The only local school in the village is the Church of England primary, on Hailsham Road.

Herstmonceux only has one school. For secondary education, pupils will have to travel to Hailsham, or other districts, such as Ringmer or Uckfield, where you may find the bus service is less than satisfactory. There is no train station in the village, rather stranding students, in their quest for learning.

There are schools and colleges in Eastbourne, Brighton and Hastings.

The village virtually comes to a standstill at school drop of and pick up times, with parents parking all along the A271. This is not a reflection on the school or their standards, just an observation as to infrastructure, which should be a primary concern in planning for sustainable housing.

ROUTINE CONGESTION - It's no joke. You can see how often this bit of the High Street is dug up from the repair patches. It's like an annual dodgems event. East Sussex County Council seems to have the devil of a time avoiding the most awkward times to run some more cables, sewerage or other pipes. But, why did transport planners not make provision for that before? Some say it is worse than living in London, traffic wise, but you are in the country, cut off from supermarkets and other stores. One possible solution is to lay concrete service pipes on parallel to either side of new-build roads, with regular interconnecting pipes. Maybe, where roadworks are regular occurrences, such as in Herstmonceux village, retrospective service ducts should be installed. Or, just stop building on either side of Gardner Street.

OFSTED REPORT 2017

- Senior leaders, together with all staff and governors, share a commitment to ensure that pupils develop as well-rounded individuals who have good attitudes to learning and achieve well.

- Pupils thrive in a happy, caring environment. Staff know all the pupils well and as a consequence, individuals’ personal, social, emotional and behavioural needs are supported very effectively.

- Pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development permeates all that the school does. Pupils are prepared well for life in modern Britain because all staff promote and demonstrate fundamental British values in all areas, across the school. Respect and tolerance are fostered very effectively through the school’s values and the subjects taught.

- The school has a calm, harmonious atmosphere. Pupils feel safe in school. They said that any bullying was very rare.

- They are confident to turn to staff should any problems arise and know that they will be listened to. Pupils understand that bullying can take different forms, including online bullying, and spoke knowledgeably about how to keep safe on the internet.

- Pupils enjoy their responsibilities and take them seriously. Play leaders and peer mediators, for example, explained in detail how they make a difference in the school.

- Pupils care about their school, their teachers and each other. All pupils who responded to Ofsted’s questionnaire agreed that the school encourages them to respect people from other backgrounds, and to treat everyone equally.

- There is a very strong learning culture in the school for staff and pupils.

- Teachers promote a positive ‘can do’ ethos, which helps pupils develop resilience and make good progress. Pupils are not afraid to make mistakes and learn from them. Pupils also develop as reflective and questioning learners.

- The curriculum provides pupils with a wealth of interesting and exciting learning opportunities.

- The curriculum is broad and balanced and planned well around interesting topics and themes. These capture the interest of pupils. The curriculum is enriched through visits and visitors to school that provide pupils with memorable and meaningful learning experiences.

- All groups of pupils learn well and make good progress from their starting points in reading, writing and mathematics.

- There is a rigorous process for assessing and tracking pupils’ progress.

- Leaders know precisely how well each pupil is doing, which enables them to identify any individuals who are falling behind so that extra help can be given.

- Staff have high expectations of pupils and provide good role models.

- All parents who responded to the questionnaire agreed that their children feel safe at school and are well looked after. Many also commented on how well the older and younger pupils learn and play together.

- Governors support and challenge leaders effectively and hold them to account for pupils’ outcomes. They have a clear knowledge of the school’s strengths and where improvements are needed.

Read the FULL REPORT.

CONTACTS

Herstmonceux Church of England Primary School
Hailsham Road, Herstmonceux, Hailsham, BN27 4LG

Tel. 01323 833148
Email. office@herstmonceux.e-sussex.sch.uk

JIMMY WATSON'S MAGIC DINOBOT - With help from his mother and father, a pupil from Herstmonceux in Sussex, builds a large animatronic insect that comes to life. In this story, he learned his design and programming skills at the Church of England Primary and Hailsham Community College schools. This original work of fiction, and the photograph above are Copyright © Jameson Hunter Ltd, 2016 & 2023. All rights reserved. The artwork and some robotic parts are to be on display at Herstmonceux Museum, from May 2023.

SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN EAST SUSSEX - A - Z INDEX

Ark Alexandra Academy - Beacon Academy - Bexhill High Academy - Blatchington Mill School - Brighton Aldridge Community Academy - Cardinal Newman Catholic School - Causeway School - Cavendish School - Chailey School - Claverham Community College - Dorothy Stringer School - The Eastbourne Academy - Gildredge House Free School - Hailsham Community College - Hastings Academy - Heathfield Community College - Hove Park School - King's Academy Ringmer - King's School - Longhill High School - Patcham High School - Peacehaven Community School - Portslade Aldridge Community Academy - Priory School - Ratton School - Robertsbridge Community College - Rye College St Catherine's College - The St Leonards Academy - St Richard's Catholic College - Seaford Head School - Seahaven Academy - Uckfield College - Uplands Academy - Varndean School - Willingdon Community School

COLLEGES IN EAST SUSSEX - A - Z INDEX

UNIVERSITIES - BRIGHTON & SUSSEX

Farming in Sussex, growing food for self-sufficiency and to feed livestock

LINKS & REFERENCE

https://www.herstmonceux.e-sussex.sch.uk/index.asp