EDmummy

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Thanks to those who have PM'd. Keep it coming - love to hear experiences.

Has anyone had experience of a local secondary that excels in teaching and supporting dyslexic children? I know when it comes down to it, we'll not have much 'choice' but I'd love to hear how you and child have found them.

Well said Aquarius Moon. I had to push my son and his friend to come up with stats as they honestly don't see class mates colour. aquarius moon Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > What difference does it make? > > My eldest daughter went to the old Waverley school > before it became a Harris academy. There were only > 3 other white girls in her class. > > My youngest went to Kingsdale & there was only one > other white child in her class. > > I grew up in a place that was 100% white but that > didn't make me racist. > > Children will choose their friends regardless of > colour and do well at school regardless of > diversity if they are brought up to believe that > everyone is equal.

MelonSmasher > > James Barber - it has not always been more mixed > than I have suggested, don't be silly. I know for > a fact that they're smart and engaged boys, I > wasn't doubting this. a 60/40 split or whatever > seems fairly decent and wouldn't be an obvious > issue. As I mentioned, in this particular case its > 90 percent plus. > > Otta- This is strictly a school environment issue, > obviously when the student I know is not in school > he is engaging with who he wants and that means > everyone. > > Having attended Dulwich Hamlet myself not too long > ago, I would say that Hamlet definitely had a > representative mix of students and I have some > great friends till this day as a result. > In any case, I have no issues with anyone of any > race, neither does the student I know. These were > just observations really.

Great, James - close to the point I was making. This is my son's 3rd year there and has friends of every colour and creed - just like we, his family do. James Barber Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > EDmummy, > When I've visited ths school it has always been > more mixed that the original poster suggests. > Eitherway they've always been smart and engaged > boys. > Many of the pupils do come from outside the > immediate area. My hunch is that with great GCSE > results this will change and it will increasingly > become more and more a local community school > reflecting the diversity of the neighbouring > areas.

My son attends the school, is white and has no problem with the diversity. He says in his year it's about 60\40 which is probably about the same as ED/Peckham/Nunhead combined area (not that he thinks it matters). It's true there has been very poor take up by local ED parents (we are in ED) and I would personally like to see this change, not for reasons of diversity but because I'd like it to be a local community school. My son is doing very well at the school and it works for him.

I would recommend http://egondesign.co.uk - amazing relaxed style.

Good to hear that pedestrian's injuries not life threatening. I have to say that this is an incredibly dangerous part of the road. People run across the road, inbetween buses and other traffic and I see near misses everyday. There is someone knocked down there on a very regular basis.

Signed. 76 needed!

If you can arrange, have your child stay in a house that has a cat for a few days and see if there's any change. I grew up with cats and it was only after I left home did I realise that there could be life without bunged up nose, itchy eyes and severe asthma. I loved my cats but it was truly horrible feeling so ill for most of my childhood. How about a (truly) hypoallergenic dog.

It's only a dozen or so stalls so not a major destination but good for a 10-15 minute stroll. Stall holders set up about 9.00am to 10.00am and, depending on the weather/time of year/amount of trade, are usually pretty much packed up by 5pm. It's a must for fudge, fresh popcorn, coffee, fancy hotdogs and pies plus a lot more. Must also plug Lisa E Moss jewelry stall. She's an amazing designer and has lots of high profile clients. Bethielethie Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I've never been to the market. Do you happen to > know what the hours are on Saturday? I couldn't > find it online. Thanks!

If kids can cope, def add in a 10 min stroll through North Cross Rd market - cake, fudge or brownie for the kids could be a winner (even in a drizzle).

Info here for Kings http://www.kch.nhs.uk/service/a-z/phlebotomy. If the test are urgent then your GP or referer should be able to get you a quicker appointment at Kings.

You might be interested in R4 Women's Hour today (on listen again), Monday 29th Sept, to a mother with a child with Autism and his transition to secondary school. Might be some useful questions you can ask of prospective schools. There was also someone from a parent support organisation interviewed.

There's a Harris parent who's added a comment to another thread about this who has had a positive experience. Often I think it's down to year group rather than the school. Would be interested in knowing a little more about what you heard MsMaz. MsMaz Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I've heard of negative experiences at Harris > Academy Boys East Dulwich so that might be best to > avoid!

Cocktails and a grown up film at the Ritzy? We usually can't make it past 10pm so meal and cinema almost impossible. A friend goes to queens way cinema (u think that's the one) where you can have a meal whilst watching a film. Would also recommend Young Vic for a play and a drink and bar snacks.

I've just tried to post here twice now with a very long response and have now run out of time trying to post again - in essence I'm pretty sure, from my Heber experience of 10 yeaars, you should be getting the following; weekly ParentMail, letter outlining of subjects to be studied each term, Early Years Foundation progress file (kept in the classroom and free for parents to see at parents evening and adhoc on request), sessions held on how numeracy and literacy is taught and of course, you can also support your child but understanding the curriculum at whatever stage they're at (available from Gov UK website). If you do not know or do not receive any of these things - perhaps you have not provided the school with an email address or have changed your email address. Also, it's worth reading the OFSTED report along side the very valid school response. I sometimes feel overwhelmed with the amount of communication!

Does nobody make their own costumes these days?

Sword made of cardboard and tin foil, scarf for head (red, black and white etc), eye patch made from card board, elastic and coured in with black marker, stripped t-shirt and if needd, hook made with cardboard (unwind a toilet roll cylinder) covered in tin foil. You could also try some of these tips http://m.wikihow.com/Make-a-Pirate-Costume. Last resort - Amazon Prime - delivery in 24 hours or less. Good luck.

And treat carpets, cat bedding and rugs. Otherwise you'll never get rid of them!

Might be useful to also look at the house in the garden of a house very near this one in (I think) Tyrell Rd - opp the small industrial estate. Not sure an emergency vehicle can get down that side return but this may pre-date safety requirements. There are a number of local councils in London rejecting back garden builds in West London might be useful to OP to have a look at these rejected application to look at the grounds for rejection. I'm keenly watching this thread as I have a suspicion that a garden build might be applied for over my own back fence (also Hindmans Rd but half way up the other end of the street).

Calm down dear Lounge Lizard. Speculative building companies building a house in a garden in ED is certainly not going to contribute to the housing problem in London unless it's social housing or seriously below the current market rate in the area. OP has raised a serious point about precedence. lounge lizard Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Classic NIMBY's, is your head so far buried in the > sand that you have avoided noticing that London > has a chronic housing shortage. Oh yes, you did > notice, you just don't want them built near you

The Landells build a few years ago was on the site if an old workshop with own access. The only other ones I can think of locally (Heber, LL end and the street that runs alongside Franklins all have what would have been coachmans access.

Son 1 was in a class of 70-80% boys, son 2 in a minority. I tend to think its random but I think I read somewhere once that younger (much younger - 16-25year olds) have a higher % of girls. In my experience, things tend to even out a bit more from Yr3 onwards in this area as some boys go on to Dulwich College.