Families Surrey West Sept Oct 2022 Print

child’s

Shoes School

Ballet, Tap

Dance

Modern Jazz from Pre-school

Jane

School

Dance

FSW Magazine Ltd is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Surrey West are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of FSW

Ltd.

but

Ltd,

and

New ice rink this Christmas at Chobham Adventure Farm

Tickets for the brand new Christmas Adventure at Chobham Adventure Farm go on sale from mid September, and for the first time this year there will be an ice rink! You will be able to say hello to Santa’s Real Reindeer, including Santa’s newest reindeer in training, Baby Flurry. You can mix your own magical reindeer food, hear from the elves and wander through the snow to meet Father Christmas before choosing a gift in his toy workshop to take home. Please see chobhamadventurefarm.co.uk/christmas for details.

world, initiatives like this will hopefully help families reduce their own carbon footprint whilst saving the pennies to use on making lasting memories.

Experience the magic of our BRAND-NEW Christmas Adventure

World’s biggest coffee morning

The World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Macmillan Cancer Support’s biggest fundraising event and is dedicated to bringing people together over a cuppa to raise vital funds. Each year, people host their own coffee morning with the donations received going to Macmillan services. This year’s official event date is 30 September but Coffee Mornings can be held at any time. Just go to www.macmillan.org.uk/coffee and you’ll be sent a Coffee Morning Kit with everything you need to make your coffee morning a success.

Come and say hello to Santa’s REAL Reindeer including our trusted favourites Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen plus a few of their friends and an extra special surprise… one of Santa’s newest reindeer in training…. ‘Baby Flurry’

A new initiative launched in 2020 by two Surrey mums, is one-way parents of under twos can help limit clothing and textile waste. Borrow clothes in a pre-prepared box of your required age group and once you’ve finished, swap for the next size. As simple as that. £20 fully refundable deposit and suggested £5 donation. For more information contact Rachel & Nickyemail: surreyhillsbabyclotheslibrary@gmail.com

Head into the Reindeer Lodge and hear from the elves all about how we look after them and teach them to fly, plus, mix up your very own magical reindeer food!!

Give the autumn term a confidence boost with Perform

A common struggle shared by many children as they start school or return after the summer break is a lack of confidence, and this can stop them reaching their full potential. Whether you’re looking for a confidence boost for your child or just a weekly dose of drama, dance and singing fun, Perform is back for the autumn term with two exciting productions for 4-7s and 7-12s.

Wander through the snow as you make your way to Meet Father Christmas before heading into his Toy Workshop to choose a gift to take home!

Promoting mental wellbeing in teenagers

PLUS add an extra magical adventure to your Christmas experience, as you step onto our BRAND-NEW ICE RINK!!

Tickets go on sale in mid-September once schools have gone back! For more information, please go to chobhamadventurefarm.co.uk/christmas

“Perform is not a stage school” stresses Perform Principal, Lucy Quick. “Our classes teach life skills using fun confidence-boosting drama games which results in a celebratory end of term production. The primary aim of our classes is to develop what we call the 4Cs: Confidence, Concentration, Coordination and Communication.”

This term, Perform 4-7s will venture into The Magician’s Chamber for some confidence-building fun with Merlin the Wizard whilst 7-12s will work on a funky festive performance of Ebenezer, based on the Charles Dicken’s classic, A Christmas Carol. The term runs from September to December and children are welcome to try a free class at any point. To book a free no-obligation trial class visit www.perform.org.uk/try

Local Perform Classes in West Surrey: Christchurch Hall, Guildford (Ages 4-7 Sat 9.30am & 11.15am, Wed 4pm. Ages 7-12 Sat 2pm, Wed 5.05pm)

Hoe Valley Community Building, Woking (Ages 4-7 Wed 4pm. Ages 7-12 Wed 5.05pm)

Moorcroft Centre, Woking (Ages 4-7 Sat 9.30am & 11.15am. Ages 7-12 Sat 2pm)

Haslewey Community Centre, Haslemere (Ages 4-7 Tues 4pm. Ages 7-12 Tues 5.05pm)

St Peter And St Paul Church Hall, Godalming (Ages 4-7 Fri 4pm. Ages 7-12 Fri 5.05pm)

Farnham Maltings (Ages 4-7 Wed 4pm. Ages 7-12 Wed 5.05pm)

New venue

St Paul’s Camberley (Ages 4-7 Fri 4pm. Ages 7-12 Fri 5.05pm).

The Green Hub Project for Teens in Milford is a local community project aimed at promoting the wellbeing of teenagers’ mental health through social and therapeutic horticulture. At the heart of the project is their beautiful, walled garden in Milford.

The Teen Garden is a calm, safe space for young people aged 13-17 struggling with mild to moderate stress and social anxieties, for example bullying, on-line pressures and exam stress. Teens join for a 12 week programme, coming along for a 1.5 hour session once a week on a Saturday where they enjoy nature, while gardening alongside and interacting with the adult volunteers and other teenagers. The sessions are free. https://greenhub.org.uk/

Why I want to be in the good enough parenting club

By Claire Winter

The

pressure to be a perfect parent can be overwhelming; particularly when we are bombarded by picture-perfect family lives on social media. Mums who are juggling work and family life effortlessly and also find the time to bake cakes and look fabulous. Celebrities who seem to flit from the school run to photo-shoots and still have time to take their kids to Judo. We don’t see the nanny, the makeup artist and the housekeeper behind the scenes. Most people don't share the messy chaos of family life on their carefully curated Instagram account.

So in 2022 shall we all agree to let go of the notion of being a perfect parent and instead start embracing imperfection? No one is flawless and raising kids who understand this is a positive thing. I am bringing up three teenagers and I often say to them: “I am learning how to parent just like you are learning how to grow up.”

When we strive to be perfect, we are showing our children that anything less than perfect is a failure. Making mistakes is a part of the growing up process.

Here are ten ways to be a good enough parent

1. Embrace Imperfection

Being a parent is by far the most important and impactful relationship you can have. You will love and nurture your children throughout their childhood but they will still come back and ask your advice when they are adults. You will both make mistakes and learn to forgive each other. Start learning to love each other's imperfections and you will build the foundations of a strong relationship for life.

2. Learn to Apologise

Model the behaviour you want to see from your children. Learn to apologise when you do something hurtful, make a mistake, forget to do something or lose your temper. In this way, your children will learn how to make amends and start to learn when they need to say sorry too.

3. Spend Quality Time with your Children

Make spending quality time with your children a priority. Even if it is for just 10 to 30 minutes a day. Don’t be on a phone or a gadget; be curious, ask questions, and be fully present.

4. Have a Life of Your Own

Having a fun life separate from your children and partner is healthy and important. Make time for things like a weekly walk, book club, art class or spending time with friends. This shows your children how to maintain their own interests, hobbies and friendships outside the family unit.

5. Take Care of Yourself

Take care of yourself in mind, body and spirit. Most parents put themselves last on the to-do list, and become resentful or unwell. Take time out for coffee, long baths, yoga or cocktails. It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated, just something that makes you feel good.

6. Listen

Children communicate many things through their behaviour and words. Listen to your children carefully by focussing all your attention on them. You may not agree with all of their feedback, but allowing them the time and space to form an opinion will help them to develop their own self-confidence.

7. Love Yourself

Parents love their children unconditionally, but what about themselves? Try and silence the critical voice in your mind that says negative things about what you do. Increase the positive self-talk. Talk to yourself in the same way you would talk to your children or a close friend. Loving yourself means acknowledging that you are trying your best and that this truly is enough.

8. Develop a Sense of Humour

Your kids will love a poo joke and there will be times when you are up to your elbows in it. Parenting is a massive rollercoaster ride and being able to see the funny side of things really helps.

9. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

The house being in a mess won’t hurt anyone! If you do want to get on top of the housework, get the kids to help. We set a timer and all tidy up together. It’s amazing what can be achieved in a short space of time if the whole family gets involved.

10. Allow Your Children to Be Who They Are

As a parent you want to shape, influence, and expose your children to as many opportunities as possible. But our most important job as parents is to allow our children to be who they want to be. We just need to support and cheer them on from the sidelines.

Alice Holt

New bike hire at Forest

A wide range of bikes are available at our activity centre.

Open weekends and school holidays. No need to book.

Tricky toddler eating tips

By Charlotte Stirling-Reed

Ifyou speak to the parents of most toddlers, they’ll probably tell you that life is somewhat turbulent! Toddlers are at this lovely, exciting age where they are really exploring the world and figuring things out and their brains are firing and learning new things every day.

