Henbury School offers places to 35 Bristol children

The 35 children who have been told they do not have places are aged 12 to 16

A Bristol headteacher has offered places to 35 children who faced having no school to go to in September.

The children, who are currently at Oasis Westbury School and aged between 12 and 16, were hoping to enter the new Bristol Free School.

Blair King, chairman of the school's trust, said it had never promised the children a place.

The headteacher of nearby Henbury School has written to affected parents saying it could offer them places.

Clare Bradford said she was keen to help: "We know we can cater for them and that they'll do well.

"It's good for us, and positive for us and nice to have that community involved in Henbury."

Ms Bradford said she had already had calls from parents and would speak to a group at a meeting on Friday about the proposal.

The move was praised by pressure group Bristol Children First saying Ms Bradford was "precisely the type of helpful person" needed to resolve the issue.

"She - or someone like her - will be the true hero for these children and we will investigate the suitability of this school with true gratitude," said the group in a statement.

Some of the children had previously attended St Ursulas before the private school got into financial difficulties.

It was bought by Bristol City Council for £1.95m and replaced by Oasis Westbury on a one-year deal.

That school is now to be replaced by a primary academy run by E-Act and Bristol Free School, which will only be taking year 7 children.

Bristol Free School only confirmed it would be opening on 16 May after final approval from the government.