Education

Primary Maths & If you feel your child would benefit from focussed attention and interaction with our tutors during this challenging period, we are ready and English Tuition eager to help! What’s more, your first lesson is completely free of charge. Book your taster

session today!

LQ7XLWLRQ&OXEVDUHFXUUHQWO\RɛHULQJRXUVHUYLFHVLQRXU

Centre and Online!

We’re providing engaging, affordable, high impact learning for primary aged children during the school closures and into the new academic year. Helping your child succeed through a blended learning approach – bringing together superb classroom technology, the best tutors and teacher created, curriculum aligned learning materials.

“My child really enjoys the interaction online and is showing an increased enthusiasm for learning!”

Try Us for Free!

Complete the online form to book your free taster session!

www.intuitionclubs.com

HOW IT WORKS

We run sessions Mondays to Saturday every week, with personalised tuition sessions available between 10.30am - 6.30pm. There are up to three children in each session.

6 SESSIONS Online

£ 100

Per Month

Maths and English 6 Sessions a Month Booked in advance Small Group Tuition

Each session consists of an interactive warm up activity, individually tailored assignments, regular teaching and a homework task.

Our tutors utilise engaging videos and educational games combined with traditional teaching methods to deliver high quality lessons.

Through interactive whiteboards, online educational content, online collaboration software and our friendly team, we make lessons enjoyable and rewarding.

PLANS AND PRICING

10 SESSIONS Online

£ 130

Per Month

Maths and English 10 Sessions a Month Booked in advance Small Group Tuition

11+ 10 SESSIONS Online

£ 150

Per Month

11+ Verbal and Non-verbal Reasoning 10 Sessions a Month Booked in advance Small Group Tuition

Childcare vouchers accepted, discounts available for key workers and a generous referral programme are available.

Call us for more information: 020 3092 7280 www.intuitionclubs.com

BACK TO SCHOOL

It is that time of year again –“Back To School” – but this time things may feel a little diff erent. With the help of some of our local schools, we’ve complied a comprehensive guide about what to expect and how to support your children through this transition.

NOW AVAILABLE 
 

Clarssroom Saturday School

EMPOWERPOWEREM LEARN ARNLEARN READ READ EXCEL EXCEL SUCCESS SUCCESS CONFIDENCE CONFIDENCE EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE MASTERY MAMASTERY

Highly sought after and recommended professional tutoring, experienced in developing and preparing children to learn, lead and succeed all around

• Focused learning • Reading, English, Maths, Verbal & Non-verbal Reasoning • Enrolling children Ages 3 1/2 to 13 • Saturday, Online and Summer Schools • 4+, 5+ 7+ & 11+ exam success • KS1 & KS2 SATs preparation

St Andrew’s Southgate Primary School

297 Chase Road, London N14 6JA Book a trial and free assessment 9:30am and 11:30am Saturday: 19th September, 26th September, 3rd October & 10th October Call or visit our website now to secure a place for your child 020 3991 6110 www.clarssroom.co.uk

Helping your Child Deal with Change By Samantha Francis

Change can be a challenge for both parent and child, and is very often a trigger for a range of emotions.

Right now, as the world continues its journey back to some kind of ‘normality,’ it is important that you can help your child deal with the many changes that will come with this, including returning to school. Change, when not supported appropriately by a caring adult, can feel like a traumatic experience for a child. This can then manifest as emotional issues down the line, so it is important that a child is supported gently and feels seen and heard when change is occurring. It’s useful to remember also that children connect through fun, so while it is important to talk about change and the feelings associated with it, it’s also necessary to balance this up with time to play. In essence, children need time to process the change but also time away from focussing on it. With the new school year approaching, here are some tips that can support your child:

Deal with your emotions fi rst. Be aware of your own anxiety around the changes you are dealing with. When you can hold space for your own emotions and know how to support yourself, it makes you more able to hold space for your child’s emotions and understand how to help them. Seek support for yourself, even if it is just a chat with a friend. Remember that it is okay to be honest about your own emotions with your child as that will create connection between you and help your child understand that their emotions are also experienced by others.

