James Barber

The nunhead area according to SOuthwark Council reports will have have a shortage of 75-90 places on top of the existing shortage. Hence why the Harris Nunhead was applied for to provide 60 of those missing places. Ivydale is now also being doubled in size from 60 pupils to 120 pupils per year. The two together will ensure Nunhead and Peckham Rye families have great local primary school places. I fear a personal dislike by some politicians and residents of the Harris Federation is blinding themto this maths.

Hi clux, Both proposed schools would be state funded schools. Hi little1cker, But if the DfE recevies two applicatinos to open a new free school on the same site at the same time the obvious temptation would be to de duplicate supporter lists. That could mean either or both applciations if supporters have signed up for both campaigns not having sufficient registered support to proceed. So I would encourage people to sign-up for one campaign and give that campaign their full support.

Hi Simon, I agree with most of what you've written. But how can people sign up to both campaigns stating they would make each school their first choice when applying for a secondary school place?

Hi Ollie, Let me find out for you and others. Regards james.

Hi little1cker, Peter John has not stated in an email reply to me a few moments ago that he will support Harris Nunhead going on the Harris ED girls academy site. He was careful to not state his support for this. He did say he would work with the EFA. I wont quote the email as I clearly did catch Peter at his best.

Hi Fuschia, London has a massive school crisis. We won't be short of pupils for all the current and new proposed schools. My fear is that the forecasts are still not accurate enough. Some of the private schools have taken bulge classes and talking of permanent expansion. But you make an interesting long-term point of what happen if pupil numbers fall. I would hope that if we have such a problem that large primary schools shrink down to no smaller than two form entry - the optimal size for primary schools. But with an extra 2 million Londoners being talked about I don't see us having any surplus places again for a very long time.

Hi First mate, No the new health facilities are not currently planned to have hospital beds or half way facilities. They will house support for people being looked after in their homes. I've personal experience of this as my mother had it and it meant she could spend the last months of her life in her home. It really made a positive difference to her and us. I can assure you no political pressure has been brought to bare on the CCG. We have if anything been encouraging them to maximise health provision on this site. BUT we can't go another 21 years of inaction by past governments with such a valuable community asset.

hi LondonMix, From memory by 2016 the gap in reception primary school places for Nunhead will be 75-90. So Ivydale doubloon in size to 4 x Form Entries would provide 60 extra places. The Harris Nunhead would also provide 60 if located in Nunhead. But currently many families use East Dulwich schools so both could also relieve East Dulwich reception places. So 120 places would be really good that area and help East Dulwich area as well.

Hi David, I've asked officers what can be done to resolve this.

Hi Inkmaiden, When I told Harris we were asking Haberdashers' Aske's to provide a new East Dulwich secondary school they were clear they didn't see a need and they had no plans to try and provide another secondary school in the area. Please don't get carreid away with conspiracies. Hi Otta, The only way that would happen is if Harris decided to apply to open another local secondary school and last time I checked they had no such plans. Truth be told they'd much rather build Harris Nunhead on their Homestall Road site. The hospital site is not their idea.

Hi first mate, At the last two Dulwich Community Councils the Southwark Clinical Commissioning Group stated they thought they would need 7,000-9,000m2 of the site. The site is 28,300m2 but suspect useable 27,000m2. Currently health services at Dulwich Hospital site occupy 2,500m2 of floor space. But they anticipate new health facilities having 3 floors. So this would result in a significant and dramatic increase in locally provided health services - circa 3-5 times the current floor area in use. But I'm still hopeful we'll find a better site for the Harris Nunhead free primary school. This would maximise the space available for a secondary school.

Hi LondonMix, Harris can make theirs views known but the EFA hold the financial cards. Hi clux, I was surprised when they decided to give it the working name Harris Nunhead as no sites exist in the Nunhead area and the families supporting tended to be further W and SW than Nunhead.

Yes Belle.

