lollol

Hi I am looking for child orthodontist recommendations. Dentist recommended Dulwich Orthodontic Centre but there seem to be some very negative online reviews. Thanks!

What I know as a state school parent, it would have been lovely if children benefited from the drop in numbers by having less children in their classes and more attention from their teachers. Many countries have 20-24 pupils in primary and 30-35 at secondary. We have 30 children here! PS - Yes, have children in both state and independent as not one size fits all in education. Sorry … the issue is that the government had said only children from compulsory school age would have VAT imposed. Many Montessori schools have mixed age classes so if 1 child is 5 in let’s say a group of 3-5 year olds, VAT is payable for all those children. This article explains it well. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/toddlers-caught-labours-private-school-tax-raid/#:~:text=Toddlers will inadvertently be taxed,“mixed-age” classes.

Frankly, this policy is getting more and more worrying every day. Now, if you have a child in a nursery class that is 5 or will be 5 in that year, the whole nursery class is charged VAT or for Montessori schools with mixed age classes. I do think VAT on private nurseries and private universities is next! https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/tax/toddlers-caught-labours-private-school-tax-raid/#:~:text=Toddlers will inadvertently be taxed,“mixed-age” classes.

Just adding a pinch of humour to this debate as you can see the parents staunchly for excellent state schools they can get into and then pretend their children are disadvantaged vs an independent school! This Labour peer was apparently talking about her daughter being miserable going to Charter North Dulwich! https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13850981/Labour-peer-faces-investigation-accused-lying-debate-Keir-Starmers-private-school-VAT-plans.html?ito=fbmessenger_share_article-bottom

I just think there is a balance required. Pre booking means If you don’t attend, you often don’t get the money back. I’d love a pre booking fee to apply to the GP to avoid the waste in appointments!

Barely worn as outgrown too quickly Like new condition UK size 2 junior £15 Pm if you’d like more photos!

I agree. Everything now requires advance booking such that you have to pre plan everything vs being a bit spontaneous!

Hi, I have 100s of negatives (family photo related) that I would be looking for a service to scan and digitise them. Lots on the internet but keen for a recommendation. Thanks!

I think this is very valid in that state school families do not feel impacted at the moment by this policy but you may find it does when your children are in classes with 35-40 children, are made to sit on the floor to eat lunch (happy to share a letter from a state school where this is happening), when they take awat certain subjects, when VAT is imposed on anything that seems to ‘advantage’ a child (eg before and after school clubs, paid music lessons etc). I have children in both the independent and state sectors so please don’t say I am not giving state a chance, I have and it failed us for one child. Please continue to do your research and keep an open mind about the impacts on State, not just the independent sector will have on children, families and the economy .. Again, please do your research! Many people cite Finland but private schools are not banned there and do exist. What is banned is basic education for profit. Article below. Also there is a BBC podcast on whether UK schools are eduction for profit and in most cases, profit margins are very low eg 3% and reinvested in the school or to give bursaries / scholarships, for outreach to the local communities. https://www.aacrao.org/edge/emergent-news/private-education-is-not-prohibited-in-finland https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0021377?partner=uk.co.bbc&origin=share-mobile I live just on the border!

I think the VAT issue should not just be dismissed. You think parents sending their children to independent schools are all very wealthy and it’s not the case for all. I presume they will need to look for more lucrative income streams to avoid passing on the full 20% VAT to parents. It should not be underestimated what the VAT policy will do to state education and local communities (as well as the psychological and emotional damage it will have on families and children in independent education who keep getting forgotten as apparently they can just pay more). That said it is extremely poor form not to explain why they are ending this longstanding relationship and to seemingly have potentially singled out one club.

Southwark and Lambeth may have some spaces but this is not the case of other London boroughs nearby particularly at secondary level. Also this is not just a London issue. There are many regions throughout the UK that have no school places available (eg Kent due to new housing developments, rural areas, Surrey, Guildford, Edinburgh etc). Just because you feel it doesn’t affect you, does not mean it’s right. You also need to consider the proportion of foreign students in many of the private schools in the area which distorts the impression that local people can pay private school fees and suck up an additional £4-5k per child and per year. And sadly, the psychological and emotional impact on children is not even being discussed.

