Group to campaign on lack of primary school places in BS3

The group set up in response to the shortage of places in Bedminster and Southville primary schools for this school year will now focus on a solution for 2012 and beyond.

The renamed South Bristol Schools Campaign is a community-led group raising awareness of the lack of local primary school places for children living in the BS3 area.

Many local children due to start primary school this September were not allocated places at any of the three preferred schools their parents had chosen – or even at a local alternative.

Instead, they were allocated places at schools far outside their local communities, with some being expected to travel over four miles each day. 

A one-off solution was provided for this school year by the creation of 'bulge' classes at South Street and Ashton Gate primary schools, but this is unlikely to happen again next year for reasons of space.

Lloyd Fletcher, an Ashton Gate governor, wrote to parents in July that the school would need to be expanded to allow this to happen and acknowledged the problem that exists locally:

"Thinking about the longer term, South Bristol, along with other areas of the city, still faces the problem that there are not enough primary school places for the children forecasted to need them over the next few years and beyond: supply does not meet demand. 

"Our view is that Ashton Gate cannot accommodate a second Reception 'bulge' in 2012 unless the physical capacity of our premises is increased." 

The South Bristol Schools campaign aims to find a permanent solution to the problem to ensure that enough school places are provided for children in BS3 in coming years.

Meeting

A public meeting has been organised for the parents of children approaching school age who would like them to be able to attend a school within walking distance of their home.

The meeting will take place at Bedminster Methodist Church on British Road at 8pm on Wednesday 14 September 2011.