cactus

The manager's comments on Trip Advisor are hilarious, a bit Teresa Mayish. Whatever people say, he just gives them the same stock response and never addresses the specific issue!

When we went through the process 2 years ago, some schools asked children to sit banding tests, these were non verbal reasoning papers. My understanding was that this was to ensure a fair intake of children across all abilities. My son had to do this for Kingsdale & Askes, but the other schools on our list didn't use this system - Deptford Green, Forest Hill, Elmgreen and St Thomas the Apostle. Then there was another set of baseline tests for the school he eventually went to, these were done in the Summer term. When it came to putting him in sets according to ability, the school assessed all students at half-term to do this, but his Year 7 targets were apparently based on his Year 6 SATS, all a bit confusing.

I thought it was always part of Terroir. Agree that there was a little bit of a dip with the food a couple of years ago, but I've been a few times recently and really enjoyed it.

This morning I saw a member of staff at the Mind shop throwing bags of items straight into the back of the bin lorry. Now I'm aware that people leave stuff on the doorstep, which then gets ruined by the rain and can't be sold, so I'm not jumping to just the one conclusion. But I suspect some less desirable donations do end up in landfill and aren't recycled. Now I don't know if this is because the shops can't manage the volume, are inefficient/wasteful, or is it because too many folks donate any old rubbish, which has to end up somewhere.

Have you looked at the Elmgreen School in West Norwood, it would be a short bus (68) ride from Herne Hill. If you live very close to Charter North Dulwich, then I assume you would be near the top of their waiting list for in year admissions, so could be lucky over the next couple of weeks.

Fantastic head teacher at St Saviours, definitely worth a look.

Rosendale?

Kew Gardens

Thanks for the link, she may be just what we're looking for.

My soon to be Year 8 child is really keen to learn German, however the school only offers French and Spanish. Wondering if anyone has any experience of doing this successfully, using a tutor/online resources? Is it bonkers to even try, given the usual demands of the secondary school curriculum!?

It's lovely, just get there early and leave before it gets too crowded. Only issue I've had is the lack of shade on very hot days, not great for very small children.

Have you tried Myatt's Fields water play or Ruskin Park paddling pool? Further away, but the fountains at Somerset House, Granary Square in King Cross and More London at London Bridge are all good fun too for younger children. Perhaps as part of a bigger day out. I imagine that money is the obstacle to creating a more local facility. Especially as they are only really used for 3 months of the year. Possible perhaps, with a really big fundraising campaign and grant applications?

I work in primary schools, and agree with the above, plus Evie Ella Ellie Lily Jessica Tom Max Monte Teddy Issac

I've been trying to buy a season ticket at the window for the last couple of weeks, always closed at 8am and 3:30pm. Rang Southern to have a moan yesterday, and they told me that it should be staffed everyday, and definitely in the morning rush hour. Today, it was open!

Cold, wet flannels from the fridge! For tummies, backs and foreheads until they fall asleep.

Son and I often sit by the pond in Peckham Rye and play spot the rat, we never have to wait more than a few minutes before we see one, they aren't particularly timid! Walking through Loughborough Junction today, I saw a cat with a genuinely massive rat in its jaws, the spectacle was literally stopping traffic. I'd say the rat was about a third of the size of the cat. Interesting point about cats needing to be taught how to hunt bigger prey, hadn't thought about that, just assumed they would all have a go.

Street Art Fine Art currently on sale in Chener Books, just walked past and saw it in the window display. Paperback ?20!

Website states 2 hours.

I also had a bottle refuser. However at 8 months he had to go to nursery 2 days per week, and he took the bottle for the staff there, when the boob option was no longer around. So as others have suggested, you might have some success if you try a different setting, or with another person offering the bottle. I know this sounds like a hassle, but if you don't manage to crack it by your deadline, could a friend or relative come with you for part of the day and look after your baby outside, then you could pop out for a feed (or two!). Not ideal, but another option might take away the stress for now whilst you keep trying.

I second the recommendation by Phlox. Celia Hammond may well have cats looking for foster homes. You keep them for a few weeks, helping to socialise them and get them ready for permanent rehoming, and of course take the pressure off their onsite cat accommodation.

An automatic and permanent exclusion is very likely for the child involved. In my experience, schools have zero tolerance for this kind of thing and I'm certain it will be dealt with thoroughly and robustly.

If I recall correctly, it's because the school will be completed in different phases. It will be partially ready for September 2018, but there will be ongoing building works for a couple of years beyond this.

I agree. Saw a couple of small children treading amongst the Goose Green flowers this afternoon, parents way over the other side and not paying attention. On Saturday night, saw a dozen or so daffodils that had been picked and then discarded by the playground. It may seem trivial to some people, but it makes me quite sad.

There's definitely some clearance work going on at the far end of the site, by the Jarvis Road entrance.

I don't think it has necessarily moved, that corner of Greenview Court on Crystal Palace Road has always been hotspot for divans and armchairs.