new to UK and Dorothy Stringer Brighton adviseplease

[essexwoman]

Hi
We are returning to UK after forever away. My girls will join DS in Year 8 and 10. Please could any one tell me about school uniform (where to buy) and if it is as strict as on the website, as we are not used to uniforms.
What about after school activites in the area, sport or other and recommendations for how to get them as integrated as possible.May be this is a bit too vague but it would be nice to hear any comments.(reassuring or otherwise!?)
Does DS have a friendly atmosphere, As it seems to be very big, and how are the subject options processes?
Thanks

My friend has 3 children in DS, about to start years 7, 8 and about 10 or 11 (she's 15).

They adore it, she higly recommends it. Can ask other questions specifically for you if you want?

essexwoman - could you tell me how your dds have settled into Dorothy Stringer and Brighton in general. We are moving to Brighton this year from London and my dd will be going into year 9 (somewhere!) in September 2012. We are hoping for Dorothy Stringer - was it difficult to get your dds in? Any thoughts very welcome.