City Kids Magazine Spring 2022 issue 31

THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE FOR LONDON FAMILIES ®

LIVE CONSCIOUSLY Slow fashion, ethical brands & more

SPRING 2022 Nº 31

SCHOOLS SPECIAL

SEN, secondary choices & sustainable schools

LITTLE GREEN FINGERS

How to grow your own

W HAT’S O N E DUCATION F ASHION B OOKS A CTIVITIES

£4.99

The Green Issue

North Bridge House

New tion 4+ Recep ep, r entry to P Regent’s Park

North Bridge House is on a constant journey of getting to know and understand every child as an individual, realising their true academic and personal potential through specialist provision at every school stage.

NURSERY & PRE-PREP WEST HAMPSTEAD 2 - 7 YEARS FRIDAY 25 MARCH

NURSERY & PRE-PREP HAMPSTEAD 2 - 7 YEARS TUESDAY 22 MARCH (NURSERY) THURSDAY 24 MARCH (PRE-PREP)

PREP SCHOOL REGENT’S PARK 4 - 13 YEARS FRIDAY 11 MARCH

SENIOR HAMPSTEAD 11 - 16 YEARS THURSDAY 17 MARCH

SENIOR CANONBURY 11 - 18 YEARS THURSDAY 24 MARCH

Book an open day or private tour at northbridgehouse.com/open

W E LC O M E

A

CONTACT editor@citykidsmagazine.co.uk citykidsmagazine.co.uk 07770 370 353 citykidsmagazine @citykidswest citykidsmagazine

s I write these words, London and the rest of the UK are being buffeted by extraordinary winds, with red warnings in some areas not seen for generations, if ever. Inevitably, we consider climate change’s contribution to extreme weather conditions.

On publishing The Green Issue, these storms are a reminder that we can all make changes to our lifestyles and do the best we can to slow down the damage humans have wreaked on earth.

Across our Latest, Life, Education and Explore pages you’ll find a wealth of information on sustainable brands, circular economies and eco-conscious activities.

Sophie Clowes highlights one of the greenest - gardening - and within our education pages you’ll see some of London’s schools turning their attention to the environment.

Here you’ll also find advice from The Good Schools Guide on SEN schools, and secondary school choices. We also have a superb summary of What’s On in London in the next three months (see our website for hundreds more), plus fashion, style, food from Jo Pratt, interiors and travel.

citykidsmagazine.co.uk

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To receive our newsletters, please sign up via our website citykidsmagazine.co.uk Editor & Owner Victoria Evans editor@citykidsmagazine.co.uk Advertising Sarah Dawson sarah@citykidsmagazine.co.uk Digital & Social Manager Jennelyn Estacio jenny.citykids@gmail.com

CONTENTS 23

Design Caroline Haye info@navalisdesign.com Contributors Sophie Clowes Eleonore Crompton Sharon Jones Jo Pratt Beverley Turner Rose Wyatt COVER IMAGE molo.com

52 45

04

WE LOVE

08

WHAT’S ON

13

BEVERLEY TURNER

16

FEATURE

19

FASHION

22

STYLE

23

HOME

24

JO PRATT RECIPE

27

EDUCATION

45

BOOKS

48

TRIPS

50

PODCASTS

52

THE KNOWLEDGE

50

WHO ARE?

48

22

This publication may not be reproduced in whole or part by any means without prior consent of the publisher. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of the content at the time of publication, the publishers shall not be held responsible in any way for any inaccuracies or omissions. The opinions of those expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher or CITY KIDS LTD. © 2022 CITY KIDS LTD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. T 07770 370 353

CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 03

we love Eco-Conscious Kids Art Play’s EnviroKids workshop helps children understand environmental concerns, plastic waste and their impact on the world whilst creating art.

It’s also a plastic collection point so get collecting! £15 per session artplaylondon.com

Weather Watch Any climate change activist needs to learn about the weather. This first weather station is a great start and includes the phases of the moon within a pretty, wooden box. Suitable for 3yrs+ £47.50 ywtshop.org.uk

Bubble, Bubble...

The Den Kit Co’s Potion Making Kit gives children the chance to make wondrous mixtures from rose petals, rosemary, lavender, beetroot and turmeric colouring. Each kit comes with all the equipment they need. £19.95 thedenkitco.com

04 CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

W E LOV E

Pencil Plant A zero-waste alternative to traditional lead pencils and plastic pens for those wanting to make an ecofriendly swap. A 100% biodegradable and plantable pencil that grows into herbs, vegetables and flowers when you’re done.

From £9 sproutworld.com

Undies for All All Y.O.U underwear is Fairtrade, PETA-approved vegan and made from 100% GOTS Certified Organic Cotton. But that’s not all. For each pair of undies you buy across the girls’, men’s and women’s collections, two are donated to Smalls for All who support girls who have limited access to underwear and sanitary products.

From £15 youunderwear.com

Conscious Cards When Desriee Asomuyide couldn’t find educational flashcards representing children of colour, she designed them herself. Little Omo has now grown to include flashcards, posters, wrapping paper and puzzles with a variety of skin complexions, facial features and hair textures.

From £3.99 littleomo.com

CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 05

How many clothes has your little one outgrown?

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Rent premium clothes and swap as they grow - magic!

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Latest WHAT’S ON p8

BEV TURNER p13

HOUSE OF MARGAUX Sustainable, ethical, eco-friendly kidswear endorsed by The Eden Project. houseofmargaux.co.uk CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 07

W H AT ’ S O N

March from 4

from 5

5

BECOMING ANNE

NORDIC EXPOSURE

IMPOSSIBLE IMAGES: ANCIENT EGYPT

Hever Castle hevercastle.co.uk

Jacksons Lane Art Centre jacksonslane.org.uk

British Museum britishmuseum.org

Visit a brand new exhibition at Anne Boleyn’s childhood home, chronicling her youth, home education and marriage to Henry VIII.

See the very best in Nordic family theatre, from magic shows to acrobatics and even a trip to Moominvalley.

Hone your photo editing skills and, using a green screen, create an Egyptian-themed photo of your family interacting with the museum’s artefacts.

6

11 & 12

20

OPEN SUNDAY

JOSEPHINE

FROM BUD TO BLOSSOM

Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery pitzhanger.org.uk

Half Moon Theatre halfmoon.org.uk

Fulham Palace fulhampalace.org

Watch a spring puppet show and take part in workshops, trails and creative activities based on the gallery’s artwork.

Discover the incredible life of dancer and civil rights activist Josephine Baker in a show that features Charleston dancing and a Harlem Renaissance-inspired score.

Guided by the palace’s garden team, mini gardeners can learn how to create a beautiful garden and tend to produce.

25

until 26

until 27

FAMILY FRIDAY

STORY SPACE

SOLDIER STORIES

Sadler’s Wells Theatre sadlerswells.com

Tate Britain tate.org.uk

National Army Museum nam.ac.uk

Have a boogie with your pre-schoolers at a dance workshop inspired by the theatre’s latest shows.

Discover new stories and unleash your imagination at a reading workshop celebrating books about children of colour and queer and disabled children and families.

See history come to life as you meet characters from the army’s past and hear their war-time stories.

08 CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

W H AT ’ S O N

April from 1

2 to 18

2 to 18

SUPERHEROES, ORPHANS & ORIGINS

THE LINDT GOLD BUNNY HUNT

THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR

Foundling Museum foundlingmuseum.org.uk

Hampton Court Palace hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace

Kew Gardens kew.org

Enter the world of comics and explore their representation of foundlings, orphans, adoptees, and foster children.

As you search for gold bunny statues, discover the stories of fascinating people who visited, lived and worked at the palace.

Follow an enchanting trail based on Eric Carle’s classic book, and wind past sculptures of juicy fruits and a cosy chrysalis on your way to becoming a beautiful butterfly.

2 to 18

5

from 6

ICE AGE: THE LOST KINGDOM

ART CLUB PRINTMAKING

INSPIRING WALT DISNEY

Cassiobury Park, Watford iceagekingdom.com

Dulwich Picture Gallery dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

The Wallace Collection wallacecollection.org

Come face to face with over 40 life-size animatronic Ice Age beasts, as the European touring attraction comes to London for the first time.

Explore printmaking techniques and learn how to experiment with colour and different materials to create abstract works on paper.

Find out how French decorative arts and design influenced Walt Disney’s hand-drawn animations and magical creations.

12 to 16

until 24

28

OI FROG AND FRIENDS

HOW TO HIDE A LION

LITTLE SWIFTS

Pentland Theatre artsdepot.co.uk

Polka Theatre polkatheatre.com

RAF Museum rafmuseum.org.uk

Expect lots of laughs and some silly rhyming rules as Frog and his animal friends hit the stage.

See a musical adaptation of Helen Stephens’ magically roarsome book about how to hide a lion and find a friend.

Bring the museum’s displays to life at an arts and crafts workshop for pre-schoolers, featuring games, stories and songs.

CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 09

W H AT ’ S O N

May until 1

8

from 5

JINA AND THE STEM SISTERS

FAMILY SUNDAY

OUR TIME ON EARTH

Little Angel Theatre littleangeltheatre.com

Royal Opera House roh.org.uk

Barbican Centre barbican.org.uk

Celebrate iconic women at a musical puppet show based on the stories of historical STEM women who fought against the odds in pursuit of scientific discovery.

Explore the world of opera and ballet and enjoy creative family activities and live music.

Go on a journey of self-reflection, experience different perspectives on climate change and consider some radical visions for the future.

from 13

until 15

21

LEGALLY BLONDE

THE 100 STORY HOTEL

GET LOST AND FOUND

Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre openairtheatre.com

Discover Children’s Story Centre discover.org.uk

Watford Palace Theatre watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk

Based on the hit film, have a blast with fashionista Elle Woods as she embarks on a drastic plan to win back her ex-boyfriend.

Visit an immersive world of play and storytelling, created with bestselling author Rob Biddulph and featuring lots of unusual hotel guests.

Watch a family show inspired by the works of Roald Dahl, which blends performance, games and creative play.

