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School news, open days, reader offers, after school activities, weekend activities, babies and toddlers, theatre and much more...

Issue 289 September 2019familiesonline.co.uk

Enjoy great Reader Offers

Moreton Place Beauty & Wellbeing

Founded by mother and daughter, Angela and Rachael Burnett, Moreton Place Beauty & Wellbeing is a boutique beauty salon with exquisite design and a team committed to providing a service of excellence, where “customers are placed first, foremost and above all”.

The salon features a nail bar, four treatment rooms and a relaxing facial garden exclusively open for the spring/summer months. Specialising in facial treatments they work with the following skincare brands: Natura Bissé, Environ, CACI, Germaine de Capuccini, Odacité and Dermalogica. Their experienced therapists also deliver massage, waxing, tinting, threading, nail and lash treatments in luxurious and peaceful rooms.

Although Moreton Place is only a 4 minute walk away from Pimlico tube station, you will be surprised to find the moment you walk through the door you feel as though you are miles away from London. 40 Moreton Street, London, SW1V 2PB www.moretonplace.co.uk

* Not to be used in conjunction with any other discount or promotional offer.

French traditional madeleines with a touch of ooh la la!

We all know Biscuiteers and love Maitre Choux, new on the baking scene is

BISOU les madeleines: they aim to revolutionise the humble madeleine by recreating it in various exciting flavours. “Our aim is to offer high-quality products (we only use natural ingredients in our recipes) with great design. Our regular and mini madeleines are perfect for any occasion.” In addition to sweet madeleines, they offer a collection of savoury mini madeleines that are the

20% off any online orders with code FAMILIES Valid until 31/12/19

Exclusive offer for Families readers: 25% off * any treatment on your first visit

perfect finger food for your parties. We love their madeleine towers for special celebrations—they are simply stunning and quite different! Admire the range on www.bisoulesmadeleines.com and start savouring.

Authentic and healthy Napolitan cuisine in a child-friendly environment

“We went to Donna Margherita after spending the morning in the Battersea Art Centre, opposite in Lavender Hill: it is perfectly located! The music and the decoration takes you directly to an Italian Piazza eating al fresco, the genuine taste of Italian homemade food. We had the degustation menu with Bruschetta Napolitana, Fritturina, organic bread, Ravioli, Pappardelle, Spaghetti and the best Zuppa ever with mussels, squid, prawns, langoustines and clams with cherries and bread.

The adults loved absolutely everything! The winning dish for our 2 and 4 years old daughters were the pizzas with bear and bunny shapes and the torta caprese for desert. They only use the best organic ingredients with gluten free pasta and and can adapt everything to a smaller portions or combinations for kids and for adults.” 183 Lavender Hill SW11 5TE Book now on 020 7228 2660 www.donnamargherita.co.uk

MG Hypnosis

A real find, you won’t be disappointed. Reviewed by Noemí García, one of Families roving mums

A one hour hypnotherapy session for £75, normally £155 for first visit (excluding weight loss and smoking cessation) for children, teens or adults*

Hypnotherapy is a treatment that uses Hypnosis to alter the way you feel and think and to change aspects of your life, which need improving. Hypnosis is a perfectly natural condition, which we experience every day of our lives, like daydreaming. Under hypnosis, we are capable of making significant changes to our thinking patterns and unlocking unlimited potential to improve and transform our lives. Common conditions treated: stress reduction, exam anxiety, phobias, habits, relaxation, confidence boosting, and motivation. *Valid until end October.

See www.mghypnosis.co.uk for more information, or call with questions on 07931 547414.

6 Families South West • September 2019 familiesonline.co.uk

How to choose the right school for your

child By Claire Winter

Whether it's for primary or secondary school, in the next few months the majority of parents have to make big decisions about what school preferences to shortlist for their child. But, don’t panic! Families has asked parents across the UK to give their top tips on how to make the right choices.

What type of school? Do you want to choose a fee-paying or state school? Day or boarding? Single-sex or co-ed? What sort of school will suit your child? There are lots of factors to consider when you start looking at prospective schools. Mandy says: "Our son is really sensitive, and we felt a busy state school would not suit his character at all. We were lucky his grandparents offered to help with the school fees, so we chose a local independent school that didn't have an entrance exam. He loves it."

Do your research If you are looking at state schools, find out what catchment area you are in. Your local LEA website can help with this. If you feel you might be on the edge of a catchment area, it’s worth asking your local authority or the school whether children where you live have been offered places in previous years.

