Anyone from Lewes who could advise me?

[jennifersofia]

We are possibly moving to Lewes, and I am feeling rather anxious about school placement. Is there anyone out there who could give some 'first hand' insight?

Hi,

I used to work for the Education Department of East Sussex County Council which covers the Lewes area. You don't say what age or how many children but I assume you will be transferring in from a school place from outside the Lewes area rather than applying for reception class admissions. Lewes is generally over subscribed as the schools are very good and even if the local community don't take the places Lewes takes up from numerous surrounding villages and also the towns nearby. There are some not so good schools in East Sussex that people wish to avoid and many prefer to send to Lewes which creates waiting lists. Unfortunately, there isnt a huge amount of movement on these lists so if you are transferring in you may have a long wait.

It's worth trying to speak to the council about it, ask where you are likely to be placed, and if you want to be put on waiting lists for specific schools what the turnover is on them, being 3rd on a list may sound great but not if it's not moved in 2 years! Also if you have more than one child you want to place will you be able to put them in the same school, if you can't it can be a logistical nightmare!

There is a legal obligation to provide a school place for your child but it doesn't have to be at your nearest school and on occasion I've known it be in a different town 4 miles away.

Sorry it's not more positive but do speak to the council, good luck, Lewes is lovely.

Oh! Thanks so much for responding! I must say, this is the kind of thing I feel anxious about. You are right, we are transferring from another school. DC are currently Y2 and Y4. I still need to look around schools (dh has already seen some) but our top 3 would prob. be Wallands, Western Road and Southover (we will be living in Lewes proper).
Not currently sure of who has places where, though I am pretty sure no one at present would have places for both! I did speak to a helpful man at East Sussex Council (Mr. Thorndike), who told me that there might be some possibility for my child who will be moving into Y3, because at Y3 they are allowed to boost class size by 3 children, which would then put my other child higher up the pecking order as a sibling priority (maybe).

What I am wondering is:

1. If we have an address by mid June, make our school application by July, would we know by the end of July where we would be placed, or do they let you know in Sept?

2. If 1 child got into a school, and the other didn't get into that school, or got into a school that we really didn't think would work, could I home educate the one that didn't get a place until a place came up?

3. If you do accept a place at a school that you are subsequently not very happy with, does that put you lower down the scale on waiting lists as your child is already in a local school?

4. We have no car, and would not be able to get to schools outside of Lewes proper. What do I do if my child (children) are placed in a school in a surrounding village?

Thanks so much for your advice, and wishes of good luck! I think I might need it..

Hi,

Yes there is a priority for siblings so that may work in your favour.
1 You should know fairly swiftly where they are placed so you can do the basic stuff like buy a uniform in time!
2 There are plently of people at the moment out there looking to transfer from private to state and waiting until a place at a decent school comes up before pulling them out so I see no reason why the same shouldn't apply to home ed.
3 It won't put you lower down the waiting lists, just might be bumped if there was reason to give priority to someone else who had no place at a local school.
4 You need to let the council know this. It shouldn't happen but they can't create a place for you locally if there isn't one, there are good public transport links with Lewes though and also the school may be able to help in some way.

Thanks again so much for your help - all useful!