Fliss

"This year there is a common system for the first time. As long as that doesn't mean accepting a place somewhere removes you from the other LA's request list, it's OK..." Yes Fushcia, that's something else to worry about! The problem is that we don't seem to know how the councils are doing this. Are they allowed to act with absolutely no "transparency" like this? I thought "transparency" was the key word these days. The various policies and guidelines etc that are available seem pretty obtuse, to be honest.

And yes I agree that it's terrible if there are lots of parents holding places just as insurance - makes a nonsense of the whole system - but parents are going to have to do that since the boroughs are not announcing outcomes at the same time. I gather you can go on a waiting list for your preferred school, but in that case you relinquish any place you have been offered. So if the waiting list doesn't come good, you could get sent *anywhere* that has a spare place! Chaos!! There must be a better way of doing it!! And then of course there's round 2 in June - late applications and appeals. I'm soooo confused.

"As far as I know, the reasoning behind the nursery class situation is that many people who would be at the front of the nursery queue based on distance citerion etc, may not take up a place because they ned more than 2.5h nursery provision a day. However they still need a school place and are entitled to that place based on the normal citeria. Does that make sense??" Yes prdarling, I see what you mean. The nursery 2.5 hours is quite tricky - we've had huge childcare problems since he started nursery class because the excellent childminder he had been with for 3 years couldn't do the pick up and drop off, so we had to leave her and it was very difficult finding someone else. But we thought it was worth it because I thought he'd stand a better chance of getting into the school if he was in the nursery class, and also I just felt he was ready for "mini school", and he has been loving it and learning lots. Also - I wish I knew for sure whether or not you can get offers from both boroughs - can anybody clarify??? His current childminder says yes, but then the man at Southwark Council said no. Should I start a separate thread asking this question?

I'm in the same situation as nunheadmum. Have been offered a place in Lewisham (our last choice, but at least it was a choice) who want us to accept or decline by 4 May. I was hoping we might still be offered our first choice (in Southwark) but I phoned Southwark Admissions to ask if we could be offered a place in a Southwark school as well, and was told no, you only get offered one place - mind you the guy I spoke to had to put me on hold twice while he sourced that information, so I don't really know if it's correct. Am I the only person who finds the application system absolutely bewildering??? And *why* do they take children into the nursery class if they are not then going to get a place in the reception class??? My son will be heartbroken if he has to change school.

Thanks, Tanza. Couldn't see Alyssa McDonald's point, don't think she really made one... Was gratified to have been quoted as the one 'diagnosing issues', though!

Thanks, Tanza. Couldn't see Alyssa McDonald's point, don't think she really made one... Was gratified to have been quoted as the one 'diagnosing issues', though!

Thanks for the info on Mifi, Ted Max and jasonf - may be the perfect solution to a problem I have at the moment!

As for the assumptions he makes in his last paragraph - sheer conjecture - does he know these people? - I think not!

Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Tanza. I think it's safe to say the writer of the article, Michael Hodges, "has issues" to say the very least.....

Alice, I hope everyone with something constructive to say is PM-ing Mr Sims, despite char1ie being flippant and Loz being puerile...

SeanMacgavhann is often the voice of reason on this forum, it seems to me. Following on from what Sean said about no driver parents having posted - as a parent newly dropping off and picking up (by bus or on foot, depending on the weather and what time it is) from the school in question (I don't know the school that well yet, or the other parents) thay all seem to arrive on foot, or else I see one or two I recognise on the bus..... I haven't seen many cars outside the school.

Yes beaver14uk, I saw a headline tonight that bus fares in the capital are "set to soar" - shame, because the tube and trains are ridiculously overpriced, and we have to get around somehow! So although you live outside London you may be picking up the price with your increased bus fare, if you are going to be working in town.

If I was you, I wouldn't bother getting her autograph ......

I agree with Gimme, it's not cool to be starstruck :)

No, I couldn't see any news reports either, but I think a lot of things don't get into the news unless they want witnesses. Allgoodh was there and saw everything, although it was so early in the morning. I think it must have been very hard for Allgoodh, being 'first on the scene' but he or she seems to have known the best thing to do. And went to work afterwards - I would have been traumatised and would have had to go back home! So I am very impressed by Allgoodh, and I am very sorry for those involved in the accident, and their families/friends.

Is this still affecting traffic badly? I need to get the bus to Euston to catch a train soon, is a different route advisable?

A romantic date could be at the Crystal Palace Cinema!! Campaign for Crystal Palace Cinema

Aaah.... how lovely.... I'm so pleased this is all going so well...>:D