks

Downlands and Priory are both excellent. Downlands has an outstanding Ofsted at the moment but Priory is also very good indeed. Neither would be an issue.
You will, however, get an awful lot more for your money in Hassocks than Lewes in terms of property, but Lewes is a lovely town.

As said by pp, downlands is a great school.

I was brought up just down the road in Hurstpieroint and can say that area is nicer.

Lewes can get a bit busy, but the bonfire night procession is brilliant!

Sorry been camping and offline Thanks for the info , they do both look like great schools so not much in it . We’d definitely have to buy a house in the newer part of Lewes as you’re right it’s pretty expensive . Better house prices in Hassocks but I couldn’t get a feel for the area when we visited and Lewes looked more lively . Do you use the trains ? We both work at home most of the time but if one of us had to start commuting which would be the best station ? I’ve seen the nightmare that’s southern trains in the news etc !

Thanks firsttimedad79 ... is hurstpierpoint less suburban ? When we visited Hassocks it was nice enough with a good mix of people and a few new shops and cafes , Ditchling seemed quite cliquey but much prettier .. is the area friendly ? I work at home most of the time so want a good community feel and welcoming to new people . I’m worried I might be desperate to be in Brighton most of the time ! Thanks

And yes the bonfires , I’ve just googled it and it looks crazy !

I work and socialise a lot in Lewes. There is a lot more going on there, a really great community, lovely cafe culture , lovely culture in general! It is very expensive though which is why I don't live there although I would if I could.

Hassocks we are also considering moving to. It is a nice enough little place but a bit 'on the way to other places' rather than being much of a place in itself. Hurstpierpoint is indeed a nicer village.

Southern Trains are crap wherever you are coming from but Hassocks provably slightly better as it's on a direct route though Hayward's Heath up to London. I can't remember but I think the Lewes route is a bit slower

Priory school a 'bearpit' made me laugh! Think if you are coming from any of the big cities, Lewes is like heaven. No gang culture, very rare violence (usually alcohol related), small but with a slightly counter culture atmosphere - it's where all the old hippies live out their days! Amazing scenery/outdoors life and a foodie culture. Check out the new'ish Depot by the station. Not cheap for housing or commuting and not much ethnic diversity.

Thanks again for the advice much appreciated . Lewes seems to be very popular over Hassocks . I need to stay off the Lewes Forum though as there are some v strange threads and odd opinions ! When we visited though everyone seemed very friendly . Husband prefers Hassocks though as it’s a quick drive to Hove ( has friends there ) is traffic horrendous to and from Brighton / hove and around the area ? When we visited was at gridlock but it was a very hot day .

No, it's a very quick and straightforward route to Brighton and Hove but obviously rush hour traffic can build up. I don't really recognise Lewes from 'that' forum.

can be a bit racist round tehre, one child I know who was kind of tanned Italian looking got called a 'Paki cunt' on a daily basis at a school near Lewes that shall remain nameless.

Do NOT judge Lewes based on what you read on the Lewes Forum! That is the real "bear pit"

I live in Ditchling so know Hassocks well..easy to get in and out of Brighton..I do it every day. I have two children at Downlands and the School is fantastic. I don't know anyone that is unhappy with it. My daughter has settled in really well, it's a lovely School and gets really good results

Sorry Onmyownwith4kids I've been unwell and been offline ( I've got MS and had a big flare up ...probably stress related from moving ! ) and the school holidays , hope yours are going ok ! thanks for advice on Downlands it looks and sounds like a fantastic school . We're struggling to find a primary school place at the moment . Only Ditchling CofE will consider an appeal for a place under special circumstances . So a bit stressful ... as for Hassocks is it generally considered a safe but maybe boring village / town . Are there lots of decent friendly people and no social problems ? Other people have suggested hurstpierpoint is much better . I really just want a friendly place and will probably spend a lot of time in Brighton . Thanks

Hi @lisec I’m looking at doing the same move as you but from abroad so I’d love to know how you got on if you have a minute - where you landed on living (we have a similar brief :) ) and school experience?