Families Birmingham PRINT Sept-Oct 2023

EdgbastonHighSchool -futureswithoutlimits

Inajam-packedauditorium,EdgbastonHighSchool(EHS) waspleasedtoholdthefinalseriesofEDGEtalkstoroundoff thesummerterm.Theself-pennedTED-styletalksaregiven bytheschool’sSixthFormersontopicsasvariedasthe adventofAIandtheissueofdiversityinVoguefashion magazine.Thestudentsshowedremarkablepoise,taking turnstodelivertheirtalkinfrontofa500-strongaudienceof pupilsandstaff.Withpublicspeakinghighonthelistofskills soughtbyemployers,thegirlssurelyhavebrightfutures ahead.

EdgbastonHighSchoolisanindependentdayschool educatinggirlsaged2½-18yearsacrossfourdepartmentsPrePrep,Prep,SeniorandSixthForm-ononesite.The schoolfocusesonprovidingabroad,modernandinspiring educationthatensuresgirlshavetheindependenceand motivationtosucceed.

Achallengingacademiccurriculumfeaturinginteresting subjectsandawiderangeofsportsallowspupilstoexpand theirhorizons.AllpupilsinYear7enjoyunrivalledacademic opportunities,forexample,havingthechancetostudy French,Spanish,GermanandLatininthefirstyear.An extensiveco-curricularprogrammemeanspupilscanpursue long-heldinterestsordevelopnewskills,choosingfromover 50co-curricularlunchtimeandafter-schoolclubsasdiverse asAnime,Classics,DanceClubandMandarin.

Friendlyandsupportive,EHSisrenownedforitsoutstanding pastoralcareandwithsmallclasssizesandanexcellentteam ofcommittedandexperiencedstaff,newpupilssoonsettle intothewarmandinclusiveenvironment.

Anextensivenetworkoflocalandprivatetransportallows pupilstotravelfromacrossthewiderWestMidlandsareato attendtheschool.

ApplicationstojoinYear7arenowopen,closingdate September23rd2023.EHSisdelightedtobeabletooffer scholarshipsandmeans-testedbursariestoYear7pupils joiningtheschoolinSeptember2024.

FamiliesareinvitedtodiscoverEdgbastonHighSchoolfor themselves.Visitthewebsitetobookfortheforthcoming SeptemberopendayorcontacttheAdmissionsTeam admissions@edgbastonhigh.co.uk

Welcome

Sothenewschoolyearrollsaroundagainandyourchildis headingofftoschoolwithbrightandshinynewuniformand gearandhopefullyabigsmile;leavingyouwithperhapsjust alittletimeonyourhandstodelveintoourgreatEducation featureandexplorehowtosupportyourchild’slearningthis year.Whateverstageyourchildisatyou’llfindsomethingof interest,includingtipsforParent’sEvening,howto understandlearningstylesand11+preparation.

Anditwon’tbelongbeforeyourchildstartstogetexcited abouthalftermand,inparticular,Halloween,sogetinspired byourfabcostumeideas!

Lookoutforourfabulous True’sMushroomHousePlayset giveaway. Applyinsideandyou’llalsoensureyoureceiveour digitalmagazinewithlotsmorecontentandgoodiesonoffer.

Makingthemostof Parents’Evening

ByJustinaGapper

Asthenewschoolyeargetsgoing,manyparentswillbe anticipatingtalkingtotheirchild’steacher(s)ataParents’ Evening.Dependingontheschool,theseconsultationswill happenatleastonceayear,sometimesmorefrequently.If yourchildisinReception,thismaybeanewexperience;if youhaveolderchildren,youmayhavebeentoseveraloreven manyParents’Eveningsalready.

It’salmostimpossibletoaskquestionsofteachersatschool drop-offsandpick-ups,soformostparents,thebookedParents’ Eveningslotistheonlyrealopportunityforaproperchatwith theirchild’steachingstaff.Thereforeit’sreallyimportantto maximisethetimeavailableintheseone-to-oneconsultations andmakesureyougetalltheinformationyouneed.

Whattoexpect

WhileParents’Eveningswillvaryslightlyinformatfromschool toschoolandyeartoyear,ataminimumyoushouldexpect tohearhowyourchildisperforminginnumeracyandliteracy againsttheexpectedlevelsfortheiragegroup.

Muchmoreinformationwillbeconveyedasyourchildgetsolder. Consultationsmayalsocoveryourchild’sbehaviour,levelsof effortandsocialandemotionaldevelopment.

Beprepared

Thismaysoundobviousbutunlessyouwanttoriskdiscovering thatallthequestionsyouwanttoaskhavevanishedfromyour head,writethemdownintherunuptoParent’sEveningtomake sureyoucoverthem.

Lettheteacherspeak

Ifyoudohavespecificquestions,it’sbesttolettheteacher speakfirstsothattheycancovereverythingtheyneed.The exceptionisifyouneedclarificationoryourquestionisrelatedto whatisbeingdiscussedatthatmoment.

Don’tcompare

Trynottofocusoncomparingyourchild’sprogresswithhis/her peersorevensiblings.Theteacherwillfocusonhowyourchild isachievingagainstexpectedlevelsfortheirage.Itisn’tusefulto askhowtheirperformancecomparestoothersintheclass.Stay focussedonyourownchild.

Focusonyourchild’slevelofeffort

Don’tunderestimatetheimportanceofeffort.Thisisas importantasachievementasitrevealsalotaboutyourchild’s behaviour,characterandmotivation.Howyourchildgetson withteachersandpeerssociallyisalsoveryimportant.

Foraquickoverview

Askaboutyourchild’sstrengthsandweaknesses.Thiswill giveyouagoodideaoftheiroverallperformanceandhelpyou identifytheareasinwhichyoushouldbeofferingmoresupport athome.

Dealwithunexpectednewsproductively

Youmayhearsomethingaboutyourchildthatyouarenot expecting.Ifthisisaboutanegativeaspectoftheirbehaviouror performanceinaspecificlearningarea,thismaybedifficultboth tohearandaccept.

Trynottogetdefensive.AteacherIspoketotoldmeofa consultationduringwhichafatherbecameveryaccusatory andangry,insistingthattheteacher’sperceptionwasincorrect ashischild‘didn’tstruggleathome.’Ifyoudohearsomething unexpected,askhowyoucanworkwithyourchildtobetter supportthem.Teachersmayhavealreadypreparedaresponse tothisquestioninadvance.

Writingnotes

Don’tattempttowritemorethanacoupleofbulletpoints whiletheconsultationishappening,otherwiseyoumaymiss somethingimportantthat’sbeingsaid.

JustinaGapperismotheroftwins,journalistand communicationsspecialist.

all ages and abilities learn how to dance like your

learnhowtodancelikeyour

Classesinthefollowingareas:

t:

Solihull,KingsHeath,HallGreen,GreatBarr,

B l Fun o lywood s Dance Cla ses

11+preparationtips

ByJemmaZSmith

Ifyouhavedecidedonselectivesecondaryschooleducation foryourchildandmadeyourapplications,thenextstepis entranceexampreparation.

