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About East Sussex |
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The County of East Sussex extends from the boundary with Brighton and Hove Council to the west, beyond Crowborough to the north, and takes in the Cinque Ports of Hastings, Winchelsea and Rye to the east. The main coastal resorts in East Sussex are now Eastbourne and Hastings, while the smaller towns and villages inland help to make up the special character of The County. |
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Large parts of The County are designated areas of outstanding natural beauty - such as the South Downs and the High Weald. The Sussex Heritage Coast, stretching from Eastbourne to Seaford, includes Beachy Head and The Seven Sisters Country Park. |
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The County has a comprehensive road and rail network. Regular train services connect main towns with London, whilst the south coast rail route connects Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings and has a spur from Lewes to Seaford and Newhaven. The County’s road network includes trunk roads from London to Hastings and London to Eastbourne. Gatwick, Britain’s second major international airport is only 30 miles from Lewes. |
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Housing in East Sussex reflects the general level of costs in the South East, but is by no means as expensive as in areas closer to London. In parts of the County prices are such that the overall cost of moving to East Sussex from many other parts of the country ought not to deter people. |
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The County Council - the Learning County
East Sussex has gained a reputation as a forward-looking authority. Intensive efforts are now being made to improve the County’s prosperity, to create new employment, improve job prospects and give practical help to small firms and businesses.
Tourism and other service industries are a major feature of The County’s economy, and importance is attached to the development of links with mainland Europe to stimulate tourism, trade and commerce.
The County Council’s administrative headquarters are in the County town of Lewes and its functions include education, social services, the fire service, highways and transportation, planning - including recreation and conservation of the countryside - libraries, and trading standards.
Within the County are the Borough Councils of Eastbourne and Hastings and The District Councils of Lewes, Rother and Wealden.
To the east of the County we have established an EAZ (Education Action Zone) in the Hastings and St Leonards Area.
THE EDUCATION SERVICE
a) Schools
The County has 158 primary schools, 27 secondary schools and 11 special schools. Secondary education throughout the County is organised on comprehensive lines. There are sixth form colleges in Eastbourne and Bexhill and a tertiary college in Lewes. Elsewhere, sixth form provision is made within secondary schools covering the whole 11-19 age range. Several East Sussex secondary schools have achieved specialist status for example sports and technology colleges. We have a number of beacon schools covering primary (4), secondary (2) and special (1) who provide valuable support to other schools within East Sussex.
The contrasts within the County between areas of affluence and of marked social deprivation are reflected in the varying responses and arrangements in schools. The County has sought to encourage local initiative, the development of a wider range of teaching and learning styles, as well as a better response to the needs of less able and less motivated young people and those with special educational needs. The richness and variety of the environment in East Sussex provides particular opportunities for unique educational experiences.
b) Further Education Colleges/Universities
Within East Sussex there are four independent colleges of further education including an agricultural college. These have retained strong links with the LEA since being removed from LEA control. Links also exist with The University of Sussex, especially with the University’s School of Education, and The University of Brighton, which is one of the largest centres for initial teacher training in the country. We have recently established links wiTh Canterbury College as well as developing outreach work with FE providers from around The country eg Liverpool - John Moore University.
c) Budget
East Sussex has continued to develop the process of delegation to schools and ensuring That Government targets are met year on year.
d) Primary Education In East Sussex
Transfer to secondary comprehensive schools takes place at the age of 11+ throughout the County. Most of The 157 primary schools are junior mixed infants, but there are 1 4 infant schools and 11 junior schools which are situated for the most part in the larger towns. It is currently the County’s policy to admit all 4 year olds on a part-time basis from the beginning of The school year in which their 5th birthday falls, and full-time from The beginning of the term in which this birthday falls. Pupil teacher ratios are in line with the national average.
Primary schools have for several years now been experiencing growth. Although much of this is in new housing areas, there is now also growth in many of the more established centres of populations and an extensive programme of school development has been required. New schools have been built and extensions and improvements in both urban and rural areas undertaken recently.
e) Secondary Education In East Sussex
The budget provision for secondary schools in East Sussex has steadily improved over recent years. Expenditure on books and equipment is now above the average for shire counties. The LMS formula for staffing derives from a highly valued curriculum-led staffing model.
The County Council has emphasised the need to reduce the number of surplus places in schools and generally the accommodation is used intensively. There is population growth in East Sussex which is reflected in increasing numbers in schools. In recent years, the Education Committee has achieved some of the highest levels of capital spending in the country, and there have been major projects in a significant number of East Sussex secondary schools.
f) Curriculum Development
Over the last two years NNS and NLS has been successfully introduced into all our Primary Schools. There has been a comprehensive training programme to support schools in ensuring the implementation of these strategies. There has been a major development of CT within all our schools with NOF training being implemented successfully.
The introduction of The Key Stage 3 strategy is a major focus of our work in Secondary Schools.
The proximity of East Sussex to Europe has meant that this County Council and the Education Service has placed considerable emphasis on the development of close links with the European Community. This has been expressed in a variety of ways; exchanges in connection with Modern Language teaching and other areas of the curriculum are well developed.g) Special Educational Needs (Inclusion)
East Sussex has set inclusion targets to support the learning of all pupils in all schools with specific reference to groups of pupils such as gifted and talented, looked after children, children with special educational needs, children at risk of exclusion, traveller children and children from minority ethnic groups.
h) Administration of the Service
The LEA enjoys excellent relationships with its schools, based on a partnership that aims to promote a quality education service for all pupils and students in East Sussex. The Authority is committed to achieving further delegation of resources to schools at a pace which staff and governors feel is manageable, and will retain at the centre only Those resources needed to sustain those functions and services which through consultation are considered to be best managed centrally. The costs for central administration are among the lowest in the country.
i) School Improvement Service
The School Improvement Service In East Sussex is a strong team and makes a vital contribution to the development and support of education.