Step in a child’s shoes just for one moment and think what it would be like to have to move schools in the middle of the year away from your friends, teachers, community etc. due to a political stunt. I doubt the money will even go into education. The UK will be become the only European country to tax education. Primary schools have some capacity where I live but I have enquired and there are currently no places for secondary school where I live. Again, so easy to be smug and say we should have pre planned a potential outcome 5 years ago when you live in your £2-3m homes next to the best state schools in Dulwich (like Keir Starmer!)

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/06/09/private-school-vat-state-school-class-size-emily-thornberry/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3w7JsL49tiz5vkpFM-B3kghjXopjWwAZEoQOK0MZm4qzDY_IN14mbHHLQ_aem_AV7RDKrEaib4mNro6xWJhuJwHNO6yRYBczcu452diJ4VBojTgPnBtDQKl_iFNs8ak2H_TGwZ8txmtKanh7mMVeG5

https://apple.news/AZzzO5gK5SAm0W0w6n0Rs5g Labour’s private school tax raid could cost the taxpayer £1.6 billion a year. Just adding a recent article for those that think I only posted one side to the story! Would love others to share articles as much as possible that include independent data sources. I was also amused with the recent thread of someone asking about renting to get into North Dulwich Charter. Another way of using money to get a better education for their children but it an opaque way!

Thank you, that’s helpful and a start!

Hi My son’s current football club has changed fixtures from Sunday to Saturday meaning he won’t be able to attend matches due to another Saturday commitment that cannot be changed. I contacted a club that was recommended that does weekday trainings and Sunday matches but they are full at the moment. If you have any other suggestions, I would be grateful as he loves football and being part of a team! Thanks!

I love the ‘parents save cash to spend on ski resorts’ I save my cash for my child’s education!

I shouldn’t have posted this on the ED Forum. Of course if you live in a £2-3m house next to the state Dulwich schools, you have the top state schools at your doorstep! It’s a bit like Labour politicians who put their kids in state schools but they are the best ones in the country. We opted for a smaller cheaper house outside of Dulwich to afford school fees as our local state school was failing our child. We pay taxes which includes an item for education - we don’t take up a state school place (other countries actually give you a tax deduction when you don’t take up a school place!) I am allowed to voice my opinion that it is not fair that VAT will be forced on school fees within a few months if Labour get elected (interesting … no VAT on nursery or university fees or tutors / private tuition companies). You know … those tuition companies that people use to get their kids into grammar schools (pay money to get their kids ahead to get a state school place!) I’d love to get a list of these great state schools you are talking about that are not oversubscribed or require a banker’s salary! Unless you say we should rent and cheat the system or live in a 1 bed flat? I would expect anyone to read a petition’s manifesto before signing .. also note the ‘please consider signing’ Not bullying or forcing anyone to sign it!

https://www.change.org/p/stop-labour-from-adding-20-vat-to-private-school-fees-and-forcing-kids-to-change-schools?redirect=false

Cancer Research and Sue Ryder on Sydenham High St are taking books too!

Looking for uniform items 8-9y for my son who will be starting at Dulwich Prep in January. Thanks!

Thanks!

Looking for recommendation for venue that does nerf gun birthday party or similar eg laser tag. Found online places that do outside forest laser tag but they are all far away ! Thanks in advance!

Thanks all for your messages! It?s been super helpful!

We go to a lovely local primary school which has child wellbeing at its heart and a focus on children enjoying learning, being curious etc. I am completely bought into this concept and we love the school. There has been a big emphasis on reading as well so from Reception, children have a book to read each week. There has never been any other type of homework. My son is now entering Y3 and I am told by parents with older children that the school does not give homework and children get tested but are not aware they are doing a test. I am concerned on the impact this will have and the shock of going into secondary school without having those early homework habits and that yes unfortunately, there will be tests / exams in life and you will get marked and unfortunately compared to others. Also I grew up abroad where we had homework and tests as well as report cards with marks from Year 1. Is this common in the Uk primary state sector? Also we get the end of the year school reports and it just says whether they have met the expected standard or exceeded it or are below it; again no clear marking scale - is this again common in Uk state primary schools? Any thoughts would be appreciated.