“The reason the schools in Bristol are so bad is because the top 20% smartest kids have been taken out of the city - either to state schools in North Somerset, B&NES and South Glos, or have been sent to private schools. That's way so many young families are moving to places like Nailsea and Clevedon.
So, the question is, are you prepared to improve Bristol's overall education by keeping your kid in the city's school system, for the 'greater good'?”

“I'd echo the sentiment about the schools only being as good as the parents who send their kids there. There has been a diminishing input from parents in the life of many schools. The teachers can only do so much. Part of it is down to the morals, manners and standards of behaviour imparted to the kids by the parents, and part of it is down to the input of parents into extra-curricular activities. Get more involved; be part of the solution rather than running away.”

“rufusherb, you have a lot to worry about with regard to education, especially insofar as your use of English is concerned:

- "Me and my wife..." should read "My wife and I..."; and

- It's bad form to start a sentence with a conjunction such as "but". It's more acceptable to use "however".”

“Commenter42, it may behove you to follow the lead of Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch, whose On the Art of Writing (1916) recommended the following (at #23):

Train your suspicions to bristle up whenever you come upon 'as regards,' 'with regard to,' 'in respect of,' 'in connection with,' 'according as to whether,' and the like. They are all dodges of Jargon, cir***locutions for evading this or that simple statement: and I say that it is not enough to avoid them nine times out of ten, or nine-and-ninety times out of a hundred. You should never use them.

I say that you should not be persuaded by this intransigent rule, regardless of where you hear it. Try to avoid with regards to and in regards to, at least in written English, and if you use regarding, as regards, in regard to, or with regard to, do so judiciously and only after careful consideration of the alternatives.”

“Education is a life long pursuit and I don't think it should be limited only to school. Schools often have an ethos on life which may not agree with your particular child's nature. I moved to a so called 'better' school for 6th form 'A' level (all boys)and really struggled after having been in a mixed school previously. I also agree with A_Mushroom who suggests that education is as much to do with the parents who raise them. Schools often breed 'workers' rather than thinkers aimed at filling positions rather than fulfilling the needs of the individual. Obviously to a certain extent it does matter but I think the child's happiness should be considered and not just the reputation of a school.”

“Schools in South Glous are VERY VERY GOOD .”

“So, the question is, are you prepared to improve Bristol's overall education by keeping your kid in the city's school system, for the 'greater good'?"

Not that I have kids, but when i do, the answer is simply No.

It has been suggested that richer parents have more intelligent kids? Is that purely down to private education, or is it that richer parents are more intelligent themselves (better qualified etc and have better jobs) that leads them to be more involved in their children's education and to impart more knowledge? It is an interesting question.. I have a feeling that some parents see education as the teachers job and don't associate it with a part of parenting.”

“I would suggest you have no choice but to move. Sucessive Bristol councils have become increasingly incompetant and abused our childrens education to pander to the people that vote for them. Only a religious person would sacrafice their child for the greater good. There is zero chance of influencing a bad schools record within your childs lifetime. It will take a seperation from the council interference and parents being given power to hire or fire a head teacher before we see changes. I for one would do anything for my child and intend to move to a better area if necessary.”

“Parents should do what they think fit for their children, it their responsibility to give their children the greatest chance in life they can. Often life is regarded as a compromise so folks just do what's right for them. I would not listen to people who say all things are dire, go and see if you could imagine you child happy and achieving at a school go with it.

@Mum, I am struggling to cope with your post in so many different ways. Councils for a number of years have little power over schools, they have none or very little over Academies and Free Schools given that seven out of ten of the bottom schools in terms of GCSEs in Bristol are Academies then you can not blame the Council, however inept you think they are.

http://tinyurl.com/7ohzmf5

Also if you just look at GCSEs only the top ten state schools only three are Academies, suggesting that great autonomy for schools does not explain performance.

@lolly60 Were you being ironic? South Glos are below the national average across the board as a whole, some schools are good and others seem to be struggling.

http://tinyurl.com/6o33ajb

Pip pip”

“Just promise me you won't send them to one of those Steiner "schools".”

“I am at least 10th generation bristol stock, but enough was enough and we have moved the family out the city boundries, to North Somerset. Best move we ever made, better schools, dentists, doctors and recycling. Less crime, more community. Get the hell out, you can day trip for the best bits.”

“In todays schools things have improved this . Please read the "Wolf report" I have so much to say on this subject. Please read jilly head blog on education.
glenys Head”