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Re: Has anyone walked away from a private school place at the eleventh hour

My son is in year 7 at CG and loves it - he settled in well and academically he’s thriving. What I would say is that you have to lean in a bit more than in private schools. Everything is there in terms of sport, music, art, support, challenge etc but they won’t come looking for your kids the way the...
Forum: Schools
Topic: Has anyone walked away from a private school place at the eleventh hour
Replies: 24
by Spenner
Mon Apr 04, 2022 8:51 am

Re: How can I stop a book?

I would suggest setting up a google alert to see if a deal is announced - maybe for your aunt's name and the title of the book and the co-author. (I can't remember how to do this but I think it's very easy!) I completely take your point about the interesting circumstances but be comforted by the fac...
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: How can I stop a book?
Replies: 10
by Spenner
Tue Mar 08, 2022 2:00 pm

Re: How can I stop a book?

It sounds really unlikely to have broad appeal for a TV producer, honestly - was it self-published? Does anyone involved have a literary agent? I would wait and see if anything develops and approach the production company with a list of the factual errors if it is optioned. Collecting the evidence w...
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: How can I stop a book?
Replies: 10
by Spenner
Mon Mar 07, 2022 9:04 pm

Re: How can I stop a book?

I’m not a lawyer but I’ve worked in publishing for twenty-odd years so I know a little bit about this and a few questions occur. Is it a memoir or a novel? Is the family easily identifiable? Are the people mentioned in the book dead or alive? Essentially if it’s a novel, you will find it very diffic...
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: How can I stop a book?
Replies: 10
by Spenner
Mon Mar 07, 2022 7:34 am

Re: Clinically overweight friend in danger of being excluded

First of all, I think a lot of the advice on how to lose weight here is well intentioned, but your friend's issues with her weight are unlikely to be because she doesn't know how to lose weight and there's a real danger that she'll be upset to be offered advice she hasn't asked for. Speaking as some...
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: Clinically overweight friend in danger of being excluded
Replies: 12
by Spenner
Mon Jun 28, 2021 10:36 am

Re: Next door vegan neighbours objecting to us barbecuing

I presume you don’t use it in the rain or on very blustery days when it’s unpleasant to be outside, OP - In other words, when it doesn’t suit you to cook outside, you cook something else or sacrifice your house smells? I think it’s only neighbourly to make a conscious effort to be considerate by lim...
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: Next door vegan neighbours objecting to us barbecuing
Replies: 37
by Spenner
Mon Sep 21, 2020 7:28 am

Re: Unpleasant elderly neighbour - help please

You sound lovely for trying to help! He does sound terribly lonely (as well as awful) and I'm sure he's miserable about how his life has turned out. And it may be that rather than being a straightforward racist, he was trying to convey that he can't ask for help or understand the advice he's given b...
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: Unpleasant elderly neighbour - help please
Replies: 5
by Spenner
Mon Oct 08, 2018 7:30 am

Re: Primary Schools Clapham/Wandsworth

Controversial maybe but I don’t think there are many advantages to choosing private schooling at primary level in Wandsworth. The local state schools are pretty much all excellent and have very good facilities. I’d have a look at Earlsfield, Beatrix Potter and Floreat for starters if you’re consider...
Forum: Schools
Topic: Primary Schools Clapham/Wandsworth
Replies: 19
by Spenner
Mon Sep 24, 2018 8:16 am

Re: Home Away (owners direct) nightmare

Some years ago I booked a holiday cottage through these people, paying a £900 deposit upfront. Then it transpired the owner's email had been hacked and the money had gone to the hackers' bank account, which was immediately emptied and closed. No one would take any responsibility - not the owner, Own...
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Home Away (owners direct) nightmare
Replies: 13
by Spenner
Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:59 am

Re: Advice / views on Beatrix Potter and Earlsfield Primary schools

They are both really good schools but quite different in their approach as far as I can see. I also think you'd be wise to go and have a look at them. It really depends on what you're looking for in a school. Getting an outstanding Ofsted report is quite a technical thing and I think, as a BP parent...
Forum: Schools
Topic: Advice / views on Beatrix Potter and Earlsfield Primary schools
Replies: 10
by Spenner
Mon Jul 23, 2018 10:31 am

Re: How many former Tory voters in Battersea or Merton will be voting differently this time?

Yes, I think people need to look beyond Brexit alone (even though I think the Tories are handling it very badly indeed). The NHS, library services, children's services, the increase in food bank usage, the huge increase in government debt despite austerity... these are not people you would really wa...
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: How many former Tory voters in Battersea or Merton will be voting differently this time?
Replies: 135
by Spenner
Mon May 15, 2017 3:09 pm

Re: How many former Tory voters in Battersea or Merton will be voting differently this time?

I'm really surprised to see so many people assuming that the EU is out to destroy the UK and only the Tories can negotiate a strong deal etc etc. The entire 'war' rhetoric is coming from the Tories to excuse the fact that the UK will not be as well off out of the EU as inside it. You can't have the ...
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: How many former Tory voters in Battersea or Merton will be voting differently this time?
Replies: 135
by Spenner
Mon May 15, 2017 8:25 am

Re: Relocating to Dublin, Ireland - any advice please?

I think you would be best to look at the south side but it totally depends on what you really like about Wandsworth and what your budget is. There are gorgeous houses in the Dublin 4/6 area where it's a bit more urban and you can get into town quickly, or you can go for Dalkey where the millionaires...
Forum: Got a Question?
Topic: Relocating to Dublin, Ireland - any advice please?
Replies: 10
by Spenner
Mon Apr 24, 2017 10:24 am

Re: Beatrix Potter Nusery school or Mouse House: help!!

I've heard very good things about Mouse House and know people who've loved it. Having said that, both of mine went to Beatrix Potter nursery and absolutely adored it. They moved on to Reception with no difficulty, settling in quickly, partly because of knowing children in their class but also becaus...
Forum: General Chat
Topic: Beatrix Potter Nusery school or Mouse House: help!!
Replies: 5
by Spenner
Mon Mar 06, 2017 10:25 am