Any advice on these Bristol schools: St Mary Redcliffe, St Barnabas, St. Werburgh's, Ashley Down

[dizilizi]

Hi all,
I have just moved to Bristol from China and am trying to sort out a house and a school for my four year old. I have looked at quite a view and they all seem fine to me :/. I like Hillcrest the best, I think - but I'm not 100% about the area, although I know Totterdown and Windmill Hill are supposed to be quite arty and nice. I prefer Ashley Hill/St. Werburgh's area.
Anyway - does anyone have kids at St. Mary Redcliffe, St. Barnabas, or St. Werburgh's? Are they happy And are you happy with the level or education and the behaviour?
Also - what's the deal with Ashley Down - I've visited the site at Brunel Field. Is this a separate school from Ashley Down Infants/Juniors? What's happening to the schools on the old site? They didn't make it very clear during my visit.
Thanks!
PS I know waiting lists are very long and I'm really late in making my application... but that's the way it is. I'm prepared to wait for a place in the right school!

AShley down primary is a split site school. Brunel fields is under the same headship as the primary- it is an outstanding school. Took on the expansion site (Brunel fields) and it seems to be working-currently have reception and yr1....expanding to yr 2soon.Ashley Down Infants separate still from Ashley Down Primary although they are merging soon. Brunel Site will stay as it is. The catchment is tight- but worth fighting for.
St.Mary Redcliffe (secondary)- we love and is proving to be fab for our daughter and I hope the next one of mine to go up!
Message me if you wish to know more!

Agree that Hillcrest is an excellent school and I do know of a few children with Chinese ethnicity that go there but it is very oversubscribed and has very long waiting list. There are 2 St Mary Redcliffe schools primary and secondary. The secondary school has been recently rated "Outstanding" by OFSTED but the primary school has a less good reputation - having just come out of special measures. This may mean they are more likely to have places available though. Do have some friends who send their children to these primary schools and they are happy and doing well.
All the schools you have listed are oversubscribed and Bristol city council are now processing late applications - so you do need to make a decision on where to move to very soon.
Totterdown is actually a nice area to live and was a bit :( that you seemed unsure about it so that was why I haven't posted earlier.

Hi I live near all the above schools Hillcrest, st mary redcliffe, all the following schools in or around totterdown or near st johns lane are over subscribed they all have waiting lists. St mary Redcliffe, Victoria Park, Parson Street, Hillcrest. If you move to this area BS3 Totterdown/Bedminster you will most likely to be offered a school either in Knowle West (not good) or at South Street Primary (bit of a trek). Windmill Hill is in Bedminster I grew up on the hill it is very nice and community spirited. And the big park is great for kids its undergoing major improvements to equipment for younger children (victoria Park)

My boys go to St Barnabas, and we love it. Ofsted rate it good with outstanding features, it gets excellent sats (especially considering many of the children come from non english speaking backgrounds) and it's a really friendly school. It's got a lovely field and is really diverse. I just asked my boys what they like. 6yo says 'i have fun every play time'. 8yo says 'the school trips are really good' so there you go. perfectly rounded children.

Curiously, I was chatting to a lady a couple of months ago who has just moved to bristol from China, but with a 6yo.

Good luck with your application! (I also know people with kids at St Werburghs, and both Ashley Down sites, and I think they are broadly happy with them too - I think Bristol schools have come on a lot in the last few years.)

I have a friend who teaches at St Mary Redcliffe Primary. She is extremely positive about the way it has changed in the last two years. The head is really pushing for further improvement from a 'Good' rating to 'Outstanding' now. I would be very happy for my kids to have a teacher like my friend. She's great.