Families Edinburgh Magazine

IN THIS ISSUE Back to School Open Days and School News Clubs and Classes

Age specific football training for children at walking age - 12 years Birthday Parties available for ages 3 +

For more info contact: 07544 221045 Email: b.robertson@soccerstarts.co.uk

www.soccerstartsfootballacademy.co.uk Issue 110 September / October 2018

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marksandspencer.com

for ses 1st 4 ÂŁ1 sion 0o s nly

What's On

What’s inside.....

3 – 5 Local News and Views

Welcome to the Back to School issue of Families Edinburgh.

6 Keep Your Eyes on Your Child’s Sight

by Clare Downes, Downes Opticians

7 Moving Home?

Help setting a budget with Gibson Kerr

Get in Touch T

0131 622 0405

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editor@familiesedinburgh.com @FamiliesEdinburghMagazine @Familiesedinbur 8 – 16 Clubs and Classes News Finding a new activity is as easy as ABC

On the Cover marksandspencer.com Designed with style in mind, a heart-shaped zipper and heart embroidery will brighten up their summer school uniform, while the 100% sustainable cotton with Non Iron technology will ensure that children stay cool on hot days and leave you with a little less ironing on your plate. £9 - £12

17 – 23 School News and Open Days

24 Away From The Kids Looking for a new hobby or to learn a new skill?

SUBSCRIBE Did you know you can get your copy of Families Edinburgh Magazine delivered direct to your door?

For just £20 per year you’ll get all six issues sent to you.

Email: subscriptions@familiesedinburgh.co.uk for more information.

25 – 31 Out and About

NEXT ISSUE Out November 2nd 2018 • CHRISTMAS • SANTA • LOCAL GIFT SHOPPING • PANTO’S AND SHOWS • WHAT’S ON • LOCAL NEWS Book now: 0131 622 0405 email: editor@familiesedinburgh.co.uk

2 Families Edinburgh

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news

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Success Sees Further

Paramount Kids Parties

A party hosted by Paramount Kids, means that your child has a day to remember whilst the adults get a chance to catch up properly with their friends, safe in the knowledge that a great day is being had by all.

There’ll be a range of things going on at the party, so there's sure to be something for everybody.

Like: • Lots of bottom wiggling • Crazy party games • Laugh out loud comedy • Amazing magic with options to add little extras like smoke machines, bubbles, snow too.

“Whatever you are after for your party, the expert party team at Paramount Kids can create a bespoke party that really celebrates your little one's big day and all at prices that don't break the bank.”

Take a look at our website www.paramountkids.co.uk 07960944298 info@paramountkids.co.uk

Recently celebrating their 10th anniversary, Leith-based Optometrist, Downes Opticians is to open a new Practice in North Berwick in September. The Market Place practice will offer its children specialist services not currently available in East Lothian, such as myopia controlling contact lens, dyslexia and visual stress clinics as well as a wide range of unique frames not available in High Street Opticians.

To celebrate the opening present your copy of Families Edinburgh magazine and receive a 10% discount on new glasses for all members of the family before the end of October 2018.

Book on North Berwick 01620 893007. Leith 0131 553 5358 or online at www.downesopticians.com

Montessori Mornings

NHS Lothian Breastfeeding Support All pregnant and breastfeeding mums are welcome to come along to any of their friendly and relaxed groups. To find out the most up to date venues and times go to the NHS Lothian website and search “feeding your baby”.

Here you’ll find more information about local Breastfeeding Support Groups within the city, that provide support to mums who are breastfeeding their babies and maybe looking for some extra help and information, as well as bringing mums who breastfeed together, to support one another.

“Play is the child’s work,” said Dr. Maria Montessori 100 years ago. Today the importance of children’s play has never been clearer. Play is what children do when they have freedom of choice. It is the thing that draws them in so deeply that they tune in and concentrate.

For small children, play means using their hands, their five senses and their whole body with increasing control and purpose. Play means exploring, solving problems and playing out what they know to their heart’s content. Did you know that children under 6 need at least one, 1-3 hour chunk (increasing with age) of uninterrupted, child-driven play every day?

At Montessori Mornings, trained guides carefully set up an enriched play experience so that each child is able to play autonomously or to involve their grown-up if they wish.

Come and play!

Visit montessorimornings.com for details.

Win! A family ticket to Little Baby Bum on on Friday 21st September at 3.30pm at Kings’s Theatre, Edinburgh.

Step into the magical and colourful world of Little Baby Bum. Join Mia, Jacus, Twinkle and their Nursery Rhyme Friends at the world premiere of a brand new live show.

An online and digital TV sensation, Little Baby Bum is the world’s largest educational YouTube channel with over 21 million subscribers and 20 billion views.

Head over to our Facebook page (@FamiliesEdinburghMagazine) to enter.

Fabtastic Party Entertainment Hassle and stress free high energy parties full of: Wacky Games • Comedy • Action Dances • Magic

07960 944298 www.paramountkids.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

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news

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views Edinburgh Leisure Soft Play Membership

A hidden gem that has been recommended to others through word of mouth for the last 27 years as the longest running Montessori nursery and school in Edinburgh. Situated in the hall of The Church of the Good Shepherd in Murrayfield Avenue, it provides a warm, bright and happy base in which children are nurtured and supported in their development by qualified, experienced and committed staff.

Due to demand they are continuing to run afternoon sessions till 3pm Mondays to Thursdays this year that include drama, Monti mini explorer's nature club, cooking and music and movement.

Members of staff at the nursery can speak French and Spanish fluently and these languages are being gently woven into the day to enhance the children's learning experiences as appropriate. info@themontessorinurseryschool.com

Doodles Ceramics Workshop

Edinburgh Leisure Young Explorer Soft Play Membership means your little adventurers can enjoy unlimited fun in our three fantastic soft play venues across the city.

For only £16 per month, it’s a brilliant way to keep the kids entertained. You can choose to go somewhere different on every visit, with unlimited access to Clambers at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, Tumbles at Portobello and Scrambles and Rock Tots at EICA: Ratho.

Our facilities, suitable for children up to 10 years old, are clean and safe with friendly helpful staff on hand. And you can also enjoy healthy snacks and tasty treats in the cafes at each venue.

Not only that – you’ll also receive exclusive member benefits throughout the year.

To join, simply pop into your local soft play venue.

Edinburghleisure.co.uk

Make the new term a healthy one!

Does your child have a constant cough/cold/earache/tonsillitis or suffer from asthma, eczema or allergies? Why not give Edinburgh’s only Salt Cave a try. It’s simple, effective and best of all drug free! Salt kills bacteria, it’s anti-inflammatory and helps break up mucus. It also removes airborne particles and toxins to improve the ability to cope with allergic reactions.

Kids can have fun without even realising they are having any treatment! Whilst playing, they inhale dry, salt-enriched air deep into their lungs, clearing the airways and making breathing easier after just a few sessions. It can have a lasting effect on their health, boosting their immune system to prevent the frequent recurrence of their symptoms. Salt Therapy is definitely becoming a preferred method to treat many conditions so come along and take advantage of our Salt Therapy packages.

The Salt Cave, Meadowbank, Edinburgh is open Tue-Sat and your FIRST SESSION is FREE! 0131 510 1091 www.saltcave.co.uk

Host an International Student

Doodles Ceramics Workshop in Marchmont is a great place to come and have a fun creative birthday party. Suitable for all ages and abilities.

Our pottery painting party rate has hardly increased in almost 20 years of trading and so the time has come for a small price rise.

Doodles would like to offer its valued customers and Families Edinburgh readers the chance to book a party at the old rate ( £12 per child) instead of new rate £13.50 per child.

Simply quote “Families” when booking , offer valid on all party bookings for September and October.

Please call Doodles on 0131 229 1399 to find out more about our creative party options.

Doodles, 27 - 29 Marchmont Crescent, Edinburgh

4 Families Edinburgh

Increasing numbers of families are benefiting from an international cultural experience in their own home and earning some pocket money at the same time.

Academic Families hosts, Sue and John, have welcomed teenagers from a variety of countries over the years.

Sue explains that she enjoys supporting an international child settle in and understand British culture and family life however, they have benefitted as a family too and she highlights the impact hosting has had on her own children.

“They love learning what, how and why we do things and it’s very interesting for us to understand their culture too. Personally, I have found it very rewarding helping new children find their feet quickly.

Our children have been very impressed by their bravery coming on their own without their family. This year our son decided to go on his school exchange because he said that if our students can come here for years then he can manage 2 weeks in Germany! We see our children being considerate and welcoming hosts.

After some initial encouragement from us, they now step up every time and their social skills have really developed.”

Hosts are carefully matched with children and fully supported by Academic Families – the only Scottish based AEGIS accredited guardianship agency. Academic Families is responsible for students at all times, making all the arrangements and quickly resolving any hosting concerns. Expenses are reimbursed including a nightly allowance so hosts aren’t out of pocket.

Inviting a child to your home for the weekend is only the beginning and before you know it, you will have family links and invitations all around the world. What could be a better preparation for your children in our increasingly global world?

Contact Academic Families to learn more about supporting an international student - info@academicfamilies.com 0131 331 3317

email editor@familiesedinburgh.co.uk

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Let’s make Scotland a great place to grow older!

At Age Scotland we’d like Scotland to become a country where services for older people are fair and accessible, where older citizens feel valued, lead fulfilled lives, and can live independently for as long as they’re able to do so.

That’s our vision. After all, we’re all ageing at the same rate, so improving the quality of life for older people is an investment in everyone’s future.

Our work focuses on promoting positive views of ageing; helping older people to stay engaged, active and valued in their communities; encouraging inter-generational bonds; and eliminating loneliness and social isolation. With an ageing population, our work has never been more important.

To find out more about our services to support older people or ways you can support us, contact Stacey Kitzinger on stacey.kitzinger@agescotland.org.uk or 0333 323 2400

Welcome to the Real Foods Tollcross 'Refillery' Want to avoid landfill?

Try refill!

Real Foods have launched a new household cleaning product refill service at the Tollcross store.

Dubbed ‘The Refillery’ it provides cleaning and household products from Bio-D, Ecover, Ecoleaf and Faith In Nature on tap, all at competitive prices and available in a range of refill sizes from 250ml to 1.5 litres.

The Tollcross store can be found on 8 Brougham Street and is open 8am until 8pm Monday to Friday, 9am - 6pm on Saturday and 10am -5pm on Sundays.

Simply pop in with your own container to start saving money and reducing plastic consumption.

40 Turnhouse Road, Edinburgh, EH12 8LX

Calling all Schools and Nurseries!

With the Fringe still on there’s still time to take advantage of this great offer from Pleasance Kids for 2018.

Did you know that the Pleasance offer 10% off ticket prices for groups of 10+ and will also give a free adult ticket (for teachers/accompanying adult) for every 5 children’s tickets booked.

To book please call the box office on 0131 556 6550 and quote “PLEASANCE KIDS OFFER”.

Offer is subject to availability, week days only. T & C apply.

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• Home from Home Childcare • Caring and nurturing staff • We strive to know our families individually Opening times: 7.30am - 6pm 51 weeks of the year

Call us on 0131 622 0405

Contact us for further information

0131 339 5557 turnhouse@jigsaw-childcare.com Families Edinburgh 5

Keep your eyes on your child’s sight.

by Clare Downes As an Optometrist my main concerns about children’s eyesight is that: 1. Children are blissfully unaware of what normal vision is, they have no idea if what they are seeing is the same as everyone else.

2. For a child their world is very close, they do not have the need or desire to look into the distance to ‘admire the view’ when their toys, friends, school activities are all close at hand, so they are often unaware or unconcerned if they cannot see far away.

