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Original poster

HELP, struggling in bristol.

16 replies

lmswalton · 17/11/2011 15:49

Hi, sorry for the melodramatic post title but that really is what i feel like i am doing. I'm struggling on two counts, and thought this would be a good forum to get some help and advice with both.
I have three sproglets, 4,7,and 9 and we have just moved to bristol.The nine yr old has started school at Colstons primary which he loves. The younger two have not been placed in any of our chosen schools and have been offered places at glenfrome which we are hugely reluctant to accept. I don't drive, can't figure out the logistical knightmare of being in two places at once and really dont want my kids at seperate schools. So we are appealing but so far any dealings with the admissions board feels like wading through sludge. If anyone has any helpful this leaves advice regading this that would be great. So consequently i have two children at home who are miserable because they miss school, i am miserable because i feel like i am letting them down, - bit rubbish at the home schooling, depressed and finding having no time to myself hard. So they are miserable with no friends and i am miserable with no friends. Am in the process of signing home to bristol home ed forum and whilst i have looked for stuff going on with in the school day it all seems to be baby and toddler based. whilst i could convince my youngest to go to playgroup i dont think its very fair on the 7 yr old. Help. Please.

OP posts:
JeanBodel · 17/11/2011 15:55

Ok, sorry to hear you are feeling so low.

This is no doubt a stupid suggestion, but I presume you've tried to get the younger ones in to Colstons but haven't been able to do so? Is your plan to HE until places come up there?

Bristol is a great place to home educate, there's a lot going on. I have to say that it would be harder to meet up with groups without a car, though. Where do you live exactly?

Original poster
lmswalton · 17/11/2011 16:03

yes, that is the plan but my sanity is wavering and waiting for a place at colstons may go on indefinatly. We are in montpelier.

OP posts:
JeanBodel · 17/11/2011 16:10

Ok, well that's pretty central. The Bristol Home Ed forum is a good place to start. I know they were meeting in St Werburgh's, Easton, these sorts of places, which you should be able to get to without too much trouble, even if you have to get a taxi (still cheaper than the fees for Colstons!).

Do you go into Bristol much? There's a lot to do for primary aged children. The museum is free. Then there's the ice rink, the Aquarium, several good theatres that have regular productions for children...Do you think you might feel better if you tried to get out somewhere every day?

Original poster
lmswalton · 17/11/2011 16:26

Colston's primary is state! no fees, but also cannot afford to be entertaining them with holiday type activities. We are trying to do lots of exploring, city farms museums etc, every park that bristol has to offer, but my youngest is
(understandably given recent move and upheaval) being a grot bag and plays up to the fact that i cant pick her up when kicking and screaming in the middle of the road and sometimes makes such excursions a nightmare. She desperatly needs to be focusing that negative energy into new friendships and doing stuff with other kids.

OP posts:
JeanBodel · 17/11/2011 16:45

Oh, sorry, lms, obviously I was thinking of, er, Colstons School.

Nickoka · 17/11/2011 16:55

Hang on in there. Colstons will have a reasonable turnover of kids because quite a few of the parents work in hospitals and move to new posts. It is completely mad to expect you to get over to Glenfrome and back. Hope something might work out in the next few weeks for you.

Have you got your seven your old in cubs/brownies, swimming lessons in the meantime?

RitaMorgan · 17/11/2011 16:59

Colstons is pretty oversubscribed though isn't it? Do you know what place you're on in the waiting list? I suspect you'll have to compromise on school places for KS1.

Original poster
lmswalton · 17/11/2011 17:50

we are first on the waiting list for reception place and fourth for y2. cubs or scouts sounds like a good plan. will investigate.
I know googling colstons gets really confusing, too many of them!

OP posts:
Scoundrel · 17/11/2011 17:56

Have you tried calling Sefton Park/Brunel Field? They're close to Montpelier (admittedly in the other direction from Colstons) but they are both good schools, perhaps they could take all three?

Original poster
lmswalton · 17/11/2011 18:04

The only place that can take all three is glenfrome sefton park, colstons and ashley down were my initial choices, but one of the things that has made me so cross is that they didnt, -in fact no, refused to tell me this until my eldest had already started colstons! He is settled and happy and i'm not pulling him from a school i want my kids to go to to send him to one i don't. It just seems farsical, the whole system. We live here so can my kids just go to school here please. HEAD-BRICK WALL.

OP posts:
crazymum53 · 18/11/2011 08:41

Try contacting the Bristol branch of Education Otherwise www.bristolhomeeducation.org.uk/contact.php as they run groups for parents who are home educating. There is a shortage of school places for KS1 in Bristol and even parents who applied on time are in a position where they haven't been allocated their first choice school and are either having to travel or home-ed. But this means that home-education is growing and you should be able to find other parents who are doing this too and are able to support you.

QueenofWhatever · 18/11/2011 18:41

Feel free to disregard my advice, but I would definitely put the two younger ones in at Glenfrome. Yes, a logistic nightmare but I think it will help all of you. Do you have a partner or some one who cold take the older one to Colston's.

I was in the same situation when I moved to Bristol a couple of years ago and my daughter who is now at Ashley Down could only get a place at Upper Horfield. I was working and not driving and it was really hard work.

Places do come up, especially at Colston's because of the hospital and university turnover. If you're new to Bristol, we have a Facebook group and try to meet up every now and then. PM me your real life name if you want me to add you.

whimsicalname · 18/11/2011 20:44

I would second QoW's advice. Glenfrome is really on the up at the moment, and has some lovely parents, some of whom live in Montpelier.

Alternatively, have you looked at St Barnabas. It's a super school (although I'm possibly biased...) It's in Montpelier, so even tho you would still have the 2 different venues, at least one would be close.

PosiesOfPoinsettia · 22/11/2011 10:30

children leave my dss school all of the time, SS Peter and Paul in Redland.

Hey I'm one of your FB friends and am a stone's throw away.

You could get the train to Clifton from Mont to get dcs to school!

ChrissyQ · 22/02/2012 22:02

Hi there What did you decide in the end? Just curious as I am a parent of a 7 year old and 5 year old. We like it and it's really on it's way up and we have a new head and about to have a rebuild there's great grounds and fun activities mine are very happy

ChrissyQ · 22/02/2012 22:03

I'm referring to Glenfrome by the way

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