Linda says: “When we filled in our preference list for primary school, we already knew we might not get our first or second choice because the local authority had told us we were on the edge of the catchment area. This was really helpful because we made sure that we were slap bang in the middle of the catchment for our third and fourth choices.”

Make sure you research the admissions policy for all schools in which you are interested, state or independent, primary or secondary. Many primary schools have a siblings-first policy whilst schools that are affiliated to a church may have special requirements related to your family religion. You need to know whether you fulfil the entry requirements.

Many independent schools have entrance exams which you need to understand. Similarly, if you live in a grammar school area you need to find out if you are in catchment for the school and when the 11+ examinations take place.

Visit the school It is vital that you visit all the schools you are interested in. See our Independent school open days listing, it’s worth visiting them at least a year before you need to apply in order to come up with an initial shortlist. You can then visit again closer to the time of making your applications.

You can search for state school open days online, as well as finding out more about the school from their website. Pay attention to the attitude of the school at open days. You want the school to be friendly and welcoming to you at this time. Lisa says: “I attended an open day at the school which was our first choice for primary because it is an Outstanding school with a very good reputation. But I found the attitude of the school towards parents really off-putting. Basically we were told at the open day that they wouldn’t be answering any questions about the school until we got offered a place. Needless to say, I scratched them off our list!”

It’s very helpful to book an appointment to see the school during the working day. This way you get to see how the pupils interact with the teachers and you can see if the school will really suit your child.

What is the Head Teacher like? Most Head Teachers make a speech at their school Open Days and these are well worth listening to. The Head is responsible for the ethos and vision of a school and is also a key decision maker. She or he are also responsible for employing key staff responsible for both teaching and pastoral care and so his attitude and outlook are likely to trickle down throughout the school and be very influential overall. Isobel says: "We put a lot of weight on what the Head Master/Head Mistress was like. They really drive the culture of a school. Next up was the kids. Watching them interact with each other and their teachers. That was a real eye-opener in some classrooms! We chose

our primary school because when the Head Master asked a question they all put their hands up. He picked a girl to answer but got her name slightly wrong. She was confident to correct him, politely, before answering the question. That stood out for me as both respectful and confident—two characteristics I'd want my children to have."

Think about logistics How far away is the school? If you work, do they have a good breakfast club and afterschool care? Can your child get to school by bus or a coach or can they walk to school? Will you have to drive them? "I wanted my daughter to go to a school she could walk to" says Amanda. "She could have travelled further by bus to a school with better results, but I loved the small size of our closest school and the emphasis they put on play." Clare agrees: “I wanted my boys to go to a local school, primary and secondary, which they could walk to and from and benefit from physical exercise. Especially at secondary level, I wanted them to have local friends so that they could develop their independence and social skills outside of the school day. The academic performance of the school was secondary to these factors as I

12 Families South West • September 2019 familiesonline.co.uk

School Open Days

The school where your child will spend most of their teen years will have a huge influence on their development and character. Your choices are important—which is where Open Days come in. Take your son or daughter with you; they will see things through a different set of eyes, and their opinion matters.

Not all open day dates were available when we went to press: check the websites of the schools you're interested in for more information and where necessary, to book first.

Shrewsbury House Prep children in the library

SW1

Westminster, 7-18y, B. 6th form B&G. 020 7963 1000 www.westminster.org.uk Burdett-Coutts & Townshend CE Primary, 3-11y, B&G. Open mornings in Sept, Oct & Nov. 020 7828 6790 www.burdettcoutts.co.uk Grey Coat Hospital, 1-18y G. Open events by ticket from website. 0207 969 1998 www.gch.org.uk More House, 11-18y, G. Open evening 7/11, book via website. 020 7235 2855 www.morehouse.org.uk Knightsbridge, 3-16y, B&G. Tours on Tues & Weds at 9am. 020 7590 9006 www.knightsbridgeschool.com Eaton Square, 2-18y, B&G. 020 7931 9469 www.eatonsquareschool.com

SW3

Hampshire, 3-13y, B&G. Open 17/9 at 9am. 020 7352 7077 www.thehampshireschoolchelsea.co.uk St Joseph’s Catholic Primary, 3- 11y, B&G. Open days and visits call: 020 7589 2438 www.stjosephs.rbkc.sch.uk Hill House, 4-13y, B&G. Tours of school essential. 020 7584 1331 www.hillhouseschool.co.uk

