Stoke Bishop and Elmlea Schools - 2 DSs 2 Schools - Logistic Nightmare

[nettiee]

I have recently moved to Stoke Bishop and DS1 (Yr2) has been given a place at Stoke Bishop and DS2 (Yr1) is at Elmlea. Also there are no places available at Stoke Bishop After School Club, so I have both DSs booked into Elmleas After School Club, which they love. While I am very grateful for being given a place at all with the current shortage of Primary School Places in Bristol, I now have the challenge of getting 2 children under 7 to 2 separate schools at the same time. I am also need to get DS1 From Stoke Bishop to the Elmlea ASC at 15.30. Is there anyone out there in the same postition who may be able to split the morning school run with me to help us both? Or has any suggestions about a reliable and safe way of getting DS1 to the afterschool club at Elmlea, as both my DH and I work full time in Bristol. PS We love Stoke Bishop, and have really enjoyed living here so far.

Sorry am I being dense why are they at two different schools, if you moved to Stoke Bishop, I take it there is not a place for the youngest one?

Must be different to where I am because they will usually have or make space for people who move into the area and are within the catchement of the school, but not the same demand for spaces here I suppose.

If you work full time how on earth do you get DS1 to afterschool club, taxi?

There was no after school club at my kids school so it really limited the jobs I could get until they were old enough to be alone for a bit.

HI Nettiee - really pleased your children have got places - albeit at different schools. Have you spoken to EASC about the problem? Maybe you could pay one of them to pick up ds1 on their way to the club? Alternatively maybe there is a childminder at Stoke Bishop who could just drop him off for you for some sort of payment? TA from Stoke Bishop who could drop him on the way home? I don't know any other parents with children at both who could help you I'm afraid. Good luck with the first day back!

Runoutofideas, It is lovely to hear from you again, I hope you and your DDs are well. Yes we are really happy DS1 has a place at Stoke Bishop and he is very happy there, as is DS2 at Elmlea, although it was a bit traumatic this morning as he cried all the way to school as DS1 was going to a different school. Playingwithbuses, DS2 got a place at Elmlea last term, but DS1 did not get a local place until this term (the nearest 6 schools were all oversubscribed for Yr1). We were really relieved as we had been educating him from home with a Tutor since June.
I took a days holiday today so that my DH could take DS2 and I could take DS1 and then collect him, however, if I use all my holiday taking them to school, I will not be able to spend any quality time with them in the holidays, and that is short enough as it is. So I think we will have to use the Breakfast club at Elmlea, which is not ideal, as we only need it for 20 minutes and the cost will build up, but it seems the only way to reduce the stress in the morning and make sure they both get to school on time. As DS1 has up to 20 kids ahead of him on the waiting list for the Stoke Bishop Afterschool club, we will have to plan for him remaining at ELASC. Also he really likes ELASC and after seeing how excited DS1 and DS2 were to be back together, I would hate to part them. Thank you for your idea about asking if any TAs would be interested in me paying them to take him, I will see if this is possible. If I knew any childminders who may be interested I would pursue is as well, but the ELASC Scout hut on Great Brockeridge, near Elmlea is a fair way from Stoke Bishop Primary, so I am not sure if anyone would be interested in this, I will try looking up the Council childminder list.

I was starting think about whether I was going to have to resign, but as it was my job that was transferred to Bristol, when my office in Somerset relocated here, and the mortgage still needs paying and I would have to pay back my relocation costs if I resign in the next year, this is not an option for us either. We had everything running smoothly in Somerset, we did not realise how difficult the school/afterschool issue would be when I accepted the job in Bristol. I just keep telling myself it will work out in the end as, apart from the school issues, we really like it here.

Nettiee, I'm afraid I don't have any advice for you but I'll give you my previous situation to make you feel better. 3 under 7, 2 at St Johns, 1 at Sea Mills, working FT, living on Reedley Road in Stoke Bishop Eventually after a year a place became free at St Johns for my DD. Can one go to breakfast club whilst you drop the other one off? Maybe you could find a Mum who lives locally to take from one school to another?

Hagridthehamster, Thanks for the advice, we did end up using the breakfast club at Elmlea, which did help things in the morning, but it was the afternoon that were the most difficult as there were no places available at the Stoke Bishop after school club. If I had known that children this side of the Downs got in to St Johns, I would have applied there as well as we live very close to you. However, for a logistic point of view, I am relieved to say both DSs are now at Elmlea. Although we really liked Stoke Bishop Primary School and were sad to leave it. The school had a great atmosphere and the Headteacher and teaching standards were great. My DS played sport after school 2 nights a week and he loved the way the school encouraged him to think for himself with interesting projects. The school made sure children of all abilities were taught at the right level and he made some lovely friends that he has kept in touch with. Saying that, he is also very happy at Elmlea, particularly to be back with his brother and its great for us all to be able to walk to school together in the morning having a chat. Also, most of the children who live on our street go to Elmlea and so he is now making friends with them aswell. Hopefully they will all be able to go to Senior School together, I am encouraged by what parents have said about the Bristol Free School so far.