dontpanic

About to sell our Roland add+ bike - DM if interested. It's a tag along type bike that attaches to the back and was about ?300 originally. Really sturdy and great for age 5-8.

No they didn't call back! Not happy about that

Thanks Renata - I know the way it works but apart from really wanting to know I also know we wouldn't ever get a place on distance alone. Its a case of 'on the list or not'. The world won't end if I don't find out but, well, I'd really like to know!

Thanks Renata. I've just posted another thread because some schools have not told candidates for bursary places whether they got one or not. Norwood school in our case. How are we supposed to finalise our choices?

Got through to admissions - apparently 'you will know by the end of term'. I said that's no use to me - I need to know today - someone in the know is supposed to call me back. Considering they specifically said in the introductory talk that you need to put them first if you have a bursary etc etc this is a bit backwards... hmmmmm

Yes lovely school - only issue is distance for us. Thanks I will give them a call in the morning

My son did the Norwood School art bursary day on 15th Oct. it's now three days until the secondary school application deadline and I haven't heard either way. I know a friends dughter heard about the music one but wondered if anyone has heard and by what method? It definitely hasn't gone in my spam folder....? Can't get to anyone on the phone either. Thanks for replies

Also wanted to note the Norwood School - visited last week and had a really good vibe. It has a visual arts, music and performing arts bursary that is associated with a place and also lots of added value opportunities.

Oh Barry thanks! Never heard of this school! Looks most interesting.

Hi Renata, We live near Rye Lane. Its the places initially as well as the provision. I want to pursue all opportunities as we are in a bit of a blind spot for school choice; and with a child with some SEN but not EHCP. This means for us and many other parents that for most schools we don't get any consideration for the extra needs for the child in the application process; and of course for us the decisions about suitable schools need really really careful consideration. We have issues with maturity, impulsiveness, and resilience to consider. - Oh, and a child who is good at art (!)

Thanks Kingsdale does lots of arts stuff I know, but it's too big for my son, he needs a smaller school to thrive. I was wondering because so many schools have places on offer for music, sport etc, but I've only found the one with places allocated for art.

Anyone know of any state secondary schools that offer art and design scholarships for places? I know of lairs of sports, music, maths scholarships but have only heard for Chestnut Grove in Balham offering an art one. Google not helping - anyone care to tell me thoughts? Bonus if good SEN provision (dyslexia, ADHD) TIA

I am speechless. Really. The next appointment is on the 29th January. Really really fed up with them. Where else is there - which GP is not a total nightmare? Thanks in advance.

Rightlight "Adding an off-site nodal point would open a can of worms and could result in a new consultation which could delay the current proposals." I think you're invoking a spectre there to close down debate. Everyone is concerned because they want the best and fairest solution for the long term. I think nearly everyone wants that, even if they don't agree on what that is yet. A consultation should be exactly that. Not a fait accompli, and not an acceptance of something with no clear explanation of why. That's why proper up to date stats on need are important

Oh Thanks! I will go and have a proper look at that. FYI I've managed to get a link from Southwark's rather unwieldy maps page to a map with all the wards on together: http://maps.southwark.gov.uk/connect/southwark.jsp?mapcfg=defaultmap&mylayer0=S_Boundaries_WardAndCouncillorsNew&x=533699&y=175390&z=7

So Hollybush I agree that the survey isn't what should be used to decide on catchment

I'm in favour of actual evidence re: nodal points. The nodal point should address *actual* need and not those of us willing to put our name on a survey (the usual suspects, I'll admit to my middle classness). Show me actual need stats and I will be happy. The school was approved because of a local need that was identified, and it's that need that should be covered. We are very lucky that a suitable site has been found that broadly corresponds to that need, and it is vital that the school itself is very careful to consider that need in their admissions process. Whether the nodal point is 'on site' isn't the point, it's finding out the real need. Has Charter done this research into actual stats Simon?

It's also worth considering this attitude in the context of the current climate with the new EHC plans - much less regulated and anecdotally harder to get. I'm another one with a child who gets help in primary school (but not at the threshold of an EHC plan) who feels that it does not lay down a statement of intent that reassures me that my child will be welcome and supported to reach potential, even if they do get a place.

Littlek1cker I think its an erroneous argument to stick a pin in the easternmost part of the actual site and use that as a nodal point because 'it is at the most Easterly point on our site ...whilst remaining on our site' It makes no odds whatever if the nodal point remains 'on the actual site' as it's a notional point on a map. Making it a few hundred yards further to the east to correspond with the area most in need of additional secondary choice would certainly reduce any overlap, allow a distinct notion of Charter ED from Charter 1, and still make a very local-focussed school where pupils can all walk there.

Flanter - try the Peckham Liberal Club. ?25 per hour except peak times at weekends. Hall is very warm.... There's an orchestra, yoga and a few other things on evenings but by no means booked up..

Put double yellows on one side and traffic will speed up! As it is its relatively calm, easy to pull over and nip in a shop, easy to cross the road, and holds together without a busy road in the middle. That's why it's got some nice shops and a happy atmosphere, mostly. Any standoffs are amusements for the rest of us. I drive through loads and it's never really delayed me, except once when someone lost their nerve and refused to be coached through by bystanders. Honestly, try driving down a Devon lane or God forbid, a small Italian hill town if you think that's narrow.

Fully support Charter now it's to become a reality, looking forward to contributing to consultations. I think the process that has been gone through in this case has big implications for the way new schools are initiated going forward. Now we know that the Tories will continue the free school process it will be interesting to see how hey tighten up and refine the process based on situations like this. As well as Lord Nash making the decision- - by definition not having been as informed on the locality or individual applications - I also think that the DfE have made an arbitrary decision that this was a 'zero sum game' and that they must choose one or other of the bids at the application stage. As far as I know this isn't written into the free school application process? I'd be interested to know if it was - or will be in the future.

Have you considered registering it as an Asset of Community Value (Community Asset) This might slow them down at the very least: http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200501/community_right_to_bid The Assets of Community Value (England) Regulations 2012 came into force on 21 September 2012 bringing the Act into effect. Their purpose is to give community groups a right to nominate property that is believed to further the social interests or social wellbeing of the local community,and gives them time to make a bid to buy the property on the open market if the property owner decides to sell. Only eligible community groups, local parish councils or local neighbourhood planning forums and charities can nominate properties.

James are you really interpreting Victoria Mills' letter to mean that Southwark are 'against nodal points'? If I'm looking at the same letter she is referring very specifically to the Nunhead Primary consultation having two nodal points - one quite a long distance from the site; and also 'for primary admissions' "Our view is that your planned nodal point admissions policy, with two nodal points, in different communities and one located far from the school site would be incompatible with this vision" I don't interpret that as being relevant at all to the proposed nodal point sited on a particular edge of a secondary school site, as the Habs bid was..

I have never seen anything like it. Amazing amount of people and a huge amount of wreaths saying all sorts. Quite a spectacle, and I wondered who it was..? Anyone know? Seems like he had a lot of friends and family so I send them commiserations of course.