Primary schools - has your child got a place? Part two of our look at Hove's school system.

Getting into primary school in Hove is a great worry for parents with young children.  There are simply not enough spaces for pupils in primary schools in Hove. So many families have moved into the area tempted by reasonable house prices, a family friendly atmosphere and ironically, good schools, that the education system can’t cope.

For families living south of George Street and New Church Road there are very few options available with a distinct lack of schools in the area.

The council are trying to deal with the problem by setting up a new school in the Connaught Centre, the recently closed adult education centre. A decision is due to be made anytime soon but the school will not open immediately if the deal goes ahead.

They have also created a new ‘infant’ school on the site of Benfield Junior School, in Portslade offering over 60 places in temporary classrooms.  None of the pupils assigned to the new ‘school’ had chosen the school as it was only announced long after the admission forms were submitted. Some parents have appealed as they are unhappy at such a hurried solution and are concerned that the school is not even in Hove.

Even so, with schools such as West Hove Infants, Goldstone Primary, and church-aided St Andrew’s  all oversubscribed, it is clear that the council needs to act soon to resolve the issue. The council rejected 34 appeals from parents hoping to get their children into a Hove primary of their choice.

Some of those parents have opted to send their children to private schools such as The Fold or Deepdene School  in New Church Road but many others will not be able to afford this option or want to.

Does your child go to a primary school in Hove? Are you happy with the school? Or are you worried about getting a place for your child in the future? Let me know what you think?