SR

Admission details are on the school sites, I think it?s around 15% who get in via scholarship at Kingsdale and that?s split between music and sport. Intake numbers vary but if 300 that?s about 23 kids in on a music scholarship. They run auditions every sat and Sunday for 1-2 mths, I estimate around 2-300 kids are applying for these places. Haberdashers has 10% of intake as does Prendergast so about 20 and 12 places respectively again there many kids applying, I estimated around a 1 in 10 chance. Kingsdale offer far more scholarships that will be admitted on the music scholarship places, a full scholarship doesn't guarantee a place you have to be in the top 15% and you that out in March on offer day. One of the teachers there said they can have 100 music scholars start each year as so many scholarships are given, but only a small number have actually got in on scholarship places, many scholars are admitted through the normal random allocation route. A teacher at Kingsdale told me a grade 3 with feeling is better than a grade 4 when i asked if you have to be at grade 4. We did do a bit of practice to get used to the types of aural questions before the test - https://music-lessons.teachable.com/p/the-musical-aptitude-practice-test-a-free-online-example-mat , kid will have to have a musical ?ear? as mentioned above but a bit of familiarisation just before the exam wouldn?t harm. I would also recommend seeing what?s happening in your local music hub https://www.southwarkmusicservice.org.uk/ the experience will help grow their skills and they will be comfortable playing in front of others. Very long winded way of saying ? music aptitude is more important than grades but there will be a lot of kids with aptitude applying and due to number of applicants many talented kids wont secure a scholarship place. For me the best thing you can do is encourage a love of music, a kid who is into it and will enjoy participating in the school?s music activities is one of the things they are looking for. Good luck, I am glad we are through it!

Bromley print the last distance offered for each band for a Harris Academy in their jurisdiction.

I request that Renata publishes on this site the last distance for Harris Girls for each of the bands last year. For the sake of parents of Boys please publish that information too. thanks.

Hi I was about to recommend GEMS - can see they are now almost full - a few spaces left for older kids week of the 3rd Aug - https://www.gemsperformingarts.com/holiday-clubs -good luck

thanks for the update edbloke Are Southwark actually the only council in London with the policy to NOT publish school admission distances!?!

Maybe I am missing something here but I think that the Council are responsible for allocating places in line with the school admission policies. So each Head does know the furthest distance for their school's last admission but the council know that information for every school because they make the offer. I am not that impressed by Bromley becasue to my mind that is exactly what they should be producing. Southwark council have this information but for some reason they are not publishing it. I appreciate that from previous threads I can see Renata very engaged and always there to expain the school application process. As a counciller it is also "in her gift" to improve the process. So back to the original post "Renata - can Southwark publish the max catchment distance for all its secondary schools over the past 5 years? "

I'm with you edbloke! Sadly I'm pretty sure I won't get into Southwark school but I would love to know that! Any excuse that it's because Southwark has Academies and therefore doesn't publish this information seems slightly disingenuous. Bromley have no problem in publishing this information, including the distance for each band where banding is applicable - (see page 44 of the applying for schools download https://www.bromley.gov.uk/downloads/download/849/applying_for_a_school_place ). It?s quite easy to see the schools that have differing admission policies from distance alone. Southwark council seem quite happy for people to waste their time visiting nearby schools which in reality they have no chance of getting into or else they have to gleam admission distance info by searching the east dulwich forum or speaking to neighbours...Not a great experience for parents at what can be a stressful time ( if you?re not stressed I?d hazard a guess that you?re living on the doorstep of a school that admits on distance and that you are happy with).

If you call Kilmorie School they can provide a few recommendations, or try the Kilmorie Mums and Dads facebook page. Alternatively the school WRAP care provision is good. best wishes

http://www.fundmc.co.uk/ lots of little ones but some in the 11 year age range - suggest you bring along one (or more) of his friends so not too out numbered by the little ones. Jazzy B djing the next event.

