Jessie

I don't know DJKQ or what she has or has not been up to, but this seems very much like a forum witch hunt

I like having Iceland there. The staff there really are lovely - the manager let my son use the staff toilet when he was dying to go the other day, then when they overheard us talking about his birthday gave us a free cake to say happy birthday. I like having at least one shop on Lordship Lane i can get a bit of a bargain, not that I don't appreciate how nice and lovely (but expensive) the other shops are.

We did a v good party at Dulwich Pool this weekend for my newly-turned 7 year old - reasonably priced but unfortunately they don't offer a room after the pool itself

Garnier's beauty balm is doing wonders for me! though not so much 'beauty', more 'looking-alive' balm instead of three shades of dead on my feet. And is much much cheaper than MAC, Bobbi Brown and the like.

Thank you! As a single parent (albeit one who is more a co-parent with my ex these days) it's very heartening to read such comments.

I was the typical late developer - bottom set streamed throughout primary school and most of comprehensive. Which if nothing else had dire consequences on my self-esteem, and still does. I then went on to get three As for A Level, a v good BA and then an MA. Now my son is at primary school and seems to be reliving somewhat my past - he's been streamed and is towards the bottom and is convinced he's stupid, though he palpably isn't (he's had cognitive intelligence tests done and scored on the 97th percentile for his age!). But...his intelligence isn't conventional, nor was mine, and as I have found, independence of thought doesn't get you very far at least till BA/higher education level.

never watch it. Sports schmorts. But yes, point taken. Insidious creature.

i have BT Vision. V happy with it. Couldn't do the Sky thing as I have a bit of a problem with Murdoch, but that's just me.

goose green

i was with brierly and had a hospital birth...but that was 6 and a half years ago!! good luck

fair enough. We avoided the courts, thankfully.

ps DJKQ, two paarents *can* (and do) have joint custody by the way. We do. Split it fifty-fifty and the boy lives with both of us, roughly 60-40. Shared parental responsibility. It can happen, does happen.

You're A Bad Man, Mr Gum going down a treat with my 6 year old at the moment

there's a Wilkinsons in Penge

Just to reiterate Coach Beth and HoiPolloi, the school have embraced and encouraged my son's love of storytelling and he's now half way through writing his first book - and he's six!

2 years ago my son was allocated John Donne which is on the borders of Peckham and New Cross Gate - it was an inappropriate allocation because it was miles away, and not just that, a right royal pain to get to. 2 years later my son is happily settled, happily learning and growing, at Goose Green. It's a great school. I just want to say to any parents who have been allocated this school and have any doubts, it was the best thing which could have happened to us to have got a place at this wonderful community school, and do go and have a look for yourself after the Easter holidays and listen to your instincts about it and just see for yourselves how happy and lovely the children at the school are.

Have sent you a PM, Pazzabitz

Hi Pazzabitz My son has been at GG since last year - he was initially at a school in Nunhead/Peckham which was a pretty awful experience for various reasons, and all I can say about GG is I love it - the teachers are great - fantastic even - and the school is friendly, properly multicultural and mixed and a great, safe environment for children to grow and learn in. Hope that helps. Jess Ps I'd be hesitant to use the Ofsted reports as gospel too.

Yes, was also going to suggest Children's A&E. After receiving some excellent care from nurses and doctors there last night, has prompted me to pack some of my son's old books up and take along at the weekend.

Me too. They've gone beyond the call of duty with me and my son in the past.

I'm with Redjam too. Before being a mother I liked him, now I'm afraid I loathe him. He does nothing for working mothers and infuriates me!

Hi there I have a lovely woman who picks my son up for me 3 afternoons a week from Goose Green Primary school and brings him back to the flat/takes him to the park and then cooks him dinner. I pay her ?7 per hour and she is self employed - does lots of little childminding jobs as well as dance teaching - i think for this kind of arrangement work well for students looking to make some cash, and getting a CRB check isn't difficult to do. Hope this helps, and PM me if you want to ask any questions. Jess

I saw the same dr i've seen quite a few times on sat at DMC - she'd read my notes, remembered me and was fab. Even asked after my son who wasn't with me.

My son is now at Goose Green and loves it - he is happy, loves going to school, is socially and intellectually confident. Every day when we walk into the playground, it feels like we're walking into a positive and happy community. I can't fault the school, especially due to our past experiences. I rate the teaching staff highly. He was at another school which had a better OFSTED report in fact, and sadly was not at all happy there. For me as a parent not initiatted in the bureaucracy of education and Ofsted reports I find it bewildering that GG is in Special Measures at all.

not bashing, vegetarian grating v different. Ha ha. I'm also vegetarian so am allowed!