intexasatthe moment

But is a shed a building ....? ( think we have same in our deeds and hadn't thought that would prevent a shed ) Would take up less room than the 5 wheelie bins there at the moment .

what are you going for Dulwich ? I recently posted looking for advice on what type for myself but got no replies so would be interested in any experience/views .

My son attended a school that was made an Academy . In the sixth form he was first asked to produce nearly ?300 so that his AS exams could be taken " privately " . He was later told that if he didn't reach certain targets he would not be entered for his A levels because he was not expected to reach a C grade . This was not a Harris school but I'm afraid pressure and bullying to get children who are not expected to do well to leave does happen .

I am tired of people repeating that Harris have made previously failing schools successful without acknowledging the political agenda and support given to Academies . With similar support and financial input to LEA schools a level playing field may have seen similar success in what were previously failing schools . Just saying .

" I agree with you James, that given that many of the schools were failing, Harris is probably doing a better job than the previous management. " Maybe the schools would have done better if they had been given the same amount of governement financial input as given to Academies .And of course altered their intake by banding . Which incidentally if done by ALL schools in the same way I would see as a good thing .

Sssh.

But , as pointed out by Fuschia above ,the Harris intake is banded so that the school ensures that each years cohort reflects the ability range of the national average . Previous schools who didn't band had different intakes - determined by proximity to the school or ,in "unpopular " schools made up by pupils who had been unable to get a place elsewhere .

Great suggestions thank you .

Thanks Pugwash .

I'm sure this has been asked before but do people have recommendations ? We have 2 bikes ,nothing expensive ,but special to us and I'm getting to the point where dragging them indoors and upstairs is putting me off using the bike . We don't want to go for a wall mounted rack indoors and have plenty of room on our forecourt . Any recommendations ?

Friend has asked if I have any ideas re contacts for her son who is looking for a 2 week placement - something in the caring area - homelessness /counselling/psychological research . He is over 18 and studying psychology . I really don't know what to suggest ,any advice would be very gratefully received . Though my instinct tells me his search is going to be tricky and involve CRB checks .

http://www.camberwellboroughcouncil.co.uk/ any help ?

"NUT/NASUWT issues first strike notice at a HARRIS Academy (Harris Boys? Academy East Dulwich) Posted on January 29, 2014 by mwdavern If there is no progress in negotiations over ?the unreasonable frequency of full scale external observations, workload and the failure of the head to meet with unions to try and resolve? then the first day of joint strike action will be on Thursday 6th Feb, with other dates to follow should no progress be made ."

"It is now possible to use the Department for Education's official school census data, completed in January each year, to track the size of individual year groups in 2,785 state schools across England over the years 2010-13. The January census data is particularly crucial for schools in relation to pupils who turn 16 during the academic year, as the number recorded as on the roll at this time is the number whose results are counted against the school in league tables." Two of England's largest academy chains, the Harris Federation and Oasis Community Learning, have several schools each on the list of those whose 2013 GCSE year group shrank the most over the period 2010-2013, and especially during 2012-13. At Harris academy South Norwood, in south London, pupil numbers in the year group that took GCSEs last summer dropped by 22% between the time they were 12- to 13-year-olds and last January, with the year group's roll falling from 197 in January 2012 to 169 a year later, in the lead-up to GCSEs. Overall, six Harris academies feature in the list of the 50 schools with the largest drop in pupil numbers for the 2013 GCSE year group between 2010 and 2013, with all shrinking in size by at least 10% " www.theguardian.com

Maybe health/age/lack of finances daunts the owner regarding renovation . Does Southwark have a dept that helps older/iller owners who need help in this area ie doing up/improving their property ?

Spot on Whittler . But then I guess that's why the Pathe News clip here http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,1260573 looks so up to date and recognisable today .

shorty don't know if it's of interest ,but on James Barbers thread there's a note of ?4500 being allocated for something called the historic photos fund East Dulwich councillor - how can I help? "Posted by James Barber Yesterday, 01:00PM Eaery year local ward councillors get to decide how to spend some devolved Cleaner, Greener, Safer budget. The scheme started when Lib Dems first led the council in 2002 with only one year when it didn?t operate when the Labour administration wanted to use the money on pet Olympic projects. "

I think the upper floors are occupied ,maybe by the owner ?

So it's not philanthropic spirit and business acumen that have turned failing schools around ? I'm disillusioned .

That's interesting Fuschia ,thanks for posting .

Right ,thanks Saffron .

I have a quantity of fortified drinks - Fortisip ,Fortijuice - and also enteral feeds which have proved surplus to requirements . They are horrendously expensive to buy ( mine were NHS prescribed and I didn't have to ) and I hate the thought of chucking them away . Does anyone know of any organisations who ship them abroad ?

Not a lot of fun getting old .

I see .

Yes sorry bornagain "states" was a funny way for me to put it !