Winter is nearly done! March can still be cold and dreary but at least finer weather is just around the corner... it’s time to dust off the cobwebs and get the family outside! We have the perfect incentive in this issue with eight family projects that will reconnect your family with nature, either in the kids garden or nearby.
Meanwhile Easter is coming! Make sure you get your calendar and check out our What’s On section for the Easter weekend and school holidays. As always, there are some fabulous events and activities for families happening locally.
Are you wondering about the role of AI like ChatGPT in your child’s education? Find out in our Education feature. If your child is experiencing emotionally based school refusal, learn what you can do to help, as well as reading our interview with a family who are home educating one of their children.
Finally, in this issue, we have Kent and Stowe Gardening Tool Sets to giveaway! Apply inside. By doing so, you’ll also ensure you receive our digital magazine with lots more content and goodies on offer.
Carla
This product is made of material from well-managed, FSC®certified forests and other controlled sources.
November/December issue giveaway winners Congratulations to all our winners. You can find a list at www.bit.ly/ND24recipients
Families North Yorkshire is a franchise of Families Print Ltd of 75 Lisbon Avenue, Twickenham, TW2 5HL. Families is a registered trademark of Families Print Ltd. All franchised magazine in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. The contents of Families North Yorkshire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families North Yorkshire. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but the franchise owner and Families Print Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.
ChatGPT and your child
By Erin Miller
An increasing area of concern for both schools and parents is how children are incorporating AI into their learning, particularly when they are learning independently.
While AI offers tremendous opportunities to enhance learning, it is also essential to be aware of the potential negative impacts that AI may have. This article explores some of the risks of children using AI in their learning but also provides some guidance for when and how children can use AI in a productive and useful way.
As a teacher, I now frequently use AI tools to assist me in my lesson planning and they have been hugely beneficial in saving my time.
The reason why I am confident in using AI tools is because when AI produces a response, I am able to fact-check it myself. After over ten years of teaching, it is clear to me when AI has produced erroneous information or not responded to my prompt with the information I’m looking for.
However, children, especially younger children, will not have developed this critical faculty as they do not yet have subject expertise. Therefore, children blindly relying on information produced by AI is not conducive to learning.
The main lesson that I impart to my students surrounding the use of AI is: AI cannot do your thinking for you.
Children at all ages need to understand that AI provides a great platform for researching factual information but using AI to come
Prompts and context
Here are a few tips to share with your child if they are using AI tools in their independent learning:
Use precise prompts. AI tools are only as good as the prompts they ar given. The more precise the prompt, the more accurate the response.
For example, if your child is researching the Tudors, instead of using the prompt ‘tell me about the Tudors,’ suggest they are more specific and use a prompt such as ‘give autobiographical details about Henry VIII’. If your child is researching a wide area, discuss prompts they can use and design them together before beginning to use the AI tool.
Provide context. If AI tools are not providing the desired response, try adding more context. For example, if your child is researching the Romans, which is a huge area of history, they should include places and dates to get more specific information e.g. ‘Tell me about the Roman invasion of Britain in AD43.’ This may sound obvious but children will often simply search ‘Roman Britain’ or similar.
up with ideas in creative tasks puts a stop to thinking.
The same applies to tasks where children are being asked to make interpretations or give their opinions on something. There is no viable shortcut for thinking, as the process of deep thought is invaluable in forming neural pathways, which is how children remember information.
AI tools are a part of our present and future and children should engage with them, where appropriate. But schools and parents should be aligned in how to introduce children to AI and help them engage with it safely and responsibly.
Your child’s school may have an AI policy in place, which is worth reviewing if you have any concerns. As this technology continues to evolve, schools are likely to be open to hearing your thoughts and feedback on their AI policies and usage. So don’t hesitate to reach out to your child’s school to continue this important conversation!
Erin Miller is a teacher with a keen interest in how research can be used in the classroom to improve learning.
Further guidance for AI use
If your child is using AI tools in their independent learning, try the following to help them to use AI effectively and responsibly:
Encourage your child to go into the sources referenced by the AI and read the full source to check that the information given by the AI tool is accurate.
Start conversations about plagiarism early. Unfortunately, AI has provided a way for children to plagiarise and disguise this plagiarisation. AI is able to produce whole essays or examples of creative writing and these can be put through ‘humanising’ tools, which give the essays a more human voice, making plagiarism harder to detect. Conversations at home about plagiarism will go a long way in helping your child understand the seriousness of academic dishonesty and the harm it will do their own learning in the long term.
Discuss with your child whether AI will help them in their learning task. AI is unlikely to help genuine learning in creative tasks that require imagination but is a fantastic tool for factual research.
Supporting a child with emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA)
By Lucy Alexandra Spencer and Francesca Wells
Emotionally-based school avoidance (EBSA) can be a distressing experience both for children and parents. Here’s how to effectively engage with your child and support them through the different stages of this challenge.
Initial hesitation and reluctance (over 90% attendance)
In the early stages, reluctance to go to school is often accompanied by minor complaints about feeling unwell. When this happens, your child needs a safe space for conversation. Sit down with your child and ask open questions about their feelings towards school. Use active listening techniques like nodding, maintaining eye contact and summarising what they say. Key at this stage is validating their feelings by acknowledging that it’s okay to feel anxious and enquiring if there is any action you can take to help.
