Primary Admissions

One would think that predicting the number of primary school places a local education authority might need for future years was not intrinsically a difficult task. One might perhaps find out how many birth certificates were issued 3-4 years ago, adjust for known migration patterns and add a few extra just in case.

Things no doubt get more fiddly when trying to adjust demand across the city, as children are not evenly spread across the urban area. But as long as you allow a bit of flexibility in the system (i.e. a planned surplus number of spaces), the goal of providing primary education reasonably close to a child's home seems eminently feasible.

Unfortunately, 300 families in Bristol found themselves at the wrong end of a demographic model this year.

This week, councillors and officers met with parents who have not yet been offered a reception class place for September.

Councillor Clare Campion-Smith, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “We invited all the parents whose children had not been offered a reception place in the first round of the admissions process to meet with the new administration of the Council and officers.

“We wanted to give parents as much information as we had, answer questions and, importantly, to listen. It was a very useful session and helpful to have experiences from across the city. A lot of suggestions were made which will be considered.

To meet, to give information, to answer question and to listen. But not, you will note, to apologise. What exactly is the point of the Children and Young People's service ? Can we not just provide schools, headteachers or even parents with direct access to the money, to let them choose how to manage resources and meet demand?

Related Links:

• Bristol Primary Admissions Crisis
• Ashley Grange Residents Organisation