3. A child will rarely close one eye to compare it to the other, either unaware or unconcerned if there is a difference between the two eyes.

To ensure you are not missing any visual abnormalities in your child, the most useful piece of advice I can give is to choose a far away target like a poster on a wall or the television standing at least 3m away (the eye test chart is set at 6m) and ask your child if they can see it clearly also ask them to cover each eye individually and see if there is any difference between how clearly they see?

Look out for these warning signs.

Do they regularly screw up their eyes?

Do they stand too close to the TV? Do they hold their books/ toys very close to their eyes?

Have you noticed a squint ie does an eye drift outwards or inwards, especially when tired?

Do they blink excessively?

If any of the above apply to your child I would advise an eye examination with your Optometrist.

Eye examinations should start from around 21⁄2 to 3 years old (earlier if you have any concerns) and should be viewed with the same importance as regularly visiting your Dentist after all you only get one pair of eyes.

How important is my child’s pre school screening appointment?

In a word - very!

This may be your child’s first eye assessment, although it does not substitute a full eye examination it will highlight if your child can see normally, if there is a difference between their two eyes, if they have a squint and if they can see 3D properly.

It’s important to ensure there are no visual obstacles to their learning capabilities. 65% of the population are visual learners.

Eyewear for extra curricular activities Your eyesight directly affects your sporting ability and good 3D vision is imperative. To ensure you child is enjoying and getting the most out of their hobbies, they’re are numerous options: •

Contact lenses can be safely and successfully worn from 5 years old (again seek a child specialist Optometrist)

•

Prescription swimming goggles.

•

Prescription sports goggles.

Reading abilities - how much is eye related?

Learning to read is a monumental task which can be daunting for both the child and the parents. Eye sight directly affects not only your learning potential but also your sporting and musical abilities!

Can your child see the text clearly, are they tracking the words properly, is the text coming in and out of focus, is reading harder than it should be, are they getting headaches when reading? Are some fonts easier to read than others? Is it easier or harder to read on a coloured back ground?

If any of the above apply then I would highly recommend a visual stress assessment at an Optometrist with specialised children’s clinics.

A visual stress assessment will over and above a normal eye examination asses the eye muscles specific to reading and if needed advise a course of muscle strengthening exercises. We will also asses if a specific coloured overlay or spectacle lens may aid your child’s ability to process the information and therefore aid their reading ability.

5% of the population have their reading ability improved by using a specific coloured overlay or spectacle lens.

At Downes Opticians we specialise and thrive on aiding our young patients to achieve their optimal potential, we would be delighted to help you with any visual concerns. We provide specialist children’s clinics for; visual stress, coloured lens assessment, contact lenses and myopia management (slowing the progression of your child’s short sightedness) for further information please look to our website or get in touch. We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Downes Opticians 2 North Junction Street Leith, Edinburgh 0131 553 5358 www.downesopticians.com

Church of the Good Shepherd Murrayfield Avenue, Edinburgh, EH12 6AU

At Brightbrain-Scotland we provide the Bal-A-Vis-X Programme for everyone age 3 upwards.

In operation for over 25 years offering a stimulating, nurturing and inclusive Montessori environment in which children are able to develop to their full potential.

Weekly one on one and group classes available.

Rhythmic exercises using sandbags, racquetballs and balance boards, to help you learn more - physically, socially and academically, in a safe friendly, fun environment

Excellent staff: child ratios.

Mature, experienced, university educated staff. Spacious classroom and outdoor environment.

Term time (08.15-15.00) for 2.5 to 6 year olds.

For parents and teachers the next training event takes place on 21, 22 and 23 September 2018, in Scotland More 2018 and 2019 dates can be viewed online.

Contact us to arrange a visit: Trish Thornton - 0131 346 8921 / 07799 523 719

www.themontessorinurseryschool.com 6 Families Edinburgh

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Moving home? Remember to budget for fees.

If you’re thinking of selling your home and buying a new one, it’s easy to get carried away in the excitement of planning ahead to your move. But it’s important that you take the time to set clear budgets, so you’re not taking a leap into the unknown.

This means taking into account all the fees you might have to pay during the process.

Although these fees can vary widely, here’s breakdown of the main fees you should be allowing for, so you know what to ask about and plan for.

Before you even put your property on the market you’ll need a home report. The cost of these depends on the value of your property, but generally range from £500 - £900.

Solicitors and estate agents will charge a fee for their services and you should always ask for an estimate in advance, but do bear in mind that this can increase if there are complications or changes in the sale or purchase that require more time to resolve.

Typically, the costs you incur will be: •

The Estate Agent’s fee for marketing your property, this is usually a percentage of your sale price, but might be a fixed fee;

•

Advertising costs, for example registration on ESPC or other online property marketing;

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The cost of the Home Report and any other surveys that might be required;

•

The Solicitor’s fee, VAT and outlays for the conveyancing aspect of your sale and purchase, including reports required and the registration of your new title;

•

Land and building transaction tax on your purchase.

Many solicitors will offer a conveyancing package for buying and selling; again remember to ask for details upfront, so you can budget accordingly.

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We would advise clients to be cautious of low fixed fee deals. There are often hidden costs and the service might not be focused on getting you the best price.

Be sure you understanding what you are getting for the fee you are paying.

At Gibson Kerr, we put our client’s needs first. The service you pay for is what you get.

We understand that the house moving process can be daunting, so we do all we can to make each step clear, including simply and honestly setting out the costs you’ll need to pay. If you want a no-obligation estimate of costs, just call us or pop in for a chat.

www.gibsonkerr.co.uk

For more local news for your family like us on Facebook @FamiliesEdinburghMag

0131208 2260

Families Edinburgh 7

CLUBS&CLASSES CHOOSE THE RIGHT CLUB OR CLASS FOR YOUR CHILD By Claire Winter Picking the right extra-curricular activities for your child can sometimes be overwhelming. Here’s our guide on how to choose the most appropriate club or class for your child.

THINGS TO CONSIDER: WILL YOUR CHILD ENJOY THE CLASS/CLUB?

CAN YOU COMMIT?

If they enjoy something, whether it’s art, football, animation or French they are likely to look forward to training with their team or attending a class every week.

Some activities involve early morning practice or games at the weekend. Can your family life and schedule accommodate the commitment needed? If your child plays sport competitively, it can often mean training daily or at least three times a week.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

THINK ABOUT COST

Trial classes are a great way for them to experience something before you sign up for a term or group of classes. Many clubs and classes offer a free trial before you sign up.

TRY A VARIETY Variety is the spice of life. If your schedule allows it, get your children to try a few different things on a trial basis. If they are not keen on trying something new, get them to go with a friend.

Some activities are more expensive than others. 1:1 tuition or private lessons are more costly, whereas classes and team sports tend to cost less. Guiding or Scouts is an inexpensive club to join, and it’s great for team building and trying a variety of different activities. Investigate this option ahead of time though, as there can be waiting lists.

HOW MANY? How many activities are too many? This is really up to you but if you are tired of driving your children to all of their activities, it’s likely your child will be too; perhaps you are doing too much. Equally, if your children are bored at home and asking to be entertained, maybe it’s time to sign them up for something new.

Again take the lead from your child. Some children thrive from lots of extra-curricular activities while others get overwhelmed and over-stimulated. Listen to them and adjust their schedule accordingly.

WE’VE TRIED TO MAKE FINDING AN ACTIVITY FOR YOUR CHILD AS EASY AS ART COURSES WITH SALLY-ANN JOHNS All the children's art courses will help to develop the children’s skills in all aspects of drawing, such as line and shading, perspective, composition and figurative drawing. The children will also be encouraged to draw from their imagination, use sketch books and different materials, such as pastels, charcoal, paint and clay. They will also learn about different artists and art history. All materials, drink and a snack are provided, so no need to bring anything.

There are class times are as follows; Monday 4pm till 5.30pm for 6 - 10 years Thursday 4pm till 5.30pm for 10 – 14 (NEW! Animation Club) Friday 2pm till 3.30pm for 6 - 10 Friday 4pm till 5.30pm for 10 – 14 For more information visit www.sallyannjohns.com or call 07956 059483

8 Families Edinburgh

email editor@familiesedinburgh.co.uk

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CLUBS&CLASSES BABY SENSORY From August we will be bringing our award winning baby development classes to Dobbies Garden Centre at Lasswade, recently awarded with the Breastfeed here with confidence award, Dobbies offers a super location to meet up with Mum's for our classes and a catch up afterwards over lunch or a coffee.

Specifically designed from birth, the programme is packed with an incredible variety of sounds, smells, sights, textures, music, dance, signing and massage – and you’ll never experience the same class twice.

Baby Sensory is a magical world, full of glowing balls, light shows, puppets, bubbles, petals, rainbows, even an underwater experience of breathtaking imagination.

Everything we do is backed by scientific research, carefully designed with your baby’s development in mind, and we’re passionate about sharing our knowledge. The first year of your baby’s life is the most important, soon after birth the brain starts creating two million new connections every second! So come, have some fun and let’s make the most of this very special time. www.babysensory.com

ENJOY SCOTTISH DANCING WITH CEILIDHKIDS! Traditionally at a Scottish Ceilidh, well-loved dances are shared between the generations.

At CeilidhKids classes and events, simple (often simplified) Scottish dances are explained and demonstrated, before everyone gets to have a go. Some dances will be old and traditional, others have been specially adapted for wee people to enjoy with Mum, Dad, childminder or grandparents.

For nine years now CeilidhKids has been getting families dancing in Edinburgh and the Lothians. Maybe you’ve met us at a preschool class, at nursery, at school, or at a festival or party. Join us as we clap, march, skip, jump and twirl to the music? Bring comfy shoes and something to drink – we’ll see you there!

0131 667 8898 ceilidhkids@ceilidhkids.com www.ceilidhkids.com.

DANCE FOR ALL Book today!

Dance For All is now taking bookings for their Autumn 2018 term dance classes including NEW Senior Jazz-Acro, a highintensity acrobatic jazz class.

email Alex on alexandrambcd@gmail.com

Call on: 07585 227922

www.mybabycandance.com

“My daughter has been attending for 7 years and has never once grumbled about it. It has helped her self-confidence enormously.” ~ Sophie, mum to 11yr old pupil.

Established in 1985, Dance For All nurtures pupils aged 2½ - 18yrs to enjoy and excel in the finest dance genres, including RAD Ballet, ISTD Tap & Modern, SDS Flamenco, Jazz-Acro, Modern Jazz and Contemporary. Principal, Tracy Hawkes, leads an inspirational faculty of staff in delivering professional dance training and over 70 weekly child, teen & adult classes (beginners - advanced).

“It’s never boring and always fun, making life-long friends.” ~ Aimee, 15-year-old pupil.

Browse testimonials, timetables, photos & more on www.danceforall.co.uk or call 0131 226 5533.

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Families Edinburgh 9

CLUBS&CLASSES THE DRAMA STUDIO If you are looking for an activity for young people that is highly stimulating, captures the imagination, boosts selfconfidence, helps making new friends and is great fun......... then Creative Drama may well be it!

The Drama Studio new term begins in August.

We offer After School and Saturday morning classes in both independent venues and school-based clubs. We guarantee you high quality Creative Drama with performance opportunities in most venues and exciting Teenage Theatre and Film Projects, a Casting Agency and very popular Children's Drama Parties.

Visit our website www.thedramastudio.com or call 0131-453-3284 and we will be delighted to talk to you.

DN - DANCE TINY DANCERS… BIG STARS! Looking for a fun activity for your little one?

Established in 2010, Dynam-nic Dance offers classes for the youngest dancers, from 18 months up to 5 years. Covering a range of styles from ballet, tap, breakdance and acro - plus musical theatre too!

