bornagain

"To answer your questions, the reason why I would have been surprised with so many outstanding schools in our area ... plus there are also lots of kids who do not necessarily have English as a first language (which, although enriching in other ways may also be a drag on the kids who do). Let's also not forget that (although I absolutely love our area) we are in south east London which does have its own set of social problems which must manifest themselves in our local schools to some degree. " Hopdad 123 sounds like you need to move to nice, white, homogenous Home Counties pronto! Speaking as a person who was brought up with English as not my first language, I am insulted that you think that we would be 'a drag' on those lovely native English speaking children. Also that we are 'enriching', sounds a bit patronising - surely you mean 'exotic'? For your information children learn languages quickly and would be fluent in a year or two. My siblings and I all went to university and this was back in the day when schools did not offer special support as they do today (esp in rural Essex). Or would you prefer that schools did not offer special support to those children as it does it at the expense of pushing the 'more able' (ie your?) children? My two children are being educated in Southwark state primary and secondary schools. They are receiving a very good education which we are very happy with. If you choose not to do that then it would be your (and your children's) loss. PS pls clarify what you think are south east London's 'own set of social problems'.

My child moved to Dulwich Hamlet in Yr 6. They are fantastic at making newbies feel welcome. I would say that they probably have a tried and tested system in place for settling in Y3s. It's a big school with 90 children in each year so there will be plenty of children from all sorts of schools.

I am surprised that people are STILL prevaricating about getting their child immunised with MMR. Please get it done - for your piece of mind, your child's health and for the safety of all those people in the community who cannot get immunised eg newborns.

They made matching wedding rings for dh and I many years ago. They used to be in Gabriel's Wharf by the Thames. Would really recommend them.

"and the very very occasional piece of meat. most meals are pulse-based - nothing is cheaper than lentils soup or bean stew. " My tip is to use meat as flavouring (as common in many peasant-type cuisine eg Chinese or Italian). Just handful or less of bacon or belly pork or chicken really peps up a bean stew and makes it more full of umami. I buy a pack from the supermarket and freeze it in small portions for this use. Also my leftover soup is very popular with my kids. Basically the sweepings of my veg drawer in the fridge chopped or grated very small cooked with a stock cube. Just make sure that you put in similar portions of each veg so that one flavour doesn't dominate. You can add crushed pasta, or the above meat or a beaten egg for more flavour and bulk.

Sorry, have to agree with the others above. I agree with hazelnunhead that what I really missed when my kids were younger (say 7 or under) were the extra pair(s) of hands on the day. Someone to be there to play with the kids and make sure everyone was ok. As for older kids, they tend to prefer smaller parties eg trips to cinema, meal out, bowling, ice skating etc so again no help needed. I think you have to be seriously money rich or time poor to consider your services!

My daughter is v. cautious. She refused to walk unaided (insisted that I held her hand even though obvious that it wasn't necessary). In the end at 16 months I got so fed up that I let go while she was walking. She realised that she was walking solo and never looked back! It's all a matter of confidence, your daughter will get there when she feels able.

All schools have bullying. A mark of a good school is that it deals with it effectively. Claudine, really sorry to hear of your son's experience. Does the fact that he is no longer there mean that the school didn't deal with it effectively?

Turn down your thermostat by a degree or two Over the year we saved over ?200 last year!

John Lewis

I am looking for a holiday club during the easter school holidays that my 11 yr old can go to. Ideally sports but could be something else but needs to be more or less full days so I can go to work. Any ideas? Thanks.

What was it? Just the school or some local thing?

There is a massive fancy dress department on the top floor of Debenhams? (formerly Arding and Hobbes) in Clapham Junction. Quick to get there if you are on the overground.