mrs.lotte

Our first carnival too. We just loved the carnival procession and had such a great day on the Green. What fantastic weather and lovely atmosphere. Very proud. x

Sidekick - I love it, may have to get one of those for little sis - as well as the tutu (i am going to be so skint) I will come and say hello and empty wallet

Damzel, at Goose Green nursery a child is eligible for a place starting the term after they are 3. They have just allocated the places for September (I know because my daughter has one but we live very close by and she has a sibling at the school) not sure if they have allocated the January spaces yet. It is a popular nursey but it is quite big so worth applying for. Speak to the lovely Donna in the office or the Early Years Co-ordinator Leanne Harfield; they will be able to give you a good idea as to teh outer limit of their catchment area.

I consider myself very fortunate to have one of each. I read an interview with Louise (from Eternal married to footballer forget name) who has two sons she said that she was the only girl in the house and they all adored her - just fab. It is a cliche to say that boys love their mums and are simple creatures - less angsting about who their friends are, no tantrums about what to wear (don't care) but, in my case anyway, it's true. You are gonna just love him and so will his big sister - she'll get to boss him around and he won't complain (won't do what he's told either but she won't notice) everyone's happy

Is it the school fair on Goose Green? I'll be there. What age do the superhero capes go up to? Also can you tell me how much for a cape and a tutu as I'm pretty sure that I'm gonna get stung for both. In answer to your question; lots of M's for the girls (Milly Molly Maisie) and lots of J's for the boys (Joseph, Jack) in our circle. Thanks

My advice - burn the book now! Alternatively you could get a bunch of tenners and burn them instead. My 5 year old has the panini book which I thought would be a wonderful way of educating him about different countries and cultures. However there are about a million bloody stickers to collect and they are 50p for a pack of 5, reckon I could have taken him on a cultural tour of the world with the cash it will take to fill the book. Anyway once you start you can't go back so - basically all the local newsagents sell the panini stickers as do WHSmith. Good luck (and we have a spare Eric Addo and Fernando Torres but none of the Nigerian team if you get swapsies)

The head, teachers and pupils have worked so hard they really deserve this. As a parent of a child thriving at this school I am delighted. prdarling; you hit the nail on the head, this isn't just good news for GG but for the whole of ED to have another great school for our children and we are looking onward and upward; there will be a new Sure Start building on site which will provide resources for pre school children and their families. Watch this space - we are on the up. Come and celebrate and show your support at our carnival and fair on 10th July on Goose Green which is always an expression of pride but will be extra special this year. Thank you to all the posters on this thread. ED - we are feeling the love!!

Mumra, I was told by another st.john's mum that there had been new children join during the year as per your post but the lady who runs the office told me very firmly indeed that no-one had left or joined reception class all year - very odd. sb - I seem to recall that there was talk of the way that distance is measured being changed to as the crow flies from safe walking distance which, if the case, may mean that previous years distance is not the best guide.

I think that the schools have to wait until after the initial round of offers have been accepted or rejected and a second round of offers made before they send out letters to parents. I know that Goose Green will be sending letters out this month inviting parents carers and children to a welcome meeting, they then have another day, which is a drop in, when your child can come to the classroom and activities are laid out, you come along and meet teachers and other parents; this is towards the end of the summer term. They then do a home visit (certainly for the children who have not been in the nursery). I anticipate that all schools do the same or similar so you should hear from your chosen school very soon. I think that different schools do different settling in procedures; GG went straight for full days for the children who were full time at the nursery but did a few half days for those that were not. From the sounds of it, Southwark are as hopeless at passing on information this year as they were last (although, in fairness are probably not in the best position to tell you any given school's particular procedures). If you are anxious that you have not heard anything, give your school's office a ring. Good luck

Last year the catchment area for open places was minute; eg just beyond all fired up was outside the catchment area! I live very close indeed and not only did we not secure a place a year later we have still not been offered a place as I am told that there has been little movement. As it happens we were allocated Goose Green where my son is happy and thriving so the angst was, mercifully, unnecessary. I have heard nothing about the allocation of open spaces at St.John's this year, I suspect that a good deal of people took a lesson from the class of '09 and were more realistic in their choices this year (just a guess).

