Bristol’s primary schools: You tell us.
Does your kid attend an academy? Are there rumours that your local school is about to convert? We want to create a picture of what’s changing in Bristol – which is where you come in.
Words and graphics: Lorna Stephenson
Interactive map: primary, infant and junior schools in Bristol.
Primary, infant and junior schools by type.
We need you!
On average 24% of public primary schools in England are academies. In Bristol it is just under 50%. We live in an academy city.
And things are changing fast.
Help us crowd-source information about what’s going on and what changes are happening in Bristol’s primary schools.
Knowledge sharing
The data we collect will enable us to publish information about schools across the city, enabling parents to know what’s happening in other localities.
Informed journalism – Creating conversations
Crowd-sourced information will alert us to developments in the city’s schools directly from those affected. Are changes for the better or the worse? What concerns do you have?
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Hi, I work in an Academy outside of Bristol but I thought you may be interested in my story. The Head Teacher and both assistant Head Teachers have all been sacked. The board of governors has been disbanded too. This is because there was evidence of bullying, gross misconduct, safeguarding concerns and assessment manipulation. The school is an academy. Because these schools don’t have to answer to the LA; these situations are more likely to arise and go unnoticed. We had a ridiculously high staff turnover and teachers were working 18hour days, 7 days a week. The school got away with this by employing NQTs who were less experienced and concerned about passing the year to become fully qualified. One teacher was not even inducted on her first year and all of them didn’t receive appropriate (if any) NQT support. They didn’t have PPA or NQT time. They were not teaching the national curriculum and there are massive gaps in children’s academic and emotional development. It has been a horrific ordeal for the entire community. Luckily the teachers had the support of the unions. Without them, this would still be happening. The suggested Trade Union Bill literally walks all over our human rights. One example is that it takes away our right to vote for industrial action against the problems privatization brings and ensures legal obstacles for the unions regarding their right to stand along side us in such challenging times. Trust me, taking industrial action is a tough experience and impossible without the expertise knowledge and financial support from the unions. The unions are main chance we have at effectively standing up against the government and they are undersubscribed, underfunded and are struggling to maintain their subscribers. Without funding, they will be unable to spread the word about academization and the new trade union bill. The NUT is the largest and strongest union. You do not have to be a teacher to join, so please do!! The new trade union bill is literally an attack on them too.
I’m a teacher and many of my friends are teachers. I can’t believe that the government is not being challenged by opposition parties more on the way they keep reiterating ‘school funding is at record levels’. Schools are falling apart just like the NHS, and the only thing keeping these vital systems going is the skin of the teeth of shattered teachers and support staff (who are now being made redundant in droves). In September, parents should expect a worse education system for their kids. Simple. And it is Tory ideological-based cutbacks that are to blame. That and a weak opposition.