West Country (E) Education News

Thousands of children families found out today if their child had been awarded a place at their preferred primary school.

While many did get what they wanted, some did miss out.

Number of children awarded place at first choice school:

• Bath and North East Somerset: 93.97%
• Wiltshire: 92%
• Somerset County: 90.68%
• South Gloucestershire: 89.36%
• North Somerset: 88.31%
• Bristol: 87%

Bath and North East Somerset Council also topped the table for offering pupils a place at one of three preferred schools.

Number of children awarded place at one of three preferred schools:

• Bath and North East Somerset: 98.69%
• Wiltshire: 98%
• North Somerset: 97.28%
• South Gloucestershire: 97.26%
• Somerset County: 96.68%
• Bristol: 96%

• Education

Anxious families across Bristol are today receiving offers of much sought after primary school places.

The city has seen one of the biggest increases in the school population anywhere in the country and recently secured £34m to fund its school expansion programme for the next two years.

This year, 96% of offers will be for a place at a preferred school, an increase from 95% last year.213 families, will be offered a school they didn't select which could be a long distance from their home.

If at the end of the appeals process we're unable to meet the preferences of all parents, they can look to make their own arrangements.

The reality is in a large authority area like Bristol being able to make 100% of parental preferences is an aspiration that's beyond us in the short to medium term.

• Education

213 families in Bristol have failed to secure a primary school place of their choice.

More than 5,300 applications will receive an offer from the city council this morning. 96% have secured one of their three choices, 67% of them their first.

Bristol has seen one of the biggest increases in the school population anywhere in the country.

• Education

Two 'Studio Schools' have been approved for Bath and Dorchester by the Government.

The schools will allow 14 to 19-year-olds to study academic subjects through practical projects designed and delivered by employers.

Schools Commissioner Dr Elizabeth Sidwell says Studio Schools are 'crucial in helping those young people who prefer practical learning to pick up the skills wanted by employers':

• Education
• Bath
• Dorchester

Two 'Studio Schools' are to open in the region, the Government has announced.

Studio Schools allow 14 to 19-year-olds to study academic subjects through practical projects designed and delivered by employers. Pupils combine core GCSEs and vocational qualifications with real work experience.

• The Bath Studio School is proposed by a partnership of five schools – The Link School, Writhlington School, Norton Hill School, Wellsway School and St Gregory’s Catholic College.
  

It will specialise in Business, IT & Administration; Science, Construction and built environment; Tourism and Recreation and Digital & Creative media.

• Dorset Studio School in Dorchester will specialise in environmental and land based studies. It is proposed by Kingston Maurward College, a specialist land based college, and Thomas Hardye School. Key employer partners include the National Trust, the RSPCA, and the Royal Veterinary College.

More employers are getting involved in Studio Schools, demonstrating their commitment to preparing young people – who will be their future employees – for the world of work.

It is crucial for young people to have the skills and experience vital to employers, both for their own prosperity and to help us compete in the global race.

• Education
• Bath
• Dorchester

The region's biggest further education college has been condemned for failing its students. The City of Bristol College received the lowest Ofsted rating of 'inadequate' in several areas, including its quality of teaching.

The newly-appointed principal says the report is upsetting and a blow to morale but highlights the need for staff to concentrate on what happens in the classroom.

• UK

When Sue Jarvis started her new job at a school in Somerset, she didn't think she'd still be doing it 35 years later. But today her long career as a teaching assistant at Ashlands Primary in Crewkerne came to an end.

While there was excitement about the end of term, there was also sadness at saying goodbye.

• Education
• Crewkerne

Treasures from ancient Egypt go on display to the public today in a major new exhibition at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Nearly 100 artefacts from the British Museum can be seen in displays spanning 3,000 years of history. For a video preview, click here

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• UK
• pharaoh
• Bristol

They were bullied at school simply because their families had broken down and they were taken into care, now they want to stop other youngsters suffering a similar fate.

In our latest update from Fixers - the campaign that gives young people a voice - two young people from Bristol say foster children are no different from anyone else when it comes to needing love, friendship and respect.

• UK
• ITV Fixers
• Foster Care

The biggest exhibition of Egyptian artefacts to be taken around this country, will be displayed in Bristol.

It opens to the public this weekend at the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery and is being described as the most significant collection of its kind ever to tour the UK. So what will you be able to see? Our reporter Richard Payne has been finding out.

• Entertainment
• pharaoh
• Bristol