Families London SE March 2015 issue 166 lr

ESTABLISHED 1996

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MARCH 2015 ISSUE NO. 166

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familiesse.co.uk

south east london

HERE COMES SPRING - at last!

COMPETITIONS WIN Zippos tickets and a Gambado family pass

EDUCATION NEWS Learn to read in 4 weeks for free

online edition

WHAT’S ON Family workshops, shows and Easter workshops

with working website links

Confidence Building Fun Try a Free Drama Class

Call 0845 400 1277 or visit perform.org.uk to find your nearest venue.

Mother’s Day card & gift making workshops Sat 14 March

Easter egg decorating, card and print workshop Fri 3 & Sat 4 April See online for more information Visit Greenwich Market and meet the best arts, craft and designer makers. Delicious street food.

Market open Thurs–Sun, 10am–5.30pm.

Many shops open 7 days a week.

greenwichmarketlondon.com

Friday - Kingsdale School, SE21

Saturday

-

Goodrich School, SE22

BOOK A FREE TRIAL CLASS TODAY! South East London Ages 3 yrs - 19 yrs EASTER & SUMMER WORKSHOPS 2015 Now Booking!

020 3793 6843 www.freedomacademy.co.uk info@freedomacademy.co.uk

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families south east - march 2015

familiesse.co.uk

For much of the new year, we had the builders in. My it was cold, what with the front door constantly left open as they popped to and fro’ the van - were they born in a barn, or what? Astonishing amounts of tea was drunk, and alarming amounts of dust coated the entire house including the cats, who looked more Fifty Shades of Grey than tabby...

But then the team finished, on time and on budget, and we are very, very pleased with the end result. As I said to head honcho Tom: “Put me down as another satisfied customer.” Hudson Carpentry & Joinery General Building are a local, family run company who have been going for over 30 years and they really know their stuff. If you need work done, they come highly recommended call 01689 600 314 or see www.hudsoncarpentryjoinery.co.uk - and tell them we sent you!

Robina Cowan, editor

IN THIS ISSUE 3-5 Local News and Views Pianists wanted for Dulwich Festival; a new children’s shoe shop; carers for elderly people; fostering in London; Gambado and Zippo competitions; free workshops and activities for children

6-8 Education News How LEYF nurseries work for social change; local schools’ news; four weeks’ free reading lessons; and a safe online encyclopaedia

9 The Bookseller Crow Justine Crow runs her fingers along the bookshelf to choose this month’s recommendations for children and parents

10 Mothers Mean Business Barbara Samitier picks the compost from beneath her fingernails and tells us about juggling her gardening business with family life

11 What’s New Merino bodywear for chilly spring days; a new clock for summertime; a wee app for when you’re out; charitable babyslings; reading to babies helps them learn; and weaning with penguins

12 Family Life Where to find guidance on the new Education, Health and Care plans for children with special educational needs and disabilities; and parental leave is changing from 5 April

13 Ask the Expert Maintenance after marriage; and using your ISA allowance before the tax year-end

14-19 What’s On Lots is on - that’s what! Diary dates for grown ups, Easter holiday day camps and workshops, events, exhibitions and theatre productions

Front cover: Matilda wears long-sleeved merino

wool top, £39.95 by Smalls, www.lovemysmalls.com and see page 11 Easter issue out 27 March, deadline 6 March

Families South East PO Box 11591, London SE26 6WB 020 8699 7240, www.familiesse.co.uk, editor@familiesse.co.uk © Families South East. We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. Families South East is part of the Families group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

Q: What do you call a fly with no legs?

A: A walk!

LocalNews email your news to editor@familiesse.co.uk

ts News for paren Dulwich Piano Festival The Dulwich Piano Festival will take place this year on Sunday 7 June at James Allen’s Girls’ School in East Dulwich.

Now in its fourth year, the festival encourages pianists of all levels to participate, even if you have only had a few lessons.

There are set pieces especially designed for beginner pianists and the composers themselves will come along to meet all the young pianists and give their feedback. There are graded classes and recital classes for more advanced students, and even a harpsichord competition held at the Horniman Museum and Gardens in November. The festival offers a great opportunity for participants to boost their confidence with performing in public, and many students find the experience invaluable preparation for their piano exams. As well as the chance to compete for medals and trophies, all performers receive a certificate.

To find out how to be involved, go to www.dulwichmusicfestival.co.uk.

Emmanuelle Marshall Children’s Shoes A new children’s shoe shop opened at the top of Sydenham in January. Emmanuelle Marshall started as a unit in ED Warehouse in East Dulwich and built up a loyal customer base who have followed them up the hill to the new shop.

Popping in for a browse and a chat, we were mightily impressed by how passionate owner Dorothy is about children’s feet, and the importance of fitting the right style and size of footwear. You will find leather school shoes, splashy spring wellies, ankle boots, weekend and ‘best’ shoes, and pram shoes - all from reputable footwear brands including Supaga, Pod, Chipmunks, Toughees and Livie and Luca. As well as regular price promotions, Dorothy has taken a leaf from coffee chains in running a loyalty card scheme leading to 20% off after five purchases.

Handily placed within walking distance of the local schools in Forest Hill and Sydenham, and a single bus ride from East Dulwich, Crystal Palace and Penge, Emmanuelle Marshall Children’s Shoes is open 9am-5pm weekdays, from 9.30am Saturdays, and noon to 4pm on Sundays, at 235 Dartmouth Road SE26 4QY, with lively updates on Facebook and Twitter.

Great Minders Like Minders childcare agency has launched Great Minders to fill the gap for non-medical elderly care.

It comes at a time when government cuts have all but halted free care for low or non-medical elderly people, and as director Bryony Sullivan explained: “Our services are aimed at people who need a little extra help, whether that is personal care, driving to appointments, help around the house or garden or just someone to chat to or have a cup of tea with.”

All Great Minders carers and companions have been reference-checked and interviewed, are over 21 years old and have provided copies of DBS checks and first aid where relevant. Registration is free for carers and care-seekers.

For further details, call 020 8780 9146 or go to www.greatminders.com.

march 2015 - families south east

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Chelwood Nursery School “Where children and families come first” • Outstanding” Early Childhood Education at the heart of the community since 1939 an “open air” tradition with a wonderful outdoor play space • 15 hours 3-4 year old Free Entitlement • Advice about 2 year old Early Learning eligibility • National Teaching School - qualify to teach with us

T: 020 7639 2514 www.chelwood.lewisham.sch.uk

What will you be wearing on 27 March Families, children and schools across the country will be donning a hat on 27 March to support Wear A Hat Day and raise funds for brain tumour research.

Brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under the age of 40. Children have lost parents, family members and teachers, and in many classrooms there remains a tragic reminder of a child whose life has been lost or damaged by this cruel cancer.

Run by the Brain Cancer Research charity, fundraising materials including posters, leaflets, fridge magnets, pin badges, wristbands, quizzes and hat-making instructions; available to everyone who registers, and taking part is simple. To join in, click ‘fundraising’ at www.braintumourresearch.org.

Foster15 A professional and affordable Nanny Agency providing Full time, Part time and Temporary Nannies in London and the south east Email: enquiries@nannybank.co.uk

Tel : 079 404 33712

www.nannybank.co.uk

With new research highlighting that one child is taken into care every 15 minutes in England, independent fostering agency Fostering Solutions is encouraging people across the UK, and especially in Greater London, to make a positive change in 2015 and become a foster carer.

They have launched the Foster15 campaign specifically to highlight the shortfall. “The shortfall in foster carers is only set to increase,” said Gareth Walton of Fostering Solutions, “and Greater London alone has over 15,000 children who desperately need a safe, nurturing and stable home.

“Becoming a foster carer is one of the most rewarding steps you can take - these children are likely to have had a challenging start to their lives and you can be the person who makes the priceless difference to their life by offering them a home and care.” To find out more about being a foster carer with Fostering Solutions, call 0800 160 1605 or go to www.fosteringsolutions.com.

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Imagination for the Everyday Early years Drama www.theatretots.com

Competition tim

Weekly classes in Lee, Blackheath and Hither Green

WIN a Gambado family pass

Schools, nurseries and parties too!

On 9 April, special guest, the Amazing Magician Uncle Mac will be visiting Gambado Beckenham to entertain youngsters and their grown-ups.

You could be there too! Gambado are offering a family pass to one lucky Families reader, allowing for up to four children and one adult entry, plus your own special seating area.

To enter the competition, go to www.familiesse.co.uk and hit ‘Competitions’ in the toolbar before the closing date on Friday 20 March, and good luck!

If you’re not lucky enough to win, Gambado Beckenham indoor playcentre is a fantastic and affordable place to visit any day - see our What’s On listings for upcoming events.

info@theatretots.com - 07801072776

WIN Zippos Circus tickets adult and child passport photos green toiletries, homeopathy, aromatherapy friendly and free health advice

Special offer!

Free pack of eco-friendly nappies when renting a TENS machine for labour!

12 Half Moon Lane Herne Hill SE24 9HU t: 020 7924 9344 www.fourwaypharmacy.co.uk

Zippos Circus are bringing their brand new show under the astounding Mega Dome to Blackheath Common from 26 March to 7 April. For full details, see our What’s On listings.

YOU could see the show for FREE and win a unique prize - just enter our competition for a chance to win. Entering is easy and online - go to www.familiesse.co.uk and hit ‘Competitions’ in the toolbar before the 20 March closing date.

ildren h c r fo s ie it v ti c A Dancing to fitness

chocolate crepe

notting trill cheesecake

strawberry crepe

Love‘A’Slice O F

C H E E S E C A K E

The largest range of CHEESECAKE, desserts, milkshakes, paninis, jacket potatoes, wraps and more And NOW Fresh HOT crepes and steat.co.uk chocolate bar hot chocolate too! www.ju THINK CHEESECAKE call: 020 8663 6655 or visit us: Love A Slice, 260 High Street, Beckenham, London BR3 1DZ

www.loveaslicetogo.com 4

families south east - march 2015

When winter weather lingers, it’s tempting to keep our little ones inside - but did you know that official guidelines recommend that under five year-olds should be doing at least three hours of physical activity a day.

Diddi Dance founder Anne-Marie Martin (pictured), said: “It is understandable that many adults are unaware of the suggested guidelines for physical exercise given that toddlers are on the move from morning through to night, but it is important to take heed of this advice and to introduce children to a healthy and active lifestyle early on. As a mum myself I know how important it is for children to let off some steam. We often find that even the parents are inspired to put on their dancing shoes and join in the fun!”

Diddi Dance combines lots of fun with physical activity, encouraging children not only to dance from an early age, but also increase their fitness levels. With a new dance style every half term from ballroom to hip-hop through to jive and Bollywood, the classes are always engaging. Add in the fun props, and children leave their 45 minute sessions full of energy and excited for the next week.

Diddi Dance has become the original pre-school dance provider, with over 40 different locations across the UK. For a free trial at classes in SE1 to SE18, call Anne-Marie on 07973 982 790; for SE19 to SE27, call Nicola on 07832 9132 82, or see www.diddidance.com.

familiesse.co.uk

Discover Explore Learning - for free

Freedom Academy finalists

Explore Learning are hosting two free workshop days on 31 March and 14 April. The centres provide maths and English tuition to 5-14 year olds of all abilities. Explore fits easily around family life; the centres are open seven days a week, with children able to attend up to twice a week on a drop-in basis.

Call first to book a free workshop place as spaces are limited: 020 7871 7110 in New Cross Gate, 020 8659 6026 in Sydenham, and 020 3713 9722 in Brixton, www.explorelearning.co.uk.

