Can anyone recommend primary schools in Bristol?

[Kazbaz]

I'm looking to move to Bristol and need to to find a good primary school for my 5yr old. I've got all the ofsted bumpf but would like to get some personal views if possible. I'm looking at the following areas; Westbury-on-trym, Sea Mills, Shirehampton but these are not definite. I'd be realy grateful for any views - positive or otherwise. Thanks

[marialuisa]

Not personal experience but views of friends there, they have moved recently to be in the catchment of a decent secondary as some of them are dire. Not much help on specifics, I think they're Clifton way now. It may be worth looking at secondaries and working backwards?

[WideWebWitch]

Kazbaz, we were thinking of moving back to Bristol recently (and may still end up there in a year or two) so I started this process. Ring Bristol City Council admissions on 0117 903 7688 and they'll send you a pack with info about all primary schools and application details. They can also tell you whether there are places at the school you're considering for the coming term. Tbh I came to the conclusion, having been to 2 schools there, that the only way to decide is to go and have a look around all those in your area (if you fit admission criteria), see what you think and take it from there. Sorry, don't know about schools in the areas you're asking about though.

[BearintheBigBlueHous]

Henleaze Infants & Junior School is supposed to be the best in the country. No really, so far as the most recent Ofsted league tables were concerned. Westbury Park JMI is supposed to be very good too. Don't know about any others - only these two which are nearest us, sorry - very happy to talk more you'd like.

[bubbly]

Kazbaz there's quite a lot of info on the Other subjects:bristol thread. Dont know how to post a link but you could try an search of previous threads. Good Luck. Around here the good ones are Bishop Road, Colstons primary, Sefton PArk, St Barnabas and Ashley Down Some very difficult to get into so check catchment. Good Luck

[Kazbaz]

thanks for the info - please let me know about any areas of Bristol except Clifton/Redland (too pricey) and St Paul's/Montpelier (lived there before and too much like the London I want to leave)- I'm sure where I move will depend on the schools in the end.

[bondgirl]

God, I spent months visiting primary schools in Bristol when we were going to move there.
The ones I liked best were: Colston's (really varied, inner-city primary with dynamic head in COTHAM) Sefton Park - smaller but really nice vibe, in St Andrews - Ashley Down - multicultural high achieving in North Bishopston - WEstubry Park - bit poncey, feels like a private school but really interesting and they learn languages from 7, Russian and German I think.Other ones other people have said are really good are southville, Hotwells, St John's in Clifton.
I don't know anything about SHirehampton or sea mills.

[BearintheBigBlueHous]

Kazbaz, areas that you might like include Cotham, St Andrews and Bishopston - the latter two boho chic either side of the Gloucester Road, but far enough away from St.P/M. Henleaze is nice but a bit suburban and prices have rocketed since the school did so well. There's all sorts of shenanigans going on about a new secondary school in north Bristol (currently planned for Redland) which would cover some of these areas, but the local politicians are contriving to bugger up the decision such that they may lose funding. Secondary education is a bitch - people move out of town (Thornbury to the north or Flax Bourton/Nailsea etc to the south) to avoid having to pay private fees (there are loads of good private secondaries) or send dd/ds to the less than adequate (read generally crap) state sector secondaries. The new school gives some hope, but like I said, it might never materialise.

We moved from London 10 years ago now and love it here.

HTH

[Kazbaz]

Thanks for the info everyone - am off down to Bristol this week to do more research so may come back to you with more questions next week

[mjhen]

I live in Henleaze,in the catchment area for Henleaze school. No chance of getting in there unless you live inside the school grounds I think! Horfield C of E is near and is getting the traditional Henleaze kids. Watch this space for future results I think.

My son goes to Our lady of the Rosary school. It is consistently placed top 3 in the Bristol tables. We are catholic so in my parish its St Bons (very close to Bishop rd school that someone told you about) or OLR. OLR is just a delightfull little school (1 class only in each year) and it has frequently beaten Henleaze in the tables. It was rated quite highly in this years Times top state school list too. I didnt like the feel of St.Bons so our decision was made.

From Shirehampton or Seamills your travel time to school would be almost zero - it takes me 11 mins from Henleaze by car.

Catholic schools take non catholics too (10 - 15%).