Families Birmingham Jan/Feb 2025 PRINT by Families Magazine

Birmingham

IN THIS ISSUE

Education Children’s Health What’s On Guide

Issue 85 January/February 2025

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FESTIVALS FESTIVALS F E STIVALS FESTIVALS

Top family-friendly festivals for 2025 Compiled by Andrew Campbell

Discover the ultimate family-friendly festivals across the UK in 2025, where music, arts and outdoor adventures come alive for all ages. Discover unique experiences which will ensure memorable moments and endless fun for families in vibrant, engaging and often idyllic settings. Teddy Rocks Charisworth Farm, Blandford Forum, Dorset 2-4 May Winner of Best Family Festival in 2022, Teddy Rocks is an immersive, intimate three-day music event, with one hundred percent of profits supporting children’s cancer research. This multi-awardwinning, independent festival hosts over one hundred acts from international to brand new performers. The festival offers activities for all ages, including fairground rides, comedy tent and axe-throwing. www.teddyrocks.co.uk Bearded Theory, Catton Park, Derbyshire 21-25 May Set in the heart of the Midlands, this festival features sensational live performances for adults across multiple stages. The award-winning children’s offering includes fun, educational classes, a Toddler Tent with soft play, a pop-up library, poetry tent and creative workshops like puppet making. Kids can also enjoy a chill-out area, face painting, circus activities and a talent show. NEW: ‘Kids Rave On’ with club lighting and DJ performances. Evening highlights include LED light shows and the unique DOGSHOW performance. www.beardedtheory.co.uk Elderflower Fields, Ashdown Forest, Sussex 23-24 May This delightful, family-friendly event offers a weekend filled with music, sports, nature exploration and arts. Tailored for families with young children, this intimate festival offers a secure environment where kids can freely explore. Highlights include Dragonfly Hill for lively performances and Leapfrog Lawns for crafts and games. www.south.elderflowerfields.co.uk 2 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk

The Big Retreat, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, Wales 23-25 May The festival celebrates wellbeing and adventure with yoga, fitness and live music. It offers diverse children’s activities, including storytelling, discos, water slides, circus toys and bushcraft workshops for survival skills and nature exploration. Families can enjoy a creative and inspirational atmosphere filled with arts, crafts, singing, dancing and wellbeing classes – an inclusive experience in which they can have fun, enjoy and learn together. www.thebigretreatfestival.com Latitude, Henham Park, Suffolk 24-27 July Award-winning Latitude is among the biggest of the family-friendly festivals with a huge array of activities for both children and parents. It’s a proper pop festival in the beautiful grounds of Henham Park with a stunning Kids’ Area. Expect fire shows, pizza-making, traditional woodland crafts and exciting science experiments, a more relaxed but packed programme in the Enchanted Garden and an Inbetweeners Teen Area. www.latitudefestival.com Camp Severn Kids Festival, West Mid Showground, Shropshire 25-27 July Camp Severn offers an all-inclusive adventure for children ages 3 to 13. This family-friendly event is packed with interactive workshops, outdoor games and themed events such as Space Camp, with Star Wars characters, singing princesses and inflatables. The festival also features engaging science

workshops, blending fun and education. With camping options available, families can immerse themselves in the festival atmosphere, enjoying a hassle-free experience where all activities are included in the ticket price. www.kids-events.co.uk Festival of Sport, Packington Estate, Warwickshire 1-4 August The Festival of Sport at Packington Estate offers families an exciting weekend filled with diverse sports activities for children ages 5 to 17. Featuring expert coaching and interactions with sporting legends, kids can explore rugby, hockey, cricket and more. Set in a picturesque location, this festival provides a unique opportunity for children to learn, play and be inspired by sports heroes. www.festivalofsportuk.com Camp Kindling, Sevenoaks, Kent 15-18 August A magical, intimate, safe and secure family retreat in an ancient forest, featuring over one hundred activities. Children can enjoy thrilling adventures like water slides, zip lines and rock climbing, while adults delight in live music, theatre and comedy performances. Pre-bookable activities ensure no lost time and there are no hidden costs. www.campkindling.co.uk Images Top left: Latitude Bottom left: Elderflower Fields Middle: Camp Kindling Top right: Teddy Rocks Bottom right: Festival of Sport

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CONTENTS Happy New Year!

A new year is the perfect opportunity to embrace change. If you feel like you or your family has got into a bit of a rut in recent times, we have some great ideas to inspire you to try something new which can get you feeling more alive in 2025!

Claire Jones

Why not start by planning some summer fun with our family festivals guide.

