Bristol Primary Schools? where and when!

[rosiejoy]

Ds dues to start school in sept 2011. We are planning to move to Bristol, and want to be there in time for him to start school.

I am aware it is not that simple, but beyond that I am clueless!

So, I would like to know your reccomendations for Bristol primary Schools, and one to avoid too i suppose.

And when do I need to apply? and who to???
Areas we have looked at are Horfield and Fishponds, and I would love to live in Bishopston, or around the Gloucester Road are but not sure the budget would stretch....

I think Westbury might be too far out for us, but trying to keep an open mind at the moment, although I don't drive yet, so public transport is also something to take into account

Is Staple Hill to the right of Fishponds if you are coming from Easton?

oh yeah i know st. georges, used to stay with a friend there, definitely not on my list!

I used to live in Staple Hill when I was a student.
Not that that helps anyone but just thought I'd say as I'm lurking and reminiscing.

aha thanks!

I was looking on that website earlier, didn't spot that house

dp currently working 40 min drive north of where we are now, so he needs to get job in Bristol first. Bristol is commutable from here, sp the plan is for him to find a job, then move. I only work part time, so will try and find something asap when we move- not really thought through that part of the plan yet, hoping he earns more in next job, so my inceom more of a bonus than essential!

I don't scare easily it's fine!

I think the St. Matthias campus of UWE is around there somewhere? I am planning to finish my English degree at some point in the next couple of years so be handy for that too.

Is ther a map anywhere with the schools on it? I've been trying to find one but no luck so far.

If I know the areas I'm interested in, can see the schools there, check them out, then work out catchment area and then try and find a house...

the order you put them makes no difference. If you put your closest school 3rd, and don't get into your 1st or 2nd choices, then the 3rd choice is treated as being your 1st choice. This will mean that someone else who would have got a place will be bumped down the list, as you will be closer in distance.

So put the schools in the order you WANT. We had Henleaze as our 2nd choice - it's hugely oversubscribed, but initially we didn't get into our 1st choice, and we got a place at Henleaze. We didn't end up going there, but the order we did the schools on the form made no difference whatsoever.

Fair enough about the order of school

I think I have just heard too many horror stories about this kind of thing so it is parental rumour information 3rd hand!!

Dh used to commute to Gloucester from where we are near Westbury. Was pretty easy from sound of it as just whizz out to the M5 along the Falcondale Rd.
Problem with moving to more central is it get s a bit sticker as you have to poss use the ring rd/M32/M4 as well.

Also, Westbury/Henleaze etc is quite nice as it has a 'centre' to it of its own - little shops and cafes so its not imperitive to get into town, IYKWIM. I am biased though, I moved here 3 years ago and so upset to be having to leave. [sob emoticon]

Henleaze/Westbury have really good local shops/cafes. Equally, Montpelier has good shops and v close to Gloucester Road which is great for shopping.

loads of useful info here thankyou

I'm looking for 2 things really- on the one hand the official processes I need to go through, but also hearing from real people how it works in practice, so much appreciated rainraingoaway

We are not far from Gloucester.Not so bad commuting out of Bristol, but yes I have experienced rush hour traffic into Bristol, so it definitely wouldn't be a long term solution. Dp drives a lot as part of his job anyway at the moment, so he would be happy to take a job now and face the commute whilst we look for a place.

I think we need to need to visit soon and get a feel for the places

If M5 access is also important, it might be worth thinking about places like Southville or Ashton Park - quick to get on to the Portway which bypasses the whole city and takes you straight out to the M5 (or you can go to the Gordano junction if the Portway is closed). I've heard some good things about Southville Primary, and Ashton Park comprehensive is better than a lot of the Bristol ones. Southville has a good community feel, interesting shops, Tobacco Factory theatre and so on - just dreadful for parking.

Thornbury is nice as well if you want M5 access.

Agree with Lily. May be worth checking out thornbury. some really exellent schools ther and much better commute for your DH.

Only thing is, I think it gets right rough on a Friday night and not very hip and consmopolitan!

anyone's interested www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Education-Learning/Schools-Colleges/school-finder.en?Task=ward &WardId=-2

I live in Horfield at the top of Gloucester Road in a three-bed rented house for £700 a month. With your budget, I would forget living in Bishopston/Redland.

We live 350 metres from Ashley Down school (Ofsted rated as ourstanding) and didn't get a place for DD (4.11). This is partly because we only moved here in the summer and she is currently on the waiting list. However my appeal showed that the furthest anybody was offered a place was if they lived 450m from the school. It really is that tight round here.

My sister llives in Bishopston (4-bed house costs around £400k) and her DD (5) went to Bishop Road. My sister found it too pushy and aspirational and has now got her a place at St Bonaventures which is a catholic school.

My DD goes to Upper Horfield which is a Sure Start children's centre and was in special measures a couple of years ago. It is now rated as good by Ofsted and I am very impressed by the school and staff. The intake is a little, er, mixed. Very multi-racial but that's the least of it. It's in Filton/Southmead which are rough, poverty stricken areas and you see kids in this weather wearing canvas shoes and lots of free meals. But my DD loves it, is doing well and has good friends. It offends all my middle-class sensibilities, but you can't judge a book by its cover.

The secondary school it feeds into is Monks Park and over my dead body will she go there...

qofd - you and me both. Though don't you know, all its problems have been solved by renaming it 'orchard school'

yep, not even looking at Bishopston/Redland.

I think everything on here has confirmed my original instincts that Fishponds is probably right for us.

I really would prefer non-denominational.

Am sat here now with my A-Z trying to work out where the schools are...

I think the other issue is that everyone has their own idea of what makes a 'good' school.
For me, I'm less concerned about SATS and league tables etc, as long as when the children can read and write and haven't lost their enthusiasm for learning. I'm pretty sure others would describe me as middle class, but really I'm concerened that my children be safe and happy. I DON'T want anywhere with bullying, and I'd prefer somewhere the kids didn't have to grow up too fast...

Now I've managed to narrow it down a bit, can anyone suggest some schools please? not even necessarily recommendations, just names is great

thanks, found the website and have emailed an enquiry to them.

Looks like it's got a nursery attached which is great, (ds just turned 3 and dd almost 2)although I expect I will be told they are heavily oversubscribed too

There's a really good primary in Stapleton, but can't remember the name.

Tip: be sure and find out where the school is before you apply. May sound like an obvious thing to do, but know of a mom who applied for 'St George' Primary thinking it was in, um, St. George, but it was on the other side of town, so she was shocked when she realized that her DD got a place!

thanks, because I'm not from the area I will be less relaxed about it I think!

definitely planning to visit schools before I apply