Increased non-attendance (less than 90% attendance)
As anxiety escalates, your child may either exhibit more pronounced signs of distress or just shut down completely. Ask about scenarios that cause the most difficulty and discuss strategies to help them. Offer to share your child’s concerns with their school and discuss what support the school can provide. It’s very important for your child to identify adults who they feel comfortable with and for you to feed this back to the school.
Refusal to attend
As a rule, we try to avoid the term ‘refusal’ as it suggests wilfulness, which can unfairly stigmatise a child. Understand that a child is not simply refusing school; they are likely experiencing significant emotional distress. Validate these feelings with statements such as: ‘I can see how much this is affecting you.’ Most importantly, book a meeting with the school to discuss
The effects of cortisol
When children face situations they perceive as stressful they may experience symptoms like increased heart rate and irritability, headaches or stomach aches. Over time, elevated cortisol levels can lead to chronic stress, further exacerbating feelings of anxiety and avoidance behaviours. School avoidance can be further explained by Hebbian Learning Theory: repeated stress responses from school anxiety reinforce negative associations with school and where the child’s brain becomes wired to associate school with stress and danger. Eventually, the fight or flight response causes the child to avoid and shut down from school.
Parents can take several actions to help reduce cortisol levels in their children. Establishing a calming routine after school, including activities like drawing or mindfulness exercises, can promote relaxation. Encourage open communication, allowing children to express their feelings about school. Physical activities such as sports or outdoor play can also help alleviate stress. Lastly, ensuring adequate sleep and maintaining a balanced diet contribute to overall emotional well-being, further reducing cortisol levels.
strategies like ELSA support, reduced timetables, therapeutic support or alternative provision.
Building a support network
Throughout the process, encourage your child to share their feelings and stay connected to trusted adults like teachers, family members and peers both from school and out of school settings. Helping them to maintain a collaborative support network is hugely valuable – just don’t forget to do the same yourself.
Lucy Spencer is founder of Education Boutique (www.educationboutique.co.uk), which provides in-person tutoring for children, schools and local authorities, designed to meet individual needs and ensuring that each child can access the right resources at their own pace. If you need support before a meeting with your child’s school, please contact them for free advice.
Dealing with masking
For many children, especially those who have anxiety or neurodivergent traits, ‘masking,’ where they consciously suppress their true feelings, thoughts and challenges to fit in - can be a common response during the school day.
While this coping mechanism may help them navigate the social situations and academic demands of the school environment, it is a challenge that can often come at a significant emotional cost. After a long day of masking, children may feel exhausted and overwhelmed.
Decompression time is essential for allowing children to unwind and process their day. After school, you can make sure your child has decompression time by making a healthy snack available and by avoiding immediately bombarding them with questions. This allows them to unwind and enjoy a moment of peace in a safe, nurturing space. Encourage them to relax and process their day at their own pace.
After they’ve had some time to recharge, engage them in gentle conversation, fostering an environment where they feel safe to share their thoughts and feelings when they’re ready.
Meet the head
What inspired you to teach and later to become a Head?
My first ever teaching job was in a women’s prison, when I was 23. I wasn’t qualified, but a contact at the prison thought I might be good at teaching. Seeing the impact that a lack of caring education could have on an individual really inspired me to start teaching young children. I wanted to be part of ensuring that all children had access to a good, fulfilling life. From then on, I did lots of interesting teaching jobs in many different places and tried to gain as much experience as I could. I climbed the career ladder pretty slowly, balancing it with raising a young family and making sure that I still kept teaching (not just managing!). I finally decided to become a Head after working as a Deputy for someone I found really inspirational; he really believed in me and made me realise I could go for it.
What do you enjoy most about being the head of Pocklington Prep School?
I absolutely love the people that I meet. Staff, children and parents are all delightful. They are a down to earth bunch who really believe in our school values of courage, truth and trust. I love that I still get to do lots of teaching in different year groups, but I can balance that with using my imagination and creativity - making big strategic decisions that have a positive impact on the lives of all those connected with the Foundation. I really mean it when I say that working as a Head at Pocklington Prep School is my dream job.
What do you think is the hardest part of education today for pupils?
I think we live in an information-rich society. This can be amazing, but it can be overwhelming, too. A skilled teacher knows how to filter that information, making it accessible to their classes. However, children must learn much earlier how to negotiate all the information they are bombarded with from the internet, television, school, parents and friends. This generation of pupils will need to learn how to effectively ‘switch off’ from the bombardment of information and how to be discerning about what they do and don’t trust. I think that is a lot to ask
of a child! If I could offer one piece of advice to any parent it would be to delay getting your child a smart phone for as long as possible.
How do you get the pupils to give back to the community? Our Charity Reps do the most fantastic job of this! They coordinate the charity we are going to support each year by organising presentations to the whole school, followed by a democratic vote. They then devise amazing fundraising activities (my personal favourite being a ‘silent celebration assembly’) and ensure the whole community is engaged. We also do things like carol singing at a Care Home, food bank donations, bringing local nurseries to see our Nativity and eco-friendly initiatives such as coordinating the recycling of batteries. We really do ensure that our pupils see themselves as part of our wider Pocklington community from a very early age.
