2015 Good Schools in Horsham - East - Leechpool/Kingslea/Heron Way etc.

[AlanaB]

Hi all,

We're potentially moving from Haywards Heath to Horsham very shortly and having already filled in and returned the schools application in online for my DS1 to start this September, I may potentially now need to update it!

The catchment school for our potential new home (around the Comptons Lane patch) is Leechpool.

Generally I know most of the primary schools in Horsham seem to fare very well, as do most of the schools where we currently live. I'm more familiar with the schools to the west side of Horsham and don't know anyone or anything about the schools on the other side and all I am going on so far is the latest league tables. Most of the schools do better (if indeed all you can use is a few select numbers on a league table) than the catchment school we currently have in HH apart from Kingslea.

I've seen a scant few mixed reviews of Leechpool and Kingslea. I'm not a fan of Littlehaven purely because it's just an infant school and I'd rather not need to search for a junior school again in a few years.

From the house postcode the schools in order of nearest would be:
Leechpool
Northolmes
Kingslea
Littlehaven
St. Robert
Queen Elizabeth
Heron Way

Purely on info seen so far Heron Way would be my choice and last year supposedly 17 children out of catchment were accepted, the furthest away living 1634 metres. This house would be 1287 metres away so I wonder whether getting in to Heron Way would be an actual possibility as the only school in the list that has solely positive reviews/online presence etc.

Can anyone advise on Leechpool/Northolmes/Kingslea??

As Leechpool and Kingslea were both undersubscribed last academic year it doesn't say fantastic things but having said that, neither did the current catchment school we have in Haywards Heath. The boundary for the catchment area for Heron Way is just over the B2195 to the house (supposedly but this may be an old map I'm looking at)

I am fully in agreement with the school "being right for DS" and in visiting each school but as the move is fairly last minute and potentially happening very soon it would be great for any input. I am expecting mixed opinions and in truth I am looking for more important issues and reviews.

Thanks in advance!!

I've just noticed that Northolmes is a junior school so that's not in the equation for this September and also that Queen Elizabeth caters for children with learning disabilities as per their website and so reduces the list to:

Leechpool
Kingslea
Heron Way

(also taking out St Robert Southwell).

If Heron Way performs best in this list the question is would you put down Leechpool above Kingslea or vice versa?

Thinking out loud this works better for me being able to actually visit just 3 schools rather than 5+.....

Thanks again!

Littlehaven feeds into Northolmes.

Heron Way is an amazing school by all accounts. I woudl choose Kingslea over Leechpool although the head is retiring at the end of this year so who knows.

There are no bad schools here though, it's a fabulous place to raise children.

Thanks Reality.

I've also not long realised Littlehaven must feed into Northolmes. We don't have any infant schools in HH that I know of so it's never been a thought - my sister is going through the process of finding a junior school at the moment (no where near here) with her second just starting the infant school and I get the impression it's a pain to have to do!

On that basis I should try for HW, Kingslea then Leechpool as 3rd option to have it down as the catchment school I guess..?

It very much depends on what type of school you want with those three as well. Heronway is known as a school which has good academic results that pushes the children to learn and has a strong academic bias. Kingslea is strong on its caring ethos, although as already said the head does retire in July, although I know they are currently advertising to recruit a new one. Leechpool is also a good caring school but with a slightly different atmosphere again.

If you are going to need before & after school care it is in short supply at Kingslea and Heronway, not sure about Leechpool though as they have an after school club as well as childminder's. Heronway & Kingslea only have childminder's who are all very full.

Thanks badgerhead. I plan to visit all as well and have full faith in having the "right feeling" when it happens so it was just to find out any particular feedback etc. as generally all schools in Horsham will be new to me!

After school care would be fab, I would be looking for at least Mondays for sure but I may have options for that.

:-)