MILLWALL EXCULSIVE
Issue 1809 Est: 1988
50p
October 8 2026
southwarknews.co.uk
See page 3
CUE THE MUSIC Every weekend Elephant pool lounge swaps cue balls for salsa beats
DYKES:
I’M LOVING MY LIFE AT MILLWALL EXCLUSIVE
‘TIME BOMB’
THE LIGHTNING STRIKE FAMILY BACK HOME
See page 5
YET AGAIN!
‘We’re talking seconds’: Borough Commander on See page 4 the terrifying reality of battery fires EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: See page 4
AFFORDABLE HOMES COULD GO FROM 35% TO 12% IN PLAN See page 9
2 NEWS Contents NEWS Pages 2-11
NOTRE DAME RC’S ACTION PLAN TO IMPROVE ATTENDANCE AFTER OFSTED INSPECTORS VISIT
ARTS
The education watchdog found that SEND pupils do not come to school ‘regularly enough’
Page 14
By Ruby Gregory
OPINION Page 12-13
EVENTS Page 15
Local Democracy Reporter PUPILS WITH Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) at a secondary school in Southwark are not attending regularly enough, the education watchdog has found.
Notre Dame Catholic Girls’ School, which is part of St Oscar Romero Catholic Academy Trust, has been told it must improve Page 21 attendance “rapidly”, particularly for “persistently absent pupils” and those with additional needs. PUBLIC NOTICES Ofsted inspectors judged five areas – achievement, attendance and behaviour, Pages 23-26 curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership and governance – as ‘needs attention’; meanwhile personal development and wellbeing met the ‘expected standard’, SPORT following a visit on June 30. Pages 29-32 A spokesperson for the Trust told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): “Our priority as a Trust is to deliver the best possible education we can for all our pupils, both in lessons and through the extracurricular opportunities we offer. “At Notre Dame Catholic Girls’ School our disadvantaged pupils typically achieve well. Pupils individual needs are always considered Contact us and we are proud that our disadvantaged if you have a pupils continue to outperform their peers story on editor@ southwarknews.co.uk nationally.” The spokesperson went on to say they recognise there is more they must do to improve, especially in supporting those with SEND. They added: “That is why we have already put measures in place, including a new SENCO team and a robust school improvement We are a London action plan to address the Ofsted outcomes. Living Wage employer We will continue to keep parents updated on our progress.” DO YOU HAVE A STORY In a report published on September 8, for our news team? Ofsted said while overall attendance is close Call 0207 231 5258 to the national average and attendance for You can WhatsApp some groups of pupils is positive, attendance
CLASSIFIED
rates for other groups of pupils has “declined over time”. Inspectors said while many pupils attend well, some pupils – including many with SEND – do not attend regularly enough. Inspectors went on to say the attendance for pupils with SEND has fallen over the past three years. As a result of poor attendance, inspectors said these pupils are missing out on “important learning and wider experiences”. When assessing leadership and governance, inspectors said school leaders have a “clear and in-depth understanding” of the school’s strengths and areas of improvement. However, attendance was again highlighted – along with inclusion – as a concern in this area. While leaders have recently introduced changes in these areas, inspectors said the impact of this work is not currently evidence for these pupils. Achievement “varies” across the curriculum, though disadvantage pupils typically achieve well and outperform their peers nationally. However, attendance was again found as a weakness that has lead to gaps in some pupils’ learning and achievement – which is reflected in national examination outcomes. In some subjects, pupils achieve below their
us on 07494 070 863.
Issue 1808 Est: 1988
Editor: Kevin Quinn Reporter: Evie Reporters: EvieFlynn Flynn; Alex Orr Sports Editor: John Kelly Sports reporter: Will Scott Arts Correspondent: Michael Holland Digital Transformation Editor: Katherine Johnston Media Partnerships: Anthony Phillips Advertising: Clarry Frewin, Mandy Stong Design: Dan Martin, Ann Gravesen Finance: Em Zeki - Tel: 0779 883 3758 em@cm-media.co.uk Subscriptions/Announcements: Katie Boyd Managing & Commercial Director: Chris Mullany Managing & Editorial Director: Kevin Quinn Published weekly on a Thursday at: Community Matters Media Ltd 1 Bermondsey Square, London SE1 3UN. News and Sport: 020 7231 5258 Advertising: 020 7232 1639 News: news@southwarknews.co.uk Advertising: hello@cm-media.co.uk Printed by Iliffe Print. Tel: 01223 656500 www.iliffeprint.co.uk
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© Google Street View
Notre Dame Catholic Girls’ School is located in Southwark
October 1 2026
southwarknews.co.uk
PECKHAM’S IMANI-LARA IS AIMING FOR OLYMPIC GOLD
MILLWALL NEWS
‘ON THE UP’ John Marquis says Lions are ‘moving in a very good direction’
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW:
See pages 4-5
WORK STARTS AT PECKHAM RYE STATION
Bermondsey council home left empty for five years becomes ‘brothel’
See page 6
FLAT OUT SCANDAL
WHAT ARE THE NEW RULES FOR GETTING A COUNCIL HOME? See page 8
See page 4
EXCLUSIVE
See page 9
peers nationally. Inspectors said: “The achievement of pupils with additional needs is variable. Their achievement depends too much on the quality of teaching they receive and their attendance. “Poor attendance of pupils with [SEND] has resulted in knowledge gaps which have not been addressed. This means a significant minority of pupils are not well prepared for their next stage of education, employment or training.” Inspectors found leaders at the school prioritise pupils’ personal development, and have designed a programme with a range of meaningful opportunities. There are dedicated lessons to help pupils learn about relationships, staying healthy, current affairs and the wider world. Pupils also receive high-quality careers advice, and learn about the different options available to them which include academic, technical and vocational opportunities. Inspectors said: “Pupils know who they can speak to if they are worried. They receive effective support with their wellbeing. All pupils have a trusted adult they can speak to. “Those who require additional support have access to a range of services, these include the school’s counsellor, Chaplain
and learning mentors. This means that all pupils, including those with barriers to their wellbeing, feel supported and have a keen sense of belonging.” Safeguarding standards are met at the school, meaning leaders and those responsible for governance and oversight fulfil their specific responsibilities and have established an open culture in which safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Concerns are actively identified, acted upon and managed and as a result, pupils are made safer and feel safe. Ofsted have advised leaders on ways they can improve the school, including ensuring pupils’ needs are identified “accurately and promptly” so timely support and adaptations reduce barriers to learning and attendance. Leaders have been told they should refine their attendance strategy to tackle poor attendance, while they should ensure all staff understand the individual needs of pupils with SEND, and that staff know and consistently use the best strategies to help these pupils access the curriculum. The school was last inspected by Ofsted in March 2024 and received an overall ‘requires improvement’ rating under the previous assessment system.