What is something about you that nobody knows? Well, this could be a very telling question! I’m quite a competitive person, so something that I don’t tend to talk about is that when I was a Brownie, I only ever achieved two badges. My older sister had a double row of badges all down her arm, and I only ever managed ‘Performance’ and ‘Hostess’. Still, I think I’m probably over it now…
Pocklington School are delighted to welcome the newest member of the Pocklington School Foundation, Little Pips Nursery for Children aged 0-4 opening in September 2025. With a focus is on creating an inclusive, high-quality learning environment where children can thrive and develop independence, guided by their interests and natural curiosity. www.littlepips.com
www.pocklingtonschool.com
Ms Suzy Ward, Head of Pocklington Prep School
Noah’s story: a home education journey
In 2023, the Department for Education found there were an estimated 86,200 home educated pupils known to local authorities, a rise from 80,900 less than a year before. Families talks to one of its Editors about the home educating journey her family is taking with her son, Noah.
How old is your son and what led you to start home educating him?
Noah is now 14 years old and has been home educated for a year. We felt we had no choice but to withdraw him from school due to his extreme anxiety and the school’s failure to meet his needs.
What kind of support did you receive from the school when you raised your concerns and where do you think support needed to be better?
Initially, the school allowed Noah a flexible timetable, letting him come in a few minutes late and leave early to avoid the crowd of 1,600 students. They also let him work in the Student Development Centre instead of attending classes where he felt more anxious.
However, this was only a short-term solution that didn’t provide him with any real education. We enquired about flexi-schooling but the school refused to consider this option. Schools are overstretched with the increasing SEN population and lack of funding. We requested a meeting with the SENCO team but the earliest they could meet us was four weeks later.
What concerns did you have about home education?
Deciding to home educate was tough. I felt a lot of guilt, wondering if it was the right choice and whether I could provide Noah with the education he needs to achieve his future goals. I was also worried about the social aspect but he actually talks to his friends more now than he did when he was in school.
What official steps did you need to take?
We sent an official deregistration email to the headteacher, who then notified the Elective Home Education (EHE) team at the local council. We received our first contact from the EHE within a week. We opted to keep everything in writing with the EHE team rather than face to face, so we are now required to provide a yearly written report of what Noah has been learning and his progression.
How did you figure out your approach to home educating? It was trial and error! Noah prefers structure, so he has set subjects on set days but can choose the order in which he completes them. We also have three other children in mainstream education, so we try to fit Noah’s education around their school schedule, leaving evenings and weekends for family and friends.
How did your family and Noah experience the first few weeks of home educating?
Initially the focus was on building Noah’s confidence and allowing him to reset after the trauma of the previous months. We also discovered together that he is a visual and hands-on learner, which suits his dyslexia better than traditional learning methods.
What resources are available for parents who are home educating?
The most valuable resource we found was joining a supportive home education community on Facebook - Home Education for All (HEFA) UK. There’s a wealth of information, from legal aspects to finding what works best for your family. Many areas also have local Home Ed groups and attractions often offer Home Ed sessions similar to school trips.
Which resources have you found the most useful?
We use various resources but a few of our favourites are The £2 Tuition Hub (www.thetwopoundtuitionhub.com), Oak Academy (www.thenational.academy), Continuity Oak (www.continuityoak.org.uk/lessons), SouthWest Science School (www.southwestscienceschool.com), also Absolute Maths (www.home.absolutemathscourse.co.uk).
Equally, learning opportunities are everywhere. We are lucky to have the internet at our fingers, a local library and live in an area where we can investigate nature, historic buildings and museums within half an hour of our doorstep.
Does your son have a set curriculum?
Noah wants to sit his GCSEs, so we follow the national curriculum for those subjects, even though home-educated children are not legally required to take exams.
What have you learned about education through home education?
The biggest lesson is how outdated the traditional education system is. As the saying goes, you can’t fit a square peg into a round hole. Children have different needs and learning styles, yet we are pushing them all through a one-size-fits-all system.
How does your son socialise now that he’s not in school?
He attends the local scouting group and spends time gaming with friends he made while in school.
How is his well-being now?
Noah is much happier and more relaxed. Friends and family have noticed the difference in him, saying it’s like he can breathe now. His sense of humour and cheekiness have really developed and he often has us all laughing.
Do you envisage him going back to mainstream education at any point?
We have left the decision up to Noah. We won’t force him either way. We check in with him regularly and he currently says he doesn’t see himself going back to school in the future.
For advice on the law around home educating, visit www.childlawadvice.org.uk/information-pages/homeeducation
Divorce Stalemate: Overcoming the Impasse
By Katie Audsley, Family Lawyer – Hartlaw LLP
Reaching an impasse in a divorce can be emotionally taxing, whether it’s related to your children, division of assets, or any other matter, this can extend the duration of the divorce and increase the emotional and financial strain for everyone involved. When you hit a deadlock and are unable to agree on key issues what can you do?