However, that can come with its challenges, and a BIG one is often seen at mealtimes with food refusal! ‘I don’t like it’, ‘it’s yukky’, ‘I hate broccoli.’ Sound familiar? The toddler years are often about independence and our little ones trying to seek some autonomy in their day to day lives and that includes their food choices.

It’s normal for toddlers to be picky with their food, partly due to developing independence, partly due to ‘neophobia’ (reluctance to try new foods) which normally kicks in during the toddler years and partly because growth rates start to slow around this age which can result in their appetites simply taking a bit of a dip.

My main tips:

Start by pretending you simply don’t care if they eat or not. Research shows that the more PRESSURE we put on them to ‘eat up’ the more likely it is to have the opposite effect. So, If you want to help your toddlers to enjoy more foods, try to fight your natural instincts and be nonchalant at mealtimes.

Employ the line ‘That’s OK, you don’t have to eat it’ and stick to it. Again, taking the pressure off and putting the ball in their court at mealtimes, helps them to have a sense of autonomy and feel like they have some control. In time, this can often help encourage them to WANT to eat a little more.

Make it a mealtime they WANT to be part of. If you think about it, toddlers are all about fun and exploring. That’s simply the aim of their day. So, try and make mealtimes a part of the fun journey too. We’re not talking about turning your table into a racing track but simply making it enjoyable for them, engaging them and allowing them to explore the foods on offer without too much restriction, pressure or ‘mealtime rules’. What’s interpreted as ‘fun’ will vary from family to family but you could start with some calming music, a funky table cloth or kicking off with some silly faces, whatever helps to bring some joy to the table.

Offer a variety, even foods that are refused. If you offer foods and they are refused and then you don’t offer them again, it’s unlikely that your little ones will grow to accept them. However, if we keep offering rejected foods (without any actual pressure to eat them), they start to become ‘familiar’ and this has been shown to help toddlers to be more willing to try them.

Remember, it’s a long game. The tips and tricks you put in place to help to support your toddler’s eating will not work overnight. They are constantly testing and figuring out the ‘rules’ and what works for them. So, try to stay consistent and persistent with rolling out some of these tried and tested strategies.

Pressure

Pressure to ‘eat up’ rarely works in the long run. It’s far better to sit back, take the pressure off and focus on making the mealtimes positive occasions for toddlers, including trying to spend time with your little one and engage with them over meals.

Instead of pressurising kids to eat, it’s best to role model the behaviours and the actions you ultimately want them to emulate so in time they learn HOW to eat and HOW to enjoy a variety of foods.

Charlotte Stirling-Reed is “The Baby and Child Nutritionist”. Her new book How to Feed your Toddler, published by Ebury Publishing, includes step by step guides, tips and advice on tricky eating, as well as fifty delicious and easy recipes.

Restricting Foods

Overly restricting foods that children can see or are asking for rarely works. This can make the restricted foods more desirable and put pressure on mealtimes and eating occasions.

Instead, try to ‘covertly’ restrict by role modelling WHAT to eat yourself, showing and offering a BALANCE and monitoring how often foods such as cakes, biscuits and sweets are available in the home.

Additionally, avoid referring to some foods as ‘treats’ as this suggests that these foods should be desired the most!

Whatever the age of your child, trying a new activity or sport encourages them to be more adventurous and learn new skills. We have a great selection of classes here for babies to teens. If you contact anyone listed here, please remember to say you saw them in Families Magazine!

Performing arts

Perform drama, dance and singing classes

Classes in Guildford, Woking, Farnham, Camberley, Haslemere, Godalming, 020 7255 9120 enquiries@perform.org.uk/try

Confidence building weekly drama, dance and singing classes for 4-7s and 7-12s. Classes are designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration and coordination. Every child can try a free no-obligation class, visit www.perform.org.uk/try

Surrey Theatre Academy

Classes held at Haslemere Hall. Email info@surreytheatreacademy.co.uk or call 0845 388 9789

Surrey Theatre Academy is a thriving performing arts academy offering weekly classes in singing, dance and drama for ages 4-13 years. They also offer holiday courses, a youth theatre for ages 13-18 years and are a registered LAMDA exam centre offering exam coaching in acting and musical theatre. Free trials available!

Red Shoes School of Dance

Classes in Haslemere and Grayshott.

www.redshoesschoolofdance.co.uk

With highly experienced teachers offering quality dance tuition in a nurturing and fun environment, Red Shoes School of Dance offer classes for everyone from 2 years+.

Weekly lessons in Acro, Ballet, Tap, Musical Theatre, Contemporary and Jazz as well as non syllabus creative classes. Call Jane Lubach on 07711378536 or email info@redshoesschoolofdance.co.uk to book your trial.

Synergy Dance®

Classes, parties and holiday activities at Guildford Spectrum, QE Park and Woking Leisure Centre. Contact kathryn@synergydance.co.uk or 01483 954110 Synergy Dance® is a one-stop package for leisure centres and schools.

Offering an innovative range of activities for digital online courses and on-site dance clubs, yoga classes, parties, holiday activities and courses. All suitable for mainstream and SEND students. Quote FAMILY10 to save 10% on classes and workshops.

Dynamic Performing Arts

Classes at Worplesdon Memorial Hall, Guildford Dynamicperformingarts.co.uk

Dynamic Performing Arts offer a variety of Dance & Musical Theatre Classes for 2-12 year olds. The inspiring and friendly tutors encourage every child to have lots of fun and grow in confidence. View the full timetable and book a trial via the website.

Performing arts

Stagecoach Theatre Arts

Classes in:

Camberley & Yateley 0208 979 5276

Farnborough 07717 137332

Farnham 01252 216277 Frimley 01483 676131

Godalming 01252 403504 Guildford 07717 137332 Guildford North 01483 789430

Liphook 01425 470934

Woking 07957 825641

Each school runs three hours of classes per week for 6-18 year olds, split into one hour classes of dance, drama and singing. The classes help children to grow in confidence, speak more clearly and become more self-aware - skills they learn for life. Also Early Stages classes for 4-6 year olds run for 1½ hours. Two week trial available.

BC Performing Arts Academy

Classes in Ash

www.bcperformingarts.co.uk 07769 887785

A friendly, relaxed and welcoming family-based academy for ages 5-15, taught by professional performers, based in Ash.

Singing Dancing Drama Theatre Production They understand trying a new club/activity is expensive, so they offer a free taster session! You can even bring a friend. Book now at www.bcperformingarts.co.uk

Guildford Theatre School

Classes at The Trinity Centre (Off Guildford’s High Street), Beverley Hall (next to Waitrose) and St Nicolas Centre. Email enquiries@guildfordtheatreschool.co.uk

www.guildfordtheatreschool.co.uk

Established by Anna McNamara to provide a creative learning experience that focuses on the acquisition of skills and the pursuit of excellence in Musical Theatre, Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Singing and Drama. Through application and commitment an individual can achieve extraordinary things. Classes are held each Saturday for ages 4-18 years.

Haslemere Performing Arts

Classes in Haslemere, Hindhead and Liphook. Contact Angela Cantan on haparts@aol.com or 01428 652 360 (answerphone)

Established in 1968, Haslemere Performing Arts has a family-friendly atmosphere. Pupils are successful in RAD Ballet and ISTD Modern & Tap examinations. They compete in Dance Festivals & Competitions and perform in local events. The discipline, deportment and confidence gained also benefits those seeking a career in other areas.

Sports & swimming

MultiSports Guildford & Woking

For Guildford please call 0844 800 9096

For Woking please call 0844 335 0450 www.multisports.co.uk

The MultiSports Group provide 4-16 year olds with an exciting and educational sports program at weekends. Encouraging and developing young people to grow both as athletes and individuals. Offering an extensive program of team sports and individual sports as well as weekly team building challenges. At MultiSports your child will participate in 18 different sports a year, grow in confidence and self esteem, learn leadership and team work skills and have fun making lots of new friends.

Guildford Spectrum

www.guildfordspectrum.co.uk Guildford Spectrum offer swimming lessons for all ages following the Swim England Learn to Swim Programme delivering safe, inclusive, and effective swimming lessons for all ages. Also on offer are ice skating lessons for 5-16 year olds. The Skate UK Programme will take you from your first steps onto the ice, through to being a competent and confident ice skater.

Pitch Pals

Classes in Godalming, Milford, Witley and Guildford Contact Paul Wicks - info@pitchpals.co.uk or 07841 675501

Pitch Pals are on a mission to harness the power of football and physical activity to develop, encourage and inspire children of all ages and abilities.

Offering a full range of programmes including Early Years/KS1 sessions, School and Nursery Clubs, through to Holiday Camps and Events/Parties, there is something for everyone.

