Leaving Us

We are aware that we have barely started back at school and Year 6 parents are having to already think about Secondary schools and forms and visits etc.

And I need to warn Year 5 you need to start thinking soon also.

This can be a bit daunting if you have not had to do this before or if you are not from Brighton and don't really understand the system or the choices.

And don't even start on Whatsapp, Mumsnet and all the internet experts out there giving your their "expert" advice or views on education and schools which can then confuse matters even more.

With that in mind Mr Jordan is happy to host a meeting to just share a few important bits of information for you about the system, process and some advice also if needed. Click here if this is something you would be interested in attending after school and we will get something booked in asap. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=KmTye347xE6qpnl9014JDMruQ45hrYNPj6--sJaA13RUREVHQ05NSTc1QU0zTFc5SzVOUTdXV0ZWUC4u

Whilst Mr Jordan cannot tell you which school you should apply for or which school is best (of course the correct answer is Fairlight) he has completed the process with his own son.

Knows all of the schools.

Knows all of the Heads.

And has experience of children leaving Fairlight to attend every school in the local area for the last 16 years.

Of course you may have this all under control.

In which case you are one of the lucky ones!!!

Secondary schools will communicate information about Open Days and visits via their school websites.

We will post information sent to us below.

They sometimes send us some information however it can be found quicker direct from them.

For all information around Secondary applications in Brighton and Hove check here https://www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/children-and-learning/apply-school/important-dates-secondary-school-applications

AND WHAT DO THE CHILDREN HAVE TO SAY

I wanted to share the video with you, so that as we begin to work with your new year 6s about their transition to secondary school they can receive advice from their peers.

Year 6 children have told us last term that they find it really helpful to hear from older children as “they have been what we have been through.”

Link here to watch it here: https://youtu.be/7L4m7zdt0CM

“I should be saying thank you to you because I’ve had a lot of fun!” Participant.

“Thank you so much for your time this summer helping B with his anxiety. He found the course very helpful. He is going through a bit of a hard patch at the moment as it the start of the year for students. I definitely think he will find another course very beneficial. Thank you once again. Waiting to hear more details about it in the near future. “ Parent.

Closing date:

The closing date for applications to transfer to secondary school in September 2025 is the 31^st October 2024.

Application process:

We would encourage parents to read our guidance on the application process which is available on the council website: School application guides

New priority for Free School Meals

The council has introduced two a new admissions criteria for community schools in the city (Blatchington Mill, Hove Park, Dorothy Stringer, Varndean, Patcham or Longhill) which will give priority to children who are eligible for free school meals.

This will mean that if these schools are oversubscribed, pupils who are eligible for free school meals, live in the catchment area and who apply under this criteria will be given the highest priority for places (after Looked after children, pupils with exceptional circumstances and those with a sibling link).

Pupils who live outside the schools catchment area, are eligible for free school meals and apply under this criteria will be offered places next, but only up to a certain number of places. The number of places available at each school under the free school meals criteria will be determined by the average number of children getting free school meals in the city.

Parents do not need to provide evidence that their child is eligible for free school meals for this criteria as this information is already held by the council.

Any eligible pupils who are not offer a place under the free school meals criteria will also be considered under the criteria for other children.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the new criteria Free School Meals admission priority (brighton-hove.gov.uk)

We know that all schools in the city work hard to support our disadvantaged learners but this new criteria provides further options for those families to consider what would work best for their children.

How to apply

Online applications are open on the council website here: Apply for a school place

We recommend that parents apply online as this means they will receive an automatic confirmation of their application. It also means they will receive an offer email on national offer day.

If parents are unable to apply online they can apply by downloading an application form using this link: Download school application forms. The form should be returned to the school by the closing date.

When you get the decision:

Email offers in response to online applications will be made on national offer day which is 3 March 2025.

Offer letters in response to paper applications where the no email address has been provided will be posted first class on 3 March 2025 which means they will not be received until after national offer day.