bornagain

A while since mine was in year 8 but think its partly down to the child to tell parents that they want to go. Mine didn't so didn't pass any info on to me. I didn't hear about it until the trip had left! Don't forget that secondary is quite different to primary and quite a lot of (non-essential) info passing is left to the students themselves. The school is v. good at passing on essential info eg. parents evening, exam times, revision sessions via texts and emails.

James, could give us an idea who these 'different bodies' are? Also a successful academy taking on another school is a very established system. Haberdashers, Prendagast, Dulwich Hamlet are all local examples. ETA Schools have to be established before they become outstanding in its own right, they are not outstanding from the getgo. If it is sponsored by an already outstanding school, it might give a new school a head start.

James, I'm not sure why you are ruling out Charter being involved so early in the game. There has been a significant increase in the number of Harris run schools in the area to the extent that people are saying 'no more'. So why not Charter? One option (which could run together with a search for a separate school) is to see if the Charter site can be made larger so increasing the intake. Charter backs onto lovely pristine fields of JAGS which does not seem to be used very much. Could Charter come to an agreement with them to build on some of it? Doesn't JAGS have some obligations to support the local community to ensure it's charitable status?

There seems to be no joined up strategic thinking behind secondary school provision in Southwark. All the secondary schools are academies and are run independently from each other (and Southwark) and are essentially competing rather than cooperating. Add the dominance of Harris in the mix and we get a muddled mess. Where is the strategy and planning for provision? Does the education of our children have to depend on piecemeal action by a lone councillor?

Simone, it is a serious post. Have you been on East Dulwich Grove at beginning or end of school day? It's teen junction! It's possible to get quite a lot of aggro before and after school between rival schools and my point was that at the moment it is ok, but put another large secondary in the mix and it may not be ideal. The fact that JAGS and Alleyns are private is not the point. Also if distance is going to be the main admissions criteria for the new school, then being located on the west side of Lordship Lane means that it may not help those who are living in the heartland of East Dulwich ie east side of Lordship Lane where it's hardest to get into a local comp. James, not I don't know of a site off hand, but surely finding something suitable would be the responsibility of Southwark (or is it not the case as all the secondaries are academies?)

Is the hospital site really the only option for land in the area? This area has a high concentration of secondary schools - Alleyns', JAGs and Charter. There is already a carefully choreographed start and finish times in play to avoid large numbers of teenagers being disgorged onto the streets at the same time. I think another school in close proximity may prove to be one too many. The hospital site is large, but not that large. I think more imagination is needed to find another site in another part of East Dulwich or Nunhead. And please definitely NOT Harris. Edited to clarify

I wonder how many people who foster do not have their own children at home and whether that would be better - or not (or perhaps there is no clear answer to that!)??? I also wonder if fostering would be better seen and paid as a sustainable job for the type of people who would be good at it - a lot of unemployed youth workers, Connexions workers, and others from children's services about since the cuts! --------- I thought fostering was all about parenting and nurturing children from disrupted homes in a family setting? So it seems to me to be more than a just a job and and a very important qualification would be experience of being an effective parent. It is not the same as being a youth worker in a home setting! As for the effect it has on your own children - I would say that it wouldn't necessarily be negative.

Dunraven is very impressive. Brand new buildings with a separate sixth form centre. VERY nice. Elm Green is also fine, smaller and a newish school but they are in a consortium with other Lambeth schools (including Dunraven) What about Harris Boys/Girls? Harris Crystal Palace? Haberdashers? I think there is Soutwark College or some such but don't think it's that great. I think there is a large proportion of adults there, not sure about that...

Third that, fuschia. The article is spot on!

OT assistant = teaching assistant, Teacher = Occupational therapist. The clue is in the word 'assistant'!

