State and Independent primary schools in Bristol

[CMP1]

Hello,

We're looking to move to Bristol (Redland / Cotham / Sneyd Park area) from London this year.

We have 1 son in Nursery (3.5 years old) and 1 daughter (6 years old, Year 1).

What are the best state and independent primary schools in Bristol?

How to choose between BGS, Clifton College, Clifton High School, St John's CoE Primary, and others in the area?

Recent experience and feedback would be much appreciated on atmosphere, selectivity, academic focus, creativity etc...!

Many thanks!

Hi @CMP1 just bumping this for you so hopefully some Mumsnetters will be along soon with some helpful ideas.

Torwood house is another independent primary in that area, although state primary schools are really good in Bristol. All over subscribed though. Baby boom Bristol 👶

Can't help with the Bristol schools. All over-subscribed and very competitive in the state sector. Mine went to Beacon Rise in South Glos which is in the very undesirable area of Kingswood but the school is currently in the top 3% of all schools in the country for reading, writing and maths and is absolutely fantastic. Has a brilliant Twitter feed too!

For state schools you will need to make an in-year application for your dd once you have your address i.e. rental agreement or exchange of contracts. Bristol LEA will be able to tell you which schools have Y1 places available. The bad news is that some of the "best" schools are likely to be full for that year group.
Bristol LEA would be the people to contact about making a school application for your ds school place. Ideally you need to have moved or exchanged contracts before 15th January 2020.
I notice that you have only listed the co-ed independent schools. Of the ones that you have listed Clifton college is the most expensive fees wise. They have good facilities for drama, music and sport but in the senior school the school day is very long to accommodate boarders including classes on Saturdays.
BGS is probably the most academically selective. They are also good for music, sport etc
Clifton High is less academically selective than the other two schools and has a reputation for good pastoral care.
In terms of what is "best" you really need to look round the schools and see which would be the best fit for your child(ren).
I am not sure what the in-year application process would be for the independent sector but you need to contact the schools directly to find out.
Hope that helps and good luck with your move.

All the schools you mention are good and certainly as far the independent ones there is little between them in terms of results etc. Agree with pp that BGS is seen as the most academically focussed which works for some and not for others. We looked at all the co-Ed independent schools ( we have one of each) and to be honest they are all good but it came purely down to gut feel and how we viewed the heads. That is how we chose our state primary ( St Johns) and it's worked for secondary too. You really have to go and visit them to be able to really decide.

Clifton College is the only one with Saturday school so it also depends how you feel about that - their pastoral care is generally excellent as it has to be because of the boarding element.

One factor is that if you go state you will have v little choice ultimately as catchment area will be the deciding factor as they are generally oversubscribed ( although Nb st Johns did have reception spaces this Sept but that is v rare). That applies for primary and secondary.

Ps our experience also was that Clifton College at prep level was the least selective - one entrance test sat individually on a computer - no formal exams and no verbal reasoning papers etc - no interview with head ( there is a relatively new head now ( 18 months) so that may change ......