Baby, toddler and pre-schooler

Molly Moocow

Classes in Godalming, Liphook and Haslemere www.mollymoocow.com Molly Moocow’s moosical sessions provide fun learning experiences for little people aged 5 months to 4 years using a combination of music and movement, action songs, rhymes, and stories. Their unique programmes are grouped by age and physical ability with a themed curriculum tailored for each age group. Trial classes available.

Monkey Music

Classes in Guildford, Godalming and Shalford. Call 01483 821 932 or email guildford@monkeymusic.co.uk

Monkey Music baby and toddler classes! Trusted by parents since 1992. They offer a safe, supportive, nurturing environment, where parents, carers and children meet in small groups to enjoy the interactive musical activities. Join them and support your child as they learn new skills in a magical, musical environment and share precious time together with your little one - your first class is FREE!

Aquatots

Bagshot, Ottershaw, Woking, East Horsley, Send, Addlestone, Leatherhead, Staines, Heathrow https://aquatots.com/

Aquatots Swimming have been teaching babies and toddlers to swim in a natural, safe and fun way, without the use of armbands or buoyancy aids for 25 years. Suitable from 10 weeks old using only warm private pools and small class sizes. Underwater photographs are also available at selected levels.

Peekaboo Play Cafe - Guildford

Compton/Guildford peekabooguildford@outlook.com

A safe and welcoming space for parents/carers with children aged under 5 years old. Providing stay and play sessions as well as taste safe messy play sessions too. Follow them on Instagram or Facebook to see all the latest news and updates. Bookings can be made via their website www.peekabooguildford.com

Babyballet North Surrey

northsurrey@babyballet.co.uk

• Fun and exciting ballet classes in Woking, Weybridge and Cobham.

• The award winning preschool dance programme introduces boys and girls from 6 months - 6 years to the magical world of dance!

• Book a trial now at babyballet.co.uk or scan the QR code

Baby, toddler and pre-schooler

Wee Nature Spirits

Chobham, Surrey connect@naturespiritsuk.com 07961661843

Wee Nature Spirits outdoors playgroup offers an opportunity to meet like minded families and perhaps forge friendships for life. Using an old marquee and an enclosed garden area, with early years pre-school resources for newborns to 5 years old, little people can play freely, build resilience and get messy come rain or shine!

Hazelwood Therapies (Baby Massage)

Stoughton & Burpham, Guildford hello@hazelwoodtherapies.com www.hazelwoodtherapies.com

Baby Massage is a fantastic first class to enjoy with your baby. Delivered by a qualified massage therapist and mum of two, these classes are so much more than just baby massage.

• Bonding for you and your baby

• Aiding physical & emotional development

• Easing of common baby gripes

• Supporting baby relaxation & sleep

Join one of the four-week courses, running monthly. Have an awesome NCT group? Private group sessions can be booked.

Sing and Sign

For classes in Guildford, Godalming, Elstead, Farnham and Fleet contact Becky on 01483 767372 or singandsignfarnham@gmail.com

For classes in Haslemere and surrounding areas contact Harriet at harrietroberts@singandsign.co.uk

What Would Your Baby Like To Say?

• Baby signing classes to boost speech development using music, rhyme and games

• Simple, easy gestures to allow your baby to ‘talk’ to you before speech

• Small classes, warm and welcoming atmosphere

• Developed in conjunction with Speech and Language Therapists

• Huge long-term benefits – and great fun!

Cat Class

At St Catherine’s Prep School, Bramley. www.stcatherines.info/prep-home/cat-class

Email catclass@stcatherines.info Weekly classes for girls aged 3-4. Activities will be led by the Early Years team and will include arts & crafts, imaginative and messy play to inspire exploration and discovery.

Baby Cats

At St Catherine’s Prep School, Bramley. www.stcatherines.info/prep-home/baby-cats Monthly sessions for pre-schoolers. A series of creative activities taught by specialist teachers. The first session is Music on 23 Sept. Sessions are free but must be booked in advance by emailing prepoffice.junior@stcatherines.info.

OPEN MORNING Wednesday 21

September 2022, from 9.45am

RECEPTION (4+) TASTER AFTERNOON

Friday 30

September 2022, 1:30-2:45pm

TREASURE HUNT

Mastering times tables

Showing your child how to spot patterns and connections also helps them to apply their understanding to more complex calculations and word problems.

Try some of these ideas:

By Zuzu Jordan

Learning around the house

Using practical resources can help children develop a good number sense.

Learning

times tables by rote for weekly tests was a feature of most of our school days. For some, these tests would bring on the cold sweats while for others they were an opportunity to shine. But, of course, it isn’t about drills just for the sake of doing well in the tests; times table fluency can determine how easily children can grasp new mathematical concepts, such as fractions.

To help schools target support, the government have introduced a statutory multiplication check for year 4 pupils, which tests them on whether they can recall their times tables up to 12 x 12. This test consists of twenty five questions and the children are expected to answer them within six seconds; however, there is no pass mark.

What can parents do to help?

It’s very useful to observe and work out your child’s learning style so you can guide them in the most effective direction.

Use online games such as Times Tables Rockstars (https://ttrockstars. com). These are great to help develop speed and accuracy;

Ask Alexa (or equivalent AI) to recite a times tables or play a multiplication song and ask your child to try to beat it;

Colour in the multiples on a 100 square;

Rhymes are great for tricky multiplication facts such as ‘wakey wakey, rise and shine, 7 x 7 is 49;’

Write multiples on post-it notes or paper and make a game of aiming a ball at the correct answer;

Match the question with the correct multiple choice answer;

Use counters to represent a calculation. For example, children would need six milk bottle lids to represent 2 x 3 and 3 x 2. Many children are used to this representation from Reception when they are taught arrays.

There’s no need to buy specialised equipment when there are so many household items you can use for little or no cost. For example, screw top bottle lids can be used for counting and also used as place value discs. Simply write numbers on them and children can use them for ordering numbers or using them on a place value chart.

Most households have scales, measuring jugs, tape measures, thermometers and clocks, all of which allow children to use and apply maths to real life. Raid your board games collections for dice and boards with numbers on.

Children benefit from real life maths so include their toys as much as possible to help their understanding. For example, if they love cars, have them work out how many wheels there would be if they had three cars.

Zuzu Jordan is a Mastery for Maths specialist who has taught primary aged children for sixteen years and is interested in early years and home learning. For free homework and home learning resources, find the Facebook page edumateuk.

Independent Schools Round Up

Rydes Hill Preparatory School and Nursery

Rydes Hill educates girls from 3 to 11 and boys from 3 to 7 within idyllic surroundings in Guildford. The School prides itself on its strong family feel and provides a caring and ambitious environment for children to grow in confidence and fulfil their potential. As a relatively small School, they are immensely proud of their results, with 49 girls achieving 36 Scholarships and 101 offers in the last three years. From the youngest nursery children rising 3 to their Form 1 girls, every pupil at Rydes Hill enjoys a broad, engaging curriculum, tapping into specialist teachers to experience Forest School, Music, Drama, French and plenty of sporting activities.

There is no better way to experience life at Rydes Hill than to visit the School in person. The Headmistress, Sarah Norville, offers one to one tours throughout the year at a time to suit you. Everyone is welcome to attend their Open Morning on 8th October 2022. To register your interest, visit the website www.rydeshill.com

St Catherine’s Prep School

St Catherine’s school is situated in the village of Bramley, which is 3 miles south of Guildford and has fast train connections to London. Girls in the Prep School benefit immeasurably from the world-class facilities of the Senior School, including the extensive grounds, 25m indoor pool, Sports Hall, dance studio, magnificent auditorium and 19th Century chapel. Girls from age four engage in a full and varied curriculum which includes music, IT, ballet, and sport delivered by dedicated specialist teachers.

The school provides excellent pastoral care. Naomi Bartholomew, the Headmistress, comments that ‘the outstanding relationships which are built between the girls and their teachers are key to the success, both academic and personal, of the girls’. Their Patron, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, said on a recent visit, ‘You are all extremely lucky to be at such a wonderful school.’

St. Andrew’s - developing potential for life

St. Andrew’s School, Woking, situated in the village of Horsell, is a thriving co-educational independent day school for children aged 3 - 13 years.

With individual attention and specialist teachers in all areas of the curriculum, the children are able to reach their full potential in a happy, caring and supportive environment. Educating the whole child is central to their ethos and, whilst academic standards are high, there are also real opportunities to develop skills in art, music and sport in fantastic facilities including a new theatre, food tech room and library. In their latest ISI Inspection (Jan 2016), the school was rated ‘excellent’ in all areas. To find out more, hear it from the St. Andrew’s pupils themselves on a personal guided tour of the school at their next open morning. See their advertisement on page 15 for details or visit: www.st-andrews.woking.sch.uk.

