Ruffler

Students get sorted into their pathways around the end of year 9 and come into effect in year 10. The pathways are yellow=top, green=mid, blue=bottom. The yellow pathway is for more academically able students, leading to up to 12 GCSEs. My daughter, who was in the green pathway, ended up with a very poor mix of subjects because of various timetable clashes. She wasn't able to choose a language or an arts subject, for example, because of clashes with compulsory subjects such as RE and citizenship. Not sure if this is still the case.

Hi Nigel. Do you have any pics of the apartments? Thanks

Hi, there. Lake Garda in early summer is lovely. Not sure if this fits your budget, but Crystal Lakes & Mountains do all inclusive packages to various resorts around the lake. We stayed at the Hotel Castell in Limone last year and had a great time. The rooms are a bit basic, but all have balconies with the most spectacular views of the lake and surrounding area. http://www.crystalsummer.co.uk/destinations/italy/limone/025029/025029.html

I second Brockwell Park. Huge open space, nice playground with sandpit, 1 O'clock club and great cafe. The paddling pool area, which was already a lovely space for young children, is currently being redeveloped, and looks like it will be fab when finished.

Hey Twirly, I studied psychology at City Poly in the early 80s. When were you there?

"They misunderestimated me" - George W. Bush

The new secondary school league tables including the "English baccalaureate" make interesting reading. None of our local state schools appear to score very well under the new system. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/leaguetables/8254443/GCSE-league-tables-2010-Greater-London.html

Another company to consider is http://www.foldingslidingdoors.com We had folding sliding patio doors made by them a few years back and they still look great. They're also British and a more economical option compared to similar German/Scandinavian manufacturers.

discombobulate!

My understanding is the trees (several large London plane trees) in and around Elmwood road are being pollarded, i.e. pruned, which is done every couple of years.

Very interesting - thanks everyone! Trident - I think I'll discuss that option with the school. WOD and bawdy-nan - I totally agree - it's all about targets!

Thanks all and well done Anna! I'll speak to her teachers and see what can be done. Ruth - I guess you're right. I've never been asked my GCSE results either!:)

My daughter is in her GCSE year at school and has been told she'll sit a foundation level paper in English. She is currently at borderline C/D level so I guess the less challenging foundation paper will give her a fair chance of a C. However, as C is the highest grade possible at foundation level, I fear she is missing out on the chance of getting anything above that. I can't help thinking that getting a C is all that matters to the school as it will have met its target of 5 A*-Cs including English and maths. I consider C to be a pretty mediocre result and am disappointed in this rather defeatist attitude. Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

I agree with Zoe. My kids learned to swim at Crystal Palace Pool - brilliant teachers, warm training pool and none of the booking nonsense described above.

My kids used to like the elephant slide and the wave pool at the Latchmere centre when they were young. http://www.reallykidfriendly.com/latchmereleisurecentre_2226.html

Addington Court is also ok and not too far away. http://www.addingtoncourt-golfclub.co.uk/

My 13-year old son recommends The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Lord of the Flies and The Kite Runner, though the latter might be more suitable for older teen readers.

Ah yes, thanks, just spotted them in wanted section!

There was an incident at The Charter School yesterday. The school says that an intruder got into the building but my kids, who attend the school, say a pupil was attacked with a knife by a relative of another pupil and that the headteacher was punched in the face. Does anyone know what happened?