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Issue 131 October 2019
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In this issue...
Our readers have told us that this Schools issue is one of the most popular ones of the year. It is one of the biggest decisions that we as parents make for our children and we are lucky enough in West London to have many great choices when it comes to education. This time of year is when the schools fling their doors open so you can look around and see what is on offer. Have a good look through the Open days listings that we have put together and start booking in your visits!
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Contents News & Views
Supporting your child...
Contemporary parenting 10 Top Tips for settling into school...
Enjoying happy friendships
Is good grammar important? School Open Day Dates listings
12 The head lice help guide!
13 Time for nursery or pre-school 14 What’s On in West London When to give your child a smartphone? A mentally healthy 19 school Activities, clubs, classes 20 and classified ads
Calls for compulsory climate change education in schools
The students are hoping to make climate change a “Core part of the compulsory curriculum” to increase the next generation’s understanding of the global issue. They claim they have “Barely learned about the climate crisis at school, even though it’s supposed to be part of Geography and Science.” According to the petition: “Climate change is the biggest issue of our time, and it must be a part of our education if our generation is to understand it and help us to combat its effects. That is why we want climate change to be made a core part of the national curriculum.” For more information please visit: www.change.org
Most parents don’t know
More than two thirds of parents don’t know how much exercise their child needs to do to stay healthy, new research has revealed. NHS guidelines state that children ages 5 to 18 should do an hour of physical activity every day, but 68% of UK adults didn’t know this or thought the target was lower. The survey of 2,000 adults, by YouGov for the Youth Sport Trust (YST), found that only a quarter knew the recommended exercise time for young people and on average people thought it was 46 minutes. Meanwhile, figures recently released by Sport England show only 17.5% of children are reaching the 60-minute target daily. More info: www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise Like us on Facebook Families West Magazine
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News & Views Durston House School
This year Durston House school have decided to use the first few days of term to focus on one topic. “It’s not something we have ever done before but so far, it is going down a treat! Durston House have kicked off the year with a focus on Study Skills. Education here at Durston is shaped by a boy’s development of character, curiosity to learn and discover more, and his expanding capability. Linking with our ‘3 C’s’, we feel that study skills is an area where the boys are never too young to start to understand how they learn and how they could improve. It also links with mental health which is hugely important. With this in mind, the whole school has got involved in participating in two days’ worth of fun interactive assemblies and activities. These include the topics: Growth Mind-set, Instructions, Organisation, Learning Styles, Presentation and Mindfulness. The PE and Games Department have also produced special lessons focusing on Healthy Body = Healthy Mind. We have even invited the parents to a special event focusing on memory techniques. We will revisit Study Skills throughout the year, especially in the run up to exam season. We hope that developing pupil study skills and therefore their approach to learning, will ultimately have a positive impact both on results and the overall mental health of our boys.” For more information about Durston House School visit: www.durstonhouse.org
Latymer Prep School
An education at Latymer Prep is about ‘lighting fires, not filling buckets.’ "Through encouraging active curiosity we nurture a love of learning that will last our pupils a lifetime. We use a growth mind-set approach to all that we do, teaching them to believe that their potential to achieve and progress is unlimited - not set in stone. This builds self-confidence and resilience, giving our children the emotional strength and courage to try out ideas - and to pick themselves up if they don’t work out. We’re unusual, within the wider prep school community, in running our own bursary programme. We passionately believe that it is in a child’s best interests, both educationally and socially, to learn alongside classmates from diverse backgrounds and cultures, who express different opinions and viewpoints on the world around them. Our connection with Latymer Upper School is extremely close. The two schools share the same ethos, teaching methods, state-of-the art sporting, drama and music facilities- and several staff who work at both schools. One of the major benefits of this relationship is the continuity of learning experienced by our Prep pupils, who automatically move up to the Upper School, becoming outstanding Latymerians!" For more information about Latymer Prep School visit: https://www.latymerprep.org
Looking for a sleep trainer or sleep coach? We are the SleepGeeks. We support and empower parents and carers of babies and children under 5 with sleep problems. We focus on ethical, gentle techniques. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions or in solutions that cause stress. We are fully trained and experienced perinatal practitioners with a wide range of competencies. Our mission: to help you to love being a family again. For more information and to contact us, visit our site: www.sleepgeeks.co.uk
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October 2019
Lemon Tree and St Matthew’s Montessori schools based in Ealing Broadway offering both full day care (8.00am-6.00pm) and term time (9.15am-3.15am) for children aged from 1.5 years to 5 years old. We offer French, Ballet, Yoga, Drama and PE inclusive of fees. Full and part time sessions available. Qualified and experienced teachers offer a high standard of learning, nurturing and care.
Lemon Tree Montessori: 07495 898 760 (Full Day Care) St Matthew’s Montessori: 07856 364153 (Term Time) Website: www.lemontreemontessori.com
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Supporting your child to be a confident communicator
I was a particularly shy child who didn’t like speaking in front of people. For me it was a lonely and painful place. In light of my experiences, one of my main objectives has been to encourage confidence in my 6 year old boy, Sam. While hearing him speak so freely and clearly on the radio recently, I smiled, turned to his dad and said “there is no way that either of us would have been able to speak so confidently as a child.”
By Lindsay Maclean
So how can we encourage children to speak up confidently? During the course of my work in schools, I have come across shiny students in the classroom who put their hands up to ask questions and aren’t afraid to challenge me with a naturally charming confidence. But, on the whole, most children I meet at school don’t like putting their hand up in class or speaking up. Fear of failure and social judgement interferes with confidence and, in my view, social media is exacerbating this problem.
So here are some tips for addressing this:
Specific praise for speaking up I often ask Sam if he answered or asked questions at school or I ask him to relay his understanding of a book to me. I praise him for putting up his hand and speaking up and for talking clearly to me. Now, he often tells me that he’s good at speaking up. He believes it. Being told I was “shy” by teachers made me feel even more shy!
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Positive Affirmation This ‘can do’ attitude is really important for speaking in front of people. I have a video of Sam learning to ride his bike. He fell into stinging nettles and felt reluctant to get back on. I bent down to his level and asked him to repeat the phrase “I can do this, I can do this.” In the video he gets back on to the bike, repeats this phrase over and over and off he goes. He often repeats this to himself before he faces any challenge now. I encourage this technique in the classroom and it’s amazing how it visibly helps students. Singing A child is more likely to feel confident when they are happy.
…If children can absorb the belief that they can do this when they are young it will help them with many life situations
Studies suggest that the endorphins released through singing create an immediate feeling of pleasure. So before school, belt out the tunes with your child. This can set them off on a positive path for the day and encourage them to unlock their voice. I’m aware lots of children don’t need help in this department but it’s a great habit to add to the morning routine!
Deep-Breathing Techniques Recently I was delivering a stress management programme to year 11. There were several students who had a drama exam straight after and they were incredibly nervous. They said their hearts were beating fast; some were visibly biting their lips or nails; others kept telling me they were going to “fail the exam.” I asked everyone to be totally still and quiet. I asked to them to be very present and then to take deep breaths. For 5 minutes, we breathed in for 6 seconds and out for 10 seconds. The students themselves were amazed at their response. Their calmer and more confident energy left them in a better place to
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enter the exam. Performances Have fun! Encourage children to perform in front of you or anyone. It could be reading a poem out loud, acting out a story, playing a teacher. Anything. It’s great for getting children used to people watching and listening to them. In most schools, there is currently no specific lesson for learning how to speak up confidently; yet in the business world the requirement for this skill is tremendous. It’s easy to get to evening and feel exhausted by the amount of parental challenges you’ve faced from the minute you woke up. I get it! However, it’s worth reflecting back over the day and considering how much you’ve praised your child’s efforts for speaking up and communicating. If they can absorb the belief that they can do this when they are young, it will help them with many life situations. Lindsay Maclean is the author of the book Speak Up & Be Heard, priced £10.99 and available from Amazon.
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Contemporary Parenting Stereotypes: A light-hearted look at what they tell us
With a new generation of parents comes a whole new generation of (sometimes extreme) parenting stereotypes. Zoe Bonser shares her thoughts on contemporary parenting stereotypes and what we can learn from them. Double Act Mother, or father, and child wear the same clothes. Whether you think this is cute, or cringe-worthy, there are thousands of parents who love it - and loads of brands are now capitalising on this trend. What this tells us - to embrace cuteness and celebrate similarity! Or to totally ignore it….!
Panic Parent Everything out there can harm your child, whether that’s online or faceto-face. Panic parents struggle to let their child have a bit of freedom. What this tells us - caution is essential but it’s also important to give your child some ageappropriate independence to experience life for themselves.
