St Ursula's to re-open in Sept - great opportunity!

[Jaq13]

Just wanted to spread the good news that St Ursula's school in Wesbuty WILL be re-opening in September.

A charity called Oasis will be taking over the running of the school and Bristol City Council will be buying the site.

The fab part is that after one more year of running as an independent fee paying school it will become a non-fee paying Academy.

People are arguing for it to remain an all-through school for age 4-16. It will be a central government decision as to what type of Academy it will become. The decision will be based on demonstrating the need for primary and secondary education in the area.

Oasis are guaranteeing that even if it DOES end up as a primary Academy they will provide 3 more years secondary ed for children already at the school to enable them to complete their GCSEs.

Once it becomes an academy the admissions process will be catchment-based and there's likely to be v high demand. SO, if you're unhappy with your local primary / secondary schools it's seriously worth thinking about taking up a place this year.

For more info check out www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisisbristol.co.uk%2Fnews%2FSt-Ursula-s-school-Oasis-reopening%2Farticle-2577159-detail%2Farticle.html&h=8fc36

good news!

Definitely!

We live in North Central Bristol and been through the nightmare of primary school admissions this year.

For the last few years there has been a consistent undersupply of school places in Bristol and I can't even begin to imagine the stress of going through all this again when DS moves to secondary school, so the possibility of access to a good, all-through school sounds v appealling.

I just wanted to wish all current St Ursula's parents and pupils well for the coming school year. The uncertainty must have been very difficult to deal with and I really hope this sorts itself out for you. I also hope that St U's is ultimately turned into ideally a secondary academy, or all through - primary only would be a shame I think...

Where did you hear admission will be catchment based? Sort of flies in the face of new government policy for schools to be selective and not based on locality.

Hi ilovemydog

Bristol City Council want it run as a 'community school' so that means a catchment.

People living locally are, understandably, keen on the idea.

For others like us, who live a little further away, this one year of fee-paying status gives an opportunity to get into the school that just won't be there next year unless you live on the doorstep.

At the moment it is unclear what type of academy it will be primary or all-through. Secondary provision is only guaranteed for children currently in year 9 onwards so they can finish their GCSEs. Choice of GCSE subjects may be limited e.g. no languages.

Probably would be a good bet for primary aged children though considering the lack of provision in the area.

If you are facebook you can join the Oasis Westbury group and look up the minutes of the parents meeting where this information is from.