paddykelly

We're still waiting on a place for Ivydale but well down the list so not very optimistic. As like most people here who didn't get any of their "choices" I feel let down, especially as every child (of varying ages) on our road (about 10 in total) all go to Ivydale. It's more about being part of the local community as we see it and I understand that as more families have moved in to this particular neighbourhood there is obviously more pressure on places. It does seem however that this could have been predicated and it seems to reflect a bigger failing within the education policy. Both a national level, especially with the free schools and how few places are being taken up for those by (obviously) sceptical parents, as well as at the local level. The system from my point of view does not seem to work very well. I'm curious how other parents will be voting in the local elections with this in mind? There does seem to be a lot of finger pointing amongst politicians but surely all the main political parties have now had a chance to make a difference and the education system still seems to be a mess.

Hi Gina Many thanks for the note of encouragement and I'm delighted to hear your daughter is doing well in her new school. Not looking forward to the stress though. I have to say and I feel very let down by the whole system. All the best Paddy

I think it's worth pointing out that in 2012 Ivydale's furthest catchment was 1062m and last year in 2013 it was 516m. We are within the 400m range and have not got a place and there are definitely a lot more families in the area than when we first moved. Where can I find out information on how many places were turned away at Ivydale? This seems like a vital piece of information for all those parents currently making decisions about accepting offers to schools they have deliberately not applied for. On your other point I appreciate that space needs to be accommodated up the line for new classes but surely with a new campus on the horizon that is less of an issue. I am concerned by the some of the suggestions on this forum that the best option is to either rent or buy near your schools of choice but to be honest that seems to be the only way. Of the 10 nearest schools to us we applied for the 6 in order of preference, clearly I was under the illusion of there being some sort of choice in this matter. The council clearly are operating on the policy of placing children where it suits them rather than responding to the obvious needs that are being expressed on this forum and elsewhere. Paddy

Hi Renata We didn't get any of our 6 choices. Our first preference was Ivydale School as this is our nearest school and every child on our road has gone there over the 6 years we've lived in the area. I would be interested to know how many first preferences were rejected by Ivydale? Actually, it would be good to know how many preferences were turned away in total. I would imagine a lot if the open days were anything to go by and the other parents I've spoken with tonight. It does seem grossly unfair that a school which has had 2 years of bulge classes and is set to have more bulge classes next year (and a new campus) should be punishing children who are applying for places this year. If there are enough numbers is there still a possibility of a bulge class this year or has that been completely ruled out? It seems like a lot of parents are confused and may end up accepting offers to schools for fear of losing out when they would much rather go with their first preferences. Many thanks Paddy

Dear James I was wondering if you could help with a right of access permission through council property. Currently there exists a path through Camberwell Cemetery from Brenchley Gardens to Honor Oak Park station. However, it is only open during the limited hours that the cemetery is open (in Winter this is closed at 4.30pm). The alternative is to take a 30minute round trip walk or wait for the extremely unreliable P12. It is a 5 minute walk through the cemetery and recreation grounds and would be extremely useful, especially with the ELL now available at Honor Oak Park. Many thanks Paddy

I was wondering if anything every happened with this particular threa? Considering the ELL will be opening shortly it would be nice to be able to get to Honor Oak Park from Nunhead without having the mountaineering course in between! I see that the P12 has not improved since Nov '08 as I recently waited 45minutes with a screaming baby for said bus - completely unreliable. And unnecessary considering it takes less than 10 minutes to walk through camberwell cemetery to Brenchley gardens.

I reported it by email last night to the police. I agree it's worth logging it as presumably they base policing decisions etc on crime stats. I think something should also be done about the lighting on the bike route through Peckham Rye Park - feel nervous about that section more than the road, even after this incident.

I wanted to make the forum aware of an incident that I became involved in yesterday evening while cycling home. This was about 10pm on the east side of Peckham Rye Park heading towards Nunhead. I was on my bike returning from five-a-side football when I passed a teenager (who on reflection was walking very close to the outside of the pavement), as I passed he drew his hand up and hit me across the arm with a stick. I did not have any time to react and as it was quite dark I did not see the stick in his had so had no time to swerve or avoid the blow. I immediately stopped and dismounted and shouted at the teen to stop. He entered the entrance of Waveney estate and was bating me to follow. There was another person hanging around by the entrance and there was a definite intimation that there was an ambush of some sort waiting if I pursued him further. In any case I grabbed my bike chain and asked fairly politely (all things considered) for him to stay where he was and that I'd be happy for him to attempt another swing of his stick. Needless to say (after some fairly obscene gestures and comments about my mother) he ran off into the estate like the coward he undoubtedly is. My worry is that this is a very busy cycle route for many people and I'm sure this is not the first time this particular individual has attempted to hit someone cycling past. If you are cycling up that way please be aware of anyone walking close to the edge of the pavement. There are usually plenty of people around so either dismount and approach someone who looks reasonably trustful or if safe to do so move out to the other side of the road.