Prepare your child. Talk about the forthcoming changes. Giving your child advance notice will help them be more prepared. Read books or watch television shows that your child can relate to about the changes they are going to be dealing with. Listen to your child. Validate their feelings. It’s okay for them to feel what they feel. Don’t be tempted to try to rescue them from their feelings or tell them not to worry. By just letting them express how they feel, many children will feel better and this will lead to fi nding solutions to their worries. Observe your child’s physical needs too. If your child exhibits increased anxiety it is also benefi cial to refl ect with them on stressful past events they dealt with successfully.

Samantha Francis is a mum of two, best-selling author and parenting and relationship specialist.

UCS Hampstead

University College School’s Pre Prep is situated within a stone’s throw of the School’s senior site in Hampstead. The Pre Prep is led by the “dynamic” Dr Zoe Dunn and in a recent, the Good Schools Guide were blown away by the breadth of the curriculum and by the warm and friendly atmosphere within the school. They found the boys were “curious, engaged and resourceful” and with such a broad, diverse, creative curriculum it is not diffi cult to see why. Specialist teachers for particular subjects ensure all the children are given they attention they need and each has the opportunity to develop at their own pace. A recent inspection by ISI graded the school as ‘excellent’ and found that it “successfully achieves its aim to provide a happy, supportive and stimulating environment where intellectual curiosity and independence of mind are developed and self-discovery and self-expression are fostered.” The Pre Prep recently won an award for promoting wellbeing. Pupils progress at 7+ into the UCS Junior Branch and from there onto the Senior School. If you would like more information on the UCS Pre Prep or would like to arrange a visit, please see www.ucs.org.uk or call 020 7722 4433.

Here are some useful resources and websites that can help to support you and your child during change and emotional times, including mindset techniques and books.

CBeebies – Helping Children Deal with Change/Helping Children Starting Primary School www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/helping-childrendeal-with-change www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/grownups/how-to-prepareyour-child-for-primary-school

The Art of Simple – 14 Books to Help Ease Children through Transitions www.theartofsimple.net/14-books-to-help-easechildren-through-transitions

The Pathway 2 Success - Making a Coping Strategies Wheel www.thepathway2success.com/how-to-make-acoping-strategies-wheel/

Hand in Hand Parenting – Anxious about Starting School www.handinhandparenting.org/2018/08/anxious-aboutstarting-school/

Starting School by Janet and Allan Ahlberg Available from Amazon

Big Big World by Samantha Francis Available from Amazon

Lyonsdown School welcomes new Head!

As well as welcoming back pupils old and new, Lyonsdown School has also welcomed a new Head this September - Mrs Helen Stanton-Tonner.

Mrs Stanton-Tonner moved from the position of Head at Holland House to join Lyonsdown. She brings with her a breadth of knowledge and many years of leadership experience from a variety of schools across London including Swanbourne House, Francis House Prep School, North London Collegiate and Thomas’s Kensington.

Helen is delighted to be joining Lyonsdown as it embraces all girls’ education, having enjoyed an all girls’ education herself and having seen its benefi ts fi rst-hand within her career. She is also delighted to be joining a proudly non-selective school that achieves impressive success with girls securing places at some of London’s top independent and maintained Senior Schools.

Helen is looking forward to getting to know all members of the Lyonsdown family, as well as meeting prospective parents who are searching for the right school where their daughter can thrive both academically and personally.

LYONSDOWN SCHOOL NEW BARNET Settling in

The fi rst half of this new term will see your child reconnecting with friends and classmates they may not have seen for months, getting to know a new teacher or even settling in at a new school.

Observe how your child feels around communication. Kids are often nervous about making new friends through fear of rejection and some role play might help them in the coming weeks. You could practise some conversation starters or developers to get them feeling confi dent about speaking to new people or getting to know other children better.

If your child has specifi c worries in their fi rst few weeks back at school or is highly anxious about specifi c things or more generally, do share this with their teacher so he/she can support you both.

Teaching your child diff erent types of mindfulness activities such as breathing and relaxation will also help them should they start to feel overwhelmed at school. These techniques can also be useful if they are struggling to settle to sleep at night. Remember that it’s best to practise the techniques fairly frequently in order for your child to be able to implement them confi dently in stressful situations.

