intexasatthe moment

No advice - I've recently cut out the corner of my living room carpet and binned it because of similar problem . So lots of sympathy ,but... wanted to say - what a gorgeous cat !

Regarding intake for Harris Academies - they operate a banding system for applicants .Personally I find this complicated to understand ,but do notice that the bands are based on national achievment levels rather than those of the entry group . So ,if oversubscribed ,some room for cherry picking I think . But I do think the league tables and number achieving 5 A- C GCSE grades is a very misleading measure . Many schools enter candidates for exams which are not GCSEs but are counted as equivalent . This extract from the minutes of a Governing Body mtg a couple of years ago at the Academy at Peckham gives a flavour. The small group of year 11 students following the new, level 2 qualification entitled ?The Certificate of Personal Effectiveness? have been making good progress and nearly all are expected to pass. This course, which is portfolio based, equates to two GCSE grades and is certificated by ASDAN. A number of year 11 students who are being targeted to improve their chances of examination success were entered for the Adult on-line numeracy and literacy examinations. Each test lasts an hour and if the student passes both, they are awarded a GCSE at grade B. I'm not arguing that schools shouldn't offer a range of qualifications ,just that I think it's misleading when the league tables and the overall GCSE pass rate for the school don't show that some of those GCSEs are other exams .

James - thank you very much ,very helpful . Have emailed my details to you .

James - query about Street Leaders and mini graffiti kits ( as described on Southwark website ) . Not your ward ,in Peckham ,any idea how I could access a Street Leader ,or a mini graffiti kit ? Just want to deal with a tag on elderly mum's house . Would like to do myself . No luck phoning Southwark .

No ! ( although it's white and quite dense ,so I guess it could be used to cover them up ).

Another vote for Disprol here .

Umm - dry the sand out by directing hot air from hairdryer ? Might also heat up and expand metal ,breaking vacuum type seal that wet sand must have created ?

Nero ,I thought Southwark were responsible for this revamp . I read about the plans in the SLP - had seen no local notices etc - and phoned for details about the " consultation " that was being held . I also asked in library at Peckham if they had details ,which they didn't . When I finally got through to the people responsible for the consultation they had no idea where the nearest library was and seemed to have zero local knowledge . They said local houses had received info ,but I know several people living in Elm Grove and the parts of Bellenden and Highshore that close to Rye Lane ,and none of then knew anything about it . But I know James Barber and Barry Mason both thought plans were good . I thought it was just me who didn't .

Nero - I've given up wondering when it will all be finished . They've started on the junction outside Primark now so suspect that will have to be completed before it's all up and running . My concern is about how the bike contraflow will function .

works to roadway between Smiths and Boots nearly complete. Road width just big enough for a bus ,what I assume is the bike lane running next to it . No curb or any clear demarcation between bike lane and pavement . Bike lane looks like a single bike lane to me ,I've got visions of bike heading north ,overtaking bus by entering bus lane and collision either with bike heading south or an unsuspecting pedestrian. I know that this scheme has been approved by biking "officials " but it looks as though it fulfills all my 90 year old ,sight impaired ,mum's fears . What am I missing ?

Every time I go into Pretty Traditional there are different staff serving . I wonder about the high turnover .

thanks east

Martin - just what I was wondering ! ( think the shop is Pretty Traditional )

You might try asking Kingsdale if there are any other children in similar position ,coming from same area . My sons school did this when he started .

gina - what were the great summer activities you would have loved to have been doing at that age ,if you'd lived here then ? Learning to drive - good idea . Ah yes ,the lure of electronics !

Just wondering - any luck finding temp work ? What sort of work ? Leisure activities ? Especially if 17 year old lacks local social group/friends . Think desperation will be setting in at my house .

newmother - IME ,false .

Cliff's nos 07931 540267

No of course you're not being silly ,I can quite understand your vision of 2 little girls . It's probably not very correct but I feel as I have a boy I can say it - boys and girls are so different . Especially at toddler stage . I used to long for a little girl who'd sit still for more than 2 minutes and who might like to colour in . ( of course I know that not all girls are like that ). You'll love your little boy to bits when he gets here . But you're not being silly to feel sad that you're not having a girl .

Not knowing who land belongs to is not a material consideration. We decision on the merits of a Planning Application not who owns land I understand that an applicant who includes land in his application that he doesn't own ,has to serve a notice on the person who does own it . If no notice is served then ,again as I understand it ,the planning application is invalid . This is my understanding from info.supplied by Southwark Council . No doubt it's more complicated or something ,sure I'll be shot down for contributing .

It never crossed my mind that the schools weren't taking an equal number from each band . And if they don't ,I'm not quite sure of the point of banding . I'm guessing that KIngsdale's pupils will live some distance away from the school because a lot of the immediate housing is so expensive ( excluding Kingsdale Estate I guess ) that I think most of the residents probably send children to private schools . But it's all very complicated isn't it .

Regarding allocating places across the bands and achieving a comprehensive intake - I'm confused . I thought this ( from a Harris Academy on oversubscription ) The allocation of the remaining places will take place under a framework of fair banding where all applicants will undertake a nonverbal reasoning test. These applicants will be placed in nine ability bands depending on the score an applicant achieves. This process is to ensure a comprehensive intake into the academy. would ensure a comprehensive intake . What am I missing ? Is it because this covers the oversubscription ? Not sure how they do it ,if the nos of year 7 places is 130 ,and only 129 apply can they select those 129 how they like ? Sorry if being stupid here .

The park is very close to the Maudsley ,so I guess this may have been someone with mental health issues ,or substance abuse . I love the paddling pool in this park ,but otherwise just find it incredibly depressing . Though handy to take inpatients at Kings for some fresh( ish ) air .

Sue June 22, 12:23PM Vick Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Just two, industrial strengh fireworks, in June. > What's that all about? xxxxxxx Birthday? Some other celebration? Two year old with parents keen on fireworks ? Second anniversary celebrations ?

I second what Peckham rose says . A lot of people think of Lordship Lane as " the Lane " ( always makes me smile ) and quickly scanning your post might lead to confusion .