27 to 29

29

30 & 31

ANNE OF GREEN GABLES

CITY SPLASH FESTIVAL

JURASSIC LIVE

Peacock Theatre sadlerswells.com

Brockwell Park city-splash.com

Hackney Empire hackneyempire.co.uk

Accompanied by a live orchestra, watch 50 young dancers from London Children’s Ballet in the very first ballet adaptation of the classic children’s book.

Enjoy carnival vibes and celebrate the influence of reggae music, food and culture at the one-day familyfriendly festival.

Get up close and personal with roarsomely realistic dinosaurs at an interactive stage show.

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St Benedict’S School a

m i n i m i s

i n c i p e

Outstanding Catholic Independent school for boys & girls aged 3 - 18

OPEN MORNINGS

SENIOR SCHOOL - THURSDAY 5TH MAY NURSERY & JUNIOR SCHOOL - THURSDAY 19TH MAY

SCHOLARSHIPS AND BURSARIES ARE AVAILABLE Scholarships on offer at St Benedict’s: Academic, Art & Design, Drama, Music and Sports

View our website for a full list of our Open Events or arrange a personal visit with our Registrar, Louise Pepper, on 020 8862 2254 www.stbenedicts.org.uk stbenedictsschool

stbenedicts

stbenedictsschool

London’s Premier Hub for Children's Dentistry Going to the dentist can be intimidating for children so finding the right environment for your child’s early dental experience is so important.

Toothbeary is a unique, award winning London-based dental practice designed to care specifically for children aged 0-18. Children should have their first check up by the age of one.

Expert staff have created a child-friendly, playful, relaxed atmosphere incorporating the highest quality dentistry.

An integral part of Toothbeary’s philosophy is the monitoring of your child’s inhibitions, anxieties and fears. In turn, this informs behaviour management approaches and identifies the most suitable treatment methods.

Combining a professional, caring and individualised approach with state-of-the-art treatment ensures that your child‘s experience at Toothbeary is positive, confidence-building and offers the best provision for long-term oral health.

Toothbeary, 358a Richmond Road East Twickenham, TW1 2DU 02088316870 info@toothbeary.co.uk www.toothbeary.co.uk

12 CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

BEVERLEY TURNER

SCHOOL CHOICES

I

t is with a certain self-righteous reflection that I write about ‘the things you need to know’ as you ponder the right school for your child. My eldest is in the final A-level stretch and my youngest two (Years 6 and 8) are at a school that I like and that they like which is basically the best you can ask for - so start by lowering your bar.

The relief of no longer agonizing over whether we had made the right choice at the start of the day is immense. Between my three kids I have known five schools and we never moved house.

We live in the academic over-achieving zone which is West London: six of the top ten GCSE ranked schools are within a few miles of Chiswick. We have a greater density of private schools than any other geographical area of the UK. This is both a blessing and a curse.

So, what do you need to know right now?

A private school cannot make your child significantly ‘cleverer’ than they inherently are. A state school will not make your child any less ‘cleverer’ (I went to state schools can you tell?). Some children will thrive in a competitive environment which trains them for the 11+ system or Oxbridge entrance.

Some will be crushed by it. Put your ego to one side and decide which your child is, and whether the elite academic route matters for them - not you.

If you choose fee-paying over state school, know that the difference will largely affect you the parent, rather than your kid. Little Oliver won’t care if they serve organic mince pies at the Christmas concert and Olivia won’t know if they get back to your emails within thirty minutes.

Children just want to feel interested, energized and - above all else - safe. Do they tolerate poor behaviour? Will the school clearly communicate to your child about schedules, homework and general expectations? Kids are unsettled by confusing

communication - what does the school do to children are so great we don’t need one!” walk help that? straight out of the door. Every single school Above all else, consider the location and has bullying, and a good school will be honest the commute. At primary school, will you be about that. driving, walking or cycling with them every Don’t pick a school because your child’s day? I promise that you will not give a sh*t friends are going there. They will spread their about the ‘inspiring meal choices’ by week social circle wings once in attendance. five when the stress of getting everyone up, How good is their learning support fed, dressed and out of the door by 7am has provision? Surprisingly, state schools are kicked in. Is the school you love simply too far often better at this than private and although away? Is there a decent bus service? Can you a child with extra needs might find the lift share with the neighbours? smaller class sizes of private schools calmer, At secondary school the location is even they won’t necessarily get more one-to-one. If more critical. Do you want to add an hour of they do, it might cost you extra - ask. screen-staring onto either end of your child’s Don’t be wooed by freshly cut lawns, bistro already long day? Or would an extended busy dining and amphitheatres. A school is not its day help accommodate your work schedule building - it’s its people. Similarly, does a state and offer fun activities for them? school with excellent outside space waste it It might be nice to drive your adorable Year with weak sport provision? Ask why.

7 to and from school if your demands allow.

Are the children polite, curious, hardBut all too soon she will be a hateful teenager working and kind? Because ultimately, these who would prefer to walk barefoot than be are the qualities you want your child to have. seen getting out of your car and you need to Do not become obsessed with grade tables be OK with her taking a rush-hour and university options. Some of the saddest tube journey in the dark via kids I know have a clutch of A stars Clapham Junction and then be but a heart so heavy that life OK with her calling you to book itself feels like a chore.

Some schools an Uber when the trains are Work with the teachers inevitably cancelled.

- not against them. Always look perfect on Find out where the other presume they are right paper but produce pupils live. If you’re an outlier unless you have proof that mysteriously prepare to be parent-taxi for they aren’t. miserable kids. the next seven, potentially 13 And know that nothing years in order to accommodate is set in stone. If you hate the playdates / drunken parties. Or take school they are in, you can always out shares in Uber. change.

Ask around. Some schools look perfect on Remember, this process is not about you. paper but produce mysteriously miserable Don’t take too much credit once they are kids. Parents know this stuff. settled. This is their journey - not yours. They Meet The Head. The leadership sets the won’t appreciate your efforts. Just feel smug tone for the whole school. Do they exude about the fact that one day they’ll have to do authority but fairness? Do they have a sense the same for their own, ungrateful kids. of humour?

BEVERLEY TURNER Finely tune your BS-ometer. Ask about can be found at bevturner.substack.com their bullying policy and if they say “Our CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 13

St Catherine’s is a place where your daughter will develop a lifelong love for learning, in a supportive and homely environment. Both in and outside the classroom, she will experience a range of opportunities, and discover her strengths and passions.

From this foundation, she will grow in confidence and develop a curiosity about everything around her. She will leave our Prep School believing in her abilities and ready to embrace new challenges in senior school.

Open Morning from 9.45am Friday 6 th May 2022 Eco Activities Afternoon, 1.30pm - 3.00pm Friday 18 th March 2022 To view our school film please visit www.stcatherines.info/schoolfilms

St Catherine’s Prep, Bramley GSA Day & Boarding School since 1885 | 4 - 18 years Guildford GU5 0DF | www.stcatherines.info

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10/02/2022 14:51

Life HOME p23

JO PRATT p24

INTRODUCING SAMMY SATSUMA There’s a new food hero in town to teach children how to cook and eat healthily. Find out more on p25. sammysatsuma.co.uk CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 15

F E AT U R E

Life in The Grow Lane

A

by SOPHIE CLOWES

zaleas, orchids and ferns are my nemesis. I cannot keep them alive.

Hydrangeas, on the other hand, I can conjure out of thin air, the technical term for which, I have learnt, is to propagate. Bulbs are easy and don’t require much beyond a warm place to sleep the winter away and then, as if by magic, they barge their way through the soil to greet you one morning when you had given up waiting.

16 20CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Tomatoes are a doddle if you feed them and blat the greenfly and tubers are… well, I ‘lifted’ our dahlias for the winter and they are currently sleeping in a dry cardboard box so it could go either way.

It is spring, the season of hope and of new life, of anticipation and longing. It’s the moment when the trees turn to bud and the bulbs become blooms, when we dare to believe that the warmth will return. This year, more than any other, we

If only all councils were obligated to plant fruit trees that anyone could pick from...

Photo JONATHAN BORBA

Photo PAIGE CODY

eagerly anticipate any interpretation of the green shoots of recovery. I think I said that last year, too.

Whichever way we look, all paths point to the beneficial nature of gardens and plants, of growing things, of grounding ourselves by putting our hands in soil and putting our faith in the seasons. Gardening happens in its own time and it requires us to get off those damned screens and slow down long enough to notice the calm intensity of a little patch of soil, of a toiling worm or a robin singing nearby. It is the perfect balm to our news-crazy, scrolling, quick-flick, terrifying world, where we can replace immediacy with delayed gratification.

If immersion in nature is first base, then planting is second, and a point-scoring run is a yield on your investment. Blue Peter has always known this and its gardening section is still going strong. Meanwhile, the London Mayor has announced a major investment in the revamping of the city’s green areas and twenty somethings are posting reels of their peonies’ progression all over Instagram. Rumour has it that even Kim K is adding an organic vegetable garden to her Californian Calabasas compound. Keep up!

Giving ourselves permission to fail is essential to getting started, as is an appreciation and wonder for the unknown. What gardening does not require are huge amounts of space. It doesn’t even need an actual garden. A packet of cress sown on wet kitchen roll in a decorated eggshell on the windowsill is a fine first attempt. As are low-maintenance succulents arranged on a tray or a pot of basil in the kitchen.

Ella Risbridger is an author who was described

by The Times as “the most talented new cookbook writer of a generation” after the 2019 publication of her book, Midnight Chicken. Being a millennial, she doesn’t have a garden, “but I’ve got a twofoot-by-five concrete balcony overlooking a tarmacked car park, and I have filled it with growing things,” she writes. In possession of a brilliant and hugely creative mind but also one that, like most of us, is set to tick on a worry loop, she adds, “In an uncertain world, the garden is a way to tame uncertainty: to learn to live with it.”

