THE BRISTOL STANDARD

About The Bristol Standard

The Bristol Standard is recognised nationally as an outstanding self-evaluation framework and the benefits and impact of its approach have been well evidenced. Through team reflection and discussion, the strengths of the setting are celebrated and future priorities become clear. The Bristol Standard enables practitioners to talk more knowledgeably about what they do, why they do it and the difference it is making for children and families in their care. Settings who engage with the process are more likely to be judged as good or better.

Framework for Play Settings

The Bristol Standard has a framework for Play Settings which is supported by mentors from BAND. The framework can be used by after school clubs, breakfast clubs, holiday clubs and childminders. We often get joint submissions from settings where they have early years and play provision. A play setting that has engaged with the Bristol Standard and recently been successful at validation is KHASS. Read more…

The Bristol Standard 6th Edition 2018

The new edition of the Bristol Standard was launched on 22nd February and is now ready for settings to use. If you were unable to attend the launch, your lead teacher will arrange delivery of your 6th edition pack. Once you have received it you should destroy the previous materials and replace them in your folder with the new ones. There is a transition period in which you can gradually move over to the 6th edition, depending on where you are on your journey. If you are halfway through a full submission we would recommend changing to the 6th edition for the remainder of the Dimensions. There is transition paperwork to include with your next submission which can be found by pressing the link to the Bristol Standard submission forms on this page. Read more…

Amazing Communicators

The Bristol Standard Development Group was pleased to work in collaboration with St Paul’s Children’s Centre and Teaching School to write the Amazing Communicators supplement (see below). This follows the courses that ran at the teaching school during 2016. The booklet can be used in conjunction with your current submission to support in-depth reflection in Dimensions 2, 3 and 5 or can be used as a separate focus in your Interim 2 year. If you would like further advice on how to use the materials please contact Nicky Bale.

What people say about The Bristol Standard

“Some of the dimensions really got different members of the team into challenging about what our beliefs are and what we actually do to promote these in our setting for the children.”

What people say about The Bristol Standard

“The cycle of monitoring our practice ensures that we continually reflect on our own practice and that of our FS colleagues. We have become a close working group, not only while teaching the children, but also in providing support for each other.”

What people say about The Bristol Standard

“The process made me and the staff reflective and actions identified have fed into our SEF and priorities for the setting.”

What people say about The Bristol Standard

“We are now much more aware of the importance and benefit of physical activity to improve long term health, cognitive functioning and school readiness.”

What people say about The Bristol Standard

“Starting the Bristol Standard had a positive impact on my self-esteem. I started to feel happier. I started to value myself. I was proud of what I was doing because I was actually doing well, better than I thought at least.”

What people say about The Bristol Standard

“I have seen our practitioners grow in confidence and flourish before my eyes. It has been a truly inspirational process.“

What people say about The Bristol Standard

“The biggest benefit to children is that they are closer to the centre of our thinking and decision making than they were. Children’s ideas are far more prominent in our plans.“

What people say about The Bristol Standard

“We have been involved in this process for longer than the 12 years I have been at the school, and it has opened up a dialogue for us as a team – one which spills into our lunchtimes and conversations in the evenings, because we are so engaged and interested in the learning that takes place in our setting.“

What people say about The Bristol Standard

“It made us realise there are a lot of things we do well. Everything we do, we do with the children’s best interests in mind.”

What people say about The Bristol Standard

“We have been able to allocate time to reflect on our practice, think critically and celebrate successes as a team.”

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Policies and Procedures

Bristol Standard for Validation January 2019

Bristol Standard policy for e-mentoring July 2018

Bristol Standard Policy for Mentoring July 2018

Bristol Standard Policy for Validation July 2018

The Bristol Standard Privacy Policy

Publications