Question marks still hang over St Ursula's School at Westbury-on-Trym after council agrees to buy the site

By Becky_Feather | Friday, August 20, 2010, 20:09

Bristol City Council tonight approved the purchase of St Ursula's School site and buildings in Westbury-on-Trym.

But parents are still unclear about when the independent school will reopen, whether it will remain as an 'all-through' school or be just for children of primary school age.

The Parents' Action Group set up to save the independent school, which was placed into administration earlier this month, are now waiting for a statement from the Christian charity Oasis Community Learning, which wants to run the school.

One parent said tonight: "There is still al ot of worry for those of us who want our children to go into seniors and/or progress to senior school. It would be really good if Oasis could confirm ASAP that they will make an application for an all-through academy otherwise the pupils will have no stability and many will need to look for new schools."

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Parents, pupils and staff of St Ursula's are hoping to find out more about its future at a meeting with Christian charity Oasis this Thursday at 7pm at the Oasis Brightstowe Academy in Shirehampton.
Steve Chalke, the founder of Oasis, will be attending, along with its regional director of education John Murphy and human resources chief Colin Young.

By Becky_Feather at 19:52 on 24/08/10
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From September 2011, the council envisages that a primary academy will be set up.
Cabinet member for children and young people, Cllr Clare Campion-Smith, said: "We are acting to secure the continued use of St Ursula's for education. In particular, we are mindful of the increasing need for additional primary school places in this area.
"Currently, we are in discussion with Oasis Community Learning, who have indicated a willingness to continue fee-paying education on the site for a period of time.
"However, we cannot put council money into a private school – our focus is on providing much-needed state education on the site, as soon as practically possible.
"There is no guarantee of our offer for the site being accepted, but we are progressing negotiations speedily, with a view to concluding arrangements for the start of the new school year."

By Becky_Feather at 09:03 on 21/08/10
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