Your tiny dancers will be in safe hands - the school’s knowledgeable, welcoming and dynamic teachers have over 30 years’ experience as qualified teachers of dance and will make sure that your son or daughter’s first experience of dance is a wonderful one. Using adventure, imagery, props, fun music and caring teachers, our classes help to develop confidence, co-ordination, balance and movement and group partificipation.

Classes enrolling now in Edinburgh, Kirkliston & Winchburgh - more details online at dndance.co.uk or email nicky@dndnace.co.uk to book your trial class.

EDINBURGH DANCE ACADEMY Hot off the press is that EDA will be opening brand new, purpose built, dance studios in the heart of Corstorphine!

EDA, recently voted highest ranked dance school in the UK and Ireland offers classes and exams in RAD Ballet, the faculty being led by RAD Ballet examiner Julie Mitchell. We also offer classes in Commercial, Pre School Dance (for those little movers!), Jazz, Modern, Tap, Acro, Turns and Limbering, Progressing Ballet Technique, Contemporary (led by ID Dance examiner Jenni Inglis), Competition and much more! (Including performing each year at the King's Panto) EDA recently represented Scotland in the Dance World Cup in Spain and we are very proud to have brought home a World Championship medal. We pride ourselves on our high standards and constantly apply ourselves to be the best but the most important thing is that all of our pupils are cared for, nurtured and have FUN!! We can’t wait to see what the next chapter brings! To celebrate the opening of our new studio, we are offering a term of tuition, absolutely FREE to all of our students both new and existing (Terms and conditions apply).

EDINBURGH LEISURE Edinburgh Leisure runs a wide range of coaching and courses for children, whether they’re just starting out, wanting to get the most out of their preferred sport or just wanting to find something they might excel at.

From athletics, badminton, boccia, climbing, dance, diving, football, gym nippers, gymnastics, martial arts, swimming, tennis, trampolining, Edinburgh Leisure has it covered. They also aim to make their coaching programme inclusive for all children across the city, with a range of classes available with different coach to participant ratios as well as opportunities to attend ASN specific classes. www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/coaching

EDINBURGH SCHOOL OF MUSIC Edinburgh School of Music is now into its seventh year. Over that time we’ve been helping children master a wide range of musical instruments and vocal skills. We’re also proud to say that our students have achieved a 100% pass rate in music exams.

What sets us apart? Children benefit from enthusiastic and engaging tutoring from our friendly team. Our students also have the opportunity to participate in regular showcases at the Jazz Bar, which provides a platform to promote their skills and enjoy the thrill of a live performance. We offer lessons delivered both at our studio in Meadowbank and in the comfort of your own home.

Choosing to study a musical instrument can benefit in a number of ways; improve memory, better coordination, increase productivity and build confidence… but above all else it can be incredibly rewarding and fun.

Why not come along to one of our Jazz Bar showcases or visit our website at www.edinburghschoolofmusic.com .

To book a lesson contact us at: info@edinburghschoolofmusic.com

Dance, acro & musical theatre classes for pre-school children from 18 months to 5 years old

Drama Classes Ages 3-18

Edinburgh - Saturdays Queensferry - Fridays Get in touch to find out more and to arrange your free trial class!

dndance.co.uk 07545 551271

10 Families Edinburgh

FREE TRIAL CLASS For info call us: 07720 861796 www.mixuptheatre.com

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CLUBS&CLASSES EXCEL What’s on at Excel Sports Academy this October? The All Sports week will run from 15th - 19th with a Magic day and a Science day. As part of the All Sports we’ll have fun activities and lots of sports. A Coerver Football camp will also run too. We are based at St Georges School and run from 8am til 6pm and we welcome children aged 5 - 15 years. With 22 years’ experience, great staff and coaches, we know how to make it fun at Excel. Make new friends and learn some new skills. Come along and join in at Excel this October. You’ll be sure to have a blast. Book online at www.excel-sports.co.uk. Child Care vouchers accepted. Day places are available for the All Sports too.

EXPLORE LEARNING: “IT ISN’T WHAT YOU THINK TUITION WOULD BE LIKE” My daughter is 10 years old and she has attended Explore Learning for 11 months. Explore has helped my daughter with confidence and has helped her to get to where she wants to be in her class. She feels happier knowing that she has already seen the work before which gives her a real confidence boost. I would recommend any parent to Explore!

My son is 5 years old and has been a member for one year. We decided for him to join as we felt he was ready to learn and I wanted to prepare him for school. He demonstrated the urge to learn and Explore encourages him.

What advice would you give to other parents thinking about bringing their children to Explore?

It isn’t what you think tuition would be like, instead it is made to be fun and enjoyable for all children, from every background. The centre is inclusive and all children are treated equally.

Be completely honest with your child’s progression in order for the staff to help develop them further.

Can you tell me what you think makes Explore Learning a unique tutoring service?

The tutors and the service motivate the children who perhaps wouldn’t usually want to go and do extra work. My daughter always comes out saying how glad she is that she has been that day.

Not only do they work to your child’s individual needs they set targets for your child to achieve. They stretch and challenge in a fun way!

How do Explore tutors support your child in their sessions?

The tutors support my daughter to develop skills to progress in her learning.

They encourage her to challenge herself, step out of her comfort zone and to be independent whilst giving her the extra support she requires.

The staff have built an honest relationship with my son. They are clear of the goals that they want him to achieve. When he first joined, his reading ability with Oxford Reading Tree was level 1 and he has now progressed to level 9. His numeracy skills have also increased drastically.

What does your child enjoy about their sessions at Explore Learning?

She enjoys the reward systems that are in place to encourage her to work hard and achieve her goals - when she gets a certificate it makes her feel on top of the world.

My son genuinely loves all the staff and has a great relationship with them all!

Explore Learning has maths and English tuition centres nationwide. Get in touch today by calling 033 0124 3802 to discuss your child’s need and book your free trial. Alternatively, visit explorelearning.co.uk to find your nearest centre.

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Families Edinburgh 11

CLUBS&CLASSES EDINBURGH YOUNG MUSICIANS Now entering its 21st year, EYM aims to help all children to enjoy music & to realise their individual musical potential, whatever that may be. "You have made EYM such a success story & such an important part of our musical lives" said Graham, who has been inspired to take up both the cello & the tenor saxophone himself, having watched with envy as his 16-year-old twin sons have attended EYM classes since they were 6 and now play violin, piano, recorder, flute, clarinet & saxophone between them. EYM gives inspiration and an outlet for their musical aspirations to approximately 350 youngsters every Saturday. All teaching is done in groups, with the aim of nurturing and developing each pupil's innate musicianship. www.e-y-m.org.uk. 0131-226-3392

GYMINI Edinburgh-based GYMINI provides FOUNDATION GYMNASTICS based on a Movement and Learning programme tailored for pre-school and primary children. We are a sports based programme, not a soft play centre, however we do use soft equipment to teach basic gymnastic skills making it more fun to learn.

GYMINI coaches are qualified British Gymnastic coaches who are involved in a variety of other sports as well as gymnastics. Our involvement in pre-school gym comes not only from our own sporting backgrounds but the fact that we are parents and involved with children and can recognise our programme as an introduction to SPORT. www.gymini.co.uk

HELEN O GRADY A Drama School for everyone.

The Helen O’Grady Drama Academy prides itself on being a wide community-based drama school. With our unique curriculum, the Academy aims to develop confidence, self-esteem and communication skills.

Our programme caters for three age-groups: Lower Primary Classes (P1-P4) Highly active lessons, using a wide range of creative exercises such as speech, movement, Mimes to Music, improvisation, develop children’s social skills. Through this, students are encouraged to ask questions, seek answers and share information with others.

Upper Primary Classes (P5-P7) Students are given many opportunities to act out a great variety of situations in a funfilled atmosphere. They are encouraged to quickly learn how to accept new challenges and explore new directions. All these aspects enrich the lives of students and contribute to their personal growth as they learn to take on and enact convincing characters, sustain believable plots and express themselves appropriately and confidently.

Youth Theatre (S1-S6) The Youth Theatre covers a dynamic and comprehensive theatre-arts programme. It attracts a wide range of young people, from those seeking to increase their confidence and speaking ability, to those hoping to pursue acting as a career.

TO BOOK A FREE TRIAL LESSON contact us on: 0131 667 0939/ 07701 333476 or midscot@helenogrady.co.uk www.helenogrady.co.uk

Linlithgow Corstorphine Edinburgh South Musselburgh Bonnyrigg Livingston Broxburn Leith City Centre Tel: 0131 667 0939 web www.helenogrady.co.uk email midscot@helenogrady.co.uk Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HelenOGradyMidScotland 12 Families Edinburgh

FREE TRIA LESSOLN

INSTITUT FRANÇAIS D’ECOSSE FRENCH CLASSES The Institut français d'Ecosse has opened enrolment for its autumn term French classes, which begins on September 18th. For the 2018 rentrée, we offer weekly classes for children and teens at all levels of French mastery in addition to after school clubs and holiday mini camps.

We also offer a broad selection of courses for adults. Discounts for early bird enrolment available.

Learn more at www.ifecosse.org.uk or book now by writing info@ifecosse.org.uk or calling 0131 2856030.

email editor@familiesedinburgh.co.uk

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CLUBS&CLASSES KIDSCENE AFTER SCHOOL AND HOLIDAY CLUB Kidscene provides after school and holiday care to children aged 4-16, with and without disabilities. We especially welcome children with a vision impairment and we reserve a number of spaces for partially sighted and blind children.

Our premises are within the Royal Blind School campus in Morningside, Edinburgh. Our facilities are furnished to a high standard and include a messy room, a playroom and a kitchen, all with full disabled access.

Our playroom includes a chill out zone, imagination area, construction area, computer and console games, board games and puzzles, and a sensory area. We also have access to the Royal Blind School’s facilities including a hydrotherapy pool, sensory garden, soft play area and outdoor multi-use games area.

Please visit www.royalblind.org/child-care for fees and more information.

Children’s Music Classes from birth to teens

MHAIRI HOGG SCHOOL OF DANCING Established in 1991, we’re a thriving, successful Dance School offering quality, specialist training in Tap, Modern and Highland. Classes are held in Colinton/Oxgangs.

Nursery/P1 Tap dancers enjoy a structured, fun-packed, imaginative learning environment, hopping, skipping, jumping and learning basic tap steps. Social skills develop through dancing with a partner and making new friends. Balance, strength, flexibility, co-ordination and rhythm improve. Creativity and musicality develop through singing & songs and nursery rhymes. Once a month, children have a taster of Highland & Modern.

From P2, Tap/Modern and Highland are two separate classes.

Children are presented for BATD exams, we perform at community events, e.g. Art in the Park, Colinton and highly successful Dance Shows in Church Hill Theatre, Morningside.

In 2015 and 2017, we successfully auditioned to perform at Disneyland Paris (Disney Performing Arts).

Mhairi.hogg@btinternet.com 0131-449-3035 or 07974-345449

Enrol at www.portobellomusicschool or tel: 0131 623 2513

Educating for the future

MINI FRENCH

Does your child love drawing, crafts, LEGO®, technology and magic shows?

For a brain-boosting activity where the whole family will benefit make sure to check out Mini French™! When is the best time to start languages? The answer to that question is always - now! And Felicity can show you how. The Mini French Music & Movement methodology is highly engaging and has you learning from WEEK ONE regardless of level or learning style. Music for home use is part of the course. Sessions restart in August and are very popular.

Mini French is the loving creation of Felicity, Mum to three bilingual children and she is always happy to chat. Plus free activities and advice online - so take a look at www.minifrench.co.uk

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• New baby and toddler classes • Creative music classes (Preschool to P2) • Individual and group instrumental classes (P3 to teens) • New musicianship classes (P3+) • ABRSM Music Medal Syllabus

We are a

S T E A M

Club

Science • Technology • Engineering • Arts • Maths • TECH MINI Preschool • TECH MIDI P1-P3 • TECH MAX P4-P7

How do you engage children in great fun whilst building key skills for the future?

