Families21 (1)

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MAY-JUNE 2014 ISSUE 21

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Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield

Parties 11plus Win tickets to Charlie & Lola

Tuition Plus

‘Helping students achieve their true potential’

Professional Tutoring Literacy & Numeracy First lesson free Harvest Fields Centre, B75 5TJ (Sat.) Mere Green Centre, B75 5BT (Wed.& Thurs) Tel: 07592 556 452

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Growing up isn’t easy. Especially if you’ve had a tough start.

But together we can make it easier. If you’ve the experience to help children who need it the most, our specialist team of experts will invest in you and provide the unrivalled support you need to love being a Therapeutic Foster Carer.

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THE BIG BRUM BUZ IS AVAILABLE FOR PRIVATE HIRE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR

Issue 21

Galleries & Gardens nature trail!

Craft!

Animal Man!

falconry display!

2 

Winterbourne: ÂŁ6 adults, ÂŁ5 Concessions / Free for Under-5s www.winterbourne.org.uk

Storytelling!

BUGS, BEES, PLANTS & TREES Family Day Saturday 31 May 11am – 4pm

ADMISSION Barber: Free www.barber.org 0121 414 7333 Visit by train: University station

Contents In this Issue...

H

ello and welcome to the May/June issue of Families magazine. At long last summer is on the horizon and hopefully, as you read this, the weather will be warm, bright and sunny.

So how about camping out at Avoncroft Museum as part of the Museums at Night event on May 17, or camping at Umberslade Farm for the Lunar Festival between June 6 and 8?

Looking for some half term adventures with the children? Try the Float Your Boat event at Sarehole Mill; take them to see Charlie and Lola in their Extremely New Play at the Birmingham Rep; or make your own blockbuster movie at Thinktank. Challenge the dare devil in you and zip-wire and abseil at Ackers along with the children, or sit back and watch them have fun!

We also suggest some half term camps: SuperCamps at Edgbaston, ideal for working parents; Footiebugs; and filmmaking. See page 9.

That’s the fun stuff; now the more serious. How do you keep your young children and teenagers safe online? Read some advice from internet safety experts F-secure and use their online safety tool free for six months.

Do you ever wonder what would happen to your children if you or your husband/partner died? It flits across every parent’s mind at some stage but most of us dismiss it as too awful to contemplate.

Almost 70 per cent of those aged 35-54 don’t have a will. Read why that could be a problem, and you could be prompted to take steps to secure your family if the unexpected happens.

Finally, don’t undervalue yourself as a mum. Did you know that if you were paid for all you do as a parent, you would earn a whopping £100,000 a year?

, Editor Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield Front page picture by photo artist Abby Wilkes.

Abby won the West Midlands Master Photographer Award for her work with children three years in a row.

She specialises in photographing children and families, creating art from life’s special moments.

Contact Abby for more information: 07966 867306. www.abbywilkes.com

Next Issue:

Advertisers: Book now for our July/August school summer holidays issue.

Call 0758 352 6056 or e-mail editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk before Monday, June 2, 2014 Design: www.MattWaltonDesign.co.uk Print: Warners Midlands PLC, Manor Lane, Bourne, Lincs. PE10 9PH Copyright Families Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield, May 2014.

We take care preparing this magazine but the publisher and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, nor for the accuracy of the contents nor its consequence.

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News Clubs & Classes May half term Wanted full time mum Where there’s a will...

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Issue 21

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News

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Museums at night: Ghost of the past

Win tickets to see Charlie & Lola’s Extremely New Play Love the Charlie and Lola books and TV series? Then head to Birmingham Rep this half term (May 28-31) for Charlie and Lola’s Extremely New Play. Discover what happens when Lola and her best friend Lotta promise to look after Sizzles the dog. And follow Charlie and his best friend Marv on a Pirate Squidbones adventure! Playful, funny and full of surprises with a magical mix of puppets, live actions and music, this extremely new play about friendship and adventures is a perfect half term treat.

For Families Birmingham fans we have a family ticket to be won for Charlie & Lola on Thursday 29 May, 3.30pm. To be in with a chance of winning log on to www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk before Thursday, May 22, and answer this question; Who are Charlie and Lola bringing along to their new show? a) Cecil the Cat b) Sizzles the Dog c) Herb the Hamster

Snow Hill station A new 1,000 piece jigsaw depicts Birmingham Snow Hill railway station on a summer weekend in the 1950s.

The picture, painted by Philip D Hawkins, portrays the hustle and bustle that would have occurred at Snow Hill on a Saturday morning in the 1950s as holiday-makers rushed to catch the 09.50am train to Plymouth and Penzance. As passengers wait eagerly with their suitcases on Platform 7, “The Cornishman” has been loaded with coal and is ready to make the seven hour journey to the seaside town.

For stockists see www.gibsons.co.uk or order online via Amazon.

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Are you brave enough to pitch a tent overnight at Avoncroft Museum and listen to some ghost stories around the fire? The ‘spooky’ summertime event is part of the Night at the Museum celebrations taking place nationwide in May. Discover Avoncroft’s historic buildings and see ‘the ghost of the past’ as night falls on May 17. Have a midnight feast in the Guesten Hall, and breakfast at the Edwardian Tea Rooms on Sunday morning. Tickets costs £25 per tent and must be pre-booked. Call 01527 831363.

Romans

Meanwhile, on the same date, as the shadows grow long, the atmosphere changes at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.

Every corner of the museum will come to life with a vibrant range of activities for family visitors. Here you can meet the Romans as the museum launches their Roman Empire exhibition Power and People; you can enjoy live music in the galleries and in the café and children’s activities from film screenings to make and take craft. It’s a FREE EVENT but tickets must be booked in advance. Book online now at www.theherbert.org or call 024 7623 7521.

Red Sky at Night

The Black Country Museum will be holding a Red Sky at Night event on May 17 celebrating the black country’s industrial heritage. Tickets for the event are half the usual entry price, and must be booked in advance.

Call 0121 520 8054.

Step back in time Feeling nostalgic? You can step back in time and catch a steam train from Snow Hill station this summer and head to Stratford on Avon for a day out with the Shakespeare Express. It runs on Sundays only from July 20 through to September.

A child ticket costs £12.50 return and an adult £20 and a family of 4 £45. For more information and to book log on to www.shakespeareexpress.com Vintage Trains will also hold their annual Open Weekend at Tyseley Loco works on the weekend of July 5 and 6. See steam trains in action with turntable demonstrations and passenger shuttle rides. It makes for a fun family day out with stalls and refreshments on offer, including an all day Pullman breakfast.

News

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Calling all ‘Junior Apprentices’

W

ould Lord Sugar be more likely to say ‘you’re hired’ or ‘you’re fired’ if you took part in a business challenge?

For anyone aged 11-16 who watched Junior Apprentice and thought ‘I could do that’ – this is the summer to put your entrepreneurial skills to the test.

Birmingham has a new and fun school holiday camp for enterprising young minds where they can learn what it really takes to succeed in business. Are you a leader, an innovator, a good communicator, a financial whizzkid or a good team player? Play to your strengths and pick up new business know-how - marketing, money management and project planning - at the Enterprising Minds holiday camp.

The camps have been set up by Sonia Francis, former senior lecturer for Enterprise at LearnBAES Birmingham. She says: “This is a really practical and fun programme of activities designed to challenge, entertain and inspire young people and encourage them to start thinking in an enterprising and entrepreneurial way.”

The camps could appeal to a young person who has ambitions to set up their own business in the future, anyone with an interest in taking business studies at school or college, or anyone game for a fun summer challenge that is just a little bit different from other holiday camps.

There are 40 places available at venues in Harborne, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and Sandwell. The clubs will run on the weeks of July 28 or August 4. For more information call Sonia on 0121 369 1975 or log on to www.enterprisingminds.co.uk to book your place.

Magical Follies at Packwood Don’t miss out on a visit to Packwood House this Summer to see their magical new Follies.

Deep within the Bluebell Wood, InsideOutHouse, is a small cottage formed from reproduction Tudor furniture, surrounded by trees and a carpet of shimmering bluebells. Packwood’s second Folly, Embedded, is a giant sized, hand carved, four-poster bed placed beneath an ancient tree. Visitors are invited to climb onto the bed and dream of carefree summer days. The final Folly, Hive, is a grouping of miniature cabins, huts and sheds within the nooks and crannies of the walls and bushes of the formal gardens.

Take the children along and explore the magical Follies for yourself.

