mrs.lotte

I think it's rather more diverse than some of the local schools not less. I'm white my husband is half Indian my children are in that percentage if we make people feel uncomfortable then I think that's a significant problem - for them. If people are more concerned about the colour of people's skin which of course doesn't relate to social "status" anyway than the quality of education then I do hope that they are not in the playground with me or classroom with my kids. Not a pop at you dulwichbornandbred, I think you are being honest, about time someone said why it is that some at least have overlooked the school (and other good local schools too)

Well the only one I can think of is Goose Green which has recently been given national support school status (ie so good that it has been chosen to mentor failing schools) whose Headteacher is a national leader of learning, whose senior leadership - governers and teaching staff are ofsted outstanding. But surely no one could be "disappointed" with that so it must be a different one, can't think which though.

Has anyone seen the Evening Standard tonight? East Dulwich mum so "disappointed" to be offered ofsted good local school that she may be "forced" to go private! All because the school, was in special measures before her child was even born! Yet ideally would like to go to Heber which itself was in special measures not long before that. The mind boggles

And some people are still putting the 6 most popular local schools on their list only to find that there is no room at the other local schools either? I agree with Cora, if you have not got a place at a local school, get your name down on the waiting lists of all local schools pronto and keep your fingers firmly crossed. There will be movement, there always is.

Good luck to all those waiting to hear and try not to worry, all the local schools are pretty good and theres always a lot of movement if you do not get into one straight away. Sit tight Fingers crossed

Well done Goose Green, well deserved. Very proud. Good luck to all of those waiting for reception place allocation on Wednesday.

Did you know that the government plans to introduce best value tendering in the criminal courts? That means that private companies will bid for contracts, line their pockets and farm out the cheapest "lawyers" they can find. See Sarah Vine's excellent article in the Guardian yesterday as to the effect that will have. I am resisting the urge to rant but if you are accused of or the victim of crime please note that the aim of the system will be speed and price, not justice. Anyone with skill and integrity is leaving or planning to leave the criminal bar and I'm one of them. However having been a criminal (prosecution and defence) advocate for nearly 20 years I feel sure that I have bags of transferable skills but unsure what they are transferable to. So I need to find someone to help give me some direction, write a CV etc. Can anyone recommend a patient, decent, dynamic recruitment consultant?

Dear Family of 4, My 2 are at GG, glad to hear that you liked the school. Just to say that the Headteacher (who I agree is fab)has been at the school since 2008 so isn't really "new" anymore! Good luck with the nursery place, my daughter went and loved it and the staff, resources, atmosphere and playground are all wonderful.

Goodness knows why I suggested Willy Wonka (save to counter a suggestion that he goes as Benedict from the mysterious Benedict society as that seemed too obscure ie I have no idea what that would entail) Anyway - 8 year old - Willy Wonka, need ideas ASAP Thanks forumites

So often the statistics don't seem to match the local experience but as there are no posts from distraught parents does that mean that most people in ED got into a secondary school that they are happy with? A good friend of mine did not get a school of her choice for her daughter so I know that there is not universal satisfaction but am keen to know which schools local people are securing places in (for now at least, if the sudden expansion of need for primary school places 4 years ago is anything to go by the problems are yet to come and I remain interested in what, if anything, is being done to prepare for it)

When I was a child and my mother tried to teach me to knit, sew or cook I refused on the basis that she was being sexist and didn't suggest the same to any of my brothers. So I learned to cook at University and have started teaching my children the basics (my boy as well obv!) However I still can't knit or sew and wish I could. Does anyone know of any classes/courses locally - preferably weekend or evening as I work f/t. My daughter (aged 5) would also like to learn(she is sensible enough to realise that being able to everything that the boys can do and more is probably a good thing). If this doesn't exist, can someone start it up please! Thanks Mrs.lotte

We are in that shop at least twice a week, not always buying often just browsing. I have always been able to find reasonably priced birthday presents and treats. I am suprised at the mark ups mentioned by the original poster but anticipate that a. it is not symptomatic of the % mark up on every item and b. similar to most shops eg big supermarkets will have an offer on one item but a mark up on another, they make the same profit overall, you go away feeling chuffed. Personally I find Argos not terribly convenient and pretty bewildering and am trying to break an Amazon habit (there is a reason why it's cheaper, cant have cake and eat it). No one is forced to shop in JW but it is always busy, I dont believe that it is because people are "poncey" but due to a combination of great customer service (in my experience), a really broad, eclectic range of stock, convenience, community spirit (from the shop and its customers) and that plenty of items are reasonably priced. Long live JW!

Should be within catchment for Goose Green as its very close and probably St John's and Bessemer too. However popularity of schools can change quickly and catchments can shrink or expand depending upon a number of factors including bulge classes and their effect on nearby schools easing the pressure on their places, subsequent shrinking of places available due to greater number of sibling priority places following a bulge. St Johns is also a church school and has 50% church places for children whose parents are practising Christians so if you fulfilled that criteria the catchment would probably be wider. I would have thought that it is a good location to buy in terms of getting into a good local primary school. Good luck

Goose Green tends to stay open, I suspect a combination of caretaker who lives on site ( well a tied house next door) who likes a challenge, a Mancunian Headteacher who isn't to be phased by softy southern ideas of bad weather and a good deal of staff who are fairly local. Thank goodness as like many working parents I could neither bring the kids in to work or just not attend.

Pitch inspection at 10.30am watch this space

Think I saw him about 9am this morning walking in the middle of the road between Goose Green School and ED station.

We bought one of the silver ones with Number 8 on for my sons birthday from Just William and its still going strong 5 weeks later!

Can hire swimming pool at leisure centre, Gambado in Beckenham, Build a bear (Bromley or coventry garden)

From Crawthew Grove you are most likely to be Goose Green, St John's or Bessemer (as they have another bulge class).

I have a coffe for breakfast (non negotiable), carrot sticks and hummus, fruit and an Alpen bar for lunch and salmon and salad leaves or scallops for supper. There is a good range of interesting flavoured skinny soups in Sainsbos. Could def do with some more ideas for lunch options.

I've been doing the 5:2, suits me, I just pick 2 days a week when I'm mega busy at work and not going out in evening then eat what I like guilt free during the rest of the week. In the month up to Xmas I lost over half a stone but put some back on over the Hols. Its a bit boring on "fast" days but I feel less hungry on those days than I do on normal days!

What were they singing? (just curious)

My daughter lost her first tooth today too! She'll be getting ?1 like her big bro though they often claim that significantly more is given to their classmates - tall tales I reckon.

Over the years I have progressed from making my own ornate cakes to buying expensive cakes from cake makers, this year I bought the mega tray bake from Sainsburys for ?10, son declared it the best cake he had ever seen and all his friends went mad for it. Tray bake from now on.

Of course stats must be collated but it doesn't take a genius to work out that if there was a sudden explosion in demand in primary school places in 2008 then it is a certainty that there will be a corresponding explosion in demand in secondary school places 7 years later. The squeeze on primary places is being accommodated, albeit with a lot of goodwill, by bulge classes. I repeat, what is being done to address the inevitable increase in demand for secondary places. I agree with Cora, a ticking timebomb.