Primary schools around south of Bristol/Bath

[louloubelle]

Hello. A very good friend of mine is leaving SW London in order for her husband to work in Bristol, somewhere near Temple Meads. They have a 2.7 y/o at nursery , and a 9mo, and were hoping/expecting to go the local church schools in our area (both active members of the church). They now need to relocate, with not much notice, and need to start looking asap for nursery/primary schools somewhere commutable to Bristol, preferably in a small market town or big but nice village to the south-ish of the city. Does anyone have any ideas/views on good schools, or any recommendations on websites that can help? Many thanks!

[Kittypickle]

From memory Backwell has a good primary & I think Congresbury. Weare (off A38 just past Cheddar) has a lovely playschool and a good first school, but has a rural catchment and probably not what she wants. My DD was going to go to East Brent First school (church school) which had a really lovely head who has moved to Cheddar First school. The first two fall under North Somerset and have the primary/secondary system, whilst the others come under Somerset which has the lower, middle, upper system. I think Axbridge and Wedmore are lovely and both have a good sense of community & good schools, but they are a fair way out and it depends on what their definition is of commutable. Also worth a look at Chew Magna and round there. Have a look at the Ofsted site for North Somerset & Somerset.

[Kittypickle]

And I'm afraid I have no idea about Bath.

[intergalacticwalrus]

Not sure about the schools outside Bath, but Newbridge School is a lovely school (hoping to send DS there in the future) and is on the Western outskirts of Bath (Towards Bristol) You could have a look at the Bath and North East Somerset website for more info about the local schools (BANES covers an area from just north of Bath and just south of Radstock) here is the webpage

[PeachyClair]

A lot of Somerset has the primary system actually kittypickle, DS1 was at reception there last year.

Congresbury is great and Star is gorgeous and to die for. Nearer though I believe Bradley Stoke has one good school (considered moving there last year).

Dh works in Bristol and says obv. Clifton, Severn Beach is nice, Keynsham worth a look, and definitely Sidcot- has a really nice Quaker private school (boys there should I win the Euro Lottery ) but a lovely area as well.

Most of the area is set up to commute into Bristol TBH, Dh went from bridgwater each day and now goes from Caerleon in Wales so the choices are many. Bristol schools generally shockinga ccording to local newws, but a nice area in the main.

[Kittypickle]

Sorry Peachyclair, I should have said that that a bit of Somerset has the 3 tier system - I forget it's actually a big area ! Sidcot was just up the road from where we lived and there were lots of mutterings of discontent about something that had gone on there, can't remember what now. I'm sure it's fine now but it did stop someone I know sending their children there.

I've just remembered Saltford is a nice little place outside Bath and if you look up the Ofsted report it's very good. Personally if I was to return to the area I think I would look to be between Bristol and Bath to get the best out of both of them, though I did love it where we were at the time. I like Wells as well. Best wishes to your friedn louloubelle, we had to move with hardly any notice the school year before DD was due to start school having filled in the forms in Somerset and having thought we were sorted.

[louloubelle]

Many thanks to those of you who have responded. I shall pass on all comments, and if anyone else has any suggestions please let me know!!

[Emelie]

there is a nursery right next to temple meads, and also there is st mary reclifee school, from infants to senior......... i use to liv ein bristol.

em xxx