Discussions continue about future of St Ursula's School

A decision on whether an independent Catholic school in Bristol can be saved has been deferred for about a week.

The fee-paying St Ursula's School in Westbury-on Trym went into administration last week.

About 160 pupils were left without schools and 40 staff lost their jobs. Supporters have raised about £450,000 to try to save the school.

A meeting was held on Tuesday night, where a decision was put off until "on or before" 17 August.

The school went into administration after a bid to make it a non-denominational academy was rejected by the Sisters of Mercy, the Catholic nuns who ran the school.

'Positive discussions'

It has struggled to remain financially viable because of falling pupil numbers.

Donniya Dhadhra, a representative of the Christian educational trust Oasis Community Learning, which wants to turn the school in to an academy, confirmed that negotiations had not reached a conclusion.

She said: "The intention had been to be able to make an offer to the administrators today (Tuesday).

"We have today entered into positive discussions with Bristol City Council to formulate a joint proposal that could be submitted to the administrator for an early resolution."