Where to live in/around Bristol?

[Singaporeslings]

We’re moving back to the UK after living abroad for 10 years. We want to be in or around Bristol (up to 30/45mins out). And we’re not tied to an area for work or family so it’s a bit like sticking a pin in the map!
Our priority is finding the right school for our DD going into Y10 (who is not happy about the move). She has high functioning autism and ADHD and does well in mainstream school but is average academically and needs support. We’re open to a non-selective private school but ideally would like to find a really nice state school that would be able to support her.
We’d be renting for a couple of years and looking at 3-bd up to max £2.5k pcm.
We were in Scotland before going abroad and don’t know the Bristol area or surrounds at all so hoping to learn more from any advice shared here and narrow our search.

You could move this to the secondary education section. You need to start with schools, moving a dc into year 10 with SEN is a challenge in itself - forget about the renting bit. Is she in an international school at the moment? Are you familiar with the cost of a private day school? Do you understand the state system by which the local authority has to provide a space in any school, it may not be the one of your choosing? Do you understand selecting GCSEs and then A levels?

Have you looked at Sidcot School? It's a lovely private school which has fantastic support for SEND. A couple of friends have sent their kids there and loved it. Otherwise Wells is also a great school which specialises in performing arts.
Living wise, I would recommend either the villages in Chew Valley or else Congresbury/ Yatton/ Burrington depending on budget. It's a beautiful part of the world.

Good idea to post on different topic - will def do that.
It’s certainly a challenge moving her at this stage but we don’t have any options. Which is why finding a school is top priority before we decide on anything else.
She’s never been in UK schooling as we’ve always been overseas so she’s been in UK curriculum international schools. So DH thinks maybe a private school will be a softer landing but I’m more on state school side.
I mentioned the renting bit because I know for state school we’d have to be in a catchment so that may give us more flexibility. Except that for many schools you need to have an address before council will allocate a place so it’s catch-22!

What is your budget and how many bedrooms do you need? Bristol and Bath are among the most expensive areas outside London.
(I live in Keynsham, between the 2 cities).

We’re planning on renting for at least a year first while everything settles and we get orientated to being back in UK and the area. We’d need 3-bedrooms and rent around £2.6k.

Is your daughter already in year 10, or going into year 10 next September? I would go for a private school with good SEN provision. A state school may be overwhelming and they are often struggling with SEN needs. You may find it takes ages to get assessed and you will be rapidly approaching GCSEs.

The catchment won’t matter if the schools are full in year 10. You need to find a state school with a space in year 10 which is why you need some local knowledge re demand for places in Bristol secondary schools. You would do better to budget for private for 2 years to get her through GCSEs and hit the phones to the admissions teams next week to find out the process, the private schools will have an entry process which will include a reference from her current school.

For those SEN needs you should look at Clifton college or Sidcot - both will be used to supporting students coming in from overseas and supporting SEN. Both are private. The housing within reach of Sidcot will be a lot cheaper but obviously much more of a rural area and intake. If you’d prefer to be in a city then I’d lean more towards Clifton college.

I’m biased as I’ve lived in both but would come to Bath if I was you . Great selection of schools state and private with good support and there isn’t really a bad one . It’s smaller/cosier , prettier , easier to get around and you will get a house in that budget in a nice enough area..