The split-site merger ‘will create immense logistical challenges’ and the consultation is ‘flawed’
Cathedral Primary School was widely praised by Ofsted following an inspection in October. (Pictured September 2020).(Image: Google Maps)
Hundreds of parents and local residents say they oppose the plan to close one of Bristol’s smallest primary schools and merge it with a bigger one a mile away.
More than 260 people have so far signed a petition against the ‘amalgamation ’ of Hotwells Primary School with Cathedral Primary School, and say the consultation exercise being undertaken by school bosses is flawed, and the merger will have ‘severe negative impacts’ on children and families.
The plan unveiled earlier this month is to close Hotwells Primary School as a standalone school and see it effectively taken over by Cathedral Primary School, which will then run as a split-site school with the infants school based at the Hotwells site, and junior pupils based at the Cathedral school a mile to the east, near Brandon Hill.
A series of consultation drop-in meetings have been held, with one scheduled for Cathedral Primary parents today (Wednesday), but already opposition is building among parents to the plan.
Many parents at both schools say they are opposing the plan because it will mean a two-mile round trip along the main A4 Hotwell Road for Key Stage 2 pupils – aged seven to 11 years old – from Hotwells, and the same round trip in a different direction for Foundation and Key Stage 1 pupils, aged four to seven, who live around Cathedral School.
For parents with two or more children in the two different age groups, it will mean their children have to attend different sites.
The petition was started by one parent, Alexander Cheremukhin, and as of Tuesday afternoon, June 17, has been signed by 270 people.
He said the consultation process itself was ‘flawed and insufficient’. “The consultation process for this significant change appears to be fundamentally flawed and fails to meet the standards required for such critical decisions,” he said, adding that the consultation period of just five weeks ‘falls short of the statutory minimum’, and best practice is to have such a big change undergo a 12-week consultation period.
He also questioned the timing of the announcement, claiming changes to admission arrangements to start in September 2026 should have had a consultation period at least 18 months in advance.
“There is a strong perception among parents that, contrary to the Gunning Principles, this consultation is a mere formality or ‘box-ticking exercise’, with key decisions already made prior to public engagement,” he said.
“For instance, during Hotwells School consultation meeting it was openly stated that Trustees had already decided to submit merger plans to the DfE, despite the ongoing consultation,” he added.
READ MORE: One of Bristol’s smallest schools could ‘close in its current form’READ MORE: Takeover could bring 21 Bristol schools under same leadership
But the plan itself is also challenged. Those signing it agree that ‘he proposed changes pose significant risks and challenges to the well-being and educational continuity of pupils and families from both schools’.
He said the split-site merger ‘will create immense logistical challenges’. “This includes increased travel time and costs for parents, potential splitting of sibling groups, and safeguarding concerns.
“The considerable distance between the sites, which is more than double the current furthest split site distance in Bristol and can be more than a 30-minute walk for a child, raises serious questions about practical viability, especially with young children.
“Some parents have undertaken preliminary costings which estimate that for their families over a two-year period it may require up to £4,000 more in additional bus fares and after-school club sessions,” he added.
“The split-site arrangement would force many more families to use cars,” Mr Cheremukhin’s petition said.
“Even without detailed assessment it seems obvious that severe lack of parking for drop offs and pick ups at both sites, busy yet narrow and often one way roads, difficult traffic situation in rush hours coinciding with school times would only worsen the congestions, jeopardise safety of pupils and residents, go significantly against widely respected Bristol green agenda, amongst other things,” he added.
Hotwells Primary School(Image: Google Maps)
The petition also expresses concern for the impact on the education provision at both schools, particularly with things like music, French and special needs provision.
The parents signing it are demanding the proposals are immediately withdrawn, and the school bosses embark on a new and ‘genuine and transparent consultation’.
The petition also demands the academy trust explore alternatives to the merger, including options to ‘sustain Hotwells until the predicted population growth from the Western Harbour development occurs’.
Both Cathedral Primary, which is linked to Cathedral Choir secondary school, and Hotwells Primary are part of a multi-academy trust, based at St Katherine’s School in Pill, which also includes the new Trinity Academy in Lockleaze, Henleaze infants and juniors, Ashton Gate primary, Victoria Park primary and Headley Park primary in South Bristol, and St Katherine’s Stoke Park Primary and St Werburgh’s Primary in north Bristol.
Bristol Live has approached the Cathedral Schools Trust about the petition, and a response is awaited.
When the consultation on the merger was launched, academy trust leaders said Hotwells Primary was becoming increasingly unviable financially due to falling numbers.
“This is a proposal at this stage and it is very important to us to consult with everyone who has an interest before any final decisions are made,” said a consultation document issued by both schools.
“As the people closest to our schools, you understand the local community better than anyone else. We’re keen to gauge your local knowledge and hear your thoughts on how our proposals could affect the area,” they said.
“This proposal is primarily driven by the ambition to ensure strong and sustainable schools in the area that will provide the highest quality primary education for pupils.
“It is intended to maintain provision on both school sites and ensure that there continues to be a school serving the Hotwells/Harbourside community, address concerns around the volume of students on the Cathedral Primary School site on College Square by providing a more appropriate learning environment for the youngest children on the Hotwells Primary site, and support the city with the aim of reducing places across primary schools,” they added.