millymoll

Don't think she can be local as Waverley school was long since pulled down and replaced by Harris. Can't say I've ever seen Sue Perkins around either (though maybe she's keeping a low profile) - I thought perhaps she meant Jenny Eclair...

Hi, we had a similar experience a few years ago when we came out of the house to find G&T about to cut down the huge horse chestnut outside. When we asked why it was being cut down and why we hadn't been told, G&T said Southwark are supposed to inform residents of tree cutting and they went away. We contacted the council and they told us the tree was 'probably diseased'. We asked them if they could be sure and they tested the tree, which was fine and is still standing... Councillor Robin Cruickshank seems to be very pro-tree while at the same time very aware of the problems they can cause so I think she'd be a good (fair) person to contact.

Toby Young's father was Michael Young who helped create the Open University and Which Magazine. His mother was Sasha Moorsom a writer who also founded Lauderdale House Arts Centre in Highgate. Can't imagine they'd be too chuffed with the whole free school thing.....

Anyone know this year's results for Kingsdale and St Saviours?

We love the adventure playground and have been going there for years. Although I think the equipment is mostly for older primary children, there is a sandpit and a couple of little tyre swings too - face pointing and other activities too sometimes, if there haven't been too many council cutbacks. There are a couple of lovely guys who run the place and I've always found a really nice atmosphere there, often a drum kit out on the grass for kids to play on, someone on hand when there's a bump etc. Nice place for a picnic too.

Sillywoman mentioned last year's Kingsdale/Charter results. I think Kingsdale had a slightly higher percentage of students who had passed 5+ GCSE's but when looking at those pupils who had passed 5+ including Maths and English, the Charter School came out a bit better.

Dear Z, I have worked as a Teaching Assistant at a couple of local primaries and have two children who have attended nearby primaries too. I now work at Dog Kennel Hill. Please feel reassured about your daughter. It is a lovely school with lots of exciting "extras". All the children learn Spanish and have fantastic music lessons and the excellent year 6 Sats results, just published for this year, are as follows: English 90% achieved level 4 with 30% achieving level 5 Maths 78% achieved level 4 with 30% achieving level 5 Science 92% achieved level 4 with 34% achiecing level 5 I have found the atmosphere at the school to be a very happy one with generally excellent behaviour and caring, committed teachers. Large numbers of parents get involved with the school and you can find out more from the new website which is just about up and running.www.dkh.org.uk My son went to Bessemer Grange Primary which doesn't look great on paper but he did well, had some fantastic teachers and met some lovely children. My daughter goes to Heber which has made dramatic improvements since I moved to the area. All in all I think nearly all our local primaries have a lot to offer and as you clearly care a lot about your daughter's education I'm sure you'll be a very supportive parent and she'll do very well.

Hm. Can't make the link work. The website adddress is www.bessemergrange.southwark.sch.uk

Hi, both my children have attended Bessemer Grange and I currently work there and have been involved for some years. No-one has heard about the school because it is so tucked away! Attending the open day is of course the best way to get an idea about the school but here is a personal view. BGPS has the most lovely bright buildings and is very lucky to have its own wildlife garden and access to a great playing field as well as playgrounds. A huge building project is about to start to build a new Early Years unit and to create fantastic playgrounds - it's supposed to take 2 years so those starting now should reap the benefits, though there may disruption too. There are a lot of - in my opinion - very good teachers and assistants in the school and the school produces fantastic art. There are plenty of trips to museums and workshops at the Picture Gallery too and a very wide range of after school clubs. Academically I think the school is weaker though the literacy programmes in place definitely cater for all abilities and when my son showed real ability at maths there were teachers who really put the time in to help him progress well. There are quite a lot of children with special needs at the school - probably the same all over Southwark, and classes can be noisy. It's hard for me to compare as I don't have much experience of other schools.The school also suffers from "fallout" with children leaving at year 3 to go to Dulwich Hamlet. The Headteacher has unfortunately been away for some time so the school has been through a difficult time with teaching staff trying to fill in the gap left by her absence. However she has now resigned so a new head will undoubtedly be a boost for the school. The school is due an OFSTED this term so you should soon be able to read more official views than mine online. You can also have a look at the school's website bessemer grange website. Phew! Feel free to ask any other questions.

I have known one of the children concerned for years and she is an immensly sensible girl (year 6). She doesn't strike me as a fantasist. It seems the girls knew they were being followed so decided to walk towards some shops where they knew there would people around. When the man picked one of the girls up they shouted and enough people were alerted to frighten him off.