The11+examwillalmostcertainlycontainmathematicsand Englishassessmentsasaminimum.Bothofthesewilloften containquestionsonpartsofthenationalcurriculumyourchild hasalreadycoveredinschool.Butnotalways.Youmayneedto supplementtheirlearningathomeviaonlineresources,targeted questionbooks,pastpapersandonlinemockexams.

11+preparation:morethanmathsandEnglish

WhileEnglishandmathsmakeupthebasisofmost11+entrance exams,theyarenottheonlyexamsthatyourchildmightsit. Somepaperswillcontainacreativewritingassessment.Some schoolsalsotestforreasoningability.Thiscanincorporate verbalreasoning,non-verbalreasoning,criticalandapplied reasoningandspatialreasoning.

Manyindependentschoolsalsocallinapplicantsforinterviews orassessmentdayswherestudentstourtheschoolandtake partinvariousactivities.Alotofthiscontentisnottaughtin schoolssopreparationoutsideschoolhoursisvitalinorder tomakesureyourchildisaspreparedaspossible.Startearly andhaveatimetable.Youmightconsidertuition,groupclasses orintensivesummercoursesbutit’sworthworkingonthe preparationathometoo.

11+:stategrammarsversusindependentschools

Thereisnosetruleastowhatthe11+willlooklikeforentryto yourschoolofchoice.Theonlythingyoucanberelativelysure ofistoexpectamathematicalabilitytestandanEnglishtestas aminimum.

Manystategrammarschoolsusemultiplechoiceassessments fromexamboardsincludingGL,CSSE,SETandFutureStories. Allstategrammarschoolswithinalocalauthorityoftenhavethe sametest.

Independentschoolscandesigntheirownpaperswhichmay includenon-multiplechoicequestions.Someschoolshave groupedtogethertoforma‘consortium’whereyourchildtakes justonetesttoapplytoavarietyofschoolsegTheLondon Consortium.

Consultthewebsitesofyourchosenschoolsfordetailsonwhat theexamswillinclude.

It’salwaysagoodideatoasktheschoolsthatyou’veappliedfor toaddyoutotheirmailinglists,sothatyouwillbeacrossany changesthataremadetotheirexamformat.

JemmaZSmithisDirectorofTheEducationHotel.Forfurther adviceonthe11+process,visitwww.educationhotel.co.uk

Beforeyoustart11+ preparation

S4SwimSchool

S4SwimSchool,aleadingproviderofswimminglessons,is proudtoannouncethatithasbeenprovidingqualityswim lessonstochildrenforoveradecade.Theschoolhashelped hundredsofswimmersprogresstoCounty,Regional,and Nationallevelcompetitionsandbeyond,thankstoitsexcellent pathwaysbetweenS4andotheraquaticorganisations.

Townunitesinsmartphone ban

Ifyouarenewtotheprocess,thereareafewinitialstepsto takebeforeyouplungeintotheworldof11+.

Firstly,researchyourarea. InmanypartsoftheUK,11+ grammarschoolsdonotexist,althoughthereareafewschools aroundthecountrytowhichyoucanapplyregardlessofwhere youlive.

ParentsintheIrishtownofGreystoneshavebanded togethertocollectivelytelltheirchildrentheycannothavea smartphoneuntilsecondaryschool.

Parents’associationsacrossthedistrict’seightprimaryschools haveadoptedano-smartphonecodetopresentaunitedfront againsttheirchildren’slobbying.

Secondly,makesurethatyouareawareoftheschool registrationdates: someofthedatestoregisterwith independentschoolsareoverayearinadvance.

Theswimschool’ssmallgroupsizespromotefastprogression, allowingeachchildtoreceivepersonalisedattentionfrom experiencedinstructors.UponjoiningtheS4SwimSchool, everychildreceivesaswimhat,membershipcard,anda bookletthatshowcaseswhattheycanachieve.Additionally, theycanloginonlineandseewhattheyhavecompletedand whattheycanstrivefornext.

Thirdly,beawareoftheexammaterial. Schoolsdooccasionally changewhatisincludedintheir11+examsandyoudonotwant tospendtimepreparingforanexamwhichisnotgoingtobe relevantforyourtargetschool.

“Fantasticlessons!Can'trecommendthemenough.My daughterlovesitandtheyhavebeenfabwithmyyoungest whohasonlyjuststarted!” (Facebook)

‘Ifeveryonedoesitacrosstheboardyoudon’tfeellikeyou’re theoddoneout.Itmakesitsomucheasiertosayno’saidLaura Bourne,whohasachildinprimaryschool.‘Thelongerwecan preservetheirinnocencethebetter.’

Thevoluntarypactistowithholdsmartphonesfromchildren–at home,inschool,everywhere–untiltheyentersecondaryschool. Applyingittoallchildrenintheareareducesthechanceofa childhavingapeerwithasmartphoneandparentscanpresent thecodeasaschoolrule.

FormoreinformationaboutS4SwimSchool,pleasevisittheir websiteat s4swimschool.uk.

Lastly,considermorethanoneschoolapplication. Don’tputall youreggsinonebasket:ifyourchilddoesn’tgetofferedaplace atthisoneschoolandstartsYear7inanon-selectiveschool,it’s muchhardertosubsequentlyfindthemaselectiveschoolplace.

Moreinfo:www.theguardian.com

Celebratingdifferent learningstyles

ByLisaWanderandCatherineLoble

Justasnoneofuslookthesame,everyoneisbornwith tendenciestowardscertainlearningstyleswhendeveloping literacy,languageandmotorskills.Recognisingyourchild’s learningstyleisimportantinunderstandinghowtheyaccess theirlearning,particularlyiftheyappeartobestrugglingin certainareas.

Visuallearners relyonwhattheysee.Encouragethemtouse visualaids,sitatthefrontoftheclassandwritedownordraw information.

Kinestheticlearners learnbestthroughdoingandmoving. Theybenefitfromusingtools,actingoutorrole-playingnew informationandhavingfreedomofmovement.

Auditorylearners learnbestthroughhearingandlistening. Engageindiscussionsaboutwhattheyarelearning,readstories outloudandrepeatinformation.

Solitarylearners absorbinformationindependentlyofother people.Letthemmakenotesandreciteback,providequiet learningspacesandgiveopportunitiesforsharingtheirlearning.

Verballearners respondwelltowrittenorspokenwords.Play wordgames,userhymes,acronymsandmnemonics,readtheir writingaloud,encouragediscussionanddebate.

Logicallearners uselogicandstructuresinordertolearn effectively.Provideproblem-solvingtasks,challengethemto workthingsoutforthemselvesandhavethemverbaliseideas andanswers.

Identifyingyourchild’slearningstyle

Observehowyourchildnaturallyinteractswiththeworldaround themandalsonoteweaknesses:whattypesoftasksdothey findchallenging?