Getting Stuck
This usually happens when you have differing views or emotional investments in certain issues, making compromise feel impossible. It can lead to heightened emotion and for some, it may feel like the relationship is dragging on, even though the goal is to move forward. This can trigger feelings of frustration, anger and helplessness. These emotions can cloud judgment, making it harder to work towards a resolution. If this is how it is feeling understand that it is normal and you are not alone.
Getting Unstuck
While reaching an impasse can feel like a point of no return, there are several strategies to help you move forward and reach a resolution.
1. Mediation: Mediation involves a neutral third-party mediator who helps facilitate discussions and guide both parties toward a compromise.
2. Collaborative Divorce: In a collaborative divorce, both parties work together with their legal representatives to negotiate the terms of the divorce outside of court. If an impasse occurs, the couple and their lawyers can find new solutions, involve additional experts, such as financial planners or child specialists.
3. Arbitration: arbitration is a more formal alternative. An arbitrator, hears both sides and makes binding decisions on the issues.
4. Counselling: Sometimes, an impasse in a divorce reflects deeper emotional issues that may be addressed through counselling. Couples may seek therapy, separately or together, to work through their emotions and reframe the process in a way that’s less combative.
5. Taking a Break: In some cases, stepping back from negotiations for a while can help. Both parties may need time to cool off, reflect on the situation, and reevaluate their positions before they return with fresh perspectives.
6. Court Intervention: If all else fails, and you cannot reach agreement, the last resort is to go to court. A judge can make the final decisions on any unresolved issues. While this option can be emotionally draining and expensive, it may be necessary when no other method works.
Preventing an Impasse
There are steps that can be taken early on to reduce the chances of a stalemate:
• Clear Communication: Honest and open communication between both parties is key. A willingness to listen and compromise can help both sides avoid getting stuck in a battle. The right lawyer should understand and be able to work in a way that does not increase the temperature.
• Set Realistic Expectations: Divorce is rarely a win-or-lose situation. Both parties should have realistic expectations of what they can and cannot achieve in the process.
• Seek Professional Guidance Early: Consulting with legal representatives or financial advisors from the outset can help clarify expectations, reduce misunderstandings, and prevent conflicts.
If you require any advice or assistance in relation to any aspect of family law, please do not hesitate to contact us. Dianne, Kate or Katie in our family team offer a free initial consultation. Please do contact us by calling 01937 547000 or email info@hartlaw.co.uk
Kate Robinson Partner, Collaborative Lawyer & Mediator
Katie Audsley Family Lawyer
What’s On? Mar/Apr
All listings are correct at the time of publication. Please check with the venues before you visit incase anything has changed
RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Guess How Much I Love You - A garden adventure
The Guess How Much I Love You Garden Adventure is a trail inspired by the book of the same name along with the seasonal collection I love you all year round. The trail contains a series of activities that encourage children to learn through play, using the senses and engaging with shapes and colours to explore the garden in a thoughtful and playful way.
Monk Park Farm
Bluey & Bingo
Join Bluey and Bingo on the farm this March for an unforgettable day of family fun, including special meetand-greet sessions!
Yorkshire Museum
Star Carr
Discover what human life was like 11,000 years ago, a few hundred years after the last Ice Age, through an exciting and interactive new exhibition Star Carr: Life after the ice which brings together wonderful artefacts from one the most famous Mesolithic sites in the world.
Great Yorkshire Showground, Harrogate Springtime Live
JA fabulous fun family event which allows children to get close to farm animals from chicks to lambs, piglets to calves, goats and rare breed sheep. Once inside, all demonstrations and handson workshops are FREE. Tickets can only be booked in advance and will not be available to purchase on the gate.
Bolton Abbey Easter Trail 2025 Wind your way through Strid Wood, while on the lookout for the larger than life bunnies tucked away among the trees.
Eden Camp
Easter Family Fun
Activities
Embark on a family-friendly adventure to Eden Camp Modern History Museum this Easter, where you and your family will journey back in time to explore the sights, sounds, and even the smells of what life was like on both the Home Front and Front Line during the Second World War.
Fountains Abbey & Studley
Royal
Easter Egg Hunt
Embark on a family-friendly
Make your way along the Easter adventure trail and find activities for the whole family. Explore the beautiful gardens and historic abbey ruins of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal.
Nunnington Hall
Easter Adventures
Visit Nunnington Hall during the Easter school holidays and head to the garden to explore an exciting trail, where you can make your own Easter discoveries, have fun and collect your chocolate egg at the end
Temple Newsam Where’s Woolly! Some of the springtime babies from Home Farm have escaped into the House! Help find the missing sheep! Lots of family fun themed around sheep and wool, including crafts, trails and activities in the House and Farm, and of course plenty of springtime babies to meet on at Home Farm!
The Web Adventure Park Easter EGGstravaganza! They are choc-o-block with fun at the Web Adventure Park during their Easter Eggstravaganza! Join them for an egg-celent day of family fun. Fun on the fairground rides, the Bunny Brothers, Eggy-lympics, live Easter entertainment from Dazzling Darren, bouncing pillows, Lightyear Laser Zone, indoor and outdoor play, and more. There’s something for every age, whatever the weather.
