BB100

Have a look at their recent Ofsted report. I don't often say this but this report is a very accurate reflection of what the school is actually like.

prickle Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Metallic said "The mere fact that so much is > unsubstantiated is a problem but it remains true, > as far as I can see, that claims of public exams > cheating have yet to be reported on by the exam > boards, after 8 months, and that as the school has > made no public statement whatsoever to confirm or > deny this has been looked in to by them at least, > they have created their own problem. A public > statement by the Head and the Governors > acknowledging this problem would have nipped the > rumours in the bud. " > > I think this is the nub of the issue. The silence > from the school and the attempts at gagging debate > on this forum only feeds speculation and the > feeling that they have something to hide. KD uses > PR to promote itself ruthlessly but has failed to > use it to deal with the negative stuff. But didn't someone say on the forum a while back that exam investigations are supposed to be confidential and the exam boards and school are not allowed to publish the results? If so, the school wouldn't be able to say anything about it even if it wanted to.

Sorry Huguenot I ran out of time and so didn't really read through my last past. I meant not the colour of your skin but racism that is the factor - an external factor rather than internal. My apologies for rushing my post. I spent a large portion of my first-class degree researching the obstacles and factors that influence educational achievement. There is a great deal of research evidence that suggests that certain children from some ethnic backgrounds do better than others for a variety of reasons. There is also research on how many white people will do better at IQ tests because they are designed by white people with a similar pattern of thinking and culture - not because others are cognitively deficit. The question in the OP is a broad one that requires more than the scope of this thread can handle. But I'm rushing again....

motorbird83 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > appears teacher's expectations can influence > children's achievement. Hopefully, things are > somewhat better than when you were in school but > there are recent reports that suggest that is not > the case. uncleglen: Parents' expectations also influence children's achievement and it is well known amongst teachers that Asian students have strict home rules about school work and these students succeed. At last some sensible discussion on the question. I have done some research on this issue over the years and the answer is complex as a range of factors together influence life outcomes. Poverty is the biggest factor but race, culture, health, mental health, geographical location, quality of education, social and human capital, the child's personality, parental support, teacher's expectations, values and beliefs, belonging to a faith organisation etc, etc, all contribute. It is the reason why children of the same family who go to the same school can have different life outcomes. However, Cameron, judging from his pre-election speeches on education is working on the idea that it is not what you HAVE that makes a difference to social mobility but what families DO.He pointed to examples of poorer families whose children have been successful in the education system and celebrates how they 'made it' without throwing money at them. However, this is a small percentage of families who have been resilient to the factors and kinda ignores the disabling impact poverty has. It's like those 100 year old smokers saying 'look at me I'm 100 and smoking done me no harm'.

Don't worry too much about this as schools usually hold events in the summer term where new students and parents can meet. It's a bit early days yet as there's lots of shuffling around with the places until May/June.

BrandNewGuy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > BB100 Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > They are pests. I have seen them in flocks > hound > > some of our local birds by constantly following > > them and pecking at them if they land. > > As I've mentioned before, there's scant evidence > of parakeets 'bullying' other birds or winning out > in food competition with indigenous species. The > London Wildlife Trust opposes any 'cull', by > saying that the parakeets are as 'British as > curry' :-) > Open season on parakeets > > There is evidence that they can cause damage to > orchards and vineyards (as do a number of > indigenous species), but existing arrangements for > farmers and landowners can allow them to take > action already. > > Unfortunately, people often jump to conclusions > about 'invader' species which aren't borne out by > the evidence. The 'evidence' I was referring to was witnessed by my own eyes. It obviously needs more official research.

Huguenot Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I loves d_c's Freudian slip... "If anyone wants to > prey, then let them do it in their own time" > Amen to that.

Huguenot Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > > The only illiberal and intolerant activity is that > of an authoritarian and bigotted totalitarian > medieval belief system to attempt to control the > activities of secular government. That's interesting Huguenot, I thought you were all for a totalitarian society. Or was that just in schools?

They are pests. I have seen them in flocks hound some of our local birds by constantly following them and pecking at them if they land.

"Ofsted already undertakes unannounced inspections in a number of circumstances, including where concerns are raised about a school and for some satisfactory schools that do not show enough capacity to improve. Speaking about the plans, Sir Michael Wilshaw HMCI, said: 'Ofsted has been moving towards a position of unannounced school inspection over a period of years. I believe the time is now right for us to take that final step and make sure that for every school we visit inspectors are seeing schools as they really are in the corridors, classrooms and staff room. 'With our new Parent View online questionnaire we can now make this change and have confidence that we can still consider the views of parents during inspections. " http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/news/ofsted-announces-plans-for-no-notice-inspection-for-schools Edited to just add: if people complain about a school to Ofsted through their new parent website using the online questionnaire this can now trigger a no notice inspection.

One of my children went to Kumon maths because he begged me to go as he loves maths. He only did it for a year but made rapid progress through the levels. He then went onto pass every secondary school entrance exam he did without any other private tutoring and he reckons he wouldn't have passed them without Kumon. I think it is very useful for developing fast mental calculation skills, which sets a good foundation for maths so yes I would recommend it. I think it's best to wait until they are in year 4 unless you can afford it for many years or your child is struggling.

My friend lives in New Cross and is a childminder. She says her phone never stops ringing

Curmudgeon Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > I hope so but as it only currently goes up to year > 8 (or is it 9) there's a long way to go > > by the way the "chattering classes" are allowed to > be concerned about the State Education system and > where their children will be educated, by whom, > and with whom. Well in two years time remember you heard it here first. I do resent the suggestion that we need wealthy families for schools to be exceptional.