Hi LondonMix, I'm saying the EFA are accountable for finding sites and providing them for schools. The Judith Kerr school is a great example where they didnt acquire the whole site. The EFA handed the Judith Kerr schoola contract where they are contractually bound by the Dulwich Estate to never raise this issue of having next to no space for children. It is not an ideal arrangement in the specifics or generality. Schools should have far more influence in the process. This is partly why federations are doing better as they have more resources to make it work.

Hi samstopit, Tessa referred to both the secondary school and primary school. Unfortuantely for me I can only try and influence things the way I believe they should go. But I'm clear that Southwark Council as the the planning authority is one of the key players. Harris Nunhead free primary school is now focused by the EFA towards the hospital site. BUT if the Harris ED Girls Academy could in planning terms be acceptable by Southwark Council to also host this primary schools problem solved. So I hope the council leader Peter John will organise this ASAP.

Hi TE44, I believe Harris have behaved fairly. The Education Finance Agency who have to find and provide a site to Harris isnt convinved Southwark Council would grant planning for a permanent primary school to be added to Harris East Dulwich girls Academy - despite the locaiton being where the former swimming pool used to be. The EFA also feel pretty stung by the Dulwich Estate from their dealing to provide a site for the Judith Kerr biligual German free primary school. So I can see why the EFA have done this. I just think it isn't the right solution. Southwark Council as the planning authority could unlock the first site with a simple letter if they felt able and minded and the problem is resolved. Equally Southwark Council could make it clear to the Dulwich Estate that they seek the site for a free school and will change policies accoridngly. That would also nudge that site and Dulwich Estate to talk. Hence last night I asked the council leader Cllr Peter John to intervene and take the opportunity for the council to show some leadership on this issue. Hi EastDulwichSE22, B&W The EFA intend for Harris to establish the Harris Nunhead fre priamry school on this site. So Gove has acted in good faith on the basis of information provided by the EFA to him.

I've now found out why the missed bin collection reporting hasnt been easy or successful. Amazingly in this day and age the council IT systems have been in meltdown. They use system called Citrix for all employees to access all systems and email. So emails have been delayed as everything is taking much much longer than usual. The call centre is even more gummed up as calls are taking much longer due to the snail paced IT. This weekend just gone lots of extra staff working to try and clear the backlog. But it doesnt really explain why collections are being missed in the first place.

Hi lameduck, I'm not sure yet. I understand Dr.Sharma wishes to retire and hasnt yet made provision for his practice to continue. Am trying to find out what we can do.

Hi LondonMix, When I first heard this I immediately called Harris mgmt. They hadn't at that time been told by the Educational Finance Agency that they'd decided to placed them at the Hospital Site. In fact I'd nagged only a week early about the two sites I think feasible and they agreed they needed to lobby the Education Finance Agency (who are responsible for finding sites) for them again. I think Harris have been placed in this situation and would prefer a more logical site. Hi buggie, 520 Lordship Lane would be my choice as a clear primary school admissions black hole there. Hi DenmotherSmith, The reports shows gap of 215-235 places in the wider Dulwich area. We have not yet closed that gap.

Many head teachers and similar do some part-time work for Ofsted. It helps maintain their understanding of the inspection regime. A number council officers certainly used to do this as well. Haven't spoken to them recently.

