Primary School Admissions nightmare - are you fuming too?

[Jaq13]

Hi

We've just heard back on the school place allocated to us for our DS for this Sept and are not happy - I was hoping for at least our 3rd preference!

From the info provided on just how oversubscribed the local schools were it's looking like there may be around 150 families in the same situation in North / Central Bristol.

This happened last year too and after some strenuous lobbying and campaigning by the families affected additional classes were created at some of the local schools.

Are you in the same boat?? We'll have more chance of getting our voices heard if we act together and learn from the experiences of those mums who went through this last year.

So, whether you'd like to get involved for this year or have any helpful advice from previous years it'd be great to hear from you,

Many thanks

Jaq

Where are you in Bristol if you don't mind me asking?

Worth emailing Clare Campion-Smith (exec councillor for education) no point asking your local councillor as they will have everyone in your area lobbying them and there is nothing they can do.

Us too, but in South Bristol.

Got none of our choices. Also we rent our house and the landlord has put it on the market so not even sure where we will be come September.

Does anyone know if the waiting list form is to be filled in, in order of preference? Or, is it just that you can choose 3 schools to be on the list for equally IYSWIM?

Its making where we choose to live very complicated.

Hi Bratnav

we're in Montpelier / St Andrews so in between lots of good local schools but obviously so are lots of other families!

Might be worth contacting these people as they were in the same position last year?

Holy cow Jaq.....which school did you get?

Mine are at SS peter and paul, brilliant school. We got in because they had places mid term. However four siblings did not get in and so I'm quite worried that dd won't wither in 2011. We're not Catholic!

Be prepared for some places to appear through some children going private or refusing their place for other reasons.

Thanks bratnav - excellent lead - i've already had some replies from people willing to get involved this year.

Posieparker - we've been allocated to Cabot Primary - from talking with friends it seems anyone in the Bishopston / St Andrews / Montpelier area who has fallen between the catchment areas of the local schools has either been allocated Cabot in St Pauls or Baddock Wood (?) in Southmead - not our preferred options!

Jaq, are you part of the group that is offering the parenting course on 26th?

Hi Bratnav, no, i've booked a place on the course - it looks good - phoning them recently to check it's still going ahead they mentioned that they need one or two more people to book for it to be a viable group and go ahead. So, i thought it worth posting it in case anyone else was interested. Hopefully they'll get their bookings

Ah I see, cool, thanks

re Cabot, far away and a terrible school

My understanding is that once places are accepted this Friday being the deadline, then schools will know where the places are. Second round is in March, I think?

Anyone know the status of the new primary school that is supposed to be built on the Cricket Ground? Last I heard is that there were objections, but can't remember the details.

Hi ilovemydogandmrobama, the new school was going smoothly - due to be 30 places only though, and bishop road have declined to manage it so they're now looking at ashley down and entering a 6 week communications period. BUT, talking to one of the local councillors recently about the schools situation in general he mentioned that it may now not be ready at all til Sept so i wouldn't advise anyone relying on it

I've heard the new Ashley Down will now not be built in time for September 2010. A few other people I know have also been given Cabot; I think if enough of a mix of people start going and take an interest in the school it can be better than you expect. If nothing else, Cabot is probably the best on safeguarding issues now.

What is the problem with Cabot? It's a while off being an issue for me but it is our nearest primary.

There's nothing wrong with Cabot.

I have to admit that I based it on the Ofsted report and the league table results, which are undeniably very poor, but I will concede that they don't tell the whole story.

I'll have a look at the Ofsted report. I know there's quite a big intake from the somali community and wondered if people object to it on those grounds?

Ninjacat - do you have a child at Cabot?

I think a significant Somali community works in your favour, especially first and second generation. The parents are oftn very committed to their children having access to good education, especially girls. I find I have more in common with the Indian and Somali parents at DD's school than the British.

I think a lot of people object to Cabots becuase of the negative press. I actually think that because of the negative reputation, the staff will work harder. You can still stay on waiting lists for your preferred schools and in reception, it's very much play based. It also gives them a very good grounding in life for the differences in people and cultures, which they just won't get at a yummy mummy approved school.

Yeah I have no problem with it being culturally mixed - it reflects the neighbourhood! But I realise most of the schools people like are majority white.

It seems from the Ofsted report that it gets mostly satisfactory and good ratings, and is an improving school. I think the atmosphere and pastoral care is far more important at primary anyway. Attainment in the sats etc is low, but given most of the children's starting points (English as a second language, above average rates of sen) that's not suprising!

I saw a reference to "an incident" that gained national attention in June 2008, but not what it was - does anyone know? I don't remember anything at the time.

Thanks

St Barnabas is the neighbouring school to Cabot, and has a very similar intake, with lots of BME kids from St Pauls and a very small white contingent. I don't know about Cabot, but St B is smashing. I have one boy there, and am thrilled the other one is starting next year. Possibly I'm biased, but it seems a lovely school.

thanks whimsicalname, how old is your boy now (how long has he been at St B?) one thing i had heard that made me wary of the school was from a friend of a friend who taught there who left because of the constant behavioural issues she had to deal with. have you had any concerns over this or any feedback from other parents? many thanks for the info.

Hi Jaq
He's been there since Sept last year. I don't know how long ago your friend taught there, but it was in special measures a few years ago. The head they got in has, apparently, really turned it round, and now its Ofsted (if that's a reliable guide, which I think broadly it seems to be) rates it as quite good. They've also just gone to 2 intakes, which means it's getting a more diverse range of kids in from slightly further afield.

I don't really have any concerns about it that I don't think I'd have about other schools. There's the occasional story of being pushed in the playground, but it's always been dealt with as far as i can tell, and I think that's just playgrounds for you.

It certainly seems like a happy school. They have lovely outdoor space, and the boy often comes home filthy (i rate this as a positive). In reception they also have about 6 members of staff in each class, getting fewer as the child goes up the school.

Hope that helps. x

Hello again. I've just been chatting to a friend who is doing some supply teaching at Cabot. She's really impressed with it, and thinks it's a really 'happy' school, with good discipline despite a mixed intake. Apparently they have an ex-forces head who has taken a very no-nonsense approach and is making great strides.

She was teaching at a school in Somerset with a very affluent intake, and said discipline and behaviour there were appalling, with most of the staff very complacent. She much prefers Cabot.

Happy to chat more about this if you want.
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