2014 was a very busy year for the children at Freedom Academy of Performing Arts. After months of rehearsing and a number of regional rounds Freedom Academy made it to the Grand Final of The Jack Petchey Glee Challenge Competition at the Southbank Centre and performed in front of celebrity judges. They won the Artistic Team Achievement Award which came with £500 prize money.

The group are thrilled with their award and have decided to use the prize money to record the winning tracks in a professional recording studio.

The children were absolutely amazing and incredibly grateful all their hard work was recognised. Not only was it a great day but also exciting as they got to meet the judges Tamsin Outhwaite and John Partridge.

Many of the children who took part in the competition are from Kingsdale Foundation School and Freedom Academy are thrilled to announce this will be the home of their new Friday Performing Arts School. The Friday Performing Arts sessions incorporate acting, singing and dance classes with top professional directors, vocal coaches and choreographers. Children aged 7 to 19 will have the opportunity to perform on stage at the 350 Michael Croft Theatre, appear in local festivals and take their LADMA examination grades. There will also be an

Coding is cool Coding has become the big thing for children.

Experimenting with technology, having fun and discovering how things work are all key to expanding a child’s confidence both in themselves and their ability to learn.

Spark4Kids is a new computer coding club offering children’s courses in coding and games design, with advanced programming for older children. Beginners are welcome, as are more experienced participants who are looking to extend their knowledge.

Spark4Kids meet on Saturday and Sunday mornings in Dulwich, with Easter and summer holiday workshops to enjoy as well. Find out more at www.spark4kids.com, or phone 020 8090 1444 for a chat.

Early Years session for ages 4 to 6 years which is a great introduction to acting, song and dance.

The Friday Performing Arts School is a fantastic opportunity for younger children to experience the superb facilities at Kingsdale Foundation School and become familiar with the surroundings, especially if your child considers it as a secondary school option.

Freedom Academy are extremely excited to be working at Kingsdale Foundation School and see this as a great union. Freedom Academy feels the school share the same ethos when it comes to the importance and benefits of performing arts for children.

The Friday Performing Arts School opens after the Easter holidays and Freedom Academy are inviting Families readers to a free trial to sample the fantastic classes they have on offer. To book, email info@freedomacademy, call 020 3793 6843 or through www.freedomacademy.co.uk.

Making music in Brockley Funky Monkey Keyboard Classes are swinging into Brockley with new Friday classes after the Easter Holidays. Already loved in other local venues, the group electronic keyboard lessons are perfect for 4-8 year-olds who would like to read, write and play music to first grade in small groups and are ideal for boys and girls alike.

Taster days and workshops will be running through the Easter holidays - see our What’s On pages for more details, or visit www.funkymonkey.info for more details and to book a free trial class in Brockley. Or call 0800 107 7949.

“It’s like leaving my son with a second family” Parent at a LEYF nursery

Find a Nursery in New Cross Playhouse Community Nursery - The Moonshot Centre - now part of the LEYF family Brand new nursery on Amersham Road - opening Mid-May 2015

Get in touch to find out more p w

020 7592 3613 www.leyf.org.uk familiesse.co.uk

UK Nursery Group of the Year 2014 march 2015 - families south east

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education news Childcare and social enterprise go hand in hand at LEYF

Local Schools

The London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) is a family of over 30 community nurseries across London. A social enterprise founded in 1911, LEYF not only provides fantastic childcare and education but acts as a real catalyst for long-term social change.

With ambitions growth plans, the LEYF family is quickly expanding. They began with opening Brixton Community Nursery in September last year in partnership with another social enterprise, the GLL. Nursery manager Ricky Bullen says, “Working in partnership with the gym means we are able to promote the importance of health and fitness to our children and provide them with the information to make the right lifestyle choices. Located right in the heart of Brixton next to the station, the nursery is a real part of its local community and the newly renovated space offers a spacious home-from-home environment to inspire and nurture children to develop confidence and social skills, and inspire in them a love for learning.”

Then LEYF celebrated the new year by opening their newest nursery in partnership with The Conservatoire multi-arts complex in Blackheath. The Conservatoire Nursery is set in a historic Grade II listed building and children enjoy music, dance and art - a truly unique experience! They can also make use of the nursery’s beautiful outside area filled with opportunities to explore, learn and play. There has been fantastic feedback from parents who attended stay and play sessions before the nursery even opened. Rhoda, who enrolled her child at the nursery, says, “the feeling you get as you enter the nursery is wonderful. We have very clingy children but both our girls didn’t want to leave at the end of the trial day. I keep telling other friends to bring their children too.”

With two more nurseries coming to New Cross in the area in the next two months - adding to those already in Peckham and Kennington - LEYF are continuing to spread their model of socially conscious childcare and education across London. They have brought Fashion Enter on board as suppliers of aprons and foot covers for staff in all of LEYF’s new nurseries. Fashion Enterprise are a not-for-profit social enterprise which strives to be a centre of excellence within the fashion industry: another example of how different social enterprise organisations can work together to create truly fantastic results.

To find a nursery and read more, go to www.leyf.org.uk.

100% Oxbridge success at Bromley High School

www.thameschristiancollege.org.uk

Thames – passion for learning, inspiration for life our exceptional independent school for boys and girls

OPEN MORNING THURSDAY 5th MARCH 11.00-13.00 For full list of open mornings, enrolment and fee details contact 020 7228 3933 Thames Christian College, Wye Street, London SW11 2HB

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Sydenham High brings the magic of maths to life With the increasing emphasis on STEM subjects being the key to future UK economic growth, Sydenham High GDST is taking an innovative approach to improve students’ engagement with and performance in maths from an early age.

The school has launched Magic Maths, a unique programme jointly developed by the junior and senior maths teams using very visual, non-traditional demonstrations of the magic behind mathematical concepts - from living Venn diagrams (processing data) to number tricks (algebraic equations, common factors and multiples) plus paper cutting games such as fitting a whole class through one piece of A4 paper (geometry and spatial maths).

“The idea is to capture students’ curiosity with clever and strongly visual mathematical games,” said Mark Williams, head of maths at Sydenham High.

“Showing students what a perimeter, a number bond or a set means, right in front of them, is a very powerful way to demystify maths. Once intrigued, students are more able to unpack the underlying concepts, see why they work and understand the logic that underpins them,” explained Mr Williams. “They gain huge personal satisfaction and confidence from finding the answers to something that might have seemed impenetrable on paper and they can then take their learning much further more quickly, seamlessly moving onto harder aspects.”

The programme is proving particularly helpful in smoothing the step change in maths from junior to senior school and also in introducing new concepts to girls embarking on the GCSE syllabus. Its popularity has also spawned a Magic Maths club, run by sixth form maths students.

The techniques are not only being successfully used within the school but also in the community, thanks to the generous support of HSBC’s Global Education Programme - part of an ongoing collaboration with the Girls’ Day School Trust. Maths staff and a team of sixth form mathematicians recently delivered an assembly and three different group activities to 120 children in Years 5 and 6 at St Joseph’s RC primary school in West Norwood.

Sydenham High School will be holding open events on 6 and 7 May. For admissions information, see www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net.

familiesse.co.uk

families south east - march 2015 555

Bromley High celebrated the success of all five of the school’s Oxbridge candidates receiving offers to study at Oxford and Cambridge next year.

The range of subjects covered social sciences, arts, science and languages - reflects the strength of the school across the academic disciplines.

“We are delighted for the girls,” observed Mrs Drew, headmistress. “This is a wonderful reward for their hard work and for the skilled and unstinting support of their teachers. We rightly celebrate Oxbridge offers but they are only a reflection of the quality of university offers currently held by students across the upper sixth. The drive, determination and ambition with which girls approached the UCAS process has been truly impressive”.

“I was delighted and amazed to receive an offer from Cambridge. Thank you to my teachers for helping and supporting me throughout the application process; I greatly appreciate all their hard work,” added upper sixth student Laura Kruszewski.

Bromley High has an open morning on 3 March and two further open events in the summer. To arrange a visit, go to www.bromleyhigh.gdst.net; email admissions@bro.gdst.net, or telephone 020 8781 7000.

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A primary school you can bank on A local primary school is teaching pupils about money issues - by opening its own bank.

Charlton Manor school in Greenwich set up a branch of HSBC after five ‘gifted and talented’ pupils passed individual job interviews at the bank’s branch in Lewisham.

Nine-year-old Yuxuan Jiang is now the school’s bank manager; Jessica Nguyen, 11, cashier; Daisy Thackrah, 10, floor walker; Tuong-Luan, 10, customer services; and 11-year-old Fola Kayode, marketing.

“They are passing on advice to younger children about the value of money and the responsibility involved,” said headteacher Tim Baker. “Children at the school can deposit money with their own savings card and use it at any HSBC branch as long as they have a parent or carer with them. The advice our bankers pass on to younger pupils is how money will impact on their future lives, the benefits of saving and how to avoid going down the road to pay day loans.”

School branch manager Yuxuan Jiang said: “We had real interviews at HSBC. I was a bit nervous at first but it got better. I think a school bank is a good idea because it gives you experience with money and will help you when you get older.”

Marketing manager Fola Kayode added: “I got more confident at the interview although I kept swinging my legs! The only other interview I’ve done was to be a waiter in the school restaurant.”

Joe Turner-Wing, Charlton Manor’s gifted and talented co-ordinator, said the school bank would also teach other life skills, taking children further than what can be achieved in the classroom. “These children are academically bright and we try to stretch all our children in different ways across the curriculum.”

Billy Walker, HSBC’s senior customer services officer at the Lewisham branch, added: “The children were amazing, very knowledgeable and knowing where they want to go in life. I’m sure the branch at Charlton Manor will be a big success.”

NB The bankers at Charlton Manor will not be paid or receive bonuses.

BROMLEY HIGH SCHOOL Thinking Creatively about Girls’ Learning Since 1883

OPEN MORNING Tuesday 3rd March 2015

FURTHER OPEN EVENTS 10.15 am – 12.15 pm

May/June and October 2015 (dates to be confirmed)

Scholarships and Bursaries available

FOR GIRLS 4‐18 YEARS (Senior School)

admissions@bro.gdst.net Tel: 020 8781 7000 www.bromleyhigh.gdst.net

Lewisham schools help launch a Puffin book club Thirteen year 7 students from Sydenham School and Forest Hill School have taken part in an experiment designed to promote the reading of Puffin Book ‘classics’. The Puffin Book Club is the only one so far to have been set up by the international publishers, and the focus was on US author Madeleine L’Engle’s famous 1962 adventure story A Wrinkle In Time.

“It was a demanding story,” said Sydenham School learning resource centre (LRC) manager Diana Adams. “It is about time-travel and includes discussion of Einstein’s theory of relativity, mathematical concepts such a tesseract and characters who continuously quote famous sayings in a variety of languages. It was highly appropriate novel for our first hosting of the club given we are a Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths specialist school.”

The students were selected to take part on the basis of their enthusiasm for reading and their reading progress during their first term of senior school.

The event was hosted by Puffin’s Shannon Cullen, who kick-started a lively discussion of the book’s strengths and weaknesses.

Sydenham School’s Suraya Ellis-Davis commented: “It was good hearing other’s opinions. I am not sure this is a book I would have found myself, but I am pleased I have.”

“As a publisher Puffin is committed not only to keeping a rich list of children’s classics in print, but also staying connected to our audience and being confident that the books we publish still resonate with today’s readers,” added editor Shannon Cullen. “I look forward to more sessions with both schools throughout 2015.”

familiesse.co.uk

What makes us different is the difference we make...

Our strong academic record is just the starting point: from scientific exploration to personal discovery, our outstanding education goes way beyond exams.

