Ossito

It might also be worth looking at Westminster City School in Victoria. They seem to be developing some impressive links with industry for their sixth form students (including a scholarship scheme for university fees).

Maybe given the horrific events in the news in recent days, this is a moment to reflect on the reality our local services face. Yeah, sure, fly tipping is a nuisance and dog s**t on the street is annoying and irresponsible, but what?s the alternative when authorities are trying to keep people safe from harm with fewer and fewer resources? Everyone is happy to jump on a media bandwagon when horrific things happen, but nobody wants to face the stark reality of these choices. Are we saying we?d rather Southwark reduce even further services that save lives to speed up the response to dog s**t?

Frankly, given the scale of budget reductions it is incredible that as many services continue to operate as well as they do. https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/our-key-themes/local-government-finance/london?s-local-services-investing-future/decade-austerity Not sure there are many organisations that continue to operate the same services when their income drops by 60%

My comment was about the possibly effect of the recent DKH estate changes. It didn?t mention the Walworth Road.

It?s interesting that Dog Kennel Hill School is to shrink, a few years after the DKH Estate started to be sold off?

Academies - which most schools now are - set their own admission criteria. Whilst these are usually distance based they aren?t always. For example, Kingsdale School admits by lottery so whilst in Southwark, children living nearby have no more chance of getting in than a child in (by way of extreme example) Hackney. Equally if you live on the border between 2 boroughs, your nearest school might be across the border and that is likely to be the one that you get into. However, if you like a school further away and it has spaces, you would get a place even if a school in your home borough has spaces. Parent choice in action. Of course, this choice only works in practice if there is spare capacity in the system, which then becomes unaffordable?

On a similar note, I have noticed that there is a coffee van in Dulwich Sports Club which spends all Sunday morning with its Diesel engine running right next to the astroturf where kids are playing. I can?t help thinking there must be a healthier way of making coffee than pumping diesel fumes into the lungs of exercising kids?

Given that most are limited companies and registered charities, I assume that normal insolvency arrangements would apply. I assume that the Local Authority would retain some degree of responsibility for putting in place contingency arrangements (maybe / perhaps???). I guess it?s one of those questions everybody hopes will never need to be planned for.

COVID movement may have exacerbated it but the trend has been known for some time. The report below from 2017 projected a surplus of primary places in Dulwich - page 11/12. https://www.southwark.gov.uk/assets/attach/11223/SP301-Southwark-Primary-and-Secondary-School-Place-Planning-Strategy-update-2017-.pdf

I don?t think it is a simple as Southwark getting their sums wrong. The last few Year 6s have been bulge years and the mew Charter was designed to meet (in part at least) this demand. The delays in finishing the build has meant that they will only be at full capacity as these bulges have already moved into secondary school. I believe that is why there has been so much pressure / competition for secondary places in the last few years.

Interesting and concerning. I have noticed that quite a few schools around Southwark have posters advertising that they Have places available. This would suggest falling rolls which would affect income.

We had the same concerns for a while. Our son started Year 7 last week and, so far, has taken homework in his stride without a problem.

Hello Does anyone know any organisations that can make use of a bunk bed? We are getting rid of our son?s and, whilst used, seems a shame to send it to landfill. I?ve tried BHF and Salvation Army but neither want it.

If you are happy for them to do a residential, our 10 year old had an awesome time at Camp Wilderness last year.

We have just spent a couple of years handling this same dilemma for our child who starts secondary school in September. We were both privately educated but not sure if it was the right way to go. We may find out soon that we made the wrong decision but we have gone for a state school. Watch some of the online open day videos and get a sense of the ethos of the school. Of course state schools can?t compete with the facilities of the private schools but it felt to us that the level of aspiration was very high in some state schools we saw. Also, bear in mind the level of competition for private school places means exam prep needs to start early. What is essential is to be honest about the likelihood of getting into your preferred state schools and planning early, if you might need to move.