The Southwark News is proud to be the only independent, paid for newspaper in London Southwark News started life as the Bermondsey News in 1987, as an A-4 photocopied sheet of paper and rapidly grew to cover the entire borough and the surrounding area. As the borough grew, so did the newspaper. It is owned and run by Chris Mullany and Kevin Quinn. Former reporters for Southwark News, they bought the title in 2002, after the founder Dave Clark died suddenly from cancer four years earlier. A dedicated team of staff work tirelessly to cover as much of what is going on as possible and strive to ensure that a community-led, independent newspaper can survive and excel in a market dominated by national and multinational media groups.
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NEWS 3 © Vivian Rodriguez
POOL PARTY Hidden pool bar transforms into all-night Latin nightclub
By Alex Orr EVERY WEEKEND, a pool and sports bar in Elephant and Castle transforms into a Latin American nightclub, playing some of the biggest reggaeton and salsa hits until 5am.
Tucked away in the arches next to the railway station, the Pool Lounge is open from 5pm, Tuesday to Sunday, and has developed a reputation as one of the area’s best hidden gems. By day, you can shoot some pool on
one of the bar’s three American-style pool tables, famed for their larger size, bigger balls and wider pockets than the British ones, all for £12 per hour. You can also take part in a game of ping pong or watch live sport on the big screen, with a wide range of beers, spirits and tropical cocktails to choose from. But by night, the Pool Lounge becomes Bola 8, the Spanish term for “eight ball”, turning into a Colombian bar and club until the early hours of the morning.
storey apartment blocks and a range of popular shops now dominating Elephant and Castle’s skyline, Vivian and the Pool Lounge team are seeking to keep the old community and its traditions alive. With walls covered in vibrant artwork, including a mural depicting Colombian reggaeton star Karol G, the bar is designed to make you feel like you’re in a venue in Medellin, the party capital of Colombia. And with very few dedicated pool bars still in operation in London, the
On Friday and Saturday nights, Bola 8 is open until 5am, and even as late as 4am on Sunday into Monday morning, marking it out as the perfect all-inone spot for a South London night out, according to owner Vivian. Having moved to the railway arches more than 14 years ago, the bar has a strong standing amongst the Latin American community in Elephant and Castle, historically considered London’s “Latin Quarter”. But although the area has changed rapidly since the pandemic, with multi-
• Tuesday and Wednesday: 5pm-10pm • Thursday: 5pm-1am • Friday and Saturday: 5pm-5am • Sunday: 5pm-4am
© Southwark Council
Enjoy a new leisure lifestyle with holiday home ownership at Harts Holiday Park with all the comforts of home and handy park facilities on your doorstep! Key features of Harts • Just 200 metres from the beach
By Jessica Farmer
• Large indoor pool and children’s play pool
SOUTHWARK IS set to mark Black History Month with a packed programme of arts, dance, storytelling and community events taking place throughout October.
• Fantastic entertainment venue
This year’s theme, ‘standing firm in resilience and hope’, will celebrate the achievements, culture and history of African, Carribean and diaspora communities, with events ranging from theatre performances and exhibitions to creative workshops and health checks. The programme has been supported by Southwark council’s annual Black History Month grant, with 17 local organisations receiving a share of almost £30,000 to help bring their events to the community.
OPENING HOURS:
Holiday Home Ownership at Harts Holiday Park © Southwark Council
BLACK HISTORY MONTH ARRIVES IN SOUTHWARK
Pool Lounge is keeping an originally British tradition alive at the same time. You can book a game of pool or ping pong at the Pool Lounge or a VIP night-club table at Bola 8 online at bola8.co.uk.
• Arcade • Owner’s only events • Welcoming owner community • Family bar with Sky TV • Play park • Pet friendly • Free Wi-Fi in the club area
From - Young, Gifted and Black Some highlights of the month include Young, Gifted & Black, celebrating Black British talent on stage at Theatre Peckham and Canada Water Theatre throughout October. For younger visitors, a Black British Ballet Family workshop on 26 October will introduce
• Restaurant and takeaway
children aged 3 to eight to a fusion of ballet and African and Caribbean dance. The programme includes many more October events, with activities taking place across Southwark’s theatres, libraries, community centres and other local venues.
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