Consultation for School Admission Arrangements 2026/2027

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Consultation has concluded

Why are we consulting?


School Admission Arrangements

Admission Arrangements outline how school places will be allocated at each school setting, including the school’s over-subscription criteria which is used when schools receive more applications than places available.

For all community and voluntary controlled schools, arrangements are determined by the Local Authority. For all other schools this is the responsibility of the individual school or academy trust.

Bristol are consulting on the proposed arrangements for all Bristol community and voluntary controlled primary schools and the admission arrangements for selected Bristol infant to junior school transfers for 2026/2027.


The following schools will be using Bristol local authority's determined admissions arrangements.


All Bristol community schools

  • Air Balloon Hill Primary
  • Ashley Down Primary
  • Bishop Road Primary
  • Blaise Primary and Nursery
  • Brentry Primary
  • Broomhill Junior (from year 3)
  • Brunel Field Primary
  • Chester Park Infants
  • Chester Park Junior (from year 3)
  • Fair Furlong Primary
  • Glenfrome Primary
  • Hannah More Primary
  • Hillcrest Primary
  • Holymead Primary
  • Knowle Park Primary
  • Nova Primary
  • Sea Mills Primary
  • Sefton Park Infant
  • Sefton Park Junior (from year 3)
  • Shirehampton Primary
  • Southville Primary
  • Summerhill Infant
  • Upper Horfield Community
  • Whitehall Primary


All Bristol voluntary controlled schools

  • Avonmouth C of E. Primary
  • Horfield C of E Primary
  • St John's Primary
  • St Peter's C of E Primary
  • Willow Park Primary

This list may change if school governance changes. For example, if a school becomes an academy.


Published Admission Number (PAN) Reductions

PAN refers to the maximum number places that can be offered at a school for each year group. Bristol City Council are proposing PAN reductions at the following schools for their reception intake year from 2026/2027

  • Bishop Road Primary School from 120 to 90
  • Air Balloon Primary School from 120 to 90

Between 2005 and 2017 Bristol experienced a significant and ongoing increase in the demand for primary school places, largely 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.

A considerable number of our primary schools are now undersubscribed. By 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 have also 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.

We welcome the proposals from a number of 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.


Co-ordinated Schemes

Local Authorities are responsible for setting the process by which applications and offers of school places in their area are managed. Bristol City Council are required to co-ordinate the normal admissions round and late applications for all primary, Secondary and some in year places for the city.

We are consulting on the proposed co-ordinated schemes for 2026/2027


How to get involved

If you would like to comment on the proposed arrangements please complete the online feedback form below.

Alternatively, email to james.last@bristol.gov.uk or post to James Last, School Organisation, Bristol City Council, City Hall, PO Box 3399

The consultation will run until 31st January 2025.


What happens next?

Once the consultation period has ended the arrangements will be determined and signed by the Director for Education and Skills and published on the Bristol City Council website by 15th March 2025.

Why are we consulting?


School Admission Arrangements

Admission Arrangements outline how school places will be allocated at each school setting, including the school’s over-subscription criteria which is used when schools receive more applications than places available.

For all community and voluntary controlled schools, arrangements are determined by the Local Authority. For all other schools this is the responsibility of the individual school or academy trust.

Bristol are consulting on the proposed arrangements for all Bristol community and voluntary controlled primary schools and the admission arrangements for selected Bristol infant to junior school transfers for 2026/2027.


The following schools will be using Bristol local authority's determined admissions arrangements.


All Bristol community schools

  • Air Balloon Hill Primary
  • Ashley Down Primary
  • Bishop Road Primary
  • Blaise Primary and Nursery
  • Brentry Primary
  • Broomhill Junior (from year 3)
  • Brunel Field Primary
  • Chester Park Infants
  • Chester Park Junior (from year 3)
  • Fair Furlong Primary
  • Glenfrome Primary
  • Hannah More Primary
  • Hillcrest Primary
  • Holymead Primary
  • Knowle Park Primary
  • Nova Primary
  • Sea Mills Primary
  • Sefton Park Infant
  • Sefton Park Junior (from year 3)
  • Shirehampton Primary
  • Southville Primary
  • Summerhill Infant
  • Upper Horfield Community
  • Whitehall Primary


All Bristol voluntary controlled schools

  • Avonmouth C of E. Primary
  • Horfield C of E Primary
  • St John's Primary
  • St Peter's C of E Primary
  • Willow Park Primary

This list may change if school governance changes. For example, if a school becomes an academy.


Published Admission Number (PAN) Reductions

PAN refers to the maximum number places that can be offered at a school for each year group. Bristol City Council are proposing PAN reductions at the following schools for their reception intake year from 2026/2027

  • Bishop Road Primary School from 120 to 90
  • Air Balloon Primary School from 120 to 90

Between 2005 and 2017 Bristol experienced a significant and ongoing increase in the demand for primary school places, largely 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.

A considerable number of our primary schools are now undersubscribed. By 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 have also 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.

We welcome the proposals from a number of 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.


Co-ordinated Schemes

Local Authorities are responsible for setting the process by which applications and offers of school places in their area are managed. Bristol City Council are required to co-ordinate the normal admissions round and late applications for all primary, Secondary and some in year places for the city.

We are consulting on the proposed co-ordinated schemes for 2026/2027


How to get involved

If you would like to comment on the proposed arrangements please complete the online feedback form below.

Alternatively, email to james.last@bristol.gov.uk or post to James Last, School Organisation, Bristol City Council, City Hall, PO Box 3399

The consultation will run until 31st January 2025.


What happens next?

Once the consultation period has ended the arrangements will be determined and signed by the Director for Education and Skills and published on the Bristol City Council website by 15th March 2025.

  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    If you would like to comment on the proposed arrangements please complete the online feedback form.

    Our privacy policy explains what we do with your personal information, how long we keep it and your right to withdraw your consent at any time you choose.

    The consultation will run until 31st January 2025.

    Consultation has concluded
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