BeccaL

Have you tried Direct Line - we used them and were fine, though this was 11+ years ago, and was returning about 28 weeks, but was definitely outside "usual" coverage...

We went to visit and applied but 6th place as journey more awkward than other options. I really liked it as a school and liked the "senior management team" (what a horrible term!) - daughter liked it as well. We went by train from Forest Hill direct to New Cross Gate and it took us about 40 minutes with a bus to F Hill and the walk at the other end, so not too terrible.

Mr Worktops (http://www.mrworktops.com/) in Camberwell is very good for Corian and Corian-type tops - we've got one from them 2 years ago and looks good. is a little scratched now but we specifically chose the colour (black with tiny white flecks) so that wouldn't show up and it looks fine. They are really helpful there as well - would recommend their service.

Yup, I've had a lot of those questions. "We're quite happy with the one we've got" tends to be my standard reply - if I only had ?1 for each time I've said that over the years...

Here here (or is it hear, hear) - delighted to see and use the handrails in the rain last Saturday morning - thanks to the councillors for those.

We're in a similar situation (daughter in yr 6) but are going to put off the purchase until we know which school she's going to and what they need there - some schools use tablets, others laptops, so we thought better to wait and see what they suggest/recommend/ask for...

If you don't need them permanently, sure you could borrow some - we have some you could use if you could let me know when you'd be able to return them... PM if you prefer?

Depends where in ED you are - we're on Overhill Road. Went to visit Deptford Green last week and it took about 35 minutes door to door, which isn't too bad - bus to Forest Hill, train to New Cross Gate then about 10 minute walk from there. If your child could cycle to Honor Oak or Forest Hill, you have more control over how long the commute will take (obviously depending on reliability of trains and buses, but all trains from FH/HOP go to New Cross Gate, so you have both the Overground and Southern). Was a little apprehensive about the journey, but it was pretty straightforward. Liked the school, so probably worth having a look if you're filling spaces. Elmgreen is also cycle-able in 15 minutes from us, so that may be another option? Am in the same situation - good luck!

Daisy and the trouble with ... books by Kes Gray are fun and not too long.

Interesting discussion - how do people differentiate between regular "things which should be done to help around the home", e.g. helping hang out washing, feeding cats, and things which have potential to earn additional pocket money. Daughter (10) doesn't yet get pocket money from us but does from her grandparents. Thinking about starting but think there are certain chores which should be done routinely, not with expectation of more money!

How old is your kid? We did a 5-day course when daughter was 5 - she wasn't bothered and didn't make much progress. Intended to move to weekly lessons but didn't get round to it! The next summer holidays, now aged 6, she "swam" a lot while we were on holiday, then did another 5-day course, on which they moved her up a class from beginners to the next level on the first lesson, and she's never looked back! We then went to weekly lessons after that. I think probably longer than an hour a day would be tiring! We've used Superkids locally who are very good - have always had great teachers and daughter has stayed doing lessons longer than she "needs" to because she is still improving and loves her swimming lessons... Agree that 5-day courses not convenient in terms of child care! Scamps at Dulwich College prep school does all day child care which includes a session in the swimming pool, which could be a good compromise.

Put on waterproofs and wellies, and go to park - splash in all puddles! Then home for nice hot drinks/biscuits?

General Gym Stars is at the Charter School on Mon-Weds (https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStarsGymnasticsClub) - we've been with them for about 4 years now and they're very good. Also some drop in classes at Harris Girls on a Thursday but don't know the details for them...

These people are in Forest Hill (http://www.distinguishdoors.co/) - not idea if they're any good though! You could also try the joiners (Runcent?) on Northcross Road - they may make doors to fit?

There were horses in the park yesterday lunchtime...

Mr Worktops in Camberwell (under the arches, near the bus depot) is very good for Corian-type things - we got worktop from them and is lovely. Very helpful and friendly service too. PM if you want more details

You might find "good value for money" and "near London" a bit conflicting! Whitstable, Deal, Camber Sands, Aldeburgh, Southwold all nice but not terribly cheap (except caravan park at Camber Sands) - all less than 2 hours from London (Deal and Whitstable more like 1.5 hours). However, the saving in travelling time/hassle is a distinct bonus if you can find somewhere affordable... Dymchurch (Kent coast, near Folkestone) has a lovely kids funfair and a big sandy beach as well as a small railway but you probably wouldn't want to stay there for a week. If you're looking at the moment you might get better prices as going out of school holidays? Hope you find somewhere nice.

Also have a friend whose 10yo daughter went to DYO on her own, having been very apprehensive, and absolutely loved it, going back the next holiday. She plays violin too - PM me if you'd like to contact her...

If you can't do breakfast/after school club then childminder - nice environment for them as homely atmosphere.

Do check soon as breakfast/after school clubs often have a waiting list so better to get on that ASAP.

Southwark?s Overview and Scrutiny Committee is investigating the issue of school places planning and allocation in the Borough. They would like as many parents in the Borough as possible to tell them what they think about this issue. They have created an online survey to collect their views. The link to the survey is here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DH3JYKW I have no link to this but think it's important that as many people as possible give their opinions

Another vote for considering nodal admissions - while another secondary school is necessary, to have two within hundreds of yards of each other both only doing "as the crow flies" admissions doesn't help those of us (and there are lots of us - children at Goodrich and Horniman schools - that's approx 150 who will be looking for secondary school admissions in Sept 2016) at the Forest Hill end of Lordship Lane who haven't got a hope of being within that distance. The nodal admissions for Haberdashers looked like a very sensible proposal to me and I'd urge Charter to consider that very strongly in their admissions policy for the new school.

What Otta said - niece & nephew had a hamster, tired of it v quickly as slept a lot during the day, parents did a lot of the cleaning out. Needless to say it wasn't replaced when it died...

It's in the Family room discussion...

http://www.holidaydropoff.com/ at Dulwich College but not sure if they do half days...