Find out more at our Spring & Summer open events Junior: Wednesday 6 May 9.30 - 11am Senior: Thursday 7 May 9.30 - 11am Wednesday 24 June 6.30 - 8pm (including our D’Art Exhibition) 020 8557 7004 admissions@syd.gdst.net www.sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net 15 & 19 Westwood Hill, London, SE26 6BL

march 2015 - families south east

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education news

Helping at home BFI award winner St Dunstan’s College pupil, Liam Abbott, Year 13, aspires to work in the film industry and has made a number of short films as well as organising a Film Club this year. Destined for success, Liam’s most recent film received an award, spurring him to gain a place to study Film Production at university.

Liam spent four months on a BFI Film Academy course, working with professional film makers and producers such as Caroline Bacle (director of the award winning documentary Lost Rivers) and an array of experts ranging from lighting designers to script writers. His team scripted, shot and edited a short film Seeing Red, which follows a boy and his little red box containing the secret of his dark and mysterious past. The film won the ‘Audience Choice’ award for best film, an achievement Liam called “one of the proudest moments so far in my lifetime.”

Liam is currently awaiting a university interview, and credits the BFI Film Academy, the team at Eastside Trust and St Dunstan’s “for all the support they’ve given me over the past few months.”

St Dunstan’s College is a co-educational independent school from nursery to Year 13. For more information, go to www.stdunstans.org.uk.

To watch Seeing Red, type ‘BFI Seeing Red’ into Youtube. For details of BFI Film Academy courses for 16-19 year-olds, click on ‘education & research’ at www.bfi.org.uk.

Learn to read in 4 weeks - for FREE (and on the move) Reading Eggs teach children the skills they need for lifetime reading success, through a multi-level and fun programme of reading lessons, activities and games for all ages and abilities from three to 13 year-olds.

Over 2m children have enrolled to the award-winning course, and 90% of signed-up parents report a noticeable improvement in their child’s reading skills.

Why not join them and try it with your own family? You can access Reading Eggs on your home computer, or on the go with the iPad, iPhone and Android app versions.

READER OFFER: Reading Eggs are offering Families South East readers a special 4 week FREE trial for new customers, available until 30 April 2015. Registration is quick, easy and free. To take up the free offer, go to this exclusive sign-in: www.readingeggs.co.uk/lsemarch.

Explore the world with DK A new survey carried out by publisher DK reveals that over half of parents are concerned about the online safety of their children while researching homework, and being able to link to other sites too easily. Other concerns included information being inaccurate and untrusted as well as not age appropriate for children.

DKfindout! is a safe website where children can explore and expand their knowledge of the world. Continually updated and responding to changes in the National Curriculum, the resource pulls together the very best of DK’s amazing images and content across a huge breadth of subjects from science and mathematics, to geography and history.

Sophie Mitchell, DK Children’s publishing director said: “DKfindout! is the perfect choice for children, parents and teachers. The site turns learning into a completely interactive and compelling experience that appeals directly to children and provides a free site for teachers. It’s an online encyclopaedia that delivers a constant adventure and a never-ending stream of surprise as well as creating a safe, age appropriate homework resource; giving parents peace of mind.”

Best of all, it’s free to use at www.dkfindout.com.

Maths & English tuition centres For 5 to 14 year olds of all abilities • • • •

Courses mapped to the National Curriculum.

Adapts to the individual needs of your child.

Convenient for families - Open 7 days a week.

Ofsted registered - we accept Childcare Vouchers.

Free trial session - book today!

New Cross Gate

020 7871 7110

Sydenham

020 8659 6026

Brixton

020 3713 9722

www.explorelearning.co.uk 8

families south east - march 2015

“Explore Learning members’ improvement in maths was 30% higher than that of the comparison group after controlling for gender, age, year group and special educational needs.”

Independent Efficacy Study by the Institute of Education at Reading University (2013). See www.explorelearning.co.uk/efficacy.

are s c ild her ! h C uc pted Vo acce

familiesse.co.uk

The Bookseller Crow

is a fantastic, volume stuffed shop run by some of the most knowledgeable bookworms in the business.

Call in for the feel of a real bookshop, or if you’re too busy, pick up the phone or point your mouse at their website for a fast mailorder service. Justine Crow recommends this month’s best titles.

Spring is the birthday season here at Crow Towers and a whiff of a morning frost combined with the promise of BST (’onwards Christian soldiers, MARCHing as to war...) plus a posy of cut daffs, and I’m whisked straight back to that labour ward, my undercarriages wincing at the very memory. The customary circus surrounded the arrival of First Born, the result of a classic drawn-out labour, a mother (mine) who couldn’t imagine not being at the birth of her daughter’s first child but who also needed a precise delivery slot so she could fit it in with picking up my dad from the airport and a hairdressing appointment, a partner who kept getting electric shocks from a dodgy cable running beneath the hospital bucket chair he was perched on while I bit his hand, and drugs. Lots of them.

DARLING DAUGHTERS by Judy Reith - Summersdale rrp £12.99. Of course, once home, tiny pink alien in tow, despite a shelf full of birthing manuals (one of the few perks of the job), the post partum stuff was pretty much made up as we went along. Not for us a branded website offering parenting workshops, chat forums and a headline book subtitled The Seven Secrets of Raising Girls that Parents Should Know, because this kind of useful detailed cosseting, both educational and psychological, didn’t exist. We had to settle for the advice of a dippy health visitor who when she said she’d see herself out, walked straight inside the broom cupboard. At that point, we didn’t think we needed parental coaching. Then Trasha came along...

THE GOOD SLEEPER by Dr Janet Kennedy - Vermilion rrp £10.99. Take the time to read this somewhat substantial tome for a single subject ‘essential guide,’ learn why the snapper won’t sleep on cue, bone up on the pros and cons of swaddling and dummies and feeding on demand and then, for heaven’s sakes, stop beating yourself up. Personally I wouldn’t over intellectualise that irritating by-product of having babies the little critter’s refusal to drop off when convenient - and accept that the struggle against sleep deprivation is global and ongoing. Actually, I could do with a nap.

I WANT TO SLEEP by Harriet Griffey - Hardie Grant rrp £8.99.

Believe you me, you’ll be short of shut-eye for years to come yet. With a crisis management plan that includes stopping work 3 hours before bedtime (no, hear me out), a chart that shows via our circadian rhythms when the best time is to take a nap (yes please) and suggestions on how to achieve the optimum nocturnal body position (the spare room?), the author does her best to alleviate fatigue with this neat guide and even includes some interesting bits and bobs such as Thomas Edison’s insistence that he needed very little sleep. Hmmmm, some irony given that he invented the light bulb, the very thing has enabled the human race to completely disregard normal sleep patterns.

I WANT TO BE CALM, same price, same publisher, same author is a more general aid to de-stressing but she stops short of the suggestion that one drops one’s chuffing smartphone in the nearest wheelie-bin. Surely it’s the second most behaviourally disruptive creation after the light bulb?

KNIT YOUR OWN FARM by Sally Muir & Joanna Osborne Pavilion rrp £12.99. Some people swear by knitting as a de-stressing device. Personally, as I am to knitting what Putin is to peace - cackhanded to say the least - so I reserve the joys of such woolly alchemy to wearing what others create as well as leafing through glorious books such as these. Somebody PLEASE intricately tangle me up one of these adorable red hens instantly and I swear I’ll be calm forever. In fact, should anyone feel like rustling up an exquisite cuddly sow and her piglets for dear Vladimir, he might even cut his neighbours some slack.

At this point I should also point out that there is also a KNIT YOUR OWN KARMA SUTRA by Trixie Von Purl (her real name, obvs..), HarperCollins, rrp £9.99 which raises the concept of relaxation to a, ahem, higher spiritual level. Though not one for the children unless you need a demonstration of, to paraphrase the immortal words of the great Babette Cole in her pre-school primer on where babies come from, ‘how mummies and daddies can fit together..’

TEA by Emily Kearns - Summersdale rrp £9.99. Speaking of drugs, I may not be able to look at a daffodil in a jam jar without it conjuring up contractions while on pethidine for the pain, it was actually dear old tea that got me through the ordeal.

Though the midwife forbade anything more than sips of water, as soon as her back was turned - which thanks to staff shortages was frequent - my mother’s bedside presence proved its worth as she was despatched to fetch cup after cup from the machine downstairs. Any doubts voiced by the soon-to-be-father were shot down with: ‘Nonsense! Two world wars were fought on practically nothing but tea. And anyway, what do you think midwives administered before namby-pamby canisters of gas & air came along?’ Steeped with trivia, history and recipes, the blurb on the back demands: How could we live without tea? Indeed.

HOPE IN A BALLET SHOE by Michaela & Elaine DePrince Faber rrp £12.99. Entirely suitable reading for most ages, this is the irresistible true story of an extremely talented and successful young dancer who was born in a place not usually associated with the deft pirouette and gauzy tutu. I could make a characteristically facile joke here about knowing exactly how she feels but, know what? Nah...

LIFT THE FLAP GENERAL KNOWLEDGE by James Maclaine & Alex Frith, illlustrated by Marco Palmieri - Usborne rrp £9.99. And speaking of babies, did you know the male seahorse has a pouch to carry the eggs the female lays until they’re ready to hatch? Clever Mother Nature, eh? But when will all the other species evolve this usefully? This rather lovely introduction to the world of facts and the fun behind them is delivered in the publisher’s indubitable effervescent house style.

WHO’S IN MY FAMILY? by Robie H. Harris, illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott - Walker rrp £6.99. A trip to the zoo triggers a discussion about all the different combinations of mummies and daddies, mummies and mummies, daddies and daddies, step-parents, adoptees, twins, triplets and grandparents, and witches, that make up the modern family.

Sorry, I slipped in that last one in the interest of accuracy.

NEVER TICKLE A TIGER by Pamela Butchart, illustrated by Marc Boutavant - Bloomsbury rrp £6.99. This has the feel of a classic about it. Mainly because of the fabulous pictures. I could frame each page & hang them on my wall.

THE CAKE by Dorothee de Monfreid - Gecko rrp £6.99.

Ah, as my beloved sis-in-law Caro is apt to announce at the perfect moment: ‘Cake - a cup of tea is just too wet without it.’

Naturally, being of the domesticus goddess genus, she then whips out a tin containing a confection that would win the glittering final of Strictly Come Bake-off. Hey, there’s an idea...

Meanwhile another delightfully rendered hungry tiger is in charge of proceedings here and guilefully seeks to persuade his fellow zoo animals to bake for him. However, pursued by a volley of bananas and bones, he decides that things haven’t quite gone to plan afterall. Or have they?

Things haven’t quite gone to plan here either. One minute I’m sucking on the Entonox before dawn and First Born’s baby sister slithers out in a puff of green smoke, and the next, as time is concertina-ed in a full-blown conspiracy no doubt involving the Russians, the aforementioned birthday season is in full swing for the umpteenth year and fourteen BRIT School students have come round to celebrate that very same birth only break into full volume at midnight. What did I say about sleep deprivation being a perennial battle? There’s nothing quite like, ‘One Singular Sensation..!’ complete with vocal jazz hands when some of us have to be up at six am. Those birthing manuals will never warn you about that!

The Bookseller Crow, 50 Westow St. Crystal Palace, London SE19 3AF Telephone: 020 8771 8831 email: info@booksellercrow.co.uk www.booksellercrow.co.uk familiesse.co.uk

march 2015 - families south east

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mothers mean business

Barbara Samitier Landscape & Garden Design Barbara Samitier is mother to Harry (8) and Félicie (4). Originally from France, she lives locally and runs her own garden design practice specialising in creating stylish family gardens.

FSE: Have you always been a gardener or did you have a different career before?

I was a lawyer before, so going into garden design was very much a 180 degrees turn which I never regretted despite the hurdles and huge change in lifestyle.

FSE: When did you set up Barbara Samitier Gardens and what was the inspiration?