Whitby Abbey
Easter Adventure Quest
Join the adventure quest at Whitby Abbey this Easter holiday. Hunt for clues in the grounds, track down the Easter eggs and get rewarded with a tasty chocolate treat. General admission applies.
Bolton Castle Easter Fun!
Alfraeda, the dragon, has returned to her favourite castle. Having lost her egg, she needs help to find it. Can you help? General admission applies.
Bolton Castle
Easter Eggspress
Don’t be late for these very important dates! Meet the Easter Bunny who will be hopping around Peasholm Station, making appearances throughout the day – don’t forget to bring your camera! Take part in the Easter Trail on board and once you have completed the trail, you’ve earned yourself a special Easter prize! Are you sharpeyed enough to spot all the letters alongside the railway?
Newby Hall & Gardens
The Magical Kingdom Adventure Easter Trail
Kiplin Hall & Gardens
Buckets of Fun
Discover Buckets of Fun activities hiding in the grounds of Kiplin this Easter, full of things to do in Yorkshire! Play games, explore trails, learn, and laugh as a family in the fresh air.
Mother Shipton’s Cave
Easter Wonderland
This Easter, tumble down the rabbit hole at Mother Shipton’s! Every bunny is invited to embark on a magical springtime adventure through the whimsical woodland. Follow the White Rabbit’s Tunnel Trail to uncover cracking surprises and marvel at EGG-stravagant Easter scenes, some inspired by Alice in Wonderland! Keep your eyes peeled for characters who are as Mad as Hatters, but be warned— the Queen of Hearts isn’t far behind!
Harewood House
Easter at Harewood
Come meet William and his Embark on an unforgettable Easter adventure at Harewood! Wander along vibrant wildflower trails, set off on a thrilling nature safari, get creative with hands-on crafts, and join the excitement of Harewood’s Great Easter Egg Hunt. With magical moments and surprises around every corner, there’s fun for the whole family to enjoy!
William’s Den
Easter Adventures
Come meet William and his friend, the Easter Bunny, for a day filled with fun and excitement! Enjoy handshakes, high-fives, and plenty of photo opportunities to capture the magic of the season. Don’t miss out on this egg-citing event—it’s perfect for the whole family!
The Magical Kingdom is an exciting journey into the world of the King & Queen of the Fairies. In the Magical Kingdom you are immersed in a seasonal dilemma in which families meet the Rusticus Trees and embark on a quest to help the King & Queen of the Fairies to care for the natural world.
Hebden Bridge Duck Race
It’s a Totally Quackers event! All profits go to the Rotary Club of Hebden Bridge Trust Fund (registered charity number 513898) which gives grants to local, national and international good causes.
Newby Hall & Gardens
Once Upon a Fairytale –with Story Craft Theatre
Join Story Craft Theatre as you travel through a whole host of favourite Fairy Tales and meet some familiar faces along the way… Little Red Riding Hood, The Gingerbread Man and some hungry Bears to name a few!
7 Apr
Scarborough Spa
The Enchanted Princess Ball
Join Chester the Castle Jester as he goes on an adventure to meet Cinderella at The Royal Castle, The Little Mermaid Under The Sea, Princess Rapunzel in the Tallest Tower, Belle in her little bookshop in Paris and The Snow Queen in the freezing village of Snowydale to deliver all the invitations by hand to make sure they all make it to The Enchanted Princess Ball.
15 Apr
Harrogate Theatre
Hansel and GretelNorthern Ballet
In this environmentthemed reimagining of the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tale, Hansel and Gretel take a trip into the forest, unaware of the damage they leave behind. When they get lost, the siblings meet a host of spirited friends who teach them how we can all better look after the planet – and have some fun along the way!
York Theatre Royal
The Storm Whale Noi lives with his Dad and six cats by the sea… One summer, while his Dad was busy at work, Noi rescued a little whale that washed up on the beach. A friendship began that changed their lives forever.
22 - 26 Apr
Grand Opera House, York
The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they meet new friends, face dangerous foes and learn the lessons of courage, sacrifice, and the power of love.
30 Apr - 1 May 15 - 19 Apr
Harrogate Theatre
Pirates Love Underpants
Join our swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the Captain’s treasure chest! Dodge hungry crocs beneath Long-John Bridge, bob upon the waves of Big Knickers Bay, spot sharks in fancy underpants and trek across Three Pants Ridge.
GIVEAWAY
Grand Opera House, York The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
Clubs & Classes
When you call, please don’t forget to say you saw them in Families North Yorkshire Magazine.
Number Train is a fun and interactive introduction to maths for preschool children designed and delivered by an experienced primary maths specialist. With a different theme each week, sessions keep your child engaged with games, action songs, arts and craft.
Call 07852 989523 numbertrain@hotmail.com
2PRU Gymnastics Club
2PRU Gymnastics Club is an inclusive community where fun, family and a sense of belonging thrive. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced gymnast, their expert guidance and positive attitude will help you succeed.