Watchhowyourchildexpressesthemselves. Childrenwillbe moreexpressivethroughtheirnaturallearningstyle.Auditory learnersexpressthemselvesbestthroughwordswhilstvisual learnersaremoreapttorevealtheiremotionsthroughfacial expressions.Kinestheticlearnersusemorebodylanguageand mayseemunabletostopthemselvesfidgeting.

Consideryourchild’sinterests. Thesewilllikelyreflecttheir learningstyles.Auditorylearnersusuallyshowaninterestin musicandsounds.Visuallearnersoftenhaveinterestsbothin reading,watchingTVandlookingatinterestingobjects.With kinestheticlearners,lookforaninterestinphysicalactivities.

Seehowyourchildsolvesproblems. Childrenleanintotheir learningstyles.Auditorylearnerstendtotalkthroughand discusspossiblesolutionswhilstvisuallearnersusetheireyes tosolveproblems.Kinestheticlearnerswillusuallytrytosolve problemswiththeirhands.

LisaandCatherineareco-foundersofEmparenting (www.emparenting.co.uk),supportingchildren,parentsand familieswiththeinsights,skillsandtoolsneededtonurture thedevelopmentandwell-beingofthenextgeneration.

Beingflexiblearound learningstyles

NEWfromSeptember2023!Inadditiontoourmulti-awardwinning,song-filled SPANISH&FRENCHbaby and toddler classes,wenowalsooffer ITALIAN!

Asimportantasitistounderstandandsupportyourchild withsimplestrategiestohelpthemlearninthewaythatsuits thembest,it’salsohelpfultoencourageandembracenew ideasandamoreflexibleapproachtotheirlearning.

EachBilinguaSingsessionisafun-filled sensory adventure, combiningouroriginalsongsandbilingualnurseryrhymeswith fantasticpuppets,lighting,bubbles,andprops.Ifyouare decidingonanewclass-whynotchooseonethatoffers music,sensory activities, AND another language,allinone class?BilinguaSingclassesevenofferthegrown-upssome mentalstimulation,helpingtostaveoff‘babybrain’!

Whydifferentlearning styles?

Whiletheinformationpeoplereceivemightbethesame,each ofourbrainsprocessesinformationdifferently,influencedby severalfactors,oneofwhichislearningstyle.

Yourchild’stendenciesandpreferencesforlearningcanbe influencedbypeers,cultures,age,theirownexperiencesand availableeducationalmaterials.Whatworksforonechild doesn’tnecessarilyworkforthenext.

Singinginaforeignlanguagemakesiteasiertolearn-thinkof allthesongsyoustillrememberthewordsto!Youdon’tneedto knowanylanguagestojoin-you’llsoonbesingingalong!

Recentresearchhasconcludedthatteachingchildrentouse onespecificlearningstyleoverothersmaynotbeentirely beneficialwithintheclassroomsetting.Stickingtowhatyou perceiveasyourpreferredlearningstylecancreatelimitations, givingafalsebeliefthatlearningcanonlybemanagedin oneparticularway.Themostimportantthingisforachildto havethetimetoself-reflectonhowtheylearnbestandtobe encouragedtoexperimentwithtacklingproblemsfromavariety ofangles.

Classesin Harborne, Bearwood and Bournville Wealsooffersessionsfornurseriesandprimaryschoolclubs!

Understandingthepreferredstylesofdifferentlearnerscan greatlyimpacttheirsuccessesintheclassroomaswellas contributingtotheirownsenseofpersonaldevelopmentand achievement.

ContactLucyon:

Tel- 07539863024 |Email- lucy@bilinguasing.com bilinguasing.com/find-a-class/birmingham-south

Itisalsoimportanttonotethatovertimeachild’slearningstyles canchangeastheydevelopandprogressthroughtheirown personalgrowthandtheireducationaljourney.Everychildis uniqueandlearningstyleisjustonepartofthegreaterwaythat yourchildlearns.

Withthehelpofobservantparentsandteachers,children canbenefitfromunderstandingandengagingtheirnatural tendencies.But,itisararechildwhosolelyworksbestwithone stylealone.Byunderstandingandpractisingarangeofdifferent learningstyles,achildwillhaveabigger‘toolbox’tocallon, findingacombinationthatenhancestheirabilitytounderstand, recallandusetheinformationtheylearn.

DoesOfsted reportingneedto change?

ByIanHartwright

WhenBerkshireheadteacherRuthPerrytookherown lifeafterherschoolwasdowngradedfollowinganOfsted inspection,emotivedebatewasfuelledonthementalhealth tollofinspectionsonschoolstaff,withmanyorganisations andindividualsurgingforfundamentalchangestobe introduced.

Thismayfeelonestepremovedfromparentsandchildren’s schoolingbutoneofOfsted’sstatedaimsistoimprovechildren’s educationandlivesbyraisingstandardsinschools.Thisaim inevitablybecomesmoredifficulttoachieveininstanceswhere high-stakesOfstedinspectionsdriveupschoolworkloadand increasestressandill-healthamongstaff,inturncontributingto agrowingrecruitmentandretentioncrisis.

Howmuchimportanceshouldparentsattachtoinspection reports?

AUniversityofExetersurveyrecentlyfoundalmosttwo-thirdsof parentshadn’tlookedatOfstedreportswhenchoosingaschool. Parentsusuallyprioritisefactorslikelocalreputation,distance andtransport.ButOfstedinspectionreportscouldbeanother usefulresourceiftheywereamorereliablemeasureofschools’ effectiveness.

ThecurrentOfstedschoolgradingsystemplacesenormous significanceononeoffourgrades,rangingfromOutstanding toInadequate. Theseonewordgradescannotreflectthe complexitiesofschoollife. Inaddition,judgementscan beinconsistentandfailtoaccuratelyidentifythefullrange ofstrengthsofaschoolalongsideareasforimprovement, balancingtheirrelativeimportance.Undueweightcanalso

sometimesbegiventoindividualconversationsorevidencethat isnotrepresentativeofhowaschooloperates.

Equally,Ofstedjudgementsmaynotproperlyreflectortake accountof crucialfactorslikedemographics,staffing levelsandfunding orthepressuresplacedonstaffwhoare increasinglysupportingpupilswithissuesintheirlivesfollowing cutstoserviceslikehealthandsocialcareinmanyareasofthe UK.

Inaddition,mostschoolsdonotreceiveadditionalsupportor resourcestohelpthemtoimproveonareasOfstedclaimsneed improvement.Frequentchangestoinspectioncriteriaandthe highstakesassociatedwithoutcomes,increaseworkloadfor staffseekingtomeetthelatestrequirements.Thiscandetract fromtheprioritiesschoolshaveidentifiedtomeetpupils’ immediateneeds.

Arootandbranchreviewofinspectionisdesperatelyneeded withsystemicchangebeyondthosechangestoinspection processesandsupportforstaffwellbeingannouncedinJune.

IanHartwrightisHeadofPolicyattheNationalAssociationof HeadTeachers(www.naht.org.uk).

