Advice wanted from parents who live in Bristol

[flowers1]

DH and I have a baby daughter. We live in south Bristol in an area we like, but have found that all the schools in the locality are awful - some of the worst in the country. The secondary schools in particular are bad, with terrible exam results and lots of problems; I understand that some of them have such problems with drugs and violence that they have community policemen in the school permanently.

We have reservations about sending our DD to a school like this, but are not sure what to do. Are there any good state schools in Bristol? Are there any parts of Bristol that are affordable to live in near good state schools? What do other parents in Bristol think of the education their children are receiving?

Would be grateful for any information or advice that others are willing to share. Thanks

[detoxdiva]

We live just South of Bristol - Chew Valley school has a good reputation, but the houses in the catchment area can be expensive - depends on what you want to spend. Good reports about the village primary schools too.

[penelopecruz]

hi I don't live in Bristol any more BUT - Bishopston/Cotham/Redland in north Bristol are near good secondaries AND have good primaries. There are lots of good primaries in south bristol, southville is one and there are lots of good village schools around the Mendips if you don't mind the tweeness. Also slightly more northerly are hotwells and cliftonwood which both have brilliant primaries. But Bristol does have the most kids going to private school in the country, and at any primary there is a mass exodus at 7 as they start prep school. Best of luck

[Boysboysboys]

HI, we live in Bristol, I think the primary schools aren't too bad, our local one just got an outstanding ofsted report. The secondary schools have been bad but are improving, so we are hoping that by the time our DC go they will be OK. My sister is a secondary school teacher and she is planning to send her DCs to Fairfield, so they can't all be that bad!

[MonkeyBear]

We're in NW Bristol (actually South Glos) and there are lots of reasonably good schools here, both primary and secondary. House prices not too bad here (relatively speaking!) either.

We will find out in the next few days which school DS1 will be going to in September. We have a number of primary schools near us to choose from and all seemed fine to us.

I've read lots of glowing Offsted reports about Bristol primary schools in the Evening Post recently - can't think of any names off the top of my head, but could find out for you if you're interested.

[MonkeyBear]

NE Bristol not NW! I always was rubbish at directions...

[Boysboysboys]

Victoria Park primary recently had an outstanding ofsted report.