Primary school advice please

[queenofdenial2009]

I live in the Bristol area, but in a different school catchment area. I'm in a difficult situation of domestic abuse and might have to move to Bristol with myself and DD (4) at short notice.

If I do, she will lose her place at our very good local school and I'll have to get her a place in Bristol. I've spoken with the council and they have told me they have only got places left at Upper Horfield and Avon in Avonmouth, but I could go on waiting lists.

Anyone know what these schools are like? The fact that they're not oversubscribed like the schools I'd prefer makes me wonder what it would be like for her.

Also, I was hoping to live in BS6/7/8 nearer to family and friends and a sensible commute to work, but it would be difficult if she was going to either of these schools.

Grateful for any advice or opinions.

Have heard that in BS7 (horfield) since the schools are so oversubscribed, they are building a new one called 'Brunel' It will take the over flow from Sefton Park/Ashley Down.

But give Bristol City Council a ring...

BS6/7/8 all have good schools but I don't know anything about the two schools you mentioned. Have you looked up school league tables and Ofsted reports to give you an idea?

Would it be possible to keep her in the school she's already in for a while until a place becomes available in Bristol, or is it too far away?

Horfied is a good school, many of my friends are very happy with their dcs there - I am not sure if that is the same as Upper Horfield.

I think Horfield used to have a bit of a reputation but seems to be shining now. Some parents still seem a little upset that their DCs didn't get into Westbury or Henleaze, but from what I understand there is ?a new headteacher who is really great. My friend who is a really sensible lovely mum has a sensitive dd who is thriving there.
Where are you going to be living roughly?
Where is your work (ish). could help with letting you know good place to live.

Thank you all for getting back to me so quickly, it's made me feel so much better and less alone.

My big issue is that I don't know how my partner will react when I tell him it's over for good this time. If he's halfway reasonable (unlikely) he'll agree to move out and DD and I can stay here while we sell the house and she can go to the local school with her friends and stay with her childminder.

However, if he flips I'll have to leave sharpish (have already packed my emergency bags) and either buy some time with friends he doesn't know well enough or go to a refuge. I'm finding it very tricky.

I've looked at the Ofsted reports and Upper Horfield (which is in B7)was in special measures but seems to have turned it around. MovingOut - you're comments seem to back that up which makes me feel so much better. I work in town near James Barton/Bear Garden.

Although I've worked in Bristol for the last five years I don't know the areas that well and where's nice and where is, er, not so nice.

Broadly speaking....

BS8 is Clifton - very posh!

BS6 is Redland - also very nice and quite pricey area although not as expensive as Clifton

BS7 - ST Andrews/Bishopston very nice, less expensive again, lots of families, lovely park, slightly more bohemian/mixed feel than Clifton/Redland

BS7 - Horfield - cheaper again, less smart, generally smaller houses than the other areas mentioned, but still fine - not what I'd call "dodgy"!

Just looked to check Queen, sorry, I am talking about Horfield Primary, I think the one you are talking about is near Filton. Have no idea bout that one.

What about moving to BS9 - Henleaze - its great but a bit pricey in some bits bt not others. Agree with idunnop - BS68 are v pricey and would be a right slog to get to the school you ar talking about. BS7 would be easier.

I would even consider switching schools after reception, if you're not happy, you can put your dds name on the list for many schools nearer to where you want. Ashley Down, Bishop Road and Sefton Park all have outstanding, I think.

I am leaving my area in Jan - you never know, you may get to be top of the list!

Thanks to all those who helped me with this. I've now left my partner much to my relief and am looking for a place to live in Bristol.

I was looking at the catchment area (or area of local priority as the council like to call it) for Bishop Road, because my niece goes there. But my sister reckoned it's such a massively oversubscribed school there's no point and that they're also quite pushy with the kids. She suggested trying Colston Primary which is supposed to be really good (although their most recent Ofsted report was only satisfactory).

This would mean living in Cotham which would be a dream for me in terms of getting her to school and getting to work. But it is really expensive and I'd ideally like a flat with some outside space and they're hardly seem to be any.

I've spoken to a few people about Upper Horfield and told to avoid it as much as possible. The advice I've had is to move to the catchment area of the school I want and then apply for a place.

Any thoughts on what I should do - or does anyone know someone with a flat/house to rent near a reasonable primary?

Bishop road has now got four reception classes, Ashley down is good (just got outstanding), I'd be surprised if Cotham had a place.

horfield and upper horfield are two different schools.

Personally I wouldn't touch upper horfield with a bargepole. But am basing that on a few years ago.

The main problem is that there was huge oversubscription in pretty much all the achools in mid/north bristol (Henleaze. Bishop Road/ Sefton Park, etc.) which was only sorted when Bishop Road and Sefton Park agreeds to take an extra class each. As a result, I doubt very much that there are places in any of these schools at the moment. Its just a bad year, as Bishop Road for example, isn't usually oversubscribed. Anecdotally (i.e. may not be true) places come up in Colstons more often as the catchemtn is has more transient people (lfats for rent, visiting lecturers, etc)

Your best bet is to ring all the schools you are interested in and see what their waiting lists are like. I think the nearer you are to a school, then the higher up the list you go in on, so if you're going to rent somewhere, make sure its next door to the school!