LYONSDOWN SCHOOL NEW BARNET

Preparing girls age 3-11 to thrive

Life at Lyonsdown

• begins at age 3: where the allimportant skills are embedded right from the start • is brilliantly busy: with wraparound care from 7.30am to 6pm • prepares girls to secure places at the best selective senior schools

Our NEW Head, Mrs Stanton-Tonner joined Lyonsdown this September. Visit our NEW Virtual (KTPZZPVUZO\I[VÄUKV\[ more, watch our videos or arrange a virtual visit:

www.lyonsdownschool.co.uk

Education

ABERCORN SCHOOL CAVENDISH SCHOOL NW8 Boys and Girls 2 ½ - 13 yrs NW1 Girls 3-11yrs, Boys 3-7 yrs OPEN DAY: Off ering Virtual visits and OPEN DAY: By appointment Virtual Discover mornings www.cavendishschool.co.uk www.abercornschool.com 020 7485 1958 020 7100 4335 CHANNING SCHOOL THE ACADEMY SCHOOL N6 Girls 4-18 yrs NW3 Boys and Girls 6 – 13 yrs OPEN DAY: Junior School Virtual OPEN DAYS: By appointment Open Days– 22 Sept, 6 and 14 Oct www.academyschoolhampstead.com www.channing.co.uk 020 7435 6621 020 83402338 THE AMERICAN SCHOOL IN LONDON DANIA SCANDINAVIAN SCHOOL NW8 Boys and Girls 4-18 yrs N7 Boys & Girls 3– 11 yrs OPEN DAY: Online meetings OPEN DAY: by appointment School available by appointment www.asl.org 020 7449 1200 ANNEMOUNT NURSERY AND www.daniaschool.com 020 7607 4268 DEVONSHIRE HOUSE SCHOOL NW3 Boys & Girls 2½–13 yrs Open Days PRE-PREPARATORY SCHOOL N2 Boys and Girls 3-7 yrs OPEN DAY: by appointment www.annemount.co.uk 020 8455 2132 OPEN DAY: Wed 14 & Thurs 15th Oct and Wed 4th & Thurs 5th Nov www.devonshirehouseschool.co.uk 020 7435 1916 DWIGHT SCHOOL ARNOLD HOUSE SCHOOL N11/12 Boys and Girls 2-18 yrs NW8 Boys 5-13 yrs OPEN DAY: By appointment OPEN DAY: By appointment www.dwightlondon.org www.arnoldhouse.co.uk 020 8920 0637

