greenkin

Hi Inglesa, My son is about to start at Elm Wood Primary in about two weeks time, so I'll let you know about first hand experience, but we've looked around and know other people who send their kids there and it seems lovely. It had a very bad OFSTED inspection a few years ago and since then was made part of a federation with Kingwood School, which has an outstanding Ofsted report and charismatic head, Craig Tunstall. Since then, it's been refurbished and has changed a lot. It got a very good Ofsted last year (Overall 2) and that trend looks set to go on. It's small - one form per year, nice quiet location, bright light buildings. We loved it when we went to see it. But go and see it for yourself. I also have friends who send their kids to Rosendale who are very happy with it. It's a big school, four forms per year, but has had a great reputation - outstanding ofsted reports every year. Good mixed demographic. But like all schools, you have to be close to be guaranteed entry. We live a mile away and didn't get in. Kingsdale had a bad reputation for a long time, but seems to be turning itself around rapidly. There's no catchment at the moment. Not sure of entrance policy but if your child is into music or sports that seems to be enough for a scholarship place at least. Charter is catchment, which used to be tiny, but now more kids are going to Kingsdale and Elm Wood things might have freed up. Elm Wood is new, just got a brand new building, was set up by parents a couple of years ago. I know people who send their kids there and are also very happy with it. I tend to think that West Dulwich area seems a tiny bit less frantic with regards to getting kids into schools at the moment, compared with East Dulwich where primary school admissions have been so traumatic for so many this year. And, if you're going by Ofsted, they are a higher standard, i.e. Kingswood and Rosendale are 1s, Elm Wood Primary a 2. Don't know about the others. Hope that's of some help.

I attended a couple of those meetings with reps from Southwark education and tessa Jowell also. Nick Stanton and Pauline Armour catagorically stated that they was no population blip predicted this or last year, which is strange because I know from visiting neighbouring schools in Lambeth and Lewisham that those councils certainly did. All four schools we visited put on extra classes last or this year to cope with extra pressures. Rosendale went up to four forms this year to cope with extra demand, Kingswood to three, Eliot Bank on the other side of Southwark in Lewisham went up to three so how Stanton and Armour can say that there's no evidence of population boom is this borough is a little strange. In one of the meetings also, Armour told us that St J and St C has a whole upper floor that's empty at the moment. Can't believe some pressure can't be put on them to increase a form size in this current situation.

we had our son's 4th at the pirate room at Crystal Palace sports centre. Like a big soft play, with pirate theme, a pirate boat to have birthday tea in and fairly cheap. Helpers and invitations included. It was very successful, especially for lots of boys!

I live opposite Ducks and the area is absolutely jammed up with parents dropping for Ducks and DC between 8 and 9. It's solid. It takes me about 20 minutes to get just from Ducks to the bottom of the road, about 200 yards, before 9.15 at the earliest. What's more all the roads, south circular, Dulwich village, are just at standstill around these times so any drive into this area would be a nightmare I imagine. Same with buses. Cycling would be a better option certainly but all year round might be a pain. If I was you, I'd try it one morning when the schools start up again in September and see for yourself but it's not going to be easy.

I'm just making the point that if you charge as much as a michelin starred restaurant at least serve decent food. It doesn't have to be michelin starred quality, just well cooked, well thought out, basic stuff that any good gastropub would provide. And why should you have to pay more because they are on your doorstep? The rents in ED are nowhere near as high as the rents in central london. Alternatively, go up to Joanna's in Crystal Palace - always great and you never feel ripped off. Or the Rosendale who have slashed their prices and you still get a really classy meal.

I am a food journalist (I don't have a blog) and have worked in the restaurant industry for over 10 years so I've always been interested in what goes on locally food wise. Unfortunately I no longer go to the Palmeston or Franklins either. I agree that both restaurants put ED on the map, but they did that a long time ago and now they must stop resting on their laurels and get up to standard with the rest of London. The Palmeston was great when it opened, but the last time I went the food was average bordering on very disappointing, which is fine if you're not paying ?18 plus for a main but not otherwise. They gave us a sticky table next to the loos and were very stroppy when we asked if we could move. As for Franklins, they pack you in (and that table that's basically in the corridor is really taking the mick), it's expensive and just as average. I had a rock hard quail once that literally bounced off my plate! Go to Michelin starred Arbutus in Soho instead, (amongst many others) for the same price and see the difference. I'm all for supporting local restaurants, but they've got to keep on their toes.

I saw Jason Stratham, Hollywood action star etc (never seen his films) at Dulwich College Sports Club. He got on the rowing machine next to me. He was tiny!