TECH BUGS! VENUE: LEITH TEXT Victoria 07852 677504

Call us on 0131 622 0405

Families Edinburgh 13

CLUBS&CLASSES MY BABY CAN DANCE

MIX UP THEATRE Mix Up Theatre is a drama class that provides a ‘mixup’ of all things theatre for Ages 3-18 throughout Scotland.

Our classes are aimed at evolving and nurturing the imagination and developing the skills of the students as performers and storytellers.

Through creative drama and techniques, we create brand new pieces of devised theatre with the students.

We have regular one-off workshops from professional companies and practitioners and we also love a group trip to the theatre!

We offer a FREE TRIAL CLASS for first-time students.

Our classes run in Edinburgh on Saturday mornings on the Pleasance and South Queensferry on Friday afternoons.

For more information please visit our website www.mixuptheatre.com, call: 07720861796 or e-mail: info@mixuptheatre.com

My baby Can Dance is a pre school activity based on movement to music and multi sensory early years learning, developing the little one's physical and emotional needs in a structured, friendly and equal setting.

The way the session is delivered means that your little one's will have a lot of fun whilst learning. This increases learning paths and memory in very young children which is the primary aim of the class.

St Bride's Community Centre Classes start on Thursday 6th September.

My Baby Can Dance (age 1-4) 11.45 - 12.30 Newborn Can Dance (age 0-1) 12.45 - 13.30 St Michael's Parish Church, Slateford Road Classes start on Friday 7th September.

10:45-11:30 (1-4) and 11:45-12:30 (0-1) Book today! email Alex on alexandrambcd@gmail.com or call 07585227922

MONKEY DRAMA 1st Birthday Monkey Hoose…

What an amazing year with our very own Monkey Drama venue, The Monkey Hoose! We have welcomed in many new children, offered a wide range of public classes, delivered many fabulous parties and the fun and adventure just gets better and better!

We are now offering several public classes every week at The Monkey Hoose, as well as delivering almost 30 classes across nurseries, mainstream schools and special needs schools in Edinburgh and beyond.

Our classes allow children to learn, imagine and explore through themed drama sessions.

To join us in the new term, please book online at www.monkeydrama.co.uk /book-online or drop us an email/call to book a two week trial. Classes are for children aged 2 and a half up to P2. alana@monkeydrama.co.uk, 07736298013, www.monkeydrama.co.uk

MONKEY MUSIC

Now in its 13th year, Portobello Music School provides comprehensive music education to over 350 students aged birth to teens from across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

Weekday Baby and Toddler Music Classes now in Musselburgh and Portobello with students graduating to the Saturday Music School in Portobello at age 3.

Children aged preschool to P2 attend a series of progressive creative music classes which prepare them for group instrumental lessons starting in primary 3.

Children can choose from a wide range of instruments including: flute, clarinet, saxophone, violin, guitar, piano and drums, taught by an enthusiastic team of highly experienced music teachers. As well as receiving instrumental tuition, which includes annual ABRSM Music Medal Examinations, children also attend weekly Kodály-based musicianship classes which develop essential aural skills and music theory. www.portobellomusicschool.com or tel: 0131 623 2513

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Monkey Music Award Winning Preschool Music classes in Edinburgh North and South Edinburgh’s leading preschool music class is so excited to be opening for another action-packed term, offering age specific, educational classes to babies from 3 months to 4 years old. Our 4 stage curricula have been specifically designed to ensure maximum enjoyment for all the family, with live music, colourful props and activities, musical games, fun and percussion, it is why our classes have recently been voted the Best Music class in Edinburgh.

To book your free trial go to www.monkeymusic.co.uk where you can find out more about our classes and see our latest timetable. We have mornings, afternoons, Saturday classes and offer sibling discounts, free catch up classes and fun!

PORTOBELLO MUSIC SCHOOL

l o f D anc MBATD

(Member of British Association of Teachers of Dancing)

Educational Singing Sessions for preschoolers at Skylark Cafe.

Tap, Modern & Highland for age 3 to adult in Colinton/Oxgangs See our

page for more details

Email: mhairi.hogg@btinternet.com Tel: 0131 449 3035 Tel: 07974 345449

14 Families Edinburgh

40 Hamilton Place, Stockbridge songcircle.gill@gmail.com 07973 493933

Unique • Fun • Educational

Advertise in Families Edinburgh and be in touch with thousands of local families.

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Whether it's your child's first day at school or whether it's their last, there are always those little transition moments filled with various measures of excitement, anticipation and anxiety. All children, from the youngest to the oldest, can benefit from support in confidence, collaboration and communication, and our trained and experienced staff at Stagecoach Theatre Arts Edinburgh give that support. Our students become more self-assured, expressive, sociable and imaginative and they learn how to tackle situations with resilience, creativity and courage.

CONFIDENCE

The team at Stagecoach Edinburgh spend a lot of time finding new ways to engage children and encourage them to be confident in themselves and their ideas.

Children may come to us to develop their performance skills, to increase their confidence or to work alongside like minded peers doing something that they love.

Confidence comes in all shapes and sizes – but through the performing arts we hope to help children feel confident in adapting to new environments. Our first step is always to explore creative risk taking – helping children to be brave with their actions and voices. This can be simple things like joining in a game, answering yes at registration, developing a new dance move, to standing up on stage in front of an audience. All milestones are celebrated, no matter how small.

COMMUNICATION

At Stagecoach Edinburgh we use voice training in our drama and singing classes to help encourage students to be articulate, audible and, of course, confident. Students use their voices more efficiently when they understand its mechanics, and how it works. We teach voice training through a mixture of games and exercises to encourage vocal dexterity and range. But that's not all.

Communication is about using nuance in the voice, and understanding how facial expression and body language can be used to convey meaning and emotion. From our youngest students (aged 4) to our oldest (aged 18), these skills are used not just in the world of performing arts they are skills for life.

COLLABORATION

Effective collaboration is dependent on treating others with respect and being willing to engage with alternative ideas and ways of working. Building friendships is an important part of the Stagecoach journey, and through creative learning and risk-taking, we see students grow in confidence and form connections and friendships with their peer groups. It is always a joy to see friendships develop and grow – and to note the increased confidence in the children when this happens. Collaborative working in the performing arts helps promote increased empathy and sets the stage for future interactions and teamwork.

At Stagecoach Edinburgh, the students have the opportunity to work together - but also to shine as individuals.

Be creative and have the courage to be yourself, whatever you do.

Class times / Locations: EARLY STAGES (4-6yrs)

Stagecoach Theatre Arts runs during term time and offers classes in dance, drama and singing for all children aged 4 to18, regardless of experience.

Two week trial options are available.

MAIN SCHOOL (6-18yrs)

VENUE

Thursday 4.30pm – 6pm

Thursday 5pm – 8pm

EDINBURGH ACADEMY 42 Henderson Row, EH3 5BL

Friday 4pm – 5.30pm Friday 4.30pm – 6pm

Friday 5pm – 8pm

BROUGHTON HIGH SCHOOL 29 East Fettes Avenue, Edinburgh, EH4 1EG

Saturday 9.30am – 11am

Saturday 10am – 1pm

DANCE BASE 14-16 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2JU

Saturday 4pm – 5.30pm

Saturday 2.30pm – 5.30pm

FAIRMILEHEAD CHURCH 1 Frogston Road West, Edinburgh, EH10 7AA

Saturday 10.30am – 12pm Saturday 10.15am – 11.45am

Saturday 10am – 1pm

MUSIC BOX THEATRE Bankhead Avenue, EH11 4DE

Sunday 10.15am – 11.45am

Sunday 10am – 1pm

LEITH ACADEMY 20 Academy Park, Edinburgh EH6 8JQ

For more information or to book a place, contact our Principal, Tina on 0808 208 5134 or at www.stagecoach.co.uk/edinburgh familiesonline.co.uk

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Families Edinburgh 15

CLUBS&CLASSES RUGBY TOTS Primary 1-3? Interested in Rugby?

Did you know that in addition to our age 2-5 Rugbytots classes, we have a number of sessions running in Edinburgh for primary school aged children between the ages of 5 and 7? These classes perfectly complement what the children learn in rugby clubs, and no previous experience is required. In our primary classes, we introduce the rules of tag rugby, as well as the basic skills and techniques. Every session includes a game of tag rugby to prepare your child perfectly for their next sporting adventure!

Classes are available throughout Edinburgh and our new term starts in early August.

To book a place, visit our website www.rugbytots.co.uk or call us on 0345 313 3252 for more information.

SOCCERSTARTS Soccerstarts Football Skills Coaching First 4 weeks for £10 only!

Classes for walking to 3 years, 3 to 5 years and Primary School age.

Contact b.robertson@soccerstarts.co.uk for information or to join classes within the existing packed timetable at: Musselburgh Sports Centre, Napier University and Westwoods Health Club.

See the full existing timetable at www.soccerstartsfootballacademy.co.uk Soccerstarts Football Academy also provides one to one football coaching and birthday parties for primary age children.

TECH BUGS - EDUCATING FOR THE FUTURE Does your child love drawing, crafts, LEGO®, technology and magic shows?

Then they will love Tech Bugs.

We are a STEAM Club incorporating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths in Leith.

We use LEGO®, K’nex, Coding, Animation, Fun Science, Educational Software and lots of high quality kits and techniques to develop the skills children will need in tomorrow’s world.

Our Curriculum is designed by a team of expert educators and scientists, aligned to the Curriculum for Excellence and uses exciting modules specifically designed to enhance creativity as well as computational thinking.

• TECH MINI Preschool • TECH MIDI P1-P3• TECH MAX P4-P7 How do you engage children in great fun whilst building key skills for the future? Tech Bugs!

TEXT Victoria 07852 677504

WATERFRONT DANCE ACADEMY Dancing fun for everyone at Waterfront Dance studio.

Tiny dancers from the age of 2 take their first dancing steps with a participating adult at Tutu tots, pre-school children progress to Twinkles, then it's Little Stars and beyond with RAD Ballet, Move It! and Acrodance for all ages, there's even something for adults too! Friendly, progressive classes held in our North Edinburgh Studio with plenty of free off street parking. “the teaching is superb, the ethos of the dance school perfect”, “My daughter loves the teachers and always comes out smiling”, “I've watched both my girls turn into beautiful, elegant dancers” Revised timetable for August, book Now! 07772 504958 waterfrontdance.co.uk

WHIZZKIDS SONG CIRCLE Singing with babies and toddlers is known to stimulate development and Song Circle in Skylark Cafe, Stockbridge provides a warm welcome, fresh brewed coffee and pots of tea with plenty of chocolate biscuits in the break.

You and your wee one will learn a whole lot of songs, poems and action songs and enjoy the benefits of releasing feel good endorphins and meeting new friends. The groups are small and the room bright and cheery and Scottish folk singer and songwriter Gill Bowman has structured her classes to include some dancing and percussion. There’s also a very fair and flexible booking and payment system with options to suit everyone. These classes are very popular so pre-booking is essential.

Text 07973 493933 or email songcircle.gill@gmail.com

16 Families Edinburgh

Whizzkids offers fun and educational computer classes for children of all ages during school term-time and the holidays. From touch-typing to coding and desktop publishing to word processing, the classes incorporate useful skills that will benefit children with their school work and beyond. Using Windows computers with Microsoft Office, children can learn to use, or develop their skills with Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, Excel and Access. Children can also learn to code using Scratch and the Python programming language on the Raspberry Pi (a small credit card sized computer), creating basic games, animations and electronic projects.