I worked for a design practice for 10 years without much desire or ambition to work for myself. It’s only when I had my first child that I decided working for myself would be a better option. I ended up freelancing for my previous employer which was great for sometime as it was flexible and I was able to work from home a lot of the time. When I had my daughter however I suddenly had the urge to develop my own “brand” and style of gardens and work locally as opposed to all over the country and abroad which was very interesting and fun but not compatible with family life. I realised that developing my own client base was a full time job and therefore couldn’t be done in parallel with freelancing for another designer. I had to take the plunge and say no to freelance work. This wasn’t easy but definitely the right thing to do at that stage.

FSE: How easy or difficult was it to start up in business?

I’d say it wasn’t easy. I’m not a natural business woman and to run a business however small, you still need some business acumen and you need to sell yourself which I used to find, still do sometimes, cringing. Building a client base from scratch without these natural abilities was tough. The first year was scary and made me doubt myself a lot. Then I remember meeting a local architect who asked me what was my lead to jobs ratio and at the time it was 10 leads for one job. This meant I would go and meet 10 potential clients in order to secure one job... He said it was normal in the first year and that soon it will be the reverse. This gave me hope and he was right. The second year, everything changed and as a consequence I became more confident and the virtuous circle began.

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FSE: What are the benefits of working for yourself?

You create your own rules, your creativity goes through the roof, no more commuting and you can be there at all the school assemblies and school events.

FSE: How do you manage your work/ family balance?

Not very well the first two years of working for myself but much better now. I go through phases when I have to work very late at night and most weekends but on the whole I have a very good balance and I’m very grateful for it. I totally admire the women who work full time and have to commute everyday!

FSE: When we think of children’s gardens, we think big plastic toys, punctured footballs, trampled shrubs and an enormous trampoline.

How can you make them stylish?

There are plenty of ways, depending on the size and layout of the garden and very importantly depending on your family’s lifestyle and what the children are like. Some kids need a large lawn to play ball games, some prefer to potter around and explore.

Some are obsessed with climbing. It’s important to tailor the garden to your family’s needs and not cut and paste a style just because it’s trendy.

My main trick is to use natural materials to build play equipment so it integrates into the garden as opposed to creating an eyesore. For example a swing built in oak with a very simple frame as opposed to a heavy A frame looks very attractive.

FSE: Do you have any easy tips for parents who would like a fun family garden of their own?

Engage them with plants from a very young age and make them look and touch plants. There are some plants that I almost always include in family gardens because they trigger interest: Stachys byzentina “Big Ears” and Foeniculum “Giant Bronze” because they’re so tactile and soft and can in some children (not all!) instill the will to care for plants as opposed to stamp on

them. Allium giganteum is a good one too because they are spectacular and children marvel at them.

If you have a big garden, compartmentalise it. Children like to feel hidden, they like mystery.

Don’t unravel the whole garden at once. Think of features that are not specific to one age. I’ve recently introduced large blackboards in gardens, the whole family loves them, even the grown ups! It can be a nice feature in itself while providing a source of entertainment for the children.

FSE ‘Samitier and Son/ Daughter’ has a nice ring to it. Are your children developing green fingers?

Ha ha! My son is interested in learning about plants and is very gentle with them but is very much a “gardens are to play football in” kind of boy. Playing football without trashing “Mummy’s flowers” has done a lot in developing his skills in controlling the ball, which I remind him each time he has a good match! My daughter adores pottering around, planting and watering. She is very hands-on. She will no doubt become a much better gardener than I’d ever be.

FSE: Do you have a favourite shop, café or park in southeast London?

Aneto’s café on Goose Green, SE22, because it’s very close to our house, the owners are lovely and their scrambled eggs and salmon on brioche toast melts in your mouth. Petitou on Choumert Road and Anderson & Co on Bellenden Road change their menu every day but it’s always yummy! Tierra Verde on Northcross Road is like walking into a small café in deep Spain. Shop-wise, I love Bias on Bellenden Road and Rye Books on Upland Road. Oh and Alleyn Garden Centre in West Dulwich.

FSE: When you have time off for yourself, what do you like to do?

You mean, once the kids have been taxied to various activities and parties? When time allows, many many things: I adore London and everything it has to offer but we also love going to Kent, Sussex or Surrey for the day and of course pottering in the garden!

FSE: How can readers find out more about what you do?

Visit my website www.barbarasamitiergardens.co.uk (more pictures are due to be added in this summer) and Facebook page which is kept vaguely up to date.

Email info@barbarasamitiergardens.co.uk, or call 0773 300 5461 or 020 8244 0860.

And of course get in touch to organise a free site visit.

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What’sNew Celebrating differences The Treehouse at Number 9 is a new e-book that has been developed to increase awareness and acceptance of children with differences.

With fun and friendly illustrations, narration and music, the story features the Genies - a gang of friends who all have differences in their abilities. The rhyming story shows their adventures and them having fun along the way whilst coping with their daily challenges.

The app is free to download from www.treehouseatnumbernine.org and there’s a Facebook page too.

When you need to go...

Smalls for small people Growing up, my brothers and I seemed to wear vests all year round. (Mother knew best - we only had a single coal fire in our house so layers were the answer). In those days, it was nothing more grand than a white cotton two-pack from British Home Stores which were handed down from child number one until they reached number three (that’s me in the baggy greyed vest)...

But enough of my trip down memory lane.

Smalls is a brand new company selling children’s underlayers - or bodywear, as they call it. The brand is the brainchild of New Zealand-born mothers Catriona Pharo and Emma-Jane Adam, who have created an eco-friendly range from easy-care, machine washable, superfine merino wool which helps keep little ones warm in winter and cool in summer. Cat told us: “Smalls are just amazing and we are so delighted at the reaction we’re getting from customers. Once kiddies have them on, they really don’t want to take them off! It’s a pretty amazing investment for your children when they literally wear them every day (all year round!)”

Smalls produce long-sleeved and sleeveless tops in a variety of soft colours, for 2-12 year-olds from selected independent retailers and online at www.lovemysmalls.com.

A University of East Anglia student hit the headlines recently for his clever idea of launching a world-wide toilet finder app.

Fourth year Computer Science student Jake Ruston explained: “I got the idea after making an app for the London underground. A lot of people were asking me to include details of free toilet facilities for London, but I decided to go bigger and design something for the whole world.” Although primarily aimed at tourists, we think it’s a great idea for out and about families too.

The Flush Toilet Finder app is a free download from iOS and Android app stores.

BST is coming British Summer Time starts on 29 March when the clocks go forward - hurrah!

This black wall clock will be a bold reminder to put down that lovely cup of tea and dash out for the school run. And if you particularly like the number 5, so much the better. £35 from a range at www.redcandy.co.uk.

aby You and your b A book at bedtime Researchers at the University of Sheffield found that reading a book before bedtime could help your baby learn more quickly.

The findings indicate that sleeping helps infants develop their memory and retain new skills rather than when they’re wide awake.

To improve their learning abilities, parents can help by settling their little ones with a book before bedtime.

Booktrust’s Chief Executive, Viv Bird comments: “At Booktrust, we believe reading is a vital part of every baby and child’s bedtime routine. Just by reading aloud together for ten minutes a day will see them grow into eager, confident learners, acquiring listening skills and gaining new words that are far beyond their reading ability.

Reading at bedtime doesn’t just give them a head-start in learning, but establishes a routine of sharing a story and providing a special time for parents and carers to build a strong and loving relationship with their child.

“We are pleased that the evidence from the University of Sheffield research supports Booktrust’s work in encouraging parents to read regularly with their babies and children.”

familiesse.co.uk

Help mothers around the world The Rockin’ Baby sling is the only reversible baby carrier on the market, and the only brand supporting mothers in desperate need in countries less fortunate.

This versatile, beautiful baby carrier is easy to use, gorgeous to wear, and for every sling or pouch sold, Rockin’ Baby donate a new sling to a mother in Haiti or Kenya, while educating her on the importance it holds in her baby’s life.

Perfect as a Mothers Day gift, the slings start at £49 and are available exclusively from www.mothercare.com.

A colony of penguin cups There’s a cool new cup on the block for penguin lovers. Suitable for ages 6 months+, Haberman’s trainer cups are completely non-spill and protect growing teeth by allowing a flow of juice only when the child sucks and swallows. Add this to the eye-catching popular penguin shape and you have a weaning product that’s as fun as it is functional.

Based on the design of the award-winning Loved by Children bird cup heroes, these new trainer cups are available from branches of Sainsbury’s and Wm. Morrison, rrp £4.95 and online at www.habermanbaby.com.

march 2015 - families south east

11

family life Special educational needs and disabilities Did you know that there is support to assist parents through the new SEND assessment and planning process?

The Children and Families Act 2014 introduced new laws for children and young people who have special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

From the beginning of September last year, local authorities have had a duty to begin replacing Statements of Special Educational Need (SEN) with the new Education, Health and Care (EHC) plans.

EHC plans aim to put children, young people and their families at the heart of the decision-making process. They will have greater involvement in the decision-making process into what support might be needed to enable that child or young person to fulfill their potential.

How it works Local authorities and individual schools now have a duty to publicise a ‘local offer’ of the services and activities that are available to parents and young people. A ‘personal budget’ can also be identified, giving parents greater control of how and where some (if not all) of the funding allocated to their child is spent. The focus on outcomes for the child or young person is seen as one of the significant improvements, moving away from a system that merely focussed on provision, to a system where

the hopes and aspirations of the child, and how to achieve them, are the most important thing. Other changes, such as shortening the timescales for decisions to be made and extending the age range where children and young people can be considered for an EHC Plan being from birth to 25 years of age (the old system was from 2 to 19 years of age) will also be welcomed by parents.

These changes are requiring Local Authorities, health professionals, schools and other involved agencies to fundamentally change how they have been delivering and evaluating their support for children and young people with SEN. Recognising that families may be anxious about how these changes might affect their children, the government has provided additional funding so that certain charities and other voluntary sector organisations can guide parents and young people (aged 16+) through the changes.

Local support Family Lives have been commissioned to run the voluntary sector Independent Support service to families in the boroughs of Southwark, Lambeth and Croydon.

Family Lives Independent Supporters can provide information, advice and support to families whose children or young people are being assessed for the first time or are transferring from an existing Statement of SEN or Learning Disability Assessment (for those young people at college).

If you are a parent or young person (16+), resident in Southwark or Lambeth, and would like to speak to an Independent Supporter from Family Lives, call 020 3131 3150 or email parentssupportherts@familylives.org.uk.

About Family Lives Family Lives is a charity with over three decades of experience helping parents to deal with the changes that are a constant part of family life.

As well as local family support services, such as Independent Support in Southwark, Family Lives also deliver services and support to families nationally through their helpline 0808 800 2222, by email to parentsupport@familylives.org.uk and online at www.familylives.org.uk.

More advice The Independent Parental Special Education Advice charity (IPSEA) has a wealth of information provided by highly trained volunteers, many of whom are parents of children with special educational needs. For more on EHC including jargon-busting the terms and answers to frequently asked questions, go to www.ipsea.org.uk.

Parental leave, shared parental leave, paternity leave...

Are you confused? Read on...

For babies due on or after 5 April 2015, a big shake up in parental rights will give parents lots more options.

But exactly what is changing, and what is staying the same?

Working Families’ helpline team explain:

Maternity Leave will still be up to 52 weeks. Mothers can go back early by giving eight weeks’ notice.

They may be entitled to up to 39 weeks of Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance, which can be ‘curtailed’ if they want to create a pot of paid Shared Parental Leave (SPL).

Paternity Leave will still be one or two weeks shortly after the baby is born. Only fathers and partners who meet the conditions can get Paternity Leave and Pay - they must have worked for the same employer throughout the pregnancy and earn at least £111 a week (£112 from 5 April 2015). This means self-employed people don’t usually qualify.