Tiger Parent The classic parent stereotype that we see in many films, who is always pushing for their child to succeed. What this tells us - it’s good to have aspirations for your children, but too much pressure can be damaging. Children need space to be children.
Helicopter Parent These are the type of parents who pay extremely close attention to their child’s experiences. They are named because, like helicopters, they ‘hover overhead’, overseeing every aspect of their child’s life. What this tells us - children need to be allowed to control aspects of their own life, otherwise they will have no idea how to take responsibility for it as adults. Activity Parent There’s always an activity arranged - from tennis classes, to ballet, to art, to piano lessons. Children have no unstructured time to themselves. What this tells us - stimulating activities are good but quality time with your child is more important than endless activities. Children also need time to just “be” - to play, to imagine and even to be bored.
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Digi Parent Always on their phone, updating their Facebook status or Instagram stories with family photos and details of exactly what their family is up to. There may even be a separate Instagram page for their child! What this tells us - while sharenting can be great, too much of it may take us away from the present and distract us from appreciating time with our little ones face to face.
Free-Range Parent Raising children to function independently and with limited parental supervision, in accordance of their age development and with a reasonable acceptance of risks. This is seen as the opposite of helicopter parenting. What this tells us - people are becoming worried about the limitations that some parenting approaches place on children’s ability to mature into independent adults. But it’s important to get the balance right, every child needs to be supervised in an age-appropriate way.
Zombie Parent Every parent with a baby between 0 and 3 months who is suffering from severe sleep-deprivation! New parents have to learn to function on way much less sleep turning them into what is very affectionately called ‘the zombie parent.’ What this tells us - lack of sleep is often one of the hardest things for new parents to cope with. Remember you can ask for help. As well as friends, neighbours and extended family, there are sleep nannies out there who visit to your home and help create a routine that works for you, as well as amazing books that offer sound advice. Try Lucy Shrimpton or Andrea Grace!
other parents and feel like you are a bad mother. No parent is perfect and you shouldn’t even aspire to be. Remember too, appearances can be deceptive. The mother you think you envy is probably just a much better actor than you! Zoe Bonser is Show Director of the The Baby Show which returns to London Olympia from 18 to 20 October. All Families Readers can buy discounted tickets using the code FAMILIES at: www.thebabyshow.co.uk
Cool, Calm and Collected This is the mother you envy; they always seem to have it together despite the daily stresses of parenting. In your eyes, they and their offspring often look and behave perfectly. What this tells us - it’s important not to compare your parenting to that of
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How parental engagement improves learning
As a parent or carer, you want to give your child the best start in life and you play a crucial role in supporting your child’s learning before school and throughout their time in education. Research is clear that levels of parental engagement are also consistently associated with better learning outcomes.
By Stephen Fraser
At no point is parental engagement more important than in the early years. They are a vital time in the life of any child and play a significant role in shaping the person they will become and the opportunities in life they will have. It is also a critical, and often difficult, time for parents, trying to balance the wellbeing and development of their child with the need to provide financial stability, and especially for first time parents, with the emotional and practical complexities that can accompany the joys of parenting.
Unfortunately, the early years are where we first see the attainment gap - the difference in educational outcomes between young people from the least well-off backgrounds and their classmates - first take hold. There is already a big gap in the school readiness of less well-off children and their more advantaged classmates when they start school: five year olds from economically disadvantaged homes are estimated to be over four months behind their peers. This link between family income and attainment, even among young children, is clear-cut, long-
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standing, and difficult to break.
But there is nothing inevitable about this trajectory. The best research we have provides a much more hopeful message. As a parent, your occupation, education and family income matter less to your child’s intellectual and social development than what you actually do with your child. In short, parenting can trump background.
Research by charity, the Sutton Trust, has found that good parenting and a supportive home environment are more important determinants of good levels of learning at age 5 than family income. It also found that most children with a good level of learning at age 5 are read to every day, taken to places of interest, and given regular bed times. Evidence from our Early Years Toolkit suggests that effective parental engagement can lead to learning gains of around four months over the course of a year.
This shows what is possible. Challenges, of course, remain. Many parents, as well as being timepoor, may lack confidence in their
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own reading, writing and maths skills. Some parents may have had negative experiences at school that have an impact on how well they can engage in their own child’s learning.
But there are simple, practical and evidence-based steps that parents can take to support their child’s development. And the most effective approaches are often the most obvious - daily stories, teaching them songs and nursery rhymes, and playing with letters and numbers. These are all proven to help children discover the joy of learning. This, in turn, will help close the early attainment gap.
Of course, part of the answer to early years education lies in giving toddlers and pre-schoolers access to highquality nursery provision, with welltrained and skilled staff. But parents are a crucial part of that equation. After all, they are their child’s earliest educators. So it is encouraging to see the Department for Education make improving the home learning environment one of its key priorities.
This commitment is backed by a £5 million fund which will be used to find out how early years settings can best work with parents to support their children in language and reading at an early stage.
There are some practical things that schools and early years’ settings can do, too, such as monitoring parental engagement activities to get the most out of them, looking at the best ways to communicate with parents, and strategies for supporting learning at home.
By building effective practice, it will be possible to support more parents to actively engage in their children’s learning, from the early years and throughout school, radically improving their life chances. Stephen Fraser is Deputy CEO of the
Education Endowment Foundation, an
independent charity established in 2011
to improve the educational attainment of the poorest pupils in English schools.
For further information, visit their website:
educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk
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Helping your child enjoy happy friendships
As a new school term starts, it’s no longer how children will perform in their school work in the year ahead which worries parents the most. The latest research has revealed that mums and dads are now most concerned about whether or not they will have happy friendships.
This is because so many of us know how inconsolable our children are when they get left out, have no one to play with at school or have a falling out with their friends. Traditionally, parents have been led to believe children should just magically ‘know’ how to make friends and there’s nothing we can do from the other side of the school gates. But now a new book The Friendship Maze: How to help your child navigate their way to positive and happier friendships, brings together the latest social science research to show how your kids can have easier friendships and looks at how to help when things go wrong.
By Tanith Carey
How to help: Talk about Friendship Children will be able to be better friends, and are likely to be liked more by their peers, when you talk through with them the qualities that make others want to spend time with them. Things like listening, sharing and playing fairly. Make a point of noticing and complimenting your child when they show these qualities.
Be a good role model Talk about your own friendships times when you have been a good friend by being thoughtful, dependable and ready to listen, and mention when others are being a
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good friend to you, so children recognise how to be a good friend to others. Play Turn-Taking Games Play games to practice cooperation, a key skill in friendship. As you play board or ball games with younger kids, describe out loud what you are doing. Start with non-competitive games, so they can get used to the to-and-fro of turn-taking. Teach them to be good sports Children don’t want to be play with others who cheat and kick up a fuss if they lose. Explain winning and losing is temporary. The key is for your child to enjoy themselves during a game, not to get hung up on the result.
Discuss how to find things in common with their peers Children may show off and brag in the belief that if they impress others, they will like them more. Whether it’s through role-play, or talking about your own experiences, help your child hear how this can sound like ‘showing off.’ Explain that children like others who they feel they have a lot in common with, not, those who act superior.
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Teaching your child the difference between a good friend and a bad friend... Starting from a young age, it’s important for kids to learn what a good friend is. This is not only so they can be one themselves, but also so they can identify healthy relationships, both now and when they start looking for romantic ones. Emphasise Quality over Quantity By the end of primary school, kids may want lots of friends in order to feel ‘popular’. But it can take no more than two or three genuinely close friends to be happy at school. Make it clear it’s not a numbers game.
Find more ways to help children learn friendship skills in Tanith’s new book:
The Friendship Maze: How to Help Your
Child Navigate Their Way to Positive and Happier Friendships, published by
Summersdale and available from Amazon.
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Is good grammar important?
When you went to school, it’s possible you didn’t get much grammar instruction and as a result didn’t absorb its importance. By Stephen Fraser
Alternatively, you may have had grammar drummed into you again and again, using a prescriptive rule-based approach which didn’t create an understanding of its significance or purpose. Either way, you may feel that you don’t know much about grammar and may wonder if it is really an essential component of your child’s education or future.
The truth is that the use of correct grammar is important because it is the main feature within both our spoken and written communication that allows us to communicate our thoughts and ideas clearly and be understood.
Using incorrect grammar can lead to meaningless sentences and unclear messages, which in turn can lead to misinterpretation or misunderstanding. Even something as simple as a misplaced comma can completely change the meaning of a sentence. For example: "Let's eat Grandpa." versus "Let's eat, Grandpa."
