Interactive map: Who runs Bristol’s secondary schools?

Features 22nd April, 2016

Lorna Stephenson

If you’re worried about all of the city’s schools becoming academies, don’t be….

2000: Majority local authority-run schools

All bar two of Bristol’s public secondary schools already are academies. The other two are voluntary-aided, leaving a grand total of ZERO remaining as local authority-run ‘community’ schools. Welcome to the future.

Some are in stand-alone ‘single academy trusts’, whereas others, such as the plethora of “Oasis” academies are part of national multi-academy trusts. Other names worthy of mention here are Trust in Learning, the Russell Education Trust and Cabot Learning Federation.

Interactive map: Hover for school name, status, academy trust and date of conversion.

City Academy Bristol was the first academy in the region, founded back in 2003 when Tony Blair decided that releasing failing schools from government control was the best way to up standards. Thirteen years later, it’s in ‘special measures’.

The rest have converted from existing schools or been founded between 2008 until now (Ashton Park School is currently converting) with particular a spurt between 2011-2014.

Bristol secondary schools by type in the good ol’ days of 2000…                        …and in 2016

Academies usually have sponsor businesses or institutions. Some education institutions have become academy sponsors, such as the city’s two universities and City of Bristol College.

The Merchant Venturers Society are keen to sponsor Bristol academies – Merchants Academy was lucky enough to get a personal accolade from Michael Gove himself, who visited their Army Cadet Force and praised the military-influenced education. Other wild cards are Rolls-Royce and Bristol City Football Club.

Over the coming weeks, the Cable will shine a light on the dramatic overhaul that’s taken place in Bristol education.

What’s the impact on Bristol’s kids? Have academy conversions increased standards? What does it mean for accountability in education? Who are the financial winners and losers? 

Watch this space.