Adult lessons are also available.

For further details on the classes, or to enquire about availability, please email gillian@whizzkids.uk.com, check out the website at www.whizzkids.uk.com or call 0131 447 5893.

email editor@familiesedinburgh.co.uk

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Open Days

SCHOOL NEWS & OPEN DAYS

Heriot’s has a reputation for excellence both in terms of academic success and extra-curricular provision. Our pupils are great individuals, brimming with confidence and pride in their school.

Heriot’s pupils continue to do extremely well in their examinations – due to the outstanding professionalism and skill of our talented staff and the natural flair, hard work and dedication of our pupils.

An Open Day is a great way to get a feel for a prospective school. Usually, the head teacher or a senior member of staff will give a talk which includes a general overview of the school and its values and ethos.

Tips for Visiting an Open Day

by Claire Winter •

Take your child with you. There is no point in falling in love with a school only to find your child does not want to go there.

•

What is your general feeling about the school? Your gut reaction is very important.

•

Do the pupils look happy and engaged?

•

Don’t be afraid to ask questions.

•

Don’t make decisions on individual teachers. They often move on and large departments have a variety of teachers that will rotate every year to teach your child a particular subject.

•

If your child has a particular interest in a subject, make sure you visit the department and look at the kind of work they will be doing.

•

What extra-curricular activities do they have? Are there clubs that will engage your child and allow them to pursue a broad range of interests?

•

While exam results aren’t everything, every parent wants their child to do well.

Academic performance is a top priority for many families. It’s a good idea to see how the school is performing compared to other local schools.

However, exam grades are only a small part of the picture. At all stages throughout the School, Heriot’s cultivates an ethos of care reinforced by outstanding guidance and our commitment to charitable fundraising and voluntary service. Our pupils also benefit from an extraordinary number of extra curricular activities, ranging from the 31 sports on offer to a huge variety of musical, dramatic and other possibilities; the emphasis is on taking part – in everything we do we want to encourage our young people to participate, to try hard and to be happy. This has resulted in Heriot’s achieving the Gold Rights-Respecting School accreditation, awarded by UNICEF. For us, the highlight of our Open Morning, which is on Saturday 29 September, will once again be the turnout of pupils, Junior and Senior, volunteering to give up their Saturday to show prospective pupils and their parents their School. We hope you will join us for a happy and enjoyable morning and discover the warm community that is George Heriot’s School. You are also most welcome to visit the School on ‘normal’ days – visits are easily arranged by contacting our Admissions Department on 0131 221 6709.

Choosing a school for your child is a very important decision. Our most important publicity come from our current and former pupils and parents so do please feel free to speak to them! We look forward to meeting you and helping you discover what is behind the stones.

If, after the all your initial visits, you are still undecided, go back and visit the schools on your shortlist again during a normal working day.

Finally, in making your decision, don’t be afraid to trust your instincts; you know your child and you are best placed to ascertain what is right for them. If your child is older, do take account of their preferences too and include them in the decision making process. The best decision will undoubtedly be the one you all agree.

Open Days and Mornings at a Glance Phone or email the school to book your spot or register your intention to attend online.

Saturday 14 September Merchiston Castle School Saturday 22 September ESMS Saturday 29 September George Heriot’s School Saturday 29 September Merchsiton Castle School Saturday 29 September Morrison’s Academy Saturday 6 October

George Watson’s College

Saturday 6 October

St George’s School for Girls

Sunday 7 October

Fettes College

Wednesday 10 October St George’s School for Girls Open Tours

Edinburgh Steiner School

Monthly Tours

Edinburgh Montessori Arts School

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Call us on 0131 622 0405

Families Edinburgh 17

SCHOOL NEWS & OPEN DAYS

All on One Campus Watson’s is characterised by a warmth often associated with smaller schools, but unashamedly exploits the advantage of size to the full. They work hard to help pupils to settle in, and it is arguably the warm welcome from the pupils that makes the biggest impact.

It is a close-knit community, where girls and boys from Nursery through to S6 share a caring, friendly and stimulating environment, from which to explore the many opportunities available to them.

Academically, Watson’s provides an unrivalled choice of subjects and levels. S5 and S6 pupils are able to choose between either SQA examinations or the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB), as Watson’s is currently the only Scottish Secondary School to provide the IB alongside SQA qualifications.

However, the breadth of opportunity also extends beyond the classroom to a thriving extra-curricular scene. Outside the classroom the school aims to offer all pupils the chance to develop existing interests or discover new ones. Pupils are encouraged to challenge themselves both academically and during their extra-curricular activities.

All of this requires committed staff and excellent facilities. The state-of-the-art George Watson’s Centre for Sport, provides magnificent unrivalled sporting facilities on campus for GWC pupils.

Watson's is ideally placed in the South of Edinburgh and can be easily accessed from East Lothian, Midlothian, West Lothian and the Peebles area. All these places are serviced by buses organised through the school, as is Haymarket Station, for those travelling to Edinburgh by train.

Flexible wrap around and holiday care is available for younger pupils to fit the needs of family life.

Go along to their Open Morning on 6 October 2018 and see what it means to be part of the Watson’s family – you will get a warm welcome.

Edinburgh Montessori Arts School have had a busy summer preparing their brand new classroom space, ready for this school year.

Adjacent to their existing building at the scenic Tower Mains Steading, Liberton, the bespoke space is designed to house the mixed-age primary class alongside a dedicated music room and art studio.

Pupils were excited to be part of the planning and design process of their new space.

“Our eldest pupils have spent time last year working with our architect, learning how she developed her plan and drawings. They used actual measurements to create scale 3D models of the space. We have gained great insight from the children and have enjoyed incorporating their ideas. Spaces that we assumed rudimentary, such as cloakroom and toilet areas, turned out to be of high importance to our young people and now really stand out as pleasant places to be.

Inclusion of a bespoke area for outdoor gear, accessible storage of science equipment and the need for dedicated music and arts spaces came through direct discussion with the children and their teachers. Everyone is excited to finally be able to use the new space. This year’s challenge for the class is to design and plant a garden alongside their new classroom.”” Emma Rattigan, Principal The additional building means EMAS now has two nursery classrooms as well as Infant Community and Elementary programs. School tours run once a month throughout term time and can be booked via the school office.

Visit www.gwc.org.uk/open for more information

18 Families Edinburgh

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SCHOOL NEWS & OPEN DAYS

A Family Education with ESMS ESMS are a unique family of independent schools for boys and girls in Edinburgh offering Nursery, Primary and Secondary education. Children are taught together from Nursery to Primary 7 after which they enjoy the benefits of single-sex but very closely twinned senior education before joining together again in a co-educational Sixth Form.

The best start in life We are passionate about giving our children the very best opportunities, and for us that starts on day one. From age three, we welcome children into the ESMS family, where they immediately begin to benefit from all the resources our three schools have to offer.

Our purpose built Early Years Centre provides a safe and homely environment in which our girls and boys take their first educational steps. Each of our specialist Nursery rooms offers direct access to secure outdoor play areas and landscaped gardens. We enjoy the largest outside play space of any Nursery in Edinburgh, allowing us to offer excellent opportunities for Outdoor Learning. The quality of our Early Learning and Childcare provision has led to our Nursery being rated ‘Excellent’ in every category assessed by the Care Inspectorate.

Playful learning We believe it is never too early to inspire a child’s curious mind. That is why each of our pre-school classes is led by a qualified teacher, assisted by two Nursery Nurses and Teacher Assistants. Together they create a stimulating and supportive atmosphere in which our girls and boys learn through play.

Flexible childcare We have developed flexible childcare solutions to suit each family’s needs both during term time and school holidays, providing care from 7.45am to 6pm in our After-School Centre.

Come along to our Open Day on Saturday 22 September, 10am-1pm, and find out more. Alternatively, please contact our Admissions Secretary to arrange a visit. Tel: 0131 311 1111 Email: admissions@esms.org.uk

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The Benefits of Single sex education at St George’s School for Girls and Merchiston Castle School for Boys If you are considering a single-sex school for your child links with brother or sister schools are vital.

Merchiston and St George’s keep the genders separate in the classroom meaning boys and girls have the confidence and self-assurance to flourish free from stereotypes.

The schools run joint initiatives for social, co-curricular and academic activities and these ensure girls and boys can develop their social skills and relationships. There is also a joint fees discount scheme, and morning transport between the schools.

Alex Hems, Head of St George’s says: “At St George’s we are able to focus exclusively on girls and the way they learn most effectively. Rather than standing back in practical lessons, girls have to get involved. They carry out the experiments in the sciences and design mechanical systems in engineering clubs; they take the lead in whatever subject they study. All the leadership roles go to girls and they grow in confidence as their voices are heard in every forum.

‘We are delighted to be able to provide additional school transport to and from school for parents from August which includes transport from West Lothian, East Lothian and Fife.”

Jonathan Anderson, Headmaster at Merchiston says: “At Merchiston, we aim to give each boy the confidence to live in a dynamic and ever-changing world and to make their life as rich as possible. Crucially, we encourage boys to work hard and take pride in their achievements, to think honestly and independently, to show concern for others and to develop wider skills and interests. Being a day boy or boarder in our community means learning opportunities are not limited to school hours but continue throughout the day and evening – on our fields, in our classrooms, and in our houses. We follow our manta of ‘Boys First’ and our boys thrive because they are known, understood and valued.”

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Families Edinburgh 19

SCHOOL NEWS & OPEN DAYS

Fettes is where their confidence was built, horizons broadened, talents nurtured and life-long friendships made. Where they achieved exam success, broke sporting records, were inspired by teachers and learnt the skills which would equip them for later life.

Fettes is where they were enthused, praised and encouraged to work hard and achieve the very best they could, while being surrounded by likeminded friends and caring staff. To this day, a Fettes education is an incredible start to life.

Quality All-Round Education Fettes is renowned around the world for the quality of education we provide and we strongly believe that with our expert tuition and encouragement, every student can maximise their academic potential.

Nurturing Talents The skills and talents of each of our pupils are recognised and rewarded whether that be in the classroom, on the sports field, in the concert hall, on the stage or in the gallery. We are incredibly proud of the level and variety of their achievement– a true reflection of an all-round education.

Benefits of Boarding Boarding houses are a vital part of boarding life, a caring community of students living together. A wealth of house activities cements the strong bond between housemates, younger pupils learn from older pupils and older pupils take responsibility to care for others. Boarding at Fettes also equips students with a great level of self-reliance and motivation.

Fettes College Preparatory School We like to think of the Fettes family as a warm and nurturing environment and as we know that a happy, inspired child will really thrive. We take the time to understand your child, nurture their talents and encourage them to succeed.

A Love of Learning Whether your child loves maths or science, writing poems, learning languages, or expressing themselves through the arts, there is a place for them at Fettes Prep. Small class sizes, exceptional teaching and specialists teachers for all year groups keeps your children engaged & enthused.

Wealth of Facilities Fettes Prep is nestled in the Fettes College 90 acre campus so we can utilise all the incredible facilities on offer: state-of-the-art sporting facilities, science lab and theatre as well as enjoying delicious, freshly-cooked lunches in the dining hall.

Sports & Activities Whether your child is a future Olympian or an enthusiastic amateur, we believe sport is important. We actively encourage maximum participation and offer an incredible array of sports as well as over 30 activities to keep your children motivated and inspired, wherever their talents may lie.

A Home From Home If you are looking for your child to board with us, our experienced house staff dedicate themselves to creating a secure and happy home away from home. Weekends are full of exciting trips and activities with plenty of time to relax with friends.

For these reasons we can say with absolute confidence that every Fettes Prep School child will thrive, love learning and just as importantly enjoy growing up surrounded by friends.