Additional Paternity Leave, which some fathers and partners could take if the mother goes back to work early, may still be taken where a baby is due before 5 April 2015.

Parental Leave Each parent also has the right to up to 18 weeks of unpaid Parental Leave, per child, to be taken before the child is 18 (again, this applies only from 5 April 2015, for children under 18 from then onwards). The parent must have worked for at least a year for the same employer. Before 5 April 2015, the age limit for Parental Leave to be taken is 5, except for children on Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment where it is 18.

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Shared Parental Leave Shared Parental Leave is a new right which applies to parents of babies due on or after 5 April 2015.

This allows parents to have a pot of up to 50 weeks of Shared Parental Leave between them, 37 weeks of which can be paid. Both parents have to meet conditions about employment and earnings, and Maternity Leave, Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance have to finish early (notice to do this can be given in advance).

Self-employed fathers and partners, or those who start new jobs during a pregnancy, still won’t qualify for any form of paid time off, but might enable the mother to take some Shared Parental Leave.

Parents or partners can take leave at the same time under the new system, because mothers can be on Maternity Leave whilst the father is on shared Parental Leave.

There won’t be any more paid time off than there is now, so there will be a maximum of 37 weeks of Statutory Shared Parental Pay which could be taken by a father or partner where a woman getting Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance chooses to stop those payments. You have to meet

Family portrait: bruxellestwo at flickr.com

Maternity Leave and Paternity Leave

the same conditions as currently though, so self-employed fathers and partners will, generally, still lose out.

With Shared Parental Leave, another difference is that you can stop and start your leave - so a mother could go back to work, and then return to her time off looking after her baby. This may be useful for some families (but it will only be possible where there is a partner who meets the conditions).

More advice If you are a parent or expectant parent and want more advice about the new rights, you can contact the Working Families’ free legal helpline team on 0300 012 0312, or email them at advice@workingfamilies.org.uk.

There’s more information about Shared Parental Leave, Parental Leave and Paternity Leave on the charity’s website www.workingfamilies.org.uk.

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the

expert

cobrasoft at freeimages.com

Maintenance after marriage

By Mandeep Clair at Grant Saw Solicitors LLP

Career loss demands more equal treatment in divorce Big money divorce cases get into the news for a whole variety of reasons, but an allegation of sex discrimination is seldom one of them.

However, this was one of the issues raised in a divorce case involving a high-flying wife who sacrificed her career to be a home-maker.

The wife had been the finance director of a major high street retailer, but gave up the boardroom to care for the couple’s two children. Whilst she stayed at home, her husband, a partner in a leading accountancy firm, enjoyed a flourishing career.

He was the family’s sole breadwinner, sometimes earning more than £900,000 per year.

When the couple divorced, the wife was awarded £1.37 million of their marital assets, leaving her ex-husband with about £1.2 million. He paid her maintenance of £90,000 per year, which was later increased to £150,000 per year. She had savings of £1 million and estimated her ex-husband’s wealth at £11 million.

Nine years after their divorce, the ex-husband wanted to retire for personal reasons and asked a family judge to capitalise his ex-wife’s future

financial entitlement into a one-off lump sum. The judge rejected her claim for up to £2.6 million and awarded her just £400,000. He said that sum, together with her savings and the £500,000 she could make by downsizing her £1.75 million home, would give her a ‘generous’ £80,000-a-year income.

Upholding her challenge to that decision, the Court of Appeal accepted that she should be fairly compensated for the career she had given up. The requirement that she sell her own home, in order to boost her savings pot and thus increase her income, was ‘arguably discriminatory’ against her.

Directing a full rehearing of the case by a different judge, the Court found that a ‘more sophisticated’ analysis was required of the ex-couple’s assets, income and needs in order to ensure a fair division and avoid any discrimination.

The financial arrangements on divorce often lead to bitter arguments. This decision will be welcomed by any ex-spouse or ex-civil partner who gave up a successful career in order to bring up children before the break-up of the relationship.

Planning for tax year-end it’s time for action

Settlement orders outside of marriage When cohabiting couples break up, failure to have legal rights clearly laid down can often lead to a dispute, as a recent case illustrates. It involved a claim by a woman for a share in the value of the house she had occupied with her partner for ten years before they broke up.

Although her name was never added to the deeds, the Court of Appeal upheld the ruling of the lower court that she was entitled to a settlement.

The judge had noted that she had ‘taken a big risk’ by giving up her own secure home, on which she had spent considerable sums, and in abandoning her job in order to move, with her two young children, to live with her boyfriend.

The woman had realised with the benefit of hindsight that she had been ‘too trusting and foolish’, relying on her boyfriend’s assurance that ‘she would always have a secure home’ with him.

A bill designed to give legal rights to cohabitants in similar circumstances received its second reading in Parliament in December 2014.

More advice With offices in Greenwich and Blackheath, Grant Saw offer a first fixed fee appointment of £100+ VAT in respect of relationship breakdown and/ or issues concerning children.

For advice and help with any family law matter, call Mandeep on 020 8858 6971, email mclair@grantsaw.co.uk or see www.grantsaw.com.

by Michelle Debono When the run-up to the end of the tax year coincides with the build-up to a general election we can be sure that taxation, and its impact on our wealth, will be high on political and personal agendas.

Your plans may be specific, perhaps making the most of the increased ISA allowance of £15,000. This is a huge priority for many as the year end approaches, as this yearly allowance is lost if not utilised and is widely known as one of the most tax efficient ways to save, whether building a lump sum for school fees, a trip of a lifetime or a loft conversion.

Your focus may be further into the future and you may be considering topping up your pension, investing for children or grandchildren, utilising your Inheritance Tax gifting allowances - or you may feel that with the approach of the new tax year, now is the time to complete a comprehensive review of your financial plans.

Irrespective of your focus, contact Michelle Debono on 0795 762 3762 or email michelle.debono@sjpp.co.uk to receive a complementary guide covering any of the issues above, or to arrange a complimentary no-obligation financial review. Based in south London, Michelle specialises in providing high quality, face to face advice.

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march 2015 - families south east

13

SKYHIGH YOGA

STAGECOACH DULWICH DRAMA

PIRATES AND PRINCESSES HOLIDAY COURSE

What’sOn

Easter Holiday FREEDOM ACADEMY EASTER WORKSHOPS

Find even more activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What's On

30 March - 1 April in DULWICH, 8-10 April in FOREST HILL, 020 3793 6843, info@freedomacademy.co.uk, www.freedomacademy.co.uk Sing, dance and act though the Easter break with Chicken Licken and his friends. Join a magical journey for three fun-packed half days filled with role play, music and crafts. The workshop is for 3-6 year-olds, 9am-12noon each day, £60 per child, per course.

Diary Dates for Grownups GOOSE GREEN CLINIC: HOLISTIC FAMILY HUB 5 March, GOOSE GREEN CLINIC, 57-59 East Dulwich Road SE22, www.goosegreenclinic.net New mothers and fathers are invited to Goose Green Clinic’s open morning to find out all about pre and post-natal holistic health. Meet some of the therapists, try some free classes with (or without!) your little ones, enjoy free taster treatments or just drop in for a cup of tea and find out more about the many different treatments on offer. 9.30am-12noon.

You can register your attendance on the Facebook page at Goose Green Clinic of Osteopathy, email enquiries@goosegreenclinic.net - or just turn up on the day.

LOCHABER CHILDREN’S TABLE SALE 7 March, LOCHABER HALL, Manor Lane Terrace, Lee SE13 5QL, www.facebook.com/Lochabertablesale Take advantage of buying for your little ones at a much cheaper price than the shops. There will also be lots of warm clothes, books and toys for all ages, as well as baby paraphernalia such as highchairs, sterilisers, travel cots, etc. 3-5pm. Admission £1.

MOTHER’S DAY IN THE GARDEN 15 March, THE GARDEN MUSEUM, Lambeth Palace Road SE1 7LB, 020 7401 8865, www.gardenmuseum.org.uk The perfect day out for mothers who love gardens - a glorious garden-inspired day with the opportunity to grill Matthew Biggs from BBC Gardener’s Question Time. 1-4pm, tickets £40 for 2 people includes access to the museum and gardens, cream tea and a bunch of spring flowers. Book first.

CRYSTAL PALACE FOOD MARKET Saturdays, Haynes Lane SE19 3AP, www.crystalpalacefoodmarket.co.uk Locally sourced meats, fresh fish, fruit & veg, eggs, cheese, raw milk, artisan bread, cakes and hot food on sale in the heart of Crystal Palace from 10am-3pm every Saturday, plus regular events. Listings are subject to change, visitors are advised to check first.

ONCE UPON A STORYTIME, 7 March. Local professional storyteller, Shinta Summers, will be telling and re-enacting two classic Grimm fairytales: ‘The Golden Goose’ and ‘The Brave Little Taylor’. All ages welcome, 11am, 12noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm, donations. www.onceuponastorytime.vpweb.co.uk MOTHER’S DAY ‘MAKE AND TAKE, 14 March. Make beautiful ceramic shapes using acrylic paints, sequins and glitter, ideal for a Mother’s Day home made gift. Hearts and flowers £3, ‘Mum’ bunting £3. 10am-3pm, find Handmade-Palace on Facebook.

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SECRET ADVENTURER’S CLUB, 21 March. Nature arts and crafts activity with the Secret Adventurers’ Club. Ages 5+ 11am-2pm, suggested donation 50p, www.secretadventurersclub.com.

THE MAN FROM STORY MOUNTAIN, 28 March. Inspiring and enthralling tales from professional storyteller Adrian Beckingham, aka The Man from Story Mountain, as seen at Glastonbury Festival, The British Museum, and on BBC. 11am, 12noon, 1pm and 2pm, suggested donation: £1, http://storymountain.eu/

7-10 April in DULWICH, 020 8949 4116, www.stagecoach.co.uk/dulwich Sign up for four fun-filled days of dance, drama and singing with a free presentation on the last day for family and friends to enjoy.The children meet for the first time on Tuesday morning and make lots of new friends.

Then there’s a full schedule of fast, furious and fun rehearsals leading to Friday when it’s showtime in the Great Hall at Alleyn’s School. This year the mini production will be Andrew Lloyd Webber’s much-loved musical “Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat”. Students do not have to be Stagecoach regulars student to attend and no previous experience is required. All they need is enthusiasm!

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SKYHIGH YOGA Saturdays at THE VIEW FROM SHARD, Joiner Street, London Bridge SE1 9QU, www.yogasphere.eu While yogis of past have tried to levitate to higher spheres, Yogasphere are literally bringing the highest weekly yoga classes in the world to the top of The Shard at London Bridge. The classes are situated in The View, the visitor attraction at the top of The Shard which is almost twice the height of any other viewing platform in London. Mats are provided, along with goodie bags including discounts, promotions and healthy snacks.

Take a smartphone, prepared to capture the stunning views! 8.30am start, £40 with block class discounts, book first.

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STAGECOACH DULWICH DRAMA WORKSHOP

21 March, ALL SAINTS CHURCH, Blenheim Grove, Peckham SE15 4QS, 020 8299 2623, www.dhscc.org A sale of unwanted gifts, bric-a-brac, good condition clothes and toys, with proceeds to Dulwich Helpline and Southwark Churches Care.

10.30am-1pm, table hire £15 for sellers. DH&SCC works to improve the quality of life and the physical and mental health of isolated older residents in Southwark.

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8-10 April in EAST DULWICH, 0845 400 1277, www.perform.org.uk Perform Drama School will be taking 4-7 year-olds on a swashbuckling royal adventure for brave pirates and fearless princesses. They will enjoy an entertaining three days with experienced workshop leaders, leading to a final performance for friends and family, complete with costumes, live music, scripts, improvisation and dance. £100 per child, sibling discounts available.

