intexasatthe moment

" Hi ITATM, All our local secondary schools operate banding except The Charter School. So it would be odd for a new secondary school to not operate banding. " Thanks James - well aware of that . That's why I'm suggesting that the new school operate the same banding system as the one used by Harris who have a large number of secondary schools in the area . Oh ,and before you point it out - yes I do realise that Kingsdale have their own banding system . Which as it operates scholarships perhaps has more in common with Habs .

" Hatcham have coordinated with Lewisham in setting its admission policy while maintaining the music scholarship program. Do you think this means they aren't inclusive, are a poor choice for this area? " I think Hatcham's are an example of how Free Schools etc can have great independence in setting their admissions policies .It's not only that they retain a scholarship system but that unlike the other Lewisham schools they decide to use a different test and have a different number of bands . I think either Charter or Hatcham would be perfectly adequate choices to run another school in the borough . There are aspects about both schools that I personally dislike but I don't think it's helpful to be critical about either on here . Which is why I haven't been . I've already said ( in answer to the request for people to say what they are looking for in a new school ) that I would choose ( not that I think anyone is in a position to choose ) a school with fair banding that is referenced to national attainment ( not because I think this is fair but simply because it is in line with Harris banding and I don't think using different banding systems in the same area is helpful ) and places allocated by lottery within the bands ,

I'm looking for information and clarification . I don't think I'm trying to " add " anything , although I do think it's important to understand both the bigger picture and the detail relating to a new school .

LondonMix - I've not complained about Hatcham's admission policy .

Seems to be a lot of stating the obvious and what is already known . Banding will only really help achieve a fair admissions process if the same system is operated by all schools in an area . And I believe this area should be London wide and require a London wide authority to administer it . And it should be the same type of banding - Hatcham's doesn't operate the same banding or admissions policy ( different tests ,different number of bands ,scholarships ) as the other Lewisham schools. Hatcham's may well have their own perfectly rational reasons for the type of test they use but crucially it's a different way of dividing up the applicants . So in my book Lewisham haven't got what they wanted - what's the point of borough wide banding if some schools opt for a different system and retain their scholarship system . And before anyone tells me - I know the law entitles them to do so . So yes ,I do realise that Academies etc are supposed to consult with other schools and pay attention to a LA admissions forum ( I don't believe they have any obligation and have never known them to , to consult with the community ) but consultion isn't the same as promising to change one's policy according to some democratic choice . I am aware that Academies etc have to abide by the admissions code - what concerns me is that a number of sponsors operating schools check by jowl can both use completely different admissions policies . I am well aware that it's legal - but it doesn't result in a coherent or fair admissions system . And whether the money comes from central or local government it's still tax payers money - we're not saving money because central government are paying . And .... I think it's more important that the system should be fair for the community and the children as opposed to "fair for the school and importantoly other schools. "

Free schools/Academys/Foundation schools determine their own admissions policies .

It's a shame that there was no campaigning when Southwark were ceding control of schools and handing over all their secondary schools to private sponsors .

Interesting article on banding here http://www.localschoolsnetwork.org.uk/2013/06/time-to-allow-true-fair-banding/

" We need a new 'mega city' that genuinely competes with London " Birmingham ? Manchester ? ....

We bought a Ford escort from Car Giant some years ago . No problems with it ,very good car .

website here http://www.smallacresschool.org/

Jacbuc - you're quite right . Small Acres doesn't sound a bit like a homeschooling group ,their website quotes fees of ?2501 per term and says "Our amazing location in the Peckham Rye Adventure Playground gives the children the freedom to play and explore outside with unlimited access to a large playground, the park, a nearby forest and ponds." http://www.smallacresschool.org/about.html and this was their last post on EDF Website for Small Acres Alternative Primary School Posted by kitwe March 29, 07:09PM As discussed previously on this forum, a new alternative primary school has opened in Peckham Rye Park called 'Small Acres'. Many of you have asked for more information, including a website. I'm pleased to say that the website has recently gone 'live' and here is the link: [www.smallacresschool.org] It sounds like a lovely school and I guess they rent the Adventure Playground during the day when it's not open to the public . Just like preschools rent church halls and cricket pavilions . I suppose the income from their rental supports the Adventure Playground .