SW4

Eaton House, 4+y, B&G. Book a visit on www.eatonhouseschools.com Lark Hall Primary, 4-11y, B&G. Open morn every Wed from 11/9 at 9am, eves 25/9, 30/10, 27/11 at 5pm. 020 7622 3820 www.larkhall.lambeth.sch.uk

Parkgate House, 2.5-11y, B&G. Open 5/10 at 9.30am 0207 350 2461 www.parkgateschool.co.uk

SW6

Parson’s Green Prep, 4-11y, B&G. Open 5/10 Book on: 020 7610 8085 www.parsonsgreenprep.co.uk Sinclair House, 2-11y, B&G. Open 3/10 at 10am. 020 7736 9182 www.sinclairhouseschool.com Fulham Pre-Prep, Prep & Senior, 4-18y B&G. Open various dates. 020 7471 4217. www.fulham.school L’Ecole des Petits, 3-6y, B&G. Visits are by appointment only. 020 7371 8350 www.lecoledespetits.co.uk

SW7

Prince’s Gardens Prep, 3-11y, B&G. Launch event: 23/9 at 10am www.princesgardensprep.co.uk/family St Philip’s Catholic Prep, 7-13y B. Open 12/10 at 10am after booking or individual appt via: 020 7373 3944 www.stpschool.co.uk Queen’s Gate, 4-18y, G. Visits all year. 0207 594 4982 www.queensgate.org.uk

SW8

Newton Prep, 3-13y, B&G. Open Day 12/10 9.30am, or tours with the Head on selected Fridays in term-time, 9-10.30am, by appointment only. 020 7720 4091 www.newtonprepschool.co.uk

SW10

Redcliffe 3-11y, B&G. Tours Tuesdays and Thursdays in

termtime. Booking required. 020 7352 9247 www.redcliffeschool.com

SW11

Christ Church CE Primary, 3-11y, B&G. By appointment: 2/10, 13/11, 4/12, 8/1 at 9.30am 020 7228 2812 www.christchurchbattersea.co.uk Dominie, 6-12y, B&G. Tours by appointment. Find out more about their specialist teaching for dyslexic and dyspraxic children. 020 7720 8783 www.thedominie.co.uk Dolphin, 2.5-11y. B&G. Open Mornings Thursday by appointment. 020 7924 3472 www.dolphinschool.org.uk L’ecole de Battersea, 3-11, B&G. Visits by appointment 020 7371 8350 www.lecoledespetits.co.uk Thames Christian, 11-16y, B&G. Open mornings 24/9, 28/9 and 9/10. 020 7228 3933 www.thameschristianschool.org.uk

SW12

Northwood, 4-13y, B&G. Open day 11/10 9am-2pm 020 8696 8788 www.northwoodschools.com

• Broomwood Hall Lower, 4-7y, B&G. 020 8682 8820

• Broomwood Hall, Upper, 8-13y, G. 020 8682 8810

• Northcote Lodge, 8-13y, B. 020 8682 8888 Hornsby House, Recep -11y, Open 17/10 at 9am. 020 8673 7573 www.hornsbyhouse.org.uk White House, 6m-11y B&G. Open 12/10 at 9.30am www.whitehouseschool.com

Ravenstone Primary, Recep-11y, B&G. Book first. 020 8673 0594 www.ravenstoneschool.co.uk London Steiner, 3-14y, B&G. Contact school to visit. 020 8772 3504 londonsteinerschool.org

SW13

Harrodian, 4-18y. B&G. To visit contact: 020 8762 6321 www.harrodian.com

SW14

Tower House Prep, 4-13y, B. Tours of the school: 020 8876 3323 www.thsboys.org.uk

SW15

Alton, 3-11y, B&G. Open 9.30am first Tuesday of each month, termtimes. 020 8876 8482 www.altonschool.org.uk Falcons - Peregrines Nursery, Nur- 11y. Open 28/9 at 10am www.falconsgirls.co.uk Ibstock Place, 4-18, B&G. Visits via bookings on:020 8876 9991 / 020 8392 5803 www.ibstockplaceschool.co.uk Putney High, 4-18y, G. Open for visits: Junior 020 8788 6523; Senior: 020 8788 4886 www.putneyhigh.gdst.net Hurlingham, 2-11y, B&G. Online registration and arrange a visit 020 8874 7186 www.hurlinghamschool.co.uk Granard Primary, 3-11y, B&G. Open at 9.15am on 18/9, 4/10, 20/11, 3/12, 9/1. 020 8788 3606 www.granardprimary.co.uk