Barrow Hills School

Barrow Hills School is committed to delivering an exceptional, all-round independent education with a strong family ethos, focusing on the whole child. All that the School does is inspired by the qualities in its pupil profile and the importance of developing strong core values. Barrow Hills encourages its children to be Curious; Scholarly; Compassionate; Generous; Brave; Responsible; Joyful and Truthful. Set in 33 acres of Surrey Hills countryside in Witley near Godalming, the coeducational preparatory school for children aged 2 to 13 prides itself on offering a nurturing, progressive environment for children to thrive. School life centres on a broad curriculum. Alongside academics, music, art and drama also play a major role. An outstanding range of sports aims to encourage every level and ability. Through its partner school, King Edward’s Witley, Barrow Hills children have access to facilities beyond the reach of most standalone preparatory schools, and parents can see their children benefit from the seamless transition from prep school to senior school. Open Morning Friday 7th October 9.30am.

Belmont School

At Belmont School, the happiness and well-being of every pupil is of paramount importance and lies at the heart of a successful education as summed up in the School’s strapline, Achievement through Happiness. Nestled in the Surrey Hills on its own private estate in Holmbury St Mary, Belmont is an independent school for boys and girls from Early Years to GCSE.

From the age of three, pupils receive specialist teaching in Music, Performing Arts, French, Forest School, Art, IT and PE as well as the option to learn Ballet. Throughout their time at Belmont, pupils encounter a broad and challenging curriculum in small class sizes and each child is stretched or supported to reach their personal best. Belmont’s aim is for each pupil to leave as a well-rounded individual and so the academic curriculum is enriched by sport, performing arts, visual arts and other cultural and creative opportunities. To find out more, please visit www.belmont-school.org.

Ripley Court

Ripley Court is a leading co-educational Nursery and Prep School for children aged 3 – 11, set in 19 acres of Surrey countryside, just minutes from the A3 and central from Cobham, Weybridge, Woking and Guildford. With extensive playing fields, its own forest school and an indoor swimming pool, Ripley Court is an idyllic environment for educating pupils. Their warm, family atmosphere and exceptional pastoral care is at the heart of what they do. Their supportive and nurturing environment enables children to become confident, inquisitive, and compassionate learners. Pupils are inspired and encouraged to reach their full potential through their broad curriculum, weekly enrichment programme and the wealth of extracurricular activities offered. Ripley Court’s creative and academically ambitious curriculum prepares pupils for a variety of leading senior schools, with many Year 6 pupils obtaining scholarships to their chosen secondary schools. To learn more about Ripley Court School, please visit www.ripleycourt.co.uk

Independent School Open Days

Please contact schools to find out if you need to book

School Open Day Date

Barrow Hills School, Witley 01428 683639 Mixed 2-13 years.

Belmont School Holmbury St Mary 01306 730852 Mixed 3-16 years.

Cranmore School. Boys 2-16 years and girls 2-7 years.

King Edward’s Witley Mixed 11-18.

Ripley Court School 01483 225 217 Mixed 3-11 years.

The Royal School, Hindhead Mixed 6 weeks-18 years.

Rydes Hill Preparatory School & Nursery, Guildford 01483 544973 Girls 3-11 years, Boys 3-7 years.

St Andrews School, Horsell 01483 760943 Mixed 3-13 years.

St Catherine’s School, Bramley 01483 899665 Girls 4-18 years.

St Edmund’s School, Hindhead Mixed 2-16 years.

St Hilary’s School, Godalming 01483 416551 Mixed 2-11 years.

St Ives School, Haslemere Mixed 2-11 years.

Fri 7 Oct 9.30am.

For Early Years/Prep: Tues 27 Sept 10am Tues 22 Nov 10am.

For Senior School: Fri 23 Sept 9.30am Fri 25 Nov 9.30am.

Sat 24 Sept.

Sat 1 Oct 10am (11+ 2023 entry only)

Thurs 6 Oct 10am (13+)

Sat 1 Oct 10am-12pm.

Prep School: Fri 30 Sept, Wed 3 Nov 9.30am.

Treasure hunt open morning Sat 8 Oct.

Sat 24 Sept 10am-12pm.

Wed 21 Sept from 9.45am Reception taster afternoon: Fri 30 Sept 1.30-2.45pm.

Please contact the school.

Fri 30 Sept and Sat 1 Oct.

Fri 16 Sept, Fri 14 Oct 9.30-11am.

St Hilary’s Preparatory School

Recently judged as Independent Prep School of the Year 2020, St Hilary’s continues to go from strength to strength following praise they received for their ‘energy, super range of activities and demonstrably strong school values.’ This year, the Year 6 pupils achieved a number of scholarships to a wide range of prestigious Senior Schools.

Situated in the heart of Godalming, St Hilary’s Preparatory School and Nursery provides a vibrant, busy yet nurturing environment for boys and girls aged 2-11. Each pupil’s individual talents and strengths are recognised to ensure all reach their full potential and develop a real thirst for learning, equipping pupils with strong academic standards and the essential qualities required beyond their time at school.

Visitors are welcome to find out more at the Open Mornings on 30th September and 1st October. Please contact the Admissions Manager for more information on 01483 416551.

clubgobbledegook! If and they or here are phonics write. It is sounds words. letters longer digraph ‘ch’ in e.g. ‘ear’ in put read and

Understanding phonics

By Emma Lewry

Phonics

is one of those things that feels like a secret club - some people understand it and to others it’s gobbledegook! If you have a child at school, they’re part of ‘the club’ and they may look askance at you when you ask what a digraph or blending is.

For you and anyone who has a child due to start school, here are some tips to get you closer to full admittance of the phonics club!

What is phonics?

Phonics is a way of teaching children to read and later write. It is based on the fact that letters and groups of letters make sounds and when we put those sounds together they make words.

English is a tricky language and sometimes the same letters make different sounds. For example, ‘i’ can sound short as in ‘fish’ or have a longer sound like ‘eye’ in ‘find’.

There are different groups of letters that make sounds: a digraph is two letters that go together to make one sound e.g. ‘ch’ in chop. A trigraph is three letters together making one sound e.g. ‘ear’ in ‘near’.

As children develop their knowledge, they build up and put together all of the sounds they recognise in order to read and write.

Top Tips

• Practise recognising the sounds.

• Help children to spot when two or three letters work together to make one sound e.g ‘ai’ in ‘rain’ and ‘igh’ in ‘light’.

• Your child will be taught Phonics in a specific way at school so ask them to teach you. It’s a great way for them to test their understanding.

• Read, read, read!

• Practise blending - this can be the key to unlock entry to ‘the club!’

• If you’re stuck or worried, ask your child’s school for help. Supporting children learning to read can be as frustrating as it is magical.

I hope these tips help you joining the Phonics Club!

Emma Lewry is an Early Years teacher, headteacher and mother of two. Emma co-owns Every Day’s a School Day (www.edasd.co.uk) which guides families through starting school with courses, groups and a school starters planner.

Top Tips

Blending can be the key

• Practise recognising the sounds.

• Help children to spot when two or three letters work together to make one sound e.g ‘ai’ in ‘rain’ and ‘igh’ in ‘light’.

• Your child will be taught phonics in a specific way at school so ask them to teach you. It’s a great way for them to test their understanding.

• Read, read, read!

• Practise blending - this can be the key to unlock entry to ‘the club!’

Once children have learned the separate sounds, they then have to ‘blend’ them together to make the full word. For example, they hear or read ‘c’, ‘a’, ‘t’ and need to put the sounds together to make ‘cat.’ This skill can be a real stumbling block for children because they are working so hard to recognise the sounds that they can’t put them together easily.

• If you’re stuck or worried, ask your child’s school for help. Supporting children learning to read can be as frustrating as it is magical.

I hope these tips help you joining the Phonics Club!

Oral blending is the skill to practise here. Oral blending means hearing separate sounds and putting them together without reading the letters too. It’s really helpful to practise lots of oral blending with your children from as young as the age of 2.

Emma Lewry is an Early Years teacher, headteacher and mother of two. Emma co-owns Every Day’s a School Day (www.edasd.co.uk) which guides families through starting school with courses, groups and a school starters planner.

For example, say separate sounds, a bit like a robot, and get your child to blend them together to make the word. You can do this in sentences e.g. put on your ‘c’, ‘oa’, ‘t’ or let’s go to the ‘p’, ‘ar’, ‘k’. Make it playful and use the approach in games.

