Calling mumsnetters in East Sussex

[curlydolly]

Hi we are planning a move there this year and need advice on wheres nice to live and with access to a good secondary and primary schools. Thinking along the lines of a large village or on edge of a town. Thanks for any tips!

Just don't move to Rotherfield! village life is not always what cracked up to be!

Thanks for that 5babyangels! I have done village life before so I do know what you mean - just been in a town for quite a few years and want a change!

Battle is nice - it's a small town, though. There are some nice villages around it though.

Also Rye is lovely. :)

OMG 5babyangles I'm intrigued we nearly bought a house there 2 years ago!!!

I know Groombridge has an excellent (one of the top 10 in UK I think) primary and Wadhurst has a pretty well regarded secondary both within easy reach of TWells for shopping, eating out, commuting etc

What's your budget? Prices vary widely in different parts of East Sussex. I'd love to live in Lewes for example but there's no way I could afford it!

There are some amazingly beautiful small villages, but some are pretty pricey!

For the edge of a town, how about Eastbourne (where we are). It has a choice of Ofsted-outstanding-rated primaries. I haven't got round to looking at secondaries yet but I expect they are great too.

The old town is lovely (and in catchment for the two best-rated primaries) and right on the edge of the Downs.

Rye is really pretty :)

(Don't know anything about the schools though).

Wadhurst has an exceptional secondary school, unfortunately my ds didn't get in, too far out! Went to one in crowborough but he wasn't particularly happy there. I'm probably going to out myself now oops! Rotherfield also has an exceptional Pre school. However the primary school is a total nightmare. the head mistress has moulded the teAchers into mini versions of herself. She is not a mother and nor is any other teacher in the school! Also used to have a fantastic male deputy. He also left as he couldn't cope with her. I had at points 3 Dcs there and my life was made a total nightmare. We moved there for piece and quiet and space for the Dcs, not interference from people who know nothing about parenting and particularly step parenting and large families. As I managed to pull one of mine out, so were lots of other parents. I really went to hell and back, it was the most awful experience of my life. We moved back to Eastbourne where I had been 10 years and I haven't looked back. I love it in the harbour. tbh if anyone actually sees this thread I really don't mind. I was going to write to the governors as I left but was so relieved to be out of there the fight didn't seem so necessary! All teachers were between 30-40 no children, very power crazed, no cuddly mummy teachers what so ever, surely a balance would be better, esp in a village. Academically they were fine but not an ounce of common sense between them!

I just love Eastbourne don't know why I ever left so much to do the Dcs old and young. My teenagers live it where we are, they have the cinema, the skate park and the leisure centre all within walking distance and the teenage girls get a bus into town! I've lived in old town, stone cross and now the harbour! It's fantastic!!!!

We're planning to move to East Sussex too. I love it down there. We've narrowed it down to Lewes, Ditchling or Hurstpierpoint, but houses don't seem to come up for sale very often.

My Dcs went to one of those best primaries in old town mentioned above. Yes were fab!

Thanks for your messages ladies - it's useful to get views from the locals. My worst fear is finding the right house in the right place and not getting into the schools.