BB100

EDmummy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- So many TVs are given away or > sold cheaply on EDF, maybe they could go to > families in Southwark who could do without the > burden of HP arrangements. This could also be the > case for washing machines, dryers and fridges. There are charities that will collect white goods and furniture for low-income families like this one: thttp://www.leeoasis.org.uk/ I have worked with many low-income families and there is a lot of stigma and pride involved in accepting hand-outs. People like to feel they have provided for their children themselves and so buying through ebay can be very appealing. I don't know anyone who has approached a school about second-hand uniform although I do know that sometimes people have stolen items of uniform from the school cloakroom. One idea that I think is great is what Wilson's school does in Waddon. They have a fund for parents and ex-pupils to donate to which provides the full cost of a uniform at the start of Year 7 and pays for all school trips for families on benefits.

Hi Huggers, I have just listed them for 1p or 10p and it usually turns into a few pounds but then will give free postage to cancel that out. It all started when I listed some barely worn Clarks school shoes for 1p once and got ?11 for them after some frantic bidding. It made me reflect on how expensive good quality school shoes are. I discovered that charity shops are not allowed to take in children's shoes, redistribute them or sell them in the UK so how else can you get a pair for your child if it costs a significant chunk of your income? and school cupboards don't do shoes. People don't have to have computers - they go to the library or to Children's centres, but how long that will be available is another discussion.

For a few years I have been listing school uniform and good school shoes on ebay for 10p a bundle to make sure they go to a good home. I have been surprised by how they are always bought by people from up North who pay by postal order and who are always very thankful that their children get good quality clothing. However, there are quite a few boys in London schools who I've noticed wearing girls tops. We usually try to help them with leftover lost property.

I have some friends who send their children there and are very happy with it. It's got a very strong Christian ethos which is non-negotiable though which you need to check is suitable for you.

It's nearly the end of the school year and there's always some movement in September so if you just hold out for a bit a place will probably come up. Fuschia is right about the LA giving you whatever they have available.

If a child is having food groups cut out of her diet she needs to see a dietitian to make sure she's getting the things she needs. Whilst it's really helpful for us to make suggestions on this forum, she needs to be referred to a dietitian by her GP.

There are some special offers with the SunDial group. At their Highgate House they are doing ?60 per room with breakfast and dinner this weekend. It may sound cheap but this is a special deal and they don't advertise their special offers other than on their website and you have to search for it. I have been a couple of times before and really enjoyed it. The food has always been top restaurant quality, the rooms are very clean and is a beautiful place to relax. http://www.sundialgroup.com/woodside

You might want to consider whether the constipation is caused by an intolerance to diary if her intake is high.

I'm really sorry to hear this, it must be very distressing for you. I don't think you can do anything other than go down the appeals route. I assume you have been offered a place elsewhere, but lots of noise making phone calls to the school and Lewisham can help. Do you have an offer elsewhere?

Yes we are taking it seriously and appreciate the warning - I expect we all have children here. Referring to the legalities of the matter does not trivialise how you feel but puts the issue into some kind of perspective, especially in relation to the lack of action by the PCOs. In your original post, which you have now edited, you suggested that this person had done something criminal which is clearly not the case in the eyes of the law. Yes, there are many bad people in the world who abuse children and yes there are some who take photos of children for their own pleasure and yes there are pedophiles living in east Dulwich and we have a right to protect our children from that but whether we like it or not people also have a right to take photos in a park and not be immediately labelled as a pedophile and we cannot expect the police to take much action. Discussing our legal rights on this thread can be helpful if faced with a similar situation to know where we stand and what action we can take and what we can expect the police to take. It doesn't negate your feelings or your warning.

To measure uncertainty you would need to first define its meaning and then plot a continuum between absolutely certain and absolutely uncertain. Then the measure is the point of uncertainty indicated on the continuum at any given time.

