katgod

Interesting story in Evening Standard yesterday about a new Harris Primary in Beckenham. The council has refused planning permission for temporary portacabin type accommodation for the new school which was intended to take children this September. So the children due to go to Harris are all being taken on by an existing local authority school. Begging the question why the Planning stuff was not dealt with sooner and why a new primary is being built when there is capacity locally . Does not help Ed but at least shows the madness of this is not just being felt here. And thank you to the poster who explained where Hatcham is- nonsense then to call our 'if the developers and Harris don't get there first' school after a place several miles away. Stick to Haberdashers.

James, why is the NHS marketing the site for housing a problem for the Charter bid? Isn't it a problem for Habs too? What is the Council and or the Steering Group doing to stop the whole project being scuppered by property developers? Sounds like the name might be a non issue if the land all sold off. Interested that Habs are suing their auditors- not a step to be taken lightly, hopefully they have been well advised and have a reasonable prospect of success. So some hope some money will be recouped. Does commenting on this thread count as 'support'? I cannot recall whether I have formally signed up, but like many people I really don't mind which school is chosen. Does not mean I do not like Habs, just that I would be equally happy with Charter. When looking at the bids does the D oE not look at overall support for the need for a school?

but doesn't HADS end up to similar to HAED which is what we don't want at all?! So Charter would be a lot less confusing. Where is Hatcham anyway? What about Aske's School ED. This whole 'Academy' thing will probably be a flash in the pan so we might as well stick with the long established English norms of either 'School' or 'College'.

Neither of mine have asked any questions about their bedrooms or asked to see it. The era of wifi and Skype means ours rarely spend time downstairs with me - when off duty they are either out or upstairs emailing/chatting. Worst experiences: feeling so guilty and embarrassed when her phone was snatched out of her hand by a street robber, and water pouring out of radiator which she tried to 'bleed' as she was cold. Explaining that DIY is our job and not hers and a heater and an extra blanket solved that. All positive here but a friend has had au pair drive into another car and drive off without leaving a note, and then not tell my friend - she found out via the other driver, small town, witnesses knew the car etc, and has also been called by the school as children at school with no knickers on! We are pretty laid back- they are not here to be skivvies, the only other person I know who had a bad experience did IMHO treat hers like a skivvy micro managing and expecting way too much housework.

If you are flexible on afternoons or mornings and even days I would stay hopeful- the change to the session times may make movement more likely.

there is a nanny ageny that specialises in after school only care. local student of 6th former? lots of chldminders do it - see them setting off with gaggles of children from most schools.

Brighton, Bournemouth, Southend, all easy by train. Eastbourne or Brighton good as you can train from ED to East Croydon, where there are slopes to change platforms so easy to get onto the Eastbourne train. probabaly quicker direct from Victoria, but easier via ECroydon. Minis Bay, Broadstairs a different line but also doable (from london Bridge I think). Our Victorian ancestors were very keen on the seaside so train lines serve the coastal places pretty well albeit often on slowish trains.

helium baloons in Greetings on Lordship Lane or Bonnie's florist. You buy the baloon they blow it up for you.

if you know where child is likelty to go tO school I'd see which method they use and go witH that. Read Write Inc is another programme some schools use. Some old ORT are not properly phonics based apparently - so make sure you don't get an old set. That said I think variety is the key so they don't get bored.

Crystal palace one o'clock club was for me the best of the bunch. It did a lot of what is outlined above, the things I really liked were: Tea coffee available to buy Painting really well done with lots of paper, a drying rack, overalls Activities changed half way through- some not all, so duplicate put away and cars put out. Kept it interesting. Also like places with more messy/craft/different stuff that I can't or won't do at home. Hope that helps

that post office so brilliant - no queues - which while great for me maybe indicates general lask of usage.

you need to be looking out for mini ones in shiny new uniforms in September who do not have older siblings. I would not worry too much - most people get in locally eventually. 90 places at Goodrich and 60 at Heber plus Bessemer expanding and the new Harris, Ivydale expanding so that may free up some Goodrich capacity. And St Francesca Cabrini usually seem to have spaces. Hindmans certainly used to be Heber catchment, and there's no saying it won't again.

Interesting- so did Fairlawn do full days and are moving to only half days? Other local schools are I hear going the other way- did do only half days but now can do full. Have they explained the reason behind the changes?

Mine obsessed too. Play on ipad. 10 year old seems happy with that. he plays survival while despite best feminist efforts daughter builds hotels and houses and furnishes them. Much prefer to other games we have tried and then uninstalled. Have read an article about how some schools use it as learning aid.

Do letting agents gave any responsibility for this in rented property? Several rentals top of pellat road near post office- pavement pretty well blocked by out if control privet.

The second link allows you to not answer why you are unemployed. But I don't think the student wants everyone on the second link. Leonie you do need to set it out more clearly everyone will do the second one if they cannot proceed with the first one.

we used Hammonds 10 years ago. wardrobes still going strong, as are drawers and bedside tables. Has not aged - we went for v classic style. Was one of our better spends.We are not careful or delicate - have stood up well to our household!

audley End House is nice - just off M11

agree dyson no good - hose split on mone and too heavy for on staors. have a miele - is fine power wise etc but the front part has broken (flimsy) and so all the tools are lost. I think will go Henry next time

Thanks SdB. Children very used to eating out and happy to wait - do you get a slot or is there one big queue? This place is out of town , and I am sure there will be othe perfectly fine places - normal pubs that do a roast, can anyone who has been to a carvery recently advise how much queing there is please?

I know this is quite random.It is about 20 years since i have been to a carvery type restaurant. I have visions of there being a lot of queuing and me having to hold plates for small children and people being up and down from the table for second helpings and it not being that relaxing. Am I being grumpy? Is a carvery going to be a relaxing lunch with the grandparents or are we better off at a place with a menu and someone bringing the food to us (can you tell which I'd prefer??) Thanks for advice.

It is not really a debate worth having. Look at your neighbours. The ones with young children and no older siblings. Where do they go? That is likely where you will get a place. Goodrich more likely from Landells I would say based on this year's allocation. It is a bigger school so has wider catchment. They are both good. OFSTeD is not a good way to decide. Enjoy having a toddler and relax about this would be my advice😉

I think we are agreeing First mate, I have posted in the Family Room too because this spending needs more scrutiny and interest than it is getting to avoid more pointless initiatives like uphill streams being put in, and areas with no barrier etc.

I hope they will learn from the mistakes of the 'new' playground. It needs a fence/hedge/barrier to keep children in and dogs out. First mate that spending was badly designed and inappropriate for the ages of children it was said to be for, parts of it have never worked properly. Renata the plans need to be put online asap, so we can avoid the costly errors of the past.

This is just a heads up again about the thread on the main bit of the forum about changes to the one o'clock club in Peckham Rye. Think it more likely that the people here would be interested than the main thread where there is moaning about spending the money! The plans seems to be to move the club away from the car park and cafe and up to where the adventure playground is. Renata is working on getting the plans online, but do look at the other thread for details.