Find out more at www.nationaltrust.org. uk/packwood-house

Lunar Festival The Lunar music Festival taking place at Umberslade estate on June 6-8 will be a family event with entertainment for all ages. You can camp near the children’s farm and festival-goers will have free access to the farm and adventure playground, and can use the farm café. A Kids Club during the day will organise games, treasure hunts and lunalympics. Meanwhile, the music line up includes groups such as British Sea Life, Exploding Wide Eyed, and Sound Machine. A weekend family ticket for the event is £180. Day tickets also available. Find out more and book tickets at lunarfestival.co.uk

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SING T NOW!

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The largest network of part-time performing arts schools in the UK.

t Saturday classes at Edgbaston High School for Girls t Age appropriate classes for boys and girls from 4 to 18 t Preparation for Trinity Guildhall exams t Qualified CRB checked staff t Excellent facilities including the Octagon Theatre t Builds confidence and develops imagination

Stagecoach Edgbaston Call 01926 651159

0121 405 0440 waterhugs.co.uk

edgbaston@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/edgbaston

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News

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Make your own ‘blockbuster’ movie at Thinktank

B

ecome a real-life film director and make your very own stop motion film at the new Aardman Animations play studio just opened at Thinktank. Unlike Aardman’s clay creations such as Shaun the Sheep, in this studio real people will feature as characters!

The Animate It! Studio is part of the popular ‘Kids City’, an area of the museum where young visitors are encouraged to learn through role-play with their friends and family. Visitors are invited to make a short film in the human-sized green screen studio, and once their film is completed, they can ‘broadcast’ it to a screen within the gallery. Alongside the studio, there will be a number of hands-on play stations and fun activities inspired by Shaun the Sheep for everyone to enjoy.

Lorna Williams, Deputy Exhibitions Manager at Birmingham Museums Trust, said: “We are really pleased to be working

with Aardman Animations on this new Animate It! studio. Animation workshops are always really popular with our visitors, and we are sure that this new addition to Thinktank will be a blockbuster hit with families.”

As well as starring in your own movie, at Thinktank you can explore deepest space, find out how doctors perform life-saving surgery and travel back in time to Birmingham’s amazing industrial past, all under one roof.

From steam engines to intestines, Thinktank has over 200 hands-on displays on science and technology from the past, present and future.

How well do your know your city?

The Big Brum Buz is back for summer and inviting families to come along for a whistle-stop tour around the city on an open topped bus. Find out some fascinating and fun facts en route, for example: • Did you know that the name Birmingham came from the tribal leader Beorma with his people the` ing’ who lived in the village `ham’?

• Did you know that the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Birmingham is the third largest in the world?

• Did you know that J.R.R. Tolkien, author of the Lord of the Rings, is supposed to have based the two towers on Perrott’s Folly and Edgbaston Waterworks?

• Did you know that the film industry began in Birmingham because celluloid was invented in 1862 by Alexander Parkes?

• Did you know that the new library is the largest library in Europe?

The Big Brum Buz book is an imaginative, attractively illustrated book of Birmingham highlighting all the tourist attractions and points of interest along the route of the Big Brum Buz Sightseeing Tour.

Buy it online for £6.99 www.birmingham-tours.co.uk/ BirminghamToursSouvenirs or on the tour for £5.

It makes a great keepsake.

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Foster carers wanted across Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield Foster Care Fortnight 2014 will take place on May 12-25 – a time to highlight the difference foster carers make in a child’s life. If you love spending time with children, have patience when a child is testing boundaries, and empathy when they are feeling upset, then becoming a foster carer could be life-changing – not just for you, but for the children you can help.

As long as you have a spare bedroom and are over 21 there is no upper age limit to fostering.

You can be single, married, divorced, have kids or don’t have kids. The only thing that matters is that you really want to make a difference.

Advanced Foster Care would love to hear from you if you are interested in finding out more.

They know becoming a foster carer is a big decision and they won’t rush you.

Laura Blain says: “We know it can be a scary decision and that you might be worried about what ifs, but we are here 24/7 365 days of the year so we are only ever a phone call away.”

The agency also understands that becoming a foster carer could mean giving up a job, but they support carers with average allowances of £34,000 a year.

Call Advanced Foster Care on 0800 644 6230 to find out more about fostering in Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield.

News

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Barmy Britain

T

ake an entertaining romp through two thousand years of history from the Romans to the First World War in a brand new Horrible Histories show which comes to Birmingham this summer.

In Barmy Britain you’ll meet fascinating characters, discover funny facts (the ones teachers never tell you about) and be blown away by amazing 3D effects.

Can you beat battling Boudicca? What if a Viking moved in next door? Would you lose your heart or head to horrible Henry VIII? Can evil Elizabeth entertain England? Will Parliament survive gunpowder Guy? Should King Charles keep his head?

Dare you stand and deliver to dastardly Dick Turpin?

Move to groove with party Queen Victoria and prepare to do battle in the frightful First World War. It’s the history of Britain with the nasty bits left in!

Barmy Britain is adapted by author Terry Deary and Birmingham Stage Company Manager Neal Foster from Deary’s hugely popular Horrible Histories books. The show is on at the Town Hall, Birmingham, from June 11-15. Call 0121 345 0602 or book online at www.thsh.co.uk

An endof-term treat atAdvert for ‘Families’ magazine 2014. Actual size (118 x 70 cm).

As PDF. Star City Star City is offering special deals Derek Perry 07971 456760 for school groups, youth clubs, football clubs, and cub, scout, brownie and guide packs for endof-year trips and celebrations.

The venue has packages on offer designed to help cubs, scouts, brownies and guides earn their badges and they cater for schools looking for (or Nan, or Dad, or Auntie) a suitable end-of-term treat.

Anyone who grew up in Birmingham in the The Blast, Belay & Birdie package offers three 1950/60s will remember the blue and yellow buses. activities: Blast, a laser game; Belay, where Now, you can buy a detailed diecast metal collector’s children work together to scale the heights model, guaranteed to bring back memories.

And you can order yours in any one of over 20 local Actual model about four inches long. of two internal rock walls and see who gets routes! What was your memorable destination?

Adverts may vary. Or select no ads. to the top first; and Birdie, a round of indoor adventure mini golf.

You can order through How about the 3 or 9 to Quinton, 5 to Perry Barr, 8 Inner Circle or 37 to Hall Green? Or along the Bristol Road on the 62, the 12 via our website Groups who opt for single activities can get Harborne, 18 to Northfield, 40 to Fort Dunlop, or the 60 along the www.forwardmodels.net exclusive use of Laser Station or Twin Peaks Coventry Road? And, of course, the famous 11 Outer Circle. and pay by PayPal. climbing walls during the week, and the centre Call 07971 456760 to pay by card (you may have to leave your number and is happy to open early to accommodate school we will call back). Or by post to: Forward Models, Unit C11.2, Parkhall times. Catering is available or you can use one Business Centre, Martell Road, London SE21 8EN. of the many restaurants at Star City.

Models are £33 each plus £3 p&p for any number bought.

For further information, Call Star City on See the full size originals, preserved at the transport museums at Wythall and Aldridge 0121 328 1235 (and select option 3).

Get one for Grandad

Issue 21

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Clubs and Classes

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Any dream will do …

Young performers from Brit Youth Theatre will take to the stage at the Crescent Theatre in June with three showcase performances of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

The cast, all aged from 6-18, have trained under Michelle Connolly and Stephen Paget, two working actors who set up the Brit Theatre School in 2004. Both have performed in the West End in shows like Billy Elliot and Cliff the Musical, and have appeared regularly on TV on programmes including Doctors.

MUSIC Michelle says: “The idea behind Brit Youth Theatre was to focus on getting students TIM TANDLER DRUM SCHOOL

on stage andCentre having a large1-to-1 performing drum tuition, City location scaleRock production to 1-8. work towards in a School grades Ages 4 upwards. full scale theatre with503 costume and set. A Tel: 0121 5849 www.timtandlerdrumschool.co.uk production really motivates the students – they have pride in what they are doing.

Being part of a big show is exciting and

Clubs & Classes

DIRECTORY

MUSIC BIR

1-to-1 drum tuition, City Centre location M I N G H A M Rock School grades 1-8.

Ages 4 upwards.