Ofstedgradesandparent satisfaction

AccordingtoarecentstudyintheJournalofSchoolChoice, Ofstedjudgementscanbeyearsoutofdateandarenota strongindicatorofpupils’futureacademicperformance.

Thereareusuallyseveralyearsbetweeninspectionsandthe researchfoundthatinspectionreportsaretypicallythreeyears oldwhenparentsmaketheirchoices.

Oncedifferencesinpupilintakes–includingpreviousattainment anddeprivation–areaccountedfor,futureacademicoutcomes aresimilaracrossschoolsrated‘inadequate,’‘requires improvement’and‘good’,thestudyconcluded.

TheresearchalsofoundthatabetterOfstedgradedoesnot necessarilycorrelatetogreatersatisfactionamongparentsof futurepupilsorparentalperceptionsofbetterbehaviourand correlatestoonlysmalldifferencesinschoolattendance.

Itconcluded:‘Byandlarge,inspectionreportsarenot particularlyusefulforparentschoosingsecondaryschools…we recommendthatparentsthinktwicebeforepayingmoremoney forahousebecauseitisneara‘goodschool.’

Headteachersunder pressure

Schoolleaders’unionNAHTreportshearingfromhead teachersdriventoleavetheprofessiontheyloveduetothe pressureofhigh-stakesOfstedinspections.

Seniorleadersmayspendmonthsorevenyearsontenterhooks waitingforthecallfromOfstedandthengetlessthanhalfa day’snoticeoftheirschool’sinspection.Someheadteachers reportsufferingfromanxietyandpanicattacksandevenPTSD followinginspections.Notonlyisthisquiteobviouslyharmful forthoseleadersbutitisnotinthebestinterestsoftheirpupils either.

Governmentstatisticsshownearlyathirdofseniorschool leadersleavetheirpostwithinfiveyearsofappointment,halfof whomleavethestatesector.Thenumberofteachervacancies doubledtotwothousandthreehundredbetweenNovember 2020andNovember2022.Othergovernmentfiguresearlierthis yearfoundaquarterofteacherswereconsideringleavingthe sectorforreasonsotherthanretirement,withovertwothirds citingpressurerelatingtopupiloutcomesorinspectionasa factor.

Beawesomeoutdoors thisautumn!

By@torinbirmingham

Applepicking

DidyouknowitisNationalAppleDayon21stOctober?I discoveredthissuperautumnactivitylastyearandloveditas analternativetopumpkinpickingforthefamily!It’samazing howmanyplacesyoucanfindapplesandoncepicked,they canbemoreversatilethanthepopularpumpkin.I’vedonea littleresearchintoourlocalorchardsandhere’swhatI’ve found:

HighburyOrchardisacommunityorchardinHighburyPark whichalsofeaturesamudkitchenandagreatplacetogofor awalk.Thereareofteneventsonforchildrensocheckthem outon@highburyorchard(Instagram) peopleandland.org.uk

TheOrchardProjecthavecreatedamapshowingthe orchardsthatthey’vehelpedtosetupacrosstheUK: theorchardproject.org.uk/orchards-map/

ManyNationalTrustpropertieshavewonderfulorchards–closesttohomearePackwoodHouse,CoughtonCourtand HanburyHall.LastyearHanburyHallorganisedanApple HarvestDaywhichinvolvedapplepicking,learningabout differentvarietiesandrecipeideas.They’vepromisedmeit willbehappeningagainthisyearsokeepyoureyeontheir website, nationaltrust.org.uk.TherewasalsoanAppleDay atBlakesleyHallin2022, birminghammuseums.org.uk.

Ifyoufancyventuringouttotheapplecapital,headto HerefordAppleFestinMuchMarcle,30Sept–15Oct.Expect freshapplejuice,cider,children’sactivitiesandlivemusic throughouttheiropeningevent. herefordcitycouncil.gov.uk/hereford-applefest/ BrockhamptoninHerefordshire,hometothelargestorchard caredforbytheNationalTrust,iswellworthavisit.Also,I’m lookingforwardtotheMalvernAutumnShow,22–24Sept, whichfeaturestheorchardandhopyardpavilion.It’sall Apple-tastic! malvernautumn.co.uk

Forestschools

Autumnisasuperseasontogetclosetonature.Withthe changingleaves,conkersandminibeasts,there’smuch exploringtobedoneinawoodland.

OneofmytoprecommendationsisLottieland,Moseley CricketClub,Solihull.Lottielandhasaspecialfocuson

wellbeingactivitiesandexpressingemotionsfromayoung age, lottieland.co.uk.Wealsolearnedhowtobuilda fabulousdeninthewoodsneartoSareholeMillwiththe NatureExplorers! birminghammuseums.org.uk

Therearemanyforestschoolsinourregion:@_nature_cubs_ atMartineauGardensEdgbaston,@explorers_bhamSelly Oak,@suttonoutdoorpreschool-Sutton,@fruitsforest Stourbridge@wildlivesforestschoolSmethwick @theworldoutside_Wolverleysothere’sonewhereveryou arelocally.

Naturetrails

Idon’tknowaboutyourfamilybutmineloveanaturetrail.It ticksallmy‘funfamilydayout’boxesofsuitableforallages, lettingoffsteamandsomethingtokeeptheminterested. Thereareplentyoflocaltrailsaroundandsomearefree!We lovedsearchingforcluesatMiddletonHallGardensin Tamworth middleton-hall.co.uk,pulledfunnyfacesonthe treetrailatBodenhamArboretuminKidderminster bodenhamarboretum.co.uk,andgotlostinthewoodsatthe WyreForest forestryengland.uk/wyre-forest whereyoucan huntfortheGruffalo.Ticketsaresellingnowforthisyear’s pumpkinwalkatBodenhamandthere’sanawesometrailat Umberslade umbersladeadventure.com.

Forafreenaturewalk,createyourownscavengersheetand headalongHarborneWalkwayorvisitBruetonParknature reserveinSolihull.

Anotherfantasticresourceisthecanalandrivertrustwebsite thatprovidesmapsandactivitybookletsforyourlocalcanal. ThesunonthewaterandthecoloursatHattonLocksare stunning!Mysonreallyenjoyedwatchingtheboatsgoby. canalrivertrust.org.uk

Potatodigging

Ifyou’veeverfanciedyourselfasafarmerthisistheonefor you.Getyourwellieson,grabaforkandheaddownonthe farm.Thishastobeoneofmyboys’bestlovedactivities!Not onlydidtheygettowieldabigmetalobjectaroundtheplace, buttheyalsocompetedtoseewhocouldpullupthebiggest potatoandevengottorideatractor.

SowherecanIfindspectacularspudsyouask?Havealook atHattonCountryworldasit’ssuchafulldayoffuntobehad andthepotatofieldwashuge.adventure.hattonworld.com AnotherplacethatI’veseensproutingupisRymans Pumpkins,Staffordshire.Youwillhavetodrivealittleoutof townforthisonebutit’ssuchawonderfulfamilyfriendly placethatIhavetogiveitamention.

