Bristol schools chief's second apology over primary places fiasco
Families who are still waiting for reception class places for their children in September have been given a further apology by Bristol City Council's acting schools chief.
Interim director Annie Hudson told a meeting of the children's services scrutiny commission on Monday, March 30, that she had already apologised to the parents who attended a meeting at the Council House to discuss the crisis.
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Bristol schools chief Annie Hudson's second apology over primary places fiasco
She repeated the message to the councillors, who heard how hundreds of children in east, central and north Bristol were yet to be allocated places.
"There were undoubtedly a number of failures in terms of timing, preparation and communication," she said.
Ms Hudson said the council was confident of having enough places for the 279 on-time applicants waiting for places and the 297 – and rising – late applicants.
She said parents should receive an offer of a school place within the next couple of weeks.
Anthony Austin, of the National Union of Head Teachers, said many primary heads, especially those directly affected, were in despair at the situation.
"NAHT fails to understand why the local authority finds itself in the position it now faces over what is a 'bread and butter' ongoing intelligence data gathering exercise," he said.
Clare Campion-Smith, Lib Dem cabinet councillor for children, told the meeting that lessons must be learned from the problems this yea. A review would be carried out, she said.
The issue will be discussed again at a full meeting of the city council on Tuesday, March 31.
Tory Councillor John Goulandris, who yesterday said that Mrs Campion-Smith had had a "veritable baptism of fire in inheriting the admissions fiasco", is calling for urgent action to deal with the chronic shortfall of places.
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by Martin, Bishopston
Wednesday, April 01 2009, 10:01PM
“Simon, admit it - your little rants are tedious mate. Give up.”
by maxine, bristol
Wednesday, April 01 2009, 2:19PM
“Oh Simon you really are a sad individual aren't you. You clearly have no meaningful life outside of this forum. You clearly haven't been affected by the crisis within the primary school admissions process this year but you choose to spend your life being nasty to the individuals that have been affected. You are obviously some kind of weirdo that spends his meaningless life surfing the net to see who you can irritate. Is the internet your only friend ? Therapy might work for you !”
by Simon, End of the garden
Tuesday, March 31 2009, 7:00PM
“I have a school place, or should I say had one, the ebay auction ends at 9.00pm”
by Simon, Montpelier
Tuesday, March 31 2009, 5:50PM
“Aha real parent with no school place, N Bristol.
I think I get it now.
So you are the real parent with no school place in N. Bristol and all the other parents with no school places in N. Bristol are imposters.
Well that clarifies things Liz ... or John .... or Jo .... or whoever you are.
At least we now know that there is only the one real parent with no school place in N. Bristol.
So whats all the fuss about then? - one school place shouldn't be hard to find.”
by The real parent with no school place, N Bristol
Tuesday, March 31 2009, 3:21PM
“Simon the 'parent with no school place' on the £12m story is not me! It's an imposter stealing my name. How confusing is that?
Irritating imposter has posted things I don't agree with too.
Off to complain to BPAC...”
by John, Bristol
Tuesday, March 31 2009, 3:07PM
“Anon, are you saying that nothing of great importance happens in reception class and that any child could easily start in Year 1 without being behind his or her classmates? I thought they started to read in reception.
Nurseries and pre-schools presumably don't want 4-5 year-olds taking up places needed for 3-4 year-olds either.
And there aren't extra places in Year 1. The classes carry on from reception, so there is no guarantee of a school place at the start of Year 1. It depends on people dropping out.”
by Simon, Montpelier
Tuesday, March 31 2009, 2:09PM
“parent with no school pace, N.Bristol
I just read your post on the last story - £12 million grant 'will improve Bristol schools'
I thought it was all done and dusted and you could relax.”
by Mike, Sefton Park
Tuesday, March 31 2009, 1:13PM
“It appears that the governors of all these schools where temporary classes have been proposed have nor consulted parents of children already at the schools. This is certainly the case with Sefton Park and obviously with Bishop Road too. Surely school governors have some responsibility to inform these parents just what they are negotiating away on their behalf.”
by Parent, Bishopston, Bristol
Tuesday, March 31 2009, 1:04PM
“I heard that even Bishop Road are now being asked to take on an extra class, which is unbelievable considering it's already the largest primary in Bristol. They already have three classes and 90 pupils in reception - this would take that to 120, which is plain ridiculous and would surely have major health and safety considerations. It would disadvantage all the pupils starting this year throughout all of their primary/infant school years, with lack of space for play time, meals, trips away, sports and after-school classes etc. I would like to think both the council and Bishop Road School would consult the parents of affected children before they even think of taking on extra pupils.”
by parent with no school place, N Bristol
Tuesday, March 31 2009, 12:39PM
“anon - altho' we don't legally have to educate our kids until they turn 5 the way the system works is that most kids start in the September after their 4th birthday having been at preschool since the September after their 3rd birthday. The government 'nursery grant' helps with preschool costs but is only available for one preschool year (or one and an odd term depending on when a child's birthday falls).
So for many parents another year of nursery isn't an option financially and also if we choose to keep our kids home for a year we'll not be guaranteed a school place and our kids would skip reception and go straight into year one.”