James Barber

Apparently it's Thames Water emergency works. Hence the chaotic nature. Southwark officers haven't yet been given the paperwork for this so they're not clear how long the works will be.

Hi fleurie, I guarantee once we find a likely partner everyone who has offered their support will categorically be given the chance to withdraw their support. Hi born-again, NHS property have held public meeting about the future of the Dulwich Hospital site.

Hi SebsC, How annoying A. to not be told and B. that it isn't signed for people to follow more sensible routes. Have emailed the lead officer to ask what's going on and by whom.

Hi Cubanbreeze, I don't think the Charter could more than double in size without affecting quality. It a much clearer process to get a new school than to double a school in size. It's also much less disruptive to build a new school than expand a school from 180 per year to 360. That would take them from 1,200 pupils to 2,400 pupils in one school. I just don't think The Charter would maintain its popularity. Do you?

Hi bawdy-nan, I have asked and some have forward this campaign to their parents. NB. Southwark Council has no LA controlled secondary schools. The effective blocking of new LA schools started under Tony blair. It isnt anything new. If anything it in theroy is slightly easier now if an LA wantedto do this. BUT a new school costs many millions to create. Using the free school process, or the previous Academy process, means all the costs are covered by central government.

Hi ITATM, The future health use has been scoped out as requiring 5,000m2 to 7,000m2 of the sites total 27,000m2.

I won't get along to Friern Road before the weekend this week. Can you tell me which bit of Friern Road please? Generally as the street have unrestricted parking as long as the vehicles are taxed, insured, MoT'd, not obviously unroad worthy or blocking a drive then not much can be done. If you email me we can discuss what else might be possible.

Hi Cubanbreeze, No, I'm not trying to create a private school. I'm trying to create a state funded school that reports to the Department of Education. But yes I hate to see over 20,000m2 of public land staying derelict waiting for thE NHS to sell it for private housing while we have a mounting shortage of schools places. If you can suggest another site further from The Charter I'd be really grateful. AS for philanthropists. All these schools are funded by public money from your and my taxes. They don't run for profit and are charities. The only difference is Local Authority schools act an intermediaries for government money. The free school concept is the same as the Labour government Academy concept. It's a way for central government to side step local authorities where an organisation tries to show it will have quicker and more impact than an LA. I think LA's should be able to do this where they can demonstrate they are equally as successful. But I don't run national education policies so I have to live with what we have and make the best possible job for local children. What would you propose to provide desperately needed school places working within the current laws?

Hi DuncanW, It extremely unlikely a Compulsory Purchase Order of land approach would be taken. It can take quite some time. But if you had a site you think should be CPO'd for a new secondary school please email me in private.

Hi newboots, Many possibilities. Lets first find out if we have enough local support for this and then take the second step. Families can always withdraw their support if they're not happy with the provider and the ethos. Hopefully we'll not follow a route that causes that. Lets find out the level of support. It looks really encouraging so far but we've still 137 families to find who want to give their support.

Hi KidHardy, I'll ask. Hi Fazer71, Many of the lower flying aircraft are related to London City airport which open in 1987 and grown rapidly. The colder weather means noise travels further and louder so they might also help explain why it's suddenly worse. Scotland had terrible storms a little earlier this week so also suspect a number of flights from had to fly in and out.

We'd have two charters. Doesnt sound diverse when so many different bodies could create a new school for us.

Hi marfisa, Expanding The Charter would add extra places but it wouldnt give people more options. With more diversity of schools we spread risk.

Sorry I'm being dim this Friday afternoon - CPO's?

Sadly not large enough for a secondary school site.

Hi DuncanW, LA run hasn't been a realistic option since Tony Blair came to power. Saying that LA schools can be enlarged. The proposed Ivydale Primary school expansion will double the number of pupils from 420 to 840. But such mega schools arent ideal for children.

'Im amazed. Which property. Please email me directly so we can get this fixed before someone has more than a near miss.

Hi worldwiser, Sorry I've not come back before. I don't have an answer yet but have asked. As you say I'm also agog at how they've been allowed to undertake their works. It sets a terrible precendence. With London house prices predicted to rise by 50% by 2018 we can expect to see a lot more of these types of basement works.

Hi unlurked, You're right but if it's been out of action for so long the normal channels don't work. Hi ultraburner, Have reported it. Suspect it will have a reason for not being fixed before. Whenever the local electric distribution company are involved it takes minimum weeks and often months.

Hi newboots, Yes, if their was a different large enough site. But their isn't any other obvious site large enough for a secondary school. The alternative would be local children travelling some considerable distances to schools. So I have to disagree.

Hi Jessie and ITATM I've PM'd you both. We need to show that their is sufficient support for a new secondary school. With that support we can talk to providers and Southwark Council from a better stronger position.

I'm sure they could be persuaded but we have many providers we can approach.

I couldnt agree more Shuggy.

Hi Belle, Yes, all support helps. Hi bornagain, If you know of any 12,000m2 sites in the Dulwich area please do let me know. I've not found any. Dulwich Hospital site is 27,000m2. Health needs long-term 5,000m2 of it. A primary school up to 5,000m2. Irony is if we don't place schools there housing is likely which would need lots of school places. Hi hellosailor, Don't think we need two new local secondary schools! One should be enough. Keen to have volunteers to join a steering committee.

I've been asked if I can attend the 11/12 session. I wont be able to due to a work function I need to attend. I'm concerned this meeting will degenerate as it seems pretty clear they know they have really unahappy/angry patients. Obvious thing to do is employ a receptionist and they havent. Ideally they' hold 11/12 meeting having done something to start fixing the problems and have an outline plan for fixing all the known problems.