Any info on St Paul's CE Primary and Middle Street Primary?

[Zoela1]

Hi - Recently moved to Brighton and am trying to get a feel for the (complicated) Infant/Primary School scene. My little one is still a toddler but, by the sounds of things, finding the right school in brighton takes A LOT of planning! Does anyone have experience of these two schools (our nearest). I know St Paul's has a very good ofsted report etc but is it an open-minded and tolerant place for a child to spend her days? Middle Street is less impressive on paper but what do people think...?

Some of our friends DCs go to Middle Street & they all love it & 1 friend has found it helped 2 of her DCs improve a lot & generally really rates the School, from talking with her & DCs friends parents I've met via them, I do get the impression it is a very good school, but there seems to be a bit of a them & us, clique, quite bitchy mentality amongst what seems like a lot of the more middle class or wannabee MC parents.

Also with it been a city centre School, there seems to be quite a high turn over of DCs compared to other Schools - I personally know 4 that have left there due to moving to bigger property further out - that was one of the reasons it wasn't our first choice, though we did nearly move her there more recently & it was our 2nd choice in the beginning.

I don't that know much about St Pauls, bar it wasn't doing so well when we were first looking for DD, which was several years back, I do know it seems to be the favoured School for the local Japanese community, DDs Japanese friend goes there & we have been to a few fund raising events & it does have a lovely atmosphere to.

hope that helps

Thanks rockinhippy, that's really helpful. It's good to hear positive things about both schools ? i get the impression it can be hard to get your first choice anyway! So what was your first choice when you applied for your DD? Did you get it?
Would be really grateful for any other thoughts/advice people may have too...

Ours was Carlton Hill & Yes, we did get in, but back then it wasn't seen as one of the best schools locally, despite decent ofsteds etc, but its our nearest & it just felt right for DD, also had Teaching friends & Uncle tell me that feisty kids fair better in Schools that are not always seen as the best as those Schools get the most money thrown at them - it was also the only local school with lots of green outdoor space, that was one of my deciding factors as its something we don't really have at home -

it was definitely the best decision, as its a brilliant little School in all ways & DD loves it & its now hard to get into as its seen as one of the best :)

Just a thought, that might be a good tip for you - its coming up to Summer Fair season, why not take your DCs along to the School Fetes of the ones on your list, it will give you & them a good feel for the School, staff etc

Carlton Hill is Sat 7th of July - 12 - 3 maybe look on the websites of other Schools or ring up & ask

good luck

That's a really good idea - i will. Research that involves eating cupcakes in the sunshine can only be a good thing! Thanks for the tips.

No problem & good luck with the move, you won't regret it, I moved from London when DD was born, Brighton is a great place to bring up kids :)

Anyone else have experience of St Paul's or Middle Street? Thanks in advance...

I know lots of parents whose kids are in Middle Street and have only good things to say about it.

Thanks Nettlefairy. Seem like such different schools (in a good way) - interesting to hear what people think of them...