Like the taste of her recipes, Ella’s writing is exquisite, not least because her words are so relatable, wise and forgiving. She suggests that gardening is similar to cooking, in that it combines two key elements of self-care: the Instagram “pamper yourself” kind and the “common-sense, sort-it-out” kind that tends to fall under the radar. Of gardening, she says, “It’s

beautiful and it’s useful. It passes the William Morris test on both counts.” Of her myriad achievements, Ella writes, “I don’t think I have ever been prouder of anything than this tiny patch of blossoming concrete.” Nigel Slater is another who talks of his garden with the same amount of love as he pours into his recipes.

Growing things does not necessarily mean chucking seeds into a vast money pit. Nor does it require a fanciful life of endless time. How to garden in next to no time is the subtitle to West Londoner Laetitia Maklouf ‘s book The Five Minute Garden. The theory goes that by taking five minutes every day, the little tasks quickly add up to big differences. Therapists often speak of the value of keeping a small personal promise every day; they also warn of the dangers of reaching for your phone first thing. I have taken heed and nowadays, short of storm conditions, I clean my teeth outside first thing every morning while doing calf raises on the garden steps, watching the sun creep over the rooftops or while deadheading whatever I can with my spare hand.

Gardening can be perilously expensive, but it needn’t be. There are no laws to stop you picking from the wayside. This does not include private gardens, parks or public square gardens. A walk along the river, however, might result in some wild garlic, some elderflowers to make cordial with or, even, windfall apples for cider vinegar. It’s easy to find yourself fast becoming a forager who ferments. A walk past the primary schools in our part of town reveals a renewed interest in kitchen gardening and it is exciting to hope those schools are using what they grow to add nutrition, taste and interest to school food. If only all councils were obligated to plant fruit trees that anyone could pick from…

CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 17

F E AT U R E

INSTAGRAM Laetitia Maklouf @laetitiamaklouf Anya Lautenbach @anya-thegarden-fairy

Photo FILIP URBAN

When the pandemic put paid to Andie McDowell’s wedding video business, she sought solace in digging and sowing. “It gave me a creative outlet, a connection to nature, and something bright and colourful to look forward to when it felt like everything else was falling apart.”

Essentially, “it gave me hope”. In fact, it also led to a new career. Under the name of Dahlia Beach, Andie sought to create “a brand that cut through the horticultural hoity toity and delivered beautiful combinations of dahlia tubers and seeds, with videos on how to grow, plant and pick them.” A whirling, tech-savvy joy of colourful vibrancy, Andie is the poster woman for feel-thefear-and-do-it-anyway courage – her first season of dahlias earned her a stand at the world-famous Chelsea Flower Show.

Like many creative things, gardening brings double joy: the first is found in the active participation and then there is a passive appreciation for another’s efforts: for the sweet strawberries passed over the garden fence, for the wonky cucumber from a glut at the allotment, or for the climbing rose that raises a smile on the way to the Tube. Biophilic design is big in the interiors world (see Trips p49) and the current proliferation of home-office builds often includes sedum or wildflower roofs. Having plants inside helps filter harmful toxins from the air. A snake plant is excellent at this. Whether its popularity is due to its exceptional low-maintenance or the fact that it is also known as mother-in-law’s tongue thanks to the shape and sharpness of its leaves, is a moot point.

Curating a garden, whatever its size, helps take you to where you want to be. Stroll through a London allotment and you will find fruit, flowers and veg that reflect the nationalities of the gardeners. Planting schemes in public 18 CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

gardens are often designed to attract bees and the whole cyclical, circular, eco-system-boosting arrangement is very, very good for us as well as going some way to repairing the hell hole of damage we have wreaked on our planet. Mostly, it’s good for the soul and we have rather too many damaged ones of those. As Robert Breault, an American opera singer, said, “Hope is a walk through a flowering meadow. One does not require it lead anywhere.”

Plants, trees and flowers are a little like a Russian doll, revealing ever-greater intricacies and offering various incarnations. Hydrangeas, for example, can be dried with ease and keep their colour so you can have a jug of flowers through the winter. Growing things grows interest in more things. A serious haircut of an out-of-control olive tree (lesson: olive and fig trees like being contained) gifted us wood offcuts, a couple of which our 11-year-old whittled into not-so-shabby wooden spoons at the first attempt. Tulips can be turned into a bigger and bolder display by turning down the petals, and rosehips foraged from the towpath can be mixed with honey to make syrup that is bursting with vitamin C and will pep up your porridge as well as your health.

There is so much to learn, some of which must happen through trial and error, and some which is easier to get from an online tutorial. On Instagram, Anya Lautenbach goes by the name of the garden fairy and is a propagating queen, while Willow Crossley will help you find your way round a floral arrangement. Pop some bulbs in your groceries basket or choose the restauranthome-delivery equivalent and plant by numbers with gardenonaroll.com. Or just try planting a stick and, you never know, it might grow. Just like my dahlias.

Willow Crossley @willowcrossleycreates Andie at Dahlia Beach @dahliabeach Nigel Slater @nigelslater Ella Risbridger @ellarisbridger Juliet Sargeant @julietsargeant Sean A. Pritchard @sean_anthony_pritchard

BOOKS The Five Minute Garden

by Laetitia Maklouf The Urban Woodsman

by Max Bainbridge The Forager’s Calendar

by John Wright River Cottage Handbook No. 2 Preserves

by Pam Corbin River Cottage Handbook No. 18 Fermentation

by Rachel de Thample

Feet first

into Spring Young Soles’ SS22 collection is inspired by the great British outdoors, through the lens of 70s and 80s nostalgia.

The luxury children’s footwear brand is on a mission to reinvent British heritage styles through contemporary styling.

This season sees new styles across sandals, T-bars and sneakers. youngsoles.london

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youngsoles.london

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FA S H I O N

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GREEN CARDIGAN £135 bonpoint.com

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TOCOTÓ VINTAGE GREEN DRESS £68 alexandalexa.com

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MINI A TURE GRANITE GREEN VITO FLEECE ANORAK £90 alexandalexa.com RT SHI EAT m A SW le.co T ID mallab s LE E EMI om £49 fr

COCKEREL APPLIQUÉ TRACK JACKET from £32 boden.co.uk

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MINI RODINI ORGANIC COTTON ELEPHANT JOGGERS £49 smallable.com

CARGO COTTON TROUSERS £82 stellamccartney.com

STELLA MCCA GREE RTNE N Y K C ID R O S TEEN C O D children ILE SLIDERS £62 salon.co m

It’s time to go green in more ways than one, in this selection of minty fresh shades from our favourite ethical and eco-conscious labels.

BOBO CHOSES T-SHIRT £33 junioredition.com

ELEONORE CROMPTON is a freelance journalist and co-founder of beauty reviews site @fiivebeauty

NUECES

MINI RODINI ORGANIC COTTON CROCODILE SWEATSHIRT £41 smallable.com

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GINGHAM SUITCASE BAG £105 bonpoint.com

It’s time to go green! & WON DER ITA £54 ho XRO DR rnbyjon ESS es.com

STYLE

HOME

Elmar Bankuan Grass Elephant Bookcase £379 beaumonde.co.uk

Babou Triple Shelf £72.95 bobbyrabbit.co.uk

Vox Tuli Bookcase & Toy Storage in Pastel Green £175 cuckooland.com

Shelfie Heaven Bookcases aren’t just for storage or even ‘shelfies’ - they’re a way to make books more accessible, enticing and exciting.

Here are our favourite kids’ bookshelves that look great and help imaginations run wild…

Paulette et Sacha Parenthese Bookcase £263 smallable.com

by ELEONORE CROMPTON

Mathy by Bols Tess Tree Bookcase £1245 cuckooland.com

Bloomingville MINI Ice Cream Wall Mounted Shelving Unit £50 johnlewis.com

Bear Wood Furniture Raffy the Rotating Bookcase £295 scandiborn.co.uk

Sasha Children’s Pine Wooden House Bookcase £248 maisonsdumonde.com

Modern Blue Kids Bookshelf and Toy Storage £368.99 homary.com

Greenaway Bookcase £89 gltc.co.uk

Bear Bookcase £109.99 zarahome.com

ELEONORE CROMPTON is a freelance journalist and co-founder of beauty reviews site @fiivebeauty CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 23

F O O D B Y J O P R AT T

J

o’s latest book, The Flexible Baker delivers 75 delicious recipes with adaptable options for gluten-free, dairy-free, nutfree and vegan bakes. Inside you’ll find a wide-range of recipes including sweet & savoury, cakes & traybakes, biscuits & cookies, pastries, puddings and deserts.

Each recipe also includes flexible adaptations that can help cater for a variety of allergies, intolerances and lifestyle choices. We’ve chosen a recipe cooked often by Jo and her daughter which all family members should enjoy.

Rosa’s chocolate orange cookies

I

had to include these in the new book, as out of all the baking that’s done in my house these are probably made the most. My daughter, Rosa, has perfected the recipe over time and can now pretty much make them with her eyes closed. They have that perfect soft chewy texture and rich buttery flavour a cookie should have and can easily be customised with your favourite treat.

125g butter, softened 115g soft light brown sugar 115g caster sugar finely grated zest of ¼ orange 1 egg, beaten 1 tsp vanilla bean paste 225g self-raising flour ½ tsp flaked sea salt 200g milk chocolate chunks

24 CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

PREP 15 minutes COOKING 7-9 minutes MAKES 16 ∙∙ Heat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6.

Line two baking trays with baking parchment. ∙∙ In a large bowl, beat together the butter, sugars and orange zest until light and creamy. Add the egg and vanilla, beating until combined. ∙∙ Mix in the flour, salt and chocolate chunks until you have a dough. ∙∙ Roll into 16 walnut-size balls and put on the baking tray spaced well apart to allow for spreading, baking in batches if necessary. ∙∙ Bake for 7 minutes for a

soft-baked cookie or leaving a couple of extra minutes for a firmer crunch. Cool for a few minutes on the trays before transferring to wire racks to cool.

FLEXIBLE...

Flavour swap As an alternative to the chocolate chunks in the recipe you can add your favourite chocolate treats into the cookie dough instead: 200g/7 oz smarties, M&M’s, chocolate orange, white chocolate, dark chocolate or caramel bar broken into chunks, Maltesers, mini marshmallows (just a couple of handfuls), toffee pieces all work well.

