Peggy37

Sorry, but if I read that Guardian link rightly, this headteacher has less than five years experience as a teacher? He's a banker. I guess we know what direction schools are now heading.

James, I just want to get this straight, because I can't quite believe what I'm reading. You are suggesting that Harris are proposing to change their entry arrangements to ones that will damage the local community (because that's what lottery systems do, depriving local children of access to their local schools) out of spite? The federation is piqued because it thinks Southwark doesn't love it, so this is why it's doing this? And you want us to trust them with another primary school? I really don't want to twist your words, but that appears to be what you're saying. Obviously a lack of conversation between local authority and school is dreadful, although a consequence of this ludicrous situation we're in with education right now, but Harris have an obligation to the community that runs far above the personal feelings of its staff, whatever the council may be doing. You are acting as a mouthpiece for Harris on here; if this is NOT the message you mean to put forward, then you should think very carefully about what you have said.

I am actually horrified that you appear to be considering campaigning to lower our council tax. I have no idea what Wandsworth provides for its residents with its lower charge, but I can tell you that Southwark is struggling hugely to provide services with the council tax cap in place. I am unfortunately, like many people in the borough, trying to access care and therapeutic services, in my case for a disabled child, but I know of others with elderly relatives and vulnerable adults to care for. We are told all the time that, thanks to cuts and the cap, services can no longer be provided, or have been reduced. I have seen social workers leave and not be replaced, we have lost OT and physio posts, funding for what I would view as essential front line services slashed. This is funding to help us care for vulnerable, sick and elderly people. I am thoroughly sick of this government trumpeting its freeze on council tax, as if this had no effect on people. I for one (and I realise I don't speak for everyone here) would happily spent an extra ?10/20 a month on my council tax if it would help our local authority provide services. It would feel like a drop in the ocean compared to all the other living costs that are soaring while my public sector pay remains virtually frozen. One of our local councillors once told me that our health and social care joint working used to be viewed as best practice; now it is non-existent. But hey, our council tax is capped. I'd also urge you to visit other parts of your prospective constituency than Dulwich Village. You may find residents in other areas have different preoccupations.

I'd use my own. Strapping them in takes 30 seconds once you know what you're doing.

Sorry, I've lurked on here for ages but never posted, so I hope it's not rude to say this. But your latest response, James, has provoked me too much. How can you say, on an issue that you clearly and rightly think to be very important to ED and your constituents, that you don't have time to read Victoria's letter? The people posting on here have managed it, it is the response from Southwark that you have repeatedly asked for. You are being rude now. As one of your constituents who supports a new secondary school, and who responded to your own campaign, I feel that you are now ignoring what person after person is saying on here, for party political reasons that we are just not interested in. Victoria, thank you for your letter. It is very interesting.