WEST LONDON MEET-UP THREAD - MARCH 2007 (REST OF) - from Acton to Sunbury everybody welcom

[mellow2]

Hi,

Got this started 'cos I think the other thread is going to run out before the end of tomorrow.

Newland House

The Mall School

Might want to reconsider that move to Devon, Dorset, where was it??? (sorry, that isn't helping is it?)

Oxo - SO sorry to hear of your news. Heard quite a few similar stories yesterday, it is very depressing. We are actually considering moving away - I want to find an area where all the schools are reasonable - I wonder if this place exists! I hope you manage to sort it out. I moved primary schools as a child and do not recall it being in any way stressful (and I was quite an introverted child) - fingers crossed that you get something sorted out.

Oxo, have you tried looking at schools that are closer, but not actually in the Richmond borough? Say Isleworth or Whitton? I have no idea what their schools are like, but perhaps it's better than the crap schools in Ham and Hampton.

oh dear sorry oxo . I seriously can't keep up with this thread at the moment. Been researching schools in Singapore and dh can't believe the facilities, I think its going to be really hard to come back here after being so spoilt.

In Isleworth Marlborough and Spring Grove are reasonable. And the Blue School (CofE) is the holy grail. Worth checking out.

Thanks all. Will check out private schools. Have been weeping on phone to our ward councillor this morning and trying to get through to schools in Twicks.
2cute: Whitton schools are quite poor.
Ele:The schools which ahve openings are St Richard with St Andrews (or something like that). In middle of big estate: has only 30 places only so no big fat suprise why they still have places. Ofstead is v critical. The Hampton one is Buckingham which is also v poor. Both are 2 bus rides away!

Should have done what my friends did and found God in a prospectus!

Am gearing up for a massive fight! Or move to Singapore where fab schools live (I wish!).

Does anyone know someone who has won an appeal? They are v technical so that would be a help.

Hi everyone,

Woke up this morning with the lurgy and dh couldn't take the day off work so sat at home with hyper ds!

Oxo, so sorry about your ds's school, the system is so appalling. Ds is only 1 & I panic about it sometimes. I don't know anyone who's appealed, just that they've moved boroughs. There must be some threads on MN about it, especially now?

oxo, I would look at the entrance criteria for each school to which you applied and try to find a hole in there for grounds on which to dispute. Contact each school and ask for the criteria if you can't find it on the web.

Seriously, don't accept the places at Hampton/Ham. You are so right: they have vacancies for a reason. And, as soon as you accept one of those places then placing DS will no longer be a concern of the Richmond LEA. Stand your ground (as I know you will).

Seriously, could you home school until they fork up a place at a school you want him to attend? I don't know what the rules are. Can you hire someone else to do the home schooling or does it have to be done by a parent?

If I were in your shoes, I really would be considering moving as my next option. No effing way would I pay Richmond Borough council tax to have my kids go to a sub standard school.

I wonder how Countess Dracula got on? I remember she was really mad about not being able to send her DD to the local (Catholic) school.

Anyone have any idea where to get a birthday cake on short notice? Bakery? Anywhere? I've just learned Tesco and Sainsbury require 7 days notice. OOPS!!

I need it by Saturday.

Sorry to hear your school woes xoxo, am afraid I can't be of any help though. Ele and foxy pleased to hear your good news though. Ele can't you just pop into the supermarket and buy a cake? I've never heard of needing 7 days. What kind of cake are you looking for?

Nothing unusual. Thomas or Princess themes both acceptable. Bugger bugger bugger. Can't believe I forgot the cake.

Oxo - OMG you poor thing, what a nightmare!!!

DS got rejected for his school three years ago and we had to go on the waiting list but he was then offered a place 2 weeks later. Lots of people may have changed their mind/decide to move/decide to go private etc, so some waiting list people will get places.

My sister appealed and won but it was about 6 years ago, but can ask her what her grounds for appeal were if you like.

Its outrageous that there aren't enough school places for children in the borough!!!

Ele - I will only need a double buggy for 6 months, as its over a mile walk to school (up a hill) and a bit too far for DD's wee legs. I don't want a new double buggy - obviously as its onky for 6 months.

I think I may have a buggy board somewhere... plays havoc with the back, but agree its more sensible than buying a double buggy - I have a double buggy too but its heavy and cumbersome and I still have spd.

...must try and find the buggy board. They only cost about £25 anyway don't they so will get board...

I am sure you could get one offthe shelf at the supermarket to suit. I am off to Tesco's tomorrow, do you want me to get one for you?

What about M&S for the cake? Waitrose?

I guess the problem is that I sent nanny to the bakery to get one with her name on it. But, nanny did offer to make one instead. Think I may have to take her up on it. She does like to bake, and DD will have fun making HER birthday cake.

I found the coolest birthcakes ever on the web. A place in Walton-on-Thames. But they cost £100+ Maybe when I win the lottery.

Why not get a store bought one and ice her name onto it?

now stopit you are all scaring me - I had just assumed i would get DS into local primary - who should I start petitioning now? He's so lovely how could they resist him?

It's quite horrendous isn't it.

Sue, you probably already know this - but I would avoid the M&S Kew cafe at the mo! DD and I popped in yesterday, queued for an absolute age (whilst tuning into the sound of the building work, drills etc) before overhearing a punter at the front of the queue remark that the coffee machine wasn't working. Not that anyone there would have had the wit to put up a sign to this effect. The service is normally dire, anyway. When I asked a member of staff if I could speak to the manager (I was boiling at the sheer inefficiency of it all!) she told me that she was glad I was complaining as the as whole place as a complete shambles, understaffed, bad management etc ... so perhaps steer clear for a while!

Thanks Bunyan - I've taken to Mothercare cafe at the moment as its the only place DS can roam ree and no-one seesm to mind. Rubbish food but latte is pretty good and cheaper than M&S - answer - buy sandwich at MS first then eat with MOthercare coffee

So is anyone up for a meeting Friday morning?

I'm picking up my new car tomorrow (fingers crossed)

Oh Sue, you are naive. Suggest you get hold of the entrance criteria and see what you need to do to get into free school.

Only rich people have a choice, by paying the tuition they get choice. We commoners have to be very proactive for the time our kids are about... well.. your DS' age.

But, don't fret, just get on the ball and know your options.

Oxo, keep us posted. It might even be an option to enroll your DS in private, then if you can get DD into a good state school in a year or too you might be able to get DS in on sybling criteria. Sounds crazy I know. I'm just trying to think of every possible avenue to help you.

I fear that the appeal route is going to be a nightmare of beaurocracy... Do keep us posted and let me know if there is any way I can help.

PS the HAmptobn school is right bu the nursery that Bubbles99 runs. It might be worth having a chat with her to see if she knows anything about the school.

Ele, so do you want me to look for a cake tomorrow then?

No, it's okay. But thanks for the offer. I'll just get nanny to make one with DD. I wonder if I could convince her to make a pink Thomas cake?

sue, you probably should as ele suggests find out some information about your local school. Catchment areas are going to be phased out and it will be a lottery system so you may not get in to your local even if you live next door to it!

so - here's the update.
For choice number 1 we are number 137 on the waiting list; there are 90 places, all allocated
For choice number 2 we are number 95 on the list; there are 60 places, all have been offered out.
The school in Hampton is 30% travellers and the one in Ham is 60% travellers. hence the availability.

Am looking at Montessori: £1500 a term!!

This comes the day after our council tax bill for £1900!!!

Despair, anger, tears.....ad infinitum (sp)