‘Whofanciesdiggingupsomebeauties?Wehaveasmall patchoftatties,todigupandtakehometoenjoy.There’sno stayingcleanonthistrip!” rymanspumpkins.co.uk

FormoreautumninspofollowmeonInstagram @torinbirmingham.

For more au @torinbirmi

GirlguidingandScoutstoday Buildingresilience,confidenceandwellbeing

ByTaraPahari

Girlguidinghasbeenapartofmillionsofgirls’livesforone hundredandthirteenyearsandcounting.Setupbecause girlswantedanequalworldwiththesameopportunitiesas boys,impressiveprogresshasbeenmadesinceitbegan. Butthingscanstillbetoughforgirls.Withmanyfacinghigh expectationsandanxietiesineveryareaoftheirlives,they canbelimitedbygenderstereotypesandfacebarriersto accessingthethingstheyneedtofeelhappy.

InGirlguiding’sannual Girls’AttitudesSurvey, twointhreegirls andyoungwomenages11to21saidthatbeingpartofayouth organisationmakesthem feelacceptedandmoreconnected toothers. GirlsinGirlguidingaremoreconfidentthantheir peers,withnearlynineintensayingtheylikebeingtheway theyare,comparedwithjustsixintenwhohaveneverbeenin Girlguiding.

YouthgroupssuchasGirlguidingandScoutsareequipping youngpeoplewith transferablelifeskills suchasleadership, moneymanagementandteamwork.ArecentreportfromDemos hasdemonstratedhowskillslearntfromScoutingcanmakea significantdifferencetoemployability.

Guidestodaycanstillearnbadges,inanupdatedprogramme whichincludesmindfulness,self-careandmediacriticism. Girlsarealsosupportedtodevelopemotionally,mentallyand physicallysotheycanmakeapositivecontributiontotheir communityandthewiderworld.

Empoweringgirlsformorethanahundredyears,Girlguidingis committedtodoingthesametoday,withakeenfocusonwhat drives,challengesandexcitesgirls.Whetherthat’sthethrillof

tryinganewactivity,singingaroundacampfire,enjoyingthe buzzofearninganewbadgeoremailingherMPaboutthe issuesshecaresabout;it’s aspacewhereshecanbeherself, getcreative,exploreandmostofall,havefun.

Meanwhile,Scoutingembracesaninclusive SkillsforLife strategythatencompassesteamwork,leadershipandresilience andthishasnotgoneunnoticedintheworldofemployment. Thereporthighlightedthat overhalfofScoutsfeltready fortheworldofwork comparedtoathirdofthosewhodid notparticipateinanyextra-curricularactivities.Withmany employersstrugglingtohirepeoplewithteamworkskillsor emotionalresilience,thesetransferableskillsarecurrentlyin hugedemand.

FormoreinformationaboutjoiningGirlguidingvisit

Benefitsforfuturehealth

ResearchfromaUniversityofEdinburghstudyshowsthat thebenefitsofGirlguidingandScoutingevencontinueinto laterlife,withtheall-encompassingactivitiestheyoffer outperformingotherafter-schoolclubsandactivities.

Asaresultofbeingsupportedintheirpersonaldevelopment, adultswhohavebeeninvolvedinGirlguidingorScoutingare morelikelytohaveself-reportedexcellenthealthatagefifty comparedtotheirpeers,includingbettermentalhealthinlater life.

TheresearchalsofoundthatthosewhohadbeeninGirlguiding orScoutshadabetterchanceofsocialmobility,whichcan haveapositiveknock-oneffectforbetterhealth.Accordingto researchers,theirfindingssuggestthatgoingtoGirlguiding andScoutshelpstodevelopskillssuchasresourcefulness andteamwork.Thesekeycharacteristicshelppeopletobuild resilienceagainsteverydaystressesinlife.

Girlguiding’sprogrammeprovidesasafespacewheregirlscan developtheirownresourcefulnessandself-reliance.Addtothat thewealthofhealthyoutdooractivitiesandit’scleartoseethe lifelongbenefitsforhealthandwellbeing.

FriendsofGirlguiding

Inspiringgenerationsforoveracentury,it’sestimatedthat oneinthreewomenintheUKwereonceaRainbow,Brownie, GuideorRanger.Pastalumniincludehouseholdnamessuch presentersClareBalding,DavinaMcCallandZoeBall,actress EmmaThompsonandparalympicswimmerEllieSimmonds. TosupportGirlguidingandhelpgirlslaugh,learnandexplore longintothefuture,youcannowsignupasa Friendof Girlguiding (www.girlguiding.org.uk/fog).Donationshelp toensureevenmoregirlsbenefitfromfun,friendshipand adventuresformanyyearstocome.Membersjoinacommunity wheretheycanreignitefondguidingmemoriesorevenconnect withtheorganisationforthefirsttime.

FormerRainbow,professionalfootballerandLionessKatie Zelemsaid:

‘I’msoproudtobeaGirlguidingambassador.Providing opportunitiesandthespaceforgirlstohavefun,challenge themselves,goonadventuresandexperiencethegreatoutdoors, issoimportantforthedevelopmentofconfidenceandresilience. IwanttoinspirethegirlsoftheUKtobetheirbrilliantselves.’

Clubs, Classes & Activities

BILINGUASINGBIRMINGHAMSOUTH

Song-filled Spanish,French and Italian ClassesinHarborne,Bearwood andBournville.

Helpdevelopyourlittleone’searlycommunicationskills,buildtheir confidenceandenhancetheirphysicalandemotionaldevelopmentwith ourmulti-award-winning music,language,and sensory classes.Early exposuretoasecondlanguageisfantasticforyourlittleone’sbraindevelopmentandlearningskills.

Classesforbabies(from4weeks),crawlersandtoddlers/pre-schoolers!

Youdon’tneedtoknowanylanguagestojoinus-you’llbesingingalonginnotime!

ARTATTHEHEART

Frustratedbythelackofartinschool? Buddingartistscansatisfytheircreative curiosityinourArtclubs!Themed projectsallowchildrentoexperiment anddevelopdrawing/painting/making skills.Seehowtheartsteach transferableskillsthatboostacademic performance.Taughtbyqualified, award-winningartisteducatorswith DBSclearanceinagallery-studio space.Classesinhighdemand-book nowforaSeptemberstart!

ComingSoon

Family-friendlyDiwalifestivaloflight. Allarewelcometojoincreative activitiesandafreecompetitionwith prizes.Starts5/11/23inSolihull-sign upforregularupdateshere: artattheheartcic.org

LearnaLanguagewithyourLittleOne!

Findoutmoreat: bilinguasing.com/find-a-class/birmingham-south Tel: 07539863024 Email: lucy@bilinguasing.com

THEATRETRAIN,HARBORNE

AtTheatretrainwe:empoweryoungpeopleandencourageselfexpression,individuality,andcreativethinkingalongsideprofessional tuitionin•SINGING•ACTING•DANCING Webelieveperformingartsshouldbeaccessibletoeveryone,that’s whyweneverauditionnewstudentsoraskforanypreviousexperience.It’sourpolicythatfees arekeptatalevelaffordabletomostfamilies.