20 Families Edinburgh

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SCHOOL NEWS & OPEN DAYS

A Unique Curriculum for the 21st Century The Steiner curriculum develops analytical, logical and reasoning skills as education has always done, but it also encourages the development of imagination, creativity, memory and flexible thinking – skills highly prized in today’s society. Our young people are well-equipped to undertake the challenges of life and work in the information age. They are adaptable, enquiring and confident, with a global and environmental awareness, who understand how to make connections, to interpret information and to innovate.

In 2017 our pupils achieved 100% pass at Higher, and were accepted to their first choice of further studies, including Chinese at Durham and Neuroscience at St Andrews. We aspire to develop responsible, creative and freethinking young people, who will contribute to society and a sustainable environment with vision and purpose. Our young people go on to pursue careers and lives diverse as they are unique, and we’re very proud of the way they find their place in the world. Former pupils are leading the field in areas such as architecture, mathematics, textiles and design and environmental science.

What Makes Our Education Unique?

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From Kindergarten to the final year (Class 12) subject matter is linked to a child’s developmental stage, which both inspires and motivates the pupils.

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The curriculum spans 12 years meaning secondary education flows naturally from what has been taught before.

•

Children learn by doing. In Kindergarten they climb trees, paint, hammer and cook. As they progress to formal education learning by doing continues to form an important part of Main Lessons. For example, during their Chemistry Main Lesson they build and fire a lime kiln from clay they have gathered themselves and wood they have chopped down.

•

Main Lessons, topic blocks which are studied daily by all students for around four weeks continue up to Class 12. They include subjects such as Astronomy, Farming, Philosophy, History of Art and Surveying. This programme ensures that, irrespective of their exam choices, all pupils receive a broad education which encompasses science, art, crafts and the humanities, and enables our pupils to develop a broader understanding of the world in which we live.

•

French and German are taught from the age of six years, and we benefit from a vibrant visiting student programme and international school community.

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22 Families Edinburgh

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SCHOOL NEWS & OPEN DAYS

Morrison’s Academy Morrison’s Academy is a friendly and nurturing independent school in the heart of rural Perthshire. Generations of Morrisonians have benefited from the school’s rich choice of academic, artistic and sporting experiences, going on to make their mark on the world as Olympic athletes, groundbreaking scientists, award-winning actors, adventurers, politicians and professionals.

The school’s long tradition of academic success in boys and girls from 3 to 18 continues today with a contemporary Scottish curriculum that earned our pupils the best SQA results in the School’s recent record in 2017. A programme of independent, child-centred learning builds emotional intelligence, creativity and life skills, and this year earned the school a place in the final of the Scottish Rural Award for Education.

The school’s long tradition of academic success in boys and girls from 3 to 18 continues today with a contemporary Scottish curriculum that earned our pupils the best SQA results in the School’s recent record in 2017. A programme of independent, child-centred learning builds emotional intelligence, creativity and life skills, and this year earned the school a place in the final of the Scottish Rural Award for Education.

The beautiful campus location in the heart of Crieff allows ample opportunities for outdoor education and the chance to be part of an engaged local community, but the school is by no means provincial: regular trips, community projects, and international partnerships mean they’re connected to the world outside the classroom, in person or virtually - through video classes, live correspondence, or Skype classes in Africa. The small but vibrant school community hosts a wealth of knowledge and experience, and everybody is invited to bring theirs to the table: parents, pupils and former pupils are regularly involved in activities from running co-curricular clubs, serving (or eating!) pitchside bacon rolls at weekend sports fixtures, to inspiring pupils at regular careers networking events.

In 2017, Morrison’s launched their Academic and Music Scholarships, adding Sport Scholarships to the mix in 2018, to offer talented children expert guidance and mentorship to nurture their aptitude. Sports teams play at national schools level, the debating team compete at the Cambridge Union, and the school is consistently represented in local, national and international competitions in Art, Business, Maths, Music, Science and Translation.

In 2018-19, the school launches its Forest Schools programme, opening an outdoor classroom for classes and clubs from Nursery level all the way through to S6. In the Primary School, resident Literacy and Numeracy ambassadors will be joined by the newly-appointed STEM ambassador, whose roles are to explore new and exciting methods for teaching and encourage a love of learning in these core academic areas. Learning isn’t just for pupils, either: the school is constantly improving, reviewing, and investing in professional development through programmes of continual reflection that enable staff to improve their practice and prepare Morrisonians to enter a fast-changing adult world. This culture of aspiration, continual improvement, and respect is embodied in everything they do, from academic teaching to sports coaching, personal development to pastoral care.

“The staff simply care and each and every one goes that extra mile to help all students” Emily Alexander, Head Girl 2015-16 Morrison’s Academy’s next whole school Open Morning is on the 29th of September 2018.

Register online at www.morrisonsacademy.org/admissions/open-mornings/

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Families Edinburgh 23

Away From The Kids At Families Edinburgh we are all about keeping the kids busy and entertained, and spending time together as a family.

I'm sure you'll agree the kids get the opportunity to do lots of fab things in our fair City and while, obviously, none of us resent a second spent on the sidelines of these amazing activities, I hold my hands up and admit that sometimes I get a bit jealous.

So, in search of grown up learning, and a bit of grown up play time, we are delighted to share some activities that you can do if you have time away from the kids

The Arienas Collective is a group of local artists and designer-makers who are passionate about what they do, and who believe there is a creative soul within everyone waiting to be released.

They run experiences from a relaxing central Edinburgh home environment where you are encouraged to lose yourself in the moment, and to switch off from the everyday through focusing on the act of creating.

What did I do?

A full-day Introduction to soap-making experience.

What do you learn?

Our small group was split in two to make batches of soap.

The morning session is more complicated that the afternoon and requires the use of safety gloves/googles (for the “science bit”). Each member of the group is responsible for looking after one element of the process.

Once everything is heated and mixed carefully following Jenny’s recipe the soap is then poured into moulds where it has to cure for 21 days.

In the afternoon, we leant how to make organic 'melt and pour' glycerine soap. This is a simpler process and once poured into moulds of our choice set fairly quickly.

As if this wasn’t enough fun we were then given the option to create wrappings for our soaps. The table was a crafters dream - laden with tissue paper, wrapping paper, coloured twine, stamps, pens, scissors, gift bags….

This section of the day could have been a workshop on it’s own.

Think playing around with circus is just for kids?

Well, think again!

Think Circus offer classes for adults so if you've always thought you could never master the life skills of hula hoop, poi or juggling, their tuition and friendly classes will prove you wrong!

Classes will also get you learning, moving, being creative, playing and having fun.

You can even learn fire spinning skills!

All info for class times is on www.bookwhen.com/thinkcircus

How was it?

Our group was 6 and everyone was immediately put at ease by Lynn’s warm welcome in such beautiful surroundings. The day starts with a cup of tea/ infused water and a brief chat about the day. The tutor is Jenny, who has years of experience in the soap industry.

Half way through the day we were treated to a delicious light lunch followed by a scrummy pudding of merengue, ice-cream and fresh strawberries from Real Foods.

The attention to detail is wonderful for everything about the day. We were learning a new skill with detailed instructions, friendly chat, generous offers to share further knowledge and a lovely environment to learn in.

How did I feel at the end of the day?

I felt entirely looked after, deliciously fed and came away with 8 glycerine soaps (with more to come when the cold pressed one’s have cured). This is a wonderful way to get away from everything as I honestly had no other thoughts in my head during the day. It would also make a great party for a group of friends or even a very relaxing way to do some gift shopping.

And the glycerine soap is definitely something you could do with the kids.

So really I was taking time out to learn a new skill that can be shared with my family.

All in all, a beautifully smelling escape from the world.

To find out more about this and other workshops go to www.thearienascollective.com

Learn to speak a language with confidence by Christmas!

Speak Out’s new calendar is now open for booking, with courses at all levels to get you speaking with confidence. And you get the chance to take part in a Speak Out trip to try out your new skills!

In their own words, here is why learners choose Speak Out: Practical: My son says I’ve learned more useful French in 5 weeks than he has in 2 years at school!

Focus on speaking: It doesn’t matter if you make a mistake. You’re definitely given confidence to have a go.

Fun and Informal: We laugh a lot! The lessons are great fun, open and friendly, and they’ve given me a whole new interest in my life”

Not like school: I found myself wondering why French wasn’t fun like this at school. It’s a completely different learning resource.

It works: I was amazed at how quickly we made real and tangible progress.

To book your place, visit www.speakoutwithconfidence.com or call Ruth on 07825 597056. Places limited to 8 per course, so be quick!

Women returning to work 2018 Are you thinking about returning to work after the summer?

We are now accepting applications for a fully funded course starting September and October 2018!

This course will provide tailored and personal advice to help you through the returning to work process. Candidates eligible for full funding must live in Edinburgh and be serious about returning to work.

The course will help you: • understand the local job market; • identify what employers are looking for; • prepare a CV and application forms you are proud of; and • gain confidence talking about yourself and answering competence-based questions.

Find out more by visiting www.thepctpartnership.co.uk or contact us at training@thepctpartnership.co.uk or call 0131 622 6240 to discuss.

24 Families Edinburgh

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Out&About While every care has been taken to compile the OUT AND ABOUT section please remember that this magazine is printed weeks ahead of some of the events. PLEASE call and check events with the venue to avoid any disappointment before setting out. If you have any events you would like listed free in this section please email them to editor@familiesedinburgh.co.uk

AUGUST Until August 26th Stick By Me by Andy Manley and Ian Cameron.

Produced by Red Bridge Arts. For Age 3 - 6. 12.30pm (40 mins) (not Mondays) £9 (£7 conc), Family ticket for 4 (£28) © Mihaela Bodlovic

Ready?

Let’s run, play, hide Follow me Don’t get lost I will stick by you If you will Stick by me A quirky, new show about friendship and play, and the importance of treasuring little things. Created by Andy Manley and Ian Cameron, co-creators of the international hit show White.

DanceBase.14-16 Grassmarket tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/stick-by-me Phone - 0131 226 0000 “...a joyful and funny show... "The Guardian “What a wonderfully wise and big-hearted show this is.” Herald Until 27 August Edinburgh International Book Festival Most events FREE or £5.00. www.edbookfest.co.uk or by phone 0345 373 5888.

A fun day out for all the family, from tots to teens, the Book Festival includes hundreds of interactive events, comic workshops, crafts and fascinating debates. Plus, it’s home to Scotland’s largest children’s bookshop!

Children’s Dance School located in Corstorphine, Polworth and Southside for children aged 2+ e: info@vwschoolofdance.co.uk

t: 07425101999

www.vwschoolofdance.co.uk

Until August 27th Institut français d’Ecosse Children’s Theatre Programme. There’s still time to check out our children’s shows at Vive le Fringe!, the Institut français d’Ecosse’s annual Fringe programme: The Carnival of the Animals (5+): The Crazy Comics Puppets bring French comic book characters to life in this comedic take on Camille Saint-Saëns’ classic musical suite.

Out of Place (5+): Mime and clown Guérassim Dichliev brings a show without words that speaks volumes about finding your place in life.

SWAP/TROC (8+): Clown duo Corentin Boisset and Sita Pieraccini sashay their way through the no man’s land of the airport in search of what one lost, and the other found.

Visual Short Stories (8+): Duo Mimikry uses visual comedy and innovative narrative techniques to create their humorous stories, from the exploits of two undertakers to a radical retelling of Rapunzel. Book now at tickets.edfringe.com 18th August Huge Family Water Fight Bring your swimming costumes and a super soaker and join in our huge water fight!

