Catholic primary schools in the Hove and Brighton area.

[petalbud]

I was wondering if anybody could tell me which Catholic schools are the best? Or, indeed, any other information relating to them.

My little one is not yet, one. But, after reading about the drama regarding schooling in this area, I thought it prudent to enquire, now.

We are hoping to move, soon. So, it would make sense to have an inkling about our preferred schools before signing the dotted line.

I'm a new Mum so any advice regarding schools would be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards

Petalbud

Hi Petalbud
Good idea to plan ahead, yes!
'Best' catholic primary schools in Brighton are St Bernadettes - off Preston Road (north of Preston Park) or Cottesmore, which is on the Upper Drive on the borders of Brighton and Hove just north of the Old Shoreham Road. Both require worship in the parish for a period (2, maybe 3 years) to be fairly sure of a place. Both are over subscribed.
I think there is also a Catholic school in Hollingdean as well (St Josephs), which is more a local school, and not so popular. Not sure about elsewhere in the city.
However, I would also ensure if I were you that I looked at the secondary catchment as well, as there is only one Catholic primary - Cardinal Newman, also in Upper Drive, which is also over-subscribed, and while there are a lot of good secular primaries in Brighton, secondaries are more hit and miss, so you do need to plan ahead!
If you go to the council admissions section, you can download the brochure which gives more details on admissions criteria etc for all schools.
Best of luck!
Brightonton

St. Bernadette's also requires that your child is baptised before a certain age, I can't remember off the top of my head if it's six months or a year, but if your child isn't baptised yet I would definitely have him/her done asap. Friend of a friend with three children already at the school for some bizarre reason (as she is a practicing Catholic) didn't baptise her fourth on time and the child didn't get a place, though I think she got him in later.

St. Mary Magdelane's on Upper North Street is the other one I can think of but it's not very popular with the locals.

Thanks Ladies - you've been a great help.

This whole schooling issue is unbelievable. It's hard enough finding a new home without worrying about catchment areas.

The little one is getting christened soon 'Sunnydelight' just before her first birthday so hopefully, that will be ok.

I can't believe that you have to go to Church as well. That's akin to blackmail. I'm originally from Ireland and I don't believe that you have any of that palaver.

Thanks for making me aware of the secondary school issue 'Brightonon. I hadn't even contemplated thinking that far ahead.

I think it might be easier to just, start my own school ; )

If you're interested in small, alternative schools (started by people who thought exactly the same way) have a look at Lewes New School in Pelham Terrace, Lewes. (It is fee paying, but not big bucks). I drove my kids there every day from Brighton for a couple of years, though we did eventually move to Lewes, mainly because of secondary schooling.

There are lots of Irish at St. Bernadettes It is totally expected that you are a regular churchgoer, and very involved in the church and school there. You really have no hope at all, even if you live on the doorstep, if you're not prepared to show up at mass every Sunday. With so few spaces and so many kids wanting them they can basically make you dance a jig if they feel like it. Wouldn't have been my cup of tea but I know a lot of really nice kids who go/went there and the parents are a friendly bunch.

Why do you so want a place in a Catholic school if you think attending mass is a palaver? It doesn't add up to me?

Petalbud, the reason that there is not all this "palaver" in Ireland is principally because most schools ARE Catholic so there is not the same competition for places at faith schools. Also, although Mass attendance is nowhere near as high as it was when I was growing up, far more people still attend regularly in Ireland, particularly in rural areas, so it is much easier for most people to meet the admissions requirements. Having said that, as Ireland becomes more multi-cultural and crowded in urban areas, the "faith" card will become more important.

If you think that regular church attendance is going to be an issue for you, you might want to rethink whether you really want your child to attend a Catholic school. Mass attendance is only half of it! Once they are in school, there will be endless class masses, liturgies, prayers, etc.

Zanzibaram - In my opinion, religion and mass, don't necessary have to be intertwined. A murderer could attend weekly mass but that still won't make him a better person. What matters, i.m.h.o, is to be given the opportunity to learn and decide what works for you. I don't regret my religious upbringing and I'd like to give 'babs' the same opportunity.

Annh - I wouldn't mind going to mass for the little one. But, forcing parents to attend for two years prior is steep. But, fair point, I need to decide whether I'm up for it all.

Sunnydelight - that school sounds really interesting. Thanks for that.

Petalbud - but mass is a central part of the catholic faith and practice as are the other sacraments such as baptism. I suspect you may be more of a cultural catholic (based on your own childhood) - check if cultural catholic is part of the admissions criteria;

For some, perhaps. Living with values formed by the religion, on a daily basis is the crux, in my view. Seems rather 'uncatholic' to turn away those interested in teaching the religion to their offspring because of the 'alleged' misgivings of their parents. Even 'cultural Catholics' shouldn't be turned away.