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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Primary schools in Bristol area??

24 replies

moomer · 28/01/2009 16:19

Hi am very new to all this (in our day you just went to your local primary and that was that!) Can anyone offer advice on which primary school are considered 'good' ones in and around Bristol? My husband and I are looking to move house and our son's school will play a part in where we decide to live. Thanks x

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

PuzzleRocks · 28/01/2009 16:53

Bumping for you.

DumbledoresGirl · 28/01/2009 16:55

I cannot answer for individual primary schools, but as a primary school teacher myself, I have always been of the opinion that the secondary school is of greater overall importance in a child's education.

When we moved to the area, we looked at secondary schools and chose accordingly.

nix66 · 28/01/2009 18:00

Which part of Bristol are you moving to moomer?

newpup · 28/01/2009 18:32

Bristol is quite a large area, whereabouts are you moving to?

Original poster

moomer · 28/01/2009 19:01

it will most likely be South Bristol for affordability, any suggestions greatly received!

OP posts:

retiredgoth2 · 28/01/2009 19:15

...be very cautious, especially in South Bristol. I understand Southville Primary is quite good. However Southville is the most expensive area south of the river.

There are some other quite pleasant places to live (Windmill Hill near the park and the city farm, for example) but the schools will all have, er, a varied socio-economic profile (and fairly uniform league table status as far as I can see) so it is impossible to tell if they are any good without visiting.

...as far as secondary education goes, be warned. Non-faith provision is uniformly awful. I have a friend who sends her children from Bedminster to Gordano school in North Somerset, about 5 or 6 miles and an LEA away. There is a school bus provided, so plainly there are a fair few taking this option....

WhatFreshHellIsThis · 28/01/2009 19:17

oh retiredgoth, MaidinBristol came round last night and are going to start cleaning my house next week - thanks for the tip!

(sorry for hijack)

Original poster

moomer · 29/01/2009 09:21

thanks for replies.. that doesn't sound too good! Does anyone have any positive experiences?

OP posts:

dustbuster · 29/01/2009 09:32

People tend to be very negative about Bristol schools, but I think you really have to visit them to get a feel. I depends how much you are worried about league tables too - our local primary school, where DD will probably go, has a lovely atmosphere, but results are not great (although they are on the up under lovely new head). That doesn't particularly bother me but it might you. I suppose I am more of the "send them to your local primary" school of thought.

The "best" schools in terms of results tend to be in the west of the city - redland, bishopston. But house prices are more expensive there - I earn a v. good wage and couldn't afford to live there in a million years!

In my opinion some of the more "unfashionable" areas of East Bristol e.g. St. George are much better value than South Bristol - but the best thing is to come and have a look round and you'll get a feel for it.

Good luck!

thequietone · 29/01/2009 09:41

Check out Hillcrest School in Knowle. We moved two roads away a few years back so that DS1 could go there. We've now moved to Germany, so no longer relevant. I'm not sure of its Ofsted report but other mums were desperate to get their children in there and when I used to visit for their wonderful School fairs it had such a warm atmosphere.

newpup · 29/01/2009 10:20

Have you considered North Bristol, more affordable houses, nice areas and schools in this area are very good.

Peabody · 29/01/2009 10:26

When we were buying a house, we found the two cheapest areas were south Bristol and east Bristol. We went with east Bristol (St George/Redfield) and I agree with dustbuster that it's better value. I also love the area as there are loads of interesting things only a short walk away.

FWIW, we'll be sending our kids to Air Balloon in St George. So will our best friends, both of whom teach in Bristol primaries

sarah293 · 29/01/2009 10:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

dustbuster · 29/01/2009 11:13

I heart St. George/Redfield!

Peabody · 29/01/2009 11:16

I can spend all day shopping on Church Road, wandering around St George's Park, drinking coffee in Grounded...

Sorry for hijack - will go and do some childcare

dustbuster · 29/01/2009 11:18

Me too! I love the charity shops and the library. Can't wait for the new play area in the park.

Runoutofideas · 29/01/2009 13:49

Henleaze, Elmlea, Westbury on Trym, Westbury Park, Stoke Bishop and Bishop Rd are all regarded as "good" schools, but are all in affluent/expensive areas, not in South Bristol and are very over-subscribed. They all have very precise "areas of prime responsibility" where one road can be in the catchment and the next road not. Maps can be found at www.bristol-cyps.org.uk . Even being in the catchment does not guarantee a space though. For some you need to live practically nexst door to get in!

Regarding secondary schools, none is very highly regarded due to there being so many independent schools which "cream off" the more able students. If you can live further out of Bristol you may be better looking in to South Glos or North Somerset. Backwell and Thornbury have highly regarded comprehensives and good village primaries. Hope this helps.

Original poster

moomer · 29/01/2009 16:42

Thanks very much everyone, some food for thought here. I take your point Runoutofideas re being further out of Bristol but I love living in a City (and from what I know of it Bristol seems great )

OP posts:

Carbonel · 29/01/2009 21:43

I am assuming you mean state rather than independent in which case I agree about those in and around Stoke Bishop being the best; for secondary Redland green is a new secondary but the catchment is small and house prices have gone through the roof.

If independent there are some very good ones, Clifton High is co ed and excellent, as is Bristol Grammar school, QEH is boys only.

stringerbell · 31/01/2009 11:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Runoutofideas · 01/02/2009 10:58

Ha ha Stringerbell I feel your pain. We too are finding out this week and I agree - some of the other mums will be very scary!

teds01 · 13/08/2010 11:35

I have moved to the Bishopston area and my 7 year old son has recently been diagnosed with Aspergers. Does anyone know of a good supportive primary school in the area for children with special needs?
I would also like to meet other families in the area in similiar situation.

ommmward · 15/08/2010 14:32

send me a message, teds01. we live relatively close, and are in a similar situation to you (but we home ed rather than using schools). I'd be happy to meet and chat :)

castleonthehill · 16/08/2010 08:44

Schools in south glos are very good. We have a choice here. We also have a choice in secondary schools. Schools can change quickly so it is good to be in a area where you could get a place at a few different schools. A couple of schools in the area ether have are are being rebuilt. I think school are very important but if you are going to move into an area because of a school you really need to go and look at it.

Something to consider. Some parents gets really worried about sat result so pay for a tutor and some schools put a lot of pressure on the children to do well in sats and only teach to the sats in year 6.

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