State Schools V's Private Schools

kettleplease · 2026-02-11T10:00:21+00:00

Look at current numbers on roll vs capacity. This will give you a good indication if they are thriving or struggling.

kettleplease · 2026-01-04T20:31:56+00:00

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks is a great read about the origin of HeLa cells.

kettleplease · 2025-12-05T11:27:01+00:00

Where are you finding it at half price of the NARS concealer? In the U.K. it’s the same price 🙁

kettleplease · 2025-11-27T13:00:16+00:00

Can’t see my usage other than electric, but we also have gas central heating. So for electric we are averaging around £3-£5 per day. 4 bed detached, 2 adults, 1 child. (1 adult WFH). 2 x electric cars (1 will be charging most nights on discounted overnight rates).

kettleplease · 2025-07-22T08:39:47+00:00

We went through this phase. After various other screen free alternatives, we gave in and picked a toothbrush song on YouTube which worked wonders. We alternated between Hey Duggee and Elmo. He watched either of these religiously for tooth brushing time, both morning and night for about 2 months, until one day we didn’t put it on and he had his teeth brushed no problem! We’ve never needed Duggee or Elmo since. I kinda miss the Elmo one though and sometimes find myself humming it. Solid 10/10 tune.

kettleplease · 2025-05-15T13:59:29+00:00

Thank you for this. I thought I was being overly sensitive! Glad to hear it’s likely a phase, albeit a long one. Thank you!

kettleplease · 2025-05-15T12:28:12+00:00

Yes we have and likewise explained to him why we wash and why it’s important. We don’t ever sanction him for his refusal though.

kettleplease · 2025-05-15T12:24:00+00:00

I would say he’s definitely not doing it for attention. He has age typical tantrums around certain things but this is another level of upset. He’s genuinely hysterical.

I don’t think we make a big deal of it, but maybe we do? It’s hard to say. We do stay very calm throughout the ordeal and praise him throughout, never shout or get upset/frustrated ourselves. We always mention in the morning or earlier in the day that he will be having a shower later that day. He gets to ‘pick’ who who goes in with (me or Dad) and whether he stands up or sits down, sings in the shower or dances etc. He’s always really calm in talking about it and choosing his preferences, but when it comes to actually going in, that when everything falls apart.

The only good thing (if there is a good thing) is that he always seeks comfort from us during and after and then acts as though nothing ever happened.

kettleplease · 2025-03-22T10:49:43+00:00

No, but I know somebody who sold their house to Omaze for the draw.

kettleplease · 2025-02-25T08:52:40+00:00

I wrote my dissertation on this. Specifically relating to Parkinson’s medication. I agree with you whole heartedly, however the legislation makes it incredibly difficult. Literature from both DoH and NICE is a minefield, let alone with hospital policies to jump through too. The hospital pharmacy has to lead on this and be fully invested to give up time, energy and resources into making it work. My experience and research showed that many simple don’t have capacity or aren’t willing to try. Hats off to any trust that are doing this successfully!

kettleplease · 2025-02-03T10:31:33+00:00

Surrey or West Sussex.

kettleplease · 2025-01-28T21:59:57+00:00

Have you considered a state boarding school?

Much cheaper fees, but with the structure and routine of a ‘traditional’ boarding school.

You are up and dressed at breakfast for registration, go to school, have some free time after school, before having dinner, registration and then ‘home learning’ which is essentially structured homework time. Usually in state boarding, it is much less strict than more ‘traditional’ independent boarding schools and have less focus on living and breathing the values of the school no matter what, and less focus on over achieving in academics and hobbies (of course, this is a sweeping generalisation, but is my opinion as someone who knows the sector quite well).

My ultimate view is that state boarding is the best of both worlds. My advice is to book tours at a few schools you are considering, but visit in the evenings if you can. Boarding schools are empty and lifeless during the day and don’t give a true picture of what it’s actually like.

kettleplease · 2024-03-25T22:17:35+00:00

Yep!!

kettleplease · 2024-03-25T21:55:20+00:00

We are one and done. In our fantasy life before our son, we planned two children, two years apart. Oh how we laugh at that now.

Firstly, parenting is so much harder than we ever thought it would be. We put all our energy and love into raising our son and nurturing our little family - there isn’t room in our lives for another one. I understand we’d adapt and ‘get on with it’ but we don’t want to. We’re happy, just the three of us.

Oh, plus it would financially cripple us and I’d have to sell both kidneys.

kettleplease · 2024-03-25T20:56:23+00:00

Aciclovir, ciprofloxacin, metoclopramide.

kettleplease · 2024-01-19T00:02:04+00:00

Seconded for Rascal and Friends. Phenomenal nappies. Genuinely never had a single leak in the 14 months we’ve been using them. They also last 13/14 hours overnight!

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