Renata Hamvas

There used to be a Southwark wide banding system, but basically all the schools decided to operate their own system (as the are all either Academies or VA they can do so) so it was pointless for Southwark to do banding when no-one used it. Renata

Hi all, Gove's letter does sound worrying, I hope that Nicky Morgan actually takes into consideration what is needed in the area and what local residents and the local council want. There was a need for late bulge classes in 2009 in East Dulwich and that cohort will be applying for secondary entry in 2016. The Cabinet report that produces a picture of what is predicted for primary and secondary school place demands in Southward over the next few years, predicts that increased primary demand will be shifting northwards in the Borough and that the South of the Borough is where there will be increased demand for Secondary places from 2016, and that this demand will shift northwards in the Borough over the next few years. Renata

Hi Reubenreuben, as said by Slh above, Forest Hill Boys is strong on performing arts and is local to you. As stated by Emily Pie, Haberdasher's in Telegraph Hill is strong on music and has music scholarships (but I don't know if there are any for year 12 entry). It does take quite a few external pupils at 16+ into it's 6th form centre. Kingsdale has been awarding music scholarships for a few years, It has good facilities. Renata

Hi Jane1, for boards on estates, it's best to contact the TRA as they usually put notices in them. Renata

The staff at St Mary's pre-school, Nunhead have emailed me to inform me that tomorrow, Friday they are holding a charity fun day at the Millwall Lion Centre, Bolina Road, SE16 3lP. There will be a bouncy caslte, cakes, clothes, stalls, games and much more. It's from 10am to 2pm. Renata edit I've been asked for their contact details in a pm, it was in the email, so sorry I should have put it in 02072776255 [email protected]

Hi Skegness, I get a lot of positive feedback from parents with children at the school. I think the issue probably is that it has Rye Oak and Ivydale close by which both have Children's Centres and nurseries and so parents are familiar with these schools from when their children are very young (so Hollydale gets put below them on the CAF). Hollydale, being a small school on a small site has no nursery so parents have no pre-application experience of the school unless they have older children or friends/neighbours with links to the school. For those of you with children going into reception/thinking about Hollydale, there is a preschool at the Evelina Road end of St Mary's Rd, St Mary's preschol just across the road from Hollydale. it's hours are 9.15-12.15 during term-time and they take children from 2.5 years old. Renata

Hi James, please can you show me the evidence than any consultation or collection of signatures was done for the proposed Harris Nunhead Primary school from parents resident in the Nunhead area ie SE152 or SE153. It is my belief, but please show me otherwise that the original signatures for the Harris East Dulwich were used for the Nunhead application. As two Nunhead primaries, well thought of by local parents were undersubscribed this year, can you show me any evidence that there is need or demand for a Harris Free School Nunhead? There will indeed be increase in demand for primary school places for the centre and north of the Borough over the next few years. As has been shown by Southwark Free School moving significantly from it's original proposed location near Borough High Street to the Ledbury TRA Hall, Harris could look for a site for Harris Free School "Nunhead" elsewhere in the Borough. I don't know how familiar you are with the Harris Girl's Site. The only "free" space is what was an outdoor sports area, was temporarily used to house some 6th formers (now in the 6th form building) and being used for Harris Free School ED for the next two years. The temporary classrooms will fill the space, so it's got a very small footprint. It is also metropolitan open land. This site couldn't even be used to house Harris Free School "Nunhead" on a temporary basis. It also is 4 minutes walk from the Stuart Road site of Ivydale, so there will be an extra 2 forms of primary intake in this area at an established, popular local school. You are disingenuous about this all, Harris are not keen to attempt to get a school on the Harris Girl's Site. The Head has also said there is no free space to accommodate a new school there. I do think there would be difficultly to be granted planning permission for putting a school on the site, due to lack of space and as it's metropolitan open land. This would be true of any local authority, and as you know planning committees are not whipped and can not be politically biased in their decisions. The recent and soon to come extra primary places at Bessemer Grange, St Anthony's, Dulwich Wood, Ivydale, Belham, Judith Kerr and Harris East Dulwich means that there are many more primary places for residents in the south of the Borough. The main issue is to secure the hospital site for a much needed secondary school, and I agree with what is said above it needs space for good facilities. Renata

Great News! Renata

Hi Eatlessbread, I'm really sorry to hear that you are going through such a difficult time. To speak confidentially to a member of the Southwark Solace team, please contact them on 020 7593 1290 or email [email protected] . Renata

Hi Wharto, thanks for your email, I'll respond to that in detail. In general, if you're working I'd also check where nurseries are in relation to getting to work and check on waiting lists as some of the local nurseries have very long waiting lists! Renata

Hi Uzma, if you are living in the area near the bottom of Lordship Lane, I would suggest Goodrich, Harris East Dulwich (which will common application system next year), Horniman's bulge for this year was cancelled but may happen next year, St Francesca Cabrini (does take non-Catholics), Dulwich Wood and Heber. You may think of others depending on where exactly you live. Put your 6 schools in your true order of preference, if you put a long shot first, if you don't get this or your other top choices it won't reduce your chance to get offered a place at your lower placed school if you fulfill the criteria for this school. Renata