In this issue

editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk 07938 657719 familiesbirminghammag familiesbirminghammag

This issue, learn about your baby’s gut health and children’s circadian rhythms from the children’s health experts. Our What’s On guide is packed full of great family events and activities throughout the West Midlands this winter and includes some really fun ideas for days out in February Half-Term. Plus, there’s some great articles on supporting highly able children at home, pastoral care in primary schools and don’t miss our interview with Aiden, an Outdoor Guide Foundation Youth Ambassador at age 8! He’s hoping to inspire your kids to follow in his footsteps for a good cause. Finally, we have two Littlest Pet Shop Bundles, worth £100 each and a Teepee Playtime Bundle to giveaway! Apply inside and each issue you’ll receive a digital version of the magazine to share with friends and family PLUS more giveaways and useful information in our FREE newsletter. I hope 2025 is a great year for you and your families.

Festivals

New Year, New You

Interview

What’s On Guide

Education

Children’s Health

Page 14

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NEW YEAR, NEW YOU

Feel more alive in 2025! Put your best foot forward

We all know that walking is great for us. Getting your ten thousand steps a day is one of the best low-impact ways to stay healthy and fit. But why walk alone? There are lots of local walking clubs all across the country, so while the kids are at school or busy with weekend activities, you can get walking, talking and exploring in the fresh air. With over five hundred walking groups across Britain, Ramblers (www.ramblers.org.uk/) is a great place to start.

Channel your inner Picasso

The link between doing something creative and positive benefits for the brain is commonly accepted by scientists. Creative activities stimulate both sides of the brain and can even have a similar effect to meditation, reducing stress and helping you to become more mindful and ultimately, happier. Pottery painting is a fantastic way to channel your inner artist and lose yourself in colour and contour. Find your local pottery painting studio, grab your mum friends and make a night of it! Or book in for a memorable kids’ party.

Go wild

Get creative in the kitchen It might not be for the faint-hearted but there’s a reason that wild swimming has had a huge surge in popularity in the last decade. There are no limits on age or fitness levels and the positive effects of cold water and fresh air on the mind and body are indisputable. The promise of a warm coat, flask of hot tea or coffee and all those feelgood endorphins flooding your body when you emerge will help you take that chilly leap of faith.

We all default to repeating the meals that we know won’t have the children sulking at the table, especially mid-week with homework, after-school activities and work pressures. But the weekend is the perfect excuse to dust off those old recipe books or search for some mouth-watering dishes online. If you fancy someone else making the decisions for you, companies like Hello Fresh, Gousto or Mindful Chef provide you with all the inspiration, instructions and ingredients to ensure that even the fussiest eaters are begging for seconds.

Get body brushing

Make time for a family day

The thought of a family day out can have us all checking our bank balances but quality family time doesn’t have to cost the earth. Sometimes just a trip to your local park with a hot chocolate and a game of hide-and-seek is enough to get everyone laughing and chatting. Take a pedal boat out on a pond near you or plan a nature scavenger hunt. Kids also go free at lots of museums and attractions across the country; look out for annual memberships to save money across the year at your favourite spots. 4 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Family life means we don’t often have time for those ‘self-care’ moments that we know are so good for us. Yes, a full-body massage might have to be saved for an annual birthday treat. But invest in a good body brush and set aside just five minutes a day to brush your skin in long strokes towards your heart and you’ll soon be reaping the rewards with better circulation and glowing skin.

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NEW YEAR, NEW YOU New year, new you. The old cliché is all too familiar and 1 January can stir up strange feelings, piling on the pressure to turn over a ‘new leaf’ before we have even finished tidying up the remnants of the New Year’s Eve celebrations. But the start of a brand-new year can actually be the perfect opportunity to embrace some exciting changes, even if it is just trying out some new dishes or booking that family day out you’ve been meaning to for ages. Time to feel alive and welcome 2025 with open arms!

Invest in a power bank

While it might not be as exciting as a new phone or other trending gadget you’ve had your eye on, a power bank – essentially a portable battery that keeps your devices fully charged on the move – is one of those items you never knew you needed until you have one. Whether your family is spending the new year heading to the in-laws or hitting the slopes, this is the best way to ensure there are no howls of anguish from the back seat when your kids’ tablets, games consoles or headphones run out of juice.

Put their toys on rotation

The ‘I’m bored’ chorus is an all-too familiar sound to most households with small children. And when you’re tripping over the toys strewn across your floors while you listen to their complaints, this can add to frustration levels. A toy rotation system is a great solution for everyone. Hide or store away half your kids’ toys and swap them over every few months; it means less clutter for you and the novelty factor for them

Hold a weekly family games night

Prioritise your gut Because family life is so busy, how often do we really get to sit down and enjoy screen-free time together? Agree on an evening that works for everyone and switch off the devices. Whether Monopoly, card games or karaoke are your bag, turn up the music, make some popcorn and enjoy some good old-fashioned fun. Get tweens and teens to join in by letting them pick the games or having a friend round. Check out charity shops for second-hand games or start a game swap with friends or neighbours.

