St Augustine of Canterbury Primary - Downend

[BambinoBoo]

Any mums here with DCs at this school? I read the Ofsted and it is good but grateful for any views from parents who use the school. Many thanks.

Not used it myself but I know parents whose children go there and they are very happy with it.

It was our 3rd choice for DS purely because it was the furthest away from us and when we got a place there, one parent at the nursery practically cried to DH when we said he got in but we would be turning the place down in favour of the school down the road (walking distance etc) as she was desperate for her child to go there..felt quite bad about that actually!

It is very popular so that speaks volumes really

Many thanks PussinJimmyChoos That's pretty good that you got a place at your 3rd choice - or did you not get your 1st or 2nd? I'm assuming the mum at your DC's nursery made it 1st choice and didn't get a place. Do you mind me asking if you/she are Catholic?

It does sound promising as we were looking at Bishopston as a place to live because of St Bons but I know that the schools there are so oversubscribed, plus it's way over our budget anyway and we'd have been mortgaged up the ying yang. Also, a MNetter said that it's real yummy mummy territory which put me off.

Do you know if kids from Emerson's Green go to St Augustine's or must you be in Downend? Sorry for all the questions. Thanks again

Ahh we are actually in the Bristol catchment area, but close to South Glouc border so we applied for schools in both areas so St Augustines was our 3rd choice overall but first choice for the South Glouc application, hence getting it iyswim?

If you look on the admissions website, you can see what area St Augustines take their catchment area from as I'm not sure about them taking children from Emersons Green

We are not Catholic - not sure about the mum from the nursery. Don't think the mums I know that do have DC there are Catholic either...more likely C of E

Any ideas as to where you want to live other than Bishopston?

Many thanks PussinJimmyChoos We are living in Filton at the moment and whilst the housing is affordable, the schools are pretty bad. We are Catholic so I am hoping that will raise our chances of getting into St Augustines if we moved that way - which I hope we will as it's close to work too. I looked at the website and it seems that Catholic children in the Parish are priority after children in care and SEN. If they are taking CofE then it's probably almost guranteed! Although Emerson's Green wasn't mentioned so it might be a risk living there.

Bishopston is a no go now, I have finally put my sensible head on, so it could be Emerson's Green (near the Sainsburys) which is a bit of a trot to St Augustines and possibly out of Parish, or most likely actual Downend - I quite liked parts of Badminton Road and the Bromley Heath area. I was told by people at work that Downend was a sh*t hole, but I thought it was absolutely fine. Very much like anywhere in Bristol - or London for that matter - a mixture of lovely and not so lovely.