16 Families South West • September 2019 familiesonline.co.uk

Puppet Theatre Barge - The Insect Circus

Wimbledon Guild Waggy Walk 28th September

Farmageddon at the BFI

THEATRE

LAST CHANCE TO SEE All these shows end on 8th September

Lyric Theatre

Shaftesbury Ave, W1 www.gruffalolive.com The Gruffalo Show reviewed by Families Roving Mum Melissa

Reynolds: “Julia Donaldson’s

beloved book is back inIt’s a theatrical form, and it’s a

must-see for deep, dark wood of fun! any Gruffalo While the costumes,

fan! especially that purple-horned

Gruffalo are great, it’s the audience interaction that makes the show. My son gleefully roared along with everyone else pretending to be the fearsome Gruffalo and laughed along at funnier parts.”

London Palladium

Josephthemusical.com Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat With Jason Donavon as Pharaoh! All ages.

Vaudeville Theatre www.nimaxtheatres.com The Worst Witch, by Jill Murphy. Most suitable for Ages 7+. From £20

Puppet Theatre Barge

TW10 6UT www.puppetbarge.com Until 6 Oct The Insect Circus The strange and beautiful world of the Insect Circus. Beetles and grasshoppers, wasps and dragonflies, demonstrate their dexterity with great skill and humour. Presented using marionettes, the show breathes new life into the traditional techniques used in Victorian trick marionettes. A show without words. 3+, from £9

Unicorn Theatre

47 Tooley St, London SE1 2HZ 18 Sept-27 Oct Anansi The Spider In celebration of Black History Month, these classic West African and Caribbean tales about the spider hoaxster are brought vividly to life here in Artistic Director Justin Audibert’s newest production for the Unicorn. 3-7yrs from £10

Troubadour White City Theatre

Book via nationaltheatre.org.uk

A brand new state-of-the-art venue in West London

020 7452 3000 or at the Troubadour Theatre Box Office: 0844 815 4866 peterpanonstage.com

Until 27 October Peter Pan Bursting with magic,mischief, music and make-believe, this wondrously inventive Peter Pan is a funny and moving version of a much-loved story. This is a National Theatre production suitable for all ages, from £18.

Colour House Theatre

Watermill Way, Colliers Wood, SW19 2RD www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk Until 10 November Robin Hood and Maid Marian This action-packed musical is a real treat for boys and girls, with lots of laughs and giggles for all ages to enjoy along the way. Saturday and Sunday 12pm and 3pm £12/£10

Lyric Theatre

29 Shaftesbury Avenue, Soho Box office: 0330 333 4812 www.nimaxtheatres.com 29 November - 5 Jan 2020 Oi Frog & Friends! Packed with music, songs, laughs and more rhymes than you can shake a chime at! This is the highly anticipated stage show which brings together Kes Gray and Jim Field’s bestselling and award-winning picture books Oi Frog!, Oi Dog! and Oi Cat! published by the Hachette Children’s Group, into one action-packed musical production. 3+ from £15.50, family ticket £66

Hannigan. With its Tony ® awardwinning book and score, including the unforgettable songs It’s The Hard-Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow, you can bet your bottom dollar that you’ll love it! ‘LAVISH ESCAPISM’ (The Daily Telegraph) ‘AN ALL-SINGING ALL-DANCING TRIUMPH’ (OK! Magazine) 2yrs+ from £13.

IDEAS FOR THE WEEKEND

booking fees. It includes a wide variety of London musicals, plays, comedies and children’s shows.

Battersea Arts Centre

Lavender Hill www.bac.org.uk Every Saturday Cracked Light Heritage trail: the mysterious letter Can you unlock the past and solve the mystery of what messages the great and good of Battersea might have for us? Keep your eyes and ears open in this interactive trail around Battersea Arts Centre to experience the rich that this building holds, dating back to when it was used as Battersea Town Hall. 6-11. Duration: 90 mins 11am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm. New community garden will open on Town Hall Road this autumn, watch this space.

Book ahead for these popular shows!