RHS Garden Wisley

October Half Term Fun: Deadliest Plants and Bugs Sat 22 – Sun 30 Oct. Head to RHS Garden Wisley this half term and discover the clever creepycrawlies and super-smart plants that fight back! With lots of fun hands-on activities for all the family to enjoy, find out how plants and insects from cacti to centipedes use fangs, stings, spines and slime to defend themselves and their habitats. Find out more at: www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley. Normal garden admission applies. Free to RHS members and children under 5.

AirHop

Rain or shine, skies are always blue at AirHop! Enjoy over 30,000sq ft of ultimate bouncing fun for kids and big kids at Surrey’s top trampoline park with loads of attractions to keep the whole gang happy! Standard jump sessions are open to everyone aged 4+. Younger trampolining enthusiasts (6 months - 6 years) can explore the park in a safe and fun environment during dedicated MiniHopper Takeovers. These sessions include extra toys, ride-ons, a visit of a special guest and the ever-so popular bubble time at the end of each session. Friday and Saturday evenings you can experience the park in a cool club atmosphere during 2-hour bargain Sunset Sessions at £15.95 only. Find out more on airhop-guildford.com and #jumpintohappy.

Guildford Spectrum

At Guildford Spectrum there is a great choice of activities, including tenpin bowling, indoor Olympic sized ice skating rink and four pools including a leisure pool and diving pool. The Leisure Pool features flumes, a tyre ride, bubble beds, sprays, and a wave machine. You can also race your friends and family down Surf, the 3 lane slide. The ice rink is open all year round, and smaller skaters can hire fun penguin or snowman skating aids to help them round the rink. There’s also fun soft play ‘Specky’s Pirate Ship’ and The Rock Box climbing centre. All activities can be booked online.

Godstone Farm

Visit Godstone Farm this October half term for their Once Upon a Crime event, which includes all their usual farmyard fun plus October Halloween activities. Meet Griswalda the witch for wand lessons. Explore the Nursery Crime Trail and become a clever detective in a World of Nursery Crimes. Pumpkin carving will be available as an upgrade during your visit. The Once Upon a Crime event runs from Sat 22 - Sun 30 Oct. They also have their fantastic low bangs fireworks on Fri 28 and Sat 29 Oct. Boogie on down with the tots’ disco from 5pm; enjoy the pre-show entertainment from 5.30pm and then marvel at the wonderful low bangs fireworks display from 6.45pm – perfect for little ears! Book all tickets online.

Merrist Wood Animal Encounters

Merrist Wood offer Animal Encounter

Tours of their Animal Management Centre on various weekend dates.

On the 2 hour tour you will see a monitor lizard, tree frogs, tortoises, snakes, birds, meerkats and more. Meet the Meerkat Experiences can be added onto tours for an extra charge. They also offer Junior Animal Keeper Experiences for ages 6-14 years. Join the keepers for a day, working with a huge variety of animals including exotic animals, domestic pets, reptiles, farm animals and more. Dates are added to their website frequently so please check for up to date information. To book for any of these please visit www.merristwoodevents.co.uk

Chobham Adventure Farm

Chobham Adventure Farm is a great day out with lots of indoor and outdoor play, so perfect whatever the weather! There are two indoor play frames: an activity frame for 3 and under and a challenging frame for 3+ and adults. Outdoors there is a massive sandpit with slides and construction site, two bouncing pillows, and a small and large play frame with zipwires plus the animal barn and new donut slide! There is a huge selection of fresh, wholesome, homemade food on offer. They are open seven days a week from 10am-5.30pm.

Halloween Half Term at Hever Castle

Get into the Halloween spirit this Autumn half term with a family friendly spooky trail at Hever Castle & Gardens from Sat 22 - Sat 30 October. Enter different zones including witches, skeletons and bats to find letters spelling out a mystery word in return for a small prize – don’t miss the giant spider! Sport your spookiest costume to really get the most out of the trail. Young visitors can also take part in a garlic bulb planting workshop to try and ward off vampires and spot ghostly decorations around the grounds. Listen to traditional ghost stories or take part in a trail in the Castle (included with Castle entry). Finish off your day with a ghostly face paint (extra charge).

IGNITE at Polesden Lacey

Returning with a new, after-dark magical trail of light, fantasy and fire for all the family, IGNITE is back at Polesden Lacey from 20 Oct - 6 Nov. There are plenty of new installations as you pick up your hand-held lanterns to guide you through the woodland walk featuring fairytale scenes from childhood favourites Three Little Pigs, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk and Goldilocks. The field of fire is bigger than last year with over 1,000 flickering lights and the fire-breathing dragons are back. Book at igniteatpolesdenlacey.co.uk.

© Hever Castle & Gardens

Image by Richard Haughton for Sony Music

Alice Holt Forest

Alice Holt Forest has lots of fun activities for your family this autumn. With Go Ape Adventures, fantastic play equipment, a Superworm trail and bike hire there is something for everyone. There are also two new Gruffalo character sculptures, Gruffalo’s Child and Mouse to find! Bring a picnic or treat yourself to some delicious hot or cold food and cakes from the café.

National Trust

There is lots going on at the National Trust in October half term:

Hatchlands Halloween Half Term runs Sat 22 – Mon 30 Oct 10am-5pm at Hatchlands Park, East Clandon. Enjoy a Halloween trail through the parkland and pumpkin puzzle in the garden. Included in admission.

Enchanted Claremont runs from Sat 15 - Sun 30 Oct 10am-3pm at Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher. The Wandering Witch has been away, in her absence the goblins have been up to no good and hidden some of her magical items. Can you help the Wandering Witch’s familiars find them all? Entry + £2 per trail.

Light up the Wey runs from Mon 24 - Fri 28 Oct 11am-4pm at Dapdune Wharf, Guildford. Pop down and enjoy children’s activities, and then decorate a jam jar and see how beautiful it looks with a candle inside! £2 per child. Also, at 6pm on Sat 29 Oct there is a 2k Halloween Spooky Fun Run around the haunted wharf and island (£3).

There’s a Weird, Wacky and Wicked Halloween trail at Winkworth Arboretum, Godalming from Sat 22 Oct - Mon 31 Oct 10am-4pm. Did you know that fungi is closer to an animal than a plant? There’s a tree that smells like candyfloss? Discover more on the spooky trail around the arboretum. Entry + £2 per trail (please book in advance for Winkworth).

Halloween Face Painting at Princes Mead Shopping

Come and have your face painted for Halloween at Princes Mead Shopping, Farnborough on Saturday 29 October. The face painting is free but on a first come first served basis. There’ll be activity sheets to keep your little ones busy too! Face painting will be from 11am to 3.30pm (break for lunch from 1pm-1.45pm).

Elm Nursery

Enjoy freaky scenes and ghost busting on the children’s farm at Elm Nursery this October Half Term. From Saturday 22 - Monday 31 October, 10am–3.30pm every day (last entry is 3pm). See the animals and the freaky scenes, hunt for ghosts, complete the challenge and collect your prize! There is also a fancy dress competition and homegrown pumpkins to buy. No need to book. Entrance is £5 per child over 2, under 2s are free. Adults are £4. Best suited to pre-school / KS1 age. The café and farm shop will be open too.

© National Trust Images Annapurna Mellor

FRI 9 SEPTEMBER

Maisie Goes to the Museum, Haslemere Museum 10.30am-11.30am. Story and craft for under 5s with an adult. Adult £1, child £2. Book online.

SAT 10 SEPTEMBER

The West End Show Tringham Hall and Recreation Ground West End GU24 9JP From 1pm (marquee opens 2pm). Dog show, stalls, BBQ and more.

Guildford Castle Heritage Open Day From 10am (last admission 4pm). Collect an ‘I spy trail’ – find interesting features on Guildford heritage sites or complete an activity sheet as you look around the Castle.

Heritage Open Day Claremont Landscape Garden Esher 10am-5pm. Free entry.

Surrey Hills Wood Fair Fish Pond Copse Cranleigh GU6 7DW 10am5pm. Activities include bug hunts, story telling, circus skills and more. Buy tickets online to save, under 16s free. Treetop experiences for 6+ need to be pre-booked online.

Victorian School Room Heritage Open Day 39.5 Castle St, Guildford Free, no booking needed. Visit the recreated Victorian schoolroom set in 1893.

Dorking Fire Station Open Day North Holmwood, RH5 4EG. 12-4pm.

SUN 11 SEPTEMBER

Surrey Police Open Day Guildford GU3 1LH 11am (last entry 3pm). Dog trials (12pm3pm), police vehicles, puppy meet and greets and more! Accessibility tickets from 1011am. Free, booking essential via http://bitly.ws/tbzL

Miniature Train Rides

Great Cockcrow Railway Chertsey KT16 0AD For ages 2+. 1-4.30pm, booking office closes at 4.15pm.

