Renata Hamvas

I have been in contact with the Office at St Francesca Cabrini Primary school, Forest Hill Road SE23 3LE (in Peckham Rye Ward). They have had two open mornings. If you have missed these there is now an additional date, next Thursday 28th November at 10am. The school were recently rated good by Ofsted. This school selects initially by faith and siblings and remaining places are allocated on an as the crow flies distance basis from the school. Renata

Thanks for adding in the extra schools. I think it is a useful tool for parents, however to emphasise, this is a snapshot of what happened on Offer Day 2013 and is a plot of last place offer distances on that day. Distances may be larger or smaller in 2014 and also there is movement on waiting lists from April until September and even later as children sometimes don't turn up for the start of term. It may highlight schools you haven't thought of! Renata

Hi David, there hasn't been storm inaction at all. The tree team is limited in size. Tasks needed to be prioritised, ie highways were done first. There was much work to be done in all the cemeteries and parks. The reason why Nunhead was done earlier is due to Remembrance Sunday and there are many war graves and memorials there. I have an enquiry lodged specifically about the path you are concerned with. Once I have a response about the timetable for this, I will post on here. Renata

Hi all, an important thing to realise is that Southwark does not have "catchments" for its primary schools. The distance of the last place offered differs from year to year; this is dependent on the number of applicants it has and where they live, which category they fall into (eg siblings etc) and whether there is a bulge class. If you information about a specific school or your nearest schools you could contact the Admissions team on 02075255337 or email them at [email protected] , or my contact details are below. Srisky, I've looked at this link, it has information about current attendees by ward, but doesn't give you specific information. The Southwark Starting Primary School Brochure gives you information of last place offered distances for Southwark Community Schools on National Offer Day in 2013; so a specific snapshot for a specific cohort of applicants. Useful for a guideline, but nothing more! I am wondering Treffold, if it would be better to rename your thread, Last Place Offered Distance Map for Offer Day 2013. In terms of Bessemer Grange,it is currently in the process of expanding from 2 to 3 forms. It will be bulging in 2014 and the expansion is due to be complete for 2015 entry. Renata

Hi DavidH, I'll find out for you re Peckham Rye Park. Yes, the Cemetery Officers wanted the Cemetery to be open by Remembrance Sunday. Renata

All done and now reopened, Renata

Thanks mynamehere! Hi Flower, I've checked the link and it's working from my computer. You do not need to do detailed costings as council officers will do that, so don't worry if you are no sure how much it will cost to implement your ideas. Renata

Hello all, the cemetery is hopefully having all the final fallen tree clearance completed this morning. Council officers are due to inspect this afternoon and if all is now fine, the cemetery will be open tomorrow. Renata

If anyone is thinking of applying for the next round of Greener, Cleaner, Safer funding the deadline for on-line applications is today! The information and online form is here: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200256/cleaner_greener_safer Renata

The tree survey was done on Monday, until then it wasn't clear what works would be required off the main paths. I shall update again tomorrow. Renata

Hi Kamila, No it isn't open yet, and an opening date hasn't been confirmed yet (I've just spoken to an officer to check), there are fallen tree removal works still in progress. Renata

I have been informed that for safety reasons Nunhead Cemetery is still closed following last Monday's storm. Several trees came down in the Cemetery. As well as removing larger trees that are still blocking paths (smaller ones have been removed), all areas need to be inspected eg to identify and remove fallen trees leaning against others in the wooded areas. Until the Cemetery is fully inspected and all works carried out it will remain closed. ( if you are a member of FONC and planning to attend the FONC work day on Sunday, please check with FONC before coming). It is likely that the Cemetery will reopen at some point next week. I shall update once I know more. Renata

nyph, Bessemer Grange is undergoing permanent expansion from 2 to 3 forms. In terms of schools that have had one off bulges, typically their last place offered distance is reduced for the following 3-4 years due to an increase in the number of siblings. Renata

