primaries admissions 2011

[CHST]

Did anyone see the article in Monday's evening post about the amount of school places needed by 2015? I read it online and underneath was a comment about someone who knows someone who applied for Henleaze this year but told that 96 siblings alone are applying for the 90 places so 90 siblings will get a place, 6 not and none for anyone else? How would they know such a thing? I am so scared of not getting anything this year though am not applying for Henleaze. This is really scary!

This is the link to the article here www.thisisbristol.co.uk/news/3-000-places-needed-city-s-primary-schools/article-3326047-detail/article.html.
Yes it is true that there is a shortage of school places in North Bristol and this is because of an increasing birth rate and more families moving into the area. But the comment on the number of applications for a particular school may not be correct - this information for September 2011 is confidential and should not have been given to parents.
As a guideline I would say allow for 50% of school places to be allocated to siblings. (this figure comes from 10 years of experience working with school governors).
Also I would urge all parents to fill out this years Census form as the Council uses this information to help plan future school places.

Hi CHST,
I was out with some Henleaze mums last night who seemed to think that that number must be exaggerated - although they did say there seemed to be loads of children due to start this year, so maybe it will be worse than usual.
Don't panic though. I've just counted up the siblings I know for the school you are after and I only got to 10! I appreciate I don't know everyone, but there are only 4 in dd1's class, whereas there are 16 in her class with older siblings. There are no doubt more in the juniors who I don't know, but I would have thought a 2 school year gap in probably the most common? There just doesn't seem to be hundreds of 3-4 year olds at pick up time....who knows?!
In my opinion, the sibling rule shouldn't count if you have moved further away from the school than you were living when you initially applied. It would stop people from renting for 6 months just to get the first one in.....

thanks for that! I agree that the 2-3 year gap seems to be the most common! Fingers crossed! Sibling rule can be annoying...maybe they should have a cut off point for that.

Well I had a good look out for you today and saw about 5 that I hadn't counted. Honestly, I don't think there will be loads of siblings this year!

I agree with the sibling rule in general as clearly it is not practical to be in two or more places at once, however when people are clearly "playing the system", by moving into an area temporarily, I think there should be something in place to stop that happening.

aww thanks so much, I am feeling a bit better about it x

.... and the whole situation won't be helped by the prospect of 130 extra kids having to be found places if the city council and Dept of Ed go ahead and evict displace the children currently attending the old St Ursula's school in Westbury Park at the end of this summer term.

An epetition has been set up to show support for the current pupils to try to influence the council in their key meetings next Tuesday and Thursday.

I'm sure you can imagine the trauma and uncertainty this whole process has caused for families with children currently at the school.

If you could take a minute to sign the epetition at save2011.epetitions.net/ it would be hugely appreciated.