Bristol secondary schools

[jonakollins]

Moving to Bristol and looking for recommendations for DD who will be going into year 9 (or end of yr 8 depending on how fast move happens).

Currently at local state school and not particularly happy there. I doubt we'll get into a good state in Bristol (happy to be corrected) so thinking private is main option.

Moving to Bristol/S Glos border so that area preferred. Looked at Sidcot before we knew exactly where we'd be and loved it, but think it's too far now. Is there anywhere similar?

DD ok academically, I think she'd do much better if she was pushed a bit. Very creative and into dance , drama rather than team sports (at the moment anyway).

Any suggestions of suitable sounding schools that are likely to have spaces would be much appreciated.

Look at Trinity, it's a music specialist school, really good.
Also Bristol Cathedral Choir school in the centre.

Bristol secondaries used to be bad a decade or so ago but have made huge progress since and now there are a lot of good options.

I don’t know the secondary schools in your particular area but it’s worth checking if they have spaces in y9 as sometimes people do leave to go down the private route.
Most of the private schools have a y9 intake but I think that the exams are in January. I’m thinking Bristol Grammar/Redmaids.
I believe that Cathedral and Montpelier (both state schools) take from all areas of Bristol.

Bristol and South Glos are 2 separate areas when it comes to schools. Are you fixed on being near that border? If not maybe look further into South Glos or even into Gloucestershire. Thornbury/Yate area have some good state schools. The only disadvantage being further out is that the travelling time to the private schools will be long as they are mainly in the Bristol area.

Montpelier High school does take pupils from outside the area, but it's currently in special measures.
Oldfield school on the outside of Bath is a state comprehensive that has good facilities for dance and is commutable from South Glos.

Isn't Trinity in an area of high crime?

Badminton School, Clifton.

Bristol grammar school. My DC us very happy there

@jonakollins Bristol Free School has a catchment area that is skewed in that direction (not centred around the school): https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?ll=51.49421710356798%2C-2.6210980000000794&spn=0.050897%2C0.06121&hl=en&t=m&vpsrc=1&msa=0&source=embed&ie=UTF8&mid=1fxQKGAefo2l2y889XjBYk08AuFM&z=13

If South Gloucester then you will have access to the superb Gloucestershire state grammar school options like Pates etc - do not miss out on these!!

Don't worry too much about being too far from Sidcot you have far better options in Bristol. Look at Redmaids and BGS.