Colston's supposed to be ok, it has a much more deprived intake than Bishop's Road I think. Have you thought about living in Montpelier rather than Cotham? Might be a bit cheaper and still close to work.

I would also look at St. Werburgh's if I were you - think it's supposed to be a bit cheaper than Cotham and Montpelier, and but also nice and family-friendly. I've also heard good things about St. Werburgh's primary.

St Michael's on the Hill is supposed to be good.

Thanks Bristol Mumsnetters, that's a big help. My sister also said that places come up at Colston because of the more transient population because of the university and hospitals. Part of the reason I was keen for DD to go to Bishop's Road is because her cousin goes her. I thought it might make it a little less scary for her then. I had to tell her this morning that her Dad and I have split up which was hard.

My friend's boy goes to Ashley Down and it sounds really good. I'll also have a look at St Werburghs. Phoning the schools and asking about their waiting lists is a great piece of advice. I'll do that.

What area do you work in? Are most of your friends in Cotham/Horfield?

Only asking because Southville Schools are good and it is a lovely community round there.

This is a really interesting topic and everyone's come up with some useful info. I've got a related query: we're currently renting a house in Redland and, unless we move fast (we've been here so much longer than we'd intended to be already), we're going to have to sign up my son for the nearest primary school (Westbury Park). It's a great school but I'm worried we'll end up moving too far away from here for him to take up the place he'll probably get (we live spitting distance away from the school).

We're thinking of moving to Cotham, so the school would be Colstons. What's the situation with getting places at (oversubscribed) schools and then having to move? Presumably most schools won't have any spaces free mid-year. Does that mean you just have to hold out until something becomes available and continue at a school that's further away?

And what about the actual applications process? Presumably there's no point taking anything other than your nearest school as your first choice school if you want to secure a place - i.e. would it be stupid to apply for, say, Colstons in the hope we'd find a house in Cotham one day? Would I really only safely get a place at my nearest school?

I live in the BS7 area. Does anyone know good primary schools with SEN provision?

Avoid Bishop Road like the plague - the head teacher stood up in a room full of her colleagues and said that children were not her number one priority, she won't be approached in the playground and has made it quite clear that she intensely dislikes the parents. She has also surrounded herself over time with only people that support her. There is also a slight gang culture with some of the older girls there unless that has improved recently. The parents are also all very cliquey and bitch about each other like there is no tomorrow. There are also current widespread rumours of backhanders and corruption to certain members of staff that have appeared in the national press. Your choice, of course....

I was wondering what people think about Bishop Road these days. Have just read redferret's comments which confirm everything I have ever heard. Mrs Powe was described to me as "the most unpleasant woman I have ever met".
Her attitude to parents is appalling. Ex-staff say that she refers to the parents as "the enemy" and that she says the children are far too cocky for their own good. She dislikes all the parents even the few that pretend to like her. She has a well known reputation as a bully, as does the deputy. Apparently she didn't even talk to parents at this week's Christmas shows. (Does she have something to hide? A dodgy bonus perhaps as we hear from the press?)
It may well be at the top of the league tables but it always has been - how about looking at the value added?
Anyone with kids needing SEN provision don't even consider it. There is a very strong emphasis on SATs results and a very narrow curriculum. It has gone down the pan and has lost all the vibrancy it was well known for. IT IS SO SAD.

As a Bishop Rd parent this is what I think:

Yes, no doubt, relationships between senior management and staff are very frosty at the moment. The taking on of the extra reception class was very contentious (I supported it as parent who had been left out in the cold, and know the misery of no local school place for my kid). But lots of parents were very upset about it though.

It is a big school with over 700 kids, and so generalisations about the parents aren't really fair apart from to say Bishopston is a middle class area with lots of engaged/stroppy/interested parents.

The teachers I think are good. Very dedicated. There are lots of male teachers. My eldest has just moved on to secondary and was very well prepared.My other two kids are both doing well and enjoying school.

Yes, the curriculum in year 6 pre Sats is a narrow. But generally though the kids do get lots of opportunities to do things: they learn French, have a proper science room,a dance studio, do cooking, have outside people coming in to teach PE, Ukele,to all the kids.

Let's be honest. With the school places situation in North Bristol as it is, it is Hobson's choice. For all it's faults, there are good things too about Bishop Rd.

Sorry mistake above.

I meant to say above relationships between senior mangagement AND PARENTS above, not senior management and staff.

Hi all
We're moving to Iron Acton/ BS37 soon. Any advice on local primaries/competition for places etc. Thanks so much in advance.

Townmouse395 - I would suggest you re-post your enquiry, as this is a zombie thread from 2009.

Thanks jennymac31. Was my first post. Seemed like a logical place for it. Will try somewhere else.