Monkey

Hi all, just back from Harris Girls ED and absolutely loved it, even more so than I did last year. Very, very warm staff, very sharp. The curriculum is broadening, they?ve improved their library, opened up a bookshop and started their own publishing house. The head of art is very impressive as is the head who made herself available for questions. I really suggest people go and visit. This school is often overlooked and really shouldn?t be.

I agree that Sydenham School is refreshing! Beautiful buildings and the girls are really lovely. We?re already out of this year?s catchment and if it shrinks further, we?re screwed. Seeing Harris ED tomorrow. We already saw it last year and are really looking forward to seeing the team again. Thank you for all your help and suggestions.

Thanks all. That?s very helpful. I?ve listened to the K. address already (twice in the same day!) 😊 Generally speaking I find the addresses pretty annoying. I get schools which have moved to a lottery system telling me how they?ve improved outcomes (when they?ve found a way to recruit a different cohort)and schools which operate a catchment in super wealthy areas telling me how amazing they are (when they should really give some kids from further afield a bit of a chance). I think i?m Open Dayed out.

I?ve started looking at secondary schools, including the two Charters, Harris Girls, Kingsdale and Sydenham School. It?s becoming another full-time job. Any others I should add to my list, which are worth seeing and which i?ve got even if only the tiniest bit of chance of getting into? I live by Goodrich School. Thanks!

We?ve been at Goodrich for six years and I think the school is constantly getting better. I personally feel that ks2 is better than ks1 but it could be my own personal experience. Big jump in SATS results this year. Sports and music provisions are very good. Teachers are approachable and seem happy. Strong set of no-nonse, experienced TAs. Lots of clubs after school, including the truly excellent Eos Dancing school.

I?m sorry DiD. This is an awful thing to happen.

Forest on LL used to do flower arranging parties. Might still do. Really good fun. Also chocolate making parties at the Chocolate Museum in Brixton. Or a magic show at The Illusioner in Herne Hill.

It?s a lovely idea, rch. Let us know if/how we can help. Thank you so much!

That?s a nice memory of John, DulwichBornandBred. I have two which I hold dear. The day when I walked in and didn?t see him in the middle of the piles of books he was sorting out until I suddenly saw his head emerge. The other one was when he decided to install a new till on the last shopping day before Christmas and of course it proved trickier than expected. ;-) It?s good to hear that Chener will continue. We will support it, we absolutely will.

Yes, I did, and it?s happening more and more frequently. Not complaining as police have to do their job but a bit tired today.

Chener Books.

Thank you all. We do use Thuja and tape and well .... it?s working. The little buggers are retreating!

Dear Forum, you?ve helped me through nits in the past and today I need help with a cluster of aggressive verrucas on my daughter?s foot. We went to the chiropodist, who scraped them and told us to apply tape on them. She?s also given us a tincture to apply beforehand. It?s been a few days and I can?t say it?s making a difference yet. Any tried and tested methods from Forum members please? Is it worth going to the GP? Thank you.

Thank you all. I?ll check out the Institut Francais and Cadet Roussell. Treehugger, her secondary school only offers Italian.

A friend of mine got into Worsley Bridge from Byne Road but this was a couple of years ago.

Well you?d also go on waiting lists for your preferred schools and there is usually quite a lot of movement. So don?t necessarily give up on the house!

If none of your six choices offer you a place, you?ll be allocated a school that is under subscribed. It could be far away or not very good (or both).

Yes, I can hear it. Stupidly loud. Not sure where it comes from exactly.

It?s horrendous. We gave up on private school and went to our local for that reason. Not joking. I?d take the train.

Really good to know, Molly. Thanks. There are a lot of dishonest roofers about - hubby literally threw one out of the house last month - so will keep Robert?s details preciously.

Just to say i?m with you, Bodsier. My daughter is only in year 4 and children already have iPhones, post and watch videos on YouTube and play online games. My daughter is not allowed any of that and this is impacting her friendships at times. Wish people would be sensible!

The owner of Tales on Moon Lane.

The New Forest is unbelievably beautiful, peaceful and the perfect antidote to city life when it gets too much.

Wow such a good little reader!

My daughter is only 8 so forgive me if my recommendations are too babyish: Young Bond, Young Sherlock, Alex Rider.