Some technical glitch Jacbuc - same thing happened to me when I was trying to copy and paste ,the copied extract kept appearing on the orginal thread .

First mate ,Renata commented at the time . On the thread I linked to . For some reason I can't copy the relevant post . She said her only knowledge was of the hall being booked for a couple of sessions by a group of homeschoolers . So I think you're right ,mainly rumour .

regarding Jacbuc's post - more discussion here http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,1153979

" One could be forgiven for thinking that only children and football players use the park. It would be nice to see facilites that are aimed at other park users as well, like a BBQ area (Burgess Park has one of those for example)." Quite agree PT . More outdoor gym equipment - away from playareas - and better toilet provision would be nice .

They do ,don't they ? I've had several bad and some very bad experiences , can't actually think of any good ones . The majority of my really bad experiences have been where the patient was elderly .The bad ones have involved me . It seems to come down to the individuals who see you in the hospital . Can't be right surely ?

Oh wow .Didn't know that . Good news . Feel sure he'll recover .

Decathalon at Surrey Quays do excellent tents at good prices . My own preference would be to avoid the " pop up " ones - mainly because I think they're hard to fold up and also because I'm old fashioned and only feel secure with fly sheets and guy ropes . Decathalon do seem to push the pop up ones . http://www.decathlon.co.uk/C-359126-family-tents/N-101920-size~4-man-tent/N-101920-size~6-man-tent

The very glitzy/OTT furniture shop at junction of Highshore and Rye Lane . I went in to ask if they had an old chair for an elderly man who was feeling unwell outside . They said " sure ,which one would you like ? " and they weren't being sarcastic ! Just instantly helpful . Though how they make a living I@m not sure . I never see anyone in there buying anything .

Srisky ,I believe it was . It is a tricky junction .

Road taped off ,ambulance and police in attendance .

Any help ? "Subsidence and Other Cracks Thu, 29/03/2012 - 22:14 -- Anonymous Since the early 1970's, building insurance policies have included 'damage caused by subsidence, heave or landslip' or similar wording. Subsidence, heave and landslip all involve foundation movement, but so does settlement. Typical insurance policy definitions are :- Subsidence: The downward movement of the ground (upon which the building is founded) for reasons unconnected to the loading of the ground from the building Settlement: The downward movement of the ground upon which the building is constructed due to the inability of the ground to satisfactorily support the load of the building Heave: The expansion of the ground (beneath a building) for reasons unconnected to the existence of the building Landslip: Downward movement of sloping ground due to its self weight or imposed loading exceeding the shearing capacity of the ground So subsidence is caused by some factor or other affecting the soil under the foundations. These include: Drying out and shrinkage of cohesive (clay) soils Softening of cohesive soils by leaking drains Erosion of sandy soils by leaking drains Collapse of mine workings or natural cavities If a building is subsiding uniformly, and by moderate amounts, there may not be much of a concern. In fact it probably will not be noticed. The problem is that subsidence usually occurs to only one part of the building, or more severely to one part than the rest. It is this differential subsidence which damages buildings, mainly by cracking and pulling apart the structure. "

The head plays THE role in determining the ethos ,life and success of a school . The kind of relationaship that teachers and school staff have with pupils will be determined by the head's approach and attitude . I don't think anyone has suggested that they expect the head to be available to have face to face chats about whims .Just that they'd like to meet him as part of the process of visiting and choosing a primary school . Seems reasonable to me and hardly an either the head concentrates on improving a school or he's there as part of his team showing potential pupils' parents the school . Surely he can do both ?

James - why on earth would you want to keep the criteria used to compare sponsors a secret ? I just don't understand that ,can you explain ? I've not said that Habs are creaming talented children - where did you get that from ? Was it because I asked if anyone knew the rationale behind Habs opting for a different banding system than the one used by other Lewisham schools ? Or because I said that being geographically close to The Charter ( if this all goes ahead ) they'd be in competition for talented children ?