Apologies but this will be a long post. The Southwark Council forecast for primary school reception places is that the gap in the wider Dulwich area by 2016 (it has not peaked this year Renata) will be 215-235 places. To solve this gap East Dulwich Lib Dem councillors found a site for the Judith Kerr school which is currently providing 50 reception places per year (and we need to campaign to ensure they get the whole site from the Dulwich Estate), Harris East Dulwich Primary school 60 receptions places per year. The council have expanded Langbourne and changes it name to make it more appealing - 30 reception places. Belham opening in 2015 would relieve Goose Green of hopefully 30 reception places per year. That makes 170 places. So a second Harris primary school targeted to relieve the admissions black hole around the Harris East Dulwich Girls Academy has been approved bringing us to 230 places by 2016. We contacted many different school providers none of whom were interested in setting up new local primary schools in East Dulwich. This was when I understood The Charter School had zero expansion plans for any new schools. Only the Harris Federation would consider this. The explained what they and the process would require and frankly they didn't expect us to succeed. But they delivered what they promised if we did. When we were originally campaigning for the Harris East Dulwich Primary school to have a site we anticipated it being on the Dulwich Hopsital Site. Dealing with an intransigent NHS Property Agency brought me to the realisation that either they'd need a strong nudge to make it happen or the extended timelines they proposed would be needed. WE didn't have the time for all their games and the nudging I attempted was thwarted by NHS civil servants. NHS Property told me that my suggestion of joined up government was irrelevant and we'd find another site and schools places wasn't their problem practically or morally with what we then thought the only possible site. So we support the Education Finance Agency and widened the search. Around Christmas we beaveared away with a lot of help from many different people and the former East Dulwich Police station was purchased for the Harris East Dulwich Primary school. At no point has it been suggested that NHS property had moved their position. After getting the free Harris ED free primary school agreed last year we turned to look at the secondary school place issue as we'd promised we would do. It became crystal clear of the need and we initiated campaign after doing a lot of leg work summer and autumn last year. In February I submitted a Right to Contect the hospital land as another attempt to kick sense into the government use via NHS Property of this land. It appears NHS Property suddenly behind the scenes became helpful towards hosting the Harris Nunhead primary free school. I suspect this is an attempt to thwart a secondary school on the hospital site as it would reduce the potential sale receipts for NHS Property. But we have two other sites better placed to house a Harris Nunhead free primary school: 1. 520 Lordship Lane (former Harvester pub) but the Education Finance Agency still feel bruised from their last dealing with the freeholder the Dulwich Estate who only sold a postage stamp for the Judith Kerr school to be housed. The Dulwich Estate charitable aim is to raise cash for private schools even if it means crucifying a new state school 2. Harris East Dulwich Girls School. No land costs. Lots of existing facilitates that could be shared. Complicated timings with the Harris East Dulwich free primary school being temporarily housed their from this Septembers for a year. So I welcome the New East Dulwich Secondary School Steering Group letter to Michael Gove. I have asked the council leader Peter John to make it clear to the Educational Finance Agency, Harris Federation and Dulwich Estate that in planning terms the two other sites I've mentioned (520 Lordship Lane and Harris ED Girls Academy) would be acceptable. It would be a shame and painful to have to withdraw East Dulwich Lib Dem support from the second local Harris free primary school and seek its supporters to do the same. We need this school in the area but close to where the gaps are. BUT for East Dulwich a secondary school is needed even more. Hopefully we won't reach this point. Which is why in the end it may be that both schools could be housed on the hospital site however daft putting the Harris Nunhead free primary schools there might be.