TheatretrainLOVESTOPERFORMbothlocallyandnationally,givingourstudentsvast opportunitiesinawidevarietyofshows.

Joinnowtobepartofourfun-packed,high-energy,creativeclassesandseeyourchild’s confidencesoar!ClassesinHarborneandBromsgrove

ContactMelanieDykeson07766724834;harborne@theatretrain.co.uk; theatretrain.co.uk/harborne

FOOTBALL FUN ATICS

Introducechildrentofootballandlifeskillsinthe mostfunway,developingconfidence& techniqueinanopressureenvironment. Qualifiedcoachesrunfunfootballsessionsand amazingartsandmultisportscampsforall abilities.Ages5-13. footballfunatics.co.uk

THECHOCOLATESHED

Themedchocolatemakingpartiesand workshopsforchocoholicsofallages.Allofour holidayworkshopsandchildren'spartiesarerun byourfabulousteamoflocalchocolatierswho arelookingforwardtoguidingyouthroughthe processofcraftingyourchocolateycreations. Everyworkshopisuniqueandweofferarangeofdifferentoptionswhich willbetailoredtotheneedsofyouandyourparty.Yourchocolate masterpieceswillbemadeusingreal,sustainableandlocallysourced ingredientswherepossibleandeveryworkshopinvolvesalotofstickyfingeredfunandtasting!

Email:info@thechocolateshed.com thechocolateshed.com

JUNIOREINSTEINSBIRMINGHAM &SANDWELL

Handson,highenergy,funScienceeventsfor5to11 yearolds.Scienceparties,holiday&weekendcamps, after-schoolclubs,schoolshows&more! Weteachchildren‘howtothink…...notwhattothink’. Contact:junioreinsteinsbirmingham@gmail.com junioreinsteinsscienceclub.com/birmingham/

BORN2SING

Weofferchildren’ssinginglessonswherewe focusondevelopingvocaltechnique,breathing exercises,buildingconfidence,audition preparationandsomuchmore.Wealso welcomeandsupportchildrenwithSpecial EducationalNeedsinreachingtheirgoals. 07859809350|born2sing.co.uk

LEARNIRISHDANCINGWITH GRANARINCE

Fun,fitnessandfriendship-Irishdancingclassesfor girlsandboysaged4+availableinSellyOakand Redditch.Firstclassfreeofcharge!Alllevelscateredto. ContactLouiseon 07790876345 or louise-stanley@hotmail.co.uk granarince.co.uk

SOFTPLAYTAKEAWAY

Oursoftplaypackageskeeplittleonesentertained atpartiesandotherspecialoccasions.Weprovide equipmentincludingbouncycastles,ballpits, musicalmats,softplayshapes,andmore!Weare alsoavailableforhiretotoddlergroupsand nurseries.

01618184876|softplaytakeaway.co.uk

SINGANDSIGNCLASSES

UsingmusicalactivitiestoteachBabysigning todevelopcommunicationandease frustrations.Learnsignstosupportyourdaily routines.InCastleBromwichandacrossSolihull. 07517381117|singandsign.co.uk

Halloweencostumeideas

ByTamsinRyan

KidsloveanexcusetodressupandHalloweenprovidestheperfectopportunity. However,forkingouttobuyabrand-newcostume,whichislikelytoonlybesuitable forjustonenightoftheyear,canseemwasteful,bothintermsofthecostand theimpactontheplanet.Ifyouhaveyoungchildren,alltheblackcostumesand skeletonscansometimesbeabitscarytoo,sosomethingabitmorecolourfulmay beinorder.So,whynottrysomethingalittledifferentthisyear?

Ifyourkidsareanythinglikemydaughter,thentheywillprobablyhavealready managedtoamassaselectionofcostumesathome,whichmeansyouhaveagreat startingpoint.Withalittlecreativity,manyofthemcanbeupcycledormodifiedto createtheperfectHalloweenoutfit,withouthavingtobreakthebank.Theskillsand equipmentrequiredareverylimited,somostpeopleshouldhavewhattheyneedat home.

Spookyscientist

Thiscostumestartedlifeasadoctor’slabcoat!Ithenfound sometesttubes,whichwehadfromplantingseedsona previousvisittoanRHSgardenandfilledthemwithwater andfoodcolouring.Ialsore-purposedoneofmyhusband’s oldlanyardsfromaconferencehewenttoanduseditto createanamebadge.I’msuremanyofyouwillalsohavea smallpairofHarryPotterstyleglassesyoucouldaddforthe finaltouch.Thenfinishitoffwithsomespikygreenhair!This costumewasverysimpletoputtogetherandonlyanipad/ laptopandprinterwerenecessaryforthenamebadge.

DayoftheDead

ThisbeganwithapinkprincessdressandaFrozencape, whichIcoveredinfauxflowersIhadstashedathomeand somelittlewoodenskullsthatIhadboughtafewyearsago fromHobbycraftforHalloween.Ithenfoundaheadband coveredinflowers(fromthedayswhenIusedtogotofancy dressparties)andaddedsomelittleskullbeadstoitthat IfoundonAmazon.Theonlyequipmentrequiredforthis transformationwasagluegun.

Freakyfairy

WhatwasonceaTinkerbellfairydress,becameafairyoutfit withadifference.Icoveredthewingsincobwebsfromlast year’sHalloweendecorationsandcoveredthewingsand thefairydressingreen(glowinthedark)spiders.Ialso madeamatchingwand,usingastickfromthegardenand someleftoverribbons,feltandjewels.Youcouldalways makethewandmoresinister,dependingontheageofyour childandhowspookytheywanttogo.Again,Iusedtheglue gunforthiscreation,alongwithaknifeforcuttingoutthe starforthewand.

Hopefullythishasgivenyouafewideastogetstarted withyourHalloweentransformations.

TamsinRyanoffersmorecostumetipsandideasfor Halloweengamesonherkids’partyideassiteat www.icecreamandjelly.com

Self-settlingwithout thetears

ByStephanieModell

Theterm‘sleeptraining’canhavenegativeconnotationsbutis oftenmisunderstood.Foetusessleepinuterowithnolearning involved.However,fallingasleepinresponsetoexternalcues, ratherthaninternalbiologicalcues,isalearnedbehaviour whichyoucaninfluence.

Babieslearnbyassociation. If,withinthefirstsixmonthsoflife theyhavealwaysbeenfedorrockedtosleep,thisiswhatthey willassociatewithgoingtosleep.Whentheywakeduringtheir manysleepcyclesatnighttheymayneedthisassociationtoget thembacktosleep.

Thereisabsolutelynothingwrongwithfeedingorrockingto sleepifit’sworkingforyoubutifyourbabyisoversixmonths oldandyouarestrugglingtosustainthisthroughoutthenight, youmaywishtoencouragesomesleepindependence.

