Schools 'too full' for displaced pupils

Lawrence Weston School is due to close in September

There is concern among Bristol's secondary schools over how they will cope when two of the city's schools close.

Lawrence Weston and Lockleaze schools were both earmarked for closure after a thorough review of the city's education provision.

Parents were assured they would be able to choose alternatives for their children but head teachers say their schools are already oversubscribed.

Lawrence Weston closes in September while Lockleaze is due for a gradual closure over the next few years.

Lockleaze School was also chosen for closure

Last year Cotham Grammar turned away 350 families even though they all lived within a kilometre of the school.

Parent Julie Down, who herself went to Lockleaze School, is concerned about her daughter.

"I've got a child in year eight here at Lockleaze and I don't know what to do," she said.

"Do I send her to an oversubscribed school to start her exams and her GCSEs or do I keep her here?"

New uniform

Ray Lockey, Head of Lockleaze School, said his main interest was for the future of his own pupils.

"They've been assured there will be able to have a place at a school of their choice, they will be given a grant for a new uniform and the issue of transport would be clearly looked at," he said.

"It will obviously present problems for the council, but I can't say I have a lot of sympathy for them, because my concern has to be the children at my school," he said.

Ray Lockey: Problems

James Vetts, Headmaster of Cotham was adamant that his school was unable to take more pupils.

"It's not that we don't have immense sympathy for the staff, governors and parents at both Lawrence Weston and Lockleaze, but the fact of the matter is that there are schools in the city that are full.

"We've already had to turn away 350 families because there was not room," he said.

"The governors are saying that it's just not possible and the local authority ought to be more aware of the difficulties."

A meeting of officials, teachers and parents was due to take place at the city's Council House on Thursday evening.

Last month more than 200 children boycotted classes for two hours at Lawrence Weston School, as a protest over the closure plans.