Best primary schools in Brighton and East Sussex
East Sussex has some fantastic primary schools, village schools and larger primaries in more urban areas. Many of the village schools are your traditional Church of England, well-established small primaries serving one or two villages. Although most no longer require you to be a churchgoer a few do remain, so it is important to do your homework and check any requirements. For instance, you may live on the edge of catchment but your dedication to the Church may push you to the top of the list. It is also worth noting which schools feed into your chosen secondary school and, if you are moving to a new area, take into account the catchment areas of both primary and secondary schools.
For more information about primary school admissions take a look at our guide, read the East Sussex council’s admissions rules and double check the individual admissions policy of each school on the school’s own website. Brighton and Hove, as a separate local authority, has its own school admissions system.
Primary schools in Brighton and Hove
One of the most oversubscribed choices in Hove is West Hove Infant School. At year 2 the children head off to a variety of junior and primary schools, all in the catchment of the excellent secondary schools in the area.
Downs Infant School and Downs Junior School are among the most popular primary options in Brighton, feeding directly into both Varndean and Dorothy Stringer secondary schools. There are plenty of other good schools and most families are successful with their first or second choice, unless they decide to go out of catchment.
Primary schools near Eastbourne
Gildredge House School offers all-through education to 16+. It is oversubscribed but if you are lucky enough to secure a place in reception you avoid the stress of a year 7 transfer. Willingdon Primary School is known for its strong relationships with parents and the local community. Polegate Primary School, located just north of Eastbourne, is described by parents as friendly and inclusive. Both options feed into Willingdon Community School.
Primary schools near Hastings
There are many highly regarded primary schools in the Hastings area. In Hastings itself both Ark Blacklands Primary Academy and Ark Little Ridge Primary Academy, are oversubscribed primary schools. North of Hastings, near Battle, you have Netherfield Church of England Primary School which performs above average in all areas of learning at key stage 2. To the west, in Bexhill-on-Sea, both St Peter and St Paul Church of England Primary School and Little Common have pretty generous catchment areas. Note that for St Peter and St Paul Church of England Primary School, priority is given to regulars at one of the churches named in the admissions criteria.
Primary schools near Lewes
Just north of Lewes, in the beautiful village of Barcombe, Barcombe Church of England Primary School draws plenty of young families to the village and area, along with Newick Church of England, just that little bit further north. Both schools are the largest feeders into the oversubscribed and top performing secondary, Chailey School.
Primary schools near Crowborough
Although Crowborough itself might not have the strongest options, parents sing the praises of Parkside Community Primary School and Nursery in Heathfield, as well as Burwash Church of England Primary in Etchingham.
State primary schools for children with special educational needs in Brighton and East Sussex
All mainstream state primary schools in East Sussex should cater for children with special educational needs, although some are stronger at this than others. Some even have their own specialist support units within a mainstream environment.
In Hailsham, Grovelands Community Primary has a specialist autism unit called The Dell.
Carden Primary school in Brighton has a speech and language centre and Denton Community Primary School and Nursery near Newhaven has a facility for eight pupils with an EHCP for autism.
Ark Little Ridge Primary Academy in Hastings has a speech and language unit for pupils with an EHCP and All Saints Church of England Primary in Bexhill has a superb unit called The Rainbow Rooms catering for 12 pupils with autism.
Downs View in Brighton is a state maintained special school for both boys and girls from 3 to 18, with its own sixth form college. Their aim is to meet the learning needs of pupils with profound and multiple, severe and moderate learning difficulties.
Torfield School is a special primary school in Hastings providing a supportive environment for young children with a range of special educational needs, in particular autism and moderate learning difficulties.
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