Gradualretreat

Gradualretreatismyfavouredmethodofhelpingababyfall asleep.It’sa kindandresponsivetechnique thatdoesn’t involveleavingyourbabytocry.Beforeyoubegin,ensureyour babyhasanage-appropriatenaproutine.There’safineline betweenababybeingover-tiredorunder-tiredandbothwill makegoingtosleepchallenging.

Establishagentlewinddownbedtimeroutinewhichwillideally includeabath.Ifyougivethemajorityofthelastfeedofthe daybeforethebathwithjustatopupafter,youcanbreakthe associationbetweenfeedingandsleeping.

Onceyourbabyisreadyforbed,dowhateveryou’dnormallydo togetthemtosleep,whichmaybefeeding,rockingorpatting untiltheyaresleepybutnotfullyasleep.

Settlethemintotheircotandkeepareassuringhandonthem forashorttime.Standbackandseewhathappens.Sometimes they’llsurpriseyouandfallasleep!

Iftheystarttogetupset,shush,pat,singorwhateverhelpsto calmthem.Ifnothingworks,pickthemup,sootheuntilcalm andthenresettlethemintotheircot.Repeatasmanytimesas necessary.

Thegoalisforthemtoachievethelaststageoffallingtosleep ontheirown.Bybeingconsistentanddoingthesamethingat everysleep,yourbabystartstolearnthatthecotisasafeplace tobeandtruststhatyouwillrespondtothem.

Onceyouhavemadesomeprogressandyourbabyisstarting toassociatetheircotwithsleep,youcanstarttograduallyput themdownwhentheyarelessandlessdrowsy.

Thenextstepistograduallycutdowntheinterventions. If you’vebeenshushingandpatting,reduceittojustoneorthe other.Yourgoalistobeabletoputyourbabydownawake,say ‘nightnight’andleavethemtohappilyfallasleep.

Allbabiesaredifferent;somewillprogressmorequicklythan othersbut,asthismethoddoesnotinvolveleavingyourbabyto cry,youcanuseitatanyageas youwillalwaysberesponding totheirneeds.

Onceyourbabyisself-settlingatthestartofthenighttheyare lesslikelytowakeduringthenightunlesstheyaregenuinely hungry.

Thekeypointstorememberaretime,repetitionandconsistency. Happysleeping!

StephanieModellisasleepconsultant,maternitynurse,mum to25-year-oldtripletsandauthorof TheTheBabySleepGuide (Summersdale).Thenewrevisededitionisavailableat www.bookshop.org

Isiteverokayto… giveparentingadvicetoanotherparent?

ByEllieMalt

Wheredoyoustandongivingparentingadvicetoanotherparent?Shouldyoutrytohelporsteerclearaltogetherandgive themthespacetofindtheirownsolutions?Ifyouaremindedtohaveyoursay,we’vegotsomesuggestionstoreducetheriskof soundinglikeaknow-it-all.Twomumsgivetheir,ahem…advice!

Weallknowatleastonebabywhoslepteasilyandfed beautifullyfromweekone.Ifyouareluckyinthatrespect,it isparticularlytemptingtoofferadvicebutpleasedon’tthink you’vediscoveredsomeamazingsecretforsolvingallthe problemsofanotherparent.

Jumpinginwithadvicecanbetheoppositeofhelpful;itmay soundlikeyouthinkyouknowthesituationbetterthanthe parents.Inreality,youcan’tknowallthefactorsatplay.

It’seasytoblame‘parenting’whenoftentherearebiological issuesthatliebehindstruggleswithfeeding,sleepingand meltdowns,manyofwhichmaynotemergeforyears.For example,developmentaldelays,sensoryissues,hearingloss, ADHD,autism,eczema,refluxandallergiesarejustafewofthe many(andsometimesinvisible)possibilities.Anditcantake yearsforparentstofigureoutcausesorfindsolutions.During thattime,it’stypicalforparentstofeeljudged,sowhileoffering advicetoanalreadysleep-deprivedparentmightmakeyoufeel better,it’smorelikelytomakethemfeelworse.

Advice,particularlywhenithasn’tbeenaskedfor,canoften landwhenenergylevelsarealreadylow,puttingtheonuson theparenttohavetojustifywhywhathasworkedforyoujust doesn’tworkfortheirchild.

Howtopicktheright moment?

Timingiskey:nomatterhowgoodtheadvice,it’sabadideato suggestanythingafteraparticularlydifficultnightorrightinthe middleofanymeltdown.

It’simportanttoseehowtheadviceisbeingreceived,soavoid sendinganemail/text/WhatsApporpostingonsocial.

Ifindoubt,holdback.Ifsomeonesharesaproblem,chances areanon-judgmentallisteningearandsympathyareactually morehelpfulthanadvice,howeverwell-meant.

Gettingadviceattherighttimeandfromtherightpeoplecan behelpful.Forexample,whenmeetingupwithothernew mumstofeedyourbabyandenjoyacoffeetogether,itseems naturaltotalkaboutwhatyou’regoingthroughandtocompare experiences.

Whenyouarealljustfiguringitouttogether,itfeelsless judgemental;moreofasafespaceinwhichtoswapstories aboutsmallwinsandepicfails.Justoccasionallyagolden nuggetofadvicewilldropintoyourlap.

Ontheflipside,lotsofparentingadviceeitherwon’tworkfor yourparticularsituationoryourchildoritmaybeoutofdate. Granted,itcanbeirritatingwhenadviceiswordedasifit’sa universallawapplicabletoeveryone,thereforeimplyingyouare a‘badparent’fornotdoingwhateveritis.Thatsaid,itwould beashametomissoutonsomethingusefuljustbecauseof anotherperson’smisplacedsenseofconvictionorpoortiming. Itrytoseeadviceasapotentialtoolratherthanaruleand remindmyselfit’sinmypowertobecurious,totestandthen rejectoracceptit.Evenwhentheadvicedoesn’twork,ruling itoutisonestepclosertosuccess.InthiswayIcansee parentingasaprocessofconstantrefinementsratherthana reflectiononsomekindofinnateability.

Sarah,mumofthree,fromOxfordshire

Whattoshareinsteadof advice?

Yourownproblems: inmoderation.Thishelpstheotherparent feellessalone.

Thingsyouareconsideringtryingyourself buthaven’tyet!So there’snosuggestionthatyouhavetheabsoluteanswer.

Usefulgadgets/objects: keepsthefocusonphysicalsolutions ratherthancriticisingactions.

Shareyoursources: mentioninghelpfulpodcasts,booksetc insteadofofferingspecificadvice(butonlysendalinkifthe personasksyouto).

Anna,mumoftwoboys,fromDevon

‘Jumpinginwithadvicecanbe theoppositeofhelpful.’

‘Justoccasionallyagolden nuggetwilldropintoyourlap.’

A–Zguideofautumnfun!