Children who don’t develop a good grasp of grammar fall back on what they intuitively know about language; as a consequence they simply write like they speak. Whereas, with a good understanding of the different grammatical components of language, a child is able to express themselves clearly and establish good foundation skills for written documentation like school essays, job applications and creative writing in later years. Grammar rules also help children develop the habit of thinking logically and clearly. They provides the building blocks for them to expand their vocabulary and understand and express themselves in longer, more interesting and more complex ways. When children increase their language complexity (with word endings, or longer/more complex sentences), they can express and understand more complicated ideas.
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The rise of social media as a dominant form of communication amongst young people has given rise to much short-cutting of the English language. When sending texts or messages via Facebook or WhatsApp, simple sentences or fragments of sentences are the norm and it is unnecessary to use grammar. This short-cutting of language exposes children to a real risk of developing bad communication habits which could hold them back in the future.
Some Tips for Helping Your Child with Grammar Bring grammar to life by asking questions to find out what your child knows about grammar. Do they know what a noun is? If not, show your child some objects. Explain that nouns are the names used for people, places and things. You can do the same with verbs by acting out some actions such as 'jump', 'hop' and 'clap'. Do simple crosswords with your child using a dictionary to help you. The dictionary tells you what type of word you have looked up (verb, adverb, pronoun, noun etc.), and you can share this with your child. Play with punctuation. When you read, occasionally look at the punctuation and talk about what it is telling the reader to do. Show your child how a question mark tells you to raise your voice at the end of the sentence to indicate a question being asked. Play 'i-spy' with the focus on looking for nouns (e.g. dad, bridge, tree, shop, apple). Tell your child that you are going to ask questions about the noun they have chosen. For example, 'Is your noun green?', 'Can your noun fit in my hand?' In this way you introduce grammatical terminology in a fun way. Model. When your child says something that is grammatically incorrect, model to them the correct way of saying it.
calling out words like hot, big, slow, and getting them to shout out the opposite. Alternatively, get your child to shout words that mean the same as the ones you’re calling out (synonyms). Tense tents. Help your child understand verb tenses, by drawing some ‘tense tents’ on pieces of paper. Write down some verbs in their various tenses - present (play), past (played), future (will play) and get your child to move the verbs into the correct tent. Sentence Challenge. Challenge your
child to write sentences of more than 25 words that only contain one verb. This helps them to understand how to control a sentence, rather than overcomplicate it. More resources at: http://learnenglishkids.britishcouncil.org/ grammar-vocabulary https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/topics/zhrrd2p https://www.theschoolrun.com/bestgrammar-apps-for-kids
For older primary school children: Opposites. Help your child understand antonyms (opposites) by
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OPEN DAY DATES
The school where your child will spend most of their teen years will have a huge influence on their development and character. Your choices are important - which is where Open Days come in. Take your son or daughter with you; they will see things through a different set of eyes, and their opinion matters. Not all open day dates were available when we went to press: check the websites of the schools you're interested in for more information and where necessary, to book first. School Heathfield House School
Address Heathfield Gardens, W4 4JU
Age 4-11
Dates By appointment
Contact details 0208 994 3385 www.heathfieldhouse.co.uk
Chiswick and Bedford Park Preparatory School
Priory House, Priory Avenue, Chiswick, London W4 1TX 3-11G
3-7B
By appointment
020 8994 1804 www.cbppschool.co.uk info@cbppschool.co.uk
Clifton Lodge School
8 Mattock Lane, Ealing, W5 5BG
3-13
5 Oct, 10am-12noon
020 8579 3662 www.cliftonlodgeschool.co.uk admissions@cliftonlodgeschool.co.uk
Durston House
12 Castlebar Road, Ealing W5 2DR
4-13B
10, 11 Oct Introductory morning 12 Oct 9.30 - 11am
020 8991 6532 www.durstonhouse.org info@durstonhouse.org
St Benedict’s School
Junior School and Nursery (age 3-11) 3-18 5 Montpelier Avenue, Ealing, W5 2XP Senior School and Sixth Form (age 11-18) 54 Eaton Rise, Ealing W5 2ES
Whole School Open Morning: Sat 5 Oct
Book a place on the website or arrange a personal visit with the Registrar, Louise Pepper, on 020 8862 2254 www.stbenedicts.org.uk
Harvington Prep School
20 Castlebar Road Ealing W5 2DS
By appointment
0208 997 1583 www.harvingtonschool.com admin@harvingtonschool.com
St Augustine’s Priory
Hillcrest Road, Ealing W5 2JL
2-3 co-ed (Nursery) 3-18G Private Tours are also available upon request
Open day: 12 Oct 10-12 noon
Register to attend 020 8997 2022 www.sapriory.com admissions@sapriory.com
Orchard House School
16 Newton Grove, W4 1LB
3-11
10 Oct, 9.30-11.30am
020 8742 8544 info@orchardhs.org.uk www.orchardhs.org.uk
Connaught House School
47 Connaught Square, W2 2HL
4-11
By appointment
020 7262 8830 office@connaughthouseschool.co.uk www.connaughthouseschool.co.uk
Hawkesdown House
27 Edge Street, W8 7PN
3-8B
By appointment
020 7727 9090 www.hawkesdown.co.uk
Notting Hill Preparatory School
95 Lancaster Road, W11 1QQ
4-13
By appointment
020 7221 0727 admin@nottinghillprep.com www.nottinghillprep.com
Norland Place School
162-166 Holland Park Avenue W11 4UH
4-8B 4-11G
By appointment
020 7603 9103 office@norlandplace.com www.norlandplace.com
Avenue House School
70 The Avenue, Ealing W13 8LS
3-11
By appointment
020 7386 2444 school@avenuehouse.org www.avenuehouse.org
Fulham Prep School
200 Greyhound Road W13 8LS
7-13
Individual tours by appointment
020 8998 9981 prepadmin@fulhamprep.co.uk www.fulhamprep.co.uk
Fulham Pre Prep School
47A Fulham High Street SW6 3JJ
4-7
Individual tours by appointment Please book in advance
020 7471 4217 admin@fulhamprep.co.uk www.fulhamprep.co.uk
ACS Hillingdon International School
Hillingdon Court, Vine Lane, Hillingdon, Middlesex UB10 0BE
4-18
10 Oct, 9-11am, 23 Nov, 10am-12noon, 5 Dec, 9-11am
01895 259771 hillingdonadmissions@acs-schools.com www.acs-schools.com/acs-hillingdon
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3-4 co-ed 2-18G
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School Orley Farm School
Address South Hill Avenue Harrow on the Hill Middx HA1 3NU
Age 4-13
Dates 12 Oct, 10am-12pm
Contact details 020 8869 7634 registrar@orleyfarm.harrow.sch.uk www.orleyfarm.harrow.sch.uk
Harrow School
5 High Street Harrow on the Hill Middx HA1 3HP
13-18B
5 Oct
020 8872 8007 admissions@harrowschool.org.uk www.harrowschool.org.uk
Quainton Hall School
Hindes Road, Harrow HA1 1RX
2.5-13B 2.5-11G
By appointment
020 8427 1304 admin@quaintonhall.org.uk www.quaintonhall.org.uk
The John Lyon School
Middle Road, Harrow on the Hill HA2 0HN
11-18B
Sixth Form Open Evening 9 Oct, 5 - 7pm
020 8515 9400 admissions@johnlyon.org www.johnlyon.org
St Helen’s School
Eastbury Road, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 3AS
3-18G
By appointment
01923 843210 enquiries@sthelens.london www.sthelens.london
Northwood College for Girls
Maxwell Road, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2YE
3-18G
Whole school: 5 Oct, 1-4pm Sixth form opportunities evening: 10 Oct, 6pm
01923 825446 admissions@nwc.gdst.net www.northwoodcollege.gdst.net
Merchant Taylors School
Sandy Lodge, Northwood, Middlesex HA6 2HT
11-18B
21 Sept, 10am-12.30pm
01923 845514 admissions@mtsn.org.uk www.mtsn.org.uk
Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School
Butterfly Lane, Elstree, Herts WD6 3AF
5-18B
By appointment
020 8266 1700 (01727 873 632 for pre-prep open day) office@habsboys.org.uk www.habsboys.org.uk
Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls
Aldenham Road, Elstree, Herts WD6 3BT
4-18G
Various dates in autumn term
020 8266 2302 (Junior School and Sixth form entry) 020 8266 2338 (age 11+) admissions@habsgirls.org.uk www.habsgirls.org.uk
Eton College
Windsor Berkshire SL4 6DW
13-18G
By appointment
01753 671000 www.etoncollege.com
Eaton Square Mayfair
106 Piccadilly, Mayfair W1J 7NL
11-18
9 Oct, 21 Nov
registrar@eatonsquaremayfair.com www.eatonsquareupper.school
Portland Place School
56-58 Portland Place W1B 1NJ
9-18
Open evenings: 3 Oct, 7 Nov, 5-7pm Open mornings 12 Oct, 10am-12noon
020 7307 8700 admin@portland-place.co.uk www.portland-place.co.uk
Southbank International School (Westminster Campus)
63-65 Portland Place W1B 1QR
11-18
By appointment
020 7243 3803 admissions@southbank.org www.southbank.org
Miss Daisy’s Nursery School
The Long Garden, Albion Street W2 2AX
2-5
By appointment
020 7262 1190 www.missdaisysnursery.com
Connaught House School
47 Connaught Square, W2 2HL
4-11
By appointment
020 7262 8830 office@connaughthouseschool.co.uk www.connaughthouseschool.co.uk
Arts Educational Schools London
Cone Ripman House, 14 Bath Road, W4 1LY
11-18
By appointment
020 8987 6600 pupils@artsed.co.uk www.artsed.co.uk
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The head lice help guide!
