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Bristol Primary St Barnabus School Faces Closure

November 7, 2022 Chopsy Baby

A primary school in Bristol, described by families as ‘magical’ a ‘green oasis’ and providing ‘incredible support’ to children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (Send) has been earmarked for closure.

St Barnabas CE VC Primary School, a single intake school nestled between St Paul’s and Montpelier, is the third school in central Bristol to become victim to falling primary school rolls. St Michael’s on the Mount C of E Primary School and St George Church of England Primary School both in central Bristol closed their doors at the end of July 2021, instead opening as brand new amalgamated school on the St Michael’s site now named Willow Park C of E Primary School.

The school will also be the fourth Bristol church school to close its doors, with St Pius X Catholic Primary School also closed in 2021.

Voluntary-controlled schools are education settings which are usually owned by a charity, usually a church. The school buildings and land are owned by the church whilst the Local Authority employs the staff and sets entrance criteria.

Families at the school were informed this term that Bristol City Council might close the school in August 2023, the end of the current academic year.

Headteacher Debbie Fisher, told families in a letter this November that no decisions have yet been made, with updates on the situation to come over the following weeks.

She said: ‘This will likely be a challenging time for the school community but I know everyone will support our children and one another over the coming weeks.
Despite this news, we are continuing to work hard to give our children the best opportunities and experiences we can.’

Families reacting to the news have blamed an ‘over provision’ of primary schools in the local area. Whilst St Barnabas has been serving the local community for 150, two new primary schools opened up nearby in 2012 and 2015, affecting the number of pupils attending the school. This left the school budget in deficit and despite attempts to attract more pupils to the school, as well as sending in Expressions of Interest to support a lack of specialist Send places in Bristol.

A petition to try and save the school, set up by Sophie Higgins Wheeler says: ‘School leaders and governors tried everything they could to increase the number on roll, including bidding to be the site of an autism resource base which would have added two classes to the school, and applying to join a Multi-Academy Trust. Unfortunately they were blocked at every turn.

‘In November 2022, staff and parents were informed that Bristol City Council had begun the process of closing St Barnabas Primary permanently. Everyone was shocked and devastated. The school community is now pulling together to fight against this short-sighted judgement, before the Council Cabinet makes their final decision in January.’

To view or sign the petition, visit: https://www.change.org/p/save-st-barnabas-ce-vc-primary-school