We aim to be as accurate as 020 7266 4840 FRANCIS HOLLAND SCHOOL possible, but these listings are BELMONT SCHOOL NW1 Girls 4-18 yrs NW7 Boys and Girls 7-13 yrs OPEN DAY: Virtual open mornings – compiled several weeks in OPEN DAY: Saturday 3rd Oct, 22nd Sept and 5th Nov @ 9am advance and therefore may be 9 – 12am www.millhill.org.uk/belmont www.fhs-nw1.org.uk 020 7723 0176 subject to change. Most schools 020 8906 7290 GOODWYN SCHOOL require pre-booking. Please check BROOMFIELD SCHOOL N14 Boys and Girls 11-18 years NW7 Boys and Girls 3-11 yrs OPEN DAY: By appointment before setting out. OPEN DAY: Check social media pages for updates www.goodwyn-school.co.uk 020 8959 3756 www.www.broomfi eld.enfi eld.sch.uk 020 8368 4710     $ 6&+22/ )25 285 &20081,7< '85,1* /2&.'2:1 & (( 1  # /'. '#  383,/6  3+21( &$//6     AND THEIR FAMILIES BEING SUPPORTED WITH HOME TOTALLING  MINUTES WITH EVERY FAMILY RECEIVING LEARNING WELL BEING AND MANY AT LEAST SIX CALLS DURING OTHER ISSUES LOCK DOWN )223  &%&#( ('" " " ('0  "%$'  &#0' ' #    LAUNCHED 'OOGLE #LASSROOM RAPIDLY LISTENING TO PUPILS PARENTS 21/,1( /(66216  PRORITISING OUR PUPILS WELL BEING EDUCATION AND SAFETY WHETHER REMOTELY OR IN SCHOOL 6&+22/ 67$)) AND STAFF TO CONSTANTLY $ /2&$/ 6&+22/ )25 285 /2&$/ &20081,7< IMPROVE OUR TEACHING &$'    !"  ,167$*5$0 32676  &+520(%22.6 #( #  " !#$" KEEPING OUR COMMUNITY DISTRIBUTED TO OUR FAMILIES TO )*+ ),+ )) " $%$%#% TOGETHER ALTHOUGH WE WERE APART USING OUR SOCIAL SUPPORT OUR PUPILS ONLINE LEARNING IF THEY DID NOT HAVE -- MEDIA AND YOUTUBE PROFILES ACCESS )N ADDITION TO THE $F% SUPPORT  $66(0%/,(6  %((6 ALL YEAR GROUPS RECEIVING COLLECTING NECTAR AND BEING  (## ($.# REGULAR ASSEMBLIES ON A LOOKED AFTER BY OUR STAFF /'.  #0 # VARIETY OF TOPICS AND LIVE REWARD ASSEMBLIES AT THE AND NOT FORGETTING THE  DUCKLINGS WHO DECIDED TO END OF TERM MAKE "ROOMFIELD HOMEö 1(: (175$1&( 3/$11(' 21 32:<6 /$1( ,1  WWWBROOMFIELDENFIELDSCHUK :+$7(9(5 &+$//(1*(6 1(;7 7(50 %5,1*6 :( $5( 5($'< 72 6833257                  285 383,/6 )$0,/,(6 $1' 67$))         WWWBROOMFIELDENFIELDSCHUK BROOMFIELD?SCH BROOMFIELD 3CH %NFIELD 12 Families North London

GRANGE PARK PREP SCHOOL N21 Boys & Girls 3-11 yrs OPEN DAY: By appointment www.gpps.org.uk 020 8360 4869

GRIMSDELL SCHOOL NW7 Boys and Girls 3-7 yrs OPEN DAY: Saturday 3rd Oct, 9 – 12am www..millhill.org.uk/grimsdell 020 8959 6884

THE HALL SCHOOL NW3 Boys 4-13 yrs OPEN DAY: By appointment www.hallschool.co.uk 020 7449 6918

HENDON PREP SCHOOL NW4 Boys and Girls 2-13 yrs OPEN DAY: Contact the school for further information www.hendonprep.co.uk 020 82037727

HEREWARD HOUSE SCHOOL HAMPSTEAD NW3 Boys 4-13 yrs OPEN DAY: By appointment www.herewardhouse.co.uk 020 7794 4820

HIGHGATE SCHOOL N6 Boys and Girls 3-18 yrs OPEN DAY: Entry 4+ 26th Sep and 3rd Oct www.highgateschool.org.uk 020 8347 3564

HYLAND HOUSE SCHOOL N17 Boys and Girls ages 2-11 years OPEN DAY: Contact the school for further information www.hylandhouseschool.org 020 8520 4186 KEBLE PREP SCHOOL N21 Boys 4- 13 yrs OPEN DAY: 10th Oct 10-12am www.kebleprep.co.uk 020 8360 3359

KING ALFRED SCHOOL NW11 Boys and Girls 4-18 yrs OPEN DAY: Contact the school for details regarding virtual events www.kingalfred.org.uk 020 8457 5285

LYNDHURST HOUSE SCHOOL NW3 Boys 4-13 yrs OPEN DAY: Wed 14th Oct and Thurs 29th Oct www.lyndhursthouse.co.uk 020 7435 4936

LYONSDOWN PREP SCHOOL EN5 Girls 3-11 yrs OPEN DAY: Thu 10 Oct & Thu 15 Nov 10:00 www.lyonsdownschool.co.uk 020 8449 0225

NORFOLK HOUSE SCHOOL N10 Boys and Girls 4-11 yrs OPEN DAY: By appointment www.norfolkhouseschool.org 020 8883 4584

