Alex,
I am sorry to hear that your school has decided not to become Tier 4 compliant. Presumably the amount of non-EU nationals applying to attend courses with Bristol GS doesn't justify the extra cost and time involved in becoming accredited?
It seems ridiculous to me that the CAA can't act as the accreditation body. What are they so worried about? I can't see how the would lose out financially, and, presumably, it can't be because they're worried about being held responsible if a student absconds, as the Tier 4 accreditation requires that an elected individual at the school holds responsibility for their students, not the accreditation body?
Regards, jez