The Flexible Baker by Jo Pratt, £20 White Lion Publishing Photography: Malou Burger Jo-pratt.com @cookwithjopratt

FOOD NEWS

SCHOOL DINNERS RE-IMAGINED

Dine!

‘Feed your Family: Exciting new recipes tried and tested by 1000s of kids’ is for anyone who wants to cook food from scratch for their families. Most of the recipes in it are simple enough for the novice cook to have a go at, yet there’s also plenty to inspire a more accomplished cook.

Devised by Nicole Pisani, a former Head Chef at Ottolenghi’s NOPI, and now Executive Chef of Chefs in Schools. pavilionbooks.com

SAMMY SATSUMA Our very own Jo Pratt has helped develop a new range of story and recipe books for children featuring a range of characters led

by Sammy Satsuma. He and his friends, Buster Banana, Peter Potato and Becki Broccoli guide parents and children to choose their favourite recipes from a wide range of meals or snacks which are personalised to the child. Their name and avatar will feature throughout and within the recipe process, making a unique product. Recipes also include a QR code which takes children to instructional videos to increase their knowledge and skills.

HAPPi-NESS Oat milk choccy experts at HAPPi have created chocolate bunny lollies in time for Easter. Plain oat milk chocolate bodies and white chocolate tails, each is made from single origin 47% Columbian cacao and oat milk and has 35% less sugar than other leading chocolate brands. happifreefrom.com

What’s New TOP DOG This is Tyson, The Vegan Kind’s latest addition to the team. Filled with chocolate frosting and topped with vanilla icing and edible sugar paste decorations, with every purchase 10p is donated to Animal Free Research UK. Made in a nut and peanut free environment. thevegankind.com

The concept of Sammy Satsuma was dreamt up by two fathers, Chris Brady and Ashley Cain, who on wondering how to solve the problem of their fussy eating children, came up with a plan to make a real difference.

“This isn’t about being the food police,” explains Jo. “It’s about using character bonding and storytelling to engage children on their level and subtly introduce them to healthy eating and making recipes.”

More information on the Sammy Satsuma range can be found at: sammysatsuma.co.uk

MAGIC MIXING This Mini Kenwood Stand mixer mirrors it’s adult counterpart, but more than a toy, this one actually works like the real thing.

Budding Bakers can mix pancake batter, cake mix and icing thanks to the batteryoperated two-speed motor. Comes with the ‘K’ beater, whisk and spatula. £24.99 very.com CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 25

M N O O FR ND G O N L SI AL BU TR EN

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THE WORLD NEEDS NEW THINKING. GET READY. COME AND SEE OUR SPACIOUS CAMPUS. We offer a world class international education that builds each child’s resilience, creativity, self-belief and knowledge.

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Education SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS p29

BOOKS p45

MASTERING MATHS Can animals count? Why is zero the most useful number? Exploring numbers in our everyday lives. quarto.com CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 27

28 CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

E D U C AT I O N Photo MICHAL PARZUCHOWSKI

SPECIAL EDUCATION:

Meeting the Needs of Children MARY PEGLER, SEN EDITOR AT THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE, OUTLINES SEN, THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE AND THE PROCESSES INVOLVED.

Some special needs are easy to spot, others are only determined once a child has experienced considerable difficulties, frustrations and social and emotional problems. Either way, access to a suitable school is every child’s right.

When it comes to finding the best school for your child, it is not only about the cut of the cloth, it’s about getting the perfect fit, everything from the first tack to the last stitch.

Of course, there’s a difference between bespoke and Burton’s, but that doesn’t mean the former is the only, or even the right option; the suit may fit, the colour may not flatter. Some schools cater extremely well for some conditions but would be inappropriate for other needs. The key is identifying a school that understands your child’s profile and will make the necessary adjustments. In practice, some are better than others, and finding them can be a ‘needle in haystack’ task.

Start by finding out how the school describes its population and provision.

Some schools are very specialised, suitable for children with specific conditions, e.g. complex needs or emotional and behavioural difficulties. Others are mainstream and will require students to work independently and follow the National Curriculum, so will cater for students who have mild needs with less support.

Sometimes the ideal provision really does not exist and compromises have to be made.

You need to examine a school from all perspectives to ensure the fit is a good one.

Naturally, every child with special needs is different, which makes finding a school with a similar population harder. Also, your child’s needs will change as they develop, so keep re-assessing whether the provision is appropriate - the annual review for a child with an EHC plan is timetabled precisely to reconsider these questions. It may be your child can stay in a mainstream setting with

support for a few years, and then is more suited to a special school.

Whichever you choose, make sure the school builds on your child’s strengths as well as supports their difficulties. A child who is struggling at the bottom of the class in a high-achieving school will not be as successful as one who is top of the class in a less ambitious curriculum. Make sure the school can provide a group of peers at a similar learning level, with similar interests and experiences. Consider these things rather than the school’s designation: special or mainstream. As ever when choosing a school, you should aim to visit a selection of schools and those you shortlist, more than once. At the end of the day, it’s about your child’s happiness.

Your search may unearth some independent schools, which tend to have smaller class sizes and a better staff:student ratio. Some won’t advertise the fact that they have children with needs, so ask about CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 29

E D U C AT I O N inform the schools of your child’s needs and many schools will require reports from an Educational Psychologist or other SEN professionals be made available as part of the admission process. These will give the school a learning profile and make useful recommendations that the SENCo can adopt to support your child.

Finding the right school for your child can be difficult at the best of times. When special educational needs are a factor, the process assumes even greater proportions and parents can often feel like they’re having to move mountains in order to make the slightest progress. Don’t lose sight of the fact that some celebrated names have overcome their difficulties, personalities such as Richard Branson, Cher, Leonardo Da Vinci, Albert Einstein, Bill Gates, Keira Knightley, Michael Phelps, Steve Redgrave, Stephen Spielberg and Virginia Woolf, to name a few. Your child could be celebrated too. The Good Schools Guide SEN consultants know exactly how hard it can be to navigate the SEN system, access support and understand and fight for your rights. Our consultants are there to help.

For more information and advice on schools head to our experts at goodschoolsguide.co.uk

Photo MARKUS SPISKE

their SEN provision. You’d be surprised staff, so support measures need to be put how many schools that do well by children in place at all times, both in lessons and with SEN don’t advertise the fact because in unstructured breaks, and in all areas ‘we don’t want to be seen as a special of the school, classroom, sports halls school’ (some severe dyslexics have even and playground. Expect to have multiple made it to Oxbridge!) However, be sure to discussions to establish support and ask for probe about the pace of work: will your evidence that it is being applied, and (if the child be expected to keep abreast of a school is independent) how much extra it high-achieving cohort, working towards adds to the bill.

11+ exams to famous secondary schools?

When you’ve done your research and And will the school lose interest, when have your list of preferred schools, what they discover the child can’t add to their next? If your child has an EHC plan you can prestigious scholarships list? The manners name the school which you think would and uniform of a mainstream independent be the best fit, be it state, independent, school may be captivating, but failing to mainstream or special school - providing keep up at a mainstream independent the school agrees to support your child and school will end in tears. it is on the government’s approved list.

Independent specialist The LA will liaise with the school of schools for clearly defined your choice, about the reasonable Make sure conditions, such as dyslexia adjustments necessary to the school can or dyspraxia, may then be enable your child to access provide a group of the answer; they provide the learning. If you don’t get peers at a similar both the individual a place at the school you learning level, with attention and slower pace, named you have the right to similar interests and with an adapted National appeal to the SEND Tribunal, experiences.

Curriculum. However, presenting your evidence as to bear in mind that special why the school is appropriate. schools are much more costly If your child does not have an than mainstream schools - and EHC plan, you will be applying for many parents have to fight for school places alongside everyone else and years with their local authority subject to the same admissions to get a place, and if the special school is a criteria: generally, proximity and fee-paying school, to cover the fees. If your sibling policy for non-selective child has an EHCP, it is not impossible that state schools; for independent state funding may be made available to help schools, anything from firstpay the fees but the local authority would come-first-served to waiting lists likely argue that your child’s needs will be from birth. But remember, in served equally well at a nearby state school. most cases, your child will have Children with special needs, by to sit an entrance exam and/or definition, will need additional adjustments participate in a taster day. You’ll to put them on a level playing field with no doubt be targeting schools with their peers. With adjustments may come good special needs departments different measures, such as an individual but amidst the cut and thrust of curriculum or timetable, specialist teachers state school applications, there or therapists, additional equipment and is no guarantee you will get the facilities. For example, some may be school you want. The state does supported by relatively simple measures like have an obligation to provide a having a scribe or being given extra time in school place for every child but exams; for others, having a full-time one-towith no EHCP, it will feel like a one teaching assistant may be necessary to lottery. access the classwork.

When applying to mainstream A sympathetic special needs coordinator independent schools it’s worth (SENCo) is a great starting point, but the remembering that they are free head’s attitude to SEN will have a pervasive to accept or reject applicants influence on the school; if the head is as they wish but are unable cautious, find out why, and if necessary, to discriminate on grounds of involve your local SEN officer as mediator. special needs under the Equality Intervention is great, but will only be Act 2010. Whether or not your really effective if set against a backdrop child has had a formal diagnosis of understanding across all teaching and of their SEN, you will wish to

CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 31

See Yourself at Claremont

Nursery & Prep School St Leonards TN37 7PN Senior School & Sixth Form Bodiam TN32 5UJ To book a tour, visit claremontschool.co.uk/events 01580 830396 . admissions@claremontschool.co.uk

Super Saturday Interactive workshops , exciting learning experiences...

19 March

ss acro x. s t n poi t Susse p u s Pick and Ea le t ailab Ken v a g rdin Boa Year 7. from

E D U C AT I O N

MULTIPLE CHOICE:

The City Kids Guide To

SCHOOLS

Photo JESWIN THOMAS

SECONDARY

Words VICTORIA EVANS We’ve been led to believe that choice in education is a good thing, but when it comes to choosing secondary schools, sometimes it feels like it would be easier to have no choice at all! In London there is an incredible selection of senior schools, and if you look beyond the ‘burbs at boarding schools it can all be a bit brain-frazzling.

