cactus

You're probably aware, but your child doesn't legally need to be in school until the term following their 5th birthday. So it sound like you would have at least the Autumn term to look at various schools and find him a place, or at least add his name to a realistic waiting list. The vast majority of schools would offer you a place if they have a vacancy, they are funded on pupil numbers so it's in their interests to have a full school role. Faith schools offer a mix of foundation and open places, so you won't necessarily be refused if you aren't a regular church goer.

I made a catamaran trip a couple of weeks ago. You're right, sitting at the back, and also in the middle section, helps to make it a slightly smoother experience. On the way out we sat on the open deck, then downstairs for the return journey. More seasoned travellers suggested downstairs was best to minimise sickness, but I felt better in the fresh air. Apparently dry, salty snacks help, so pack some crisps. Our journey was only 1.5 hours, we were ok, but the next day, whenever I closed my eyes, the rocking and swaying sensation returned! Good luck.

That's good to know, thank you both.

Just wondering if anyone has taken a child around a similar age, and did they get a lot out of it? I'm thinking of visiting with my 10 year old this week, but perhaps I should just go it alone. There are various guidelines and restrictions on the website, but I still can't quite make up my mind.

Thanks for highlighting the many issues involved. I'm completely confused now, as I always thought you could defer the Reception place, but keep that place and say start your child in the Spring or Summer Term of their Reception year. But deferring a full year, would mean your child would start in Year 1 in the following September. I think I've just given a parent client of mine some incorrect info!

I believe the parent of the child has already posted on another thread.

Approx 4.5 hours where we live.

Taking kids to the pub for lunch is absolutely fine, but just don't drag it out. Staying longer than 1-2 hours is unfair on children of any age, as they will get bored and restless. However since the roll out of the tablet, I hardly notice any screaming kids these days, they're all plugged into iPads and iPhones at the dinner table.

Lcoe26, that's just awful news about your son. I hope he recovers and can eventually put the horrible events behind him.

When I looked around the school last Autumn, Harris ED were very positive about having to bus children to another site, although I'm aware that they have to put a positive spin on the issue. They claimed that there were proper changing facilities on the off site playing fields - suggesting that they don't have such facilities in the school? What I couldn't understand, is that they had dropped swimming from the sports curriculum, despite there being a pool 15 mins walk away. They explained that it took too long to walk there and back, and the boys didn't get sufficient time in the water. It must take longer to load up a coach full of boys and drive them to off site facilities. As James Barber pointed out, there seems to be a lack of awareness around climate change and the need to adopt greener practices ...

I always paid ?10 an hour and always for a minimum of 3 hours, to make it worth her while. If I came home early, she was still paid ?30.

Being a single parent with your own child, as you've already discovered, isn't a barrier to becoming a foster parent or adoptive parent. I think your first step is to attend an open day run by Southwark or your local borough, to find out more. Check their website which will have links to the next sessions, where you will be able to meet parents who have been through the process, and who will give you an honest account of the rewards and challenges involved. If you haven't already checked out Coram, they may be an appropriate organisation to approach. They run a concurrent planning scheme, which places very young children (under 2) who are likely to be placed for adoption, with foster parents who could become their permanent family in the future. I'm sure you're aware, that most looked after children present with very complex needs, which often persist into adulthood, and it can be a very long road to recovery/emotional good health. So be sure that you have a very strong support network to enable you to manage the potential challenges ahead. Good luck.

Another recommendation for the Ivy House.

When I looked around a number of Southwark secondary schools last Autumn, I was amazed and delighted. As others have already pointed out, London schools seem to be thriving, and the facilities and extra curricula activities on offer are impressive. I grew up in a rural part of the North of England, it was idyllic in many ways when I was young, but as a teenager, awful. I had to rely on my parents for lifts into the nearest town, my school had it's fair share of fights, and gangs were present in all of the surrounding small towns. Many young people learned to drive at 17, but I've lost count of the number of teens and young adults from my old school who were killed in road accidents. I go 'home' several times a year, and anecdotally, recreational drug use is a major problem now. Young people still have very limited opportunities to pursue hobbies and interests, and for those who don't move away, prospects are grim. I have a child in year 5, and although inner city living isn't perfect, I'd much prefer to raise him in London, than anywhere else. I want him to grow up to be a citizen of the world, to mix with people from all walks of life, and to be better for it. So, I guess my point is, that London isn't a big bad dangerous city, it's a pretty amazing place to grow up, and risks exist wherever we choose to live.

Word of warning, never ever mention Uber whilst riding in a black cab. A fortnight ago, a friend and I were en route from Soho to ED in one, the journey was slow, and I said something about how we should have used Uber, not to the driver, but to my friend. The driver was obviously eavesdropping on our conversation, he pulled over sharply and made us get out!!! For mentioning Uber, dear or dear. Clearly they can't handle the competition.

I was horrified when my 5 year old ended up needing 2 fillings in his milk teeth. Initially the dentist managed to do this without too much of a problem, then about a year later one of the fillings fell out and needed to be replaced. This was done, gently and without any apparent trauma, but then suddenly my son became terrified of the dentist. On the next check up, he needed the other filling replaced, and he became really anxious. The dentist refused to treat him and referred him to Kings. Like the OP, we waited about 4 months for an appointment, only to be told that they didn't recommend any further treatment, except to apply a sealant on his four adult molars to prevent any further decay. This took 2 appointments as he was so terrified, that the students couldn't manage to calm him down to do this simple and painless procedure all in one go. We later found a much more sympathetic and kind dentist (The Gardens), who managed to fill the other tooth and all has been ok since. The fillings have lasted, and 5 years later we're just waiting for these two decayed milk teeth to fall out. So, I guess my son was under treated. I was all for having the teeth extracted under sedation, but the decision was to keep them? I would seek a second opinion, as there's clearly not one preferred approach in these kind of cases.

I'm curious to hear other comments. If BBQs are generally considered to be ok, I wonder what the other restrictions might be. The other day I was thinking about burning a pile of dry twigs and cuttings, but then decided not to, in case the inevitable smoke would have caused issues for some people.

A rumour without any substance, I have a child at the school, and there is no evidence at all of a high staff turnover. Plus it's a lovely school, I wouldn't worry at all about your child starting there in September.

I find it a bit depressing, that perhaps the council should solve this issue by providing more bins. Seriously, can a bunch of adults/young people/children find it so difficult to clear up after themselves?

I really don't think you can compare watching a visually stunning film on the big screen, with watching it at home, even if you've got one of those giant TVs bolted onto your living room wall.

My brother in laws vespa was stolen from SE24, found dumped off the Old Kent Road in a sorry state. It was locked, but not bolted to the ground, which they obviously need to be. He's learned a hard lesson.

It would appear that teenagers hate walking! I see the same at Peckham Rye/East Dulwich Rd junction. Kids would rather wait 10 mins for the bus than make the 10 min walk up to East Dulwich Boys.

Thanks Green Goose, for the part you have played in getting those signs removed so swiftly!

Excessive board use on East Dulwich Road! I counted 15, and only one is a current For Sale.

There's approximately a dozen at Altima Court on East Dulwich Road at the moment. Winkworth appear to be the worst offenders, I'm tempted to chop the lot down.