State/public grammar school in the area

[Helga21]

Hi all,
I'm looking for an opinion/advice of those who have very academic kids and were puzzled at some point by the best option in Bristol/South Glos/North Somerset areas.
What i have researched so far is:

• there is no state grammar schools in Bristol:( - the closest ones are in south glos, Cheltenham area;
• the only schools in Bristol displaying an academic focus are Bristol grammar and QEH for boys.

There is no doubts that the last two schools are brilliant and we do keep them as an option but there are a few things which we feel uncomfortable about them - QEH is boys only and the most of BGS's old school teachers sadly have retired this year including the head teacher. We are ordinary working parents with no financial help from anywhere or grandparents around so we rely completely on ourselves, so hence the thoughts whether there are any alternatives , preferably free (state grammar) within 30mins drive from Bristol? If you have kids in junior/upper school in such schools, can you please share your choice and if you dont mind to explain why that was your chioce, I would much appreciate it. Also, if there are BGS parents here, would you mind to share your thoughts on the school's academic future/teaching standards please? Many thanks!

I don't really understand why you think grammar schools and independent schools are the best option for academic children to be honest. Actually I am very pleased that there are no grammar schools locally.
Academic children do attend Bristol comps, obtain excellent results and go to the "top" universities.

Bristol isn't renowned for provision of great state secondaries. There are some but very highly sought after (and therefore difficult to get into).

Have a 'google' - think closest grammars (which aren't close enough to commute to) would be in Salisbury, Gloucestershire or Devon?

'Public' in the UK (in relation to schooling) means private.

Thank you for your taking time expressing your opinions.
I don't really feel like explaining my choice on grammars as much as I appreciate others chioces.

Re "public" schools - thank you - I am aware the meaning of that:), hence my question as there are comps public schools as well as academically focussed:).
Having a few friends' kids in the comp public schools in Bristol, I dont feel they are the right schools for us but unfortunately i have no one in BGS or QEH so was hoping for some advices from the insiders:).

I don't really feel like explaining my choice on grammars as much as I appreciate others chioces.
But OP the point is that a state grammar school local to Bristol isn't really a choice that's available to you.
You didn't say in your post that you had even considered state comps but there is so much competition for the good ones that you cannot guarantee a place.

I believe Pates Grammar school in Cheltenham does take children from a very wide area (including Wiltshire so probably would also accept Bristol). But it would be the daily journey that would be the problem.

Thanks Missy, I do understand and accept the consequences thats why I was hoping that someone would suggest something closer that I might have overlooked. We might consider to re locate for the right school but it is not that easy as my DH works on our doorstep at the moment after commuting for 2 years 3hr one way 😰.

Catslife, I dont consider local state comps and I dont consider Bristol only as per my first topic:).

My nephew is moving from Pates to Redland High. He lived in Cheltenham but moved recently to Bristol and journey was just too much. He liked Redland and it’s apparently a very good school.

Thanks Cherry, much appreciated. I do actually have Pates on my top list but understand its a long journey from here even if we are in North Bristol but by the sound of it that would be our ideal school.

Mmmnn my SIL is in Clifton and the main reason to move is the journey and impact that is having on his ability to do extra curricula and socialise. He’s had to move to live with her husband, his father and the Bristol to Pates journey is just too much.
He’s a very bright lad so will do as well at Redland and can still have friends locally to where he’s living.

Thanks Cherry, yeah I do think about social aspect thats why we started looking at private options in Bristol. We have the only child so it makes it more difficult at some extend as with two and more moving the house would be only the option to save time commuting and money on private education.:)

I know of a couple children who travel from north Bristol to Pates and it’s a very long commute including train and taxi the other end. I certainly wouldn’t want to put my child through that

Thanks Rudi, will take it on board!