MILL HILL SCHOOL NW7 Boys and Girls 13-18 yrs OPEN DAY: Saturday 3rd Oct, 9 – 12am www.millhill.org.uk 020 8906 7923

NORTH BRIDGE HOUSE SCHOOL NW1/3 Boys and Girls 2yrs 9mths - 18 yrs OPEN DAY: See Page 14 for a full list of dates www.northbridgehouse.com 020 7267 6266/ 02074281520

Hyland House

Hyland House is your Seventh-day Adventist school in London where each child is safe, valued, known and loved personally. We off er Christian education for pupils from ages 2 to 11, taught by committed, professional, caring and creative teachers. The school has a warm, friendly atmosphere: pupils are supported to achieve their potential but are also fi rmly, but kindly, disciplined when necessary. Children are introduced to Jesus, taught worthwhile character trains and motivated to develop an attitude of “achieving excellence”. The School Ethos is to show love, joy, kindness, perseverance and self-control. These values are to help children to grow into resilient, well-rounded, moral citizens with characters of which society can be proud.

The school provides varied after-school activities to enhance pupils’ experience and also provide opportunities to enter competitions, develop drama skills, present their productions and enhance public speaking ability.

Your child would be nurtured and encouraged to develop their full potential. For more information please email the headteacher at info@hylandhouseschool.org

Psalm 127:3 “ …children are a heritage from the Lord.”

NORTH LONDON RUDOLF STEINER SCHOOL N8 Boys and Girls 0-7 yrs OPEN DAY: By appointment www.rudolfsteiner.london.sch.uk 020 8341 3770

PALMERS GREEN HIGH SCHOOL N21 Girls 13-16 yrs OPEN DAY: Sat 10th Oct 9:30 – 12am http://www.pghs.co.uk 020 8886 1135

ST ANTHONY’S SCHOOL NW3 Boys 4-13 yrs Open Day: By appointment www.stanthonysprep.org.uk 020 7431 1066

ST ANTHONY’S SCHOOL FOR GIRLS NW11 Girls 4-13 yrs OPEN DAY: By appointment www.stanthonysprep.org.uk 020 7431 1066

ST MARGARET’S SCHOOL HAMPSTEAD NW3 Girls 4-16 yrs OPEN DAY: Virtual visits - Thur 24th Sep and 1st Oct www.st-margarets.co.uk 020 7435 2439

MOUNT HOUSE SCHOOL EN4 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs OPEN DAY: By appointment www.mounthouse.org.uk 020 8449 6889

ST MARTIN’S SCHOOL MILL HILLLL NW7 Boys and Girls 3-11 yrs OPEN DAY: By appointment www.stmartinsmillhill.co.uk 020 8959 1965 ST PAUL’S STEINER SCHOOL N1 Boys and Girls 3-14 yrs OPEN DAY: Wednesdays at 9:30am and Fridays at 2:00pm www.stpaulssteinerschool.org 020 7226 4454

SALCOMBE PREP SCHOOL N14 Boys and Girls 3-11 yrs OPEN DAY: Thurs 24th Sep from 9:15am www.salcombeprep.co.uk 020 8441 5356

SARUM HALL SCHOOL GIRLS NW3 3-11 yrs OPEN DAY: By appointment www.sarumhallschool.co.uk 020 7794 2261

SOUTH HAMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL NW3 Girls 4-18 yrs OPEN DAY: Virtual events by appointment www.shhs.gdst.net 020 7435 2899

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE SCHOOL NW3 4-18 yrs OPEN DAY: 11+ 14th Sep and 1st Oct www.ucs.org.uk 020 7722 4433

CHILDREN AGED 2 - 11 YEARS OLD

SEPT

ADMISSION

WHAT DO WE OFFER? • Spiritual development • Character development • Academic excellence • Small classes • A loving and caring atmosphere • Great friendships CONTACT US NOW AT: 97 Holcombe Road, Tottenham, London N17 9AB Tel: 0208 520 4186 Email: info@hylandhouseschool.org Web: hylandhouseschool.org

This September, the highly successful North Bridge House School extends its unique, specialist off ering to families in West Hampstead, with its sixth campus now open.

