Bristol parents rally to save area’s last community primary from Church takeover

26 June, 2025

A primary school in Bristol of no religious character is being threatened with a merger into a Church of England school, risking leaving no options for non-Christian families in the area.

Plans by the Cathedral Schools Trust (CST) to merge Hotwells Primary School – the only non‑faith primary in the local ward – into the Church of England‑designated Cathedral Primary School have provoked a wave of opposition from parents, pupils, and local residents. If approved, the move would mean every primary school in the ward will be a faith school.

The CST claims that the proposal is to account for the volume of student numbers on the site, with the Cathedral Primary School running Key Stage 1 from the Hotwell’s buildings and the current Cathedral Primary School buildings running Key Stage 2. Campaigning parents and supporters of Hotwells say that the CST has ‘failed to provide convincing evidence to justify such a drastic decision.’ The Save Hotwells Primary School campaign has been launched to prevent the proposed amalgamation.

Additionally a petition to save Hotwells Primary School has been launched which has already reached over 1,000 signatures. It is being supported by David Dimbleby, whose grandchildren went to the school. Local residents can also respond to the consultation, which closes on Monday 7 July.

Humanists UK’s Education Campaigns Manager Kieran Aldred said:

‘The proposal by the Cathedral Schools Trust to take over the only non-faith school in the Hotwells area, leaving non-Christian families with no options for primary education, is unacceptable and flies in the face of parental choice.

‘When over 50% of Bristol’s residents are non-religious according to the Census, it is unsurprising that parents are outraged by the Trust misusing falling enrollment numbers in its own faith school to solidify faith school dominance in the area. We call on Bristol Council to act to stop this proposal that would remove families’ access to inclusive education.’

Notes

For further comment or information, media should contact Humanists UK Director of Public Affairs and Policy Richy Thompson at press@humanists.uk or phone 0203 675 0959.

Read and sign the petition to save Hotwells Primary School.

Read and respond to the consultation on amalgamating Hotwells Primary School.

Read more about our work on faith schools. 

Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 130,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.