Chantry School

And don't forget the posh new loos, amazing productions staged by pupils, and the chance for all young musical talent to flourish.

Chantry School in Barrack Road has 223 pupils from age 4-11 with a staff of 10 teachers plus head and deputy head, and a team of 13 support staff including teaching assistants and admin.

Head teacher Christine Dickens said: "This is a small friendly school where we get to know all the children and families well. We have an exciting curriculum that challenges and supports children. We focus on the basic skills of reading, writing and maths, and as much as possible we link literacy to other subjects to give purpose to our reading.

"We have a very exciting music curriculum with the support of the East Sussex music service. The children learn the recorder and either the trumpet or the clarinet."

She is proud of the school's record of pupil participation in musical productions with years 1 and 2, 3 and 4, and 5 and 6, taking turns to entertain and impress staff and families alike.

A recent success was the performance of Olivia, which was a version of Oliver but about a little girl.

"It was just fantastic - absolutely fantastic. What the children produce is awe-inspiring."

A recent addition to the school is the refurbished toilet block but also the newly built Rainbow Room which arrived during the summer for special needs children, to provide a private and quiet place for one-to-one teaching or working together in small groups.

Physical activity is considered an important part of the curriculum, and Activate is an energetic session for 15 minutes at the beginning of each day after registration and for five minutes following afternoon registration. Pupils also enjoy Brain Gym, which are exercises to challenge body and mind at the same time, and improve coordination.

Christine has made open communication a priority at Chantry and said: "Another thing we do for parents is to have regular coffee mornings every six or seven weeks when we invite them to come into school. Our wonderful cook makes flapjacks and cakes for them and we all sit down and answer their questions about the school and services - there is opportunity for parents to ask questions."

"We do really get to know our parents which I think is so important to know where a child is coming from and their emotional needs as well as their educational needs."