Schools in Lewes?

[handyali]

Hi all, we're thinking about moving to Lewes, although for even the cheapest house it's pushing it, but anyway. Would love some advice on the schools? My boy is currently in reception in London, so I imagine he'd be going into year 1 by the time we get organised. What are the primary schools like, is it a good move to go to Lewes? Is it a good idea to ring around and see if they have any places? Any advice would be so appreciated. Also what slightly concerns me is the secondary schools, there seems to be only one option, The Priory, is that right? What's it like, and are there alternatives? Private schools are totally out, and at the moment nobody drives, so schools in surrounding villages are out really too. Thanks so much in advance all - I'm stressing out about where to move, first world problems I know. The other option is York where I am originally from and grandparents are there, but moving away from jobs if we go there, and I like it down south!

I think that all the primary schools in Lewes are good. It's a case of seeing a) which ones have space and b) which one feels like the best fit. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them though.

Priory is the only state secondary option in Lewes. I think that some Lewes kids go to Chailey (and there's a bus), but you'd struggle to get into a secondary further afield (e.g. Uckfield) as they tend to fill up with kids who live closer. Fwiw, I've heard good things about Priory. Again, whether it suits your child is a different matter...

A friend’s children go to the Priory - they are happy with it. It doesn’t have a sixth form so their children will get the train to Brighton for years 12 and 13 (this is a bit far off I know).

They're all pretty good. I have friends with DC at Western Road and Malling and Wallands and all happy.

Priory is the only state secondary but is good. Most DC go to Bhasvic or Varndean in Brighton for 6th form

If they are at Priory, they can do A-Levels at South Downs, which is pretty much over the road from Priory. A lot of Lewes children go to Ringmer school on the school bus.

(Read that back and it’s a bit confusing - they can go to South Downs from any school, it doesn’t need to have been Priory!)