Options for moving to Bristol area - feedback please!

[ApuskiDusky]

Hi,

I'm in the process of negotiating a new job in Bristol Centre (close to south end of Bristol Uni precinct), which will mean moving within commuting distance. DH works in aerospace, so will end up contracting in the area - Filton and Weston super Mare most likely. And I have one pre-schooler and a baby on the way any day now, so have to worry about primary schools - private not an option, and we're not church attendees nor about to start!

I think we've ruled out Bristol centre itself - having to be so close to the right school, the compromise of small gardens, and the issue of DH commuting out to the M5 don't seem to make this attractive - but open to being convinced otherwise!

I'd really like some views on the options we are considering:

1. Long Ashton - I would cycle or park & ride in to centre, DH gets out onto M5 via Portway or Ham Green road, two primaries in the village, but with some history of not enough spaces. I hear it has lots of young families.

1. Backwell - I would drive to Long Ashton park & ride then bus in, (or get the train, but Temple Meads not that close to the office), DH onto M5. Good schools.

1. Portishead - again looks like the Long Ashton park & ride is the best option (I am assuming it's not practical for me to park in Bristol city centre as the office has no parking), Portishead seems to have a number of good schools. Have no clue on what the nicer areas are though.

1. Winscombe - further out, but seems like a nice village, not too small, I would probably do the park and ride again. I don't know if the space and village life is enough compensation for poorer access to city facilities though.

1. Nailsea - I don't know much about this, apart from its train station, seems to have good schools and a decent housing stock.

Anyone know any downsides of any of these options, or other suggestions that I can look at? Any help would be much appreciated!

Hi ApuskiDusky, I was wondering what the outcome was? I know this was posted a while ago but I am now in your situation and wondering what areas your preferred? Where have you ended up living? I would appreciate your inside knowledge.

Many thanks

This has come up on my feed.

I have moved to the chew valley. It's not terribly exciting but it is a lovely area.

I prefer Backwell to nailsea but the latter has more. The shopping centre is really ok,it's even got a costa now!

I am feeling all sorts of lefty guilt for even asking this, but here goes.

Where do academically inclined kids from Southville go for secondary?

Ashton Park school has a lot going for it (decent ofsted, improving results) but it doesn't seem to be a school that would suit a conventionally academic kid (specialist sports college, limited range of a-levels). St Mary Redcliffe's no good for heathens, Colston Girls's not much use for boys, Cathedral Choir's a lottery.

Do they all go on the long bus ride to Bath or the countryside?

Hi, they don't go to bath. They go to st Mary redcliffe, cathedral, colstons girls as you say or thy go private or they go to North Somerset or south Gloucestershire, mainly North Somerset but a number of those schools e.g Backwell are getting increasingly hard to get into now due to numbers. Or they move , I know a lot of south Bristol folk that have moved for secondary. You are right about Ashton park unfortunately and it's becoming a self fulfilling prophecy as people won't send their kids there. Lots of private options in Bristol too, has one of the highest % in private education in the country.

Thanks givemeaclue.

cabotstalk
Ashton Park does have good options for academic pupils at GCSE e.g. they can take additional Maths etc. It is becoming much more popular, is now oversubscribed and results are improving.
Another popular school is St Katherines in Pill (North somerset) and there is school transport from South Bristol.
PS The faith criteria for St Mary Redcliffe is only for Y7 entry, pupils from other schools can apply for the sixth form (if they achieve the necessary GCSE grades). If you haven't attended from Y7 to Y11, but live close to the school, there is a very high chance your dcs would be offered a place.

How about further North? Almondsbury or Thornbury. Less pressure on schools and easier commute than the South of Bristol.

I started reading this, then realised it was my thread from 6 years ago!! Obviously name changed since. For those asking, we did move - to Almondsbury in the end. And the unborn baby is now in Y1 at the primary school! It's been a great move, very happy, lovely friendly village and easy access to the motorways and centre.

Glad it worked out ManicMinor. Apologies for the hijack.

Good choice Almondsbury :-)