bawdy-nan

Thanks minder - that's really good to hear

Yes - we're off to see it v soon and have heard good things from happy girls and parents too

yup - think I agree with you on that one curmudgeon

We're looking all over the place. I don't even know that science is the route my daughter will take but I'd like it to be an option. I'm not attacking the Charter specifically I know its a problem for lots (most) of mixed state schools. I just find bit depressing and I don't believe there's nothing to be done about it. On a different point - we were at the exam day for Newstead Wood yesterday (grammar in Orpington). Crikey. There must have been two sittings of at least 500 girls and some of the conversations I overheard whilst waiting to collect were extraordinary - tiger-mother-tastic. Tales of months and months and months of daily exam cribbing and nothing else. Having done the journey by train I have to say that although its quite straightforward it does feel like a very long way to travel.

I might appoint a champion in the school to look at the issue. I might invite speakers into school from the organisations who are set up to do this eg http://www.wisecampaign.org.uk/ or http://sciencegrrl.co.uk/ or http://breakthrough-stereotypes.org.uk/ I might take advantage of the resources offered by these organisations - all kinds. I might explore and experiment with single sex science teaching. I might try and make sure there were women on the teaching staff in science subjects. I might arrange trips out to events and festivals. I might look at how many girls are succeeding at science and set a target for improving that. I might set up a science club for girls at an early stage. I might target likely candidates and give them taster sessions. I might make connections with schools that were more successful at getting girls into science and ask them what they were doing. I'd look at what was happening in classrooms and think about whether that was making a difference - who answers questions? who volunteers?

curmudgeon, that was what I thought. I asked about it and was told "there's nothing we can do". I just don't agree with that.

I agree that there is a huge social pressure on girls which encourages them away from science but surely that's where education plays a part - it's about opening up possibilities. Not closing them down. In the local all girls schools it is "normal" for girls to do science whereas in the mixed (high achieving) schools it absolutely is not. If having boys around means that girls chances are diminished in this area then yes, I do think that schools have a responsibility to address it. Having a uterus doesn't mean you can't get your brain round pulleys and levers.

Actually I don't think it's about the choice at a level but the 5 years before and how you arrive at a point, if you're a girl, where you think science just isn't for you.

Yes curmudgeon girls only much better for getting girls to think they are allowed to do science but odd to have to reject local mixed school (who emphasise success) in case your daughter "might" want to do physics.

I think the big question mark for parents / children thinking about the Charter is the very low numbers of girls going on to do science at 6th form (especially) physics/ I asked about this at the open day and was told that hardly any girls went on to do physics. This isn't unusual in the state sector where about 50% of state schools send 0 girls on to study A level physics http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-19603399. Feels like a terrible choice to make at 11 however. If you've got a clever, mathsy girl sending them to the Charter (or other mixed state schools) could just mean their choices are limited. I found it pretty shocking I have to say and, despite reports of more positive attitudes and support in other subject areas (ie ICT), couldn't get any sense from the staff that they thought this was a problem or that there was anything to be done. There is a lot that can be done. I'm not especially attacking the Charter here as it's clearly a problem throughout the mixed state sector but it is a worry.

Put a bird on it!

Sillywoman interested to hear that your kids are academically diverse and all happy at the charter. the impression I got was that the school was all about "success".

museum of london is great too

er, I had my 40th birthday party there (well one of them) and it was splendid

I tried to go through Hyde park (on my bike) last week and encountered Boris' tedious triathlon blocking the way through. I asked one of the marshals if there was an alternative safe cycle route. She suggested I travel on the 5 lane Park Lane or cycle on the "no cycling" paths. So I did. Slowly.

Both my babies were born "late" (42 +3 and 42+5) and at home. Advice and attitude from the staff varied: my consultant great - really clear on risks and guidelines without being scaremonger, scanning staff (at least the ones I had, and it was several years ago) really horrid, asserting "facts" that weren't (I;d checked out all the Nice guidelines and talked it through with consultant). I had excellent midwives who I trusted completely (Brierley). If they had suggested I go into hospital at any point or had been concerned about the health of my babies I would have followed their advice.

thanks for this - what great choices!

really sorry to hear that fjd - the thing is that the cyclist shouldn't have been going so fast as the key word is shared. Must have been very shocking. Hope you're ok.

Hi Sue It is that bit and, yes, it is really hard to see. The pavement is divided into two sections, the closest to the road being designated for cyclists. Cyclists can't use the road there to go towards the station end of Rye Lane because buses take up the width of the road. When I cycle there there are often pedestrians drifting into the cycle path area so I go very slowly and say excuse me. Its awful that the cyclist didn't stop.

This thread really surprises me. I can think of only a handful of times when I've seen cycling on pavements in the 12 years I've lived in ED. And only once did it seem a problem. Is it really a huge problem warranting such a response and intervention from community officers? There are many more infringements of traffic law that take place in ED that have a more likely dangerous outcome. Cars parked across crossing dropped kerbs, school coaches blocking townley road, buses parking on double yellows at road junctions, terrible driver behaviour towards lollipop ladies, cars, buses and motirbikes in advanced stop boxes... etc etc I've seen these things time and time again but cyclists on pavements beyond children and the odd nervous novice? hardly at all.

Sorry to hear that sue. Rye lane is shared use in part (from pulse end to primark bit). There's a marked division but its not very clear. Especially for pedestrians I think. Safe cycling use is basically pootling speed.

Thanks Renata - does anyone know Lewisham dates?

James - that's great to hear (re Plough Lane). Thank you for following this up. Much appreciated.

Jags is cheaper (I think) and the pool is generally quiet. depends when you'd want to use it and what for, I suppose

coats and wellies? Saw several toddler parties enjoying the weather on my cycle into work ...