NEARS Locality

At St. Peter's we are proud to be an active member and have formed particularly strong links with our local network of 9 'North East Area Rural School' (NEARS). 

Geographically located in the villages surrounding Haywards Heath, our schools are characterised by being small (one form entry or less) often with mixed year group classes.  Most, but not all, are Church of England schools within the Cuckfield deanery. Each school reflects the village in which it is situated in and has its own character whilst sharing a similar ethos and culture to the others in the group. 

As a group, the Headteachers have significant experience of working collaboratively and the staff and pupils have benefited from their partnership work.  Our locality links have enabled us to: provide pupils with a wide range of enrichment activities including access to a comprehensive able pupils programme; coordinate CPD including moderation and locality staff meetings; and share good practice through regular Headteacher, Chair of Governors, coordinator meetings and peer visits.

At times the NEARS locality have also worked in collaboration with the Haywards Heath network which includes the ‘Schools All Learning Together’ primary network (SALT) and both Oathall Community College and Warden Park Academy.  This group is committed to finding ways of strengthening collaboration in practical and purposeful ways whilst benefiting from mutual co-operation.