Apologies but this will be a long post. The Southwark Council forecast for primary school reception places is that the gap in the wider Dulwich area by 2016 (it has not peaked this year Renata) will be 215-235 places. To solve this gap East Dulwich Lib Dem councillors found a site for the Judith Kerr school which is currently providing 50 reception places per year of which are by lottery so effectively 25 local places (and we need to campaign to ensure they get the whole site from the Dulwich Estate), Harris East Dulwich Primary school 60 receptions places per year. The council have expanded Langbourne and changed its name to make it more appealing - 30 reception places - but is undersubscribed with 30 current places. Belham opening in 2015 would relieve Goose Green of hopefully 30 reception places per year. That makes 170 places. So a second Harris primary school targeted to relieve the admissions black hole around the Harris East Dulwich Girls Academy has been approved bringing us to 230 places by 2016. We contacted many different school providers none of whom were interested in setting up new local primary schools in East Dulwich. This was when I understood from talking with the then head of The Charter School having zero expansion plans for any new schools. Only the Harris Federation would consider this. The explained what they and the process would require and frankly they didn't expect us to succeed. But they delivered what they promised if we did. When we were originally campaigning for the Harris East Dulwich Primary school to have a site we anticipated it being on the Dulwich Hopsital Site. Dealing with an intransigent NHS Property Agency brought me to the realisation that either they'd need a strong nudge to make it happen or the extended timelines they proposed would be needed. WE didn't have the time for all their games and the nudge I attempted was thwarted by NHS civil servants. NHS Property told me that my suggestion of joined up government was irrelevant and we'd find another site and schools places wasn't their problem practically or morally with what we then thought the only possible site. So we support the Education Finance Agency and widened the search. Around Christmas we beaveared away with a lot of help from many different people and the former East Dulwich Police station was purchased for the Harris East Dulwich Primary school. At no point has it been suggested that NHS property had moved their position. After getting the free Harris ED free primary school agreed last year we turned to look at the secondary school place issue as we'd promised we would do. It became crystal clear of the need and we initiated campaign after doing a lot of leg work summer and autumn last year. In February I submitted a Right to Contect the hospital land as another attempt to kick sense into the government use via NHS Property of this land. It appears NHS Property suddenly behind the scenes became helpful towards hosting the Harris Nunhead primary free school. I suspect this is an attempt to thwart a secondary school on the hospital site as it would reduce the potential sale receipts for NHS Property. But we have two other sites better placed to house a Harris Nunhead free primary school: 1. 520 Lordship Lane (former Harvester pub) but the Education Finance Agency still feel bruised from their last dealing with the freeholder the Dulwich Estate who only sold a postage stamp for the Judith Kerr school to be housed. The Dulwich Estate charitable aim is to raise cash for private schools even if it means crucifying a new state school 2. Harris East Dulwich Girls School. No land costs. Lots of existing facilitates that could be shared. Complicated timings with the Harris East Dulwich free primary school being temporarily housed their from this Septembers for a year. So I welcome the New East Dulwich Secondary School Steering Group letter to Michael Gove. I have asked the council leader Peter John to make it clear to the Educational Finance Agency and Harris Federation that in planning terms the two others sites Ive mentioned would be acceptable. It would be a shame and painful to have to withdraw East Dulwich Lib Dem support from the second local Harris free primary school and seek its supporters to do the same. We need this school in the area but close to where the gaps are. BUT for East Dulwich residents a secondary school is needed even more. Hopefully we won't reach this point. Which is why in the end it may be that both schools could be housed on the hospital site however daft putting the Harris Nunhead free primary schools there might be.

Hi Cora, I've had a family weekend (with exception of a Council Assembly on Saturday during the day) and only just properly back on line. Let me take a proper look and post accordingly. Hi Peckhamgatecrasher, As phased right turn would required full signalling of that junction. To signalise I have been told several times would require removal of all parking in both direction along Lordship Lane of around 100m. It would also make it feel more like a dual carriage way. So I don't think that's an easy solution. Would you like to attend any site meeting about this - if yes please email me direct so we can synch with council officers. Hi PippaD, I'm not sure what we can do if a doctor wants to retire except wish them well! We could ask whether they plan to sell their part of the practice. Can I ask that you contact this practice first to ask this question and tell me direct the answer in an email so we can then decide how to work on this please? Hi Otta, just about to take a look having been mostly offline all weekend.

Apologies for the delay - the elections and post election work has caused a delay in responding. I have contacted council officials to ask if I can meet them on site to discuss this crossing and how we can make it feel safer. The adjacent Puffin crossing, raised entry treatment and Lordship Lane 20moh have undoubtedly improved things. The 20mph of East Dulwich Grove will also help a little but this crossing still doesn't feel great to cross. Lets see what we can do. Peckhamgatecrasher Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > James, please would you reconsider having a zebra > crossing on East Dulwich Grove near Lordship Lane? > It is very hard to cross safely there - most > motorists don't seem to recognise the Highway Code > that states if a car is turning into a road that a > pedestrian is already crossing, the pedestrian has > right of way. > > Thanks.

Hi dimples, A proposal to do this was rejected by East Dulwich councillors several months ago at the Dulwich Community Council. Effectively the development of the site into this small Sainsburys had seen the removal of a shop servicing yard behind the parade. To then ask effectively to build a no parking area for Sainsburys servicing on the public highway is frankly an outrageous proposition. It would place further pressures on local parking on residential streets. The only way this could now happen is if East Dulwich councillors and the Dulwich Community Council was now being bypassed which would be a political decision by Labour led administration. This seems unlikely.