Anyone have recent experience of Helenswood in Hastings please?

[SparklePrincess]

Looks like my plans of a life out in the sticks with my h & dd`s has gone out of the window after h decided to wreck our family for Christmas. Im now faced with looking into a new (cheaper) area & alternative schooling for my dc.
My parents live in Hastings & I went to Helenswood myself. (Cant say I was educated there though) Has anyone any recent experience of this school, good or bad? Has it improved at all or are lessons still disrupted by those not interested in learning constantly?
Thanks.

Hi Sparkleprincess! sorry to hear of your predicament and return to Hastings. My Mum (who works at Claverham) has a friend who teaches Home Ec at Helenswood. At present its head teacher Dame Sheila has a policy of no exclusions (believing that education is for all) My mums friend (can I name her?) recently had her classroom set fire to by one girl who is desperate to be expelled, instead she was rewarded everytime she attended a lesson and ended up getting a present from the head at end of term for coming to school!

However the school are actively seeking a new head (dont know why?!) I believe its quite a good school but I dont think I would send my dd there as I dont like the single sex school, we live very close to William Parker and often see the Helenswood girls hanging around there.

Out of all the senior schools in Hastings it is def the best.

Could you afford to get into Battle?

Best wishes

CGM xxx

I have only heard good things about Helenswood

Doesnt sound particularly hopeful about Helenswood CGM. I thought Dame Sheila was supposed to be really well thought of.
Ideally the dc would go to Claverham, but I dont think I could afford to buy in Battle. I would need to live within catchment area when I apply for a secondary school (just under 2 years for the first dd) Unless I buy in Hastings & rent in Battle for a year or so in order to get her in. Dont really want to disrupt the dd`s any more than they already will be, but thats the only possibility I can see. I would also have the nightmare scenario of finding a primary school with places in 2 year groups once we are sorted with a place to live. I know B & L only have space for one of mine at the moment. So many things to think about, its hard to know what to do for the best when the dc will be upset enough as it is.
Interesting to hear a different point of view DMM.