Heritage Open Day

Hatchlands Park East Clandon 10am-5pm Free entry to Hatchlands Park.

Heritage Open Day Winkworth Arboretum Godalming GU8 4AD 10am4pm, free admission.

Farnham Castle Heritage Open Day Includes Civil War re-enactments from 11am4pm. Free.

The Surrey Society of Model Engineers

Leatherhead KT22 9UT 11am4pm. Miniature train rides.

Surrey Hills Wood Fair See listing on 10 September.

Mizens Railway Knaphill Miniature train rides for ages 1+ from 2-5pm (last admission 4.30pm).

MON 12 SEPTEMBER

Woodland Explorers

Belmont School

Holmbury St Mary For 2-5s with an adult. In Belmont’s camp area with tyre swings, a shelter, campfire and log seats. Book at www.belmontschool.org/explorers. Free.

THURS 15 - SAT 17 SEPT

Heritage Open Day

Polesden Lacey

Gt Bookham Free. The house is brought to life with ‘pop-up’ scenes from 11am-12.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm. On Saturday you can meet the rangers from 10.30am-2pm.

SAT 17 SEPTEMBER

Wey River Festival

Dapdune Wharf Guildford GU1 4RR 11am8pm. Free. Food and craft stalls plus children’s activities on Adventure Island. Illuminated pageant at dusk with decorated boats travelling from the town centre to Dapdune.

Wey River Festival

Great Cockcrow Railway

See listing on Sun 11 Sept.

Scavenger Hunt

Rowhill Nature Reserve Aldershot, GU11 3BD 2-5pm. Scavenger hunt followed by refreshments. Meet in the Field Centre at 2pm, £10 per family, no booking needed.

Mizens Railway

See listing on Sun 11 Sept.

Open Afternoon

Guildford Model Engineering Society Stoke Park, Guildford Miniature train rides 2-5pm.

FRI 23 SEPTEMBER

Three Little Pigs Haslemere Educational Museum 1.30-2.30pm. Make puppets and/or houses to act out this popular story. For under 5s with an adult. Adult £1, child £2. Book online.

FRI 23 – SUN 25 SEPT

Scarecrow and Harvest Festival Fun Event St Thomas-on-the-Bourne Farnham GU9 8HA Fri and Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 125pm. Free entry. Stalls, refreshments, music and the church decorated for harvest. Funds raised will go to Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice and The Bourne Parish. For details see www.thebourne.org.uk.

SAT 24 SEPTEMBER

Be a Chorister for a Day Guildford Cathedral 2pm-6pm. For girls and boys aged 6-8 years who love to sing. £7.50. Book online.

Cranleigh Arts Centre Book online.

Heritage Open Day

Museum of Farnham 10am-3pm. Free. Includes a children’s science workshop and a John Henry Knight trail.

Haslemere Food Festival Lion Green 10am-4pm. Free entry. Food, and drink plus live entertainment and children’s activities.

Woking Fire Station

Open Day Goldsworth Road, GU21 6LE 11am-4pm.

SUN 18 SEPTEMBER

Open Sunday, Mane Chance Sanctuary Compton 2pm. Tour of the site followed by tea, coffee and cakes. Meet the horses and learn about what the Sanctuary does. Adult £3, child £2, under 5s free. Book at www. manechancesanctuary.org.

Spontaneous Storytelling 11am. For families with children aged 6-10. Adult £6, child £5.

Community Drum Circle 2pm. Family friendly eventno experience needed, drums provided! £5, family of 4 £15.

SUN 25 SEPTEMBER

The Rover Social, Loseley Park Guildford GU3 1HS Fun day out for Land Rover fans and families. For details see https://theroversocial.com.

Farnham Food & Drink Festival

Castle St, Farnham 10am4pm. Tempt your taste buds at Farnham’s annual event.

Mizens Railway

See listing on Sun 11 Sept.

Great Cockcrow Railway See listing on Sun 11 Sept.

SAT 1 OCTOBER

Eco Explorers, Union St Aldershot 10am-2pm. Free, no booking needed. Hands-on eco activities.

Deciphering the Rosetta Stone, Haslemere Museum 10.30am-12pm. For ages 5-11. Book online. Session on hieroglyphs and the Ancient Greek alphabet. Mem £5, nonmem £7.

15 Minutes of Fun Chertsey Museum

Free drop-in family crafts. 1.30-3.30pm.

SUN 2 OCTOBER

Great Cockcrow Railway

See listing on Sun 11 Sept.

Eco Explorers, Queensmead Farnborough 10am-2pm. Free, no booking needed.

Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway, Frimley Lodge Park Miniature train rides 11am-4pm.

MON 3 OCTOBER

Cooking, Belmont School Holmbury St Mary

Free session for 2-5 year olds with an adult. Book at www. belmont-school.org/explorers.

FRI 7 OCTOBER

Lovely Leaves, Haslemere Educational Museum 10.30am-11.30am. Turn some leaves into colourful pictures. For under 5s with an adult. Adult £1, child £2. Book online.

SUN 9 OCTOBER

Great Cockcrow Railway

See listing on Sun 11 Sept. The Surrey Society of Model Engineers

See listing on 11 Sept.

FRI 14 - SUN 30 OCT

Rogate Pumpkin Patch

GU31 5EG Pick a pumpkin, plus Merlin’s Wood, giant haystacks, spooky sunflower trail and more. £5. Book online.

SAT 15 - SUN 30 OCT

Enchanted Claremont

See main listing on page 19.

SAT 15 - MON 31 OCT

Halloween Cart VR Ride

Longacres Garden Centre Head to Bagshot and put on your virtual reality headsets for a fully immersive, 4D, spooktacular ride. Pumpkin carving is also available from 24-30 Oct. Booking needed for both, please see longacres. co.uk.

To avoid disappointment, please check details with organiser

SUN 16 OCTOBER

Great Cockcrow Railway See listing on Sun 11 Sept.

Guildford Model Engineering Society See listing on 18 Sept.

THU 20 OCT – SUN 6 NOV

IGNITE, Polesden Lacey

See listing on page 18.

FRI 21 OCTOBER

Pattern, Print, Paint Haslemere Educational Museum 1.30-2.30pm. For under 5s with an adult. Adult £1, child £2. Book online.

SAT 22 OCTOBER

Feel Good Family Fun Day G Live, Guildford 10am-3pm. Free. Face painting, crafts, workshops, games and more.

SAT 22 - SAT 29 OCT

Halloween Trail

Guildford Museum Available Wednesdays-Saturdays from 12pm, last entry 4pm. Free drop-in event for ages 5+.

PYO Pumpkin Week

Secretts Milford Pick your own pumpkin with a spooky walk to the pumpkin field. BBQ and pumpkin menu. Book at www.secretts.co.uk.

SAT 22 – SUN 30 OCT

Deadliest Plants and Bugs

RHS Garden Wisley

See listing on page 18.

Once Upon a Crime Godstone Farm See listing on page 18.

Halloween Half Term, Hever Castle See listing on page 18.

Hatchlands Halloween See listing on page 19.

SAT 22 - MON 31 OCT

Camberley’s Halloween Haunt! Print a sheet from www.collectivelycamberley. co.uk/camberleys-halloweenhaunt and find 14 Pumpkins inside Camberley businesses. Hand your sheet into the ballot boxes in The Square or The Atrium to be in with a chance of winning a prize.

Halloween Trail Winkworth Arboretum See listing on page 19.

Halloween at Elm Nursery See listing on page 18.

SUN 23 OCTOBER

Great Cockcrow Railway See listing on Sun 11 Sept.

Family Spookfest

Pine Ridge Golf Club

Frimley GU16 9NX 3-6pm. In aid of Marie Curie. Halloween family fun including disco, dancing session, crafts, raffle, spooky tombola, sweet treats and more. £2.50 (age 2 and under free). Follow @MarieCurieCamberley on facebook for booking details.

MON 24 OCTOBER

Fabric Applique Workshop New Ashgate Gallery Farnham 10-11.30am. For ages 7-14. Free but you must book at www.newashgate.org. uk/whats-on.

Early Birds, Haslemere Educational Museum 9am-10am. Special opening for families with children who have an Autism Spectrum Condition. Book online.

MON 24 - FRI 28 OCT

Light up the Wey, Dapdune Wharf See listing on page 19.

MON 24 - SUN 30 OCT

Halloween Half Term Rural Life Centre Tilford Spooky crafts from 1-4pm. Pumpkin carving on Sat 29 - Sun 30 Oct. On 30 Oct there is Halloween storytelling (4yrs+). Book online.