Tel: 0121 503 5849 www.birminghamdrumschool.co.uk

DANCE & DRAMA

DUBARRIE SCHOOL OF DANCE Ballet, Tap and Jazz age 2 ½ + Branches in Yardley and Solihull Telephone: 0121 744 1422 www.dubarrieschoolofdance.co.uk

Harborne Dance School

SPORTS

Club Futsal UK

5-a-side football training Birmingham and Solihull Boys and Girls aged 3 to Adult Tel: 07745 565745 www.clubfutsaluk.co.uk

Ballroom, Latin, Freestyle

FootieBugs with Lee Hendrie Professional football classes 3-9 years

Adults and Children

Tel: Wendy on 07515 878772

Tel: 0121 777 7792

www.footiebugs.com

MASQUERADE MUSICAL THEATRE Youth Theatre Group, Age 4+

Garretts Green Lane, Sheldon, B26 2SA

Telephone: 0121 722 3761 www.masquerademusicaltheatre.co.uk

TUITION

Primary Plus-The Inspiring Tuition Service 11+, SATs, Literacy & Numeracy support from 7 years

Solihull Young Dancers

In the heart of the Jewellery Quarter

Ballet and Tap Dancing Classes from age 2 ½ + Tel: Kate on 07722 732678

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SPOTLIGHT STAGE SCHOOL Dance/Drama/Singing/Gymnastics Exams, Shows & Competitions North Solihull. 0121-242-3904 www.spotlightstageschool.co.uk

Tel: 0845 206 8658

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YOGA

Fun and creative yoga classes From walking age to 12 Tel: 0845 863 0682 Email: nidhi@yogabugs.com www.yogabugs.com

TO ADVERTISE HERE CALL 0758 352 6056 8

Issue 21

it really instils them with confidence and self belief.”

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat will run from June 23-25 at the Crescent Theatre. The Brit Youth Theatre run groups in Solihull and Sutton Coldfield. If you would like to find out more about joining them and taking part in their shows, call Michelle on 0208 537 2020 or 07958 949 858 or log on to www.brityouththeatre.co.uk

Saturday skate school Join a Saturday rollerskate school run by Rolladome at the Futsal centre at Great King Street North.

The classes are for children and adults of all ages and abilities who want to improve their roller skating skills.

To book for summer term, log on to www.eventbrite.co.uk or call Rolladome on 0208 978 3760

Safety for cyclists & pedestrians The Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies, has called for measures to improve road safety for pedestrians and cyclists to encourage us all to walk and cycle more.

Her comments come amid growing concern about the state of the nation’s health with almost two thirds of adults and one third of children under 18 now overweight or obese.

In the interests of our health, we need to get out of our cars and walk or cycle more but the risk of serious injury for each kilometre travelled on a bike is 21 times higher than by car. The Chief Medical Officer says this is unacceptably high.

Dame Davies has also fired a warning shot across the bows of food and drink manufacturers urging them to use less sugar.

She indicated that if voluntary measures to reduce sugar content fail, the Government might need to consider a ‘sugar tax’. In children aged 11-18, almost a third of the added sugar in their average diet comes from soft drinks.

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Holiday camps

What will you be doing this half term?

Don’t mooch around at home this half term when there are loads of fun activities on offer to get you out and about.

Adventure Activities: Try zip-wiring, canoeing, kayaking, take part in a jungle challenge and master the technique of shooting a bullseye with a bow and arrow.

There is a different activity every day at Ackers Adventure holiday camp for 8-16 year olds.

Call 0121 772 5111.

SuperCamps: (suits working parents) will be running multi activity camps at Dame Elizabeth Cadbury school in Bournville and at Edgbaston High School for Girls. Log on to www.supercamps.co.uk or call them on 01235 467 300 to find out more.

Football: Footiebugs are running fun half term camps at venues in Birmingham and Solihull and can offer wrap-around care. Fun games and activities include the cross-bar challenge, the number game, and penalty shoot-outs. Children will also learn a specific football skill each day such as possession or ball control, and each camp ends with a Mini World Cup Day. Call 0121 777 7792.

Filming: Mac Birmingham is looking for teens (12 plus) who want to take part in a one day film challenge where they will write, direct and star in their own movie. See it premiere in the Mac cinema the very same day. Call 0121 446 3232 or book online at www.macbirmingham.co.uk

The UK’s No.1 scho�l �o�iday ��� camps

Fun a�d �f�ordable child�are in the sc�o�l ho�idays

Cricket: There is a half term cricket coaching camp at Dorridge Cricket Club for ages 5-17. Early drop off and late pick-up options available for working parents. Call 07886 689 941 to book.

Golf: Pitch up to a golf camp for juniors aged 3-16 at Queslett Park Golf Course in Great Barr. Try it for a day or book a 4 day pass.

Call 0121 360 7600.

Bo�k onli�e at w�w.sup�rcamps.c��uk or cal� 01235 46730�

www.ackers-adventure.co.uk 0121 772 5111 Birthday Parties! Have a party with a difference at Ackers.

Packages available which include an activity, invites, party room, certificates & loads of fun!

Whatever floats your boat!

Have a fun family day out designing and building toy rafts and boats - then race them in the shallow water of the river Cole and see who wins.

The activity day at Sarehole mill on May 25 is aimed at families with school-age children. Drop in from 12.15pm to 2.15pm to design your craft and be ready in time for the starting gun at 2.15pm when you get to race with the best.

Don’t forget to wear your wellies as you will be stepping into the water. (For safety, all children must be supervised by an adult.)

School Holiday Programme Daily, every school holiday for 8-16yrs, 10am till 4pm, £20 per day. Ski, Climb, Canoe, Archery, Kayak and more. Each day is different!

Pre booking essential on 0121

772 5111

G o l d e n H i l l o c k R o a d, S p a r k b r o o k,

Birmingham B11 2PY

info@ackers-adventure.co.uk Issue 21

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Parenting

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Wanted - full time mum, salary circa £100,000

W

e all know mums are priceless, but if it was a job advertised under Situations Vacant what salary would it attract?

The answer according to PrezzyBox, who totted up how much it would cost to pay for all the work mums do, is a whopping £100,000 a year (including bonus) – equal to the salary of a well-paid company director.

Prezzybox.com calculated a mum’s worth based on the cost of caring for two children, cleaning up after them, cooking for them, washing and ironing for them, acting as chauffeur, nursing them when they are ill and counselling them through childhood crises like falling out with their friends, or breaking up with their boyfriend.

By far the biggest cost was childcare at £48,921 a year for looking after a preschooler. On average a nanny is paid £8.40 per hour and Mums of pre-school children look after a child for 16 hours a day, with 8 hours on call when their child is sleeping, so 5,840 hours a year or 112 hours a week dedicated to childcare. This drops to a mere 5,000 hours annually (96 hours a week) once they go to school.

The 420 hours a year mums spend on cleaning comes to £4,368 based on average

Kings Heath Grange Day Nursery

cleaning services rates of £10.40 an hour.

Employing a cook for the 13 hours a week mums spend preparing meals adds another £6,084 to the bill; using a laundry service adds £3,740 and paying for a chauffeur service for 9 hours a week would set you back £7,582 a year. Nursing poorly children through the year accounts for £10,000 and a counselling service adds another £4,233.

This comes to a grand total of £90,220 - and given that you don’t get holidays or sick pay or pension benefits, we are throwing in a bonus of £10,000. Because, remember this … you are worth it. Even if you never see a penny of it!

2008|2009

29008|2009 002|8002

RUSSELL NURSERY SCHOOL

Children aged from 3 months to 5 years.

Ofsted Outstanding

• Qualified friendly staff.

• Daily home cooking.

• Interactive Whiteboard/Table.

• CCTV cameras in every room.

• Free Grant places available for 3+

Tel: 0121 777 4902

130 Russell Rd, Hall Green, B’ham B28 8SQ

Other sites

621 Fox Hollies Road, Hall Green, Birmingham.

B28 9DW Tel: 0121 777 3778

Small World Nursery, 975 Stratford Road, Hall Green, Birmingham B28 8BG Tel: 0121 693 3071

O stan fsted Nor ding 2 thfi eld 012

Out

• • • • •

Care in a homely setting From birth to 8 All staff CRB-checked Low staff turnover Exercise classes and sign language • Open door policy • Ofsted rating Good • Full and part time places

To visit call Amanda on

0121 444 0515

Jumping Jacks Day Nursery Kings Heath Grange Day Nursery

6 Balaclava Road, B14 7SG Tel: 0121 444 0808

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23-25 Grange Road, B14 7RN Tel: 0121 444 0515

Day Nursery Schools Quality Pre-School Education and Care • Ages 3 months to 5 years • Small group sizes • Open 7.30am to 6.00pm • Mature qualified staff • Home cooked meals • Ofsted approved 106 Wake Green Road Moseley, B13 9PZ. Tel: 0121-449-3673

• CCTV and Door-entry security • Grant Funding processed • Teachers specializing in Music, Dance & French (subject to availability) 19 Woodland Road, Northfield, B31 2HU. Tel: 0121-475-8416

Family

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Where there’s a will …

M

ore than half of UK adults do not have a will. If you are young, free and single with few assets that might not be a problem. But if you have a family all that changes.

