State secondary schools near/in Clifton

[valldoreix]

Hi there. I am re-locating to Clifton, Bristol at Easter this year. I am currently living in Spain where my 13 year old daughter has been brought up and educated until now. I've been trying to work out a) which state secondary would be best for artistic, performing arts and good at languages (but not at all academic) 13 year old; and b) how to apply mid year. It seems from what I can see that we have to move first and then apply. I am thinking of covering the waiting time with private tutoring to improve her English and then choosing Cotham followed by St Mary Redcliffe. Am I being wildly optimistic that she may get into one of these? Help!

[wincy]

Places are likely to come up at both schools occasionally, so worth trying! If you're going to be living in Clifton, I'd recommend Cotham over St Mary Redcliffe because she would be able to walk to school easily with other local children. St Mary's pupils come from all over Bristol and developing friendships may be more difficult.

[valldoreix]

Thanks very much. The school which is near but which I have read mixed reports about is Ashton Park; does anyone have any information of this one?
One thing (amongst others!) which I'm not sure about is, if we are given a place in a school at the other side of town which we don't like at all, would we be able to re-apply for September. For a transfer I mean.

[GotToBeInItToWinIt]

I've heard good things about Cotham (and a very close friend teaches there ).

[catslife]

Agree with PP that many other children in Clifton will go to Cotham school. Both Cotham and St Mary Redcliffe are likely to have waiting lists for places but spaces do come up sometimes. There are usually faith criteria for applying to St Mary's, I would recommend contacting the school to find out if these would apply for a mid year transfer and how this applies when moving from abroad.
Other schools you may wish to consider that are fairly close are Bristol Free School in Brentry and St Katharines in Pill (which is across Bristol suspension bridge). St Katharines is actually in North Somerset, but does take children from Bristol.
Once you have a Bristol address you apply using the in-year transfer form on the Bristol City Council website. You can list 3 schools (including ones in other LEAs). If none of your choices has a space they will offer you the school nearest to your home that has places available.
By the way how important is the languages aspect. Cotham school does have Spanish on the curriculum and this isn't offered at some schools.

[valldoreix]

Thanks. Having Spanish available is quite important in the sense that it would be one sure GCSE! The faith aspect of St Mary Redcliffe may be an issue and something I should look into as we aren't church goers and she isn't actually baptised. I imagine the same issue would apply with the Bristol Choir school. I'll check out Bristol Free School and St Katharines as well. Thanks!

[valldoreix]

Thanks. Having Spanish available is quite important in the sense that it would be one sure GCSE! The faith aspect of St Mary Redcliffe may be an issue and something I should look into as we aren't church goers and she isn't actually baptised. I imagine the same issue would apply with the Bristol Choir school. I'll check out Bristol Free School and St Katharines as well. Thanks!

[jo164]

It would be worth checking bristol cathedral school - church going is not necessary, but my recommendation would be Colston Girls. It is a language specialist school.and most definitely does Spanish,French, Russian, German and Italian last time I checked. Redland Green is also another good school near to Clifton. All are very popular but as you will be a mid year transfer you may get a place at one of them.

[catslife]

You can list 3 schools on the in-year transfer form. Try not to put 3 very oversubscribed schools, as this is more likely to mean that you will be offered another school further away. No faith criteria for Bristol Cathedral Choir school but this school (and Colston Girls) are likely to be oversubscribed and have a complicated lottery entry system. You do need to check you meet the entry criteria for any schools listed, otherwise you are just wasting a choice.
If your 13 year old will be 14 years old between now and the end of August, she will be in Y9 now and this means that she will be starting GCSEs in September. If she is 14 in September onwards she will be in Y8 now. The LEA should have information about the length of the waiting lists for local schools for different year groups. This may give you an idea of some realistic options.
Ashton Park is OK and my daughter does have friends who go there. The shortest route would be via the suspension bridge, as you need to cross the river to get there. I am not sure if there is public transport or a school bus that follows this route. There are however school buses to St Katharines.
Please pm me if you have any questions that you would rather not list on a public forum.

[catslife]

Attached is the link for in-year admissions for Bristol City Council www.bristol.gov.uk/page/children-and-young-people/year-admissions.
I have just realised that my previous post about is out of date, as the system has now changed. So you can list 3 Bristol schools and also apply to North Somerset directly if you are interested in St Katharines.

[jo164]

For in year admissions, you also apply directly to the schools for Bristol Cathedral School, Colston's Girls and St. Mary Redcliffe, rather than through Bristol City council. This means they will tell you directly if they have a place available in the correct year group.