Norfolkvillas

Hi EDF, our eldest is starting at Kingsdale in September. Can anyone shed any light on how they stream the kids into ability sets for subjects? Are there tests in the first few weeks, or is it connected to the banding test which was part of the application process? Or is it based on SATS (or year 6 teacher assessments, as no SATs this year)? Thanks!

In case anyone else has the same question, I rang DWLG Doors & Windows in West Norwood and they came within the hour, knew exactly what the problem was, took the whole thing apart, put it back together again with upgraded hinges and the doors have gone from being a total nightmare to operate to an absolute dream. I feel like a total idiot for struggling with them summer after summer. Lesson learned!

Has anyone had their bi-fold doors repaired? Ours don't close easily, I think they've 'dropped' in the middle and need somehow adjusting. Thanks in advance!

I would also like to add my recommendation for Vince, who's now completed a number of jobs for us including decorating, some simple electrical work and general handyman tasks. I've been very pleased with the quality of his work and would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a conscientious and reasonably priced handyman

Meant to PM

Also pretty dismayed to hear they can decide to drop languages! We love the Mondly app which is free.

Hi there, I posted a recommendation a few months ago for our teacher Owen. Our boys have just passed their initial grade uke with distinctions and are upgrading to guitar this term. http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,1870442,1870714#msg-1870714

Can anyone suggest a good place locally for my other half to go and work (and drink coffee / have lunch obvs) for a few hours in the cool today? Thanks in advance!

We have tried to use their after school nanny service in the past - such a great idea, but they didn't seem to have enough nannies in this area on their books to make a timely match. I think these kind of services (there's another called student nannies) tend to start in West London, expand to South West London, and then eventually get to us in SE. I use the Bubble babysitting app ( it's great, and you can use my code HARRISED to get a tenner off your first sit if you like) and the sitters I had at the beginning said that most jobs up til then had been West London based. So I think these types of services are gaining more ground in this area, and therefore becoming more viable / useful.

Myself and my kids are looking to re-start French tuition, ahead of a few trips to France planned later this year. I studied French to degree level many moons ago, but my spoken French has never been that great, and now I'm rusty as well. My kids are 8 (boy) and 5 (girl) and speak a few words. I'm looking for someone who can share an hour between me (tuition through conversation) and the children (with an emphasis on spoken French, and in a way that makes it fun for them). Friday afternoon / early evening would be the ideal time for us and we're based in central East Dulwich. Get in touch if you think you could help and let me know what you would charge. Thanks!

My daughter went to Heber nursery (and then to join her older sibling at another local primary) and really loved it. For my eldest, we used a non-school affiliated morning pre-school, and I think my daughter learned way more at Heber, and was a lot more stimulated. Whilst it's obviously all play based learning, I think just the fact that it's a more formal education setting helps, and nursery children can free flow to an extent with reception children should they wish to, and my daughter really loved this. She skipped in every morning, without fail. The staff were beyond lovely, we had no problem with the size of the classroom and no experience of coats left outside. I would recommend. And you're right, a shorter nursery run is a huge plus!

Just adding my thanks, and also consternation at the seeming injustice that someone who works so hard, and has so much local support, can fail to retain his post. I think we were actually always just on the other side of the boundary of James' remit, but we've benefited from more than one of his initiatives, including one that is now a fundamental part of our family's life, for which we are particularly grateful. James, I hope this cloud has a bright and shiny silver lining and that your career goes from strength to strength.

Codekids do workshops in Dulwich occasionally - maybe more often if there's a demand. My son did a one day workshop in Feb half term and loved it. http://www.codekids.org.uk/

A big recommendation for John - I called round a number of plumbers for an emergency call out this morning - all of whom were fully booked. John took the time to ask me what the problem was and then talked me through how to isolate the pipe and turn the supply off, and even offered to FaceTime if I wasn?t sure I had the right pipe. Emergency over, thanks John! He?s coming round to replace the tap at a later date and sounded super knowledgeable. We will definitely use him in the future.

Just a quick recommendation for Lori Etienne, who made some curtains for me just before Christmas and did an absolutely beautiful job. I'm thrilled with the result, and she went out of her way to turn the work around right before Christmas. Very grateful! She posts as bobbly on the forum, or her website is https://lorietienne.com/