Nevertheless, according to 2013 statistics, a mere 32 per cent of 35-54 year olds have a will – leaving a staggering 68 per cent who don’t.

If you die without a will, the law says who gets what – and it might not be what you intended. For example, a surviving partner who was not married (or in a civil partnership) has no automatic right to inherit. For inheritance purposes children include legally adopted sons or daughters, but not stepchildren.

Family structures have become much more complex with almost six million people in the UK now cohabiting. While, some are young couples or older divorcees, 39 per cent of co-habiting couples have dependent children.

Many mistakenly believe that unmarried couples who live together for some time have a “common law marriage” which gives them the same legal rights as married couples. The reality is there is no such thing as common law marriage in the UK.

You can draw up your own will but remember that for a will to be legally valid it needs to be signed by you in the presence of two witnesses.

Neither the witnesses nor their spouses can be beneficiaries of your will.

The Government recommends that you take legal advice in drawing up your will if it is not straightforward – for example if you share a property with someone to whom you are not married, or if there are several family members who may make a claim on your will such as a second spouse or children from another marriage. You should also get professional advice if you run a business or own overseas property.

If you want to decide what happens if the unexpected It is recommended that happens (ie you die young), then you really should you review or update make a will to protect your family. A will should set out your will after major who you want to benefit; who should look after any life changes like getting children under 18; who is going to sort out your estate Novate Familyand ad 130mm x 180mm Apr people 14 PATHS_Layout 01/04/2014 15:48 Page 1 or divorced, having (the executor) what happens if the you want 1 married a child or moving house. to benefit die before you do.

Issue 21

11

Summer camps

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

What’s new for

A

re you super organised or more of a last minute scramble type mum? I tend towards the latter, but when it comes to summer it pays to be organised. You wouldn’t expect the best if you left booking a family holiday in high season to the week before you go; so too with summer camps and activities for children.

Assuming you are a working parent who takes a 2-week summer break, there are at least four weeks of the school summer holidays when your kids are free but you’re not (sadly!). However, even if you are lucky enough to be off for the whole of the holidays, it is good for children to be able to dabble with new experiences and have some fun activities scheduled in. So what’s new for summer 2014?

Ultimate Activity

– age 4-14, runs all summer This is the first season of summer camps Ultimate Activity are running in Birmingham, although they have 25 years experience operating in other venues throughout the UK. They will be based at King Edward High School – a leafy venue in Edgbaston, complete with indoor swimming pool, netball and tennis courts, pitches, Astroturf pitches, dance studio and dedicated arts room.

The camps for ages 4-14 will run from July 14 right through to August 29 and, with drop off from 8.30am and pick up after 5pm, the sessions suit working parents. With the fantastic facilities on offer and the sheer range of activities for all age groups, this camp cannot fail to win over even the most reluctant camper. Have a go at archery, zorbing or fencing. Take part in initiative games, pedal kart challenge or a capture the flag game. Play tennis, netball, or swim.

Make a mask, or paint a mega mural. The list goes on …

Luke Hayward from Ultimate Activity says: “We are very particular about the quality of our staff. The children are not just being supervised – they are being encouraged, learning new skills and ultimately having great fun.” www.ultimateactivity.co.uk Contact: 0844 870 7077

Meerkat Madness

– age 7-16, runs August 4-8

This new summer camp is being run by Big Arena Drama at Fairfax school in Sutton Coldfield. The young people perform Meerkat Madness, an original script written especially for the summer school with songs, dance and parts for everyone. Role casting takes place on Monday and by Friday afternoon there will be a show ready to perform for an audience of friends and family.

Producer Mike Venables says: “The emphasis throughout the week will be on fun and creativity and making sure the children have a good time making friends, improving their performing skills and building their confidence.” Contact: 0121 427 3770, 07738 952 062, www.bigarenadrama.com

Strings Club

– age 4-12, runs July28-August 1

The Strings Club will be running its summer camp in Harborne for budding musicians – including complete beginners (instruments can be provided). Tuition is offered in guitar, violin and ukulele and each day there is a fun musical experience from funky workshops to masterclasses by renowned composers.

Founder Amy Cunningham says: “What makes our holiday camps so unique is that each child - whether complete beginner or advanced - leaves us as an inspired musician with a big grin on their face!”

Contact: 07799 332562 www.thestringsclub.org

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Issue 21

Summer camps

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

summer 2014?

Taste Kitchen cookery school

– age 8-15, day courses July and August The brand new Taste Kitchen cookery school in Sutton Coldfield will be running summer classes for children in July and August.

Cook, food writer and critic Penny Zako will teach the young people to prepare and cook a 3 course meal from scratch with fresh ingredients. The themed cookery days will cover Indian, Chinese and Italian menus. Children can be accompanied by adults (no charge for adults), or can work on their own or in pairs. Contact: Fiona Asson 01743452818 www.heff.co.uk

Enterprise Summer School

– Ages 11-16, runs July 28 & August 4 New Junior Apprentice style course run in Harborne, Solihull, Sutton Coldfield and Sandwell. See page 5 for details.

Summer Camps £80 ONLY

Are you aged between 11-16?

Would you like to do something exciting and different this summer?

PER WEEK

Are you a budding entrepreneur or future business leader?

If so why not check out the new and exciting week long summer camps happening in and around Birmingham

Street dance or Cheerleading

- age 10 -18, runs July 27 - August 1 Back again for summer 2014, join a unique five day Street Dance Camp or Cheerleading Camp at Elmhurst School for Dance. Professional dance instructors and choreographers take novice and advanced dancers through their paces in an intense five day dance school. Street dancers will be taught diverse styles including Poppin’, Breakin’, Lockin’, House, Nu-style, and Hip hop, while cheerleaders are trained by UK Cheerleading Association coaches. Residential and non residential options available for both camps.

Find out more at www.letmeplay.co.uk or call 020 3475 7511

Click here to add photo or Drag photo he re

Business & Enterprise

Where: Solihull, Harborne, Sandwell & Sutton Coldfield When: Monday 28th July – Friday 1st August and Monday 4th Aug – Friday 8th Aug From 10 – 3pm

oto Click here to add ph or Drag photo here

How to book: Online

www.

enterprisingminds.co.uk

or call 0121 369 1975

for further details Limited places

Do something this summer that your future self will thank you for!

Click here to add photo or Drag photo here

Issue 21

13

Parties

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Fabulous parties

A

birthday party is a ritual of childhood and an event that’s remembered forever. But you don’t have to do it yourself.

Here we have ten party ideas to get you thinking.

MUSIC ACADEMY

!

FAVOURITE SONG RECORD YOUR R TA PS TO BE A PO EVER WANTED FOR THE DAY? es in brand new Children’s parti io recording stud Call 0121 212 9642

www.progess-academy.co.uk

Only £99

Arty parties: Pottering around with paints is fab fun for all ages. Decorate your own magical box, paint a rocket… For a glittering time with no mess at home, speak to Creation Station who will tailor make the perfect party for your child. (Call Sat Virdee on 0844 874 7485).

Rev up: Let party time whizz by with safe Go Kart parties designed for children aged 4-10. The battery operated go-karts have controlled speeds to suit all ages and abilities, safety belts and sturdy frame and roll bars. (Call Tony or Ellie on 0121 441 5023).

Popstar parties: Record your own song with your friends at a brand new recording studio in the Jewellery Quarter. Choose a song, have a lesson and then spend 2 hours in the recording studio. The birthday boy or girl goes home with a printed CD copy too. (Call 0121 212 9642).

BIRTHDAY PARTY

SPECIAL OFFER: 2 GAMES OF LASER

& A choice of pizza and drink!

£10.99 pp !VAILABLE -ONDAY 4UESDAYS ONLY

Active outdoors: Kayak, canoe, climb, zipwire or take part in a jungle challenge at Ackers Adventure – ideal parties for energetic 7-16 yearolds, all led by qualified instructors. Tobogganing for 2-12 year olds.

(Call 0121 772 5111).

Gaming2u: A state of the art video gaming party on wheels which can host up to 16 players. A truck with giant screens and systems link games rolls up to your house and it’s game on. As well as gaming parties, it offers 3D cinema parties on board. (Call 07511 515315).

A world of adventure: A party host at Hatton Adventure World will guide your guests around the Park and they get to play in Snorty’s Superslide Mania too (Call 01926 843411).

Scaletrix parties: The Phoenix Scaletrix Circuit at Studley is a 150 foot track with 6 lanes and caters for 24 players. Race your cars in a grand prix and watch your spectacular race crashes on the large screen.