READER OFFER: Perform are offering Families readers 10% off the course cost - use the code ‘FamiliesEaster2015’ to qualify.

21 March, CHRISTCHURCH BECKENHAM, Fairfield Road, Beckenham BR3, 2.30-5.30pm; and 18 April SALVATION ARMY HALL, 58 Westow Street, Crystal Palace SE18 3AF 11am-2pm, www.fancybetty.com Fancy Betty is a southeast London based company that organises regular nearly new sales. There’s neither bib nor babygro in sight these sales specialise in women’s clothing and accessories that are in excellent pre-loved condition. Think great quality second hand, think barely worn, think ‘posh’ jumble. If you love great quality clothing and want to breathe life back into pre-loved fashion - or sell yours - you’ve found the right place. Admission £1, or free for mailing list customers and Facebook followers.

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7-10 April, VARIOUS VENUES, 0800 107 7949, www.funkymonkey.info Funky Monkey’s ‘Keyboard Superstars’ workshop is a brilliant all-round scheme and ‘taster’ four day course for 5-8 year olds. Complete beginners are taught to read, play and write notes C-A alongside learning keyboard technique and countless music-based activities including composition, artwork, singing and performance skills. Last day concert! All equipment provided. 10am-12.30pm each day, £99 per child, book first. One day workshops for 4-8 years will also be available between 30 March and 2 April, 10am-2pm £40 per child - check the website for full details. Summer term trials also booking.

INTENSIVE TOUCH TYPING School holidays and termtime classes in SYDENHAM, 020 7515 1707, www.yes-tuitionandtraining.co.uk Learn a new skill with a touch typing courses run by YES. Children find them fun, and they work - most children are tapping away proficiently in just ten hours. Sessions can be booked to fit around other holiday commitments so children can progress at their own pace.

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FIT FOR SPORT

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Workshops and Daycamps - find more on www.familiesse.co.uk SPARK4KIDS EASTER WORKSHOP

FIT FOR SPORT

7-10 April in DULWICH, 020 8090 1444, www.spark4kids.com

30 March - 10 April, various venues including DULWICH, BERMONDSEY, DOWNHAM and GIPSY HILL, 0845 456 3233, www.fitforsport.co.uk Keep your children active this Easter at a Fit For Sport Activity Camp.

All activities are full of energy and the qualified and experienced team will have plenty of sports and games each day. Standard day 9.30am4.30pm with extended hours available. Ages 3-12 years, bookable by half or full day, or weekly blocks - see the website for full details.

Spark4Kids holiday workshops are designed to teach games development, robotics, computer coding as well as Minecraft in a fun and engaging environment. Ages 7+. Termtime classes are also available - see website for full details.

SUPER CAMPS 30 March - 10 April, various venues including Blackheath High School in BLACKHEATH and St Dunstan’s School in CATFORD, 01235 467300, www.supercamps.co.uk Super Camps run multi-activity, Ofsted-registered daycamps designed to offer holiday childcare to parents while appealing to children of all types and ages. Each child explores and experiences a daily schedule of different activities with others their own age, under the guidance of superbly-trained staff. The venues offer sports, outdoor and indoor games, arts and crafts activities. Ages 4-14 years, 8am-6pm, bookings available by day at £45 or £144 for four days.

SE LONDON TENNIS CAMPS 30 March - 2 April and 7-10 April, SYDENHAM LAWN TENNIS CLUB, Lawrie Park Road SE26 6ET, www.southeastlondontennis.com, email chris@southeastlondontennis.com Four day group activities with professional coaches in weekly blocks.

Each session includes tennis coaching, games and other team events, with a mini tournament at the end of each week. Facilities are available for wet-weather activities if necessary. Beginners and improvers welcome. 9am-12noon for 7-10 year-olds, 1-4pm for 11-15 year-olds, £52 for all four days, one day £15. Book and pay online; or call Chris on 0773 993 6999 or Michael on 07956 995820.

Events and Attractions GREENWICH MARKET

market and a range of cafes, restaurants, gastro pubs and wine bars within an easy stroll. The market is open 10am-5.30pm Tuesdays to Sundays, with many market shops and pubs open all week.

GREENWICH MARKET SE10 9HZ, 020 8269 5096, www.greenwichmarketlondon.com Discover London’s only historic market set within a World Heritage site.

Surrounded by independent and boutique shops and a well established designer-maker trend means you’re sure to find something different.

Enjoy a relaxing day out with a great choice of take away food from the

MOTHER’S DAY CRAFTS, 14 March. There’ll be creative card and gift making workshops for children of all ages - make your own beautiful gift for Mothers Day. 10.30am-5pm.

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM

EASTER CRAFT WORKSHOPS, 3 + 4 April. Decorate your own chocolate Easter Eggs, make your own Easter cards and prints - it’s all Eggsellent fun! Browse the Easter market and discover a wealth of handmade Easter treats including chocolates, cakes, biscuits and gifts.

10.30am-5pm.

THE HORNIMAN MUSEUM HORNIMAN MUSEUM and gardens, 100 London Road, Forest Hill SE23, 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk Museum open 10.30am-5.30pm daily, general admission free, charges apply for special exhibitions and the aquarium. The museum’s music gallery and hands-on base, regular weekend and holiday drop-ins and workshops allow family visitors to explore the collection through arts and crafts, music, stories and hands-on sessions. All this within 16 acres of beautiful green space which has the oldest nature trail in London.

FARMERS MARKET, every Saturday. A locally sourced and locally sold weekly farmers’ market selling a variety of produce, hot food and more in the gardens. 9.30am - 1pm.

PLANTASTIC, Until 1 November. Explore the wonderful world of plants on a massive scale. £3.85 per child, £7.15 adult, £18.15 family.

TAXIDERMY IS DEAD (LONG LIVE TAXIDERMY), 12 March - 7 June.

Artist Polly Morgan is at the forefront of the taxidermy renaissance. This temporary display of Polly’s new and recent work shows how taxidermy is not a ‘dying art’, but an evolving art form.

REVISITING ROMANIA, until 6 September. From beaded bird motifs and embroidered metal threads to intricately carved wooden cups, this exhibition showcases elaborately decorated textiles, costumes and artefacts to explore how Romanian folk art has been used to express social and political ideas in the village and on the national and international stage.

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Events and Attractions DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY, Gallery Road, Dulwich Village SE21 7AD, 020 8693 5254, www.dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk Museum open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Fridays, from 11am weekends and bank holidays. Admission free for accompanied children, £6 adults.

Listed activities free for families with a gallery ticket or £3 per child.

MASTER COPY: MADE IN CHINA. Hanging somewhere in the gallery, in place of the original, is a Chinese replica painting by conceptual artists Doug Fishbone. Sharp-eyed visitors are invited to identify the work in question, and log their guess at one of the gallery’s iPad stations. The answer will be revealed on 28 April when the original and replica will hang side by side, and winning answers will be entered into a draw to win one of five print-on-demand reproductions of works in the gallery’s collection.

ARTPLAY, first and last Sunday of each month. Creative drop-in workshops for adults and children, with a different activity each session.

Make anything and everything from bunting to block printing and all things in between. 2-3.45pm.

FREE FAMILY TRAIL. Ask a gallery assistant or stop by at the Gallery Friends desk for a free trail; updated frequently and available for the permanent and temporary exhibitions.

RAVILIOUS, 1 April - 31 August. The first major exhibition to focus on the watercolours of celebrated British artist Eric Ravilious (1903-42).

LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM

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LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM, 39 Wellington Street, Covent Garden WC2E 7BB, 020 7379 6433, www.ltmuseum.co.uk Let your children’s imaginations run wild as they are transported back in time at the historical and interactive London Transport Museum. Filled with buses, trains, and taxis they can take the wheel, try their hand as a tube conductor or bump around with the other passengers in the back, as they explore the vehicles of London’s past and present. Museum open 10am-6pm Mondays to Thursdays and weekends, from 11am Fridays. Admission free for under 16s, £15 adults. Tickets are valid for 12 months’ unlimited admission.

GOODBYE PICCADILLY, until 19 April 2015. Discover the untold story of London’s Home Front during the First World War; how drivers took their buses to the Front to support the war effort, how women advanced into the transport workforce for the first time and how Londoners came under deadly attack from the air as total war came to the Capital.

THE FAMILY STATION. Visit the Family Station, pick up a coin bag and choose some activities to do as you explore the museum. Whether you fold your own bus and drive it between the vehicles, design your own poster-postcards or take photos through flickr frames, there is something here for families with children of all ages. Open weekends and school holidays, suitable for families with 3-12 year-olds.

BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM BANK OF ENGLAND MUSEUM, Threadneedle Street, London EC2R, 020 7601 5545, www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum The Bank of England Museum tells the story of the Bank of England from its foundation in 1694 to its role today as the UK’s central bank. Examine intricately-designed banknotes, feel the weight of a genuine gold bar and see the pikes and muskets that were once used to defend the Bank.

Children’s activity sheets provide fun for younger visitors. Open 10am5pm Mondays to Fridays, admission free.

DISCOVER GOLD. Find out why gold has been treasured for thousands of years, and learn about the amazing scientific properties that make it so useful in modern technology. The museum’s display features gold bars from Roman times to the present day.

EGG-STRAORDINARY FUN! 30 March - 1 April and 7-10 April. Follow the trail to find the chicks and egg hidden in the museum. You can then decorate your own Easter animal finger puppet to take home. There is a chocolate egg for every child. 10am-4.30pm.

GAMBADO PLAYCENTRE NATWEST SPORTS GROUND, Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, Kent BR3 1NZ, 020 8662 6910, www.gambado.com/clubs/beckenham Gambado Beckenham boasts one of the largest indoor play frames in greater London, plus special dodgems and a carousel. Children can play, learn, explore and party in a healthy, fun and safe environment while parents can kick back in the cafe bar. Open 9.30am-6.30pm daily, admission from £6.60 children, £2.95 adults plus a registration fee of £5.50 on your first visit.

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families south east - march 2015

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

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Dr SEUSS TEA PARTY, 3 March. The naughty cat will be up to mischief keeping children content with messy arts and crafts with a yummy dinner too! 11am-1pm and 4.30-6.30pm, book first.

PRINCESS & PIRATES PARTY, 25 March. A fun-filed party for ambitious Tinkerbells and budding bootleggers like Jake and the Neverland children. Party included in admission price.

UNCLE MAC - THE AMAZING MAGICIAN, 9 April. A special and magical visitor will be entertaining young visitors.

THE ART OF THE BRICK Until 12 April, OLD TRUMAN BREWERY, 91 Brick Lane E1 6QL, 020 7492 5374, www.artofthebrick.co.uk Marvel at over eighty art sculptures created from more than a million LEGOTM bricks, including many human figures, a T-rex skeleton, and interpretations of world famous artworks. The exhibition includes an Interactive Zone where younger (and older) visitors can explore their own creativity using the iconic bricks. US artist Nathan Sawaya’s world renowned exhibition has so far captured the imagination of over 100,000 visitors in venues across the world - catch it while you can! Open daily, admission from £8 children, £14.50 adults.

SIR JACOB EPSTEIN: BABIES AND BLOOMSBURY, until 10 May. The exhibition reveals how babies and children inspired modernist sculptor Jacob Epstein, and explores his unconventional family life in Bloomsbury. A very important selection of Epstein’s remarkable and moving bronzes and drawings of babies and children, including of members of his own family, are brought together for the first time.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM, Cromwell Road SW7 5BD, 020 7942 5000, www.nhm.ac.uk Dinosaurs, volcanoes, precious gems and creepy crawlies - discover the diversity of the natural world through the nation’s finest collection of natural history specimens. Fascinating exhibitions display up to 70 million plants, animals, fossils, rocks and minerals, with a hands-on education centre where you can meet real scientists at work. Museum open 10am-5.50pm, admission free.