TUES 25 OCTOBER

Farnham Maltings Book online.

Monster Theatre Workshop 9.30am-1pm for ages 7-11 or 2-5.30pm for ages 12-16. £15. Develop your own monster character.

Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde: Physical Theatre Workshop 9.30am-1pm for ages 12-16 or 2-5.30pm for ages 16+. £15. No experience needed.

Wild Explorers Holiday Club, Nower Wood Leatherhead 9.30am-3.30pm. Outdoor adventures in the woods for ages 5-11. Book at www.surreywildlifetrust.org

Bloomin’ Kids’ Workshop West Street Greenhouses Farnham Half term fun with Farnham in Bloom. Booking essential by emailing: bloom@farnham.gov.uk.

West End Centre Aldershot Pre-book online. Mini Painters: Mini Matisse 10.30am-12.30pm. Arty activity for ages 5+ and their parents. £13 per child and one carer.

Create your own story 1.30pm-2.30pm. For ages 8-11. £7.

Fused Glass Workshop

New Ashgate Gallery Farnham 10-11.30am. For ages 8-13. Free but you must book at www.newashgate. org.uk/whats-on.

The Lightbox

Woking Pre-book online. Spooky Bug Boxes 10.30am-12pm. For ages 5-7. Create a Halloween Spooky bug box. £9.50 per child, accompanying adult free. Modroc Monster Sculpture 1.30pm-3pm for ages 8-11. Halloween inspired workshop - create a Modroc Monster sculpture. £9.50 per child.

100 years of the Beeb Haslemere Educational Museum 10.30am-12pm. For ages 5-11. Have a go at creating a radio ‘broadcast’. Book online.

Haslemere Youth Hub

All activities must be booked by emailing: deeza.thehub@gmail.com

The cafe is open 10am-2pm. Bouncy House Boo Bash 10.30am-11.30am. £3 per child. Aimed at ages 2-10.

Halloween themed bouncy castle play session with ride on cars, tunnels and more!

Halloween Arts and Crafts 12.30pm-1.30pm. £3 per child. Aimed at 2 years+.

TUES 25 - FRI 28 OCT

Poppies and Soldiers Surrey History Centre 130 Goldsworth Rd, Woking Free drop in family activities during opening hours. Crafts include making a peg soldier and a poppy. Children must be accompanied an adult.

Join us for half-term fun this October

Halloween trails, nature activities and tons of leaves to play in.

Visit Claremont Landscape Garden, Dapdune Wharf, Polesden Lacey, Hatchlands Park and Winkworth Arboretum nationaltrust.org.uk/surrey

please book for Winkworth

WED 26 OCTOBER

Guildford Spectrum Disney dance and drama workshops from Synergy Dance for ages 3-8 years. Dressing up is encouraged! £16.50 per workshop, or attend both for £25. Booking essential at https://bit.ly/ synergy-workshops

Encanto Workshop 2-3.30pm. Encanto themed dance and drama games with parachutes, ribbons and signature snow disco (Covid compliance permitting) and the opportunity to perform a short routine.

Frozen Workshop 3.45pm-5.15pm. Act, sing and dance as you explore the scenes and songs from smash hit films Frozen 1 and Frozen 2. Includes snow disco.

Wicked Webs, The Lightbox Woking Drop in from 1.30pm-4pm. Create your own wicked webs, to hang up for your spooky celebrations. Free entry, suggested donation £3.

Rushmoor Remembers

Aldershot Military Museum GU11 2LG 10.30am-1.30pm and 1.30pm-3pm. Discover the importance of the poppy in remembrance. Make your own poppy wreath. Ages 3+. Included in admission.

Sock Monsters, West End Centre Aldershot GU11 3JD Ages 8+. 10.30am-12.30pm. £13. Book online.

Halloween Disco Haslemere Youth Hub 5.30pm-7pm. £3 per child. Games, disco room, bouncy castle, trick or treating, and more! Must be pre-booked by emailing: deeza.thehub@gmail.com.

Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway, Frimley Lodge Park Miniature train rides 11am-1pm and 2-4pm.

Wild Explorers Holiday Club, Nower Wood Leatherhead 9.30am-3.30pm. Outdoor adventures in the woods for ages 5-11. Book at www.surreywildlifetrust.org

Half Term Crafty Kids Museum of Farnham 10.30am-12.30pm. Crafts for ages 2-7. £3.50 per child and accompanying adult.

Dance In A Day, Princes Hall Aldershot 10am- 4pm. For 6-10s. £21. Book online.

G Live

Guildford Pre-book online.

Dance in a Day: Ghostbusters For ages 7-11. 10am-4pm. £35.

Theatrical Makeup: Special FX For ages 12-16. 10am4pm. £40.

THURS 27 OCTOBER

Guildford Spectrum Synergy Dance workshops. £16.50 per workshop or attend both for £25. Booking essential at https:// bit.ly/synergy-workshops

Zombies and Cheerleading Musical Workshop

For ages 5+. 2-3.30pm. Safe and fun Halloween activities plus a Zombie dance routine with Cheerleading. Inspired by the songs and smash hit film “Zombies”, children learn a themed routine to perform with pom poms – suitable for girls and boys with option to be a zombie or cheerleader.

Halloween Dance Party with Synergy Dance

For ages 6+. 3.45pm-5.15pm. Get spooky and dance the night away! Dress up in your favourite Halloween costume and have a blast with your friends!

Horrific Halloween! Haslemere Educational Museum 1.30–4pm. Make Halloween crafts. Bring a pumpkin to carve and take part in the Halloween procession leaving the Museum at 4pm. Book online.

Pumpkin Carving Haslemere Youth Hub 10.30am-11.30am. £3 per child for ages 2yrs+. Includes a pumpkin, carving tools and stencil designs! Must be prebooked by emailing: deeza.thehub@gmail.com. The cafe is open 10am-2pm.

Open Day, Guildford Model Engineering Society Stoke Park, Guildford 10am1pm. Miniature train rides.

Crafty Kids Museum of Farnham See listing on 26 October.

The Lightbox Woking Pre-book online. Slime Making 20 minute slots at 3.30pm, 3.50pm and 4.10pm. For ages 5+. £3 per child.

Pumpkin Carving 6pm-6.45pm for ages 8+ with an adult. £7 adult and one child. £4 add-on ticket.

Play in a Day, G Live Guildford Ages 7-11. 10am–4pm. Book online. £35.

West End Centre Aldershot GU11 3JD

Halloween Food Fun! 11am-1pm. Free fun drop-in session for local families who would benefit from a free lunch. All ages.

Amazing Art Afternoon 2pm and 3pm. Art for all the family. Free.

FRI 28 OCTOBER

Play In A Day, Princes Hall Aldershot 10am-4pm for ages 7-11. £21. Book online.

Computer Xplorers: Animation, G Live Guildford Ages 7-11. 10am–4pm. £35. Make a stop frame animation movie. Book online.

Monster Streamers

The Lightbox Woking Drop in to make monster streamers from 1.30pm-4pm. Suggested donation £3..

Low Bangs Fireworks Godstone Farm See listing on page 18. Rushmoor Remembers Aldershot Military Museum See 26 October.

West End Centre Aldershot Pre-book online. Pottery 10.30am-12.30pm for ages 3+. 1.30pm-3.30pm for ages 8+. £13 per child and adult.

Dance and Storytelling 10.30am-11.15am. For under 3s with an adult. Child £3.50, adult £3.50. Creative Dance 11.30am12.30pm. For ages 4+. £3.50 per adult, £3.50 per child.

SAT 29 OCTOBER

Halloween Face Painting

Princes Mead Shopping Farnborough Face painting at Princes Mead Shopping. Free but on a first come first served basis. There’ll be activity sheets to keep your little ones busy too! From 11am-3.30pm (break for lunch 1pm-1.45pm).

Low Bangs Fireworks Godstone Farm See listing on page 18.

Halloween Evening Great Cockcrow Railway KT16 0AD Miniature train rides in the dark. Come in fancy dress! Approx 4.30pm-8pm. For ages 2+. £6. No booking needed.

SUN 30 OCTOBER

Great Cockcrow Railway

See listing on Sun 11 Sept.

Halloween at Frimley Lodge Miniature Railway

Frimley Lodge Park

Miniature train rides 5.30pm7.30pm. Tickets must be booked in advance.

Half Term Family Concert St Andrew’s Church Farnham 3pm. Classical music for the whole family. Book at www.bachtobaby.com.

Open Sunday Mane Chance Sanctuary

See listing on 18 September.