Primary school children are the main spreaders of head lice as they spend lots of time in close contact with one another. How these blood-sucking critters move from head to head remains a mystery to many of us, but if you understand this happens, it can help you avoid an infestation.
By Eileen Hutchinson Be aware of your reaction to your child’s head lice. If you are emotional or obviously disgusted, their lice experience will affect how likely they are to talk about other embarrassing issues in the future. If you find a louse or egg, take some time to compose yourself before explaining to your child that a simple treatment is needed. If you are not worried or stressed, your child is less likely to be concerned. Remember lice are unpleasant, but harmless. If you do find it difficult to treat your child, you can always contact a clinic for advice or further treatment.
How lice move from head to head Lice have claws at the end of their legs designed for walking through hair; they cannot fly or jump. The male lice happily stay on the scalp. After mating just once, the female louse lays up to 10 eggs daily for the rest of her 30 day life. She travels down the hair and waits with her front claws stretched out to grab any passing new hair. When a new hair passes by she will cling on, scurry up the follicle to the scalp, and start laying eggs. Transportation is as simple as that! The female louse doesn't care if your hair is curly or straight, clean or dirty. Essential oils as a repellant is another fallacy; there's no medical evidence they will prevent head lice, and a female louses genetic profile to colonise is far stronger than their dislike for any repellant. 12 Families west London
Simple preventative and checking measures Keep long hair tied up in a bun plait or a ponytail at the nape of the neck for school and play dates. Use a separate brush for every member of the family. Advise children not to share brushes with friends. To check for lice, use a nit comb on wet hair coated with a small amount of clear conditioner and separate the hair into straight line sections, using clips to keep hair secure in each section. When checking, let down one section at a time, positioning the teeth of the lice comb at the top of the hair shaft at a 16-degree angle out. Gently pull the comb down the length of the hair from the root to end. Wipe the nit comb on a tissue
and look for lice, baby lice and eggs.
How to recognise lice, baby lice and eggs Eggs - the brown and tan flecks, measuring around 2mm in length, are similar to the shape of a sesame seed. They are laid close to the scalp but are glued to the hair shaft so move down with the growth of the hair. So they can be found at any length of the hair. Lice - up to 4mm long and a light tan or brown in colour. Baby lice - can be tiny and may be identified on the tissue as darker specks alongside the eggs. Wet dandruff can be mistaken for eggs. The key is, it can be rubbed off. A nit egg can only be removed by sliding it down and off the hair shaft.
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What to do if you find lice If you find evidence of a louse, you can keep on repeating this combing down in sections until the tissue is clear of specks or lice. Keep the cleared sections away from hair that has not been treated. After each section is combed, check for eggs and use a tweezer to slide eggs down the hair shaft and off the hair.
Sterilise combs and put clips and bands in a plastic bag after washing. Do not use for at least three days. If using the combing method, you must comb every 3 to 4 days until the entire infestation has been removed. This can take up to a month, depending on the severity of the outbreak.
It is easy to miss a louse or egg, and it is recommended you use a CE certified brand of head lice serum. Hypoallergenic and pesticide free treatments are now available which are safer and more effective than natural remedies. Eileen Hutchinson is the founder of NitNOT
head lice serum treatment. For more information, visit: www.nitnot.com
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It’s time for nursery or pre-school!
Many children are left at nursery as babies, around the time when separation anxiety kicks in and both parents and children feel bereft. However, a few weeks on, the tears turn to smiles and both parties relax into their new routine. But what happens if you have chosen alternative childcare or stayed at home with your little one? At the age of two or three, depending on your circumstances, your child will be entitled to some free hours of childcare each week. Who wouldn’t want to make use of this? As with babies, starting a new nursery or pre-school can be unsettling for both child and parent, but with good transition plans, you will both adjust more quickly than you expect.
Choosing the right environment By now you will probably have an idea of what kind of child you have. Are they aged two and already counting to one hundred or are they happier covering themselves in mud and running amok in the garden? There will be a setting just right for their style of learning through play. Because this is what it is... their first official step into education and learning. Some pre-schools are academicfocussed, and the room settings will reflect this, while others will look very much like a playgroup. Visit and choose the one in which you both feel
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most comfortable. Remember, your child will be restricted to a classroom environment from age 4 to 18, so it is okay to think play rather than lessons!
Get them a place In pockets of the UK, supply for funded childcare is outweighed by demand and waiting lists can be long. Apply and secure your place as soon as you can. How will your child transition? Who knows?! Many of our top tips are the same for a toddler/pre-schooler as they are for babies.
Use your settling-in days Make sure you negotiate settling-in sessions. You won’t be a highmaintenance parent for requesting as many sessions as you need. The setting staff would much rather have a happy child on day one than one who is unsettled and not having fun.
The importance of goodbyes This is one of our key pieces of advice. It may feel easier to sneak
away while your child is distracted but imagine how they feel when they turn around to show you what they are doing, and you aren’t there. If they haven’t been left before they may feel abandoned and worry that you aren’t coming back. So, actively say goodbye. Give cuddles and kisses and let them know when you will return. There may still be tears while you make your guilt-ridden escape, but when they see you come to collect them, they quickly learn that you always come back.
Involve them in the preparation Let them choose new shoes and bag. If they need a uniform, get them to try it on. This helps them feel excited. Buy a new lunchbox together if they need one. Chat about what you will put in it and choose some snacks. Play dates Are there friends who will be going to the same nursery? Invite them over for a play or meet in the park so your children can get to know each other. Play dates are also a great time for parents to share worries. You will find
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you aren’t the only one dreading the first drop off morning. Why not arrange a coffee or chat on that first day?
Live it at home Make sure you talk to your child about their day. Look for positives when there are tears or make them laugh by asking silly questions. Display their artwork so they develop a sense of pride in what they are achieving. Some kids run into nursery without looking back, while other parents feel like a tree trunk with a little person attached. Whichever way it is for you, there is no right or wrong. Every child is a small human reacting to a new environment and experience and we need to respect their feelings. One thing is for sure though, they will definitely have a blast! Parental Choice are childcare experts with a team that can help you find your ideal nursery setting locally to you. For more information, please visit: www.parentalchoice.co.uk
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What’s On
HALF TERM WORKSHOP
21-23 Oct THE JUNGLE BOOK Perform’s three day October half-term holiday course for 4-10s. This October, Perform have got the bare necessities of life covered. Your young cub will love putting on a show about Mowgli and his animal friends. Journeying deep into the jungle, our energetic team will fire your child’s imagination with lots of confidenceboosting songs and games to bring The Jungle Book to life. It’s going to be the wildest half-term ever! For ages 4-10, 10am-3pm, in Kensington at the URC Kensington United Reformed Church, Allen Street W8 6BL and in Chiswick at St Michael's Hall, Elmwood Road, W4 3DY. Call 020 7255 9120. enquiries@perform.org.uk www.perform.org.uk/junglebook
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES BRITISH MUSEUM
WC1B 3DG www.britishmuseum.org DIGITAL WORKSHOPS Takes place at weekends and school holidays on a variety of themes. Free, 11am-4pm, for ages 7+ (unless stated). WORKSHOPS FOR CHILDREN UNDER 5 14 Oct LITTLE FEET: ANIMAL PATTERN Spot different animal patterns and use tablets to make a slot-together animal model to take home. For under 5s, 11am-4pm, free.
