intexasatthe moment

LondonMix - I have read the info in both your links before . The latter when I was attempting to understand what Admissions Forums do and are supposed to do . Having looked again at both links it seems to me that Admissions Forums have various obligations - some that they must follow and some that they should . They play an important role "in ensuring that school admission arrangements are fair and comply with admission law and the requirements of this Code " . But I'm not sure that the Southwark Admissions Forum has done this - though I could be wrong . Don't year 6 pupils have to sit banding tests at more than one school - Kingsdale and Harris for example ? ( I could be wrong ) The code says this "Where a number of schools in an area band, they must use a common test, such as the results of QCA Year 5 optional tests conducted in primary schools, to ensure that children are not required to take more than one test." Also it seems clear that the Admissions Forum should have taken action over how The Charter were implementing their admissions policy . " Enforcing the Code 9. the Admission Forum have important powers under Section 90 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 to refer the admission arrangements to the Adjudicator where the admission authority concerned fails to comply with the mandatory provisions of this Code, or where they fail to follow its guidelines " You say "As you can read in the official document below, the Southwark LA actually formally supported Charter?s policy " . This may be so ,and is worrying ,but the only reference to Southwark's position in the link you posted was this The LA's response indicated that it did not consider the School was in breach of the code .Southwark is not the admissions authority for any secondary school in the area and ,for it's primary school's ,uses the " straight line " method of calculating proximity .It is , therefore not in a good position to comment on the technical aspects of the case ." But maybe you're referring to other documents or I've missed something . However with the possibilty of another school in the area with banding as an admissions policy and with a history of what seems to me an Admissions Forum that wasn't quite on top of it's game ( as presumably the Lewisham one wasn't either ,hence them having Habs not using the same banding exam as other Lewisham schools ) it would be good to have clarification on how the Southwark Admission forum sees its role . I thought James as a key person in this campaign might provide this information . Finally ,as I seem now to be responding to your individual queries LondonMix and as I detect a somewhat hostile tone towards me in your posts - would it be better to continue trying to justify myself to you by PM ?

Hi - some info about ( rented ) Southwark sheltered housing here . http://www.southwark.gov.uk/a_to_z/service/84/sheltered_housing Or there are leasehold schemes you can buy into and pay a service charge for extra facilties . There is one in Herne Hill for example http://www.housingcare.org/housing-care/facility-info-17255-dulwich-mead-dulwich-england.aspx I guess it's pretty crucial to work out the level of support your relative needs/wants . There are some extra care sheltered housing schemes ( Anchor Housing ) which bridge the gap a little between sheltered and care homes . McCarthy and Stone do a lot of retirement homes for sale . Anchor Housing do rented sheltered housing ,leasehold for sale ,care homes etc and are well established and respected http://www.anchor.org.uk/ Age UK are good for advice and have loads of fact sheets http://www.ageuk.org.uk/home-and-care/housing-choices/sheltered-housing Good luck .

More to the point I guess - do you know what role the Southwark Admissions Forum plays in schools admissions policies ? My understanding is that LA's have admissions forums but I'm not really clear on their remit or actual influence . Is it just a talking shop attended by some/all reps from Southwark schools ( I'm interested in secondary schools here ) ? Does Southwark have one ,what does it do ? There didn't seem to be much involvement in the 12 year wrangle over exactly what defined a safe walking route in The Charter's admission policy so I'm assuming that their role in overseeing how stated policies operate in practice is limited ? Perhaps this should be a subject for a seperate thread ,but I'm raising it here because I think there is a tendency when discussing individual schools or potential schools to focus narrowly on that school and not to be aware of the wider implications -on public spending ,other schools ,longer term effects ,and the effect on families now and in the future who are applying for secondary school places .

" 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 .