pastures new

vch - Just wondering if you went on Saturday and what did you think? Thanks

srisky - Great idea! I've already spoken to the business manager (of the school) a few times and I dont see your suggestion being a problem. Watch this space!

Thanks everyone for adding to this thread and for your time and thoughts. Foxhelp and Mens - you both make some really good points. What do you think I could do as a white mum to make make it less complex for my son? We already have books with people from different places and cultures and watch some childrens programmes about other countries / places / people. I make food from around the world - not that he yet realises that! Intexasatthe moment - You make a great point about the parent/s being happy and secure. As much as I love ED, my life has significantly changed.. I do not access all of the things I used to (resturants/bars/museums/theatre/music gigs, etc) and work my socks off to pay 5 childminders to look after my son and have done so since he was 3 months old. I also work 4 nights so others put my son to bed too. Whilst in Sussex over the summer for 5 weeks my sons speech improved significantly, his bed time routine became relaxed and easy, he was much happier and loved being at nursery 2 x mornings a week. Now we're back in London and I'm back at work he has become angry - he hits a lot now - and his bedtime routine has become problematic again. If I move to Sussex I can afford to take a year out of work and be there for him whilst he's at this tender age, plus I'd be able to put him into nursery, which is not something I can afford to do here. I know job opportunities are not great down there and I cannot continue doing what I currently do as it's media work, but I'd happily get a job in a school or somewhere that would allow me to work around the school timetable. And finally, the lower salary wouldnt be a massive problem as I'd probably not have a mortgage. Canela - Brighton is great, I know it well, but we will not be going there. A little further along the coast to Eastbourne. Thanks for the info about Mosaic - I'll give them a call. And if / when you do head south please get in touch, will be lovely to meet some peeps from back home :) Srisky - I know what you mean - I spoke to a mate who grew up and still lives in Hastings and even now he still gets asked by the older generation "if he is down for the day from London" and find it hard to believe that he actually grew up there, even when he names all his schools. However the people his own age are fine. I do think you make a good point about the school, which is why I've chosen this specific primary school, they embrace cultural diversity and have an International school award. I really love your idea of asking the non white parents how they find it. Not sure how to contact them, other than stand outside the school again and ask them as they are coming out / going in... Bornagain - I understand what you mean about the visibility factor.. Hence the reason for starting this post. I dont want my son to feel different. But at what cost... I have to rent out a room just to stay in ED and i'd rather not downsize and live in an area of SE London that I'm not that keen on / doesnt have great schools just for him to blend in. Is that selfish? I'm not sure he'd thank me for it later on? Nowhere is perfect and all we do is try our best for our little ones. Thanks so much for everyones feedback and if you have any further thoughts please do add to the thread.

Thank you midivydale, I appreciate your message. It's such a hard decision and all I want is the best for my son. Fingers crossed I will get a few positive replies.

I'm planning on leaving ED for several reasons... Primarily to improve the quality of life for my little one. To live on the coast in Sussex Upgrade to a house with a large / massive garden - From a 2 bed Victorian garden flat Be near the family Live in a very child friendly area with loads to offer for a wide range of ages Good schools nearby with the option to pay for private ed - something I cant afford in ED A couple of old mates are still there and have got in contact with a couple of school mates too - so not completely on my own. I've lived here for 18 years and will be sad to go... The two things that I keep wrangling over... Is it easy to get used to somewhere else that isn't particularly culturally diverse? And my biggest concern... Racism. I've done my best to research the town and it's more diverse than I thought but still very white. I've read all the ofsted reports and have chosen the school that most welcomes cultural diversity. I've even stood outside the school twice to check out the parents / kids. I've used Mumsnet and Netmums to find mums of different heritages or with kids of mixed heritages - there are a few but not many. What I cant research is how my little one will find the move and how my little one will feel about it. My child is mixed race and only 2 years old - I cannot make a mistake. Has anyone with mixed race kids moved out of ED and into Kent/Surrey/Sussex etc and if so how have your children found it? I appreciate you may not want to reply on an open forum. I've created another alias just to write this post. Feel free to PM me. I'd really love to hear your experiences. Thank you in advance.