bawdy-nan

Hi James I didn't think you came across as complacent and certainly the figures are worth investigating. I agree that it would be useful to know quite what the "40" threshold actually means ... is it "safe" below that or is 40 a flashing red light of danger etc... This is quite useful and interesting https://uk-air.defra.gov.uk/assets/documents/reports/aqeg/nd-summary.pdf James Barber Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Hi bawdy-nan, > I hope I didn't sound complacent. a limit of 40 is > a very round number. I'd like to understand if > their is science behind this number or is it a > political compromise and actually the safe limit > should be lower. > If it is a well found safe limit then we can be > reassured that soon well be within it. > The great news is we're debating this now the > withheld report is in the public domain. > > And this speaks volumes about Boris suppressing > science. What sort of leadership does that > indicate!

yup Townleygreen Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Well, those people who have been ranting about the > Quietway which was to go through the Village and > would have helped reduce the pollution from cars > and encouraged people (including children, maybe) > to cycle to school can see why it was a good > idea. > > But don't let pollution get in the way of us all > driving wherever we can, whenever we want, eh?

Whilst it is good to see the anticipated reductions...quoting "future" data as fact would be little odd, no? KCL anticipate your question in their FAQs: "Why 2010? We have chosen this year because it is the latest year for which an accurate model is available" Seems fair enough. James Barber Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > The report shows some local schools being above > the 40 limit at around 42 in 2010. That by 2017 > forecast to be at 37 and by 2020 around 32. > So the title of this thread and the news reports > isn't quite right. It should add the caveat in > 2010. I think we'd all like to have seen this > report in 2013 when originally prepared. > What I think would be useful is to repeat the > report stating the schools actually on or above > the EU current safe limit. I'd also like > reassurance that the limit is actually correct or > is it a compromise.

The data comes from the maps produced by King's College London. http://www.londonair.org.uk/london/asp/annualmaps.asp These maps show areas where the limits are exceeded (red). The full report is here https://www.scribd.com/doc/312760725/Analysing-Air-Pollution-Exposure-in-London?secret_password=UjnUA1OxDIURIebGARhZ

Certainly car traffic to school drop off contributes to the no2 problem but the catchment areas for local primaries are tiny so it is rare to see children being delivered to local primaries by car. Delivery to the local private schools, where the pupils live much further away, is certainly a factor in traffic levels in Dulwich Village. Or rather, it certainly feels much less busy when the private schools are on holiday and the state schools aren't. Hard to know how to fix this solo public transport trickier for the younger end of the school age and the coaches that bring many of the older children (big diesel pumpers) are already the cause of some considerable complaint. As regards building schools on "busy" roads, the ones round here are mostly Victorian and predate the traffic.

There are 433 (out of a total of 1777) primary schools in London where NO2 levels breach EU limits. NO2 causes respitory problems especially in children and older people. (9000 people in London died earlier as a reult of air pollution). Of these 433 schools 83% were "deprived schools" (where there is more than 40% eligibility for free school meals). Of the 1777 schools where air quality levels was not breached less than 20% were considered deprived. The inference being that deprived children are disproportionately exposed to the dangerously high levels of air pollution. There are other figures in the report that reinforce that argument beyond schools (ie the most deprived London boroughs have greater exposure to air pollution.)

Extremely depressing to see: DVIS, Goose Green, Rye Oak and Dog Kennel Hill Schools in the list, previously suppressed by Boris Johnson, but published by the new mayor which a) shows NO2 levels breach EU limits around more than 400 of London's primary schools b) that these schools tend to be in areas of highest deprivation (indicated by eligibility for free school meals). Not the case here, of course, but pretty grim reading. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/may/16/boris-johnson-accused-of-burying-study-linking-pollution-and-deprived-schools

inside the horniman is nice too (aquarium especially) and I think there are picnic tables under shelter ...

pork chop, doesn't this just mean that one of the planned inset days will be missed? You already have to manage child care around the existing inset days.

be prepared to parade your stigmata or rather, the school is "pretty keen" on intense Catholic activity

erm, both the library and Christ Church, Barry Road are being used today as polling stations ...

very nice day out at Whitstable this bank holiday monday. Did it by car but have done Broadstairs easily by train (station a very short walk to the beach)

I think the British heart foundation will collect bhf.org.uk/free

It's really easy to report things to the council (and when I've done it about fly-tipping, for example, they're pretty quick to respond) https://forms.southwark.gov.uk/ShowForm.asp?fm_fid=274

oh, and tea-towels,cling film, foil, spoons and pans!

taps! hot water! cooker! fridge! food!

thank you ...

It's on the Overground (orange) line from Forest Hill or Honor Oak Park

Yes, I just lock up my bike at Brixton station (with a decent d-lock and another). The only time I've had a problem has been when I left a bike there for 4 days (!) and someone stole the Brooks saddle by sawing through the seat post ...I've lost a seat cover too but (fingers crossed) nothing else. I think its wise to get something cheap and unattractive. JRK Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Thanks so much everyone for the advice. > Bawdy-nan, I will try the euston square - > farringdon-denmark hill route on the way home and > when I have a bike I think I will cycle to Brixton > or denmark Hill and ring the changes. Do you just > lock up your bike outside brixton station? I won't > be getting anything swish, so hopefully that will > rpevent it being stolen! Loz, thanks for London > Bridge route - i will be sure to try that at some > point too!

A very nice, against the tide, route is a train to Farringdon (from Herne Hill or Denmark Hill or Peckham Rye) then a very easy change just across the platform) to lines going west and get off at Euston Square .. or, get off at St Pancras and walk. Quickest I've ever done it that way is to cycle to Brixton then take the Victoria line.

ah - thank you

Yes, I was thinking of Rocca, but its closed 'til further notice according to the website... I think the Florence will be fine - easy access to the station and we can escape to the park! Shame about the playroom though. I don't mind a bit of noise and its probably easier to be a loudish toddler in that context! Thanks for replying

Broadly, I'd agree with what's been said but would add that starting school can be tough, especially if your child isn't as 'ready' as some and schools handle this in different ways. You're right to identify the fact that for some children the regimentation of school is too much at 4. Some children would probably do better starting later. Other children seem to like it but show terrible signs of stress as posters have described. Whatever happens the experience in unlikely to be entirely perfect or entirely awful. They'll likely find something to like and the first few years are as much about learning to be in the school environment as learning how to identify and deploy a semi-colon or read. There's bound to be some bumps. But that's ok. Also, a more challenging start doesn't necessarily mean an ongoing school disaster zone. I speak from experience, having had 2 children with different temperaments have very different experiences of the school early years. Eventually the child that's "too young" gets older and better able to fit in and meet the demands of a school day. Both of mine are very happy now and thriving. My advice would be to roll with it a bit, be kind and not worry too much. I suppose one of the things that strikes me about your post is that you want to "prepare" your child for school. It's understandable, of course, but perhaps one of the most challenging things about a child starting school, as a parent, is that you are having to relinquish control a little. You have to let your child go into an environment without you and it feels scary. They have to do it without you. (I should say that this feeling keeps on coming at every push of your child towards independence and I feel it now my children are teens). Fortunately, as many posters have identified, the primary school early years are quite a sunny and kind place.

Now my smalls are not so small I've slightly lost touch with where is good locally to eat out for (a celebration) lunch with a couple of small children in tow... Ideally we'd be nearish some outdoors space for letting off some steam but the food should be nice enough to satisfy adults ... any thoughts? I wondered about The Florence in Herne Hill...