Consultation for school admission arrangements 2026/2027

A Summary of Consultation Feedback 

Proposed changes made to the policy documents included:  

• Formatting of document for improved clarity
• Co-ordinated scheme: dates and deadline
• Establishment changes, where schools had converted to become an academy:
• Two Mile Hill Primary joining The Leaf Trust
• Nova Primary joining TiLA (Feb 2025) 
• Feedback in relation to the Published Admission Numbers (PAN) reductions which is set out in the key findings below.

Consultation Summary Report 

The consultation received 27 responses.  The majority of respondents were parents of school-age or pre-school-age children. 

The feedback includes comments and insight from; parents, school staff, governors, and other stakeholders on how these changes may impact schools and communities directly associated with Air Balloon Hill and Bishop Road primaries reducing PAN 

Key Findings 

A significant number of responses were focused on the reduction of PAN at Air Balloon Hill Primary School and Bishop Road School. 

• The majority of respondents supported the changes, citing the notion that the schools have grown too large.  A smaller school would allow for better resource allocation and improved teacher-to-student ratios.  This included more time and space to support for children with SEND.
• Increasing pupil numbers at other schools promotes better community cohesion. 
• Fewer pupils would result in improved air quality around the schools from reduced traffic.
• At Air Balloon Hill Primary School, concerns included the impact on sibling placements, potential overcrowding at neighbouring schools, and the broader effects on school resources.
• At Bishop Road School, respondents were particularly worried about school choice limitations and the ability to accommodate local families.
• Other concerns were that the decision to reduce the intake at Bishop Road is not child focused. Bishop Road is a school consistently judged as outstanding.  
• From school staff and governing body representatives felt that the impacted schools did not have suitable time to prepare before this consultation was made public. 

Bristol City Council Response 

The consultation process has identified mixed views on the proposed changes at Air Balloon Hill and Bishop Road primary schools, with both support and concern expressed.   

Careful planning is necessary to ensure that the needs of pupils, families, and staff are adequately considered in policy decisions.  This includes continued dialogue though increased communication from the LA and from school leadership to clarify policy intentions, share relevant pupil forecasting and mitigation strategies.   

The proposed PAN reductions were a direct response to falling demand for primary school places throughout the city.  Between 2005 and 2017 Bristol experienced a significant and ongoing increase in the demand for primary places, caused by rising birth rates.  As a result of this and to ensure there were enough school places for every child who needed one, primary school provision was expanded with many of our schools increasing their site capacities and some new schools were opened.  

Since 2017, birth rates across the city have been in decline and Bristol now faces the significant issue of surplus primary school places which will in time result in a reduction in secondary places. 

A considerable number of our primary schools are now undersubscribed. In 2026, the LA forecast a citywide surplus of over 1,000 allocatable reception year places; this puts smaller schools at risk of being financially unsustainable.   

The LA has reviewed the potential reduction in size of some of our largest schools though PAN reductions to even the school place numbers across geographical areas. In making this proposal we considered historic first choice places and other primary schools within a short distance of the schools. 

The LA understands this is difficult decision and we have considered the needs of the schools, and the families involved.  Currently over 97% of families are allocated one of their top three primary school choices, 91% receiving their first choice.  Due to falling demand, the potential to receive an offer at a preferred local primary school will remain very high.    

Both Air Balloon Hill and Bishop Road are a popular choice for families.  Air Balloon Hill and Bishop Road have been judged as good and outstanding by Ofsted, but we cannot ignore current applications in the area, which are declining and both schools are below PAN for their reception intake meaning neither has had 120 children on roll in reception in recent years and classes have not been at full capacity.  Some of the feedback received from the consultation included the views from staff at both schools was that resources were currently being stretched while operating with four forms of entry.  

We welcomed the proposals from several academy schools also consulting on reducing their PAN. This is a challenge that we face as a city and one that we are keen to respond to as a city.  

Organising the city’s schools by offering a sustainable number of places will be an ongoing challenge.  Acting now and continuing to review available places each year, while pupil numbers are predicted to be declining, will help larger schools plan for a falling roll with regards to staffing and resources as well as greater enhance the potential survival of our small schools.  Keeping schools open is important to our local communities, it also provides the flexibility to increase places, should demand rise again in the future. 

With regards to staffing, this will be determined by requirements of the schools, their families, and the resources available, including finances. In some schools, such as academies, this will be the responsibility of the academy trust, whereas in maintained schools this will be a responsibility of the local authority. Despite the different employer responsibilities, we will seek to work across our partners to address this challenge.  

For Air Balloon, 86% and Bishop Road, 85% of pupils currently on roll live within 1 mile of the school.  It is significant that our schools serve a community with children attending their local school.  The LA hopes to avoid school closures.  If children can attend their local school, this improves community cohesion, accessibility, reducing the number of cars on roads and promoting walking and cycling to school.  

The LA is aware of the need for further engagement with parents and school staff to address concerns about primary school places and ensuring we are maintaining high standards for our children and young people.  In 2025, Bristol City Council will be working in partnership with the city’s schools and Trusts to publish an updated school organisation strategy. We will also be supporting all our schools in managing declining pupil numbers.     

On central government’s decision to add VAT on to private school fees and how this may lead to increased demand on the city’s state schools; the LA has consulted on PAN reductions because this is a legal requirement from the Department for Education within the School Admissions Code.  We are constantly assessing the policy change concerning private schools in terms of how it will affect the education system.  Should there be increased demand, we still foresee there to be suitable provision for primary places in the city although this may mean demand for popular, first preference schools is higher. A decision to reduce PAN is not permanent; there is no requirement for schools to consult on increasing PAN so this option would be available to our schools, should it appear necessary.  

The Decisions Taken 

1. To determine the proposed admission arrangements and co-ordinated schemes.
2. To reduce PAN at both Air Balloon Hill and Bishop Road Schools from 120 to 90.

The determined policy documents can be found on our admissions website.