PS Dads can play too! (Contact Jon 07949 656577).

Party Booster: Why not boost your party and get...

Pony parties: Brookhouse Riding School in Shirley hold children’s parties with 30 minutes riding instruction in the arena followed by gymkhana games. (Call 0121 474 2078).

s &ULL FOOD OR GREATER FOOD CHOICE s 0ARTY BAGS FOR ALL s $ODGEM RIDES

£1.99 pp

Failsafe fun: Laser Station party – a huge hit with both boys and girls; an adrenaline-filled laser game challenge where no-one gets hurt.

Hunt down and hit your target and help your team to victory.

(Call 0121 328 1235).

LSTAR2014

See online, ask in store or call for further details

Lego: Have a themed Lego party - Minecraft, Star Wars, Angry Birds or Cars. (Contact Create, Give Them A Party They Won’t Forget!

Build Learn on 07758 752333).

Unit 27 Star City Watson Road Birmingham B7 5SA

Tel: s www.laserstation.co.uk Terms & conditions apply. Management have the right to withdraw or change certain offers without notice.

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Issue 21

We Specialise In Indoor Birthday Parties Completely Safe For Children 4 – 9 Years Old For further information, or to book your party Call 0121 441 5023 - www.go-kartparty.co.uk

Tea party: For a hasslefree option contact Love Lucia parties and ask about their Mad Hatter tea-party; Royal tea party, or Teddy Bear’s picnic.

(Call 07919 202608).

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

A mum forever

A mum forever

S

tay-at-home mum Carolyn Rose earns more than her husband and has no pension worries.

And no, she didn’t win the lottery or come into an inheritance. Being able to stay at home without money worries is the stuff that dreams are made of for many working mothers. Carolyn drops her children to school and picks them up; never misses a sports day or school concert and is always there for the children when they are ill. So how does she do what most mothers long to do, and could you do it too?

Carolyn’s answer to that is an emphatic yes. Her story starts after she had been made redundant from a job in customer services and had lost a lot of her self confidence. Then, by chance, she found herself becoming an Independent Distributor for the health and wellness company Forever. Last year the company had a £50 million turnover in the UK and $2.9 billion globally – and it defied the recession with impressive growth figures.

“I came across Forever quite accidentally in the pre-school queue when I started talking to another mum, Natalie. We were talking about my husband’s digestion - and she recommended the Forever aloe vera gel. To be totally honest I was really sceptical but within 8 weeks the difference was amazing!”

Carolyn started taking aloe vera gel too and recommending it to other Mums, until it got to the stage where Natalie asked her if she would like to take it on as a job. Forever offers a whole range of products including shampoos, aluminium-free deodorants, skin care products and cosmetics.

1,500

Carolyn says: “I had been at home looking after the children for three years at that point and I was adamant I wanted something that fitted around them. But jobs are not that flexible.”

Two things persuaded her to give Forever a go. The initial outlay was only £200 on a starter pack and there was a 60 day money back guarantee on all products. Also new distributors are mentored so they spend time shadowing others to learn the ropes before they get started themselves, and there is ongoing training and support.

“I loved the products and I was happy to recommend them as I had tried them, so I never really felt like I was selling – if you watch a good film, you tell someone – this is no different,” she says.

Once Carolyn got stuck in she started building the business and taking on a team to help her. Six years on from first joining Forever, Carolyn says: “I earn more than I did before I was made redundant and work half the hours!

“Some of my team are just looking for an extra income and work a few hours a week while others are looking for a larger income and are prepared to put in more hours. You do as little or as much as you want, and work flexibly around your other commitments.”

Carolyn is now expanding her team as the business grows. If you would like further information on joining, call her on 07789 916278.

If a rewarding job with true security that provides you with the work/life balance, flexibility and control over your own destiny sounds appealing – contact Carolyn Rose today.

You can work part time, around your existing work or family commitments and there is no financial investment.

Find out how Carolyn’s children can always be her priority – working part-time hours to suit her family commitments – you too could change your life.

Contact Carolyn for a FREE information pack on

07789 916278 or email: carolynrose121@gmail.com Issue 21

15

Education

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Additional places on offer...

B

irmingham Grammar Schools have 169 additional places on offer this year, bringing the total number of pupil places available to 1,188 across 8 schools.

The expansion is partly prompted by a widening access project at the King Edward VI Foundation which is looking to attract bright candidates from right across the social spectrum. As part of the initiative, the Foundation’s five selective Grammar Schools are working with a number of primary schools to identify pupils working at advanced levels whose families might not otherwise have considered applying for the 11 plus.

Following consultations, the King Edward VI Foundation has also altered its admission criteria for September 2015 to its five selective grammar schools (Aston, Camp Hill Girls, Camp Hill Boys, Five Ways and Handsworth School).

The new arrangements will ensure that a certain number of disadvantaged children attracting a pupil premium who achieve the qualifying score will gain entry to the schools.

Pupils will still be admitted on the basis of their performance in the test, and applicants will be ranked according to their test score. Then, where the number of applications for admission exceeds the number of places available at the school, places are offered to children as follows: 1. Looked After Children / Previously Looked After Children who achieve the qualifying score by rank order of standardised score.

2. Up to (this number ranges from 24-36 according to school) other children attracting the Pupil Premium who achieve the qualifying score by rank order of standardised score.

3. Other children who achieve the qualifying score by rank order of standardised score. (see schools’ websites for full details) Children attracting pupil premium are those who have been registered for free school meals at any point in the 6 years prior to the closing date for test registration (11 July 2014).

The Foundation is also funding a substantial number of means-tested assisted places at each of their two fee-paying independent schools (King Edward VI and King Edward VI High School for Girls). It already allocates £2million in grants for assisted places at the independent schools but over the next seven years it has pledged another £3million in means-tested grants.

Jim Beeston, OBE, Chairman of the Foundation Board, said: “We want to ensure that the world class education that our schools provide is made available as widely as possible within Birmingham.”

Despite the increase in grammar school spaces, the competition for entry will be as keen as ever for entry in September 2015 with vastly more applicants than there are places available. Almost 4 in 5 children competing for a place this year were left disappointed with 4,700 children sitting the 11 plus and just over 1,000 spaces on offer.

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Issue 21

For many parents there is a judgement call to make about whether or not to put a child forward for the tests. It can be a balancing act between wanting the best for a child while not wanting to put them under undue pressure to make the grade.

A guideline given by the King Edward Foundation schools to parents is that pupils should be working at level 5 by the end of year 6. Even then there is no guarantee that they will win a coveted grammar school place – but they might have a sporting chance.

Education

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Maths packs & mock exams

K

SOL, the 11 plus tuition specialists, have released a new range of 11 plus Maths Skills packs.

Each pack is full of challenging 11 plus style questions with detailed examples and an answer booklet. The activities aim to teach children about using and applying maths to word problems, which they can find particularly difficult.

The packs can be used in conjunction with a KSOL online tuition programme or to improve maths skills ahead of 11 plus and independent school exams.

The 6 packs cover: fractions, decimals & percentages; ratio & money; numbers, sequences & algebra; mean, mode, median & data handling; area, perimeter & volume; shapes, angles & symmetry.

The tuition group also runs mock exams in the run up to the 11 plus with two already scheduled for May 17 and July 12.

KSOL Director Anita Dhunna says: “This year KSOL achieved a record 86% student success rate in the 11 plus exam.

“Our mock exam is a live exam experience and is a fantastic way to prepare your child. We are highly experienced in delivering exams in the CEM format (used by Birmingham, Warwickshire and Walsall) and the prediction rate from our 11 plus mock exams is very high.

“Our exam analysis will benchmark your child’s ability, giving a projection on how they are likely to score in the real 11 plus exam. The exams help to identify any problem areas, allowing enough time afterwards to rectify them before the big day!”

KSOL 11 plus Maths Skills packs - £10.99 each + £3.20 P&P when purchased online at www.ksol.co.uk or by calling 0121 733 6558. To find out more, or book a mock exam, call KSOL on 0121 733 6558.

Improve 11 plus vocabulary in a flash

Looking to boost your child’s vocabulary ahead of the 11 plus exam?

Farquhar’s Vocabulary Flash Cards have been specifically created to improve children’s verbal reasoning skills and ultimately help them succeed in the 11 plus entrance examination.

The cards are recommended for the verbal reasoning element of the Durham CEM test.

Featuring carefully selected words collated from recognised 11 plus material, the cards will build confidence

and vocabulary knowledge at the appropriate level tested in the 11 plus entrance examination.