OCTOBER HALF TERM HOLIDAY CAMPS

Pitch Pals

Pitch Pals October Half-Term Football Camps Pitch Pals are running football Camps on 24, 25 and 26 Oct from 9am-3.30pm (late pick-up of 4pm and half-days available). Your child can expect a camp full of fun games, activities and tournaments suitable for all. Expert coaching from FAqualified Coaches in a safe, fun and inclusive environment. Early booking is recommended. Book at https://pitch-pals. class4kids.co.uk

Next Steps Holiday Activities

Active, affordable and exciting childcare for ages 4-11. NS Stars and NS Strikers will be running in October half term at Sythwood Primary School, Woking. See www.nssport.co.uk.

Xtreme Activate Holiday Day Camp

OFSTED registered funfilled holiday camp that runs at Guildford Spectrum entertaining and challenging children aged 5-8 and 9-12 years. The Camp runs every school holiday from 8.30am6pm. Bookings can be made in person at Customer Services or call 01483 443322, option 3.

Casa Club

Quality, fun, active and affordable holiday clubs for children aged 4-12 in Farnham, Frimley, Camberley, Weybridge, Aldershot and Farnborough.

See https://casaclubs.co.uk.

CHILDREN’S THEATRE

YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE

Guildford

Dr Maggie – Am I Made of Stardust? Sun 25 Sept 3pm. Superstar space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock will answer all your questions about the wonders of the universe for curious children (and adults!). For ages 6+.

THE WEST END CENTRE, Aldershot

Woodland Tales With Grandad

Wed 26 Oct 2.30pm. For ages 3+. £8, family £28. Puppet theatre with an environmental message.

THE ELECTRIC THEATRE, Guildford

The Noise Next Door: The Mysterious Mansion of Mystery

Sat 10 Sept 2.30pm. An hour of anarchic entertainment for ages 5+.

I Spy With My Little Eye

Sun 2 Oct 2pm. Based on the brand new picture book by Steven Lee (How the Koala Learnt To Hug).

THE LEATHERHEAD THEATRE

Beauty and the Beast

Fri 23 Sept 7.30pm. Presented by Chantry Dance for ages 7+.

Alice in Wonderland

Andy Griffiths

Sun 9 Oct 4pm. Join Andy Griffiths, author of the bestselling Treehouse series, as he talks about his new madcap adventure 156 Storey Treehouse, the twelfth book in the award-winning series. Come on up. There will be laughs at every level! Best for ages 6+.

Short Stories Tall Tales: Amy’s Rocket

Wed 5 Oct 11.30am & 1.30pm. An interactive storytelling performance for 0-4 year olds.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar Sat 22 & Sun 23 Oct 2pm & 4.30pm. With 75 lovable puppets and charming music. Four timeless stories in one show: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, 10 Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Lonely Firefly and of course, the star of the show, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Best for: 1+.

SPLAT!

Sat 29 Oct 11am & 2pm. A physical comedy about Art and Creativity for ages 3-6. SPLAT! features no language and is accessible for D/deaf audiences. Best for ages 3-6. £15.

Short Stories Tall Tales: Nana Hannah and Her Hats Wed 2 Nov 11.30am & 1.30pm. Best for ages 0-4. A magical story with energetic storytelling, drama and music with immersive illustrations throughout. Jack and the Beanstalk Sat 3 Dec 2022 – Sun 8 Jan 2023. Another festive family pantomime is sprouting from the Yvonne Arnaud’s stage!

Wed 26 Oct 1pm & 3pm. A ballet especially suitable for 2-14 year olds, including children with special needs. The Animal and Dinosaurs

Experience

Fri 28 Oct 2pm. Puppetry and special effects bring life-like animals and dinosaurs to the stage. For ages 3+.

Once Upon a Princess Sat 29 Oct 12pm & 4pm. Musical production with fairy tale princesses.

CAMBERLEY THEATRE

Top Secret – The Magic of Science Sun 11 Sept 2pm. A fast moving colourful magical science show.

I Spy With My Little Eye

Sun 25 Sept 2pm. Treasure hunt, singalong songs, games and more.

Terry Deary’s Twisted Tales Wed 26 Oct 2pm. Just three actors perform over 100 roles in as many minutes of fact-based, fast-paced fun!

Morgan and West: Unbelievable Science Sat 29 Oct 2pm. For ages 7+.

A Fright in the Museum (And The Curse of The Ancient Custard Pie) Sun 30 Oct 2pm. Comedy routines, magic, mayhem, slapstick and more.

PRINCES HALL, Aldershot Milkshake! Live

Sat 17 Sept 12pm & 3.30pm.

Pop Princesses

Fri 28 Oct 2pm. £18.50. Musical spectacular starring four Princesses!

ZIPPOS CIRCUS, Guildford GU2 7UN www.zippos.co.uk Thurs 6 - Mon 10 Oct.

THE FORTUNE THEATRE

Covent Garden, London Magical Merlin

Mon 24-Sat 30 Oct. Take a trip back in time and discover a world of witches, wizards, magic and mystery. With a spellbinding mix of magic, songs and dancing, Magical Merlin is a spectacular mini-musical sure to enchant the whole family. Most suitable for 4-10 year olds. Book at atgtickets.com.

NEW VICTORIA THEATRE, Woking Dick and Dom in da Bungalow Live Fri 14 Oct 7.30pm.

The Tiger Who Came To Tea

Mon 17 – Tues 18 Oct. Mon 1.30pm & 4.30pm, Tues 10am & 1.30pm. For 3+.

Ministry of Science LIVE - Science Saved The World Tues 11 Oct 6pm.

FARNHAM MALTINGS

Baby Bear

Fri 16 Sept 10.30am, 12pm, 2pm & 3.30pm. An uplifting, beautiful and comical theatre production for ages 0-3. Sunflowers and Sheds

Sun 25 Sept 2pm & 4pm. Humour, music and storytelling for ages 4+.

Kids’ Symphonic Sundays

Sun 9 Oct, Sun 13 Nov, Sun 11 Dec 10am. Musicians give an introduction to in the instruments of the orchestra.

Megson

Sun 9 Oct 11.30am. Folk concert for ages 0-8 years.

Hibernation

Sat 22 Oct 11am & 2pm. Be transported to a magical forest of mirth, live music and marvellous creatures. For ages 3-7. The Noise Next Door: The Mysterious Mansion of Mystery Sun 23 Oct 2pm. For ages 5+.

Christopher Nibble

Mon 24 Oct 2pm. Can this plucky little guinea pig save the day? For ages 2-7.

Strange Creatures

Fri 28 Oct 11.30am & 2pm. A musical adventure for ages 4-7.

NEARLY NEW SALES

Baby and Children’s Market

On Saturday 3rd September, Saturday 29th October and Sunday 4th December from 10am12pm at Normandy Village Hall, Glaziers Lane, Guildford, GU3 2DT. Lots of stalls bursting with top quality like new baby and children’s items from birth to 8 years. £2 entry, kids are free. Come and grab a bargain or book a stall and be a seller. Keep 100% profit on the day. For more information email ellie@babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk or visit www.babyandchildrensmarket.co.uk.

DORKING HALLS

Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever

Wed 28 Sept - Thurs 29 Sept.

Dinosaur Adventure Live

Mon 24 Oct 2pm & 4.30pm. Interactive show immersing audiences in the realistic world of Dinosaurs.

Woking NCT Nearly New Sale

Sat 24 Sept 10.30am-12.15pm (10.15am for NCT members) at Knaphill Scout Hall, Waterers Rise, Knaphill, GU21 2HU. Entry by donation.

NCT Haslemere & Midhurst Nearly New Sale

Sun 2 Oct 10.30am-12pm (10.15am for NCT members and expectant mums + guest) at Camelsdale Primary School, Haslemere, GU27 3RN.

Yvonne

Theatre

NE

THE REIN D E ER LODGE

I N

UR M AGICA

Experience the magic of our BRAND-NEW Christmas Adventure

Come and say hello to Santa’s REAL Reindeer including our trusted favourites Dasher, Dancer, Prancer and Vixen plus a few of their friends and an extra special surprise… one of Santa’s newest reindeer in training…. ‘Baby Flurry’

Head into the Reindeer Lodge and hear from the elves all about how we look after them and teach them to fly, plus, mix up your very own magical reindeer food!!

Wander through the snow as you make your way to Meet Father Christmas before heading into his Toy Workshop to choose a gift to take home!

PLUS add an extra magical adventure to your Christmas experience, as you step onto our BRAND-NEW ICE RINK!!

Tickets go on sale in mid-September once schools have gone back! For more information, please go to chobhamadventurefarm.co.uk/christmas