So, if you’re starting to look at the task ahead, we have some guidance to steer you through state, independent, day and boarding options.

TYPES OF SECONDARY SCHOOL

This is where it all begins and some will be discounted immediately due to faith, provision and specialisms. The most common state schools are community schools, foundation schools, academies and free schools and grammar schools.

Community schools follow the national curriculum and are not associated with a business or faith.

Foundation schools receive local government funding but have freedom to change the way they deliver education, such as faith.

Academies and free schools are run by trusts and are independent from the local authority. This gives them more freedom in the way they run things and the type of

curriculum on offer, which could be more arts or science biased. They are mixed ability schools and are not permitted to use academic selection.

Grammar schools are selective and run ability tests in the previous year before offering places.

Special schools within the state sector can specialise in one of four areas of special educational needs: communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social, emotional and mental health, sensory and physical needs. Special schools may also have expertise in dyslexia, dyscalculia, Autistic spectrum disorders or dyspraxia.

Faith schools follow the national curriculum but can choose what they cover in religious studies. You will also need to check admissions criteria as they may have extra requirements, even though anyone can apply.

Faith academies do not have to teach the national curriculum and have their own admissions process.

State boarding schools provide free education but charge fees for boarding.

Prep Schools take children from age seven through to 13 or Year 8. This means they are likely to join a boarding school or another independent school which has an intake at 13. Times are changing though, and many independent schools, particularly

day, which had an intake at 13 are removing this and joining the 11+ system.

Independent day schools usually set an exam in Year 6 followed by interviews ahead of offers sent out in the February before they start in Year 7. London is extremely competitive and so you should prepare your child for a morning or afternoon where they may see hundreds of other children sitting exams for English, Maths and Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. Some schools will interview all pupils, others will only interview those who made the grade. Fees are on the rise but expect to be paying somewhere in the region of £8000 per term for a London secondary day school.

Independent Boarding Schools are more expensive which puts most but the highest earners off from the start: think upwards of £36,000 per year. However, both independent day and boarding schools are increasing their financial support and bursary schemes. Facilities are generally outstanding, opportunities can be endless, but look beyond the hype, merchandising and polish. Some prep and secondary boarding schools also offer flexi-boarding, a half-way house between weekly boarding and day school. Otherwise, pupils at boarding school either come home after sports matches on Saturdays and stay home CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 33

E D U C AT I O N until Sunday, or they are full Don’t be boarders who afraid to stay most of the term but ask difficult go home during questions. exeat weekends and holidays.

Not all independent schools are inspected by Ofsted, however, you can find reports by the Independent Schools Inspectorate and the associations of which the school is a member. The Good Schools Guide is also a wealth of information.

PRACTICAL TIPS

Make a list of schools of interest, perhaps a spreadsheet and add open day dates and if private, entry requirements and exam and interview dates.

Double-check admissions criteria like catchment which can change from year to year.

Be aware of sibling policies - some schools have them, some do not so there is not always a guarantee of placing all your children in one school.

Bulge years can happen, which sometimes mean there are extra places which may give you a better chance of gaining your first choice.

Read the Ofsted report. Not the be-all and end-all, but the red flags should be waving if ‘inadequate’ is the main take away.

Glance at league tables because they don’t tell the full picture. If a school creamed the crop of pupils at 11 via a high-level entrance exam process the fact that it churns out hundreds of 8s or 9s at GCSE shouldn’t be that surprising. What value does a school add and how happy are the children?

Match your child to a school. Be honest about your child’s academic level and interests. Does your list of schools support this?

Take your child to the open day/ evening to get a feel for the school. You’ll be surprised by the outcome of this. While as parents we do have the overall say, input and opinions from your child should be valued - they will be here for at least another five years and you want them to be happy!

Plan the journey and think about the dark days of winter, school sports fixtures and days when the trains are cancelled.

34 CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

TOP QUESTIONS

What have you heard on the grapevine?

Take extreme comments with a pinch of salt and don’t just take one person’s experience as gospel but do ask what current parents think. How has the management team handled issues such as bullying or class disruption? How has their child grown and developed? Is there anything they would change, and would they recommend the school?

Do you like the Head?

How long have they been at the school, what impact have they had? While your decision shouldn’t rest on whether you like the Head as they do tend to move on, a Head has a huge influence on a school.

Can you tell whether the other teachers like their boss? Is there a good rapport between the head and teachers/parents?

Is there high staff turnover?

Like a business, a school with high staff turnover may have a problem. If a child’s teacher leaves mid-way through the academic year, especially as they approach GCSEs it can be incredibly unsettling for the children and frustrating for you as parents. Conversely if staff have been there a long time, are they still enthusiastic and energetic or are they just waiting for retirement? How does a school fill vacancies, and with who?

Are all the teachers qualified?

If not, what experience do they have? Do they have other relevant experience and are they passionate about their subject? How have their pupils fared?

Are the teachers specialists in their subjects?

At secondary school, all teachers should be specialists and have a firm handle on the curriculum of the GCSE exam board, especially in recent times when adjustments have been made in the wake of Covid-19. Do they have other relevant experience they can bring and are they passionate about their subject?

How did the school cope with closures due to Covid-19 lockdowns?

Did they switch to online learning fast or was it painful. Are they prepared for any future closures? What has the school learned from the experience? Do they now offer blended learning? Were they able to support children who didn’t have access to a laptop?

What is pastoral care like?

All schools have upped their game in recent years, but beyond the noise, what are they actually doing to support student

wellbeing? Do children feel they can ask for help? Are there safe places within school? Does the school support pupils with anxiety, depression, eating disorders and other illnesses?

What is the school’s behavioural policy?

This is perhaps one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing a secondary school as not only does it reflect the ethos of the school, but it needs to align with your family values too. Is the school clear about sanctions and rules and the expectations of student behaviour? Do you agree that pupils should be silent as they move from classroom to classroom (this is a rule at one school we know of) or are you more relaxed?

Can pupils stay for sixth form?

You may think your problems are over once you have landed your school of choice but do check sixth form entrance requirements.

Some schools, state and independent, expect their pupils to achieve a certain number of GCSE points before being allowed to continue into sixth form. Ask the school how strict they are in keeping to their rules. If a child gets one less point than the requirement, is there flexibility? If not, how supportive are they of providing references and helping a child find a new school?

Does the school have a specialism?

If the school has an award-winning DT department, does it have the same enthusiasm and results in music, sport or science?

How does the school support Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)?

How do they plan for this, are they supportive, do they have an in-school team?

How have other pupils fared – can staff give examples?

Does the school communicate well with parents?

Most parents will tell you that the move from primary to secondary school is a big change, not least because there’s usually no school drop-off and opportunity to meet parents easily. This also means parents don’t see teachers regularly either, so how well does a school interact with parents? Do you have access to teacher emails, is there a weekly newsletter, do they use something like Firefly where parents can see timetables and work set daily? Are you kept at arms-length or are calls and emails welcomed? Is the receptionist jolly or fierce?

Don’t be afraid to ask difficult questions Good heads, and good staff shouldn’t find any question about their school difficult.

WHO WE ARE. WHO WE BECOME.

GENUINE. INSPIRING. HAPPY.

Visit www.frensham.org to book a tour or join us for our Open Morning on 14th May.

www.frensham.org

At Frensham, there is an energy, a feeling of happiness and calmness. It comes from everyone being comfortable in their own skins. Teachers don’t need to spend time telling students to pull up their socks. Instead, they have conversations and build relationships, really special relationships, based on genuine, mutual respect and interest. Relationships that spark learning.

Get in touch at hello@frensham.org to find out more.

A progressive day and boarding school in Surrey for children from 3 to 18 | refreshingly different since 1925

CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 35

ST. ANTHONY’S SCHOOLS

St Anthony’s Nursery

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for girls & boys aged 2½ to 4.

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A nurturing, caring and stimulating environment for girls and boys to flourish.

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A DV E RTO R I A L

MATTHEW BULMER, ArtsEd

CREATIVE CHILDREN THRIVE AT ArtsEd! ArtsEd DAY SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM, AN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL IN CHISWICK, HAS A NEW HEAD. MATTHEW BULMER TOOK UP THIS EXCITING POST IN JANUARY AND WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM AS HE SETTLES INTO LIFE AT ONE OF THE UK’S MOST SUCCESSFUL SCHOOLS FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS.

Why ArtsEd? Everyone at ArtsEd spends time doing what they love every day, pupils and staff alike, and it resonates throughout the building.

Also, the school’s standing. For over 100 years the school has been a leader in arts education and is now consistently the UK’s most academically successful performing arts focused school.

So, it’s not all ‘Singing, Dance and Drama’?

We are absolutely not a stage school, no.

The vocational training here is second to none, true, and our students are immensely talented in their chosen art form, but our curriculum is broad with our students performing equally well in their academic studies. We have two students currently studying at Oxford University whilst another is in Hollywood filming a new sitcom for Disney. That’s the idea here - everyone is an individual with their own plans and vision for life.

Whether it’s to perform or take a more academic route, we’re here to support their journey.

Do you have a performing background?

I studied at Cambridge University, where I worked with the Footlights and the ADC, so yes, I have experience in acting as well as producing, and directing. I also have a theatre company in London. However, it was clear from an early age that I was going to be a teacher.

My most recent role was Director of Performing Arts at Brentwood Independent Day School. Before that I taught English and

Drama at various independent schools in London and on the south coast.

What is the value in an independent education with a strong focus on performing arts?

I believe it’s of huge value. Our high-quality vocational programme is delivered by committed and creative professionals, and their expertise and enthusiasm instil in our pupils a passion for learning that feeds into every aspect of their education and personal development. Our arts focus helps to nurture those individual young people with enquiring and curious minds, who flourish at ArtsEd. The varied and active curriculum keeps them engaged, and the small class sizes and excellent pastoral care keeps them focussed.

