Miacis

We could afford to go private. We have chosen not to. I abhor private schools. They perpetuate privilege and inequality of opportunity which is bad for everyone in our community rich and poor. Every child has the right to a great education. Many of our state schools provide this, all should. Asking for tax breaks to ensure your child is educated apart from the whole community is farcical. As for charitable status for these schools when they refuse to share their playing fields, we should challenge this as a community.

We had the puky one. Genius. Different from most as it has a place to put your feet on. Means you can actually learn to balance and free wheel. Never used stabilisers. This one http://www.pukybikes.co.uk/learner-bikes/balance_bikes_lr1.htm

They may share a small amount. But that seems a token to me. Once a year my dd's primary school were allowed to use part of alleyn's field. I really think that if they are to maintain charitable status it needs to be sharing on a regular basis. Perhaps Stephent knows more but better than many doesn't mean good enough. Remember having charitable status means they are subsidised through tax breaks.

Thanks. Yes Jags is a charity as are Alleyns etc. I think many indep schools are. Seems odd but I believe the requirements to maintain charitable status were changed a while ago for schools which meant that loaning sports facilities etc to local community was no longer required. Shame as so many local schools and their pupils could really benefit from more sharing.

Unfortunately the full article is subscription only. What's the gist?

My daughter has just started Charter and is v happy. Sydenham girls was 2nd choice. Charter has over 100 after school clubs or activities. Walking to school means those are easier. Great subject range and they teach A levels which gives depth to the teaching. Look at the % achieving A/A* in the different subjects. Charters results are astonishingly good. They get much better results with a 'lower' performing cohort at entry than eg Habs. Sydenham girls looks on the up. Great to see that. If you don't qualify under the religious criteria then forget schools like grey coats.

Hi. Interesting and thanks for posting. Some schools don't seem to have published theirs yet on their website eg Habs Hatcham

Just a couple of thoughts: No TV in kitchen. You need a room to get away from it. Plan contents of every cupboard, drawer. Pullout larders are superb. Have sep room/place for washing machine if possible. Think about where to dry clothes. Remember a tall cupboard for brooms etc We have washable tiles by back door. Wood elsewhere on floor warm on tootsies in the morning

"If you really cared about what was going on you'd have known an agreement had already been reached" What? I despair of this forum. It's just becoming so unpleasant.

Hi. It's all in the league table info here http://www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/schools/performance/school.pl?urn=135073 You can see the diff percentages of high, middle, and low attainers for the cohort for each school. This measure is what that cohort was evaluated at in year 6 ie at the start of secondary. HA clearly had a much cleverer quotes intake even with fair banding for the same school year than charter.

Interesting that people assume HA selection more equitable than Charter's distance criteria. Current league tables show Ha Hatcham has 10% more high attainers and 10% fewer low attainers than Charter approx. so fair banding not necessarily so esp if you factor in effects of music scholarships. The difference is quite striking.

Hi. Will you be looking to set up a girls team? Here's hoping

Apologies if this has been covered earlier but why do askes want to operate their own banding system?

Seriously good place. Had excellent recommendations. It's the season for chilled rose methinks

Clear now and buses running

They do some general guidance leaflets as well. Good advice above re external appearance changes being key. They are especially hot on front including garden fences, gates, porches etc. though some people seem to make changes and get away with it. I wouldn't take risk.

Nice one nigello. Lots of people have no option but to travel at peak times so more buses would help. Limited stop ones could be an option too

has anyone else noticed that some of the street bins have been removed along Lordship Lane? The two next to the bus stops up past the Library have been removed. I've emailed the council to ask what's going on but no reply after a week. We're getting loads of rubbish being dumped at these bus stops now which is a real pain. Anyone else notice street bins going missing?

One thing worth bearing mind is that the last distance offered is the offers from the first round. I gather there is quite a shake down after the first round of offers as some applicants opt for private so worth staying on the waiting list.

Renata Thanks so much for this. Much appreciated. Am I really the stupidest parent ever but can anyone remember how we actually find out? I seem to think I will get a text during 3/3 or is it an email. I know I registered for both. Brain gone to mush. Friend said by post but that just seems daft

Well said Katanita. For me this is all abut consideration for others. My daughter was run over by a cyclist when she ran down our garden path onto the pavement and the cyclist was bowling along the pavement. Could have been very nasty. Fortunately wasn't too bad. But the cyclist's excuse was 'I was late for work'. Oh so that's OK then...

Anyone know if this shop is open today?

Free advertising. Often for school fairs.

Pitch at bel air left in a state too. So bad I took a photo. Would be easy to have a three strikes rule on this. Though bigger or more bins would help too

Do hope she's ok. Do you know if this was at traffic lights or further along the road? Little one is just starting to use these lights to cross by herself. Gulp. So would be helpful to know exactly where it was.