Oscar38

I can see from the latest posts that at least one of them is awake (Renata Hamvas, good to hear from you), however still talking about the problem and not the solution. We all know what he problems are and why, and that Southwalk is 'half nelson" but what are you doing to give local children and fair change of a local secondary school place. You cllr's want us to Vote for you, then represent us, not the schools. There is also the issue of people that can afford it, doing short term lets in near to a few of the local school to secure a place. Solutions!!!

I wrote a post on the 3rd May. It is unfortunate that most of SE22 is in a 'black hole' for secondary schools, in that of the three schools local to the area; Charter East, Charter North and Harris ED. the area falls short of their respective "distance criteria". So far I have cornered a number of Southwark Councilor's about what they are doing to address this and they all claim, "nothing". I live in what is now Dulwich Hill ward, my local Councilor said blame the Tory party. A few days ago, I bumped into a few Councilors from the Village Ward, on the top of Lordship Lane and Barry Rd tented up on the corner promoting traffic and air pollution in the area. When I asked what are they you doing about our children not being able to go to a local school, one when a bit red, but did say he too has the same problem. While the Council claims to have no power over the local schools, they do take a percentage of our Council Tax to help fund various 'out puts' in the local schools, therefore I would disagree that they "do not have any power". A report came out this week online form South London Press highlighting over crowded secondary schools in Southwark. Naturally, most people, like myself would love for my children to go to an outstanding school like Charter North and Harris ED, I can accept being told they are full, but don't tell me, I don't qualify and your my closest school. while some who lives in Kent gets a place because of one the various 'criteria's'. We really need the community to stand up and make this an election issue. perhaps then someone in 'leadership' will take an interest.

How has seen the SouthLondon Press report... online! "Southwark?s primary schools overcapacity by eight pupils and secondary schools overcapacity by 615 pupils, which means even more are learning in crowded classrooms".

on a quick note, I asked the Dulwich Hill Councilor on Saturday at the CPZ meeting, what the Council is looking to do, to address this issue of a 'black hole' for secondary schools in the Dulwich Hill ward. "nothing" was the response! I did ask, why the Council could not negotiate with the local schools, Charter North, East and Harris ED. to remove the distance criteria and give local secondary school intake children, a chance at attending a local school. Or get the local schools to prioritize our children on the list of siblings and special needs, as we are clearly disadvantaged by not having a fair chance at a local school and having to commute 3km - 8km to Secondary school that has available space. But he claims that the Council while it assist schools with a bit of funding, they have no control over how the local schools are run and blame the Government. I guess its all about that 'List' then!

Charter North currently at 895 mtrs have you seen my posts about the secondary school placements.

Thanks Scrummymummy, for the recommendation, I would really like us to work towards getting a proactive solution that works better for the community and need people to join forces, so t0 speak. How can we have two or three local secondary schools in the area and not get into one.

Have you engaged with the local MP or South London Press, I contacted both my local MP and the Councilor in charge of Schools at Southwark not a word from them. I also contacted the leader of the Labour Party, I heard back from him, but his office say we need more families to come forward, in order to be heard. So I am looking for genuine families with the same issue, passed or present, willing to stick their necks out for the sake of the Community.

Curmudgeon Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Oscar38 Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Does any know how we can change the allocation > > process for residents on the "Hill" and get the > > distance criteria changed, I am so gutted. > > > > Can we get a petition going, > > How would you imagine that working? > > The one thing about distance is that it?s > objective, if distance is an admissions criteria > it has to be fairly applied to all who would like > a place That's my point; in my opinion, it is not fairly applied and I would like a place. In my case, we have three secondary schools approximately 1 -1.5 km away from us. All three are outstanding schools with a distance criteria of 800-900 meters. On this bases we fall short. The Councils approach is to give our children the nearest school with available place, no matter the distance. In our case, Harris Peckham 3km's away, and place us on a waiting list for the three schools that we choose which are naturally local to us. The Schools approach is to service, children in care, Special needs, medial, siblings of other students and children of staff, before they look at the list. Most of whom. may have had a choice of more than one Secondary school. One School told us "our child was not a priority". Eveyone seems to be missing the fact South of Crystal Palace Road, part of Court Lane, etc is a "black whole" for secondary schools, we have no choices for secondary school local to us at all, unless someone wants to correct me on this point. The Coucnil are well aware of this! I recently questioned this with Southwark, and they sent me a list of available Secondary Schools across London, with available places to choose from. I would like to see the distance Critria changed, we should be allowed to be priortised in the schools closest to us and given a fair chance of applying. Or the distance critria, should be wider in areas of no coverage and low in areas where, families would have a choice of more than one Secondary School. In our area we have four junior Schools and no secondary school call it approximately 300 students a year for Seoundary intake. I am keen to meet any families that are or have been, affected by this.

Apparently the Wards, in Southwalk have been rezoned, South of Crystal Palace Road in now call Dulwich Hill and East Dulwich, Goose Green.

Does any know how we can change the allocation process for residents on the "Hill" and get the distance criteria changed, I am so gutted. we have three perfectly great schools about 1km from our home. and we have been given a school 3km away all because we live in a part of East Dulwich that is considered a black whole for secondary schools. I contacted the schools, all of which are over subscribed with long waiting lists. We have to change this, I think the Local Authority should be negotiating with the schools to position their distance wider in areas not cover by any school and shorter in areas covered by at least one school. Can we get a petition going,

Try Powder up Lordship lane near Barry Rd. Next to the Sainsburys local. They sell Redken and professional hair colour, so they should have GHD. They recently opened so it new.

I went into the new powder shop on LL near the sainsburys local, nice friendly lady there. It looks more like highend hair products and beauty creams. I dont think they do treatments but their prices for hair products are very good. They are not open on Sunday which is a shame.