Area in Focus

Play, a risky business: A tour of Bristol’s Adventure Playgrounds

The Cable's community organiser explores the history and enduring spirit of the city's Adventure Playgrounds, where children are trusted, challenged and free to play

Giving a shit is just the beginning

We’ve Got Your Boy: Episode 1, Hurt people, hurt people

Illustration of an individual sitting at a desk with head in hands, and a door with bars visible in the background.

Opinion

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.

This Better Work

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

Reports

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

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.

‘Academic and support staff are suffering – it’s time for universities to dip into their rainy day funds’

University of Bristol staff deserve a pay rise after years of real-terms cuts, so why won’t it lift salaries? Recent growth is unsustainable, and investing in pay could help not just workers but local businesses and the city.

Progress on Bristol’s SEND failings but relationships with parents still troubled, inspectors find

Report by Ofsted and Care Quality Commission says now up to government to decide next steps, as inquiry into alleged social media spying looms.

‘Childcare costs prevent countless ambitious women from fulfilling their potential’

Across the UK, mums have been protesting against our broken childcare system. We need urgent change to enable women to work, train and progress in their jobs without constant pressure, a local nursery worker argues.