I seem to recall some considerable unease amongst Bojangles parents about the motivations and ethos of the church when Bojangles nursery closed down. Those considering putting their children's names down may want to try finding that thread. Sorry am too inept to link it to this post. Sure and firm really does seem a rather weird name for a nursery, or indeed a foundation nursery and pre-school.

Just come back and highly recommend. Only about 5 mins beyond Greenwich Park but empty by comparison. Lots of hills for running/rolling/cycling down, deserted woods for exploring and a cafe to boot.

Thinking of family trip out with picnic not Dulwich Park/woods/rye/nunhead cemetary - love them all but done to death. Don't want to drive too far either. Anyone know whether Oxleas woods or surrounding area worth a visit? If so what is best spot? Thanks

prdarling, hadn't appreciated that you were GG. GG has a breakfast and after school club on site which is highly rated by those I know who use it (and very reasonably priced) there are also a number of childminders and nannies that do pick up and drop offs. The nursery is lovely but doesnt take children until the term after they are 3 but I highly rate (and indeed use) Oaktree nursery which is very nearby; we moved our daughter there when we our son started GG and she is very happy, lots of places free up in September as the older children go to school It sounds like there may be a number of people who live near you in the same boat; maybe share the pick up/drop offs? Would be happy to ask around on your behalf if you would like (PM me if so) Also happy to answer any qu's about the school if you have them. There is to be a school tour on first monday in June. You have probably been on one already but it will be a chance or another chance to have a look round, meet the head and as there will be a PTA coffee morning that day, to meet other parents too.

Youre right I should have said only a small handful APPEAR to have not been allocated one of their 4 choices. I do not know the figures either and based that wholly upon the posts on this forum which this year have only a handful of people posting about not being allocated any of their local choices as opposed to last year when there appeared to be many more. I sometimes forget that there are peoplewho dont read or post on the forum! It does look to me that this years parents have been much more clued up, possibly as a result of last years situation by putting down 4 realistic choices. No doubt that has helped alleviate the situation.

prdarling I understand totally that you are feeling raw but it's not a 4 year olds fault that their parents cant get their act together so why should they suffer? I'm not being critical of you, I felt exactly the same last year when dozens and dozens of people didnt get ANY of their 4 choices the fact that only a small handful of people are in that boat this year and that the debate is now largely about being cheesed off at not getting 1st or 2nd choice seems to me to demonstrate that the early bulge allocations pretty much did the trick as best it can bearing in mind you cant fit every single child into Heber or Goodrich. I do hope your situation is resolved soon and you are allocated one of your 4 choices, I feel sure it will be. Last year was a nightmare, much, much worse and it worked out for everyone (and would have done much sooner if there had been pre-arranged bulges as there has been this year) Best of luck

The stats for goodrich last year and heber this will presumably be skewed by th bulge classes which meant that in the year there is no bulge the last man in will be much closer. Furthermore as has been said before bulge classes mean more siblings in later years so the distance will get smaller. Everyone has a vested interest in improving standards in all local schools so that we are not trying to cram our poor children into one or two schools.

My son had one of those jackets with the floats in that you gradually remove so they have to try a bit harder but it's not a sink or swim! Eventually you are down to one or none of the floats and take the jacket off altogether. There is also the float or woggle (is that the technical term?) option where they have some bouyancy but not total security and they use such things at the swimming lessons where the armbands are taken off for the first time. I know plenty who swear by the throw them in with no floatation school of thought but the benefit of the jacket is that you can chill by the pool while they get on with it! I might still have our jacket if you want to give it a whirl

Yes am easy walking distance from GG. However lots of children there are not and still very happy indeed! We put St. John's as our first choice last year and wrote GG off without even looking at it. We are 390m from st john's and were 15th on the waitlist. Went to see GG and took what we then thought (rather patronisingly in retrospect) was a leap of faith and it paid off. I understand that GG reception class places have all been filled with people who put it as one of their 4 choices and the vast majority of those put it as their first choice so people this year much more clued up and sensible than I was! I look forward to meeting the new parents and children who will have the good fortune to be taught by the wonderful reception teachers (Mrs H I know you read the edf sometimes - that's the modern day apple for the teacher!) prdarling; I know you are anxious now but I feel sure that you will be offered something that is do-able. It may not be your first choice but really Goodrich and Heber are not the only schools in ED where parents and children are happy and learning. Would you really want to leave ED? The picture is the same all over London and other cities and in the country chances are you will not be able to walk to school and it wont be on your commute!!