I expect this is because a child who lived directly opposite the gate to the Jerningham Road site didn't get in last year. She could see the gate from her bedroom window. It was in the SLP.

murphy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The biggest beneficiary of the changes to the > Charter school admissions policy, apart from the > kids who can now get in, will be Harris Boys East > Dulwich. Their criteria for entry is closest > straight line distance. The largest catchment area > for the school are the relatively wealthy parts of > East Dulwich, who have to an extent avoided the > school so far. If most people in East Dulwich > decide to apply to Harris (as Kingsdale entry > becomes more of a lottery, and those on the east > side of Lordship Lane lose out in the changes to > the Charter admissions process) then Harris will > see their results rise. > > The end result could be in a few years that Harris > becomes an exceptional school. Great theory but Harris Boys ED is already on track as an exceptional school without any help from the chattering classes. They have nearly 40% on FSM, high SEN and 20% ESL but they are aiming for 100% 5 GCSE maths & english. See their Ofsted report for the inspector's comments on their predicted results.

It is possible he is trying to tell you how he is feeling about your pregnancy. His curiosity with babies maybe becuase he can't understand where the baby is you keep talking about and is frustrated it is all taking a long time or maybe he's just taking an interest and checking 'what happens when I do this' to a baby. It is very possible he could be unhappy about all the baby talk and taking it out on all babies everywhere or maybe he has discovered that this behaviour gets your attention as gwod suggests. Who knows? The important thing is to reassure him about the new baby. You could do this by reading stories to get him prepared and buying a doll so he can practice being gentle (and will have something to take any frustrations out on)

I think you can get the on site shop to deliver to the villa. With small children I would certainly go to Elveden. As already said, Longleat is very hilly and some lodges are a very long way from the amenities. I made the mistake of hiring a bike for my little one and he just couldn't manage the distances. When I went back to hire a bike trailer they had all gone. The train doesn't operate on arriving and leaving days either. At Elveden everything is much closer and more central. I don't think it matters much about which villa you book. I have stayed in the cheapest and the most expensive and since you are generally scruffy and dirty (from all that bike riding) it makes little difference. Do make sure you book activities that you don't want to miss out on as they can get booked up quickly, such as badminton. Have a good trip.

prickle Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > This shows how quickly these school > improve/deteriorate. When we were looking at > schools just 4 years ago, Lewisham schools were > considered much better than Southwark's and you > wouldn't touch Harris Girls with a barge pole. The Lewisham schools with the lowest VAM have always been poor performing but it was interesting to see how the other borough's such as Harringay have left them behind. Lewisham LA seem to be blind to the fact that parents are going for smaller classes and streaming, and any gimmicks such as scholarships in other boroughs and not for 30 mixed ability children in one class. Lewisham has been really aggressive about improving their Primary schools, and it's working, but they do not seem to be making the same progress with the secondarys. I wonder if it's because the most able children in Lewisham are going to school in other boroughs.

The Evening Standard did a two page spread yesterday with results for every London Borough. It was surprising to see that some schools in Lewisham had the lowest value added score than any other borough in London. Even Aske's had a negative VAM. But Harris Crystal Palace had a better GCSE pass rate that Dulwich College.

Hi Matt, As you say all the schools you mention have a lot going for them and are different in character. It gets really difficult to choose when they all are good or rapidly improving. I would agree with Sillywoman as well, walking to school and living near friends are a big bonus. I wouldn't worry about Kilmorie though if that is what you want to go for. They have Robin Bosher the superhead from Fairlawn and the new head who started in September has already made some significant improvements - she has introduced the most robust and interesting phonics teaching I have seen anywhere and I have worked in many local schools. Some Heads are good salespeople and some are just good Heads. PM me if you want to know more.

Sorry to hear about you having GD, I haven't read through all the posts but I had GD with my first and had blood sugars of 30+ for months (didn't know and was fobbed off by the midwife even though I was drinking 10-20 litres of water a day) but still had a small baby (6lb 5oz). I was induced two week early though. I expect you are feeling light headed in the morning because your blood sugar has dropped over night. Try to eat some toast or cereal or digestive biscuit before you get up. If your sugars are going up to 11 or 12 then that is part of the GD as the pregnancy is suppressing your insulin production. If it goes over 17 then make sure you see your GP as your body will start producing ketones. In fact if you are worried about delivering a big baby also see your GP because a friend of mine was fobbed off by a midwife at Kings and her baby got stuck (15yrs ago though). You can also get information about GD from the Diabetes UK helpline and they can post you some reading material. It might help you not to worry too much.

minder raises a good point as the EYFS only started in Sep 2008 and so parents with 4- 10 year olds would not have any experience of it.

Sue Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > BB100 Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > This is just a thought but have you considered > the > > smell to be from someone paint spraying? Maybe > > spraying cars. > > xxxxxx > > I think the thing is, several people in different > parts of ED have had the same issue over the same > period of time. > > I would say it would be a highly unlikely > coincidence that paint spraying was taking place > in different areas at the same time, especially at > this time of year? I only suggest it because half a mile down the road to me is a car paint sprayer and it's a strange thing but we get the smell at certain times of the year and you can smell it in some places and not others - and yes it does smell like it is coming from inside the house. It took me years to work out what it was until one day I walked past their yard and realised where it was coming from. At the time I couldn't believe I could smell it from so far away but I suppose it's how the wind blows. Hope you work it out.

Thanks for sharing - this is great

My son did this but he didn't have colic. I found splashing water on his face helped but I still don't know why. Just a suggestion to try when all else fails.