Advice secondary schools Brighton

[Fernie2]

Moving to Brighton this summer. need secondary school place for DD Yr 8 Sept. Any info/experience of Patcham or Falmer? Falmer will become an academy this september - have read about what this means but is it just a cover up for a failing school? anyone know anything about Brighton and Hove High School (girls only)? Would like to find indie that doesn't pile pressure on.
Also have older DD who has a place to do IB at Varndean College. Anyone else done/doing IB there? Thanks for your help.

sorry what is IB?
my ds went to patcham and is now at varndean college.
I WOULD ADVOID FALMER LIKE THE PLAGUE.
when they did the ctchment are for it they mad it imo one of the poorest schools in the city, as it' s intake is mainly from council/HA.
we live on one of the HA estates that it's intake comes from.......you would not want your child at school with some of the kids round here.

Thanks for your reply 2shoes. Haven't heard anything good about Falmer - getting depressed now. What did you think of Patcham?
IB is the International Baccalaureate - its an alternative to A levels.

Does anyone know anything about the entrance test for BHHS? DD is bright enough, but sporty more than academic. Is it possible to get past papers? I asked at the open morning but the school said they don't make them available. Is this true or are they just fobbing us townies off :)

Would be ever grateful for any advice!

Patcham is kind of Meh.

Varndean College is okay as long as you don't need any extra support. Only thing I would say about IB in general is if you fail one module, you fail the whole qualification. Generally the IB options at Varndean are very good.

Blatchington Mill is a very good secondary school, Varndean school is kind of midway. Just avoid Falmer and Longhill, and you'll be fine!

Just seen the date of the OP Ignore me...

Hello, wondered if anyone had girls at BHHS and what they thought of it? Thinking of applying there in year 7 for my DD who is currently Yr 4 at state school. Any advice about managing the transition, or doing well in the entrance test would be appreciated!