ONE MILLION YEARS OF THE HUMAN STORY. What was Britain like when the first humans arrived on its shores? Travel back in time nearly one million years to uncover what life was really like for our ancient relatives. £4.50 children, £9 adults, £24 families.

HMS BELFAST On the THAMES at The Queen’s Walk by Morgans Lane, Tooley Street SE1 2JH, www.iwm.org.uk Discover the exciting stories of those who served HMS Belfast; exploring the nine decks where sailors once hurried up and down its ladders, or take a look at the mess desk where her 950-strong crew ate and slept.

Open 10am-5pm, admission £8 children, £16 adults.

GUN TURRET EXPERIENCE. Immerse yourself in the new Gun Turret Experience, a chance to see what fighting at sea would have really been like. Overlooking the front of the ship, or Fo’c’sle, is the forward most of HMS Belfast’s Triple Gun Turrets. Lights, audio, videos and projections will recreate the experience, highlighting the hectic and cramped conditions that would have seen twenty-six men in this confined space at any one time. Entry included in general admission price.

CRACKING CODES, 7+8 March. Can you decipher secret messages?

Join in this family activity; intercept messages, map hazards on a sea chart and make up your own secret code. 11am - 12.30pm and 2-4pm.

CROSSING THE LINE, 28 March - 12 April. Find out what it was like for sailors crossing the equator for the first time as they took part in initiation rituals, dressing up as different characters from the court of the sea god Neptune and made to do forfeits.

HEW LOCKE INSTALLATION, 26 March - 7 September. IWM has invited artist Hew Locke to imaginatively transform the experience of HMS Belfast, bringing to life the stories of people on board the ship. The installation is a creative and surprising art installation which explores the joys and dangers of life at sea.

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM, Lambeth Road, London SE1, 020 7416 5000, www.iwm.org.uk IWM London has been transformed with ground-breaking First World War Galleries alongside a central atrium space with large object displays, shops and cafes. At weekends, the museum holds family-friendly object handling conversations and creative workshops.

Admission free.

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FIRST WORLD WAR GALLERIES. Discover the story of the war - how it started, why it continued and its global impact, through the lives of those who experienced it at the time on both the front line and the home front across Britain and its empire.

HORRIBLE HISTORIES - SPIES. Uncover the deadly world of spies in interactive exhibition aimed at families.

Horrible Histories: Spies brings to life the horrible history of Second World War spies and their secret schemes, based on Terry Deary’s book. Adults £6.20, children £3.30.

A FAMILY IN WARTIME. Explores the lives of William and Alice Allpress and their ten children and what life in London was like during the war. A Family in Wartime is brought to life through interactive exhibits, photographs, recorded interviews with the family, archive film footage, paintings, personal documents and an intricate model of the Allpress family home.

FASHION ON THE RATION, 5 March - 31 August.

Explore how fashion survived and even flourished in new and unexpected ways, under the strict rules of rationing during the Second World War. £10 adults, £5 child.

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road, Bethnal Green E2 9PA, 020 8983 5200, www.museumofchildhood.org.uk This gem of a museum is fascinating for families with young children. The collection includes dolls, dolls’ houses, puppets, teddy bears, games, childcare, clothing, furniture and art and photography.

Everyday drop-in activities include storytelling, arts and crafts, and trails. There’s dressing-up, role play and an under 3’s area, an indoor sandpit, and regular special events. If it’s sunny there’s an outdoor space to enjoy a picnic. Open 10am-5.45pm daily, admission free.

AT HOME IN A DOLLS’ HOUSE, until 6 September.

This exhibition reveals the fascinating stories behind some of the UK’s best-loved dolls’ houses, taking you on a journey through the history of the home, everyday lives and changing family relationships. The small stories of 12 dolls’ houses from the past 300 years will be brought to life by the characters that live or work there. Meet the residents and discover tales of marriages and parties, politics and crime.

HIDDEN IDENTITIES UNFINISHED. A new display of photographs by Yvonne de Rosa examines the lives of children and families living under adverse conditions in Bosnia and Romania. The project was the result of a collaboration with Hope and Homes for Children, an international charity that works to prevent the breakdown of families and to ensure children grow up in a loving environment.

IT’S MY PARTY. A new exhibition that takes a look at children’s birthday parties from the perspective of both children and parents. The centrepiece is a life-sized installation telling the story of a party thrown for Wilfred, a shy resident of the museum.

MUSEUM OF LONDON MUSEUM OF LONDON DOCKLANDS, West India Quay E14, 020 7001 9844, www.museumoflondon.org.uk/docklands, and MUSEUM OF LONDON, London Wall EC2Y 5HN, 020 7001 9844, www.museumoflondon.org.uk Open daily 10am-6pm, admission free. Regular programmes of weekend and holiday events and workshops help visitors find out more about London’s history, covering events such as the Great Plague, Londoners’ jobs and occupations, and Roman life.

On Sundays, museum hosts help visitors explore the galleries through fun, hands-on activities at 11am and 2pm.

SHERLOCK HOLMES, until 12 April. An exciting exhibition delving into the mind of the world’s most famous fictional detective, Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes.

FOSSIL FORAGE 21 March, GRANT MUSEUM OF ZOOLOGY, UCL, University Street, London WC1E 6DE, www.ucl.ac.uk/museums Sieve through sediment that dates from over 50 million years ago, a time when London was under water and patrolled by sharks and rays. Any fossils you find whilst sieving you get to keep, and they are all real. Free fun, drop-in hands-on activity run as part of National Science and Engineering Week. 1-4.30pm.

ROYAL MUSEUMS GREENWICH National Maritime Museum, Queen’s House, Royal Observatory and Cutty Sark, Greenwich SE10, 020 8858 4422, www.rmg.co.uk Royal Museums Greenwich holds the world’s largest maritime collection. It is housed in historic buildings forming part of the Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site and incorporates the Royal Observatory Greenwich, the 17th-century Queen’s House, and Cutty Sark. The Museums works to illustrate for everyone the importance of the sea, ships, time and the stars and their relationship with people, and is also a major centre of education and research. At weekends, there are family-friendly meet-a character performances and free craft workshops; plus free pre-schooler Play Tuesday sessions. Open 10am-5pm daily. General admission is free; some buildings, special exhibitions and events have an admission fee.

AGAINST CAPTAIN’S ORDERS, 28 March - 31 August. In an exclusive first for the museum industry, the NMM is collaborating with Punchdrunk Enrichment to take 6-12 year-olds and their families on the adventure of a lifetime. Against Captain’s Orders combines the museum’s wealth of maritime history and artefacts with Punchdrunk Enrichment’s innovative practice and commitment to creating captivating, educational experiences.

Life jackets will be donned as visitors become part of the motley crew of HMS Adventure. Taking on seafaring roles of Ship’s Watch, Navigation, Midshipman and Salvage, the teams will be called upon to navigate through this extraordinary exhibition. From 10am daily, for parents plus children aged 6-12, tickets £19.75.

THE GREAT MAP provides a space at the centre of the museum where people can gather, delve deeper into the collections, and join in with events and celebrations. This multi-sensory experience is especially suitable for families. With a borrowed tablet, set sail to explore distant lands, discovering stories of female pirates, Scott’s Atlantic expedition and many more.

MEET THE TIME TRAVELLERS, Weekends and holiday weekdays throughout June. Meet time-travelling Astronomer Royal Nevil Maskelyne or his human computer Mary Edwards next to the Steampunk time machine in the Meridian Courtyard and find out about their life and work at Greenwich in the 18th-century.

12noon, 1, 2 and 3pm, ages 7+.

GEFFRYE MUSEUM EVENTS GEFFRYE MUSEUM, Kingsland Road E2 8EA, 020 7739 9893, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk Special workshops and quizzes inspire creativity and provide amusement for accompanied 5-11 year-olds on the first Saturday of each month and during school holidays. Places allocated 30 minutes in advance of each workshop. Museum open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays, from noon Sundays.

HISTORIC ALMSHOUSE TOURS, 7, 10 and 24 March, 4, 7 and 28 April. The restored historic almshouse has been fully restored to its original condition, offering a rare glimpse into the lives of London’s poor and elderly in former times. Tours are conducted by museum volunteers and take place at specific times each month.

GEFFRYE 100: A BRIEF HISTORY, until 22 March.

This small display charts the changing nature of the almshouses and the museum, highlighting some of the untold stories, unknown people and unseen objects in the Geffrye’s history.

GARDENS GALORE! 7-10 April. Celebrate the reopening of the museum gardens for spring and the launch of a new garden activity cart. Create seasonal headwear, plant seeds for spring and make beautiful baskets. 10.30am-12.30pm and 2-4pm.

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Striking Gold Stories 16–20 February 10:30am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm Listen to some fascinating true stories about gold narrated by a costumed storyteller, from the California gold rush to the sewer man who found his way into the Bank’s vaults nearly 200 years ago.

Follow the gold trail around the Museum to claim your small prize.

10:00am–5:00pm Share your experience Monday to Friday. #BOEMuseum Closed weekends and Bank Holidays. Entrance T: 020 7601 5545 in Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R 8AH www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum

march 2015 - families south east

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DINOSAUR ZOO LIVE, 20+21 March. Direct from the West End, this show brings awesome prehistoric creatures to the stage as you’ve never seen them before. From cute baby dinos to teeth-gnashing giants, observe and interact with extraordinary life-like dinosaurs in this imaginative and hilarious live show. Tickets from £14.

Find even more activities: www.familiesse.co.uk then click What's On

CUTTY SARK CUTTY SARK, King William Walk, Greenwich SE10 9HT, 020 8858 2698, www.rmg.co.uk/cuttysark The world famous 19th century tea clipper offers visitors four levels to explore. Take in the views from the main deck and steer at the ship’s wheel, meet the crew who worked on board, explore the various cargoes from wool to whiskey, and see how tea was loaded on board through interactive displays, props, information boards and animations. Family friendly events run at weekends and during school holidays. Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Sundays, admission £6.50 children, £12 adults, from £20 families. Bundled tickets are available with the other Royal Museum Greenwich attractions.

MUSICAL STATUES, 7+8 March. Help bring to life the colourful characters in Cutty Sark's figurehead collection, by making a fabulous headdress to wear in a game of musical statues. 11.30am-1.30pm and 2-4pm.

TODDLER TIME, Wednesdays. Songs, stories and playtime on board for under 5s. Each week there's a short group activity at 2pm, followed by free play throughout the afternoon.

FIREPOWER - THE ROYAL ARTILLERY MUSEUM ROYAL ARSENAL, Woolwich SE18 6ST, 020 8855 7755, www.firepower.org.uk

ZIPPOS CIRCUS: OMG 26 March - 7 April, BLACKHEATH COMMON, Shooters Hill Road, Blackheath SE3 0UA, 0871 210 2100, www.zipposcircus.co.uk London’s favourite circus returns with an all-new, jaw-dropping show.

Be amazed by the world’s most dangerous circus act - the legendary Globe of Terror, with four motorcyclists of Team Lucius speeding around in a steel cage at over 60mph while the cage splits open! Plus celebrated clowns extraordinaire, dazzling aerialists, jugglers, balancers, performing horses and dogs, and much, much more, hosted as always by ringmaster and budgie-trainer Norman Barrett MBE. Tickets from £7.

UNICORN THEATRE UNICORN THEATRE, 147 Tooley Street SE1 2HZ, 020 7645 0560, www.unicorntheatre.com GET UP AT THE WEEKEND. Join the Unicorn Play Club every Saturday from midday. Take part in free activities in the foyer such as rocket building, cake decorating or even Olympic musical chairs.

