A massive thank you to everyone who played a part in last night’s Year 13 Parents’ Evening.  The weather was pretty brutal but that really didn't seem to dampen things (see what I did there?!)

There was a lovely sense of ease about the night.  That's not an easy thing to achieve and comes from a careful balance of the phenomenal prep, set up and clear down efforts of the site, IT and admin teams alongside a bunch of pretty exceptional teachers and mentors. 

Year 13 PES always carries a lot of nostalgia as well as the high stakes of the weeks ahead.  You make our families feel so confident, epitomised by the parent who left saying "I really really love this place."

Aimi Potter
Director of Post 16 / Deputy Headteacher

Swimathon - Sunday 8 March 2026, Clifton High School swimming pool.

This is open to all year groups

Lanes booked for 9.30 - 10.30am

Please arrive at 9.15 am to allow time to change for the swim and a prompt start for 9.30am.

There are secure changing rooms on site and there will be volunteer helpers to direct you and a registration desk at the pool entrance.  Mrs Arnold will be there to meet you.

Instructions will be given at the start of each session and a klaxon will be sounded at the beginning and end of each session.  Swimmers swim at their own pace; this is not a competitive race.  Volunteers will count the number of lengths completed by each team so swimmers do not need to count lengths.  If you are interested, please email Mrs Arnold: arnoldl@cotham.bristol.sch.uk or speak to her and collect a letter.  Money raised will go towards 'The Guide Dog Puppy Appeal'.

Lots of lovely shoutouts for year 7. Congratulations to:

Aditya, Abdullahi, Arthur M,  Eli, Oscar, Ijah, Aroan, Amani, Imogen, Tamsin, Saeed, Joseph, Joonsoo and Yassin.

Mrs L Arnold
Year 7 Learning Coordinator

It was a real pleasure to welcome the Year 8 students back on Monday.  They seem well rested and ready to learn this term.  They will this week start Inter-tutor Football each Friday for both boys and girls.  This is a tournament that will run through until June with a league table that will be updated each week and will culminate in a grand final between the top two teams.  In tutor groups Year 8 will be encouraged during PSHE to reflect on their own wellbeing.  They will consider their relationships with other students, how their lessons are going, how they are managing their online usage and how things outside of school are.  It's always good to follow this up at home, it can lead to interesting discussions on how your child feels they are doing in all areas of life.

Ms D Dickerson
Year 8 Learning Coordinator

The Year 9 KS4 Pathways Evening will take place on Wednesday 14 January, 5.30-7.30pm.  There will be a presentation in the main hall at 5.45pm which will be repeated again at 6.45pm to explain the pathways process. Parents will also have the opportunity to visit different subject areas to learn more about the pathway subjects. Doors will open at 5pm, Please arrive via visitors reception, Cotham Lawn Road, BS6 6DT. 

Mrs A Khan
Assistant Headteacher

Happy New Year to all our Year 10 parents.

2026 is a big and exciting year for our students.  They will be building on key knowledge, starting revision, sitting mock exams and preparing for work experience.  It is great to see how positively many of them have returned already.

As always, I am here to help with any questions or concerns.  Let us keep working together and stay in touch.

Mr T Lawrence
Year 10 Learning Coordinator

The next Year 11 revision workshops will take place in school on Monday 12 January and Wednesday 14 January.  All students will have the opportunity to attend one of these workshops in place of their usual PE lessons.  Parents are not required to attend.  These workshops are designed to support students with creating a revision timetable and developing effective revision strategies.

Mrs A Khan
Assistant Headteacher

Post 16 students have settled back in this week, with many Year 13s undertaking BTEC examinations at the moment.  Year 13 Mocks start on Monday 19 January.  Thank you to all families who attended a very successful  Year 13 Parent's Evening on Thursday 8 January.  

Wellbeing Week is happening next week. Both Year 12 & Year 13 have a range of activities available, including craft making and meeting Jade, our therapy dog.  We know the link between wellbeing and attainment is very strong, and hope that students take up these opportunities.

Mr G Buchanan
Deputy Director of Post 16

Happy new year from Mrs Griffin and the BEP.  We are embarking on an exciting year with visits to Clifton High and Badminton Schools planned later this term and social action projects well underway.  The first Student Partnership Board meeting is next week where students will be contributing to the BEP development plan and roadmap. 

Happy New Year!  We are seeking student leaders to volunteer at our upcoming free Grand Iftar during Ramadan on Thursday 26 February, 4.45–7.00pm. Students can help welcome families, direct parents and support with serving food.  Ms Khan will be emailing home shortly with permission slips - please look out for this and return it promptly if your child would like to be involved. All faiths are welcome, and more details will follow.

We are delighted to share the upcoming season for Cotham Club, a monthly live global music club right here in the heart of our community.  Known for its "epic gigs and grassroots vibes", the club celebrates the diverse sounds that unite us.

Upcoming Event: Friday 30 January Cotham Club Presents: Eastern Strings 

Tango/Klezmer Quintet Join us for a transcendent evening of Argentinian Tango and Eastern European Klezmer. Featuring a world-class quintet, this performance blends oud, double bass, and strings into a mesmerizing musical journey.

• Venue: Cotham Parish Church, BS6 6DR

• Tickets: Under-18s £2 | Concessions £5 | Standard £14 (advance)

Please click here for further information.

As part of our local community partnership with Young Bristol, we are pleased to share their schedule for the start of the 2026 term.

• Reopened Monday 5 January: Ashton Vale Club, Avon Youth Club, BS14 Stockwood, Hartcliffe Club, and The Grove (Bedminster Down).

• Reopened Tuesday 6 January: Sea Mills Boys' and Girls' Club and Youth Clubs On Wheels.

• Reopened Thursday 8 January: Outdoor Employment Programme.

The Young Bristol team looks forward to welcoming back returning members and seeing new faces! Thank you for your continued support of these vital community spaces for our young people.

• Term 1 Monday 1 September 2025 to Friday 24 October 2025

• Term 2 Monday 3 November 2025 to Friday 19 December 2025

• Term 3 Monday 5 January 2026 to Friday 13 February 2026

• Term 4 Monday 23 February 2026 to Thursday 2 April 2026

• Term 5 Monday 20 April 2026 to Friday 22 May 2026

• Term 6 Monday 1 June 2026 to Friday 17 July 2026

• Monday 1 September 2025

• Friday 26 September 2025

• Friday 14 November 2025

• Monday 30 March 2026

• Monday 20 April 2026