Our Sixth Form offers conservatoire drama school style training at Further Education level. Our Sixth Formers are a mixture of highly driven, motivated young people looking to take the next step in their journey to a career in performing arts and those who simply want the performing arts to be a meaningful part of their education.

The extensive curriculum here allows them to explore their academic options at the same time as their performance pathways and our academic exam results are just as impressive as those on vocational courses.

How well do ArtsEd pupils fair in their exams?

Our Value Added results are in the top 1% nationally, something we are very proud of.

It means that all our students reach their academic potential and are more likely

to do so here than anywhere else. Our Sixth Formers also achieve outstanding results, with BTEC students scoring 100% D* and D, which is equivalent to 100% A* and A at A level. Our A level students achieved 100% A*- C, which is also highly impressive. Our students tend to go on to do what they want after their time at ArtsEd, and they do so as happy and fulfilled individuals.

As the incoming Head, what plans do you have for the future?

At the moment I am really enjoying meeting the prospective students, who have applied and are auditioning to join us, and their parents and guardians. And connecting with local schools; prep schools, primaries, and secondaries - that’s a big priority for me.

I’m looking forward to face-to-face meetings and to helping people understand just what ArtsEd can offer to creative children.

Something I’m passionate about is welcoming more of the local Chiswick community to our home on Bath Road.

We’re fortunate to have world-class facilities, not least our 200-seater performance space, the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation Theatre, that I’d love locals to experience more. We’re very well known in the performing arts sector, but I want everyone in Chiswick to know who we are and what goes on here.

To find out more about ArtsEd’s Day School and Sixth Form, and to check out what’s on in their theatre, visit artsed.co.uk and follow them on socials: @ArtsEdLondon CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 37

#NHEHSsparks sparks

CURIOSITY

NHEHS girls cross frontiers in their learning and widen their understanding

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08/07/2021 12:12

E D U C AT I O N N E W S

SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS PRIMROSE HILL PLOGGING

Girls from The Village Prep School in Belsize Park, have been out in force plogging around the local area. A combination of jogging and ‘plocka upp’, Swedish for “to pick up,” plogging involves jogging and quickly stopping to pick up rubbish while you go.

Year 5 girls at The Village Prep School plogged their whole way around Primrose Hill collecting all the litter they could find as part of a community focused PE lesson. The girls were alarmed to find so much rubbish in the area including discarded plastic bottles, coffee cups and face masks, and were only too pleased to pick up the rubbish as they completed their circuit.

Debs Street, Head of Sport at The Village Prep said “I’m so proud of the community spirit of The Village Prep girls and their commitment to the environment. Our girls understand that whilst it may not be their own rubbish they are collecting, it is their planet, and they are determined to make it a better place for all!” thevillageprepschool.com

SOUP-ER SALES AT BOROUGH MARKET Four London secondary schools raised £482 from their sales of soup at Borough Market for The Felix Project - the equivalent of 2,892 meals for vulnerable families. The students created the recipes themselves as part of the Young Marketeers programme run in partnership with charity School Food Matters. They took over stalls to sell a special sustainable winter warming lunch of soup and freshly baked bread, the recipes of which you can find on the Borough Market website.

The schools involved were Wapping High School (Tower Hamlets), Lilian Baylis Technology College (Kennington), St Gabriel’s College (Lambeth) and St Paul’s Way Trust School (Tower Hamlets). boroughmarket.org.uk

WORLD WORKSHOPS AT ELSTREE PRE-PREP Inspired by the Earthshot Prize, Elstree PrePrep in Berkshire is offering termly World Workshops to broaden the values of their pupils. Organised by Head of the Pre-Prep, Mrs Alice Bond, the theme for the first workshop was The Environment. After a discussion in assembly, the children made a list of ten practical and simple things they could do to make a difference to their planet such as turning the tap off whilst brushing their teeth.

The Nursery children helped to create a compost bin by mixing their fruit peelings with leaves. They have enjoyed checking to see if it has turned into compost.

Reception decided to make bird feeders.

Using their hands, they mixed seeds, crushed biscuit cones and stale crisps to make a wonderful bird cake with lard. The bird feeders are now hanging on the tree outside their classroom so that they can watch the birds feeding.

Years 1 and 2 chose to do some gardening.

Armed with trowels and forks, they dug up the old roots, dead plants and weeds of the raised beds. They planted tulip and daffodil bulbs which they’re looking forward to seeing bloom and they hope will help the bees and other insects! elstreeschool.org.uk

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A HA P P Y C H I L D H O O D E N R I C H E D B Y S U S TA I NA B L E L E A R N I N G CHEPSTOW HOUSE SCHOOL AND LITTLE CHEPSTOW NURSERY

“An Outstanding School, offering a lovely, nurturing, creative, dynamic environment filled with numerous opportunities for children to learn and thrive.” – Ofsted

For boys and girls aged 2-11 years in Notting Hill. www.chepstowhouseschool.co.uk

Why is Smaller Better?

Find out at our

Open Day Saturday 7th May 2022 10am - 12 noon

Nursery & Preparatory School for boys & girls from 3 to 11 years

8 Mattock Lane, Ealing W5 5BG 020 8579 3662 admissions@cliftonlodgeschool.co.uk www.cliftonlodgeschool.co.uk

40 CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Read the review at goodschoolsguide.co.uk

CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 29

E D U C AT I O N N E W S

SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS ROOTING FOR SUCCESS St Benedict’s School has planted 120 trees in celebration of the School’s 120th anniversary. The wild cherry trees, which were provided by the Woodland Trust, have been planted on the School’s site, and also at Holy Family Catholic Primary in Acton, in recognition of St Benedict’s strong partnership with the school.

St Benedict’s parents have also donated almost £700 to Restore our Planet’s ‘Trillion Trees’ protect, which is helping to restore and protect the world’s forests. The Headmaster said: “I am delighted that we are celebrating this landmark in our history with an environmental project. We hope that these trees will flourish, along with St Benedict’s, over the next 120 years as we continue to educate young people for a sustainable future.” stbenedicts.org.uk

EATON SQUARE ECO SCHOOLS Having achieved both Bronze and Silver stages in their Eco Schools status in 2021, Eaton Square Prep and Nursery Schools are on track for 2022 Gold accreditation.

The passionate pupil-led Eco Committee have organised Green Up Your Act workshops, a whole school Food Waste Challenge, a new bug hotel, pledges to WWF Forest of Promises and participation in the nationwide ‘Save our Wildlife’ Schools Arts Competition. Two Eaton Square pupils have also won awards at a Westminster Climate Action event, attended by the Lord Mayor.

Additionally, the new Eaton Square Nursery Schools are nature-inspired, created from sustainable materials and were launched by Greenpeace ambassador, Anya Hindmarch CBE. eatonsquareschools.com

Hawkesdown House School A Preparatory & Nursery School for boys and girls aged 2-11, Kensington W8

Please contact the School Office to arrange a private tour with the Headmistress 27 Edge Street Kensington London W8 7PN 0207 727 9090 admin@hawkesdown.co.uk www.hawkesdown.co.uk

CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 41

E D U C AT I O N N E W S

SUSTAINABLE SCHOOLS OPEN DAYS

EDUCATION STRATEGIES FOR LITTLE LEARNERS Little Education House is a new resource created by two former teachers to share their expertise with parents navigating their children’s development. With 20 years combined experience, Alice Bond and Rebecca Ranken are passionate about instilling a love of learning

and letting children be little. Their wealth of knowledge can help parents with concerns about their children’s learning, emotional or developmental journeys. Personalised plans will contain strategies and activities fine-tuned to your child’s interests and experiences. thelittleeducationhouse.co.uk

‘Tis the season. Make sure you head to our website for the latest diary dates from preprep, prep and secondary. citykidsmagazine.co.uk

London International Bilingual School

Give your child the opportunity to learn in an OUTSTANDING school where well-being and multilingualism are the top priorities

From Nursery to Year 10 To register for an open morning please visit our website or contact us www.cfbl.org.uk info@cfbl.org.uk 42 CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

87 Holmes Road London NW5 3AX

+44 (0)20 7993 7400

OPEN MORNINGS Cranleigh Preparatory School, Horseshoe Lane, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8QH www.cranprep.org

Saturday 7 May, Saturday 11 June Please contact Catherine Staples, Head of Admissions, to book an individual appointment: 01483 542051

admissions@cranprep.org 13:54 Boarding & day 20/01/2022 school for girls & boys aged 2-13 years

B1954 CranPrep 190x118mmL 2.indd 1

Open Morning Friday 11th March 2022

“Delightfully rural, the school is off the beaten track”

To book your tour slot please visit: gayhurstschool.co.uk/visit-us 01753 882690

Good Schools Guide

Sandroyd School Rushmore Park, Tollard Royal Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP5 5QD

Enriching Learning Developing Resilience Independence and Confidence #ELDRIC

01725 530 124 admissions@sandroyd.com CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 43

WSA1028308 Gayhurst School-118x93.indd 1

11/02/2022 09:33

WHATEVER CHALLENGE THEY’RE FACING,

THERE’S A BOOK TO HELP THEM THROUGH IT

Background illustration by Laurène Boglio

Children’s books to support, empower and inspire From

SCAN TO FIND OUT MORE

Books

BOOKS

EMBRACING OUR GREEN THEME, TAKE A LOOK AT A RANGE OF BOOKS WHICH COVER THE ENVIRONMENT FROM ALL ANGLES. FIND OUT WHY SEASONS EXIST, HOW BIRDS ARE ABLE TO FLY AND IF A GRANDAD AND GRANDDAUGHTER CAN STOP PLANS TO RUIN THEIR PRECIOUS NATURAL HAVEN…

By SHARON JONES

BIG KIDS

LITTLE KIDS

PRE SCHOOLERS

THE WILD GARDEN

by Cynthia Cliff (Prestel) £11.99 Marrying conservation with mild activism, this charming story tells the tale of Jilly and her grandfather who love to visit the wild place - a patch of land where the pair spend their days watching wildlife and foraging for mushrooms and nuts. When there’s talk of reducing the wild place, Jilly and her grandfather spring into action, but will their plans be enough to thwart their ambitious neighbours?