2prugymnasticsclub.co.uk
Award winning, colourful, creative (often messy) art classes for babies, toddlers and children.
www.artventurers.co.uk
Classes include singing and drama in a fun and exciting environment in Church Fenton. Performance work is showcased each term, along with a full musical once a year, acting exams, competitions and performances at local events are part of our curriculum. In January we are also excited to be starting Screen Acting Classes working towards exams in the area.
www.perfectpitchstars.com
Offering high quality dance training in a friendly and welcoming environment. Classes available from age 2 years.
www.danceology.co.uk
A unique and enriching experience that engages all your little ones senses while promoting relaxation, enhancing well-being, and creating memorable moments. Visit the website to discover how you can begin your little one’s sensory journey today!
www.sunshinesensory.co.uk/
Accessible private music tuition for all ages and levels One-to-one and small group lessons available.
themusicroomsselby.co.uk
high-energy classes which open a world of Literacy to children and teach early phonics skills. Classes are available for children aged 3 months – 6 years.
www.robotreg.co.uk
Phonics with Robot Reg Razzamataz
Dynamic weekly sessions that enable children aged 2 - 7 years to develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment.
www.rugbytots.co.uk
Swimmers Academy
Interactive music session for children who are independently sitting to interactive music session for children who are independently sitting to 3 years old
www.babyband.co.uk
Band Baby swimmers
Classes for babies and toddlers from 6 weeks old. Your little ones will have a great workout, singing and playing through our structured awards programme to build water confidence and progress to a confident swimmer.
info@babyswimmers.co.uk
Inspiring young children, from birth to 12 years, to love languages (French & Spanish) from the very start of their language learning journeys
www.kidslingo.co.uk
For every stage of your child’s development from 4 months to 12 years.
www.thelittlegym.co.uk
York based classes in Performing Arts - singing, dancing & drama. Catering for all ages from 2 - 18 years
www.york.razzamataz.co.uk
Classes for beginners from 4 years old through to advanced levels for teens. Focus is on stroke technique, distances and lifesaving skills, following the STA Awards programme to Gold in both survival and swimming.
Please email
info@babyswimmers.co.uk
Music & singing classes for babies, toddlers & preschoolers.
www.rhythmtime.net
Gym classes for children from 6 months to 7 years.
www.tumbletots.com
Tumble tots YTR Youth Theatre
York Theatre Royal Youth theatre class for children aged 5+
King’s Magna School (KM) Launches Academic Stretch Options
KM at Queen Ethelburga’s is renowned for its superb facilities, exceptional extracurriculars, and as a feeder school into QE College and QE Faculty. From Year 6, KM offers study skills programmes to help students excel in GCSEs and A Levels, contributing to QE’s impressive results (2024: 78% A*/A at A Level and 62% 7-9 in GCSEs).
Years 6-9 pupils select two subjects each term, and four specialisms in Year 9. New for 2024-25, an advanced option for both science and mathematics were introduced. In science, students design space experiments, compete in robotics and work towards a Higher Project Qualification (HPQ) and national CREST Silver award. In mathematics, pupils learn finance, modelling, estimation, critical path analysis, and cost-benefit analysis for their Level 3 Certificates in Mathematical Studies.
The school invests heavily in core subjects with daily mathematics, English and science lessons. They also offer a support mathematics option. qe.org/kings-magna
Join the Movement for Autism Acceptance This April
Great British Spring Clean is back
Wherever you live, you and your family can make a difference to your local environment by sparing just a few hours to take part in the Great British Spring Clean from 21 March to 6 April.
The event aims to encourage people across the country, from individual volunteers – dubbed #LitterHeroes by the charity – to families, schools, groups of friends, businesses, community groups and local authorities to come together to clean up streets, parks, beaches and other public spaces.
It’s easy to get involved. Simply pledge to take part and either organise a litter-pick in your community or join an organised event.
To find out more, join a local event, register to take part and access resources including a how-to guide, visit https://bit.ly/KBTspringclean
Next April marks the inaugural World Autism Acceptance Month, beginning on World Autism Awareness Day on 2 April and continuing through 30 April. This initiative, led by the National Autistic Society, has a clear mission to promote greater understanding and acceptance of autism, celebrate neurodiversity, and encourage inclusivity worldwide. Throughout the month, schools, workplaces, and supporters across the country will come together to raise awareness and funds. Activities include walking 5k your own way—whether at home, school, or while traveling—or attending one of the vibrant Spectrum Colour Walks hosted in London’s Battersea Park. For those aiming to get creative, there’s also the option to organize your own fundraising event.
All the money raised during World Autism Acceptance Month will go towards building a society that values and supports autistic individuals, fostering an inclusive environment for everyone. To find out how to get involved, visit www.autism.org.uk.
EDUCATION
Little Moments Together launches
The government has launched a campaign to promote a new home learning environment for early years learning and development.
The Department for Education and Department for Health and Social Care’s Start for Life ‘Little Moments Together’ campaign aims to educate parents and carers about the importance of brain development in the first five years of a child’s life. and the crucial role they play.
Its goal is to help caregivers better understand how their baby communicates and how to build a secure, loving connection. Experts emphasise that mental health plays a significant role during the critical first 1,001 days of life, shaping a child’s overall well-being.