New home, existing expertise

North Bridge House Nursery and PrePrep West Hampstead joins the school’s established campuses in Hampstead, Islington and Regent’s Park, providing mixed ability co-education for ages 2 to 18. Building on the school’s established Early Years and Key Stage 1 expertise, the brand-new facilities use sustainable products wherever possible and 3D immersive technology to facilitate the creative and forward-thinking curriculum. Under Executive Head Christine McLelland, who has made the group’s longstanding Nursery and Pre-Prep Schools in Hampstead high-achieving and popular north London destinations for children aged 2 to 7 years, the new campus prepares pupils for the sought after NBH Prep School without the stress of entrance exams. “What sets North Bridge House apart is that our Nursery School is totally focused on the Early Years Foundation Stage and the Pre-Prep is focused solely on Key Stage 1. Every member of staff is an expert in these age groups and therefore every interaction that the children experience is age appropriate,” the Executive Head explains. “The staff are all working towards the same objectives, speaking a common language, and our academic outcomes speak for themselves,” says Mrs McLelland.

Top results

Children progress from Reception having become confi dent mathematicians, able to read and write their own stories at just 5-years-old, while at the end of Year 2 (KS1), 42 per cent of pupils perform in the top 4 per cent of the country for literacy and 50 per cent perform in the top 4 per cent for numeracy. While North Bridge House has grown from strength to strength, celebrating results well above the national average at every stage of its academically nonselective, all-through independent education for ages 2 to 18, the Nursery and Pre-Prep provision itself has proven to develop the fundamental skills upon which pupils’ future successes are built. Happy and high achieving

The new Nursery and Pre-Prep is committed to providing the same enjoyable learning experience, curiosity for knowledge and true sense of achievement as the established NBH Nursery and Pre-Prep Schools. It uses beautifully designed creative spaces to facilitate not just the academic achievement of its young pupils, but their all-important personal development too. Adopting a holistic, child centric approach to pupils’ learning and progression, NBH Nursery and Pre-Prep West Hampstead boasts a soft play area and vegetable garden, and will enhance the growth, development and wellbeing of its pupils through initiatives like Philosophy for Children (P4C) and an annual playground petting zoo. “We want to be as organic as possible and to provide the children with as many unique opportunities as possible in this central London location, including growing their own vegetables in our garden and looking after chickens in our chicken coup. Additionally, with our state-of-the-art immersive technology we can off er something that I know our competitors cannot,” says Head of School, Mrs Eilish Sleator. Broader horizons

As well as the attainment enhancing P4C programme which has already proven a success at the Nursery and Pre-Prep Schools in Hampstead (The Education Endowment Foundation found that a year of philosophy results in two-month’s additional progress in reading and maths), the West Hampstead campus will harness inspiration the Headteacher has taken from the Middle and Far East. “While it’s important that we continue to run with well-established and thriving initiatives like the Pre-Prep Eco Team, who at the ages of just 6 and 7 have set up a battery recycling bank in the school and are running a “Lights Out Day”, and the Lego Build Club in which pupils have combined coding and robotics to bring designs to life with fully functioning motion sensors, the new facilities will give us the opportunity to further build on pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. I am looking to bring a new sense of wonderment to children’s learning and broaden their global perspective from the very outset of their education. From 3D immersive spaces to a Cabinet of Curiosities, the

school has been designed as a tranquil yet exciting hub of education where children will learn through discovery and investigation, and be able to contextualise and share their learning experiences beyond the four walls of their classroom,” concludes the forwardthinking Headteacher. For more details or to make an enquiry, call 020 7428 1520 Register your interest: admissionsenquiries@northbridgehouse. com

Open days at north bridge house school

Nursery & pre-prep West Hampstead (2 – 7 years) Now open Tours throughout September – November Nursery & pre-prep Hampstead (2 – 7 years) Tuesday 6 October Tuesday 3 November Tuesday 24 November Prep school Regent’s Park (7 – 13 years) Friday 25 September Friday 16 October Senior Hampstead (11 – 16 years) Saturday 12 September Thursday 1 October Thursday 5 November Senior Canonbury (11 - 18 years) Saturday 26 September Wednesday 14 October Tuesday 10 November Thursday 19 November Book an open day at northbridgehouse.com/open, or call 020 7428 1520 for more information. Virtual events and private tours available.

inTuition Clubs...

inTuition Clubs provide engaging, aff ordable, and high-quality tuition in Maths and English for primary aged children; they also off er a specialised tuition course to help children prepare for the 11+.

inTuition clubs off er tuition both in their state-of-the-art centre in Finchley and online, allowing them to cater nationwide. Their modern tuition sessions are delivered in small groups or 1 to 1 classes, by qualifi ed and experienced tutors, who are passionate about education.

