Hurst or Roedean

[PeachesVonBeach]

Dds are yr 5 & yr 3. Both at Prep school. I'm currently looking at Secondary options as their school doesn't have a Senior school. They're very close sisters and I'd like them to stay at the same school. They will be day girls not boarders. Both are sensitive. One is very academic and the other is incredibly creative. BC is out because of the pressure. DD1 would be fine academically but I'd worry about her MH. DD2 wouldn't suit somewhere like BC at all. BHG would be another possibility. Ardingly is too far. Any words of wisdom appreciated!

My DD is at Roedean and is incredibly happy. Fantastic nurturing environment, if you are looking for academic and creative then I’d say Roedean does both extremely well.

Thank you! That’s great to hear. I’m glad your daughter is happy 😊 The arts provision looks incredible. Do the girls make friends easily? We took our eldest out of State school in Y2 and it was a bit bumpy in Yr3 when we moved her.

The school facilitates friendships in year 7 by buddying everyone into pairs which then change at half term. They also (pre Covid) had residential trips in the first 2 weeks of the academic year to do some bonding in each year group. My DD was the only one from her school going to Roedean and she made friends quickly. The girls who joined in year 9 settled in quickly too. Theres lots of activities to join so they meet girls with similar interests at there too.

I have name changed specifically for this. My goddaughter in year 9 left Roedean for Hurst at Christmas. Bullied horrifically at Roedean and no support given. The perpetrators were apparently from families of influence and sadly the school decided to keep them happy and not cause a fuss. Different child after less than a term at Hurst.

What’s BC?

How does the experience of day pupils compare to that of boarders? DC1 boarded at a school that was half and half and day pupils missed out on quite a lot of extra curricular that took place in the evenings. Also the baorders tended to disappear to their dorms at break times and free periods which sometimes left day pupils at a loose end.

Might Christs Hospital be an option? They do have day pupils and allocate them a space in dorm - a desk and a bed - so for the time they are in school (and they can stay until quite late if they want to) they have the same opportunities as the boarders.

@GrazingSheep
BC Brighton College?

My experience of Roedean echos the bullying that a PP mentions.

Historically a lot of overseas super rich boarders but not so much now.

I'm not sure if they are struggling financially, they recently backed Moira House which folded and Deepdene which also went.

As day girls I would rather look at Brighton Girls, it's a lot more "real" and their friends would be local.

Don't know much about Hurst but I think it's just as pressured as BC.

Oh and I know Roedean is very focussed on their alumni and the family connections. Bursaries for the right kids etc.

They haven't offered much in way of bursary or scholarship this year which makes me think they might be struggling too. The governors go come under some scrutiny.

I’m sorry to hear that changed. I’m glad she’s happy and settled now at Hurst. But what a horrible experience to go though Thanks for sharing.

BC is Brighton College.

I’m surprised to hear Hurst is as pressured as Brighton College.

Christ’s Hospital is too far for us and we won’t want the girls to board.

I agree with pp in regards to bullying. I removed my daughter in year 10 and she is happily settled at Eastbourne College, with an outstanding pastoral department there. As for the school, we where bowled over by all their admissions department, rock pools and such other days before my daughter started. Oliver Blond was very good at saying all the correct things, however 3 years of quite a few staff changes and investing in Moira House and Deepdene left the school with little money reserves and some wealthy families certainly do get the better treatment.
I'd take a look at the Roedean governors reports on twitter linkdin to see how the school really appears to be going in the wrong direction.
I'm sorry i have no information on Hurst

Ohwiseone - gosh, I'm really sorry to hear this. I'm so sorry your daughter was bullied too. I'm glad she's happy at Eastbourne. That must feel like such a relief.

It's so hard to see past the marketing - private schools really do excel at putting their best feet forward. It's really helpful to hear of other people's experiences. My DD had a really awful time when she started school and has only really just settled, so I'm sad that we'll have to move her again. The unknown is so stressful!

My children started at Hurst this year - we moved to the area in the summer. They all absolutely adore it. Incredibly happy. Obviously I have no experience of other schools but Rodean was out for us as we wanted co-ed. BC and Ardingly were also on our list but we all went for a tour of Hurst and after that our eldest didn't even want to sit the assessments for any of the others! Lots of people come from Brighton/Hove also.

I think the next Open Day on 7th May.

If you have girls and don't want boarding what about Brighton High - a GDST school. There's also Lancing that takes day pupils.

Both my dds attend Roedean, have done since y7 - one currently in y13 and one in y11. Both day girls, neither have ever experienced bullying of any kind (or have their friends) and both have thrived. I am delighted with the school, it’s ethos and it’s care of the girls. Lots of friends at BC, Hurst etc but for us, it’s Roedean all the way. Take your girls on open days and let them make their own minds up..we gave ours the choice and in my view, they made the right one. Good luck!

What about Worth? You do not need to be Catholic and many of the students are not.

Thank you for all of the replies. Super, super helpful. It's looking like Hurst for us! 🤩

Have you considered Burgess Hill Girls? My DD is absolutely thriving there. Is not a "hot house" and yet academically, one of the top schools in Sussex.