Parents can now access resources, including the Start for Life website and family hubs, to receive trusted advice. By focusing on connection and understanding, this campaign seeks to replace outdated advice with support that truly nurtures every child’s potential.
More info: www.nhs.uk/start-for-life/early-learning-development
Outdoor fun and learning this spring
By Ellie Malt
Spring is the perfect season to embrace the wonders of nature with your children. The budding trees and singing birds are not just signs of life and new beginnings but also opportunities to explore, learn and connect with wildlife. Whether you have a sprawling garden, a small balcony or just a window box, there are plenty of ways to create a thriving mini ecosystem. Here are eight ideas to inspire outdoor fun with your family this spring. Each project offers a mix of hands-on creativity, learning and the joy of discovery.
Bug hotels are fantastic for biodiversity and providing shelter for insects, including beetles, ladybirds and solitary bees. They’re also a brilliant hands-on project for children. Start by gathering natural materials like twigs, pinecones, bark, bamboo canes and dry leaves. Use an old wooden box or stack pallets to create the structure, filling the compartments with these materials. You can also recycle everyday items like bricks with holes, cardboard tubes or broken terracotta pots.
To make your bug hotel even more appealing to solitary bees, create a ‘bee hotel’ section by bundling together hollow bamboo canes or drilling holes of varying sizes into wooden blocks. This provides ideal nesting spots for these important pollinators. Position this section in a sunny, sheltered spot, as solitary bees prefer warmth and dryness.
Encourage kids to monitor their creation regularly. Buglife (www.buglife.org) has a fantastic bug directory to help you identify your tiny new visitors and find out more about them. Remind children to visit the hotel at different times of the day and observe which insects prefer which areas of the hotel.
Dom Higgins, Head of Health and Education at The Wildlife Trusts (www.wildlifetrusts.org) says encouraging children’s natural curiosity can instil a lifelong love of nature that brings physical benefits. He also believes that getting hands-on can help prevent or dispel fears about creepie-crawlies. ‘Children have a fascination with insects and creepie-crawlies. Isn’t it often the adults who are squeamish, rather than the children?’
Need more ideas for bug hotels? Famly (www.famly.co) has an excellent guide to creating different kinds of bug hotels from a really simple ten-minute project to the mega-complex.
Pollinators like butterflies are vital for the ecosystem and attracting them to your garden is easier than you might think. Plant a variety of nectar-rich flowers such as lavender, marigolds and buddleia. Herbs
Hedgehogs are nocturnal wonders with a crucial role in maintaining garden health by eating pests like slugs and snails. To welcome our prickly friends, leave a small gap in your garden fence for them to pass through. Avoid using slug pellets as they can harm hedgehogs.
You can also make or purchase a hedgehog house. Position it in a quiet, shaded area and fill it with dry leaves or hay. Providing fresh water and food such as meat-based cat or dog food (not milk or bread) can encourage regular visits. Involve your children in setting up and checking the hedgehog house and teach them to observe from a distance to avoid disturbing these shy creatures.
Go on a minibeast hunt
Transform your garden or local park into a treasure trove of discovery by organising a minibeast hunt. Equip children with magnifying glasses, notebooks and a checklist of insects to find, such as ants, worms, spiders and centipedes. Look under logs, leaves and stones for hidden creatures, taking care to return everything to its original position.
This activity teaches kids about the diversity of life and the importance of even the smallest creatures in the ecosystem. Encourage them to sketch their discoveries or write down fun facts about each species.
like thyme, mint and oregano are also excellent choices for window boxes or small spaces.
Children can help plant and care for these flowers, learning about the life cycles of pollinators in the process. A butterfly-friendly garden can also include flat stones where butterflies can bask in the sun and shallow water dishes for drinking.
Build a bug hotel
Create a hedgehog haven
Create a butterfly garden
Outdoor fun and learning this spring
By Ellie Malt
Spring is the perfect season to embrace the wonders of nature with your children. The budding trees and singing birds are not just signs of life and new beginnings but also opportunities to explore, learn and connect with wildlife. Whether you have a sprawling garden, a small balcony or just a window box, there are plenty of ways to create a thriving mini ecosystem. Here are eight ideas to inspire outdoor fun with your family this spring. Each project offers a mix of hands-on creativity, learning and the joy of discovery.
Spring is nesting season, making it the perfect time to install a bird box. Instead of using traditional wooden designs, try upcycling something from around your home to create a unique nesting spot. An old teapot, for example, can be securely mounted with the spout angled downward to keep it dry. An unused wooden drawer or even a sturdy cardboard box coated in weatherproof paint can also work well. Get creative, let your children decorate the bird box with non-toxic paints to make it truly one-of-a-kind.
Position the box at least two metres above the ground in a sheltered spot, away from direct sunlight and predators. Monitor it discreetly: watching birds nest and raise their chicks is a magical experience for the whole family.
To deepen your connection with the wildlife, consider setting up a small camera near the bird box to observe the activity inside without disturbing the birds. Alternatively, create a simple bird hide using branches, camouflage netting or an old blanket to watch birds from a distance. This can turn your garden into a mini wildlife observation station, sparking curiosity and teaching patience.