The flash cards will encourage your child to build up a bank of challenging vocabulary, synonyms, antonyms and compound words. Easily portable in small sets, they are perfect for vocabulary practice on the go - an invaluable time-saving resource for busy parents.

For more information visit: www.vocabularyflashcards.co.uk

Dates to remember: Birmingham Grammar Schools

Application forms available early May and online registration from: May 12 Deadline for returning forms for parents/ carers seeking adjustments to the test for disabled children/or children requiring special resources to sit the test: June 18.

Registration deadline: 4pm on Friday July 11 Eleven plus test date: September 6 Test results expected: October 17

Warwickshire Grammar Schools Registration for the 11 plus test for September 2015 opens: June.

Closing date for applications: July 9 (T.B.C) Main 11 plus test date: September 6 (T.B.C.) Supplementary test date: September 13 (T.B.C.) Test results expected: October 17.

Walsall Grammar Schools

Application forms available: March 4 Closing date for applications: June 6 Eleven plus test date: July 1 Test results expected: September 30 (Please note test results are not an offer of a place).

VOCABULARY FLASH CARDS

11+ VERBAL REASONING VOCABULARY FLASH CARDS Expand your antonym and synonym knowledge and achieve a higher 11+ score Recommended by tutors for the verbal reasoning element of the Durham CEM test

www.vocabularyflashcards.co.uk Issue 21

17

Education

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Prep schools:Â what are they and how to choose the right one? by Ellen Arnison

T

raditionally a preparatory school was where children went to ‘prepare’ to go to one of the major British public schools, such as Eton and Harrow. However, while that picture still exists in some cases, the situation now varies widely. Broadly, there are two kinds of prep school – one where the children leave at 11, perhaps after an 11 plus exam, and one where the children sit the Common Entrance exam then leave at 13.

There are more than 1,000 prep schools in the UK taking children to 11 and 13.

Traditionally they are boarding schools but nowadays many parents choose to send their children daily. Equally some prep schools will be part of ‘all-through’ schools catering for children from the age of three up to 18, and some will be attached to a senior school.

Some prep schools adhere to the National Curriculum but they are not bound to, which can give them freedom to offer a broader and more varied curriculum that isn’t burdened by tests.

There isn’t always an entrance exam for preps schools, in many cases the school will just want to interview you and your child, perhaps inviting him or her to spend a ‘taster’ session in class. This also allows teaching staff to observe how your child fits in. In choosing a prep school, it is helpful to look at the end destination – the senior school – and work backwards. Your decision will be narrowed by considering if there is a school attached to your preferred secondary and what criteria they use to select pupils.

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Ask yourself the following questions: Does the school fit the basic requirements of you and your child in terms of gender, day and/or boarding, religious denomination, curriculum and location?

Does it meet your educational objectives in terms of offering the exams your child will need to sit? Will your child be happy there?

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Discover more about the EHS Ethos 8IPMF 4DIPPM 0QFO %BZ

Preparatory School ‘Open House’ 4BUVSEBZ +BOVBSZ BN OPPO

Thursday 8 May 2014 9.30am - 3.00pm /PX UBLJOH SFHJTUSBUJPOT GPS 4FQUFNCFS Academic, Music, Sport,Art Scholarships - Means-tested bursaries available "DBEFNJD .VTJD 4QPSU "SU 4DIPMBSTIJQT .FBOT UFTUFE CVSTBSJFT 8FTUC PVSOF 3 PBE &EH CBTUPO #JSNJOH IBN # 54 5FM B EN JTT J POT ! F EH C B T UPO I JH I D P V L X X X F EH C B T UPO I JH I D P V L

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Issue 21

Do you get good feedback from other parents and children?

Does the school get a good report? How are the exam results, the general atmosphere and the teaching quality?

Do you like the ethos of the school? It’s usually very clear and follows strong leadership from the Head.

What is the teaching and staff turnover like?

What is the curriculum?

How big are the classes?

What is the school’s approach to discipline and rules?

What did the most recent inspection report say?

What are the pastoral care facilities like?

Does the school offer the facilities you would like to see, such as for sport, music or drama?

Is there a wide-enough range of extra curricular activities?

Does the school give value for money for what you want?Â

St George’s

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Families May June 2014:St George's Edgbaston

Children go out and about to enhance learning

An individual approach to education

St George’s School Edgbaston

St George’s Lower School, Edgbaston

Give your child the very best start in life with an education at St George’s Lower School, Edgbaston.

S

t George’s offers young students an exciting programme of learning with projects often supported by educational trips. This allows the children to apply the knowledge they have learned in school to real world situations and provides opportunities to visit places they might not have otherwise discovered.

Years 5 and 6 students enjoyed learning all about water as their topic last term. Representatives from Water Aid visited children at the school, who had raised money for the Charity to help people in Africa. The topic concluded with a visit to London, to learn about the rich and varied history of the River Thames.

“Field trips provide unique educational opportunities that are not always available within the four walls of a classroom,” says Jenny Shaw, Head of the Lower School. “Children really enjoy learning outside of the classroom and this can help them understand the end goal of the topic.”

The School is based at the heart of rural Edgbaston with many cultural and historic venues located across the City of Birmingham.

Children have enjoyed visits to the nearby Botanical Gardens, the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, the Ikon Gallery and the new Library of Birmingham. These visits support curriculum based studies, helping to bring learning alive.

Children at St George’s also enjoy many enrichment activities.

The Lower School Choir regularly sings at residential care homes for the elderly and performs at St George’s Church during end of term celebrations. The School is also developing its Forest School facilities which will allow children to engage with the natural diversity of an outdoor woodland setting.

St George’s offers young students a wonderful opportunity to develop through exploration, challenges and an exciting programme of inquiry based learning. For more details please call 0121 625 0398.

Article supplied by St George’s School, Edgbaston

11/4/14

A fully co-educational independent day school offering a caring and friendly community for children from 4 years of age to18 years.

St George’s also offers a pre-school nursery for children from 4 months of age.

PLEASE CONTACT THE SCHOOL FOR DETAILS OF FORTHCOMING OPEN DAYS �

�

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Small classes with a creative and constructive learning ethos Outstanding support for children with dyslexia Speech therapy available within the school 11+ tuition Extensive extra-curricular and enrichment activities including peripatetic music lessons and LAMDA speech and drama examinations Wide choice of after school clubs Lower School aftercare until 5.50pm each day

Tel: 0121 625 0398 31, Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 1RX Email: admissions@sgse.co.uk Children love exploring the great outdoors

www.sgse.co.uk Issue 21

19

14

Parenting

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Keeping kids safe online

I

magine a life without the internet.

Most of us probably can’t. Whether it is picking up work e-mails, booking a holiday online or searching for the house of our dreams, using the internet has become part and parcel of our lives.

For those of us who can remember life without e-mail (I admit I can), the internet is truly amazing! But it can also be dangerous.

What parent is not worried about children viewing inappropriate sites? Or online bullying, teenage sexting and grooming? We all think it couldn’t happen to our children, but it can!

So, Families has teamed up with internet safety experts F-secure to give parents tips on keeping children safe online. Readers also get the chance to try F-secure SAFE free for six months. See how below.

Allen Scott, managing director of F-Secure UK & Ireland, says: “Many parents rely on traditional or free software which doesn’t have social networking and parental controls. Without these additional features, parents are leaving their children open to all that is bad about the internet. We understand that many people are a bit lost when it comes to online protection, which is why we’ve compiled the advice below to give some guidance.”

Set up user accounts for each member of the family.

This will allow you to tweak the parental controls for each of your children. For example, blocking chat rooms and forums for young children, but allowing them for your teenagers. You can also use these controls to set ‘homework time’ for older children, which will block them from visiting any sites which are not deemed educational during your specified hours.

Whitelist sites for young children. Many young children enjoy using the internet, but they only want to view the same few sites over and over, such as CBeebies. Using the whitelist function, add in all the websites you are happy for them to view and block the rest. This way, they won’t stumble upon something which is not appropriate for their age.

Have ‘The Talk’ before letting your teenagers join social networking sites. You need to set rules before letting your

children enjoy social networking sites such as Facebook and

Instagram. Every child is different, so this must come from you.

Some parents want access to their child’s account, so they can check up on them at any time. Be warned, this can lead to your child setting up a second account in a different name. It is a good idea to only allow them to be ‘friends’ with people they know in real life though. Whatever your approach, help them set their account up with privacy restrictions, so their profile is not public. You can use this free tool to test their Facebook profile. It will show what is public and explain how to change the settings accordingly.