FOUNDLING MUSEUM
WC1N 1AZ www.foundlingmuseum.org.uk 22 Oct SET DESIGNERS Build props and costumes for a theatre, and have fun posing and performing with them. 11am and 2pm for age 5+ 23 Oct BIG DRAW: GREEN SCREEN FILMS Explore drawing, performance and
theatre design by creating a film with your own character. 11am and 2pm for age 5+ 24 Oct MINIATURE THEATRES Create a toy theatre inspired by the Georgian era and work with artist Anne Harild. 11am and 2pm for age 5+ 25 Oct THEATRICAL WIGS With artist Isobel Manning create a wig that you’d see at the theatre and create your own hairstyle. 11am and 2pm for age 5+ 26 Oct STAINED GLASS WINDOWS Take inspiration from the Foundling Hospital Chapel and design your own stained-glass window. 2pm for age 5+
NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM
www.nam.ac.uk 12, 19, 21-26 Oct GIANT GAMES FOR LITTLE SOLDIERS: SECOND WORLD WAR EDITION Step inside the life-size board game at this year's Chelsea History Festival and battle it out to see who wins. Throw the giant dice and see where you land. Can you scramble through a cargo net? How fast can you solve the big jigsaw puzzle? How many tricky trivia questions can you answer? 11am-4pm. 14 Oct TINY TROOPERS: ANIMALS Sing, play and create with your little one at these fun, sensory sessions. For under 5s at 10am and 11.20am.
NATIONAL GALLERY
WC2N 5DN www.nationalgallery.org.uk Every Sun FAMILY SUNDAYS Activities designed for families to enjoy and learn together, 11am and 3pm. MAGIC CARPET STORYTELLING For children aged 2-5. Sundays 10.30-11am and 11.30am–12pm. Fly away on the magic carpet, coming to land in front of a different painting each day. Every Weds WELCOME WEDNESDAYS Bring paintings to life through interactive music, storytelling, art and messy play activities. Every Wednesday, 10.30 and 11.30am for walkers under age five, 1pm for sitting babies to walkers.
HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS 21 Oct STUDIO PLAY Play-based studio sessions for early years during the school holidays. For under 5s at 11am and 2pm. 22-24 Oct FAMILY SKETCHING SALON Get creative as a family during the school holidays and celebrate drawing to mark a month of wellbeing. Sketch together as a family to capture paintings and places in playful ways. Try out tools and techniques with an artist to discover creative ways into wellbeing. 11am-4pm. 24 Oct A MINDFUL FAMILY TOUR Walk and talk through the Gallery on a relaxed family tour. Take a moment to observe and experience paintings in different ways. Discover five ways into wellbeing with one of our friendly Gallery Educators. Try out guided looking techniques and take part in creative conversations. 11.30am and 1.30pm for ages 5-13.
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
SW7 5BD www.nhm.ac.uk Every weekend INVESTIGATE FOR FAMILIES Explore hundreds of real nature specimens that form the evidence Museum scientists use in their daily work. Drop-in, 11am-5pm. 12 Oct DINO SNORES Ever wondered what goes on at the Natural History Museum at night? 7 - 11 years. 7pm till morning, torchlit trails through the museum, live animal shows and more. For ages 7-11.
WALLACE COLLECTION
W1U 3BN www.wallacecollection.org 6 Oct THE LITTLE DRAW Free drop-in drawing workshop for all ages and abilities. Come and meet new Little Draw artist Betty R. Jaresova and rediscover the Wallace Collection through drawing, observation and plenty of creative experimentation. Suitable for all the family.1:30 - 4:30pm, all ages. 23 Oct GHOSTLY GONDOLAS AND SPOOKY SHIPS Combine materials and kit out a craft fit to carry a cargo of ghouls, pirates and more! Inspired by the many ships of years past in the Wallace Collection come create a haunted ship this half-term with artist Gwen Ramsay. 10.30am-3.30pm for ages 7-10. 24 Oct SILLY SLIPPERS Join in for a drop-in art workshop inspired by Manolo Blahnik and design dreamy footwear. Combine felt and silly socks to make the most surreal heals you can imagine! All children must be accompanied by an adult. For age 4+ at 10.30am and 2pm. 25 Oct HORRIFYING HELMETS Discover the armouries and create your own monstrous mask inspired by the collection of helmets and armours. A day of exploring, drawing and making. Discover how armour was used to scare, intimidate and impress; take a closer look at some of the most impressive on display and create some masks of our own to take home. For ages 11-14, 10.30am-3.30pm.
DAYS OUT BRITISH LIBRARY
The Jungle Book in Kensington and Chiswick PERFORM
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NW1 2DB www.bl.uk 26 Oct FAMILY WORKSHOP: TAKE A BREATH Enjoy a family workshop
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celebrating the Buddhism exhibition. Take time out of busy life to look, make and relax as a family. Explore a selection of multi-sensory activities, experimenting with sound, mark-making, colour, drawing and collage. You can also choose to take part in a simple meditation exercise, before finishing with our short mindful sculpture walk through the Library. 10.30am and 1pm for ages 5-11.
CHELSEA PHYSIC GARDEN
SW3 4HS www.chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk Environmentally themed workshops all summer long. 22 Oct CHOCOLATE TUESDAY Learn about chocolate, take part in craft activities. For ages 6-10, 10.30am-3pm. 23 Oct THE ART OF THE GARDEN Create art and craft inspired by a 'world tour' of the garden, taking in vampire plants, spiky cacti, tropical treasures, medicines, perfumes, seeds and ferns, worms, tadpoles, birds, vegetables and more. For ages 7+, 10.30am-2.30pm. 24 Oct LOTIONS AND 'MAGIC' POTIONS Explore a brief history of medicine and find out about the folklore of plants and ‘witchcraft’, learning how the power of plants can heal and soothe. For ages 8+, 10.30am2.30pm.
CUTTY SARK
SE10 9NF www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark Every weekend CUTTY SARK CHARACTERS Come aboard to hear Cutty Sark’s incredible stories brought to life by characters from the ship’s past. Suitable for ages 3+ Every Weds TODDLER TIME Bring your little sailors along for songs, stories and playtime on board. 10-11.30am for ages 4 and under. 5, 6 Oct GHOST SHIPS AND SPOOKY SHADOWS Set sail with storyteller Olivia Armstrong for an adventure across the high seas. Enjoy fantastic tales of faraway lands before making the return journey home to dry land. 11am-4pm. 21-26 Oct PORTS OF CALL This half term set sail on a musical adventure across the high seas. Enjoy music and dance performances inspired by Cutty Sark's voyages and take part in some music-inspired arts and crafts. 11am-4pm.
FULHAM PALACE
SW6 6EA www.fulhampalace.org every Mon and Tues THE PALACE EXPLORERS A weekly parent/carer and toddler sessions for children aged 2-4. £3 per child, which includes a drink and healthy snack. 6 Oct APPLE DAY CELEBRATION Displays and tastings, live music, beekeeping and wood turning demonstrations, a hotly anticipated baking competition, children’s activities, storytelling, refreshments and more. Free, no booking necessary. 11am-3pm. 27 Oct FAMILY ACTIVITY DAY: ASTONISHING ARCHAEOLOGY Learn all about the exciting world of archaeology. With tours, trails, crafts and real artefact handling sessions, this family fun day is all about discovering what’s hidden beneath our feet, without all the digging!
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mals in the hands-on area and in the large undercover animal barns. There is a massive adventure play area with a four lane astra slide, two drop slides, a netted area with zig zag chicanes and tunnels, swinging ropes and much more. Also a special Toddler and Under 5’s areas. 26 Oct-3 Nov HALLOWEEN FESTIVAL Discover Pumpkin Patch Pick Up and Carving, spellbinding shows, a crafty trick or treat walk and lots more.Join the Oddsocks characters in Spellbinding Shows, ‘Sock Soup!’ and ‘Things That Go OINK in the Night’ and pick up your own Pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch Garden to carve and take home. It’s an event to spook your Oddsocks off!
