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Original poster

Latest on St Ursula's plans

18 replies

exexpat · 19/05/2010 11:11

Just in case anyone is interested in the plans for St Ursula's to become an academy next year, here's the latest story from the Evening Post. Sounds like there's still a lot up in the air...

OP posts:

bratnav · 24/05/2010 22:01

So could this have a knock on effect for Bishopston do you think?

Original poster

exexpat · 24/05/2010 23:56

Well, nothing seems to be fixed yet - another story in the Evening Post at the weekend here. I suppose if the primary was a catchment-area based one, it would mainly relieve the pressure on Elmlea/Henleaze/Westbury Park, as they are the closest ones - but the effects might ripple out as far as Bishopston. Still not enough places in the right areas though...

OP posts:

bratnav · 25/05/2010 14:41

The lottery idea for admissions seems wrong to me, That area (and surrounding ones) definitely needs more school places. Agree re the ripple effect, may help a bit anyway.

Runoutofideas · 28/05/2010 19:02

It doesn't seem logical to me to have children criss-crossing the city taking up their places under the lottery scheme. St Ursula's is very near to me, but looks like it is going to be a boys' school. Not much use for my two girls!

Original poster

exexpat · 28/05/2010 19:46

Yes, completely illogical. And St Ursula's and Colston's Girls are both on main commuter routes into Bristol with very limited space for parents to drop off children by car, and I don't think there are many bus routes from Westbury to Cheltenham Road area. It would make much more sense to make it a local school where as many as possible walk to school.

But I can also see the argument that if there is a girls-only academy, there should be a boys-only one as well - maybe they should find somewhere more central and start one up?

OP posts:

Runoutofideas · 28/05/2010 19:50

Maybe they should make them both mixed? Are they still talking about a new school at Stoke Lodge? Although, my mum reckons they've been talking about that for 30 years!

Runoutofideas · 28/05/2010 19:53

If St Ursula's becomes an academy it may affect Bishopston in that some of the Redland Green pupils would get into St Ursula's on the lottery scheme, so making the area for Redland Green's intake slightly larger....?

Original poster

exexpat · 09/06/2010 10:04

Still rumbling on - the Colston's link is off, now the Oasis group is in the picture - EP story here.

OP posts:

bratnav · 10/06/2010 01:46

Oh heck not Oasis, they took over at Hengrove and my friends DCs go there, still bloody awful

Original poster

exexpat · 10/06/2010 12:06

Yes, the other Oasis one (what used to be Portway in Shirehampton) isn't exactly an example to have Westbury parents jumping up and down in glee either - but then they haven't had long there to try and turn it round, and schools with bad reputations in deprived areas aren't going to change overnight just with different management and a new name. I'd be more worried by the evangelical bent of the Oasis foundation, and what it would do to their approach to the curriculum and a diverse school intake.

OP posts:

bratnav · 10/06/2010 19:38

Mmm very true ex

PussinJimmyChoos · 10/06/2010 19:43

Anyone here familiar with Stoke Gifford area? Like the houses there but in a dilemma about moving as DS starts school in Sept...would it be too late to try and get him in a school in that area if we moved? Don't want to pull him out of school mid year or anything as totally unfair on him

bratnav · 10/06/2010 19:58

Not sure if SG is Bristol CC or South Glos. Unlikely there will be any spaces for September in either case. Where does he have a place at the moment?

PussinJimmyChoos · 10/06/2010 20:04

Bristol CC....he did get accepted into one in SG but we turned it down on the basis that the Bristol CC one he's got is just down the road from us, excellent Ofsted etc..

We are also thinking long term of secondary schools as this is our 'forever house'...ones in Downend seem to be better. ...only one that comes up on the map searches for Stoke Gifford is Filton...eeek!!

Did see a lovely house in Downend today...space and light wise was fab..BUT it needs a total refurb...not sure we are up to that...

PussinJimmyChoos · 10/06/2010 20:05

Sorry, SG in that case meant South Glouc, not Stoke Gifford!

bratnav · 10/06/2010 20:23

But if it's your forever home it might be worth it?

Sorry but have no idea about Stoke Gifford.

Original poster

exexpat · 11/06/2010 10:34

St Ursula's is going for the Oasis offer, according to the BBC this morning.

OP posts:

Runoutofideas · 12/06/2010 19:59

I heard that if Oasis get it, it will be a 30 intake primary and 60 intake secondary. Sounds tiny to me, so I don't think it'll go far towards solving the schooling problem - although I suppose it is a start. Does anyone have any further info on the religious side of Oasis and will religion be part of the admissions criteria?

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