New Wimbledon Theatre

ATGtickets.com/Wimbledon 0844 8717646 1-3 November How the Grinch Stole Christmas Join in the Christmas spirit which the show critics have called 'A genius of a show! A total delight for both kids and adults'. Featuring the hit songs You’re A Mean One, Mr Grinch and Welcome Christmas, The Grinch discovers there’s more to Christmas than he bargained for in this heartwarming and hilarious musical. 4+ from £13. 11-16 November Annie This ‘glorious revival’ (The Times) stars Birds of a Feather’s Lesley Joseph as the tyrannical Miss

BFI films for families www.bfi.org.uk/families 22 September Shaun The Sheep funday workshop Bring your little ones along for some baaaaarmy fun, arts and crafts and learn to animate your own adventures. Also in the foyer: The Wind In The Willows. Every Saturday until 12 October BFI Learn About... Suitable for all home-educated children and their parents. An inclusive place where curriculum subjects can be explored creatively using film and media. Each month offers a different subject area to be explored, using your newlyacquired filmmaking skills. £12 Saturdays in September Saturday Film Clubs A must for any child who loves film and wants to have fun! Topics cover everything from animation and adverts, to sci-fi and special effects. These clubs are

58 Families South West • September 2019 familiesonline.co.uk

BAC family heritage trail Photo: Adam Trigg

The Colour House Theatre

Chelsea Physic Garden

Philip Huffman as The Grinch How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

BABIES AND TODDLERS

NCT Bumps and Babies Group

Riverside Pub, St George’s Wharf, SW8 2LE Every Tuesday Meet up with other pregnant people or people with babies - completely free and nice drinks available. 2.30- 4pm Contact Caroline Flint 07973 657 642, email caroline.midwife@gmail.com

National Army Museum www.nam.ac.uk 9th September Tiny Troopers Sing, play and create

with your little one at these fun, sensory sessions. This September, you'll be inspired by music. For under-5s. £5.

Pram Chorus daytime choir www.pramchorus.com Balham, Brixton and Streatham Weekly sessions in the morning, bring your baby and sing along! No singing experience, expertise or talent required. The idea is to do something fun, creative and sociable. Taster session £5, then £8/session, drop-in £10.

Screaming with Laughter https://screamingwithlaughter.com No date available at time of going to press London’s original afternoon comedy club, designed for parents with babies under 1 year. See the best

acts from TV and the comedy circuit without having to book a babysitter. Buy tickets at www.wegottickets.com/ScreamingWi thLaughter

BYOB Comedy

Clapham, Earlsfield, Teddington www.byobcomedy.com No date available at time of going to press

Bring Your Own Baby

Sure to give a boost to morale!

Comedy A funny, friendly afternoon of top comedy and you get to bring your own baby!

They provide toys, baby

changing, buggy parking, bottle warmers and more, so that baby is happy and you can relax and enjoy top comedy stars from the circuit and TV.Singing Mamas Choir

Venues in Streatham High Road and Clapham Common North Side southlondonsingingmamas@gmail.co m 07947 609780 www.singingmamaschoir.com Mondays and Tuesday morning A Community of Choirs for Women, with or without children. Sing world songs, folk songs, gospel and more. A warm welcome awaits all singing abilities. £48 for 6 weeks Bursary places for mums suffering with PND and DV survivors.

Do-Re-Mi Babies Concerts

Barnes, Chelsea, Fulham, Wandsworth www.doremibabies.co.uk No dates as we go to press Inspirational and fun classical concerts. Babies and toddlers are welcome to crawl, dance, sing, cry, nappy change and more, so you can

relax and enjoy some wonderful music. £10 per adult, children free, tickets online or on the door. Dates vary depending on venue.

Tara Arts www.tara-arts.com No dates as we go to We love this press small theatre A range of children's in Earlsfield classes, parent and baby shows, Froggy's Famous Fanclub, Baby Broadway and Bring Your Own Baby Comedy.

Kensington Palace hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace Daily Try a digital mission Download the free 'Time Explorers' app then meet a character from history, explore the palace, complete challenges and win a badge. Go on a Family trail Explore the Palace together with an activity trail. 5-11yrs

Art at Sir John Soane’s House

WC2A 3PB www.soane.org 21 September This magical, mysterious museum encourages young visitors to explore Soane's treasures and develop new skills with specialist guidance. Free drop-in activities for all ages and families can take part together from 1.30-4.40pm.

Got some information for us?

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62 Families South West • September 2019 familiesonline.co.uk