OSTERLEY PARK AND HOUSE
TW7 4RD www.nationaltrust.org.uk/osterley-park-and-house 19-27 Oct HALLOWE'EN PUMPKIN FESTIVAL Discover how the animals of Osterley prepare for the winter. Complete the activities along the Play Trail, then carve your own pumpkin to take home. Pumpkin carving runs from 11am-4pm every day with the last trail sold at 3.30pm. Pick the perfect pumpkin to carve and take home. At the centre of the play trail, overlooking the House, the rangers will be lighting fires for marshmallow toasting. 20 Oct GEORGIAN COSTUME DAY Go back in time at Osterley House as you are welcomed by volunteers dressed as Georgian Lords, Ladies, and servants. Beautifully made by the costume volunteers these outfits replicate the clothing that would have been worn by the inhabitants of Osterley in the
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Halloween Pumpkin carving and more at ODDS FARM PARK HAMPTON COURT PALACE
KT8 9AU www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace until 3 Nov THE MAGIC GARDEN Come face to face with mysterious mythical beasts, storm the battlements, besiege the towers and explore the secret grotto. Each area represents myths, legends, stories and even real objects that can be found at Hampton Court. Also discover the colourful dragons lurking among the trees and plants! 31 Oct, 3 Nov FAMILY GHOST TOURS An evening walking tour with stories of ghosts and paranormal activity at Hampton Court Palace. 7pm, for age 8+
HOLLAND PARK ECOLOGY CENTRE W8 6LU www.rbkc.gov.uk/subsites/wildlife.aspx 5 Oct AUTUMN LEAVES: WILDLIFE AREA OPEN DAY Explore and enjoy the Wildlife Area on an autumn's afternoon. You can take a stroll around the woodland, discovering more about the trees and signs of autumn. There will also be an opportunity to take part in seasonal craft activities. 12-4pm. 21-25 Oct HALF TERM WORKSHOPS environmental themed activities for ages 5-10 which utilise the centre and wooded Wildlife Area. The fun packed programme includes outdoor activities like minibeast hunting and nature trails, and animal themed craft sessions.
10.30am to 3.30pm 21 Oct LITTLE EXPLORERS A chance for curious children to connect with the living environment as they explore, observe and question the natural world around them. A fun-packed adventure in the Gardens with games, stories, crafts and dressing up. You'll find out what makes plants grow, where your food comes from and some of the ways that we use plants in our everyday lives. You'll investigate animal habitats, insects, bees and pollination and the changing seasons. 10.30am for ages 2-5 and parents. 23 Oct MUSIC AND MOVEMENT The opportunity to learn about plants, trees and nature with a focus on international songs and music from all around the world. Sessions are enhanced using different natural resources, musical instruments and creative props. For ages 0-2 at 10.30am.
ODDS FARM PARK
HP10 0LX www.oddsfarm.co.uk A FABULOUS DAY OUT AT THE FARM! Meet the farmers and get close to the ani-
From Baby to Ballerina
Classes for Boys and Girls aged 21/2 to 16 years old Ballet, Pointe Work, Modern Jazz, Tap, Annual Performances
Classes held in: Bayswater, Notting Hill Gate, Oxford Street, Shepherds Bush and South Kensington
KEW GARDENS
TW9 3AE www.kew.org Every Sunday SUNDAY STORIES a fun-filled session of stories from around the world exploring big questions about biodiversity and the delicately balanced relationship between people and plants. 1, 2 and 3pm 19 Oct-3 Nov AUTUMN ANTICS Enjoy comedy and storytelling this autumn half term at Kew’s mini fringe festival. Daily,
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What’s On 18th century, be it servant or noble. 24, 25 Oct WILD LEARNING CLUB Run by Forest School-qualified leaders, a typical session would include Shelter building, tracking, environmental art, games and using tools. For ages 5-11, book ahead. 10.30am-4.30pm.
THE LONDON WETLANDS CENTRE
SW13 9WT www.wwt.org.uk 19 Oct - 3 Nov WILDLIFE RESEARCHERS Research the wildlife that lives on the site. Use your logbook to guide you to the best spots to search for seasonal wildlife or join in pond dipping and birdwatching to discover which species are passing through. Also, Wild Play - Leaf Heroes: Make your own leaf hero and watch them soar to the ground in their handmade leaf parachute. 11.15am and 2.45pm 31 Oct HALLOWEEN NIGHT SAFARI A spooky nighttime adventure searching for the wildlife that comes out at night. Build a den to hide from Halloween monsters and make a fire to keep you snug. Finish the evening toasting marshmallows on the campfire, telling scary Halloween stories. Suitable for ages 8+ Dressing up encouraged - just make sure you're warm and comfortable! 4pm- 7pm.
THEATRE AND CONCERTS BECK THEATRE
UB3 2UE www.becktheatre.org.uk 4-5 Nov DEAR ZOO The timeless children’s classic book makes its stage premiere and will delight all those who have read the book (both young and old) as it unfolds with childengaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction. Perfect for children aged 2 years and upwards.
CAMBRIDGE THEATRE
WC2H 9HU www.matildathemusical.com Booking until May 2020: MATILDA THE
CONTINUED MUSICAL The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Roald Dahl’s magical story about a girl with extraordinary powers.
LYRIC HAMMERSMITH THEATRE
W6 OQL https://lyric.co.uk 5 Oct YOUNG HERBERT’S HORRORS A big storm brews up when Herbert is sent home from school and Mum calls on Great Uncle Albatross, navy captain and scourge of all pirates, to warn him of the dangers of rebellion. For ages 4-9. 12 Oct EGGS ON LEGS A poetic, Dr Seuss inspired world full of eggcentric puppets and music to make you roll around with laughter. 19 Oct MISSION: SAVE THE WORLD! A fun and energetic play about sibling rivalry, strengths, weaknesses and superheroes. Can Captain Clever and Captain Conker save the world… together? For ages 5-8. 22-28 Oct LOST AND FOUND Based on the bestselling picture book from Oliver Jeffers, this is a funny, heart-warming tale of adventure, bravery and friendship. For ages 3-6. 2 Nov STELLA Stella is a Star Engineer. The stars are burning out and it’s up to Stella to save them, but she can’t do it alone. For ages 3-8. 9 Nov FRANKENSTEIN FOR KIDS Igor, Dr Frankenstein’s assistant creates a marvellous monster which comes to life. Can Igor teach the friendly monster to dance in time for the big competition? A hilarious fusion of silliness, storytelling and brilliant balloon puppetry. For ages 4-11.
PUPPET THEATRE BARGE
W9 2PF www.puppetbarge.com 19-27 Oct THE INSECT CIRCUS The strange and beautiful world of the Insect Circus. Beetles and grasshoppers, wasps and dragonflies, demonstrate their dexterity with great skill and humour. Presented using marionettes, the show breathes new life into the traditional techniques used in Victorian trick marionettes. A show without words. For age 3+
The Insect Circus at PUPPET THEATRE BARGE SOUTHBANK CENTRE
SE1 8PX www.southbankcentre.co.uk Every Mon and Fri from 4 Oct DRAGON BABIES Gamelan for 3 - 5-year olds. Shake, rattle and gong with your little ones. 5 Oct SOUTHBANK SINFONIA FAMILY CONCERT Dive into some of classical music’s greatest stories in a concert for children aged five to 11, featuring a chance to meet the musicians. 7, 21,25 Oct, 4 Nov GONG BABIES Gong Babies A relaxing music workshop, an opportunity to immerse yourself and baby in the meditative and mesmerising chimes of the gamelan. 19, 22-24 Oct FAMILY GAMELAN TASTER SESSION Play in a Javanese gamelan percussion orchestra. For ages 6+ 17-27 Oct LONDON LITERATURE FESTIVAL An exploration of fairy tales with workshops, spoken word and dance performances for all the family. 27 Oct FUNHARMONICS: ZOG Follow the adventures of the keen, but accident-prone young dragon, as the LPO performs René Aubry’s score to a big screen projection of this delightful film. 27 Oct OAE TOTS: FUNHARMONICS A magical, interactive introduction to musicmaking for children between two and five, sitting up-close to orchestral musicians and taking part with their adults.
UNICORN THEATRE
SE1 2HZ www.unicorntheatre.com Until 27 Oct ANANSI THE SPIDER The infamous Anansi - the original trickster and the master spinner of yarns. But sometimes Anansi could be a little too clever for his own good…For age 3-7.
CONCERTS BACH TO BABY
www.bachtobaby.com/londonnorth All concerts at 10.30am. 21 Oct in Notting Hill (St. John's Church, Lansdowne Crescent, W11) 18 Oct in Chiswick (St. Michael and All Angels, Bath Road, W4) 12 Oct in Ealing (Haven Green Baptist Church, W5 2DP)
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ROYAL ALBERT HALL
SW7 2AP www.royalalberthall.com 8, 10, 22, 24, 29 Oct STORYTELLING AND MUSIC SESSIONS FOR AGES 0-4 Seasoned storytellers Paul Rubinstein, Becky Dixon, and Samantha Sutherland deliver a series of sessions for babies and toddlers, aiming to engage and encourage interaction between parents/carers and their little ones using musical instruments, singing, movement and stories. 21 Oct ALBERT'S BAND PRESENTS: OUR 10TH BIRTHDAY PARTY! A relaxed family-friendly birthday party where the orchestra will be playing all of their favourite interactive tunes and having a jolly good time. Buggies, babies and budding musicians all welcome! 23 Oct SHLOMO'S BEATBOX ADVENTURE FOR KIDS SK Shlomo is a world record-breaking beatboxer who makes all kinds of music using just his mouth and a mic. Join this sonic superhero and become one of his sidekicks in a world of funny sounds, brilliant noises and cool music. 26 Oct CLASSICAL FOR KIDS: HEROIC HORN An opportunity for families to attend a chamber concert performed by the professional musicians from Albert’s Band. Each concert features carefully selected ‘proper’ classical repertoire but presented in a relaxed environment for children to express themselves, with no expectation to stay still or be quiet.