Hi Intexas, Harris have applied for planning permission for the temporary classrooms (portacabins). They have applied assuming that it will be 2016 when Harris ED move to the Police Station site, so temporary classrooms to accommodate 2 reception classes in 2014/15 and four in 2015/16 (reception and year 1). They have not applied for planning permission to put a primary school on the Harris Girl's site. Here is the link to the planning application http://planningonline.southwark.gov.uk/AcolNetCGI.exe?ACTION=UNWRAP&RIPNAME=Root.PgeResultDetail&TheSystemkey=9554814 Renata edited to add link

Hi again all, the database of trees with invasive roots is for arborists and not something that's on the Southwark website, I don't know if it's something that's available for all to view, but I'll look into this. The other tree in the picture is also a Holm Oak. There was an attempt a few years ago to stem the growth of these trees. (I don't know the details, the resident told me about this) What is not clear from the picture that even though the trees were the same age, the second one is significantly smaller as the measures were a success for this tree and it is further away from the Nunhead Lane terrace of houses that have been affected by tree roots. Renata

James, Tessa has not misspelt Michael, her dot from the 'i' has floated and the 'e' is flat, you are looking for something when nothing is there. After being so vocal about a secondary school for the East Dulwich area you ought to be delighted about Tessa's stand. As you well know, yours has not been the only party striving to provide extra secondary school places over the last year, some of us have just been a bit quieter and more subtle in our approach. A bit of respect and decorum would be more in order here, not ridiculous comments simply because your local MP is a Labour MP. Renata

Two schools in the Nunhead Area, St Mary Magdelene and Hollydale (in the heart of Nunhead) were both undersubscribed this year, as was Turnham, just over the border in Lewisham. Where there has been an increase in demand for school places is in the South Nunhead area (Peckham Rye Ward rather than Nunhead Ward), this will be addressed by the Ivydale expansion, the Stuart Road site is in an area where places are needed. In terms of what I am stating about the Harris Girls' site (no free space), it is what Jane Fletcher the Head said to me when I visited the school.There may be a way to put a primary there, eg massive rebuilding program, reducing pupil numbers of the secondary by a form, or using all their outside space. They are however a Sports Academy so removing areas used for sport would be detrimental to the needs of the school. Looking at their planning application it doesn't seem easy to accommodate the temporary classrooms for reception and then reception/year 1 of Harris Free School ED . From their planning application it looks like the temporary accommodation will be occupied for 2015/16 by Harris Free School ED, this indicates it would be difficult for them to have another primary taking pupils on to this site, even temporarily from 2015. It is of my personal opinion if there had been free space on the Harris Girls' Schools Site, this would have been the easiest option for the Harris Federation and Harris Free School ED would be opening there this September, particularly as this is the route they took with Harris Academy@Peckham. If you have any doubts about what I have written in my previous and this post please read the Cabinet Report, I put a link to in my previous post. Pupil Planning is not an exact science, but it does give a good indication what is expected in terms of pupil numbers for different parts of the Borough. Renata

Hi littlek1cker, as soon as it was mentioned that the proposed 2nd Harris Primary may end up on the Harris Girl's School site, I went to see the Head. She says there is no free space that could be used to accommodate the primary. Except for the South Nunhead area, which is close to the Stuart Rd Ivydale site, there is not a shortage of places in Nunhead, two Nunhead primaries were actually under-subscribed and were allocated children this year. The figure that you are quoting James, are not for Nunhead, but the whole of the Peckham and Nunhead Community Council area. The Harris Free School Nunhead was incorporated in the Pupil planning for this area ie assumed to go into SE15. If it doesn't happen at all, there is predicted to be a 1 form shortfall of provision by 2016 for the Peckham and Nunhead area. With the current expansions and new schools (1 FE from Judith Kerr, 2 forms from Harris ED and 1 form from Dulwich Wood extra provision)there is predicted to be about a 2 form of excess for the Dulwich area for 2016! The figures of shortfall you quote James, in your older post are for the entire southern half of the Borough and don't consider all the new schools and expansions! Very much greater Dulwich! The actual figures are in the middle of this Cabinet Document. http://moderngov.southwark.gov.uk/documents/g4556/Public%20reports%20pack%20Tuesday%2018-Mar-2014%2016.30%20Cabinet.pdf?T=10 There will be an increasing shortfall of primary places in the north of the Borough over the next few years, and therefore if Harris wants to provide places where there is need, they should be looking further north within Southwark for a site. There is predicted to be a shortfall in Secondary places in the Dulwich area from 2016, that is why the Hospital site should be used for a Secondary School, a local community tailored health facility and some housing. Renata

