zork

Such a shame about Brickhouse. Will really miss their Peckham Rye as well as the cafe. Paul Rhodes in Greenwich make beautiful artisanal bread which they sell in their own shop as well as supplying to many high end restaurants and catering business I believe... I wonder if they could make an outlet in ED work? There's definitely an appetite for it (pun not intended...) Will get to Franklins to try some Snapery Bread - always heard good things about it

Our daughter is now 5, but her birthday is 29th August - so right up to the line! We toyed with the idea of holding her back but in the end we didn?t, and she is very happy and settled at Goose Green Prinary now, which we all love. Reception at GG worked really well for her thanks to the gentle start to each morning (parents are invited into the classroom each morning to help settle their child and can stay for 20 mins reading books etc) and the reception teachers & TAs are just so lovely, kind & patient. I really think it depends on the child and their character, they are all so different and you as his parents will know your child best and what call to make - but I totally relate to your situation... it is a tricky decision to make! What helped us come to to the decision to not hold back a year was imagining our daughter in nursery/childcare for another year, at almost 5. We felt she?d likely be ?bored/tired? of nursery if she was there another whole year (she was at nursery from 18months). Also, once we started looking at schools and understanding just how play based and similar to nursery reception is, we felt more secure about her being so young. As I said, it?s so variable depending on the child and you know your child best. But just wanted to share our experience incase it?s helpful! All the best!

My daughter goes to Goose Green and we live in East Dulwich. She?s in Year 1 and she is very happy and thriving. We love the school & so does she. Reception was fantastic, loveliest teachers & T.As, and she?s now loving Yr 1. We almost didnt go to an open day at Goose Green but at the last minute we did and I can?t tell you how glad I am that we did. We new instantly it was the school for us. Warm, diverse, mukti cultural, passionate, creative, friendly, a great size (only 2 form entry) and a real sense of community. We love that we can?t pop to the shop without running into a new friend, and a 5 minute school run is a big bonus, especially when you are doing it 10 times a week, and in the depths of winter! You must go with your gut when choosing schools, but do see them all, and try to get opinions of parents with children AT the schools, rather than those without. We almost missed out on our lovely school based on that..! All the best in your application : )

We must live pretty close as were in a very similar situation at this time last year! We loved Lyndhurst for similar reasons but knew it was very unlikely being just on the edge of the catchment. We also liked Bessemer for similar reasons as you and had the same concerns about size, nevertheless is was our number 1 from beginning of viewings til January... until we went to the last open day of Goose Green. At that point who would fill the heads position was still very much in the air, Ofsted etc was a consideration and much discussed by all many fellow parents (namely those without children at the school FYI!) but we loved the school & we decided it felt right for us. Being at the heart of our community, the lovely teachers who had been there for many years, the smaller entry (only 2 form) and many other factors meant we felt it was the right choice for us and now in our second term I can?t tell you how pleased we are that we made that decision. Our daughter is very happy and so are we to be a part of such a lovely school at the heart of our community. And the new head is great! Whatever you decide, hope you get your first choice! All the best

9th of December http://www.eastlondonlines.co.uk/2012/09/east-london-line-extension-to-clapham-opens-in-december/