100% aligned to the UK national curriculum, their tuition sessions combine both leading edge technology and physical learning tools within an inspiring environment to ensure your child receives A truly modern blended learning experience The ethos of intuition Clubs is rooted in fuelling your child’s ambition and learning aspirations to develop a consistent ‘desire for continuous learning’. This is done through a praisebased approach where your child will be challenged, recognised and rewarded. In addition to focusing on academic achievement, inTuition Clubs embrace

a more rounded and robust approach to assessing your child’s needs when you join. This assessment enables inTuition Clubs to adjust the session content, delivery style and child-tutor communication in a way that is tailored to each child’s optimum learning style. If you feel your child could benefi t from extra support with English and Maths or the 11+, inTuition tutors are ready to help! www.intuitionclubs.com 020 3092 7280

Kumon’s maths and English study programmes work to develop your child’s confidence and independent study skills so they excel throughout the new term and beyond.

Contact your local Instructor for a free assessment.

Archway 020 8347 6792 Arnos Grove 020 8889 2826 Edmonton Green 07548 996 680 Enfield Town 020 8361 1489 Finchley East 020 8361 5609

Hornsey 07912 643 178 Islington 07785 713 671 Whetstone 020 8440 6616 Wood Green 020 8362 0960

Fees vary. Please refer to your local study centre. kumon.co.uk

Reception Testing Delayed to 2021 The government’s plan to introduce Reception Baseline Assessment (RBA) will be delayed until September 2021 because of the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In September 2017, the Department for Education announced that a new start-of-school assessment for children ages 4 and 5 would be introduced as a baseline measure to track progress during primary school. Children who start Reception in September 2021 will be the fi rst group to take the new RBA during the fi rst six weeks of the autumn term. The test is due to eventually replace key stage 1 SATs in providing the baseline on which pupil progress scores are based. The new tests have been criticised by some teachers, Head Teachers and parents, who claim it is unnecessary, will cause distress and could damage children’s future learning.

More info: www.gov.uk/guidance/reception -baseline-assessment

Mars Montessori

Adapting for a Positive Settling-in

The busiest time in a nursery is usually the fi rst weeks of September where the largest number of new children are welcomed. Children settle into nursery in lots of diff erent ways and staff at Mars Montessori use their experience over many years to make this a positive time for all children and parents.

Mars Montessori have had to adapt certain elements due to current pandemic related restrictions; for example, they temporarily stopped home visits to abide by social distancing rules. Children that have settled-in between June and September have responded well to the new zoom introductions, the normal drop-in sessions, and initial settling-in schedule. Some children need more support than others and using their home language, home routine, transition books and other measures, Mars Montessori help build that all important trust. They look forward to seeing their new joiners fl ourish in their care!

www.bilingualnurseries.com

An A-Z of Early Years Activities By GabrielleNash

The minutes and hours can pass slowly when you are entertaining a child under 5. So here is a theme for every day of the alphabet to help you out when you need new activity ideas!

ANIMAL HUNT Go searching for the tiny creepy crawly kind, the chirpy in the tree tops kind and the more exciting kind found in zoos and farms!

BAKING Save those overripe bananas and bake some muffi ns. Or let little hands enjoy rolling out some biscuit dough. Anything with diff erent textures will entice help introduce your little one to unfamiliar foods.

CARDBOARD BOX CREATION Save the next one you get. What can it be? A pirate ship, a car, or a doll’s bed? Colour it in or cut it up – it doesn’t matter!