> Doctor / Teacher hmmm, let me think. It's a hell > of a lot easier to become a teacher than a doctor! > (not dissing teachers, but wouldn't compare their > qualification and study to that of a doctor) > > I don't think it's right for schools to hire > unqualified teachers for subjects like science / > English / maths, but I think it's perfectly fine > to bring in experienced sports coaches for games / > PE, and I can imagine bringing people in for > languages, and I see no problem with it so long as > it's closely monitored and supervised. Equally > with that head in Pimlico, I don't think there is > so much a problem for an experienced manager with > very good people skills to run a school if they > have a good knowledgable team around them. That > girl was 27 years old and knew nothing about > education. > > There is unqualified, and unqualified. Hmmm? are you happy putting the future of your children in the hands of those unqualified to do the task? Don't forget your children will be in the sole care of those so-called professionals for hours over the school year. It's just not enough to be CRB checked? I am not saying that all qualified teachers are good but surely for our kid's sake we could ask for some minimum standards. As far as I can see allowing non-qualified teachers into the classroom is a cost-cutting exercise and a way to plug gaps in subjects that they can't fill. I cannot see why you can't insist that a prospective teacher should devote just one year of their life (if a graduate) to get a PGCE qualification - don't think that's asking a lot?!

I am always surprised by the view that you do not need teachers to under go specialist training before they are let loose on their precious children. It's a view that has been resurrected by Gove et al with sometimes disasterous results - see poor BB100's child's predicament, also the unqualified head that resigned from Pimlico school recently. Just because someone has studied a subject, does not necessarily mean that they will be able to teach it. This presumption is arrogant and dangerous! Teaching is and has always been a profession. You need specialist teaching skills and knowledge to be effective. You would not allow your child to be treated by an unqualified doctor so why would you be happy for your child to be taught by an unqualified teacher?

Saffron Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Plenty of qualified teachers who are shite as > well. It's not just academies. The whole system > needs an overhaul. Before we start the 'most teachers are rubbish' discussion, take a look at this thread about year 7's starting this year. What struck me was how much the children in question rated their teachers and how much the teachers contributed to their children's enjoyment of school. http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary/1885922-Tell-me-the-lovely-things-about-having-a-child-in-secondary-school

Could it be one that begins with 'H'?

Yes also recommend Hunter and Paine. My kids have been going there for years.

I think academies are only answerable to the Education Secretary and bawdy-nan is right that they are allowed to employ unqualified teachers. This is a hot topic right now with pieces on Radio 4 etc as Nick Clegg calls for tighter controls over academies and free schools. Going to the press (or threatening to) may get some action. If I'm guessing correctly the school in question is v. high profile and held up as a great example so you may get some action! Good luck!

bornagain Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi all, > > I am a book designer and offer a bespoke service > creating beautiful one off gift books and photo > prints for special occasions. I can scan old > photographs and retouch/colour correct them so > they look as new. > > Pls pm me if you are interested. Following an enquiry, posting a sample of what is possible. The original is a rather faded photobooth snap. The finished product is a gliclee print on textured uncoated heavy card, dimensions 25cm x 16cm.

How much is your commuting costs? Isn't the cost of rail fare prohibitive?

Hi all, I am a book designer and offer a bespoke service creating beautiful one off gift books and photo prints for special occasions. I can scan old photographs and retouch/colour correct them so they look as new. Pls pm me if you are interested.

Yes, take politics out of education and respect the professionals who work within it. Sounds like Briggs is a puppet of right wing interests - apart from her lack of professional qualifications and experience, how can you be suitable to be headteacher at just 27?

I know a boy who was intensely tutored for several years to get into private/Sutton grammar schools (i.e. any school but the local comp). In the end after sitting umpteen entrance exams he was so at the end of his tether that he refused to do any more. In my view that is not how you nurture a child. It is just the ambition of the parents. BTW the story has a happy ending. He did get into a highly sought after private school so his parents are very happy. So is the boy - allegedly.

I think this is a reaction to my post. I wrote it in response to those that claimed that Charter was somehow a bastion of priviledge based on it's location. My point is that it does reflect the demography of its catchment which includes not only the luxurious houses of the village but also the estates of Camberwell. Of course it is not a powder keg of race and class but one where children of diverse backgrounds rub shoulders harmoniously and that's why it's great school.

Have you looked at Sydenham Girls (the state one) yet? It has a good rep, girls only and is a specialist science school to boot.

That's an impressive list! Have you looked at Haberdasher Askes? They are a mixed school but the pupils are taught in single sex classes. I wonder if they have more success in getting girls to take sciences?

What curmudgeon said. So what do you think a mixed school should do to encourage girls to take sciences? You can lead a horse to water?