2000+ Water balloons will be provided and a giant paddling pool 1pm -5pm. A water fight commences every hour on the hour when a team member shouts WATER FIGHT! All children must be accompanied in the water zone. Conifox 27th August Bookbug Session at Dr Bell's Family Centre 11.15am to 12.15am. Bookbug sessions are suitable for children up to the age of 4 years old and their parents or carers. The sessions are full of stories, rhymes and songs.

There is no need to book and there will also be tea, coffee and biscuits to enjoy too!

Dr Bell's Family Centre, 15 Junction Place, Leith, EH6 5JA

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Out&About Until September 1st Visit the Scottish Parliament The Scottish Parliament is a must see destination for visitors of all ages. Situated at the foot of Arthur’s Seat, come and visit the heart of Scottish democracy.

Book on one of our free tours or just explore the dramatic architecture of our award-winning building. We also have a family-friendly café which is the perfect spot for lunch or coffee. Our creche is free for visitors and offers care for children aged between 6 weeks and 5 years. Places can be pre-booked or simply drop in (subject to availability). We are open Monday to Saturday between 10am and 5pm (last entry is 4.30pm). Entry is free. For more information visit www.parliament.scot/open or call 0131 348 5200. © Chris Scott

SEPTEMBER 1st September 1950’s Event 10am-4pm. Steam and diesel trains with live music, DJ and dancing, pop up vintage stalls and more. Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway

8th September It’s in the Bag: Superheroes 11.15am (45mins). £5 (£4.50 SCS) (3-6yrs)

© Annelie Preiss

2nd (or 9th) September Art in the Park Spylaw Park, Colinton Village. 11am to 5pm Facebook.com/ColintonVillageEnterprise Arts & craft stalls, artisan food, catering outlets, games, children’s activities and local community groups. Varied performance area will include several bands this year ranging from traditional music to rock, plus highland, ballet and even belly dancing! (alternative date in case of bad weather forecast)

Until 25th November Rip It Up – The Story of Scottish Pop Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3 Adult £10, Concession £8, Child (12 – 15) £7, Under 12’s free, National Museums Scotland Members free, National Art Pass holders 50% discount Discover the story of Scottish pop music at the National Museum of Scotland as we take you on a musical journey from the 1950s to the present day. Join us for the first major exhibition dedicated to Scottish pop music, exploring the musical culture of the nation over more than half a century, from influential indie pioneers to global superstars through music, film and a host of objects, many loaned directly from the artists themselves. From the days of the dancehalls to the emergence of pop in an explosion of colour in the 60s, through the 70s and New Wave, Rip It Up features global stars and independent local heroes from pop's early days right up to today’s outstanding newcomers.

26 Families Edinburgh

3rd September BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby/Bump) (Ages 0-1) 10:15am, 10:55am, 11:30am. Gallery varies, check nationalgalleries.org Monthly informal gallery chats for grown-ups with their wee-est ones.

8th September Seaweed for Health 10.30am – 5pm (drop-in). All ages. Free.

Real Life Science Studio, John Hope Gateway, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Celebrate the development of the nutritious food seaweed and discover its potential for health and culinary enjoyment. With the Seaweed Health Foundation.

8th September It’s in the Bag: Teddy Bears Picnic 10am (45mins). £5 (£4.50 SCS) 0-2yrs Bring your favourite teddy and journey into the woods with Sam & Rosie for a Teddy Bears' Picnic. What delights will the teddies have in store for us? A wonderful interactive session for little ones, with puppets, props and lots of well-known nursery rhymes throughout.

Sam & Rosie are Superheroes in a magical kingdom, a beautiful place where the animals can speak, there's a good fairy and everyone lives happily… until Snake-boy decides to spoil their fun. Will Bug-boy & Cat-girl save the day? Only with your help! An interactive story with puppets, props, songs and adventure throughout.

It’s in the Bag are an award-winning duo who delight in taking children's imaginations on a storytelling adventure, with rhymes, songs, drama, creative games and puppets bringing the story to life. Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh 8th September Wee Treasures (Ages 2-5) Multi-sensory storytelling in the gallery, inspired by a different painting each month.

10.30am & 11:30 Scottish National Portrait Gallery

8th September WW1 at Lauriston Castle 11am - 4pm. Re-enactments in the grounds and Castle. Free and no need to book, just come along.

Join the Scots in the Great War Living History training in the grounds of Lauriston Castle in the long summer before the outbreak of WW1. See displays of drill and bayonet fighting, handle original objects from the time and find out about the life of Scottish soldiers. This is for all the family to learn about history in a very fun and interactive way.

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Out&About 8th & 9th September Day Out With Thomas at The Bo’ness & Kinneil Railway Hourly 10.30-15.30.

All aboard for a Day Out With Thomas! Meet Thomas the Tank Engine™ and his friends, who are waiting to meet you at the Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway.

Experience a ride on a real steam engine, shake hands with The Fat Controller and take part in Thomas themed activities in the Imagination Station.

Family entertainment at both Bo'ness & Birkhill stations.

Event opens 10:00am - 5:00pm.

8th & 9th September The Abbey Uncovered 13:00 – 16:00.

Discover what life was like in a medieval abbey at the Palace of Holyroodhouse this September. From archaeology to apothecary, join us for a weekend of fun hands on activities exploring the fascinating 900 year history of Holyrood Abbey.

All events are drop in and free with your ticket. Don’t forget to get your ticket stamped when you visit to convert your ticket into a 1-year pass and come back for free!

For full details of all events and dates visit www.royalcollection.org.uk/whatson 11th September Tiny Tales: Into the Garden 10am & 11.30am (40mins). £5 per child. 2-5yrs Come into the garden with storyteller Claire McNicol and meet characters old and new, from Mary the contrary gardener to her pals Wiggly Woo the Worm and Cecil the Caterpillar. Event will be held outside, weather dependent.

Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh 15th September Lapin Is Hungry The Bilingual Picture Book for All! 11am (45mins) £5 per child, 3-6yrs Lapin has been delighting families © Solen Collet since 2008 and the French rabbit now has a picture book! Join Tania and her puppets for a bilingual mini-show, the reading of the story and some Lapin style dancing to celebrate. Accessible to non-French speakers. With an opportunity to get your book signed at the end.

Scottish Storytelling Centre, High Street, Edinburgh

THE PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE The Abbey Uncovered Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th September 13:00 – 16:00 Discover what life was like in a medieval abbey at the Palace of Holyroodhouse this September.

From archaeology to apothecary, join us for a weekend of fun hands on activities exploring the fascinating history of Holyrood Abbey.

Portraits at the Palace Saturday 13th – Sunday 21st October

15th September Wee Treasures Walk, Talk, Make (Ages 2-5) 11am-12.30pm.

Outdoor explorations in the grassy grounds of Modern One and Two. Wrap up warm!

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

All events

are drop in Visit during half term and take our free with y and our ticket. new trail around the Palace. Explore the portraits on Don’t forget to get display and learn how to decode them. Once you've your ticket stamped w hen you visit to conv finished the trail, visit our Family Room where you can ert your tick et into a 1-ye draw your very own portrait to take home! ar pass and come back fo On Saturday 13th October between 13:00 - 16:00, join r free! artist Gemma Coyle in the Family Room for a Portrait Masterclass and create a portrait fit for a King or Queen!

For full details of all events and dates visit www.royalcollection.org.uk/whatson

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Out&About 15th September Rubik’s Cube-solving Masterclass with Adam Black 12.30pm, 2pm and 3.30pm. £4 per person Duration 45min. This is an opportunity to learn Cubesolving techniques from Adam in a fun, hands-on, 45minute workshop, and maybe even experience a little magic at the same time. Please bring a Rubik’s cube if you haveone, or £5 to buy one on the day. Ages 10+.

Booking essential. To book contact the museum of Childhood reception on 0131 529 4142 or visit www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk.

16th September The Great Duck Race and Family Funday 10 years since our first Duck Race join us for this amazing spectacle and sponor a duck for £2 to win some great prize. Fun starts at 2pm, races from 3pm.

Water of Leith Visitor Centre 16th September Postcard Portraits (Ages 6+) 2-4pm. Scottish National Portrait Gallery Pick up your postcard pack, find your portraits and create your own personal masterpieces!

15th September Ahoy Me Hearties!

10.30am - 12.30pm or 1.30pm - 3.30pm £5 per adult/child. Use your pirate map and brave the creepy woods at Lauriston to find pirate treasure! Collect your very own mini pirate’s treasure chest to decorate with special papers and jewels. With Mike Durnan.

Booking essential www.edinburghmuseums.org 15th & 16th September Harvest Festival Botanic Cottage and Demonstration Garden.

All ages. Free Join in this celebration of the vegetable and fruit growing year. There will be fun activities, gardening advice, tasters, music and more. Come and meet the Edible Gardening Project team. Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

28 Families Edinburgh

21 - 23 September Little Baby Bum King’s Theatre, Edinburgh

22nd September Peter Pan 1pm - 4pm. Free drop-in no need to book. Museum of Childhood Artist Stephen White was creator of Peter Pan the Graphic Novel, Join Stephen in the museum to watchhim draw some characters and if you are very lucky he will personalise and sign one of his drawings for you.

22nd September Super Hero Disco Come and join in our disco with Batman, Spiderman and Captain America. The Central superheroes will be performing, meeting for photos and dancing with the kids in the disco. £10.95 for kids and £7.50 for Adults (includes Adventure Park entry for the day as well as the Superhero performance, disco ,photo opportunity and prizes).

All children must be accompanied by an adult. 1 hour slots 10.30am – 11.30pm , 12.00pm-1.00pm and 1.30 – 2.30pm.

Kids and Adults encouraged to dress up as their favourite Super Hero. See Conifox Facebook Page for full information.

Step into the magical and colourful world of Little Baby Bum. Join Mia, Jacus, Twinkle and their Nursey Rhyme Friends at the world premiere of a brand new live show.

An online and digital TV sensation, Little Baby Bum is the world’s largest educational YouTube channel with over 21 million subscribers and 20 billion views.

See the News and Views pages at the beginning of this issue for your chance to win a family ticket!

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Out&About 22nd September Marvellous Puppets 10.30am - 12.30 pm or 1.30pm - 3.30pm Bring your favourite characters to life with artist Lauren McLaughlin. Using a range of recycled materials, you can create and take home your very own puppet inspired by our Growing up with Books Exhibition. Free drop in, no need to book. Museum of Childhood.

OCTOBER

©Andy McGregor

1st October BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby / Bump) (Ages 0-1) 10:15am, 10:55am, 11:30am Gallery varies, check nationalgalleries.org Monthly informal gallery chats for grown-ups with their wee-est ones.

23rd September The Wheels and Wings show 10:00-17:00 National Museum of Flight Early Bird prices (until Sun 9 Sept) Adult £12, Concession £10.50, Child £8.50 (under 5s free), Family of four £32.

It's full speed ahead for cars, bikes and traction engines in September at the National Museum of Flight. Get swept off your feet with awesome stunt performances from Broke FMX. Test your own skills on a variety of wheeled transport including mountain bikes and Segway’s. Find out about flight of a different kind with our majestic bird of prey displays and have a go at transport-themed crafts and activities. Browse around 150 classic cars and vintage vehicles.

29th September Family Art Tours (Ages 6+) Tour: 11 am. Gallery varies, check nationalgalleries.org Designed to boost confidence in looking and chatting about art; these short, interactive, creative tours are the perfect introduction to art for your whole family. This tour will also be BSL interpreted 29th September A Home for Teddies and Trains 10.30am - 12.30pm or 1.30pm - 3.30pm Inspired by all the old toys in the Museum of Childhood.

Bring along a toy and make your very own basket using a variety of textures and pictures to keep your toys in one safe place so no one gets lost.