Hi Ambereagle, Langbourne is being expanded from 1 to 2 form entry (3 mil investment), likewise Bessemer Grange from 2 to 3 forms. There are expansions elsewhere in the Borough too. A lot of thought has been put into how to best deal with the shortfall of primary places in the borough over the next few years. There is a detailed report that I have mentioned elsewhere on primary pupil planning discussed at the July Cabinet meeting. Ivydale is a successful and very popular school. It has been three form entry for the past two years. The use of a new site for such a school enables it to have facilites tailormade to the aspirations of the head, governing body, parents and pupils. I do believe that the expansion can enhance the feel of the school that current parents and pupils love. The split of pupil numbers between the sites means that the sites will have similar numbers of pupils to the current Ivydale site. Bellenden Old School site and the Bredinghurst site are different geographically and the council have looked at what would be best for local children in each. Yes, different approaches to these two sites, good ones I feel. Renata

Hi Lee, I know that Southwark definitely do pursue internal fraud and prosecute. I don't however have the exact figures at my fingertips. Renata

Last year it was in December, ie before the submission deadline. Renata

Tomk and unlurked, it was both! Slightly different issues. The coffee cups etc were the regular groups, other things were the impromptu gathering. Renata

I discussed the litter issue with a council officer again yesterday. The groups that were the cause of the issues have been contacted and reprimanded. As it's currently football season and there are therefore more matches and spectators, wire mesh baskets for litter are going to be put out by the pitches for rubbish (I don't know if this will be implemented for this Sunday). I will chase up again on Monday. Renata

Hi Trefford21, It is great that you have done this. All parents looking at this should be aware that all Faith schools, Academies/Free Schools and any LA school that was able to offer all first round applications for whom this was their highest ranked school a place are missing from your map. St John and St Clements, DVI, St Mary Magdalene & St Francesca Cabrini all had a partial non-faith intake and aren't there (all except STFC =50% on distance).(Also St Anthony's) The Harris Primaries, GG and new Free schools, Judith Kerr and Haberdasher's Askes (just within Lewisham)aren't there and finally Langbourne and Hollydale aren't on your map. So lots of schools! This is a map of LA community primaries only. Every on-time applicant in Southwark was offered a primary school place on national offer day 2013. There was subsequently much movement on waiting lists. Like many other LAs Southwark has seen an increase in demand for primary school places. There will be expansions and bulges providing extra capacity for 2014 entry. The information on which Southwark schools will provide this extra capacity is usually available about a month before the closing date. Various factors such as nos of children at local nurseries, birth rates at local hospitals etc are collated to produce a prediction of likely numbers of applicants in different parts of the Borough in future years. I'm very happy to help anyone who needs advice/assistance with their primary school applications. Renata

Hi Unlurked, I prefer to be addressed as Renata rather than Hamvas! I met a parks council officer and discussed the issue with him. There are a number of groups that use Peckham Rye Park on a regular basis. The officer told me that they were aware of the mess left on Sunday Evening and on this occasion it wasn't one of the regular groups who use the pitches, but an impromptu gathering of players who turned up and played. It's far more difficult to keep tabs of such situations. If this is repeated please let me know. Renata

Hi Asus and Annie, I am aware of this as I spoke to the resident who was burgled last week. AS a result, I have subsequently discussed this horrible occurrence with senior cemetery staff. There has been a site visit to look at the access to the back of properties from the cemetery and how security can be improved, to reduce the risk of such events happening in the future. Renata

To confirm, yes the distances are those on offer day. It couldn't be done any other way as waiting lists are completely fluid. There is still movement up until Christmas. Sometimes late applicants living closer to the last place offered distance won't get a place. The reason why there was a significant increase in the last place offered distance for Fairlawn this year is that they had a late bulge during the summer. This could result in a contraction in the last place distance offered over the next 2-3 years due to an increase in the number of siblings. Renata

Hi Susan, your son would be eligible for a place in January, but would only get a place if one is available, which would be hit and miss. Renata

Do go and see as many schools as you can. It is advisable to put down six schools in order of preference (putting down one or two schools does not increase your chance of getting one of those schools and increases the risk that the LA will allocate you a school, rather than one of your choosing). Schools do not know the order of preference. You will be offered a place at the highest ranked school on your list that can offer you a place in accordance to their admissions criteria. If you are offered a school that is low down on your list or is allocated by your LA, you will be on the waiting list for your higher ranked schools. There is quite a lot of movement on these lists between National Offer Day and September. Renata