A beautifully illustrated book covering the themes of friendship, gardening and nature.

THE JOURNEY HOME 10TH ANNIVERSARY Special Edition by Frann PrestonGannon (Pavilion) £11.99 A clear environmental message in this story as Polar Bear sets off in search of a new place to live, away from the melting ice he used to call home. We share his adventures across the seas and the friendships he makes along the way. The 10th anniversary special edition includes bonus content and activities offering parents, teachers and children more opportunities to discuss the environment and conservation. Frann Preston-Gannon is an award-winning author and illustrator from South London.

THE EXTRAORDINARY WORLD OF BIRDS

THE MAGIC SEASONS

by David Lindo and illustrated by Claire McElfatrick (DK)

Ever wondered why seasons are seasons? This book asks: How do we measure a season? Why do we divide our years up? Are seasons the same for everyone? Plus more questions besides. Vicky Woodgate’s practical guide looks at the science behind these amazing changes and takes a look at the changing seasons across the world. The colourful illustrations bring this topic to life along with a dash of humour and engaging facts.

Dive into the detail of our feathered friends with this comprehensive guide written by David Lindo, aka the Urban Birder who aims to inspire people to engage with birds in urban environments. This book shows just how incredible birds are, as readers are taken on a flight of fancy – from the heat of the desert to frozen landscapes and everything in between. A brilliant book for any budding ornithologists, plus Claire McElfatrick’s stunning illustrations really makes this book fly.

by Vicky Woodgate (DK) £9.99

THE REWILDERS

TICKETS FOR THE ARK

by Lindsay Littleson (Cranachan) £7.99

by Rebecca Nesbit (Profile Books) £14.99

Set in the wilds of Scotland, Esme is all set for an unimaginative stay with her gran, but it’s all change when she discovers that an abandoned kitten is actually a lynx! Now tasked with rewilding, she teams up with Shug, a slightly rubbish guard dog and Callum Doherty – the school’s ‘bad boy’. The intrepid trio bond on their mission but not before a terrifying stay in the Highland moors with circling wolves howling. This gripping and tense read also explores the recent debate about the reintroduction of the Eurasian Lynx in Scotland.

What should we conserve and why?

Are we wrong to love bees and hate wasps?

Should some animals be culled to protect others?

Just some of the questions challenging environmentalists as global conservation efforts try to slow the speed of extinction, not seen since the demise of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. Rebecca Nesbit’s book sows the seeds of a debate which needs to be had.

ABOUT SHARON JONES: Wearer of clashing clothes and rainbow hair, but don't let that put you off. I eat, sleep and breathe children's books.

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PRIVATE TOURS NOW AVAILABLE Contact us to arrange a visit

Register here: www.lyndhursthouse.co.uk/tour 0207 435 4936 office@lyndhursthouse.co.uk 24 Lyndhurst Gardens, Hampstead, London, NW3 5NW

OPEN MORNING Friday 20th May 9.30am to 11am Register online:

www.orleyfarm.harrow.sch.uk 020 8869 7600 registrar@orleyfarm.harrow.sch.uk South Hill Avenue Harrow HA1 3NU 46 CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Explore THE KNOWLEDGE p52

WHO ARE? p54

HOLIDAY HERO Kids’ club ‘Heroes Village’ at Ikos Andalusia ensures you spend time here, while the children are there. ikosresorts.com CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 47

TRIPS

TO THE MANOR BORN New Park Manor in The New Forest is one of five Luxury Family Hotels in the UK. The 17th century hunting lodge, reputed to be King Charles II’s favourite, lies in the heart of the New Forest with 25 bedrooms, an outstanding spa and wonderful views out over the surrounding wildlife and forest

CATCH OF THE DAY

landscape. As with all Luxury Family Hotels, the facilities are outstanding: two pools, one indoor one outdoor, a spa, complimentary 90 minutes of childcare per stay, cinema room, breakfast club, cooking sessions with the chef, the list goes on…

newparkmanorhotel.co.uk

SOFT TOURISM IN CROATIA

Fishing Breaks is a company dedicated to offering a truly unique riverside experience.

With a combination of tuition, special days for families, kids’ camps, birthday parties, river walks and stays in fishing cottages, it’s a break that transcends all age groups.

Operating from the Nether Wallop Mill on the Test Valley, Simon Cooper offers a family day to learn the magic of fly fishing.

Included is private instruction, exclusive use of your own patch or ‘beat’, tackle, fishing licences and the opportunity to take home the fish you catch during the day. Fishing season starts on 1 April.

fishingbreaks.co.uk The Dreamers’ Club on the island of Korcula is an ecoaparthotel designed from a dilapidated stone building, rebuilt using ecological techniques. It’s only 150 metres from the beach and includes six self-contained studio apartments and a large garden area with sun

terrace, playground and wooden lounge. Services include an ecological breakfast, tapas, cocktails & other drinks served either in the garden lounge, or on request in the accommodation units or on the associated terraces.

greenpearls.com 48 CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Photos EDVINAS BRUZAS

NATURE FIRST Hugh and Lara Somerleyton decided to rewild 1000 acres of their country estate and complimented it with a luxury escape offering the best accommodation, food, hospitality and activities for those who want to escape. Fritton Lake houses luxury clubhouse rooms, woodland

frittonlake.co.uk cabins and farm cottages. There’s a biophilic gym, watersports galore, adventure play areas for kids, tennis and instructor-led classes. The clubhouse offers food which has been foraged and grown on the estate and features staples and specials for all palates.

SHHH...

The Quiet Site is an award-winning eco holiday park just 10 minutes from the M6 but in the heart of the Lake District National Park. It is a fantastic base for families to explore the local area, enjoy picturesque walks, cycle routes and high adrenaline activities both on land and in water. On-site facilities include a take away hot food and drink outlet, a zero waste shop with no plastic packaging, a bar, a games room, laundry room and, essential for those older kids, WIFI. Stays include gingerbread houses, hobbit holes, camping, glamping, pitches and cottages.

TREE-MENDOUS CITY HOTEL A stone’s throw away from Regent Street is The Treehouse, constructed using recycled materials and with staff trained in waste management and reducing single-use plastic. The biophilic rooftop terrace and bar is a green oasis with views of The Shard, Canary Wharf, the London Eye and Regent’s Park. British produce is the focus for the Casa Madera restaurant and The Nest rooftop bar.

thequietsite.co.uk

treehousehotels.com CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 49

PODCASTS

Podcasts

by SOPHIE CLOWES

SWEET BOBBY

THE BETTER BEHAVIOR SHOW

BROWN HISTORY PODCAST

BACKLISTED

This is a six-part, live investigation of the search for one of the world’s most sophisticated catfishers. ‘It’s a story about who we are online and how social media can be weaponised as a tool of abuse and coercion’, say the producers. It’s a gritty listen and a warning about the grey area of online connection.

Holistic child psychologist Dr Nicole Beurkens discusses important topics with guests who bring interesting and helpful ideas to the table. It’s not British, but so what. Subjects include how to use breathwork to lower stress and anxiety, what to do about bedwetting, and how to address eating disorders.

These stories of Brown History range from Sathnam Sanghera, author of Empireland, discussing modern Britain and its imperial past, to Peter Manuel discussing the history and evolution of Indo-Caribbean music. It shines a welcome light on South Asia, through the lens of South Asians.

This award-winning book podcast is hosted by Andy Miller, author of The Year of Reading Dangerously, and John Mitchinson, co-founder of Unbound. Each week a guest, usually a writer, chooses an old book that they love and that they think deserves a wider readership.

WHO CARES WINS WITH LILY COLE

NOT PERFECT WITH POPPY JAMIE

THE GURLS TALK PODCAST

BY ADWOA ABOAH

OFF MENU WITH ED GAMBLE & JAMES ACASTER

Lily invites guests with different perspectives to explore critical issues – and their relationship to the environment - from technology and food to mental health and capitalism, encouraging us to listen deeply and choose optimism.

Bestselling author of the Happy not Perfect book and award-winning mindfulness app of the same name, Poppy’s podcast is top of the spirituality charts. Each episode dives into science and spirituality to find out how to live life better.

Billed as your regular source of fierce female chat, Adwoa Aboah’s podcast features guests who talk, share, listen and take control of their lives. Guests include Soma Sara, founder of Everyone’s Invited and Bernadine Evaristo.

The comedic duo dream up a magical restaurant where their guests get to choose their favourite starter, main course, side dish, pudding and drink. It’s about food, of course, but as a wonderful means of nosying into the lives of others.

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©Michal Parzuchowski

A DV E RTO R I A L

© MarBella Corfu

© MarBella Corfu

MARBELLA COLLECTION restores the joy of family holidays MarBella Corfu has been at the heart of wonderful family summer holidays on the south coast of Corfu for over 50 years. It was also the first five-star hotel on Corfu to re-open for summer 2020 and at the forefront of introducing contactless checkin; on-site access to rapid/PCR tests and to upgrade its mobile app to allow guests to remotely arrange anything from spa treatments to a day out with kids in Corfu Town.

FIND YOUR DREAM CORFU FAMILY HOLIDAY AT MARBELLA CORFU In 2022, the focus for family summer holidays is firmly on activity-rich fun: children will enjoy the brand new Anemelia Aqua park; parents can relax in the infinity pool next door; there’s peace-of-mindchildcare; fantastic water sports; fresh food inspiration at the Deck Bar & Grill beach restaurant, Celeste French Provençale and Kum Kuat Pan-Asian with menus designed by celebrated chef Yiannis Kioroglou of La Petite Maison and La Guerite in Cannes.

ADD THE MARBELLA ELIX DIGI-DETOX HIDEAWAY TO YOUR CORFU FAMILY HOLIDAY After 50 years in Corfu, MarBella Collection has expanded to the spectacular Epirus Coast. Here the new MarBella Elix hotel sits above a golden sand cove, offering amazing views and designed to fit perfectly in the surrounding landscape of lush, green forest, bluest seas and sunburnished sands. It’s close to the charming town of Parga and almost no distance at all from Sivota – a famously undeveloped haven of gorgeous beaches, lagoons and bays, home to the only fjord in Greece and just a slim stretch of the Ionian Sea away from Corfu.