Hi JMT, I know all about this tree. This is a Holm Oak. A few years ago it caused the subsidence to the Victorian Terrace to the South of it. They had major cracks and were underpinned, works were done to the tree. New large cracks have appeared in the houses. A dig has been carried out looking to establish for sure what is causing the second round of subsidence. It has been proven that the cracks are due to the tree as the roots of the tree were found in the dig pits. All other options have been investigated and unfortunately this tree needs to be removed. Discussions and investigations over this tree have been going on for years. Officers have tried to find a way to save it. The repairs to the houses have been put on hold until the tree is removed. The Holm Oak is on the list of trees with invasive roots. A new tree will be planted, but it won't be a Holm, Oak as we don't want to have this situation again. I spoke to one of the residents involved and what she has told me correlates exactly with the Officer I spoke to. I agree it is an attractive tree and as soon as I spotted the notice, I emailed and then spoke to Officers about it. I do try my best to save trees where this is possible, asking officers to look at all other alternatives eg the Cherry tree on Peckham Rye Park. Unfortunately in this case all other options have been exhausted and it needs to go. Renata

Hi New To Dulwich, I see you are looking for July, Southwark LA primaries break up in the last week of July this year, on Wednesday 23rd July, so activities at schools etc won't start until the 24th or on the following Monday, the 28th. Most holiday schemes tend to operate during August rather than July. If you are looking for ones that start earlier than this you will be limited to ones at private schools. As well as the sporty ones you've found there are also the Lewisham Community Sports one, usually starting mid-July at St Dunstan's (Stillness ones will start later, like Southwark Community Schools) and I think these offer art as well as sport. http://www.lewishamcommunitysports.com/ Renata

Hello everybody, just to give some of the facts. The council (officers in conjunction with the cabinet member for children's services) produced a report on primary school place strategy and planning that was discussed at Cabinet in March 2013. Pupil planning is carried out taking into consideration many factors including for example numbers at nurseries, birth rates etc. These indicate that the number of children in the Dulwich area requiring reception places is peaking this year and then plateauing off for the next couple of years. It also shows that the Peckham and Nunhead area may still be having increased demand for primary places. These figures may, of course be wrong, eg if there are huge numbers of families with under 5s moving into the area, but if they are correct they imply there will be a slight excess of primary places in the Dulwich area by 2016. There is definitely a demand for the expansion of Ivydale as one of the areas where it is particularly difficult to secure a primary place is the Nunhead and East Dulwich to the South and East of Peckham Rye Park. The location of Harris Nunhead on the East Dulwich site would add extra places into the Dulwich area where the pupil planning suggests there will be sufficient places already! I don't believe there is much support for a second Harris Primary in the ED area and on this particular site (correct me if I'm wrong). This school would not be providing places in the Peckham and Nunhead area, where there is the prediction of some increase in demand(actually the North of the Borough is where most additional demand will be). Over the last year there have been discussions between Councillors (including myself, the Cabinet member, then Dora Dixon-Fyle and the Leader, Peter John) and Officers over secondary provision. Similarly to primary provision, secondary provision within the Borough is also assessed. In 2009 there was a shortfall of primary places in the East Dulwich area. These children are currently in year 4 at primary and due to start secondary in 2016. In keeping with this and other factors, the pupil planning for secondary indicates there will be a shortfall of secondary places in the area for 2016, spreading northwards through the Borough by 2018. There has therefore been discussions and support for a new secondary for the East Dulwich area and the only suitable site is the Dulwich Hospital site. The plan is that this would open in 2016 to coincide with the increased demand. As everyone knows there has been huge support from local residents for a new secondary school to serve the East Dulwich area. Local Authorities can't open schools themselves under the current system; the route is via a free school. To summarise, evidence shows there is a need for a Secondary rather than a primary school on the East Dulwich Hospital site and that is what the Council and over 600 local families want.

Hi Callie, and others, I'm happy to take up your refuse problems and see if I can get them sorted (unfortunately I'll be away from the computer most of today, so it may be Monday). Please pm or email me your details. Renata

ALDLife, a small charity with a shop in Peckham will pick up unwanted furniture and sell it in their shop. 020 7358 6871 Renata

hi Gemmamala, I would suggest you contact the school and try and arrange a visit. There was a new Head appointed in 2013 and 3 million has been invested in the school (it's now 2 form entry and previously it was one form of entry). Renata

hi Green Bean it's normally open 11-5 during school holidays, so should be open now (if you don't mind the rain!) Renata

Hi Nigello, yes Peckhamrye is correct, Rye Lane comes under the Lane Ward and the area near the Library under Peckham Ward. I shall raise this with the councillors of those two wards. Renata

Hi bet01, your closest schools are Heber, Goose Green, St John's and St Clements, Goodrich, Harris ED and Rye Oak. Goodrich, being a larger school does tend to have a significantly larger last place distance offer than Heber (also more movement on its waiting list). this year Harris ED had a direct application process and for 2015 it will be integrated into the London-wide process so there will be an extra 60 places in the local area in the initial application process. Things vary from year to year so it's hard to predict exactly what will happen next year with a specific school! Renata