Don’t forget their smartphones and tablets. Most children have access to these devices now and the way they use them is no different to a computer, so they need to be protected too. Mobile security software is downloaded as an app or will come as part of the security software package you buy for your computer. Set up parental controls on these devices, just as you would for your computer. It is wise to set up a password for your children’s devices, so that they must come to you before downloading any app or inapp purchase. This will also mean you’ll avoid a nasty shock when the bill arrives.

To access the free trial with F-secure SAFE just go to www.f-secure.com/SAFEFAMILIES and enter this coupon code KOGMOJSWKF-PUXVB-PYYVR

IS YOUR FAMILY REALLY PROTECTED ONLINE? Try award-winning F-Secure SAFE free for 6 months and then just £59.99 a year. To cover three of your devices – PCs, Macs, Android Smartphones and Tablets. Just go to www.f-secure.com/SAFEFAMILIES and enter this coupon code KOGMO-JSWKF-PUXVB-PYYVR

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Issue 21

Events

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Buzz along to the Barber

B

ugs, bees, plants and trees is the theme for a fun family day out in Edgbaston at the end of May. Two venues – the Barber Institute and Winterbourne House and Gardens – have joined forces to host the special event.

There will be nature-inspired fun for children at the Barber peering into paintings to find a parrot, love birds, a wriggly worm and a caterpillar. Children will also enjoy some themed story-telling, make your own bug activities, a wildlife trail, falconry display, a chance to meet the Animal Man and some face-painting. What’s more it is a FREE drop-in event, which is always a bonus for parents.

On the same day, Saturday, May 31, you can flit along to the nearby Winterbourne House and Gardens which is hosting a family event with the same theme. The Edwardian house is set in seven acres of botanic gardens with 6,000 plant species from around the world. Wander along the woodland walk, stroll through the hazelnut tunnel and cross the 1930s Japanese

bridge. A family ticket to the house and gardens costs £14.50.

The Barber’s Family Drawing Sunday on May 4 (learn how to make detailed drawings of tiny insects and bugs), Craft Sunday on June 22 (make crafty bugs) and Sculpture Sunday on July 13 (Big Birds) continues the bugs, bees, plants and trees theme. For more information about the summer programme of drawing, painting and sculpture classes for children aged 4-8 and 8 upwards, or to book the sessions, call 0121 414 2261.

Forest fun in Kings Heath!

Even if you live in the centre of the city you can still find a forest school and woodland play session for children just around the corner.

At Kings Heath Park, just off the busy main street, Highbury Orchard Community run regular woodland play sessions for families in a park full of rambling trails, meandering woodland and ponds.

Fancy trying to carve your own butter knife, crafting a dream catcher to hang in one of the ancient trees, or experiencing the park after dark as a nocturnal bat would?

Sessions are led by a Forest School leader and last 1-2 hours.

The May dates are: 1. Saturday May 3, 1-3pm: Skillbuilder 4, building skills with tools, knots and materials – making a variety of woodland items, log trails, dream catchers.

2. Saturday May 24, 1-3pm: Bees Trees & Me, a bee-themed fun day with hive hanging, bee keepers, creative writing and bug hotel construction.

3. Wednesday May 28, 1 -3pm: theme to be decided!

The Forest School is free for children accompanied by a paying adult, and must be pre-booked. Sessions are aimed at 5-11 year olds and their siblings and are very popular. Contact Liz at hoccic@ gmail.com, or on 0121 628 2680. More information can be found about this and other Highbury Orchard Community ventures on www.peopleandland.org.uk Issue 21

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What’s On Theatres & shows Sequence 8

A show for all the family - Séquence 8 is an exhilarating race through the furthest reaches of acrobatics, circus arts, dance and theatre.

An International Dance Festival Birmingham event.

Venue: Birmingham Rep Theatre, Centenary Square, Broad St, B’ham, B1 3AH Date: May 8-10 Time: 7.30pm and Sat matinee at 2pm Tickets: £12-£20 To Book: 0121 236 4455

flashing across the sea – and wishes he were home.

Venue: Mac Birmingham, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH Date: May 18 Time: 2pm Tickets: £7 To Book: 0121 446 3232

May Half Term - Roll Up Roll Up

As he works sweeping up at Zelda’s Circus, Bim dreams of performing in the big top, but never gets a chance to walk the tightrope or try on the costumes. As Bim shows you all the strange and wonderful things inside the circus, will he find his special talent and make his dream come true? For ages 3-6.

Venue: Birmingham Rep Theatre, Centenary Square, Broad St, B’ham, B1 3AH Date: May 24 Time: 11.30am; 2pm and 3.30pm Tickets: Adults £7.50; child £4.50 To Book: 0121 236 4455

May Half Term The Chuckle Brothers in a 2014 Space Odyssey

Lord of the Flies

An International Dance Festival Birmingham event. Matthew Bourne’s new take on William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. As the schoolboys find themselves abandoned in a deserted theatre, Golding’s legendary characters are brought to life with raw energy, emotional intensity and breathtaking performances.

Venue: Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham, B5 4TB Date: May 14-17 Time: 7.30pm; Thurs matinee at 2pm and Sat matinee at 2.30pm Tickets: £15-£36 To Book: 0844 338 5000

May Half Term - Charlie & Lola’s Extremely New Play

Discover what happens when Lola and her best friend Lotta promise to look after Sizzles.

And follow Charlie and his best friend Marv on a Pirate Squidbones adventure!

Venue: Birmingham Rep Theatre, Centenary Square, Broad St, B’ham, B1 3AH Date: May 28-31 Time: 10.30am; 1pm and 3.30pm Tickets: £12.50; £10.50 To Book: 0121 236 4455

May Half Term Old MacDonald had a Farm

Private Peaceful

Private Peaceful relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn.

During the night he looks back at his short but joyful past growing up in rural Devon: his exciting first days at school; the accident in the forest that killed his father; his adventures with Molly, the love of his life; and the battles and injustices of war that brought him to the front line.

Private Peaceful is by third Children’s Laureate, Michael Morpurgo. Suitable for ages 8plus.

Venue: Birmingham Rep Theatre Centenary Square, Broad St, B’ham, B1 3AH Date: May 14-17 Time: Wed and Fri at 2pm; Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 11am Tickets: £7.50-£22.50

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Paul and Barry visit a toy shop to buy some water pistols. Whilst trying them out they notice a toy space ship which they get in. Don’t touch anything the shop keeper shouts out! Especially that button! This button they ask? Yes he replies. But Being The Chuckle Brothers they can’t resist it and press the button. All sorts of noises go off! Oh Dear!

Oh Dear! they cry out as they magically and accidentally go into a space on a new adventure!.

Don’t miss this new hilarious story as The Chuckle Brothers go into Space!

Venue: New Alexandra Theatre, Station Street, Birmingham, B5 4DS Date: May 24 Time: 2pm Tickets: £16.90 To Book: 0844 871 7615

Presented by the team behind There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly and written especially for parents to enjoy with their children, this fun filled farmyard tale brings to life all the best loved characters from the original nursery rhyme along with a magical medley of games, giggles and sing along songs including Heads, Shoulders Knees and Toes, She’ll Be Coming Round The Mountain and of course Old MacDonald Had A Farm Venues: Solihull Arts Complex, Central Library and Arts Complex, Touchwood, Homer Rd, Solihull, B91 3RG Date: May 30 Time: 2pm Tickets: £8 To Book: 0121 704 6962

May Half Term The Little Mermaid Ballet Theatre UK

Glittering costumes and expressive dancers are a joy to watch in this classic re-telling of a beautiful tale of the mermaid who falls in love with a prince.

Venue: Solihull Arts Complex, Homer Rd, Solihull, B91 3RG Date: May 27 Time: 2.30pm and 7.30pm Tickets: £17.50; £16.50 & £12 To Book: 0121 704 6962

Horrible Histories Barmy Britain

Horrible Histories live on stage with a brand new show BARMY BRITAIN with all new amazing 3D effects! Can you beat battling Boudicca? What if a Viking moved in next door? Has William Wallace met his match?

Would you lose your heart or head to horrible Henry?

Venue: Town Hall, Victoria Square, Birmingham, B3 3DQ Date: June 11-15 Time: Wed and Thurs 10.30am and 1.30pm; Fri 10.30am and 7pm; Sat 10.30am and 2.30pm; Sun 11am and 3pm Tickets: £12 and £16 To Book: 0121 345 0600l

The Sooty Show

Izzy Wizzy let’s get busy - it’s The Sooty Show!

Direct from CITV, Sooty heads into town in a fabulous new show to delight the whole family. Joining the nations favourite bear will be Sweep, Soo and Sooty’s TV partner Richard Cadell - who will be attempting to keep Sooty from getting up to mischief!