BRITAIN’S BEST RECRUITING SERGEANT, until 15 March. A feisty, song-filled and touching look at the real-life story of Vesta Tilley. Follow Little Tilley as she takes her first steps onto the iconic music hall stage with her father, hones her own act and then goes it alone in order to become Vesta Tilley - Britain’s Best Recruiting Sergeant; a shining star of the music hall whose much-loved act as a male impersonator makes her world-famous. Ages 8+, tickets from £10.

THE CHAIR, 20 March - 12 April. Welcome to Tiger Bay, the most deadly and dangerous docks on these shores. A place full of strangers

THE CHRIS AND PUI SHOW, 28 March. The CBeebies double act take to the stage with the Gingerbread Man, Ugly Duckling, Miss Mouse, Old MacDonald and a host of other preschool favourites in a family show filled with songs, comedy sketches, a dash of magic and heaps of joining in. 11am and 2pm, family tickets £46.

Firepower, the Royal Artillery Museum in Woolwich tells the powerful and dramatic story of artillery, scientific discoveries made through warfare and human stories of courage and endeavour. The ‘ground shaking’ Field of Fire audio-visual show puts you in the midst of battle as shells whizz overhead and guns roar. Open 10am-5pm Tuesdays to Saturdays.

Admission £2.50 children, £5.30 adults, £12.50 families.

EASTER HOLIDAY BOOTCAMP, 31 March - 10 April. Time to get some physical & mental training this Easter with Firepower’s Junior Gunners Boot Camp. Activities include Military style physical training, a Challenger Troop assault course, and test your knowledge of the collection. The Camo Zone will open for target practice and bungee run. 11am-1pm and 2-4pm, £4.50 plus admission per child.

Theatre, Shows and Music

DISNEY’S FROZEN SING-ALONG, 21 March. Frozen returns to the big screen in a sing-along edition, featuring all of the lyrics and a magical bouncing snowflake so you can join in with all your favourite songs.

Tickets from £7.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY Until 4 June 2016, THEATRE ROYAL, Drury Lane WC2B 5JF, 0844 858 8877, www.charlieandthechocolatefactory.com With ingenious stagecraft, the wonder of Roald Dahl’s original story is directed by Sam Mendes and brought to life as a record-breaking and award-winning stage musical. Tickets from £17.50.

FAMILY SHOWS AT THE ALBANY

with tales of ghosts, of fortunes found and lost, myths, rumours and rum – and what better place to hear these tales than Cardiff’s cheapest barbers. With live music, songs and a cut-throat razor, actor Gary Lagden returns to the Unicorn with the team that brought you The Pardoner’s Tale and A Thousand Slimy Things. Ages 7+, tickets from £10.

THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE, until 21 March. Terrible is the temptation to do good. Blood runs through the streets and the Governor’s severed head is nailed to the gates of the city. A young servant girl must make a choice: save her own skin or sacrifice everything to rescue an abandoned child. Tickets from £10.

THE VELVETEEN RABBIT, 28 March - 26 April. There was once a velveteen rabbit, and in the beginning he was really splendid. He was fat and bunchy, as a rabbit should be; and for at least two hours the Boy loved him. He spends his days waiting patiently on the nursery floor, watching the Boy play with the other toys and dreaming of being picked up and loved. And then, one day, he is rediscovered and all his hopes start to come true. First published in 1922, this classic American tale loses nothing of its power, magic and charm in this bold and adventurefilled adaptation for the Unicorn stage. Ages 4+, tickets from £10.

THE ALBANY, Douglas Way, Deptford SE8 4AG, 020 8692 4446, www.thealbany.org.uk All tickets £7 or £24 for a family unless otherwise stated.

MONKEY! 15 March. Hatched from a stone egg the mischievous Monkey can fly on a cloud, turn invisible and transform into anything...!

Tickets £7, family ticket £24.

DISCO KIDS - PIRATE PARTY, 22 March. Jump aboard the good ship Albany for a swashbuckling disco adventure. 2-5pm, tickets £6, family ticket £20.

SMASHFEST, until 22 March. An innovative, exciting, and unique new festival for all the family, this glorious mash up of entertainment will provide workshops, theatre shows, music and comedy performances and lots to see and do.

FAMILY CIRCUS WORKSHOP, weekends until 2 May. Tumble, fly, swing and spin with your children. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. Each workshop will focus on different circus skills.

THE FAIRFIELD

Until 15 March, PUPPET THEATRE BARGE, Blomfield Road, Little Venice W9 2PF, 020 7249 6876, www.puppetbarge.com Prize-winning writer Deborah Jones retells the popular story of Little Red Riding Hood with poetic beauty, humour and a new twist to the tale.

Red Riding Hood And The Wolf Who Tried To Eat Her is presented with marionettes and shadow puppets, original music, lighting and effects, in an enchanting show for ages 3+.

FAIRFIELD HALLS, Park Lane, Croydon CR9 1DG, 020 8688 9291, www.fairfield.co.uk MERLIN AND THE MAGICIAN’S CASTLE, 8 March. An Arthur Davison Family Concert featuring magical characters such as Harry Potter, Hansel and Gretel, Cinderella, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and the exciting story of Merlin and the Magician’s Castle. 3.30pm, tickets £8.

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EASTER TRAIL, 2-19 April. Keep the children amused with the Leeds Castle Easter Trail. Look for clues around the estate to earn a chocolate prize. £1 per child (entrance ticket also required).

MINI MARATHON FOR YOUNG RUNNERS

ST CHRISTOPHER’S FUN WALK

POLKA THEATRE

UP AT THE 02

MY FATHER AND OTHER SUPERHEROES, 19-22 March. The day Nick Makoha found out he was going to become a dad, he realised he had no idea how to be one. Growing up without a father figure, Nick had relied on Superman and Luke Skywalker to show him how to be a good dad. Follow his journey to discover what it takes for a man to become a hero, and how a hero can be just a man. Tickets from £10.

POLKA THEATRE, 240 Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1SB, 020 8543 4888, www.polkatheatre.com I BELIEVE IN UNICORNS, 12-15 March. Tomas didn’t like books, stories or school. He was happier climbing mountains or tobogganing with his Dad. That was until the Unicorn Lady came to town and reeled him in with her irresistible magic tales. But then disaster struck and put everything that mattered most in Tomas’s life in terrible danger. The production is based on the book by Michael Morpurgo, adapted by Daniel Jamieson. Tickets from £10.

EASTER WEEKEND FUN, 3-6 April. Celebrate Easter weekend at Leeds Castle with plenty of activities for the whole family, from children’s entertainers to adventure playgrounds, to the daily falconry demonstration.

UP AT THE 02 The 02, Peninsula Square, Greenwich SE10 0DX, 020 8463 2000, www.theo2.co.uk Climb over the 02’s iconic roof and complete a rewarding personal challenge. An explorer in your climb suit, boots and harness; clip onto the walkway, go on up and admire the view. Your climb guide will be with you every step of the way to tell you about the sights. Tickets from £26, book first.

HEATH FOR HEALTH 10 May, BLACKHEATH COMMON SE3, www.heathforhealth.org.uk

The Great Outdoors FAMILY BIRD WATCHING

MINI MARATHON FOR YOUNG RUNNERS

21 March, WWT LONDON WETLANDS CENTRE, Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT, 020 8409 4400, www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres Bird watching can be a bit confusing if you’re not sure what you’re looking at! The Wetland Centre has had beautiful feathered visitors including goldeneye, pintail, goosander, a red-breasted merganser, as well as the usual flocks of exotic looking ducks such as teal and shoveler. Birdwatching 11.30am-1pm £3 per person plus admission fee.

WHERE’S WALLY FUN RUN 22 March, VICTORIA PARK, Grove Road, Bow E3 5TB, www.literacytrust.org.uk The National Literacy Trust’s ‘Where’s Wally’? themed fun run is back and bigger than ever! The charity is calling on everyone to don bobble hats, glasses and stripy tops in the style of Where’s Wally? and walk, jog or run either 5K or 10K to raise vital funds to improve literacy in deprived communities across the UK. Suitable for runners and walkers of any ability aged eight and over, the event promises to be plenty of fun and participants will be provided with a free official Where’s Wally? costume, based on the well-loved protagonist of the series of children’s books created by British illustrator Martin Handford. The Where’s Wally? fun run is a family friendly event where under eights can take part in fun games and activities too. Money raised will help the charity to provide books and storytelling events for children from low-income homes and one-to-one support for parents who are unconfident with literacy.

19 April, From the Bandstand, ROYAL GREENWICH PARK, Charlton Way, SE10 8QY, 020 8319 9230, www.communityhospice.org.uk Hundreds of local children, aged between 5 and 16 years old, are signing up to complete their own 2.62 mile ‘marathon’ to raise funds for Greenwich & Bexley Community Hospice. The event will start with a fun and energetic warm up led by the team from Greenwich Get Active, before running, walking or jogging their way around Royal Greenwich Park - enjoying the stunning views of London as they go.

All runners raising over £100 in sponsorship will be automatically entered into a free prize draw with the chance to win Go Karting, a Panasonic Smart Blu-ray Disc Player with 3D and restaurant vouchers.

The Hospice hopes to raise £40,000, enough to enable its doctors and nurses to provide specialist care to Hospice patients for one whole week.

Participants are invited to turn up in fancy dress. Registration is £7.50 per child and every child will receive a medal at the finish line.

LEEDS CASTLE 2-19 April, LEEDS CASTLE, near Maidstone, Kent ME17 1PL, 01622 767866, www.leeds-castle.com Leeds Castle has been a Norman stronghold; the private property of six of England’s medieval queens; a palace used by Henry VIII and his first wife Catherine of Aragon; a Jacobean country house; a Georgian mansion; an elegant early 20th century retreat for the influential and famous; and in the 21st century, it has become one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain. Grounds open 10am daily, admission to castle and grounds free for under 4s, children £13.50, adults £21, valid for a whole year.

The second Heath for Health community fun run will raise funds for Cancer Research, Macmillan Nurses and the 999 club in Greenwich.

With sponsorship from Hamptons estate agents, the event will begin with a fun and dynamic dance based warm up followed by a 5km run for adults and families, and a one mile race for children. There will be 1st, 2nd and 3rd places awarded to participants, who are running the event competitively and a race clock so that all entrants can work on personal bests or with the view to improve their time in future events. All runners will receive a bespoke running number and Heath for Health medal.

For complete beginners and families, the organisers plan to provide training sessions FREE of charge to entrants from March. See the event website or Heath for Health Facebook page for updates and more information.

ST CHRISTOPHER’S FUN WALK 17 May, from KESTON COMMON, Kent, 020 8768 4575, www.stchristophers.org.uk/funwalk or email funwalk@stchristophers.org.uk By signing up for this year’s St Christopher’s Fun Walk you’ll be able to help raise essential funds for the south London hospice. Choose from a 3, 5, 7 or 11 mile walk and join in the fun - the more, the merrier! There’ll be prizes for the best fancy dress and the most money raised, with entertainment and refreshments on the common throughout the day.

St Christopher’s cares for over 2,500 dying people each year with 750 patients being cared for in their own homes on any given day. The charity serves an ethnically and socially diverse area of London, covering Lambeth, Southwark, Lewisham, Croydon, and Bromley, and provides education services which benefit healthcare professionals worldwide.

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Families South East Tel: 020 8699 7240 Email: info@familiesse.co.uk Contact: Robina Cowan MAGAZINE DESIGN: Lancasters 020 8658 9975 www.lancasters.co.uk Printed on paper from sustainable forests. www.russellpress.com

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