confusedbyitall

Congratulations girls!!!!

I'm talking about the new schools catchment shrinking after a few years...it will be wide for at least two years but shrink each year after that as buildings are finished and siblings join...probably!!!!!! The point of the new school being built was for kids in ED and the massive black hole where families have no real choice....Bellenden area/Peckham rye etc The returns of the consultation papers shall speak - as have the parents at the meetings - have you been - heard what parents actually are saying/wanting??

Actually landsberger they have announced where they will be permanently, we have always known that for the first two years the site would be a temporary one - wherever that is. The admissions criteria is only different in that they intend to use as the crow flies, not walking. The nodal point is the most important thing that this community needs to know, as we all know that in five or six years the catchment will shrink substantially....that's why its important to know what it currently is now on charter 1's site. If its 200meteres or 1km we then also have an idea of how much overlapping there will be on the jervis rd nodal.

I think cola is referring to last years intake for charter 1.

So teenagers don't have freedom in London - of course they do.... I suggest OP you listen to people with teens in London and are also very relaxed about them wondering the streets, off to theatre, athletics, whatever sports they choose!! On their own without having to be picked up! Teens have been living and thriving in London for a very long time and now the schools are fabulously out performing those outside London.

Just wanted to add that there is so much to do in London for teens - yes a lot just hang with their mates but its easy to get around on buses etc. and safe generally! Outside London you will be that chauffeur. I have a teen that's thriving at school and looking at her friends from primary not many left probably the majority around here have stayed....I do have friends that moved and would like to come back but are now priced out. Grass is not always greener!

I think that's the view of most of the parents in the room - obviously cant speak for everyone! No or little overlapping, a nodal point not on site was discussed. I think once everyone has submitted the consultation papers they intend to have another meeting, I guess if there is a majority on admissions criteria (banding or distance) and where the nodal point is they will have to listen and perhaps alter their plans. They would like to be transparent as possible but as a community we need to make our voices heard. There were around 30 or more parents last night, good turn out I think.

I got there late, it was a presentation style event and ran until 9pm. There were a lot of questions asked especially around admissions!!!! Their heat map (which shows their supporters) does not reflect the need for a secondary school in ED, I think majority were existing parents. The new head came across well, good business head with a passion for education. Worrying thing is where the new temp site will be! As yet they do not know but will by the time parents submit their applications next school year (2015 October)they hope to have a good idea. Please go to the next meetings if you can if you want to ask questions.

theres one on the wall at the top of maxted rd

That's good news, I absolutely disagree with testing at such a young age. Its a complete waste of time. Now we have to tackle the extreme differences in GCSE maths exams between boards! That's for year 2017 onwards, another ridiculous waste of time and money exercise.

Here is the link - best to call http://www.dhfitc.org.uk/site/NonSecure/index.aspx

Dulwich hamlet have a multi sports club its ?25 per day and brilliant!!!! Will look for details

I believe there is a link between Lord Nash and Simon (surname has left me) who ran the Charter bid..... Its a business link but could also be a personal one - internet only divulges so much! I think its weird that the decision with its massive repercussions went to one "independent" person, who knew nothing of the area, steering committee campaign etc

James - I think people have a right to have a say on a public forum about the new head- as it was the this community that signed petitions etc etc. I certainly raised an eyebrow when I heard 5 years experience, think a lot would....doesn't mean he wont get support but everyone has a right to voice concerns.

Landsberger please get your facts correct. Info on Bacons - The area served by the college is divided into an inner and an outer catchment area. 135 (75%) of the available places will be allocated to applicants living in the inner area and 45 (25%) to applicants living in the outer area. In order to ensure that the intake to the college represents the full range of ability, the College will use pupil banding as part of its admissions arrangements if the college is oversubscribed. Banding will be applied separately to both the inner and outer catchment areas and the same test will be used to assess a pupil's ability. Other than to determine the ability band into which a pupil will be placed, the assessment of a pupil?s ability plays no other part in the admission arrangements for Bacon?s College. http://www.baconscollege.co.uk/admissions/admission-policy.aspx

I heard that Kingsdale had 120 places go to siblings this year!

Kingsdale do have sibling policy. Think it should be scrapped at secondary school. How do you think parents cope with kids at different schools - ask the hundreds that have to cope as first child gets a single sex school and siblings are different gender...they cope and get on with on it!

Have you been told by the DfE or any other body how much land you will be getting? Especially with the increase in size?

Hi starstarlet, I bumped into a friend the other night who was gushing about how fabulous DG is!!! Her son is happy and thriving, she couldnt praise it more highly.They live around Bellenden/ED. I know she reads the forum so hopefully she can respond to you on a more personal level, but if i see her will def. get her to read this and get in touch. Forget what the cllrs/anyone else say - trust your instincts and go and visit a few more times if you need to.

pro harris too hey albert??? send your kids to the fabulous harris boys/girls/Peckham then... but its do as I say not as I do

Candp....like very much!!! "James am I right in thinking that the Tories and Lib Dems sometimes like to work together...in say a coalition? And you seem ever, ever so helpful to Harris." I don't think we should be muddying/confusing the real topic by discussing birth rates. Victoria Mills graph says it all, this area is growing yes but the need is not primary but secondary...there has always been the need for a good quality school- since I have been here anyway - nearly 20 years!

Something smells wrong to me. Of the 1500 how many were from existing pupils parents? Why wont you publish your bid? How long before we can request it via FOI? I have a hunch something behind the scenes has gone on, that's how you won...not by being the better provider. You piggybacked off the steering committee and when you were not the chosen provider by them threw your toys out....of the ranch rover. How much real community work have you done towards this? I am gutted and annoyed Habs didn't win, they are by far the better provider. Many thanks to the steering committee who have gone beyond the call of duty to gather the community on this. Gutted for them

WEIRD!!! Oh dear JB a least Tessa understands what the community needs and wants, a wishy washy do as you like Harris process is all about control and it stinks of something very wrong/corrupt. Go away Harris and let a very much needed secondary school open on as much land as possible.

Well said Curmudgeon! Rhamnousia - you come across has someone with a massive chip on your shoulder. If you look at the data you posted across both the LA and all England results dropped between 13 and 14. Sydenham is well above average, with the intake it has its inspirational. The teachers, kids are all amazing, perhaps your an ex pupil who feels hard done by....your arguments are not worth much to me or the other thousands of kids , parents and teachers that will miss Ms Unsted.

I also have a daughter at Sydenham and thought Ms Unsted an excellent leader and a pleasure to deal with. I spoke with her tonight (parents evening) and asked her whether she was "pushed" or retiring as she stated....she told me definitely not pushed and that her very elderly mother and a school {with an 8 form intake each year} was just too much for her to deal with - at her age - her words not mine! (by the way she looks amazing) Many secondary schools have a high turnover of teachers, Harris, Kingsdale etc. sometimes having someone new in is time to get rid of the cruisers... She will be missed and her replacement has a lot to live up to. Edited to add that results have been going up!!!