Changing Bristol

Thanks to Mr Moreton for organising the conference last week focusing on extremism and radicalisation. I attended most of the day and we all learned a great deal. We had presentations from some excellent key-note speakers and I was also pleased that so many of our sixth form students were able to attend. We were joined by representatives from most Bristol schools and a number of others from other local areas. There are a number of high profile cases in Bristol including that of a student at City Academy who disappeared without warning for Syria before Christmas. The school governors met on Thursday for an away day. This is an annual event that in previous years has been held in different schools around Bristol. Over recent years we have visited: City Academy Bridge Learning Campus Oasis Brightstowe Merchants Academy Gordano School This year our governor Edward Benzecry kindly hosted us in his offices across the road from the school .The office is on the top floor of 2 College Square and affords a wonderful view of the school. On the agenda, the proposed sixth form development bid and the timing of the school day. I am anxious to discuss both of these issues with parents and students over the coming weeks and months and hope to see as many as possible in our first discussion on 25th Feb at 7pm in the Cresswell Centre. Education in changing rapidly and Bristol is not immune.