Help us keep the lights on Support us
The Bristol Cable

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Sam Williamson, head teacher on education in one of the UK’s most deprived areas

Children’s futures almost stolen, inequality made worse by algorithm and education in the time of COVID-19 in some of the UK’s most deprived neighbourhoods.

Listen: Bristol Unpacked with Neil Maggs

This week Neil talks to Samantha Williamson, the Principal of Merchants’ Academy. The school is responsible for educating children from Reception to 18 in Withywood and Hartcliffe, areas recognised as among the most deprived in the country.

As the school is operated by the controversial Society of Merchant Venturers, Samantha and Neil discuss how she has felt leading a school connected to Edward Colston’s former club, and their work on creating a new history curriculum to reflect Bristol’s reckoning with its past.

Subscribe to the Cable newsletter below and on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to get the latest from Bristol Unpacked.

(Can’t see this? click here)

Get the latest from the Cable, direct to your inbox

Keep the Lights On

Investigative journalism strengthens democracy – it’s a necessity, not a luxury.

The Cable is Bristol’s independent, investigative newsroom. Owned and steered by more than 2,600 members, we produce award-winning journalism that digs deep into what’s happening in Bristol.

We are on a mission to become sustainable – will you help us get there?

Join now

What makes us different?

Comments

Report a comment. Comments are moderated according to our Comment Policy.

Post a comment

Mark if this comment is from the author of the article

By posting a comment you agree to our Comment Policy.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related content

School exclusion, child imprisonment and a state of punishment

A psychologist, who has worked with children in Bristol’s secure estate and pupil referral units, says the way England treats struggling children makes them believe they’re destined for failure.

‘Collective power is where it’s at’: City Academy workers celebrate strike action successes

Union members at the east Bristol secondary school have achieved most of a series of asks from the academy trust that manages it, after announcing rolling walkouts. Workers say the action has brought staff together.

Police and council defend safeguarding app after calls to stop collecting info on vulnerable young people

A criminal justice campaign group has said use of the database is being kept from parents and guardians, but the council says it has helped protect hundreds of children.

Listen: Bristol Unpacked, with councillor Christine Townsend on taking on the Merchant Venturers over educational inequality

Green councillor and education rights campaigner Christine Townsend on fighting discriminatory school selection practices and the prospect of taking power in Bristol.

Funding reinstated for SEND charity at heart of council social media spying row

A charity representing parents of children with special educational needs and disabilities, which lost government funding after Bristol City Council withdrew its backing, has had the money restored in a major U-turn.

Listen: Bristol Unpacked on raising the next generation through a nursery crisis, with local head teacher Sam Williams

Nurseries are key to children's development, but the sector is facing a protracted crisis of funding and stability. Neil asks head teacher Sam Williams how to give kids the best start.

Join our newsletter

Get the essential stories you won’t find anywhere else

Subscribe to the Cable newsletter to get our weekly round-up direct to your inbox every Saturday

Join our newsletter

Subscribe to the Cable newsletter

Get our latest stories & essential Bristol news
sent to your inbox every Saturday morning