DVnewbie

Dulwich Village Infants school (C of E) (as well as Dulwich Hamlet) manages its own waiting list too if you are still thinking of moving into the village. The schools themselves will know much more than the LA. Give the school offices a ring and ask how far away the next people on the waiting lists live. They might be able to tell you. Then you can work out what waiting list position you'd go in at (roughly) when you're considering offering on a house. People move from the private schools too - and if you can get one child in, they'll probably look sympathetically at trying to get the sibling in as soon as they can. Pretty sure Herne Hill only goes up to Year 2 though, unless it's no longer just a nursery and pre-prep?

Hello - nearly all the "good" schools will be full in every year as there is nearly always an in-year waiting list. I agree with scareyt - if I were you, I'd move as close as possible to a school or schools you are keen on and then you'll get to the top end of the waiting list (depending where other people live). But people living really close will have got in earlier, unless they have just moved to the area too, so you stand a good chance of getting a place quite quickly. There is a bit of movement - people move out of the area or some choose to move to private schools at "funny" entry points (i.e. not just at 7+, Year 3, and 11+). I know of a couple of children moving mid-way through the Hamlet (which is a junior school, so Years 3-6) (in Years 4 and 5) to go to private schools.

That's the one I am thinking of! Thanks all!

Thanks all! I'll have a look around at all those options. Beckenham might be a bit far. Have a lovely after school nanny but she doesn't drive.

http://southwarkgymnastics.co.uk/ That's the website. I'm not sure about waiting lists etc yet as I think there is one at the Charter after school on Wednesdays/Thursdays too that might be more convenient for us. I'll let you know when I find out!

Thanks! Yes, just googled them...

Hi - I'm trying to find some gymnastics classes for my children in years 1 and 2 (ages 5 and 6). Does anybody have any recommendations/know of any with spaces? I've heard a lot about Charisma but am pretty sure there is a long waiting list for that. Plus we have ballet and football on Saturday mornings, when I think the Charisma classes are held, so would preferably need another time slot - after school is a possibility if it's not too late!

A lovely child from Ruskin walk got in in 2014 but they were quite far down the waiting list (20-something). There is often quite a lot of 'movement' but not always.

Hi - can anybody let us know where Roksana is based? I'd love some lessons - used to be quite good as a child, have an unloved piano and get deeply frustrated trying to play as I'm soooo bad now. Thanks!

Hi - both my children spent a year in Blue class. My youngest has an August birthday so she started when she was just 3. They both totally loved it. I could have started my youngest in Red Class but decided that as she was only having a year there before school, I wanted her to stay in one class for the whole year. The teachers are fantastic. They all get a chance to go to "Forest School" too, which is what they are doing in the local park (out in all weathers)! (They get hot chocolate in the winter.)

Hello, Good luck with the move! We live in the village and totally love it. Moved here just over 2 years ago for schools. Both my children go to Dulwich Village Infants (DVI) and I cannot rate it highly enough. We're close enough that we should be easily able to get into the Hamlet for year 3. We tend to go 'out' in the evenings more in East Dulwich/Peckham Rye but the village is really leafy and family-friendly for daytime. If you decide to move to Dulwich Village, Bessemer Grange is supposed to be really good now and definitely consider Judith Kerr. There are a large number of children there who have no German family members but the parents have decided it's great to be able to offer them the chance to learn another language well while young. However, places do come up in Reception/at the start of year 1 at DVI. People do move (over the summer holidays especially)... Good luck with the move!

The Princesa Yaiza in Lanzarote was nice.... Try looking at Easyjet holidays - it was much cheaper for us through them but we did have a middle of the night flight back (although the children were very good). I've heard good things about the Abama in Tenerife too.

Brill - thanks! Will collect on my way home. Perfect!

Errr - yes, ditto... (So relieved I'm not the only one...)

Another vote for Elm Lodge if you're in "catchment". All lovely doctors - great with my small pre-school children (well, one's just started school now) and also with me... Haven't saved my life yet though!

I haven't been skiing since having children (and I really miss it...) so have been following this thread with interest. They are now old enough (just) but that means we are tied to half term/holidays. It is literally double the price if we go during half term than the week before or after... Admittedly I was looking at VIP-chalets which isn't the cheapest. But ?6k for a family of 4 at half term (all in one room with a double bed and bunkbeds tucked round the corner) or ?3k the week before or after. Am wondering, since the eldest won't be 5 then, if I can take him out of school for a week. I won't, as I think it is too disruptive and selfish, but I can see why people do! Besides, even ?3k isn't exactly cheap!

Congratulations - very exciting. Yup, there are a lot of good primary schools - depends on where you live but some of the ones that are constantly positively thought of seem to be Heber, Dulwich Village Infants and Goose Green. (And Rosendale but that's probably too west.) My eldest has just started at DVI and totally loves it. Bessemer Grange seems to be doing well too at the moment - as do a lot of others. I'd get in touch with your local counsellor if I were you. Which are your nearest 4/5 schools? Good luck!!

I've had it done... (I'm embarrassed to say!) Not that I pay much attention to it, although I should as I do look better in "my" colours. I still mostly wear grey/black/white, whereas I am a "Clear/Warm" so really shouldn't. (All will be revealed if you get your colours "done".) Had it done by Anita Feron Clark - here's her website: http://www.feronclarkstyle.com/ She's v good!

Yup - I second the ELC one. It's fab. My son's had a few and that's the most robust/fun. (And daughter loved it too...)

Elm Lodge Surgery on Burbage Road is great. They're lovely with our children (one just started primary school, one at nursery) and you can always get an appointment.

Brilliant! Thanks again everybody!

Thank you!! Yup - I think it might have to be Boots....

Hi - are there any photo shops on Lordship Lane. Not having much luck with google and can't remember seeing anything in Sainsbury's on Dog Kennell Hill. (Thought "Family" people might have a good idea...) Thank you!

posted in error so deleted!

Oh yes, Arietty is a great fesity heroine for pre-teens. Although afraid I'm a bit anti the Railway Children but that's only because I can't think of Roberta without thinking of Jenny Agutter. The Secret Garden is great though.