East Sussex primaries: VInehall - worth the money?

[goddessofplenty]

Being totally terrified that the government isn't moving quickly enough to change the way kids are educated, DH and I have decided to starve and never go out and put ds into a private school - our local area has a crap choice of schools and this last year was really bleak. We've just spent half a day looking at Vinehall and Battle Abbey. For me Vinehall is streets ahead (but maybe I'm blinded by all those fields and wholesome well-mannered faces) in everything including fees. Any thoughts on if it's worth the money - an extra £2k per term? Even if you don't know them, feel free to stick your oar in - pros and cons below:

Battle Abbey - great rep for pastoral care, early child-centred and they are all thriving, it's a bit knackered facilities-wise though and clearly ds will be 'expected' to go through to the secondary school.
Vinehall - gets kids into all kinds of secondaries, several on scholarship, and has a young head and deputy who are focused on new teaching approaches that make me calmer about whether ds will be able to find work after the computers take over the world. I'll need to sell a kidney to cover the fees, but in a couple of years' time it may get easier.

Send to a state primary and ‘enhance’ your child with a shit load of extra curriculars and a decent tutor... and make a big cash donation to the school fund. Sorted.

Move to Bexhill. It will cost you less than sending private the primaries are already awesome. Bexhill Academy is awesome but suffering from the reputation gained in the last senior leadership. When the results of the current leadership start feeding through... and it's a fantastic town to raise kids in

The extra for Vinehall over Battle isn't worth it. Look at Claremont or Bedes as well. Do think about where the kids go on to after. If you are commuting to private they will be taught to feel inferior if you put the kid back into state they well lose much of the superiority confidence gained by going private. You need to be looking at the secondaries now also. Eastbourne College Claremont Battle Marlborough buckswood st Bede (dont rate the secondary as much as the primary)

All of my children have gone through Vinehall and I’ve met the new head. Sussexinvader - have you been to the school?
It’s nothing like you say. The head is genuinely caring and as a father of 4 boys incredibly dedicated to the children and their wellbeing.

Academic changes are happening, they are moving away from full common entrance and bringing in changes that I’d have been delighted with if in time for my children but alas too late.

As for staffing, the majority have retired after many many years and even so many are still involved with the school. I’ve heard great things about the new teachers, younger and passionate - surely a good thing.

Ultimately children at Vinehall are happy, cared for and supported as they go on to their next school. Last years destinations and scholarships speak for themselves. My experience has been that they help find the right school for the child rather than feed one or two local senior schools.

OP if you haven’t already made your decision ask for some taster days, I’m sure your LO will love it there.

Oh and as an aside, we looked at St Ronans for my boys and whilst a great “free range” school we felt ours needed more structure. Vinehall was 100% the right choice for us

Claremont isn't in a good place at the moment. Lots of changes and new ownership of the school. Dozens of families left last year due to being unhappy with it.

Also St Ronans is super popular at the moment because it’s sweeping up disgruntled MHS parents who can’t abide the current MHS head. MHS is a great school but until there are some adjustments at the top it’s an iffy choice; no clear leadership and a head totally disengaged from the parents and children. I’m really sad about it because there are some great teachers there, but the low morale and lack of action from governors is damaging the place

Did you make a decision?