Cora

As far as I know the schools have no idea where you rank them. They get told that they are on your list and feedback if they can offer you a place. You will then be offered the place from the school highest up on your list. You will remain on the waiting list for any schools that you put further up the list. By accepting a place lower down on your list will not penalise your place on higher up waiting lists. Things may have changed but I suspect it's urban scaremongering!

Think the council owns it?

Let the local safer neighbourhood police know.

I have three boys and no car. My local choices are Charter (unlikely to be close enough for their catchment) and Harris Boys. As I wish them to have a co-educational education I have no local choice and further afield will mainly be penalised because of catchment. The yr3 kids Mrs Lotte talks about will be looking for places in 3yrs - that's not long if we suddenly find a dearth of local secondary places. I think in the past you have suggested that the wealth of single sex girls schools locally means that we need to balance up with single sex ones for the boys which doesn't offer a proper co-educational choice and, in my opinion, penalises boys in particular, as research shows they do better in co-eds whereas girls do better in single sex schools. I would be really grateful if you could clarify the figures, demand and strategy for local secondary provision. I fear it is a ticking bomb being ignored and I cannot support the use of valuable land/capital for primary places when they will have nowhere to go to six later.

What secondary schools do all these extra primary school kids go to?

Yes, I would be interested to know what mixed secondary provision is being planned. I just feel we are attracting more and more young families to the area without having secondary places for them to go onto.

Was thinking of moving across to Streatham Jenny as really liked it.....then panicked about have three teenage boys there...moving out of known area of ed to unknown of streatham plus changing local authority...any comments from you or others about Streatham very useful....

I would think you have as good a chance as anyone but it will be part time. Also remember you can apply to as many state school nurseries as you want, as you apply direct to them. Costs nothing and one of them should come up trumps.

Thanks Dave, actually those letters look great too x

Goose green is a state school nursery and as a result I think they only do part-time places, although I may be wrong. Again I may be wrong, but I think it is worked out on birth date not distance.

My brother is great at telling me what not to buy his family for Christmas...this year his helpful comment is 'he needs a bath toy but they're all rubbish'?! Can anyone recommend one that gives 'hours of fun' for a three yr old? Thank you.

Amott Road is a parent-run nursery (with professionals providing the care), offering morning sessions for children from 2.5yrs. For children receiving the govt 3+ funding the cost is only around ?5wk (sorry I am doing this from memory), for those under three it is ?30 a week. It is a great way to introduce a child to the nursery setting, develop social and learning skills through play and give yourself a little break! If you would like to look round, either phone (07505498186) or just drop by (located in the Baptist Church on Amott Road nr St John's school) between 945am and 11am. Any queries feel free to pm.

And another warning - it is much worse at secondary level. Some of the popular schools only have one open evening and no visiting at other times!

Have you reported her to The Big Issue?

I think it would be great especially for kids whose own schools wouldn't be giving them practice.

I think they do still have a couple of places and take from 2.5. My son is loving it and because it is 'parent run' (supported by the parents) it is only ?30 for the week or less if you receive the government grant at 3.

Visited today....thought it was fantastic with a very impressive head. Really recommend anyone who needs reassurance or another choice to put down. They have their last open morning tommorrow if you can make-it. People are being offered it this year as it has only just moved into its new build and so lots of parents were put off by the porta cabins last year.

Great thank you, will try the p13

Just wondered if anyone had worked out a good route to Deptford Green school from East Dulwich?

I have an appointment in a few weeks...I have now had all the children but still find it scary thinking of having a hysterectomy to support the actual surgery having a good outcome. Also nervous about messing up other bits that thankfully still work (she says euphemistically!). Would also really welcome any anecdotes from others who have had surgery at Kings for this. Thanks.

Is the online for DMC?

Traffic piling up...

Great, have pm'd you.

I am no techie but is there a way to do an online petition for people to sign? It seems to me that all their patients are suffering but not many actually get round to writing official complaints and so the problem continues. If we sent the pct an online petition with a large number of signatures would this be more effective?

My children are at Bessemer and we may well be up for this...which school are you thinking of approaching?