WIGMORE HALL
W1U 2PB www.wigmore-hall.org.uk 10 Oct CHAMBER TOTS: UNDER THE SEA Music-making workshop for children aged 1 - 2. 10.15 and 11.45am. 12 Oct FAMILY CONCERT: GIDDY GOAT This tale of facing fears and making friends is an ideal way to introduce children to classical music, with plenty of audience participation and projections of images from the story. For ages 3-7. 17 Oct CHAMBER TOTS: INTO SPACE Music-making workshop for children aged 1 - 2. 10.15 and 11.45am. 30 Oct CHAMBER TOTS: INTO THE FOREST Music-making workshop for children aged 1 - 2. 10.15 and 11.45am.
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Visit the Family Learning Festival
The Family Learning Festival which runs from 19 October to November is a national celebration to inspire a love of learning in family life. Organisations across the UK, including schools, libraries, museums, children centres and galleries will be staging a range of FREE creative family learning activities. This year’s Festival theme is ‘Future Families’ and organisers will be holding activities to encourage families to become earthy explorers, digital discoverers or wellbeing warriors! Organisers of the festival, the lifelong learning charity, Campaign for Learning, believes learning that takes place in the family and home should be valued as much as learning that takes place in school classrooms and formal education. The family is where we learn important life skills and positive attitudes to learning, which enable us to become confident, motivated lifelong learners. To find a local event please visit: www.change.org
Please check before you head out to make sure your Days Out event has not changed after publication of your Families West London magazine... Visit our site for more info: familiesonline.co.uk
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When to give your child a Smartphone?
By Andrew Campbell
It’s a question every parent will struggle with at some point: At what age should I get my child a smartphone?
Anyone who has investigated this question will soon find there is no clear advice or research which provides a definitive age, but Families will endeavour to provide some useful guidance.
Mobiles can be helpful to keep in touch with your child, and can give you the peace of mind which comes with knowing they can reach you in an emergency. And, of course, children can also do all sorts of amazing things online using devices; the internet can be creative, fun and educational.
But, by giving your child their own internetconnected phone, you are handing them an incredibly powerful communication tool for which they may not be ready. Not only can they send messages, create images and send videos to friends but they’ll also be able to access websites and upload images and videos online. Having unfettered access to the internet exposes children to many risks including cyberbullying, online grooming and inappropriate content.
Many believe devices are also quickly changing the nature of childhood. Playing outdoors, spending time with friends, reading books and hanging out with family is being overtaken by hours of snap chatting, instagramming, and catching up on You Tube. In the US, a movement has sprung up among parents wanting to delay giving a child a smartphone until at least age 14 or 8th grade. Called Wait Until 8th, parents sign a pledge agreeing to delay giving their child a smartphone and it becomes active when 10 or more families sign in it from the same class at school. The pledge aims to provide a supportive network to parents who want to resist the the increasing societal pressure to provide their child a smartphone. According to internet safety experts the real question is not about the “right” age, but about whether your child is developmentally ready to have full access to the adult world and whether you have laid the groundwork to prepare them for healthy and responsible device use.
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Carolyn Bunting, CEO of e-safety organisation Internet Matters said: “Every child is different and whether it be a sign of maturity or peace of mind; parents know intuitively what the right age is for their child to be given a smartphone.”
However, it’s vital that you take steps to ensure you child is able to navigate the internet safely before they are given a smartphone. These include: Having open and honest conversations with your child about their online world. Finding out what they like doing and getting involved. Setting boundaries for their internet use, which include where and when they can use their devices and for how long. Setting up parental controls on your home broadband as well their devices. Using a child-friendly search engine and setting their user account to only follow sites which you've deemed safe. Checking age-limits on games, websites and apps, especially ones that have a social media element. Checking that online accounts are password protected and ensuring that your children are not putting out personal
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October 2019
information online. If they do have a social media profile ensure they are only accepting requests from friends and request that you or someone you both trust follows them to keep abreast of their online activity. In considering the move to a smartphone for your child it may help to consider the following options: If you believe your child needs to be able to get in touch with you, Ofcom advises using a basic handset. These are still readily available. If you are keen to keep you’re your child’s internet access contained to the supervised home environment, then tablet-usage can be easier to monitor. If you think your kids are ready for their own smartphone, pick up a child-friendly model. For example, devices like the monqi allow parents to set limits on data, calls, screen time and disapprove a game or app, all remotely via a parental app.
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For more reviews of child friendly smart phones visit: www.internetmatters.org and for information on internet safety for children visit: www.net-aware.org.uk
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The key components of a mentally healthy school Health and safety policies cover children’s bodies in schools - so why do they not exist for children’s minds and brains too? Neuroscience research is now sufficiently advanced that we have all the evidence we need on the adultchild relationship experiences that cause and heal mental health problems.
Painful life experiences predominantly cause mental ill-health - especially when a child is not helped to process and make sense of what has happened. One of the biggest public health studies of our time, The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACE Study), found that adverse childhood experiences are a leading determinant of all major mental and physical illnesses in the West.
These experiences include childhood events like living with parental separation/divorce, suffering a major loss, witnessing domestic violence and living with a parent who has addiction issues or mental health problems. The more adverse childhood experiences a child has without an emotionally available adult to help, the more vulnerable they are to developing mental health problems. These adverse experiences also trigger toxic stress, which negatively affects the developing brain, immune system and endocrine system.
However, a Government Green Paper* published in December 2017 makes the point that appropriately trained and supported school staff can achieve comparable results to trained therapists in helping children with anxiety, conduct disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder, caused by adverse childhood experiences. So toxic levels of stress in a child can be reduced if a child’s school environment can offer such resources. So how can schools provide these resources and help reduce the toxic stress of vulnerable pupils? The answer is by introducing a wholeschool mentally healthy culture.
What would a mentally healthy school look like? A school in which children feel listened to and understood at every level, and are encouraged to engage in conversation with empathic adults about their mental state as well as being taught to label their feelings. A mentally healthy school would validate the feelings underneath a child’s behaviour and give children and parents information about the causes and diagnoses of mental health symptoms as well as working with them to relieve these.
A relationship policy for staff A mentally-healthy school would have a policy that ensures school staff consistently engage with children in an open, warm and respectful manner. It might include policies like ’meet and greet.’ Meet and greet in primary schools involves the teacher addressing each child individually by name, with a warm open expression at the school entrance. This intervention calms children and has also been found to dramatically increase attendance figures.**
Practices that reduce stress levels of vulnerable pupils Many children arrive at school in an emotional state not conducive to learning. There are a number of research-backed practices designed to reduce stress levels in vulnerable children, best implemented at the beginning of the school day. These include time with animals, time outside, sensory play, mindfulness, Tai chi and accompanied drumming. A mentally-healthy school would make these practices available. School staff that are ‘emotionally available adults’ Having daily, easy access to at least one specific emotionally-available adult and knowing when/ where to find that adult can effectively bring down stress levels in pupils. Staff in mentally healthy schools would be trained to adjust their expectations and actions around vulnerable children to match
By Dr Margot Sutherland
their developmental capabilities and experience of traumatic events. This would include removing vulnerable children in a kind, nonjudgmental way from difficult situations. A policy around testing and exam stress Mentally healthy schools would help pupils understand that their self-worth is not solely defined by tests and exams.
