Advice re primary schools needed please!!

[chimptowers]

Hello,
I'm very excited to be moving back to Bristol from Nottingham at Christmas (been up here for 3 years and it's just not the same as Bristol!). We have two children, aged 1 and 2. We have our hearts set on living in Abbots Leigh but have queries about local primary schools. Does anyone know whether any children from Abbots Leigh go to school at Christchurch school in Clifton?

According to 'RM School Finder' website they do (it states that 18% of pupils are from that area) but I don't know if that's accurate. How would I find out whether children from Abbots Leigh stand any chance of going to school in Clifton? What are the criteria that they use for the schools? My concern is that although Abbots Leigh has a BS8 postcode, it's in North Somerset rather than Bristol in terms of the councils so would this automatically exclude Abbots Leigh children from a Bristol school?

The closest school is Crockerne in Pill but as both my husband and I will be working in Clifton, we don't really want to travel out to Pill and then back to Clifton. Plus, if I'm honest, the school is better too!

Not sure where to start with finding out. I guess perhaps I should phone the local authority and see what they say. I know that they will say that the school is oversubscribed and they can't guarantee anything but I just want as much info as possible at this stage before we buy a house.

Any info or advice very gratefully received! Thanks!

Hi, in 2013 the "furthest distance" a child at Christchurch lived from the school was 0.49 km , so basically 500. Metres. So you wouldn't be very likely to get a place there living in abbots Leigh.

If you look on council website it gives all admissions criteria under the primary admissions section, education part of website. They also have a "furthest distance" table which will tell you the info you need. You will need to look at same for north somerset. You can also ring them. Abbots Leigh is very well placed for private schools but not for state schools.

Also, don't let estate agent tell you that children in the house or street that you are looking at go to a particular school and that means you would get in, they may have a place at that school because they moved since they started, have siblings priority or the furthest distance may have been less. Furthest distances at most good bristol schools have shrunk significantly recently. Christ church is very sort after and over subscribed.

Crockerne people got into from 4.91. Miles away, it isn't a vastly popular school

Thanks very much. That's really helpful. Yes, I've now found the info on the Bristol LEA website and see that we can rule out all the good Bristol schools I think!
Now looking at the North Somerset ones. Wraxall used to be 'outstanding' but I see it is now classed as needing improvement.
It's a shame Abbots Leigh no longer has its own primary school. Perhaps I'll set one up!?
Thanks for your help.

Abbots Leigh is one of the most expensive places in the city to live so tends to attract people with a private school leaning, with there being a lot of great private schools just ten minutes away.

I think wraxall is voluntary aided so a religious requirement, if memory serves.

Yes, you're right, I've just been looking at the criteria on the North Somerset website and Wraxall does have religious requirement and it's one of their criteria when dealing with over subscription.

Flax bourton looks like a possibility.

I think we are leaning towards private school for secondary education but would rather go for state primary if we can. It's a shame that there isn't a need for a primary in Abbots Leigh but I guess that's down to the leaning towards private education from people living there. For us, it's the perfect location (apart from the lack of school!) as we can have a semi rural life while being very close to the city. We want to make on offer on a house but want to have a plan re schools that we are happy with before proceeding. Thanks again.