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13th October Wee Treasures (Ages 2-5) 10.30am & 11:30 Scottish National Portrait Gallery

6th - 31st October Spooky Happenings Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Millfield, Livingston As the nights get darker, mysterious creatures emerge from the dark corners of the old farm. Grab your trail sheet and look out for the clues on your spooky quest.

Find your way through a world of magic and shadows with mysteries to solve, games to play, and some scary surprises around every corner. Get creative in the craft area where you can make spooky masks and manufacture monsters. All of this silly scary fun can be enjoyed any day from the 6th of October until Halloween during usual opening hours (10.00-17.00) with no need to book in advance. 10:00 - 17:00 / Adults £8.50 Children (age 3-15 years) £6.50

Multi-sensory storytelling in the gallery, inspired by a different painting each month.

13th October Community Beach Clean Help protect our environment and the local wildlife by joining the Scottish Seabird Centre’s Community Beach clean at 10:30am.

Chilly or warm weather, the Scottish Seabird Centre, just 35 minutes from Edinburgh is the ideal family escape this October. Interactive live cameras, 3D films, childfriendly activities, wonderful wildlife, gift shop plus the Seabird Café all beside miles of beautiful beaches.

Find out more at: www.seabird.org.

13th - 21st October Portraits at the Palace Visit during half term and take our new trail around the Palace.

7th October National Grandparents Day Grandparents go free in the Adventure park with a paying child. Conifox

13th October The Spooky Enchanted Forest 10.30am - 12.30 pm or 1.30pm - 3.30pm Inspired by all the traditional spooky stories about ghosts and ghouls, join artist Melanie Ross in the Museum of Childhood to create your own terrifying ghosts and monsters that live in the forest, by using, felt, paper and card to show your journey exploring and investigating the spooky woods. Free drop in, no need to book.

Call us on 0131 622 0405

Explore the portraits on display and learn how to decode them. Once you've finished the trail, visit our Family Room where you can draw your very own portrait to take home! On Saturday 13th October between 13:00 16:00, join artist Gemma Coyle in the Family Room for a Portrait Masterclass and create a portrait fit for a King or Queen. All events are drop in and free with your ticket.

Don’t forget to get your ticket stamped when you visit to convert your ticket into a 1-year pass and come back for free! For full details of all events and dates visit www.royalcollection.org.uk/whatson

Families Edinburgh 29

Out&About 16th, 17th & 18th October Doodles Half term clay fun Have a magical time this October with our Harry Potter themed workshops.

Fun clay sessions will run 10.30 am -12.30pm . £20 per child including drink and mid morning snack.

Booking essential as these clay mornings are very popular. Please call Doodles on 0131 229 1399.

13th - 28 October October Break at Dynamic Earth 13th: Meet glaciologists from the University of Edinburgh and discover what it is like to live and work in Greenland.

14th, 17th, 20th and 21st: A final opportunity to become a trainee environmental scientist by taking part in our Operation Earth programme. Oct 15th – 19th: Mineral and gem activities with the Scottish Mineral and Lapidary Club.

18th – 19th: Come and meet scientist and find out about their ground-breaking research going on at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology.

13th – 28th: Art meets science in a stunning photography exhibition of Alex Ingle’s work in environmental science research.

Usual admission charges apply.

14th October Postcard Portraits (Ages 6+) 2-4pm. Scottish National Portrait Gallery Pick up your postcard pack, find your portraits and create your own personal masterpieces!

15th - 19th October October Holidays!

(All ages)Take part in something different every day in the gallery this week, inspired by a very special painting! National Gallery of Scotland 10-12 noon Drop-in Art Station 11–11:30 Family Art Tour (BSL signed) 2-4 pm Stag-inspired storytelling, all-day Lego building (10-5pm), live music, sketching… check Nationalgalleries.org for details!

16th October Rotten Delve into the decomposing world of fungus, compost & poo.

A Rotten event which will leave you mucky! £5 per child & start at 2.00pm until 4.00pm.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL 0131 455 7367 admin@waterofleith.org.uk Suitable for 4 to 12 year olds, Accompanying adult free Water of Leith Visitor Centre

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20th October Halloween Magic School with Edinburgh International Magic Festival 10.30am - 12pm. £7 per person. Ages 7-11.

It’s the time of year when there are more witches and wizards about than at any other. So why not learn some magic to go along with your awesome outfit? Learn, create and perform your own magic at a spooky, magic workshop this Halloween! Learn to perform incredible magic and make new wizard friends. No previous magic experience necessary! Just bring yourself, your costume and your magic wands and we’ll do the rest.

Booking essential www.edinburghmuseums.org 20th October Wee Treasures Walk, Talk, Make (Ages 2-5) 11am-12.30pm.

Outdoor explorations in the grassy grounds of Modern One and Two. Wrap up warm! Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

18th October Survive Build a shelter, forage for food and learn to create fire. £5 per child & start at 2.00pm until 4.00pm.

BOOKING ESSENTIAL 0131 455 7367 admin@waterofleith.org.uk Suitable for 4 to 12 year olds, accompanying adult free Water of Leith Visitor Centre 18th October Halloween Wand Making Workshop 11am - 12.30pm. £5 per person Join us in a magical crafting class just in time for Halloween and create your own unique magic wand, using a huge assortment of spooky, glittering materials.

After making a colourful wand to swish around, young witches and wizards will be ready to cast spells and collect bags of sweets on Halloween night!

Age 5+. With our partners Edinburgh International Magic Festival.

Booking essential www.edinburghmuseums.org

20th October Once Upon a Book 1.30pm (3hrs) Free (ticketed) For 3+ Scottish Storytelling Centre and Museum of Childhood Old books come back to life as storytellers guide you through the world of children’s literature in a vibrant afternoon of stories. Inspired by the exhibition Growing up with Books, the event will feature an array of Scottish storytellers and sessions for different age ranges, with accompanying adults. With storytellers Janis Mackay, Beth Cross, Sylvia Troon and Sheila Kinninmonth.

20th & 21st October Pumpkin Patch Festival and Carving Also Sat 27th & 28th Oct Come and join in the pumpkin carving fun- Pick a pumpkin from our pumpkin patch and carve it in our marquee with help from our Adventure Park staff.

Conifox 21st October Enchanted Garden – Growing Stories, Growing Trees 1pm (3hrs) Free, drop in.

All ages. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Join Scottish and international storytellers at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and treat yourself with a relaxed afternoon of stories for all ages. Meet at the Botanic Cottage and find the cosy spots where stories are shared or let storytellers take you on story journeys into the beautiful surrounding, where trees start to glow with warm Autumn colours. The event includes the special storytelling session, Re-Storying the Earth, with Alette Willis and Allison Galbraith.

Note: Sessions at the Botanic Cottage have limited capacity, free tickets will be available on the door.

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Out&About 21st October Decorative Scrap Paper Tree 10.30am - 12.30pm or 1.30pm - 3.30pm £5 per adult/child. Decorate your home with a beautiful paper tree, recreate the stunning autumnal colours in the gardens on a tree you can display in your home. A perfect little sculpture to brighten up any room. Booking essential www.edinburghmuseums.org 21st October Magical Fruit 4.30pm (1hr 30) Free. All ages Lochend Secret Garden Join storyteller Jane Mather for a delightful array of stories from around the world in celebration of apple day and see the secret garden transformed into a magical realm by lighting artist Cameron Gleave. There will be delicious healthy refreshments and a chance to meet some of the secret gardeners who make it a magic garden all year round. Supported by the Lochend Community Growing Project. Note: Wheelchair access may be difficult in wet weather due to soft ground.

22 October - Kinship Family Open Day Big Hearts charity is hosting a fun day for families in Kinship Care - when a child lives with a family relative as their parents are unable to care for them.

Young people and their carers will get the chance to enjoy a host of fun activities at Tynecastle Stadium including face painting, stadium tours, music and football. Big Hearts is running a wide range of support for Kinship Care families living in Edinburgh and more info on the free services will be available on the day, including After School Club, Holiday Activities, Football Courses and Emergency Grants.

11am-3pm, Tynecastle Stadium, EH11 2NL. Free booking essential: events@bighearts.org.uk www.bighearts.org.uk 26th October Friday Fright Night Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Millfield, Livingston A little extra horror once the sun goes down, with a scary surprise around every corner, ghost trains to nowhere, and trailer rides circuiting the graveyard. Come dressed to kill. Good family fun, but perhaps not suitable for very young children or adults of a nervous disposition - no advance booking required. 18:00 - 21:00 / Adults £8.50 Children (age 3-15 years) £6.50 26th - 28th October The Festival of Physics Dynamic Earth Celebrate the wonder of science, the power of curiosity and the inventions and discoveries that shape our world and our future. Join us for scintillating science shows, hand on workshops, creative conversations and talks.

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27th October Scary Masks 10.30am - 12.30pm or 1.30pm - 3.30pm With many faces at the Museum of Childhood, make your own masks depicting your own favourite character with scary add-ons, using a variety of materials to have a spooky Halloween. Whoooaaar.

27th October Spooky Saturday Almond Valley Heritage Centre, Millfield On the Saturday before Halloween there's even more spooky fun going on throughout the day - dooking for apples and other traditional games, crafts and creations, and music for monster dancing - ideal for families with younger children. Open as usual from 10am to 5pm no advance booking required. 10:00 - 17:00 / Adults £8.50 Children (age 3-15 years) £6.50 27th October Halloween Disco Join us for a spooky Halloween disco £8 per Child £6 for Adults.

This includes Adventure Park entry for the day as well as the Spooky Halloween disco and prizes. 1.00pm 2.00pm and 2.30pm -3.30pm Kids and Adults encouraged to dress up. See Facebook page for online booking information. Conifox

28th October Guisers Galore 1.30pm (2hrs 30) Free (ticketed) 5+ Scottish Storytelling Centre & Museum of Edinburgh What's Guising? Come along and find out! Learn a song, a poem and a dance for real Hallowe'en guising, then follow the Old Town Guisers parade or prepare for guising in your local area.

Rehearsals at the Scottish Storytelling Centre from 1.30pm and then performances at the Museum of Edinburgh at 3pm and 3.30pm. Bring your own costume or mask. Not suitable for children under 5. All children must be accompanied.

27th October Family Art Tours (Ages 6+) Tour: 11 am Gallery varies, check nationalgalleries.org Designed to boost confidence in looking and chatting about art; these short, interactive, creative tours are the perfect introduction to art for your whole family. This tour will also be BSL interpreted 27th October Family Samhuinn 12pm (3hrs) | £3 | 3-12 years Scottish Storytelling Centre In the Celtic calendar, the traditional festival of Samhuinn is a time when the veil between the land of the living and the departed is thinnest. Enjoy a day of stories, drama games and songs. Make Samhuinn memorable and celebrate it with us.

27th October Starbank Park Hallowe’en Party 3pm (2hrs). Free (by donation, suggested £3) All Ages Come in full costume to enjoy an afternoon of treats and fun activities next to an old creepy Mansion, and watch out for our ghost sailor by the sea! Hosted by Friends of Starbank Park.

28th October The Spooky Castle 10am - 1pm. £7 per person.

Spend a morning with us exploring this spooktacular Castle at Halloween. Be very brave and dabble in 4 terrifying family activity activities. Spend some time out in the creepy old woods and search for clues with our ghouls and make terrifying Halloween treats in the historical kitchen. We are delighted to be joined this year by our partners Edinburgh Horror Festival. Remember to come in full fancy dress! Booking essential www.edinburghmuseums.org 28th & 29th October Steam ‘n’ Scream Hallowe'en Weekend Boness & Kinneil Railway.

Come for some Halloween fun on the train! Halloween treats, a fancy dress competition and other spooky fun.

Come in fancy dress or else.

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