Finally, if schools are to become mentally healthy places, the value of wellbeing has to start at the very top, with organisations like the Department For Education and Ofsted balancing the scales between outcomes and emotional wellbeing. There must be national recognition of the importance of monitoring wellbeing in schools, and the wellbeing of staff and pupils must be a key performance indicator for schools
Dr Margot Sunderland is a child psychologist, psychotherapist, neuroscience expert, awardwinning author and the Director of Education and Training at The Centre for Child Mental Health, a non-profit organisation that provides mental health training in schools and Co- Director of Trauma Informed Schools UK. For further information visit: www.childmentalhealthcentre.org
* Green paper entitled Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision **When the Adults Change, Everything Changes Paul Dix 2017
Families West London is part of Families Print Ltd, and is a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families West London are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families West London. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, orany consequence thereof. Design by Martin Driscoll. Email: martindriscoll@yahoo.com Printed by The MANSON Group Ltd, 8 Porters Wood, Valley Road Industrial Estate, St Albans AL3 6PZ. www.mansongroup.co.uk
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Activities, Clubs & Classes
MUSIC AND MOVEMENT DRAMA
HARTBEEPS Award-winning, original, multi-sensory musical baby and toddler classes with original music, bubbles, costumes, twinkles, sparkly parachutes, puppets and more. Bells - Newborn - Sitting Beeps - Sitting - Standing Happy house - Toddlers and Siblings e: kimmy@hartbeeps.com www.hartbeeps.com/west-london Ealing W5 2DP, Putney SW15 1EU, Northfields W13 9EP, Kew TW9 4HF, Fulham SW64TJ, Chiswick W4 5BQ, East Sheen SW14 8A, Wandsworth SW18 2QB Hammersmith W6 0UH, Acton W3 9BH
DANCE
DANCE GALLERY Dance Gallery teaches many different styles of dance (Street Dance, Contemporary, Commercial/Modern, Tap) and also runs Musical Theatre classes. The structured lessons promote fitness and confidence, with pupils enjoying learning fun exercises and routines. These routines build towards their famous “sell out” musical theatre shows performed at Questors Theatre, Ealing. Classes take place at St Stephens Church Hall, Ealing W13 8HB (Mon - Thurs 3.45 - 7pm). e: jill@dancegallery.co.uk t: 020 8566 9672 www.dancegallery.co.uk KENSINGTON BALLET 15 months through to more formal RAD syllabus classes. Kensington, Chelsea, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill and Fulham. t: 07957 650 042 www.kensingtonballet.com
STAGECOACH PERFROMING ARTS Provide fun and engaging weekly classes in dance, drama and singing in a safe and happy environment. Students aged 4 to 18 years are taught by a professional and experienced team of teachers. They offer two-week trials for all new students so that your child can try the class out. To enrol go to: www.stagecoach.co.uk e: info@stagecoach.co.uk Chiswick - 020 8398 4709 Hammersmith & Kensington: 020 8398 8106
WEST LONDON DANCE ACADEMY Classes for ages 3yrs to Adult. Ballet, Tap, Modern Jazz, Contemporary. Classes held in Chiswick and Ealing e: natalieparnell.wlda@gmail.com t: 07795 578781
WEST LONDON SCHOOL OF DANCE Classes for Boys and girls 21/2 - 16 years. Ballet, Point Work, Modern Jazz, Tap, and Annual Performances. Classes held in Bayswater, Notting Hill Gate, Oxford St, Shephers Bush, South Kensington. e: info@westlondonschoolofdance.co.uk t: 020 8743 3856 www.westlondonschoolofdance.co.uk
CIRCUS
ALBERT AND FRIENDS INSTANT CIRCUS Email or visit the website for all the classes. e: info@albertandfriendsinstantcircus.co.uk www.albertandfriendsinstantcircus.co.uk
CRAFTS
ALBERT AND FRIENDS INSTANT CIRCUS FUN WITH FIMO CLAY www.funwithfimoclay.co.uk
ARTSED EXTRA Develop musical theatre, dance and drama skills and grow in confidence at ArtsEd’s Saturday EXTRA Academy in Chiswick. Available to children aged 4-16 of all abilities. e: extra@artsed.co.uk t: 020 8987 6692 www.artsed.co.uk
PERFORM Perform is a unique children’s drama school with a special emphasis on child development. Perform uses a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s full potential. Run by highly experienced actor-teachers, in small groups, Perform classes focus on developing the 4 Cs: confidence, communication, coordination, and concentration. The Perform curriculum ensures plenty of fun, using a mix of energetic games, catchy songs and funky dances. All class materials are written by Perform, with apps, music downloads and videos for the children to play at home, keeping the magic of the classes alive. Perform offer no-obligation FREE trial sessions. Visit: www.perform.org.uk/try to book a FREE class today. Venues: Acton, Brook Green, Chiswick, Chiswick Park Ealing W5 and W7, Earls Court, ,Hammersmith, Ickenham, Kensington W8, Maida Vale, Notting Hill, Shepherds Bush. e: enquiries@perform.org.uk t: 020 7255 9120 www.perform.org.uk/try
STAGECOACH PERFORMING ARTS Provide fun and engaging weekly classes in dance, drama and singing in a safe and happy environment. Students aged 4 to 18 years are taught by a professional and experienced team of teachers. They offer two-week trials for all new students so that your child can try the class out. To enrol go to: www.stagecoach.co.uk e: info@stagecoach.co.uk Chiswick: 020 8398 4709 Hammersmith & Kensington: 020 8398 8106
LANGUAGES
ARABIC FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN Female teacher, native speaker 18 - year experience. 15 years experience at Ealing Arabic School. Private lessons. All ages and all levels welcome; from absolute beginners to university level. Specialist in GCSE and A level courses. Excellent track record. e: r.i.abdelhadi@gmail.com
SPORTS
FOOTBALL: KIDDIKICKS Football (W2,W4,W8,W10,W11,TW8). For boys and girls from 18 months to age 9. e: info@kiddikicks.co.uk t: 020 7937 7965 www.kiddikicks.co.uk RUGBY: EALING TRAILFINDERS RUGBY CLUB Mini's Rugby 6yrs-12yrs. e: membership@ealingrugby.co.uk www.ealingrugby.co.uk SWIMMING: SERIOUSLY FUN Swimming Lessons. From 3 years. Crowne Plaza Heathrow. t: 01753 364 366 www.seriouslyfun.com
TUITION SUPPORT VICTORIA PAGE Private tuition 21/2 - 11 years. t: 07050 246 810
VIVIEN BORNEMANN Home tuition. Art, Craft and design. All ages. t: 020 8932 1010
CLASSIFIED ADS:
CLASSIFIED ADS:
PARTIES
TUITION “HOME TUITION” FULLY QUALIFIED TUITION IN ART, CRAFTS AND DESIGN Help with exams for school, portfolio’s for college, or, just for fun!! ALL AGES WELCOME
PARTY PLUS
Contact: Vivien Bornemann 020 8932 1010
For all your party needs, Balloons Partyware · Banners · Decorations and much more. 9:30am - 5pm Monday - Saturday.
020 8987 8404 4 Acton Lane Chiswick Park W4 5NB www.partyplus.co.uk www.partiesbypost.co.uk
Party Listings
MUSIC & MOVEMENT
DRAMA
PERFORM PARTIES Based around an exciting theme of your choice, Perform’s energetic party leaders use a magical mix of songs, games and laughter to create funfilled, action-packed parties to remember. Call 0207 255 9120 or visit: performparties.co.uk for more info.
STAGECOACH Their themed parties for 4-10 year olds combine drama, dance and singing with a wide range of party games and storytelling all based around your chosen theme. You choose the date and the time and they can come to the venue of your choice. Stagecoach Kensington: 020 8398 8106 Stagecoach Chiswick: 020 020 8398 4709
ENTERTAINERS
ADAM ANTS PARTIES 020 8959 1045 or 07969 121094 info@adamantsparties.co.uk www.adamantsparties.co.uk
BOO BOO THE CHILDREN’S ENTERTAINER 07961 355269 www.mr-booboo.co.uk SILLY MILLIE tHE CLOWN Parties for 3 - 9 year olds. Funny magic show, puppet’s, party games, silly songs and balloon animals. Impossible = I am Possible 020 7823 8329 or 07939 239 397 www.sillymillietheclown.co.uk
FUN ON A FARM!
BIRTHDAY PARTIES AT ODDS FARM PARK For more information including full party terms and conditions and to book please visit: www.oddsfarm.co.uk
BLUEBERRY PLAYSONGS Fun, inter-active, musical parties for the under 5’s since 1991! Guitar-accompanied songs with actions, joining in, instruments, games and dancing. 020 8677 6871 info@blueberryplaysongs.co.uk
PARTY SUPPLIERS
PARTY PLUS They have a wide range of themed partyware available from stock. For mail order and more visit: www.partyplus.co.uk
VENUES
BETTY BLYTHE Specialises in bringing the Tea Service party to your own home or venue of your choice. They can also host up to 10 in their Vintage Tea room. tea@bettyblythe.co.uk www.bettyblythe.co.uk