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Original poster

Advice on Primary Schools with relaxed attitude to SATS/homework

11 replies

MissDirection · 21/02/2017 16:59

Smile I am moving to Brighton in the summer - looking at moving to Preston Park/Fiveways area hoping for my DD to go to Varndean or Stringer in 2018 as have looked at both schools and really liked them. My DD will be going in to a primary for a year at Y6 and my DS will be going in to Y2. They are currently at a really lovely little Montessori Primary in SE London where the system is very gentle child led learning and there are only 26 pupils in the school. Although I realise they will be going in to a whole new system and am fine with that I am pretty reluctant to put them into a school that is very results driven. I would love any advice about primary schools in the area and what there ethos is on testing and homework. If any one has a child at Balfour it would be great to hear your views too as it is the one closest to where we are looking at that doesn't have a separate infants and junior school (i really would like them to be at the same school for a year while they get used to the move etc if possible). Thanks in advance for any comments!
OP posts:
sailorjerry · 02/03/2017 19:09

Have you looked at the dharma school? It's fairly near to where you're looking to live and could match the ethos you're looking for. I don't know much about balfour so can't help you there sorry. My DD is at the Bilingual Primary School where they have a no homework policy. But it wouldn't be local to you.

Lavage · 02/03/2017 19:53

Balfour is very focused on results and very large (four form). I think it's a great school but friends hated it and left (for the gentle dharma school, which I agree would suit you if you are happy to pay).

bluebunny · 02/03/2017 22:50

Hiya..There is a Montessori school in Hove which apparently will be going up to age 16 from 2017. I can also recommend Middle Street Primary School, although it's V central so you may not get in if you live in Preston Park or 5 ways. It doesn't set homework apart from a termly art based project and they manage the whole SAT situation really well (Yr 2 kids don't really notice they do them and my son who is V sensitive to pressure had no probs with the year 6 ones). Hope that helps! :)

bluebunny · 02/03/2017 22:51

Forgot to say, it's small too, one class per year..

lavenderpekins · 03/03/2017 13:11

I would wait and see where you are allocated places..! You would be very lucky if you get both your children into the same school.. 😬

Original poster
MissDirection · 07/03/2017 13:59

Thanks everyone for the advice/thoughts Smile

I have looked at Balfour and really liked it and so did my kids - having spoken to admissions though it looks like its tricky to get a place even in year (i.e. not reception or Y3). So hard when we can't move until the summer so don't have an address yet in the area! Just have to wait and apply and see where we get allocated I guess.

The Dharma school looks lovely but alas we don't have the money to pay for it. Same with the Montessori - we have managed 3 years paying for the Montessori but we can't keep it up - both self employed etc. stretched ourselves as far as we can!

I like the sound of Hertford schools (infant and junior) anyone got any views on them? Also going to look at Downs infants and juniors. They all seem better than the choices in the concrete jungle that is London - at least there is green space around them!

OP posts:
Original poster
MissDirection · 07/03/2017 14:01

@bluebunny Middle St school sounds really lovely but definitely out of area for us.

OP posts:
Lavage · 07/03/2017 18:14

They are all great schools. Hertford is fantastic and smaller.

Lavage · 07/03/2017 19:13

Downs is four form like Balfour. But if you like Balfour then you'll like Downs I'm sure.

JapaneseTea · 08/03/2017 17:49

Downs juniors is keen on results but the homework is optional. Been a great school so far

Flitter123 · 05/05/2017 09:33

Hi Do you know about issues going on at the moment with secondary catchment places in Brighton? If you really have your heart set on Dorothy Stringer/Varndean you may be disappointed as it looks like the catchment is going to be oversubscribed by a lot next year - over 100 I've heard. A lot of families were disappointed this year and didn't even get their third choice instead being sent to an underscribed school miles away. If you're moving specifically for schools you may want to do some research on it. Having said that please don't be too put off, Brighton has a lot to offer children besides schools!

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