Temporary Bristol secondary school to expand after permanent site delayed

A temporary secondary school that was built in response to delays to a new permanent site is set to be expanded.     

Oasis Academy Daventry Road has applied to add a first-floor extension to its temporary building on the playing fields of Oasis Academy John Williams in Hengrove. 

The extension will mean the school just off Walsh Avenue can accommodate 360 students until the 900-place permanent site on Daventry Road in Knowle West is expected to be completed in September 2025.        

In a letter to residents near the school, planning agent Niall McDonald said: “The proposal will seek planning permission for a first floor extension to the existing single storey building and further hard play areas. 

“The temporary site will continue to be accessible to students via the pedestrian access from Walsh Avenue, which has been in use since September 2023. 

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“Subject to planning permission being secured from Bristol City Council, works are due to commence in May 2024, to ensure it is ready and installed and ready for the new academic year in September 2024. 

“As with the current planning permission, following the expiry of the temporary consent, the units will be removed and the land reinstated to its former use as playing field space for Oasis Academy John Williams. Permission will be sought for one additional school year.”   

The new Oasis Academy Daventry Road was announced in 2019 and was originally due to open in September 2023 but was pushed back to 2024 and then 2025. 

An Oasis spokesperson previously said the delay was due to asbestos and ground contamination.      

The school is being built in place of the former The Park Community Centre building, which was previously used as a secondary school until 2000. 

The Park moved into a new building next to its former site in 2022, with its old home now being demolished to make way for what will be the first secondary school in the Knowle West area in 25 years.