Jellybeanz

Love the wreaths :)

https://alittlephotographic.com/

Ooh lovely!

Speaking as someone who was once a very difficult teenager to loving parents (who also split, causing lots of bitterness and hurt on my part as well as on theirs) please know that she loves you dearly.. She prob won't admit it or even know how much for years to come but bear with it. She's hormonal and every teenager rebels and wants independence, which unfortunately often means pushing parent(s) away. Hope you get some support, reach out to friends and family - they will hopefully be understanding too xxx

I would also recommend Vic - we used he and his son years ago to build a wardrobe and toddler bed amongst other jobs. Polite, lovely fellows

I have seen a few posts from parents of young children wondering about local primary schools, especially in a time when in person tours are not possible. I therefore wanted to say my children have both been extremely happy at St Anthony's Primary. Not as many people seem to know about it, as it is tucked away at the top of Barry Road near the library. It is a very nurturing school, where compassion and kindness are the key words and you will have to look hard to find a child who is not smiling. The teachers are lovely, as are the support staff, Headteacher and deputies. If some are put off by the fact that it is a Catholic school, I can assure you that all faiths are taught and different festivals celebrated. Difference is a positive thing and that plays out in the school - it is probably the most multicultural in the area by far, with children of many nationalities and different races. The balance between strong levels of teaching and fun and play is done well, with rewards and recognition for good behaviour, showing care and consideration for others and nice pieces of work. Children are encouraged to speak in class, so even the shyest are gently coaxed out of their shells as the years go on, which for me was a real positive (as a shy child I really suffered). All in all, it really is a lovely school and I cannot recommend it more highly for your child.

I would recommend getting boiler insurance (usually can find cover that includes home emergencies: plumbing, electrics and boiler), especially worthwhile over colder months and includes a boiler service for around ?15 p/m

Albrighton always need volunteers. Also Grove Adventure Playground (Loughborough Junction) help families with food parcels etc and LinkAge Southwark need telephone befrienders.

Our house also has a sloping floor in the front room. We have minor cracks I believe due to slight subsidence/tree outside the front but nothing major. If you are buying it then basically I would say someone else would buy it in due course. We got over it - my last company (I worked for a solicitor based in a house in East Dulwich) had badly sloping floors and tried to screed to rectify. It didn't work, cracked under the flooring and was worse than the original slope so I would just say live with it essentially. Good luck whatever you decide!

Pugwash Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Not sure where you are living at the moment but > kingsdale and Charter are both very popular > choices and last year had a 'catchment area. Not > sure if the new Charter school has a different > one. > > Not sure about the rules re exchanging contracts > or yearly rental offering more chances. There was > a big investigation last year/year before which > exposed parents getting yearly rentals in the > catchment areas of their choice to enable children > to get into popular schools. Kingsdale doesn't have a catchment area, it's a lottery system. We are in catchment for ED charter so that is still a choice for us if no Kent offers forthcoming. Thanks for the advice

Bellenden Belle Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I?m afraid you should be aware you can?t just put > grammar schools down. They have their own > application process - they don?t just take the > result of an 11 plus. For example St Olaves has a > two stage process including a creative writing > second stage not featured in a traditional eleven > plus exam. > I would hate you to waste your child?s places by > not following the correct procedures. Don't worry I am following procedures and he passed the Kent test so can apply to Kent grammars (St Olaves has a different test as do those in Bexley, you're correct). Thanks

Sounds great!

ED on North Cross Rd is absolutely my favourite shop for gifts... Also Willow has lovely bits and bobs especially arts and craft stuff and bath bombs :)

monica Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi > The stores nn Lordship lane and Northcross Rd will > be lighting up the trees along the lane and Rd, > with Xmas lights. We are organising a social > distance xmas event, in place of the cancelled > Xmas cracker. It will be on the 12th of December. > Each store have organised an in store event for > the ED community. We will post further details of > the event on here nearer the time. > Take care Sounds FAB!

Really pitiful service at the moment. That's what you get with privatisation. No doubt the former sorting office on Sylvester Road will be luxury flats in the new year! Meanwhile we barely get any post and when we do it's at random hours of day and night. Apparently Hermes offers a very reasonable service for parcels (from some newsagents) so worth considering should you need to post something and want to avoid the awful post office queue.

Heber Road primary are also selling them apparently :) (funds to the school)

Thanks all, have decided to put 3 grammars and 3 local state schools down and see what happens... He got a high score so we have a chance but letting fate decide now! (won't move until we have an offer as would be pointless as people point out, it's where you live when you apply, albeit they can bend the rules if you can prove you have exchanged contracts or have a 12 month property rental agreement when you apply).

I personally would also have a word with the teacher and possibly move your son, as he will need support and understanding not just to be sent to the head.

My son has passed the 11 plus so now we need to choose which schools to apply for. Do any locals send their child to a grammar? I'm new to this so considering whether he commutes or we move and would also love personal feedback on any recommended grammar schools in kent or any to avoid. Much appreciated P.S. yes I liked ED charter and Kingsdale so planning to put them on my application form also, as plan B.

sunbob Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > This sounds nice. What does it mean about logging > in early for access to magic castle or something? The set just looks like a castle and logging in early just means so the kids are settled and don't miss the start :)

As a mum with kids eager for a pooch, I am thinking of relenting and have found this dog walking service: https://www.walkahound.co.uk/services Looks great and only charges ?20 per day. I know the guy who runs it, as he also does magic birthday parties and events, so thought I would pass on his website details.

I have friends/family whose children went to Hollydale - good, standard primary... and Edmund Waller, this was quite a few years ago but they liked the community feel, parents had good comms with the teachers etc. As a mum with 2 primary school age boys I wouldn't worry too much to be honest. Check the Ofsted, do the virtual tours. We are very lucky around this area as the primaries are mainly excellent. Good luck!

Thanks to all who signed - you have probably seen the government have now done a very positive u-turn and will offer free school meals during the Christmas holidays. Amazing result!

Tickets now on sale!

Book here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/amigos-magical-pre-christmas-show-proceeds-to-albrighton-community-centre-tickets-128628008837 ?5.00 per family (+ 80p booking fee) Friday 4th December at 6pm Simon of Amigo's Magic is VERY generously donating the profit to the Albrighton Community Centre Fridge fundraiser, helping feed vulnerable people and families this autumn/winter. Spread the word and create some magical festive cheer! Thank you