Venue: New Alexandra Theatre, Station Street, Birmingham, B5 4DS Date: June 28 Time: 11am and 2.30pm Tickets: £14.90 To Book: ATG tickets 0844 871 7615

Peep

Come on in to Uncle’s Story Shop, full of lots of exciting objects that he uses to make story bags for his customers. One day, his shop is broken into and everything is stolen.

He needs your help to create new stories and in return, will help you create your very own new stories.

For ages 4-7.

Venue: Birmingham Rep Theatre, Centenary Square, Broad St, B’ham, B1 3AH Date: June 28 Time: 11.30am; 2pm and 3.30pm Tickets: Adults £7.50; child £4.50 To Book: 0121 236 4455

Out & About

Robert Wilkinson Funfair

May Half Term Rock Pool by Inspector Sands

The Lighthouse Keeper’s Cat

Hamish, the lighthouse keeper’s cat, thinks he’s unloved because he overhears Mr and Mrs Grinling say he’s too plump to catch the lighthouse mice, so he runs away! He meets lots of very scary things – like cows and bicycles and screaming babies! Hamish’s hilarious antics finally lead him up a tree trapped all night by gleaming eyes. As a storm begins he sadly watches the lighthouse beam

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A big storm leaves two very different creatures stranded in a rock pool far from the sea. As their little pool starts to drain away Prawn and Crab don’t have long to find a way of getting on and getting home. Funny, tender, exuberant, partially submerged theatre from award winning company Inspector Sands.

Featuring rock music and splashy dancing!

Age 3 plus.

Venue: Mac Birmingham, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham, B12 9QH Date: May 26 Time: 11am and 2.30pm Tickets: £7 To Book: 0121 446 3232

Enjoy all the fun of the fair. There are thrills, spills and rides suitable for all ages, as well as chances to win prizes. Refreshments.

Venue: Meriden Park, Moorend Avenue, Meriden, Solihull, West Midlands, B37 5SH Date: May 15-18 Time: Weekdays 4-8.30pm, Sat and Sun 1-8.30-pm

Night at the Museum - Romans

What goes on behind the doors of the Museum at night? Tonight, as the shadows grow long, the atmosphere changes and the building comes to life with a wide range of activities as the Herbert launches its new Roman Empire exhibition - Power and People. Make and take activities, film screenings, live music in the galleries and cafe.

Venue: The Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordans Well, Coventry, CV1 5QP Date: May 17 Time: 6.30-1030pm FREE EVENT but tickets must be prebooked.

Breakin’ Convention Breakin’ Convention, the international festival of hip hop dance theatre, returns with a line-up of jawdropping performances Venue: Birmingham Hippodrome, Hurst St, Southside, Birmingham B5 4TB Date: May 20 and 21 Time: 7.30pm Tickets: £9.50 in advance; £15 on night To Book: 0844 338 5000

What’s On

www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk May Half Term 2014 Fifty things to do before you are 11 3/4

Get outside and explore the gardens and estate at Baddesley Clinton and Packwood House. How many of the 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4 can you tick off today?

Venues: Baddesley Clinton, Rising Lane, Baddesley Clinton, Near Solihull, West Midlands, B93 0DQ and Packwood House, Lapworth Ln, B94 6AT Date: May 24-June 1 Time: 11am-4pm. House and grounds open from 9am Tickets: Free admission to National Trust members. Charges for non members.

May Half Term Float Your Boat!

A fun afternoon especially for families with school age children. Drop in to design and build rafts and boats. Sail them and race them in shallow waters in the river Cole. Don’t forget to wear your wellies.

Venue: Sarehole Mill, Cole Bank Rd, Hall Green, B’ham, B13 0BD Date: May 25 Time: 12.15-2.15pm (design and build) From 2.15 pm races.

Tickets: ÂŁ1 per child

May Half Term - Family Fun Day and Teddy Bear’s picnic

A fun day out for all the family with forest skills demonstrations, a nature trail and a teddy bear’s picnic for the young and the young at heart.

Venue: Avoncroft Museum, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, Worcs, B60 4JR Date: May 26 Time: 10.30am-4pm Tickets: Adults ÂŁ7.70; child ÂŁ4 and under 5 free

Date: May 27-29 Time: 12-3pm Tickets: ÂŁ1 per child.

May Half Term We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Half term children’s activities at Avoncroft including We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Den building, a themed trail and lots of craft activities. Pre-booking recommended. Venue: Avoncroft Museum, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove, B60 4JR Date: May 27-29 Time: 10.30am-4pm Tickets: Adults £7.70; child £4 and under 5 free To Book: 01527 831363

May Half Term – Den building, Pond Dipping, Springing frogs craft

A range of nature-related outdoor activities and craft for children during half term. Incudes den building and pond dipping, springing frogs and ladybird craft. For full details log on to www.familiesbirmingham.co.uk/what’s on; www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk or call 0121 704 0768.

Dates: May Half term. Some activities require booking, others are drop in.

Tickets: Costs range from ÂŁ2 to ÂŁ4.50 per child.

May Half Term - Animal Mania

Blakesley’s favourite mobile zoo Animal Mania are visiting this half-term with their cute and furry animals Venue: Blakesley Hall, Blakesley Road, Yardley, B25 8RN Date: May 30 Time: 12-3pm. Drop in. No need to book.

Tickets: ÂŁ1 per child. Free entrance to garden and visitor centre. Usual ticket prices to Hall ÂŁ4 adults; ÂŁ3 concessions and children under 16 are free.

May Half Term Romans on the Rampage

May Half Term Make a Kite Workshop

Go fly a kite!  Make yourself a kite to fly during the summer hols. Venue: Weoley Castle, Alwood Road, Birmingham, B29 5 RJ Date: May 30 Time: 12-2.30pm Tickets: £1 per participant.

Children must be accompanied.

Solihull Carnival

Celebrate 80 years of the Carnival with the Solihull Lions as they take on this event for the first time. Plenty of entertainment, stalls and activities to enjoy.

Venue: Tudor Grange Park, B 91 3LU Date: June 7 Time: 12-5pm

Party in the Park

Internationally acclaimed Birmingham Symphonic Winds presents “party in the park� with an evening themed ‘Lights, Camera, Action!’ Music from film themes and TV tunes.

Guaranteed to entertain an audience of all ages.

Venue: Greswold Primary School, Buryfield Road, Solihull, B91 2AZ Date: June 7 Time: 5pm Tickets: Adults ÂŁ10; concessions ÂŁ8; Under 16 ÂŁ2 and under 5s free. Available on the door, or email: ptagreswold@gmail.com

Donkey Derby

Help Shirley Round Table to raise money for charity by supporting the ever-popular Donkey Derby event, now in its 44th year.

Donkey races, entertainment for all ages, children’s rides, sideshows and stalls.

Come along and join in the fun.

Venue: Shirley Park, B90 3AL Date: June 14 Time: 12.30-5pm Tickets: ÂŁ2

A series of family friendly events and creative workshops inspired by the Herbert’s Roman Exhibition. From Roman soldier puppets with artist Jim Morris to armour and weaponery, children will beome true rampaging soldiers by the end of the week!

Venue: Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, Jordans Well, Coventry.

Date: May 26-31 Time: Times vary. See website for details. www.theherbert.org FREE Š CVh^ʊcVa Ifigh >bV\Zg# GZ\^ghZfZY 8]Vf^hm CibWZf '%*-)+#

May Half Term – Art play and explorers

A range of daily arty activities for children and families at Mac including costume making, family textiles, printing, mask making and robot making.

For full details log on to www. familiesbirmingham.co.uk/what’s on; see www.macarts.co.uk, or call 0121 446 3232

May Half Term - Dragon Hunt

Ruby the Tamworth Castle dragon has gone missing. Can you help find her? Come and follow her trail and join in with a host of activities along the way. Learn how to charm a dragon, build a dragon’s nest and receive a surprise gift when you find her.

Venue: Tamworth Castle, Ladybank, Tamworth, B79 7NA Date: May 25 and 26 Time:11.30am-4.45pm (last admission 4.00pm) Tickets: Adult ÂŁ7.00, OAP/Concession ÂŁ6.00, Child 5+ ÂŁ4.50, Child 2-4 yrs free, Family Ticket ÂŁ21.00 (2 Adults, 2 Children)

May Half Term - Kids Activities

Fun creative kid’s activities at Blakesley Hall this half term. No need to book, activities are drop-in, so just turn up.

Venue: Blakesley Hall, Blakesley Road, Yardley, B’ham, B25 8RN

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Issue 21

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Issue 21