Bristol and Surrounds - Secondary Schools

[OzMuffin]

A newbie here!

Although it is a few years away (my son currently in Year 2), we are starting to think about what secondary school he will go to. He currently attends an independent primary school which has been wonderful for him. Ideally, we would like him to go to an independent school but they all seem very expensive and out of our budget at the moment. We are tossing up between finding a slightly more affordable independent school a little way out of Bristol, or a really good state secondary school in a reasonably affordable/nice area in Bristol. Could anyone give any information or recommendations of secondary schools in or just outside Bristol? TIA..

The "reasonably affordable" area question really depends on what your budget would be TBH but you could look at Keynsham for Wellsway secondary school. Another good school in BANES is Chew Valley secondary school. The North Somerset schools: Backwell, Gordano could also be possible.
There are some Bristol schools that don't have catchment areas. If you are church attenders (not necessarily C of E) then St Mary Redcliffe requires regular church attendance for 3 years before applying. There is also St Bedes if you are Catholic. The "lottery" schools Bristol Cathedral BCCS and John Cabot (South Glos) ake pupils by random lottery allocation across a wide area.
I would also start looking at whether your ds would qualify for a bursary for an independent school.

Thanks very much for the information CatsLife!

I will have a look at the ones you mention. Do Wellsway and Chew Valley have good reputations?

We would be happy with a faith school, as our current school is Christian. Don't think we would quite qualify for 3 years regular attendance though.

Will definitely look into the bursary possibility as well. I guess the student needs to be excelling at one or more subjects to qualify?

Bursaries depend on the parents income and assets. It's scholarships that link to either academic (or sport or musical) performance.

I can't think of any independent schools outside of Bristol that would be cheaper.
Catslife has summed up the state schools well depending on where you live Redland green may also be an option. Clevedon is also a good secondary state school

I don't know much about chew valley but Wellsway has a good reputation and as a consiquence a small catchment, you do really need to be living in Keynsham to attend there. That said I know it isn't for everyone, I know people in Keynsham who have chosen Bath schools over Wellsway as they didn't feel it would suit their DC.
Bursarys are usually awarded based on financial need and not academic/sporting/musical excellence, so whilst your DS would need to pass the entrance exams and any other entrance criteria they wouldn't necessarily need to be scholarship material in any particular subject. You can usually apply for a scholarship as well but these are often token 5/10 per cent off fees.

Gordano School in Portishead is a state school with a good reputation, again check out the catchment as it isn't huge.

Thank you all very much!

Broadlands near Keynsham too. Seems to be more popular than Wellsway at the moment.

My daughter has just finished Y7 at Chew Valley. I love the school. It's never right at the top of the tables for results but it has been consistently good for decades, plus an outstanding Sixth Form. The old headmaster retired last year and we have a new Head who came from Clevedon (Gordano?)
My dd has enjoyed a lot of drama this year, which has furthered her love of English even more. There's a strong emphasis on music and sport. Her progress academically has been fantastic this year.

It's a quiet, rural school. Most children get buses into school or go by car. Students from Chew Stoke or Chew Magna can walk.

Chew Valley often play Wellsway at sporting events. Wellsway mostly win! Lol.

Clevedon and gordano are two different secondary schools.
Gordano is in Portishead.
They are about 15-20 minutes drive from eachother.

Thank you so much everyone!