Lewisham schools: ​Addey and Stanhope School Monday 23 September, 9?10.45am Tuesday 24 September, 9?10.45am Thursday 26 September, 9?10.45am and 6.30?8pm Prendergast Hilly Fields College Thursday 19 September, 5.30?7.30pm Wednesday 25 September, 5.30?7.30pm Thursday 26 September, 1.30?3.30pm The headteacher will speak at 6pm and 7pm during evening visits and at 2.45pm and 3.45pm during the afternoon visit. Bonus Pastor Catholic College Thursday 26 September, 6.30?9pm The headteacher will speak at 6.30 and 7.30pm. Monday 30 September, 9.15?11.30am Tuesday 1 October, 9.15?11.30am Wednesday 2 October, 9.15?11.30am Thursday 3 October, 9.15?11.30am Friday 4 October, 9.15?11.30am Please arrive by 9am. The headteacher will speak at 9.15am.​ Prendergast Ladywell Fields College Thursday 19 September, 9.15?10.45am Friday 27 September, 9.15?10.45am Saturday 28 September, 10?11.30am Tuesday 1 October, 6-?8pm Thursday 3 October, 9.15?10.45am Please arrive at 9.15 for the morning visits. The tour of the college will begin promptly and finish at 10am followed by the headteacher?s talk. Conisborough College For surnames beginning A?H Friday 20 September, 9.15?11am For surnames beginning I?P Monday 23 September, 9.15?11am For surnames beginning Q?Z Monday 30 September, 9.15?11am The head teacher will speak at 10.30am on morning visits.​ Open to all Thursday 3 October, 6.30?8.30pm Prendergast Vale College Wednesday 18 September, 6.30pm Saturday 21 September, 10.30am Saturday 28 September, 10.30am Saturday 5 October, 10.30am​ Deptford Green School Wednesday 18 September, 9.15?11am and 6?8pm Friday 4 October, 9.15?11am Saturday 5 October, 10.30am?12.30pm​ Sedgehill School Monday 23 September, 6.30?8.30pm Thursday 26 September, 9?10.30am Friday 27 September, 9?10.30am Tuesday 1 October, 9?10.30am Wednesday 2 October, 9?10.30am​ Forest Hill School Wednesday 25 September, 9.30?11.30am Thursday 26 September, 9.30?11.30am Friday 27 September, 9.30?11.30am Wednesday 2 October, 9.30?11.30am Thursday 3 October, 9.30?11.30am Friday 4 October, 9.30?11.30am Please arrive promptly at 9.20am at the main reception entrance on Dacres Road, allowing additional time to park locally as there is no on-site parking. Tours begin at 9.30am and will be followed by the headteacher?s talk.​ St Matthew Academy Saturday 21 September, 9am?12 noon Tuesday 24 September, 6?8pm Wednesday 25 September, 9?11am Friday 4 October, 9?11 am​ Haberdashers Askes Knights academy Wednesday 18 September, 2?8pm The academy will also be open for parents to view every Tuesday and Thursday in September and October between 10 September and 17 October from 9.15?10.15am and 11.15am?12.15pm. Parents will need to book a place on one of the above dates.​ Sydenham School Tuesday 17 September, 9?10.45am Wednesday 25 September, 9?10.45am Saturday 28 September, 9?11am Thursday 3 October, 9?10.45am The headteacher will speak at 10.15am. Haberdashers Askes Hatcham College Wednesday 25 September, 12 noon?5pm Thursday 3 October, 6?8pm Parents will need to book a place on one of the above dates.​ Trinity, Lewisham, Church of England School Tuesday 24 September, 9?10am: tour of school; 10am: headteacher?s talk Wednesday 25 September, 9?10am: tour of school; 10am: headteacher?s talk Thursday 24 October, 6?7.30pm: tour of school; headteacher?s talks 6pm and 7.30pm​