Bristol Free School consultation: admission arrangements for September 2026 entry

The Russell Education Trust (RET) is the admissions authority for Bristol Free School. The Local Governing Body considers changes to the school’s admissions policy and consults on these. Following consultation, the Governors report to the Board of Trustees on the outcome of the consultation and make recommendations before RET determine the final admissions policy.

The Local Governing Body of Bristol Free School are now consulting on the admissions arrangements for entry to Year 7 and the Sixth Form from September 2026.

This consultation follows the procedure set by the Admissions Code 2021 (The Code) and gives the local community the opportunity to provide their views on these proposed admission arrangements.

This consultation relates to the proposed amendment to the following oversubscription criteria.

Year 7 Admissions Policy - Children of Staff Criterion

It's proposed that the reference to "teaching" staff is removed from criterion 3 ii so that it is inclusive of school support staff as well as teaching staff i.e. “The member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant teaching post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage (determined by the Headteacher with the Chair of Governors and CEO of RET)".

pdf Year 7 Admissions Policy(156 KB)

Sixth Form Admissions Policy - Children of Staff Criterion

As with the Year 7 Admissions Policy, the same change is proposed to the Sixth Form Admissions Policy relating to the Children of Staff criterion to remove the reference to "teaching" staff so that the criterion is inclusive of support staff and teaching staff.

pdf Proposed Sixth Form Admissions Policy for admission to the school from September 2026(201 KB)

We are keen to hear views from the local community who may be affected by the proposed changes and are consulting interested parties in accordance with the Code.

For schools, if appropriate and by whatever means you feel most suitable, please make the parents/carers of children in your school aware that this consultation is taking place.

The consultation period will run from Monday 9 December 2024 - Friday 24 January 2025.

Please send any responses for the attention of Anne-Marie Boyle, Chair of Governors via email admissions.consultation@bristolfreeschool.org.uk or direct to the school at Concorde Drive, Bristol, BS10 6NJ.

A paper copy of the consultation documents can be requested from the school and are available on the Bristol Free School’s website.