Exciting Information re Academic Year 21/22

22^nd March 2021

Dear Parents and Carers,

We are delighted to be able to share exciting news with you regarding our plans for Post 16 from September 2021. I wrote to you in October 2020 with news relating to our longer-term vision, which is to have a permanent building at the former Speedwell Fire Station site in Bristol BS5. As you know, Bristol City Council supports our intentions and we are now taking the next steps towards that goal.

Our plan is to place a temporary building at John Cabot Academy, to provide 10-12 classrooms for Post 16 students. This is a temporary step, as we continue to develop the Speedwell Fire Station project. The move is also essential to provide sufficient space for the Bristol 2021 Year 7 intake, which is larger than the previous cohort. Cabot Learning Federation is supporting Bristol City Council by offering additional places to Year 7 at Bristol Brunel, Bristol Metropolitan and John Cabot Academies and City Academy Bristol.

CLF Post 16 students will continue to learn at Bristol Brunel Academy as now, but the numbers there will be reduced as we increase capacity in the temporary classrooms at John Cabot Academy.

We will of course continue to maintain the inclusive, high-quality provision for which Post 16 is renowned. The interim plan will be in place for the next three to five years, as we work to realise the plans for a permanent building adjacent to Bristol Brunel.

I recognise recent months have caused uncertainty and your patience and support is appreciated. I believe that this next step will mean we have stability and certainty as we plan for next year and beyond. I would also like to take this opportunity to update you with some changes to the timings of our day from September 2021. We plan to extend the day to finish at 4pm, starting at 8.50am every day. This additional 30 minutes in the timetable will accommodate 4 double learning sessions of 90 minutes each.

The change means we will be better able to deliver the full breadth of our curriculum within the available accommodation at John Cabot Academy.  Please see the timings of the new day attached in appendix 2.

We are very excited about the prospect of having our own temporary home for Post 16 students, whilst also maintaining some of our provision within Bristol Brunel Academy. Our key focus will remain, as always, delivering excellent educational experiences for our students. We will keep you informed every step of the way as you come on this journey with us.

If you have any questions, please email them to [email protected].

Yours faithfully,

Kath Cooper
Senior Principal CLF Post 16

Appendix 1: New build location and example proposed floor plan for buildings

Please see letter sent home for pictures

Appendix 2: Changes to the School Day