Explore the magic of window boxes and balconies
Even if you don’t have a garden, you can still attract wildlife to your home with a well-planted window box or balcony.
Choose a mix of flowering plants for pollinators and leafy greens for sheltering insects. Children can decorate pots and help with planting, fostering their creativity and nurturing skills.
Add a small dish of water with stones for insects to drink from and hang tiny feeders or seed balls to attract birds.
Observing wildlife at close range from your window can be just as rewarding as a garden safari.
Feed the birds
Birdwatching is a relaxing and educational activity that can be enjoyed year-round but spring is particularly vibrant as many birds prepare for nesting.
Start a compost heap
Composting is an awesome way to teach children about the natural cycle of decomposition. A simple compost heap or bin can provide a habitat for worms, woodlice and other decomposers while producing nutrient-rich soil for your garden.
Get children involved by letting them add fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells and garden clippings to the compost. Add torn up plain cardboard to provide carbon and recycle household packaging. Explain how the materials break down over time and why composting is essential for reducing waste.
Checking the compost heap regularly can reveal fascinating insect activity and foster a deeper understanding of nature.
Set up bird feeders with a mix of seeds, peanuts and suet balls to attract a variety of species. You can also make simple feeders using pinecones, peanut butter and birdseed or string apple slices and raisins onto garden twine. Consider adding a birdbath for drinking and bathing.
Encourage your children to keep a bird journal, noting the species they spot and their behaviour. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (www.rspb.org.uk) can help with identification and provide tips for bird-friendly gardening. Warblr (www.warblr.co.uk) is an iPhone and Android app that automatically recognises British birds by their song.
Build a bird box and bird hide
Ellie Malt is a mum of two daughters living in Surrey.
Cook once, eat twice
By Sam Milner
As parents who work from home and with hectic family schedules, we take every opportunity to follow the ‘cook once eat twice’ method using our air fryer.
If you have not heard of cooking once and eating twice, the idea is that you double batch a meal, providing enough food for two mealtimes instead of one. It takes a lot of pressure out of meal preparations and if you do this just three times a week, you will soon have a freezer bursting with meals that you can reheat in an air fryer. Then on those nights when you don’t have time to cook at all, you can grab one of your trusted eat twice meals and reheat it from frozen.
If you’re worried that this method will take up too much time, remember the prep time for many cook once, eat twice recipes is often no longer than the prep time for one meal. It’s also worth noting that an air fryer is an independent cooking machine and unlike a pan, you can leave it to do the cooking, freeing you up to attend to other jobs or simply spend time together.
What type of recipes should you be preparing for a cook once, eat twice theme? Anything you would bake in the oven is a good starting point. Or something that would be familiar to you from the ready meals aisle of a supermarket. In other words, the kind of air fryer meals you can freeze in foil containers and then cook in an air fryer in a foil tray, reducing your washing up when you come back for your second batch.
My favourites include lasagne, moussaka, macaroni cheese, enchiladas, curry and other similar oven-friendly recipes that can easily be cooked much faster in the air fryer without the need for preheating.
Make a double batch of the recipe and portion up the first meal
Hectic Tuesday Veggie Loaded Moussaka
The idea for this moussaka recipe came about because our kids were all out at different after school clubs on the same night and it was impossible to find a window for a family dinner. We had our son out at 4pm, our daughter leaving at 5.45pm and then our eldest son leaving at 7pm.
Between 4pm and 7pm, we didn’t have more than ten minutes when we were all home, plus there were lots of pick-ups going on! So our moussaka was dedicated to families trying desperately to juggle after school clubs with a wholesome week-night meal.
You can make the moussaka ahead of time. As the recipe makes two meals, how about making one for this Tuesday and another for next Tuesday? The meal can be kept warm in the air fryer until everyone is finally home to be fed and is loaded with veg to provide a nutritious boost.
for dinner. Then, as you are doing the washing up, add the second meal to a foil tray. Once cool, label and freeze it. Or you can keep it in the fridge; if you love the recipe, you may want round two the next day! Then as you start to build up a freezer supply you can have a variety of meals a few times a week without feeling like you are in a mealtime rut.
Sam and Dom Milner are the co-authors of Air Fryer Easy Every Day: 140 super-simple delicious recipes (£20, White Lion Publishing) available from www.bookshop.org and founders of www.recipethis.com
Never miss an issue
We also made this delicious enchilada recipe following the cook once, eat twice theme. This time, the recipe can be used either for quick access burritos or for enchiladas.
Our daughter’s friend goes to a lot of dance practice and gymnastics, so I was thinking of her when I came up with this idea. Kids are so busy these days and definitely need to eat plenty of filling but nutritious food.
These enchiladas are loaded with beans and veg and along with the wraps will leave the kids full for longer. This recipe is also good for a triple batch because you can freeze it as pre-loaded wraps to defrost from frozen whenever you need a quick lunch or dinner on the go.
We recommend freezing these enchiladas in foil trays for easy clean up afterwards or if you are making an extra batch of loaded burritos to freeze them in freezer bags.