Like the other exclusive hotels in the MarBella Collection, MarBella Elix feels refreshingly secluded and is heaven for older kids. So, it’s all the more surprising to find direct UK flights to Preveza take just over three hours and the hotel is just over an hour’s drive from Preveza Airport.

THE PERFECT COMBINATION OF HOTELS FOR SUMMER 2022 ∙∙ Kids clubs and crèches at both MarBella Corfu and Elix are managed by Worldwide Kids. This year young guests at MarBella Corfu can look forward to anything from pottery classes to robotics at the ecominded Grasshoppers Club. ∙∙ Both MarBella Corfu and MarBella Elix offer a choice of spacious family rooms and suites with private balconies, terraces, sea views, one or two bedrooms and even the option of your own private swimming pool. ∙∙ The new Adventure Club by Sharky & George at MarBella Elix is designed for kids from 8 through to teens and beyond, inspired by Greek Mythology with its focus on outdoor activities. ∙∙ Sunbeds and luxury service define the flawless beaches at both MarBella Corfu and MarBella Elix. But if you want a break from lounging, water sports range from SUP and sailing to guided family snorkelling tours. ∙∙ MarBella Elix is certified ‘Bike Friendly’, so tours through the local countryside with the hotel’s resident nature guide are another fun activity for families.

MARBELLA EXPERIENCES MAKE A GREEK FAMILY HOLIDAY UNFORGETTABLE This year more than ever, family summer holidays are about treasuring every moment spent together, creating memories and enjoying new experiences. And if their range of extraordinary family activities are anything to go by, both MarBella Corfu and MarBella Elix are completely in tune with that mood this summer.

© MarBella Elix

© MarBella Elix

To book at MarBella Elix or MarBella Corfu: marbella.gr CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 51

THE KNOWLEDGE

Slow fashion, circularity, re-used and preloved.

In this issue we highlight some of the toy and fashion brands changing the way we shop.

Words VICTORIA EVANS

Loop Me In

GIVE IT A WHIRL Choose from over 1000 toys when you sign up to a monthly plan with Whirli. The toys are sent to you and when you’re ready to return, you return them and your account is credited with equivalent tokens. You don’t have to send everything back together if a toy is still receiving love, and you can purchase any that can’t be parted with for less than retail value.

From £9.99 whirli.com 52 CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

The newest kid on the block here to revolutionise our shopping habits is Le Petit Planet. With a March launch, this is the only truly circular shopping experience on one platform for children’s clothing, toys, home décor and furniture.

Shop consciously for new items, knowing that Le Petit Planet’s

thelittleloop.com

7

edit contains brands that meet their sustainability criteria, and once outgrown or unused, sell on the carefully curated Re-Loved platform. Le Petit Planet will quality control all items to ensure that all reloved pieces are in good condition, taking away the stress for sellers and buyers.

lepetitplanet.com

6

TICK TOCK

8

Recent success on Dragon’s Den saw founder Charlotte Morley walk away with double the investment she was looking for plus two Dragon mentors. The service for swapping and sharing used garments includes an £18 monthly subscription fee that allows customers to hire a certain amount of items for an unlimited timeframe.

1

PLANET FIRST

Launched in 2020, Kids O’Clock lists children’s clothing, accessories, toys, prams and gear for resale, catering for buyers and sellers. Customers can now do everything via a newly launched app which cuts down the time spent checking out or listing items. Londoners can also dropoff pre-loved childrenswear at Harvey Nichols and receive a £20 voucher to spend on anything on the childrenswear floor.

kidsoclock.co.uk

2

3

TOY STORY

Bundle of Joy

4

Bundlee is a rental service created to provide a sustainable option for eco-conscious parents. We all know that babies outgrow clothing fast and before you know it you have bits and pieces that have barely been worn. That’s where Bundlee comes in by delivering a curated selection of clothing perfect to wear right now. Once outgrown, send it back and choose from the next size or season’s options. All clothing is cleaned and sanitised and there are no hidden fees.

Every month, Toy Box Club delivers a curated box of age-appropriate toys, books and puzzles to a subscriber’s door.

After a month the box is collected and exchanged with a fresh box of new and exciting toys. There is always a mix of wooden, musical, electronic, imaginative and educational toys and all boxes are gender neutral.

bundlee.co.uk

toyboxclub.co.uk

DOTTY FOR PRELOVED Sell your preloved clothing via the dotte resale collective where customers are rewarded for selling from dotte’s official brand partners. These include Tobias & The Bear, Turtledove London and Zig & Star. It’s free to list on dotte with a 15% commission on all items sold.

wearedotte.com

Luxe for Less

With over 500 designer brands on the platform, Kidswear Collective is a great place to bag a luxury item and feel good about your choices.

Whether it’s preloved or past season, you can purchase some pieces at up to 80% off the original price. With relationships with some of

5

the most recognisable influencers, followers can now shop their favourite kids’ looks. Now with concessions in Selfridges, Fenwick Brent Cross (and Newcastle) and Bentalls in Kingston you can also browse preloved fashion in person.

kidswearcollective.com

CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK 53

PEOPLE

who are?

SMALLS

NEW ZEALANDERS EMMA-JANE ADAM AND CAT PHARO FOUNDED SMALLS, ETHICAL MERINO BASE LAYERS, IN 2014, ABOUT THE SAME TIME AS CITY KIDS WAS BORN. THEY WALK US THROUGH THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. Tell us about Smalls.

E-J Smalls Merino is a collection of ultrafine next to skin 100% natural essentials that never need taking off, with limited need for washing and incredible versatility in wearing, be it loungewear to ski slopes.

What makes Smalls a great sustainable business?

E-J We were sustainable before it was even a thing, because of the nature of the fabric we work with. Cat and I insisted on a totally traceable supply chain from the outset, working only with Ethical ZQ certified Merino, something not quite as common in 2014 as it is now! Smalls can identify the collective of farms involved in every roll of fabric used.

How did you go about designing and making your first piece?

CAT It’s comical now thinking about it, we HAD NO IDEA what we were doing, but we knew what we wanted and, luckily, we found a manufacturing partner early on who knew their stuff and held our hands for the two years it took us to get to launch.

E-J Our first product was a vest! It made NO sense to us that we weren’t able to find any well designed, next to skin wear for our small children that wasn’t cotton or polyester. We did our own sketches and took them to a technician to turn them into our patterns.

What piece of advice would you give anyone embarking on a new business venture?

E-J Nowadays there is a lot more online support and communities for anyone starting a business: I have found that community invaluable during Covid.

Planning and research are key. Is there a market for your idea, who is the competition? Know that a LOT of hard work and persistence is so crucial.

54 CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK

CAT The same advice I give friends about to have a baby, spend time sleeping, relaxing, and going to films while you can...it’s about to all end :) Three words to describe yourselves.

E-J Me - Bonkers, loving, kind.

E-J Cat - Kinder, a lot less bonkers, also very loving.

Tell us one thing that people don’t know about you.

E-J I did the bread run though most of lockdown for North Paddington Food Bank.

And last week Ricky Gervais said hello and patted my rescue dog.

CAT I spent four months living and modelling in Japan after finishing my design degree. I am also an art director and create interiors shoots for Next, Laura Ashley, Sanderson & Scion.

Where would your favourite date night be?

E-J Not that we go on many, but I LOVE Pantechnicon in Motcomb Street, so if I could get out more that’s where I would go.

CAT I’ve never been but I would be very excited if someone managed to book a table at Circolo Popolare. It looks dreamy and the food sounds amazing.

Where’s the best place to take kids in London?

E-J You have to be 10 years old, but Java Whiskers Cat Café in Marylebone is next level calm and lovely as a treat (unless you’re allergic to cats!).

CAT It’s hard to beat a picnic topped off with a swim in the Thames in Richmond on a hot summer’s afternoon.

Last book you read?

E-J The most incredible book by my friend Mimi Kwa called House of Kwa. CAT Small Pleasures (aptly named:)) by

©LOLA BOURJAC

Clare Chambers. My daughter bought it for me and it’s a perfect before lights out wind down book.

Signature dish?

E-J Cat will tell you every time she comes for dinner its basically the same thing. I do a mean mushroom risotto and beetroot salad thanks to my Thermomix.

CAT I would say the world’s easiest one pot dish of roasted vegetables, vine tomatoes and sausages. It’s so simple to make and a serious crowd pleaser.

What would you take to a desert island?

E-J I asked my son and he said ‘the rose gardens from Regent’s Park’. I think this is a good answer, I’ll go with that.

CAT A good pillow.

What’s your proudest moment?

E-J My kids are absolutely my proudest moment, along with also my most embarrassing, happiest, saddest, and most frustrating. Also, Cat and I being invited to Dumfries House by Campaign for Wool, being amongst only a handful of women in the room and meeting Prince Charles and Paul Smith was a biggie!

CAT I actually can’t top what Emma said on this one.

What’s next for Smalls?

E-J We are collaborating with the UK’s favourite British brand, Rachel Riley, for a super gorgeous winter collection later this year.

CAT That, plus another top-secret project launching in July. We cannot wait to show you! smallsmerino.co.uk

EXCELLENT ISI inspection 2018

Your daughter is unique and so is Heathfield. As well as providing an excellent academic education and top-class pastoral care, we guide your daughter to understand her personal strengths, live her ambitions, and develop as the best possible version of herself. Our education goes far beyond exam results – individual talent and spirit is celebrated throughout the school. Live life like a Heathfield girl.

OPEN MORNING Saturday 7 May 9.45am to 12 noon To book, email admissions@heathfieldschool.net

Day, Weekly and Full Boarding for Girls 11-18

heathfieldschool.net | +44 (0) 1344 898343

Devonshire House Preparatory School

Outstanding prep and pre-prep in Hampstead, with its own nursery Open Mornings: Thursday 17th March & Thursday 28th April 2022 To register please visit our website or contact Admissions Tel: 020 7435 1916 Email: enquiries@dhprep.co.uk Website: www.devonshirehouseschool.co.uk