mybaby178

Hi I did Kumon with my eldest for about 1 year, it is great for mental maths skills but no so much for word problems or tying into what they are learning at school. My child has an excellent recall of all timetables. division and is very fast in her mental maths test and alot of this is down to Kumon. We stopped when it got onto a topic that she was not going to cover in school for at least another 2 years and didnt see the point in her doing it. Without sounding harsh if your child needs Kumon and extra tuition and is still not at the level that they should be for the 11 plus you might just have to accept that this isn't the right path for them. If they need all this extra help just to get them into a school - what will happen once they are in and can't keep up with those children that are naturally able to cope and who haven't been heavily tutored.

Hi I can only give you feedback for Oakfield as that is where my children attend both have been there since nursery and are now in year 2 and 4, my girls absolutely love it and so far are doing very well. It's not perfect but what school is- it is however the right school for my children and this is what matters. I think you need to go with your gut instinct and maybe list what you did and did not like about both schools. In terms of music Oakfield is fab, opportunities to learn an instrument start in year 1, they also have lots of music groups such as jazz band, choir, orchestra etc I have heard very good things about Rosemead and a friend whose daughter is in year 6 there has been very happy. Let me know if there is anything you would like to know.

Hi my daughter loves dancing but is not interested in ballet but prefers modern dance. Does anyone know of any classes or dance schools where she can just do modern dance. Thanks

thank you for your ideas- I will look into vouchers and trainers

Sounds like a good idea but he is my godson so i would actually like to get him a present.

Help! Does anyone have any ideas on what 13 year old boys might like? Thank you

we stayed at the Explorers hotel- as it was significantly cheaper than the Disney hotel but still affiliated with it. It has a regular shuttle bus that takes approx 5-10 min to get to Disney. The pirate ship in the indoor swimming pool completely sold it for my girls who were 7 and 5 when we went last year- would thoroughly recommend. Breakfast is great and there is an outdoor play area as well if you don't want to be at Disney all day.

Hi Im afraid Im not sure where you could get some tables and chairs, but in venues that we have used that don't have this we take picnic blankets and the children just sit in a big circle with the food in the middle

Landsberger- why would a teacher be mortified about receiving a present?

not at all "compulsory" in private schools but you are right it is generally organised by the class rep and not everyone does contribute. In the past when I have been a class rep and there was a birthday party coming up/event at the school I would email parents and say I would be collecting money on these dates for all who wanted to contribute. I also gave a cut off date for signing the card/collecting money so that I had plenty of time to actually go and choose the present.

I have two children at Oakfield Prep both have been at the school since nursery, they are now year 1 & 3. The nursery in particular is very sought after and I believe may even have a waiting list but i could be wrong. It is very nurturing and the staff have been there for a very long time and it runs very smoothly. Both children absolutely loved the nursery, they have their own fenced area for playing and there are always lots of things for them to do. I can't comment on Herne Hill as I have no experience but have only heard good things about it from people- personally I would have a look at both schools, I know Oakfield has open days on weekdays when the children are at school so you can get a good idea of the setting, it all comes down to preference and your instinct of a school.

I think DYO you have to already be at Grade 2 standard to attend their summer courses

You may want to look up Chamber Players, they run a week long orchestra course in the summer holidays.

We have a different problem a child that doesn't want to practice but also doesn't want to give it up!no idea what the solution is!!

I was a little apprehensive about this show as it wasn't like the usual things we go to see. However, I was pleasantly surprised it was very good and both my children loved it.

I think you were in upper sixth when i was in lower sixth

Otta you are correct it is not you that insulted me but one of the other forum users above- apologies if you think this is directed only to you as it isn't. My point is that life is what you make it, if you really want to succeed then you need to find a way of doing this, this does not necessary mean private education but investing time in your children. My family came over to this country with absolutely nothing as they were refugees, they have never accepted any benefits but grafted hard to be where we are today. As a family we have made a decision that private schooling is what we want for our girls and I will not feel guilty about doing this

Otta Im not calling any state school poison and that is my point you say you have no idea how I could turn this round for a state school to be called poison- well that is exactly my feelings with regards to private school- what possibly could be poisonous about a private school- you guys need to look at the bigger picture and understand that you seem to think it is perfectly ok to insult those that send their children to private schools when the majority of you have no insight or experience of being in these schools. Furthermore Otta we are not minted but yes are clearly comfortable enough to put our children through private schooling- does that make us privileged? maybe so but why should we feel guilty about this? Life is not always fair both at school and in the workplace and we just have to get on with it and make do with what we have got. Both my husband and I spent the good part of 7 years studying for our professions and I had alot of debt at the end of it as my parents were not in a position to help me pay my fees but I got there in the end without self pity and sprouting how unfair life can be. A child's path in life is not determined purely on the schooling they have had but more so on the parenting they receive, I was educated through the state system all the way through primary and secondary, in fact Otta I believe we went to the same secondary school, and this school was by no means your average state school- I remember having to sit a test to enter this school and in this respect it was somewhat selective as I also needed to be interviewed to get in- not so much different to private schooling do you think?

I do not usually enter into these types of discussions as in my view everyone is entitled to their own opinions, however some of these comments regarding private schools has triggered a reaction from me. Some of you state that some of those that choose to send their children to private schools are snobs- this could be true however your continuous criticism of private schools and the way you look down on them makes you no better than those snobs you refer to. You do not find as far as I can see people using the forum whose children attend private schools coming on here and being really negative and calling state schools poison so what gives you the right to do this about private schools. Before anyone questions me- yes my children do attend a private school and I do not have to justify myself to anyone as to why we made this decision nor do I expect anyone to have to justify why they have sent their child to a state school.

We never did any lifting with either of our girls, just made sure that they went to the toilet just before bed. The eldest was at least 4.5 before coming out of the night time nappy, whereas the youngest was 2 yrs 1 month and to this day hasn't wet the bed but does on occasions wake up at night time to go to the toilet.

Thank you we will head down there!!

Hi Does anyone know whether the fair is still open at brockwell park today. Thanks

Perform are running workshops that week for 4_8 year olds

Hi Just to let you know of our summer fair this Saturday the 21st June 12-4 pm We have lots of fun things such as bouncy castles and slides, diddi cars, football shoot out, hook a duck, tombola, lucky dip, cake stall, donkey rides, sausage sizzle, ice cream van and lots more. All welcome- children get in for free

Big up to Glen Scotland. Came out on same day to fix my Samsung upright double door fridge. Water dispenser was not working. This boy knows his stuff and his way around a Samsung. Call him 07723 019161