WHAT’SON Out&About

AckersAdventure, Birmingham

Opendaily Outdooradventureactivity centreforallthefamily. ackers-adventure.co.uk

AstonHall,Birmingham

OpenWeds-Sun

Visitthis17thcenturymansion houseanditsbeautifulgardens. birminghammuseums.org.uk

/aston

BaddesleyClinton,Solihull

Opendaily

Explorethegreatoutdoorsat Baddesley,creatingmemoriesto lastalifetime. nationaltrust.org.uk

/baddesley-clinton

BirminghamBotanical Gardens

Opendaily

Exploretheplants,birdsand mini-beastswithFamily Backpacks. birminghambotanicalgardens .org.uk

BirminghamHeritageWeek 8–17SeptacrossBirmingham. Discovermoreaboutwhat historyisonyourdoorstep. birminghamheritageweek.co.uk

BirminghamWildlife ConservationPark

Opendaily Hometoauniquecollectionof animalsfromacrosstheworld. birmingham.gov.uk

/conservationpark

BlackCountryLivingMuseum, Dudley

Opendaily 26acrestoexplore-thisisa brilliantplacetoimmerse yourselfinhistory. bclm.co.uk

CBSOCentre,Birmingham

17Sept,22Oct

BCMGMusicMaze: Fun, creative,participatory workshopsforchildrenaged 8–11.

YoungComposersworkshop: Excitingmusicprojectsfor buddingcomposersaged11-14. bcmg.org.uk

CoventryTransportMuseum

Opendaily

Hometooneofthelargest collectionsofBritishroad transportintheworld. transport-museum.com

DudleyZooandCastle

Opendaily

VisitPenguinBay,Wallaby Walkthrough,enjoyFarmyard Funandmore. dudleyzoo.org.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

FlashClimbingCentre,Solihull Opendaily Rockclimbinggymforallthe familytoenjoy. flashclimbingcentre.com

GoApeCannockChase

Opendaily Anidealdayoutinthefreshair foryoungthrillseekers. goape.co.uk

HoarPark,ShoppingandCraft Village,Nuneaton

OpenTues–Sun Children'sfarmandcraftfairs. Sun17Sept&Sun15Oct hoar-park.co.uk

HoleFarmTrekkingCentre, Birmingham Bookingrequired Hacks,lessonsandpony morningsintheschoolholidays. holefarmridingcentre.com

LapworthMuseumofGeology, Edgbaston,Birmingham

OpenTues-Sat

Familyactivities,educational talks,toursandarts&crafts activities. birmingham.ac.uk/facilities /lapworth-museum

MartineauGardens, Edgbaston,Birmingham

OpenMon-Sat

Naturetrail,wildflower meadows,birdhide,ponds,and beehives. martineau-gardens.org.uk

PackwoodHouse,NT

Opendaily

Packwoodistheperfectplace forafamilydayoutwhateverthe weather.nationaltrust.org.uk /packwood-house

RockUp,Birmingham

Opendaily Climbingwallsforage4+. Noexperienceorequipment needed. rock-up.co.uk/Birmingham

RushUK,Stirchley, Birmingham

Opendaily Trampolineparkwithsoftplay, dodgeball,foampit,slackline andmore. rushuk.com

SandwellMuseumService Openinghoursonwebsite Arangeofdifferentsitesacross Sandwell.Mostlyfreetovisit. Activitiesonoffer. sandwell.gov.uk/museums

SealifeCentre,Birmingham

Opendaily VisittheAquariumZonesand seethemarvellouscreatures. visitsealife.com/Birmingham

SellyManor,Bournville

OpenTues–Sun

Learnthefascinatinghistoryof SellyManor.Familyactivities available. sellymanormuseum.org.uk

SevernValleyRailway, Kidderminster Seescheduleonwebsite. Experienceafamilyrideaina traditionalsteamordieseltrain. svr.co.uk

SnowDome,Tamworth

Opendaily

Snowfun,iceskating,climbing andswimming. snowdome.co.uk

SuttonColdfieldTownHall

13-16Sept,CLOCMusical TheatreCompanypresentsThe WizardofOz 10–14Oct,TudorMusical ComedySocietypresentsChitty ChittyBangBang suttoncoldfieldtownhall.com

TamworthCastle OpenTues–Sun TryouttheCastle’straditional tasksanddomesticchores. tamworthcastle.co.uk

ThinkTank,Birmingham OpenWeds–Sun Award-winningscience museumforfun-packedfamily daysout. birminghammuseums.org.uk /thinktank

ThreeCountiesShowground, Malvern MalvernAutumnShow: 22–24Sept Festivalofgardening,foodand drink.Under-16sgofree! malvernautumn.co.uk

TreetopAdventureGolf, Birmingham

Opendaily Trekwondrousterrainintwo indoor18-holeminigolfcourses. adventuregolf.com/birmingham

UmbersladeEstate,Tanworth inArden Openingtimesonwebsite Naturalplaybarn,forestschool, pizzeria,rhythmtime,andmore. umberslade.com

WestMidlandsSafariPark

Opendaily Safaridrive-through,adventure themepark,discoverytrailand more. wmsp.co.uk

WinterbourneHouse&Garden

Opendaily Children’sgardenwithwillow tunnel,interactiveexhibitsand activitytrails. winterbourne.org.uk

Spooky Halloweenfamily fun

BlackCountryLiving Museum,Dudley HalloweenNights,28–31Oct BCLM’sdoorswillbeopento littledevilsandghouls. bclm.com

BodenhamArboretum, Kidderminster HalloweenAfternoonTea, 21–22Oct

WormJelly,Pumpkin

Shortbreadandotherspooky treatstoenjoy. DaytimePumpkinTrail, 21–31Oct

Enchantingspookywalk aroundtheBigPooland Farmyard. bodenhamarboretum.co.uk

CadburyWorld,Birmingham Freddo’sSpooktacularStage Show, 21Oct–5Nov

EntertainmentbyFreddoatthe spookiestshowintown. cadburyworld.co.uk

DudleyCanalsandCaverns

TheMonsterMashBallby CanalBoat,27–31Oct

Setsailinanarrowboatand boogiethenightaway. dudleycanaltrust.org.uk

HattonAdventureWorld HalloweenSpooktacular, 14-31Oct(selectdates)

Haveafangtastictimewithfun spookythingstodo. adventure.hattonworld.com

LichfieldMaizeMaze

SpookyGames&Surprises

OnselectdatesduringOctober Family-friendlypumpkin pickingwithlotsofspooky mazesurprises. lichfieldmaizemaze.co.uk

SevernValleyRail GhostTrain,28,30&31Oct

Athrillingrideinthedark throughhauntedstations. svr.co.uk

StatfoldBarnRailway HalloweenSpooktacular, 28-31Oct

Plentyofspookyfunforthe wholefamilytoenjoy. statfold.com

ZumhofBiergarten

RaverTotsHalloween Party,8Oct

Spooktacularfamily danceparty.Facepainting, giantballoonsandmore. ravertots.co.uk

re.