Brighton secondary schools (supportive of lower academic ability)

[Gogos]

Hi, we are moving to Brighton and our younger kids got into Brighton College Prep and Pre-Prep but our oldest (going into Yr 7) didn't make it. Any suggestions for the best secondary school options that are reasonably close and are really supportive of lower academic abilities.

Are you thinking independent schools? And is it for a boy or a girl? Brighton Girls are basically non-selective, as are Shoreham College (mixed) and Lewes Old Grammar (mixed).

Brighton Girls has a very wide range of abilities - from low end of average up to the very highest. It's just got a new head who is being received very positively. Shoreham seems to be a narrower range at senior level - focused around average. I know less about LOGS but I think it's also got a wide range.

Depending on how much of a near miss Brighton College was, you could look at Hurst (mixed, more of a public school feel than the others). They are getting more and more academic, but not yet quite as selective as Brighton, so if your Year 7 is of good average ability or higher, they might stand a chance there. There is also Roedean if you have a girl - getting more selective (in recent past they have been essentially non-selective) but still accept a wide range.

All have minibus services that seem to cover Brighton and Hove and further out into Sussex.

Good luck - Brighton is a great place to live (OK, nowhere is that thrilling at the moment, but in usual times...)

Brighton Girls is actually selective in as much as they certainly do have an entrance exam and they don't offer everyone places.

However, in reality they do have a wider range than Brighton college who are super super selective and also weed out as they go along.

Shoreham college is non-selective and takes all abilities. They don't have the reputation that the others do academically but they do have a good reputation for being kinder on the lower ability kids.

Thank you both - our oldest is a boy so sadly Roedean and the Brighton Girls schools are out. He is not really a high average - perhaps just around average. We want somewhere that will really help him thrive and develop. We didn’t have any experience in Independent school exams before or we wouldn’t have even put him forward for BC.

How about Bedes?

I don't live anywhere near Brighton - but I wonder if Varndean School might be an option? I knew the head a very long time ago and he is a totally inspirational guy. But I'm really posting to flush out anyone with more recent and personal experience...

Varndean (state) School is good as is Dorothy Stringer but they are hugely popular and oversubscribed.

You need to live in catchment and then it works on a lottery system between the schools in catchment (I.e no point moving next door to the school).

Every year there are around 50 or so kids IN catchment who don't get either school and get offered something out of catchment (usually one of the less desirable schools.