Bristol Secondary schools-Help!!

[StessedPot]

Hello Mumsnet,

I hoped to ask for some advice regarding secondary schools. I am looking at secondary schools for son. We live in Horfield, and unfortunately are not in a catchment area for a decent secondary school. Our closest is Orchard which we do not want and then Fairfield which doesn't have much going for it (we weren't impressed with the open evening). An option would be Cathedral but the chances are very small. We did visit St Katherine which did seem pretty nice. Can anyone give some advice on that school and perhaps any other schools in Somerset that have either a school bus or decent public transport links?

Waiting anxiously...

Thank you in advance.

My suggestions would be having a look at Bristol Free School and Marlwood which is in south Glos. I think school buses go from horfield/henleaze.

Can you move?

I wouldn't completely discount Orchard if your child is level 5 or above at primary as their results show better progress than Marlwood - have you visited it? They welcome walk-ins. Alternatively the Bristol Free School is ok but still relatively new and has unqualified teachers and Marlwood is not necessarily deserving of the reputation it still holds. Ultimately the child fits the school so visit all that you can, some offer mornings where your son could shadow an existing pupil. Good Luck!