I agree it is very unnerving and upsetting for a stranger to photograph your child without your consent but I mentioned the legal aspect of it since the person hasn't actually done anything wrong in the eyes of the law, unless you could claim it was pornographic or the person had harrassed your child by doing it on more than one occasion. And a school play is not a public place so yes the Head has a right to ban photography there. However: 'If you're on a public right of way - such as a public pavement, footpath or public highway - you're free to take photographs for personal and commercial use so long as you're not causing an obstruction to other users or falling foul of anti-Terrorism laws or even the Official Secrets Act (frankly, this one is unlikely). DPP -v- Jones (1999): The Court recognised that the public may enjoy a public highway for any reasonable purpose, provided it does not amount to public or private nuisance or obstruct the highway "by unreasonably impeding the primary right of the public to pass and re-pass: within these qualifications there is a public right of peaceful assembly on the highway." 'There's nothing stopping you taking pictures of people in public places within reason, but if you start shoving your zoom lens up their nostrils or taking action shots of their every step, there's a chance you might get a clip around the ear from your aggrieved subject or possibly face a legal charge of harassment or breach of the peace. Harassment is defined as a 'course of conduct' (so it has to happen at least twice) that causes another person 'alarm or distress', but we have to say that the bullying and aggressive antics of the paparazzi would suggest that prosecutions are few and far between.' http://www.urban75.org/photos/photographers-rights-street-shooting.html 'In general under the law of the United Kingdom one cannot prevent photography of private property from a public place, and in general the right to take photographs on private land upon which permission has been obtained is similarly unrestricted. Permision is needed to photograph or film for commercial purposes in the Royal Parks.[3]Persistent or aggressive photography of a single individual may come under the legal definition of harassment.[4]It is a criminal offence (contempt) to take a photograph in any court of any person, being a judge of the court or a juror or a witness in or a party to any proceedings before the court, whether civil or criminal, or to publish such a photograph. Photography of certain subject matter is restricted in the United Kingdom. In particular, the Protection of Children Act 1978 restricts making or possessing pornography of under-18s, or what looks like pornography of under-18s.' http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photography_and_the_law

It's not illegal to film/photograph adults or children if they are in a public place, however you have a right to question their motives.

The distances provided by the council are very misleading as are based on the first round of offers. It doesn't tell you the distance of the children that actually got in when they start in Sept/Jan, so there are probably very few that end up out of E Dulwich.

hellosailor Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > BB100, sadly she also won't take a dummy or be > swaddled but thanks for suggestions! > My baby wouldn't take the dummy or be swaddled either but it was worth a try.

mumra's advice is good. There will be lots of movement from now until August and then come September 3-5 children tend not to turn up at most schools as people move over the summer hols.

I used to have a baby like this and I never managed to solve the problem - sorry. What I did discover is my baby would continue to doze when lying on me because there was no reason for him to wake up as he knew I was there and felt secure. On reflection I wished I did the dummy thing if only to have some sanity or maybe I should have just stayed on the sofa and done an Open University course! Have you tried swaddling when you put her down? Or maybe go out more so she has a reason to wake up and look around and be properly tired. I hope the info is of some help.

I think this thread is hilarious. It seems that whatever Kingsdale does to provide new experiences for their pupils cannot pass without being heavily criticised by the green-eyed monsters of EDF.

If it's any consolation bluemusic Gordon Brown visted Kingsdale when he was PM.

I was induced because Kings thought the baby was 4lb on the scan. She was delivered the next day 6lb 6oz so yes they can be wrong.

There was another thread about Center Parcs on here a while ago which had lots of detailed info posted. It would be worth your while doing a search for it.

If you are prepared to travel a bit further then Rachel McMillan nursery in Deptford have a very strong outdoor focus and currently have free places available for 3-4 years old. The children are allowed to climb the trees, use real gardening tools and the ethos places an emphasis on children learning through taking risks. Most of the day is spent outdoors. Chelwood also has a strong outdoor provision.

erm, yes but that is in Brockley though. The early years bit is ok though if you get really stuck and have to wait for a place elsewhere. A lot of the children at Brockley Primary arrive with very good skill levels because they have been to Chelwood.

It's up to the teacher how the desks are arranged so you need to ask her. But children often work together on a task in groups so it is easier to have them arranged like that and no one is having to look at other children's backs. It also supports peer to peer learning which is now recognised as a powerful teaching method.

The figures are a guide but not very helpful when it doesn't reflect reality and you're house hunting. All the schools in the Crofton Park area/Forest Hill area are very good though, not just Stillness. Also Gordonbrock has a new Head and will soon have a new building so even more pressure off Stillness in the next few years. Also, it might be useful to know that the Fairlawn Head has taken over Haseltine.