DEN BUILDING Build one indoors with chairs and sheets or head to a local wood or park and gather large pieces of wood. It doesn’t have to be a work of art to spark the imagination. Is it just a den, or is it cave for monsters?

ENVELOPE ENDEAVOURS Pop in photos, stickers, a letter or card and send to a friend or family member. Kids always love sticking the stamps and visiting the post box. FILM FUN Enjoy a fi lm at home and make a game of it! Make popcorn, print off “cinema tickets” (maybe even “charge” entrance!) and settle down with a family favourite. Perfect for a rainy day! GARDEN GROWING It does not have to be big! You can create a garden suitable for kids very simply; a patch of soil for digging or planting some fl owers or veg, a few old bowls and spoons for mud pies and access to a bucket of water! HIKING Okay, maybe not up Ben Nevis, but get your kids excited about a little “hike.” Pack a small bag, grab a snack, fi ll a water bottle. Staying active with your kids is key to healthy living. IMAGINARY PLAY It is so easy, with few props needed and little ones LOVE it when you make up a game. Get them to be a patient at the doctors, the receptionist at the dentist or taking their dog to the vet. JUMBLE SALE JOLLIES Get your little one involved with going though old things that need passing on to charity or selling at a jumble sale. Help them understand we need to pass things on to other people who need and want them to make way for new clothes and toys. KICKABOUT Never underestimate the benefi ts of getting out to your local park for a kickabout with a ball – plus some running, jumping, sliding and shouting! LEARNING THROUGH PLAY … is the best way! Playing i-spy on a country walk helps to identify letters and sounds. Spotting diff erent coloured cars, teaches younger ones their colours! MUD MESS! And lots of it. Yes, it is messy, but it’s amazing fun for little ones. Get them making mud pies in the garden or doing some mud mark making on a wet walk. NOISE Bang old pans with infants, pick out a tune or rhythm with bells or drums with older ones. Sing songs loudly; clap hands softly. OUTDOOR PAINTING Collect leaves or stones and paint them! Add some food colouring to bubbles and “paint” windows – it will wash off ! PUZZLES Jigsaw puzzles are a great way to develop fi ne motor skills, spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination, as well as a quiet way of sharing a special few minutes together. QUIET It’s essential for everyone’s peace of mind! Try encouraging your little one to fi nd fun in quieter things, whether it’s small world toys, looking at books, colouring, or painting. READING When you settle down with a story at the end of the day, make it special. Try diff erent voices to captivate your child’s imagination. Develop that love of books as early as possible. SAFARI SPECIAL Place some toy animals (or pictures of animals) in unusual places around your home and/garden. Then take a piece of paper and pen and go on safari with your little ones, writing down the animals you see. Try out your best David Attenborough impersonation. They will not get it, but it will make you giggle. TREASURE TIME Make a map and hide some “treasure.” Throw together some pirate accessories or costumes (make a paper hat, or grab a toy sword) and navigate through your home/garden/park to fi nd the treasure. Don’t forget to battle those pirates along the way! UNDER THE STARS As the nights evenings draw in, there’s a great opportunity to get a wow moment from a toddler by looking outside and showing them all the twinkling lights from galaxies far, far away. VIRTUAL FUN There are going to be times when being at home is the only option. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. Go online and try: a virtual roller coaster ride, a journey through the Amazon or even a rocket launch! (Visit our lockdown issues at (insert link to your Issuu stack) for some great virtual fun.) WATER WISE Whether it is the warm bubbly kind in the evening bath or the cold splashy kind from a sprinkler, a wise person once said: when a child is grumpy “just add water.”

X-RAY Take a roll of paper and draw round your child. Stick it on the fl oor and, as you draw in some bones, talk to them about bones in their body and what they help you do.

YOGA They are never too young to learn how to pause and breathe. There are some great options on Youtube with fun kid friendly themes. ZZZZ…. For many children, it’s hard to unwind at bedtime. So why not try to make it into more of a game, albeit a relaxing one. “Where has the toothbrush gone? It’s tucked up in bed with your pyjamas, let us get them on now.” Or: “What are your toys doing? They’re all sitting down to listen to this bedtime story.” For more from Gaby, follow her on Instagram @thelondonishmum