When society magazine Tatler devotes a feature to 20 top schools, readers might expect to see names like Holland Park, Latymer and Dr Challoner’s.
Even the staff at Dorothy Stringer, in Brighton, were surprised to learn they were listed in the glossy magazine’s pages.
Tatler even name-checked a couple of local primaries in its round up of state secondary schools “giving the independents a run for their money”.
The mag said: “Brighton is full of phenomenally good primary schools (our moles particularly recommend Westdene, along with St Andrew’s in Hove) but good secondaries are thinner on the ground.
“So scope out Dorothy Stringer. It’s not only the ‘coolest’ but also the ‘best in town’, says our spy by the sea.
“There’s a liberal vibe to the place, which serves the highly desirable Preston Park area; uniform is fairly relaxed.
“This was once a specialist sports college, so facilities – including a swimming pool and extensive playing fields – are top notch and shared with local schools and sports teams.
“And how’s this for a trump card: Stringer has its very own outdoor adventure activities centre in Snowdonia, where further energy is expended on gorge-walking and canoeing.
“They also get around globally, via partnerships with schools as far afield as Cameroon and Ghana.
“Closer to home, there’s the annual ski trip – one mother told us ‘they strike the perfect balance between work and fun’.
“Pupils skip off to pastures new for sixth form (BHASVIC is a popular option), 73 per cent of them with at least five A* to C GCSEs in their pocket. Job done.
“Sussex insiders also speak highly of Warden Park in Cuckfield, Priory School in Lewes and Cardinal Newman Catholic School in Hove – ‘if you can get in’, that is.”
Honestly – could you as a supposed new site not critique this snobby and narrow / inaccurate view of Brighton schools?!!!! Would be better not to comment at all than write this
Indeed! Stringer has an absolutely horrificly bad approach to challenging bullying, well documented amongst many Brighton parents who have been disappointed by its attitude and lacl of action. And Cardinal Newman is a strictly catholic education, definitely not desired by a majority of mainstream parents. If you actually look beyond achievement to inclusiveness and pastoral care Blatchington Mill has won awards for anti bullying and LGBT policy and practice. It also has great school trips and overseas links!
How about patcham high, where just to get in to year 8 there is a 14 person waiting list. The school is extremely popular. You need to look at the transition process for year 7s I know Dorothy stringers is rubbish as my nephew goes there and is now in year 8.