Government pledges millions of pounds to address school places shortage in Bristol

One of the most pressing issues facing parents in Redland is the lack of school places. We've heard a lot from parents who have missed out on their school of choice and are facing a lengthy journey to get their children to school and have had calls from councillors for the government to address this problem and it looks as though they may be listening.

Bristol West MP Stephen Williams has joined Lib Dem Council Leader, Barbara Janke, in welcoming the news that the Government will provide an extra £18.3 million to help with Bristol's primary school places shortage. The news comes after Stephen joined Council Executive Member for Education, Clare Campion-Smith, to lobby Education Minister, Nick Gibb, for the extra money.

In a joint statement, Stephen Williams and Barbara Janke said: "This is very welcome news and follows a long campaign to solve one of Bristol's most pressing problems - the growing shortage of places in primary schools across the city. With the backing of parents, we have been lobbying ministers for months to give us a substantial slice of the £500 million they have found to address the fast-rising demand for school places. This is a growing problem nationwide but, outside London, Bristol is one of the worst-affected cities, partly because of its success as a prosperous economic centre that attracts young families who want good schools for their children. The government has at last recognised this and we hope for further backing in the years to come."

Only time will tell how this manifests here in Redland. Will it mean more schools or simply see increased class sizes and pressure on teachers? Will it directly effect teachers in Redland? Or will the resources be focused elsewhere in the city? There are a lot of questions which need answering but it certainly is a move in the right direction...

Photo by Miki Yoshihito via Flickr