I don't but don't forget that this year's intake includes a bulge year which will have extended the distance of the 'catchment'

thanks - and that will increase demand from siblings in future years.
I tried calling but of course its school holidays!

Try Laurence House
020 8314 6000.

They've told me that Horniman pre-bulge was 492m (1348m after bulge).

First time post...Hello to you all...

Reading this forum and seeing a bulge class at Hornimans has left us paranoid of getting into any of the local primaries.. (We have a 2 year old boy...)

We moved to Underhill Road (down from North London) last year, naively thinking we had the choice of a couple of the local primaries.. Now we are starting to think that even we're slam in the middle Goodrich, Horniman, Fairlawn and Eliot Bank we're not quite close enough to any of them.

Any advice/opinions more than welcome!

Personally I think you should relax. You are bound to get into one of those, and they are all very good.

why should someone relax if they are not in a stated catchment? The catchment is real; people not in it do not get into the school. There are definitely black spots where children won't get into their nearest community school and will be shipped off miles away.
The council only has an obligation to provide a school, not a desired school.

Hi Mendonca
I can see that things are worrying but there are a few factors that it is worth bearing in mind and some work you can start doing....

- the catchments will increase a little from current figures as a few places are not taken up (by people moving away or going to private school)
- the birth rate rise may have peaked and you may be past the worst (I have heard that we may be over the peak but have to admit I don't know how this relates to your sons age?). This may mean there is a little less demand???
- the slow down in the housing Market may mean that less young families are moving into the area (a bit of a long shot!)
- local councils are planning for permanent increases in school sizes in areas of most demand. Certainly your area fits into this category so find out what Lewisham and Southwark are planning. Ideally once this years intake has settled down in a few months.
- Speak to the Council admissions departments. Explain your concerns and ask their advice. It is harder because you have two authorities to deal with.
- find other parents in a similar situation close by and consider approaching local Councillors to raise the particular and real problem in their consciousness
- look at schools in a slightly wider circle, just so you know what other choices you might have

Above all good luck.

Good luck

the birth rate in 2008 hit a 36-year high so it has not peaked for children due to start primary. I think it has continued to go up since then too.

I don't mean to be all doom and gloom but the catchments for the most part are incrementally getting smaller at popular schools in Southwark and Lewisham.

That makes a doubly good reason to get some evidence together (maps showing areas where all local children newly applying for a school place at nearby schools are out of catchment, plus evidence of parents who have not got a place etc.) and talk to the Local Education Authorities. This can be sorted and there will be plans but I really think some well directed parent involvement can help shape the outcome. Better than sitting around worrying, surely?

I happened to be talking to the person at Lewisham who is in charge of planning school places and they were concerned about this edge of borough no mans land (my description).

I suspect if people in this situation contact both them and Southwark with their concerns it really will help force the issue to the top of the agenda on both sides.