Cora really says it all; the focus should be ensuring that all local schools are attractive to parents and buggie; absolutely a bit of belief and effort goes a long way as has been demonstrated at GG in a very short space of time indeed. Not everyone can go to Goodrich and Heber and it would be morally repugnant, in my opinion, to create middle class ghettos of these schools cramming children in to limited space. That's not to detract from the agony of parents whose child has been allocated a far away and/or inaccesible school; been there, hated it but it did mean that we took what we perceived as a risk and have never regretted it.

John Donne is not a failing school. It has just got a Good rating in ofsted. We were allocated that school last year and would not have gone; because we dont live in new cross, wouldnt have known anyone, be able to get there, have playdates etc etc. Instead we were lucky enough to get a place in Goose Green on shakedown and love it, not least because it is local and so convenient for walking to school, getting involved in the life of the school and my boy sees his friends on the way to and from school, friends can pick up if we or our nanny can't and playdates are a doddle. Oh it's also a lovely friendly place with the most amazing reception teachers. I understand that all 60 places have been filled at GG and there is a waiting list at the moment as there will be for all the East Dulwich schools, and presumably St John's and DKH etc For those near Goodrich who didn't get a place you may find that those holding Lewisham and Southwark offers will choose and thereby free up some places near you. My advice; put your names down on waiting lists of all schools that are nearby but dont write somewhere off just because it wasnt your first choice, you might be suprised. This really doesnt sound as bad as last year when the forum was full of people offered John Donne, Peckham Park, Crawford and other schools that really were an awfully long way away and, in the end, that all came good. I dont know of a single person who didnt eventually get a local school. Good luck. mrs.lotte

Fuschia, I agree with you insofar as GG is not in SM because of a door. It remains in SM as I read the most recent report because it did not demonstrate "community cohesion" and had not implemented a software package which tracks the pupils progress; the latter now done, the former being firmly and enthusiastically addressed. Your post reprinted a very lengthy extract from an Ofsted inspection which is 2 years old raising concerns which have been robustly addressed to HMI satisfaction and are not the reason why this school is not, yet, out of SM. It would be a shame if people reading the forum got the impression that the matters raised in 2008 are the reasons why GG remains in SM. The high regard in which it is held by parents of children who attend the school is clear and we look forward to coming out of SM and welcoming next year's intake who will hopefully join with a positive attitude and help give us that push we need to be another great local school.

The first section of the report quoted in Fuschia'a post is nearly 2 years old. Since that time HMI have stated clearly that they are not concerned about pupil's safety. Since that report there is a new headteacher and an overhaul of the teaching staff. I felt as Smiler did a year ago; that my son had some sort of right to a free education at a school of my choice. That's unrealistic; you cant have the whole of East Dulwich in 1 or 2 schools. We were allocated Goose Green and I can say that I have never regretted our decision to send our son there. The teaching and discipline in reception class is superb. If you look at the school's website you will see that at a recent City Challenge inspection EYFS was deemed to be moving towards outstanding. All of the children I have met from nursery to Y6 have been delightful. I believe that it is a happy, vibrant improving school. Anyone who is allocated a reception place at Goose Green can, in my opinion, be assured that there child will be recieving excellent care; intellectually and pastorally.

Fuschia I can see you are an LEA person and clearly understand how the criteria are deployed. I'm a bit confused re the 80 people put Heber as there first choice and therefore as there are 90 places they will have all got it, although it may be that I have mis-interpreted this. Surely if you live in, say Camberwell, and put it as your first choice this doesnt overide the allocation by fulfilment of criteria in order. My understanding was that where you put your order of preference was, largely, neither here nor there, it was fulfilment of criteria that mattered. It seems amazing that everyone who put it as first choice fulfilled the criteria. Could the figures mean that, of the 90 allocated places, 80 had put as first choice? No vested interest; my son is Goose Green, happy and proud. Just genuinally curious! I do wish everyone good luck with securing a local place this year. It does look like the early provision of bulge classes may save a lot of heartache while waiting for shakedown.

Husband had his stolen from outside house couple of weeks ago; near Goose Green. They took frame and one of the wheels leaving the other wheel still attached to the lock which is cemented into the floor. Very annoying