Broadstairs: sandy beach, kids stuff, trampolines, bouncy castle, decent restaurants, ice cream parlours but will be busy. Joss bay less busy and less amenities. Don't eat your fish and chips on the beach though! We saw a family do so and had to help them fend off the seagulls.

Thanks All for your suggestions! I will just start with one from the series before commiting, if she gets into the books, good to know there are more. Much appreciated, I'm sure some of the above will be enjoyed and if not I wont be too gutted, as nunheadmum says there is always time.

Would appreciate recommendations for books for a 6 year old. She is doing well reading at school and I want to encourage a love of reading for they story (not just the learning - which she likes). Would love to hear your tips for well loved stories for this age. thanks!

St Dunstans School has swimming classes on a Sunday, 121 also available. Daughter has joined recently and is loving it, teacher is patient and calm with reluctant kids. Classes are up to 6, I've heard that this is a better ratio than most lessons. Not too busy, warm pool, nice teachers, recommend it. http://www.stdunstansenterprises.co.uk/st-dunstans-active/swimming/

We went to Diea just beside puerto pollensa, lovely area. It was just pre kids and we hired a smart car. We were thankful of the small car as some of the roads are pretty narrow. Also used Owners Direct and got a lovely appartment these were pre airbnb days might be worth checking that too. enjoy

Another vote for gently elephant also the shop on northcross road (name escapes me)

I'm going to head down the southbank this weekend. Xmas tree maze and xmas market. Not next door and not necessarily geared towards toddlers but my daughter loved it as a toddler always lots of people and lots happening and usually a fair few kid friendly activities.

There are a good few sari shops around Whitechapel tube too and you could treat yourself to Tayyabs for lunch if you are there. Tayyabs is one of the best places to eat curry in London. Lamb chops are so very good.

le Querce in Honour Oak, v family friendly.

I second vote for Stella C for a similar range but including school shoes - gently elephant brockley. Worth the journey over if you are driving. Good selection of shoes and ever growing selection of other good stuff.

I've heard that sodo pizza do their toppings on beans for folk on glutten free diet and that le querce do glutten free pasta if requested. Also honest burgers in brixton village do glutten free buns. We cook rice and fish dishes when glutten free friend comes. Vietnamese food has lots of rice and rice noodles if you are going out for diner. Good luck.

Thanks all, Feedback appreciated, sounds like it's the way forward. I think i will opt for semi intensive to fit around childcare and as it seems a bit more balanced than a one week course, it looks like this company can accommodate that. Left them a vmail a few days ago and they are yet to get back so hope they are not too busy.. Happy to report back Piaf.

I need to learn to drive, on mat leave and the reality of getting 2 little ones to 2 places before I get to work is fast approaching. Has anyone done an intensive course, any recommendations - google finds this company would be good to hear someone has successfully used them - or not.. before I take the plunge. - http://intensivecourses.co.uk/general-information/about-intensive-driving-courses thanks

I've given birth twice at kings. First time it was so busy most of my labour in the building was in the waiting room. Was kept in due to jaundice baby and shared a room(with some curtains) until day 3 when I lost it a bit and got my own room. Second time round, in march this year, I got one of the new birthing rooms. It was called the woodland room i think and it was great. pool, bed, bean bags, coffee/tea making, gas while in the pool, aromatherapy oils! I think there are 2 of these new rooms but they are first come first served. I was in at at about 10pm and out it at 5am so it was great while it lasted. Hope you are lucky with your timing.

don't forget, you also need hellium grade balloons! party shop next door to sydemham's cakes sell them if like me you are too last minute to order online.

sainsburys in sydenham are slightly cheaper than the cannisters in toys r us in the retail park just opposite. i think ?25 and ?30 a cannister if I remember correctly. You need to take the cannisters to the dump though i think - i was having other waste removed so the chap took the cannisters for me. They are good but an expensive faff.