SA girl moving to Bristol from the Middle East. Need help please

[RikiB0210]

Hi there ladies
Hubby has been offered a job in Bristol City Centre. We've been in the Middle East for the last 7 years and my girls have been educated in British Curriculum at a private school. Now we are relocating to Bristol and we are anxious to find a good school for the girls. Just a few questions please? In state schools does academic achievement make difference to admissions? How hard is it to get into the better quality government schools? Could I for example arrive in England at the end of July and then sort a place for the girls? Or is that far too late? My husband should be able to start his job 31st July but we could potentially get to the UK earlier like 20th June. I don't know how this all works because we've never lived in the UK before. Any advice appreciated!!

How old are the girls, and do you know where you will be living?

Academic ability is not generally taken into consideration in allocating places in state schools - getting a place depends on whether places are available (most of the schools with good reputations are constantly full), and then on where you live in relation to the school as most admissions are based on catchment area/distance from school. A couple of good schools in Bristol do not have catchment areas (Bristol Cathedral school and Colston's Girls) but they are also extremely popular.

I would advise moving over as soon as possible (June) so that you have an address from which to apply as soon as possible. If you arrive at the end of July it will probably be difficult to find places as all the schools are closed. You will most likely have to go onto a waiting list for the most popular schools, and can't be guaranteed to get a place at one you like starting in September.

If you are religious (Catholic or Church of England) that may give you priority in applying to some schools.

Is private schooling an option if you can't get a state school place? Bristol has a lot of good private schools, with average fees of around £12-13,000 a year for secondary school.

How old are your girls? If they are both under 11 years old in September then you will need to apply for a primary school, if they are older than this secondary school.
Before you can apply for a state school place you need an address in Bristol.
Agree that July would be too late, as all the schools would be on holiday so it would be difficult to arrange places for September.
The main criteria for admissions is your address i.e. how far away you live from the schools. Bristol city council would be able to provide you with information about which schools have places in your daughter's age group.
All state schools should be able to cater for the full range of academic ability.