Try a new sport

Padel is one of the fastest-growing sports in the UK. Dreamt up by a Mexican couple bored on holiday in the 1960s, it’s a racket sport combining elements of tennis and squash and typically played as doubles which makes it the perfect mix of fitness and fun for the whole family. Or round up some other parents and kids and get social on a court near you! Even the teenagers will be up for a go! Find out more from the Lawn Tennis Association website www.lta.org.uk/play/ways-to-play/padel familiesonline.co.uk

Gut health is a buzzword that’s here to stay. Scientists are discovering more and more about the link between a healthy gut (which contains trillions of tiny organisms called microbes) and good physical and mental health. Some foods are known to be particularly good for our guts, including sourdough bread which contains natural probiotics which support healthy digestion and the immune system. So, queuing for that Saturday-morning loaf along with your latte is totally justified. Or make your own with the kids!

Have a mini home makeover

If watching home improvement programmes has you longing for a living room overhaul or a sparkling new kitchen, don’t despair! Change doesn’t always have to break the bank. Simply moving a piece of furniture to a different position or buying a cool indoor plant can instantly revamp a room and give it a whole new vibe. Or why not paint a ‘feature’ wall in a striking colour and get the kids to muck in – just remember to put some protective sheets down first! editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 5

INTERVIEW

Being an Ambassador – at age 8! Families chats with Aiden about being an Outdoor Guide Foundation Youth Ambassador. Tell us a bit about yourself Aiden

Aiden, wearing his Waterproofs and Wellies t-shirt

I’m Aiden and I’m 8 - I’ll be 9 on Christmas Day. I live in Somerset with my mum and dad, our rescue dog Nevis and my pet snake Cornelius. I do Swimming, where I’m at Stage 7 and Taekwondo where I recently got my Yellow Belt. I also do Cubs where I get to earn badges, play games and be outdoors. I enjoy listening, dancing and singing to music. I like drawing, I love LEGO® and I play Pokémon Go.

What do you like about being outdoors? Being outdoors hiking, walking and camping makes me feel peaceful. I love nature and being in the mountains, woods and on the coast, like when we did some of the South West Coastal Path this summer. It’s good exercise and I stay healthy.

How did you first hear about The Outdoor Guide Foundation? At the very first Outdoor Expo when I was 6, I met Gemma Hunt on their stand and she told us about the plan to give every primary school sets of Waterproofs and Wellies so that all children could go outside on rainy days without getting wet and cold or having to stay inside. What inspired you to help The Outdoor Guide Foundation? I wanted to help lots of other children go outside more because it’s better than indoors, even when it’s raining! My parents have taken me camping and hiking a lot since I was really small and got me really good things to wear like proper waterproofs, hiking boots and rucksacks. I’m really lucky that I get to go everywhere like up mountains and I know other children may not get to go to such adventurous places but I really want everyone to be able to get fresh air and stay warm and dry. Tell us what you’ve been doing to help. The first thing was a big hike on Dartmoor when I was 6 and a half. I wanted to do it in one day (but mum and dad carried a tent just in case). I did all 16 miles in ten hours! We started at 7am and did lots of up and down on the moor (700 metres of ascent) - my feet hurt at the end. I raised

them and show other children that they don’t have to be adults to help too. I spent a weekend helping the Foundation and Challenge the Wild who were helping children from families that don’t get outdoors much. And I want to keep helping even more children get Waterproofs and Wellies. I like meeting people and I get to feel proud. I even got a t-shirt!

How do mum and dad support you? £568 - enough money to get two sets of Waterproofs and Wellies and even had my fundraising doubled afterwards which was amazing! Then I found out about the Fan Dance, the special forces training hike in the Brecon Beacons. They do it in four hours, carrying heavy kit, so I carried all mine and I did the 22.7 kilometres in under eight hours and this had more than 1000 metres of up – it included Pen Y Fan! It was harder than I thought it would be, I liked the up bits but not the boring flat bit in the middle. I raised £743, enough money AGAIN for two whole sets Waterproofs and Wellies – and a bit. I think the Foundation will round it up to three though! I can’t wait to find out where they go to. Tell us about being an Outdoor Guide Foundation Youth Ambassador It means I can represent the Foundation as a young person who is supporting

They cheer me on, keeping me going when I feel I don’t want to and making sure I have some sweets on hikes for when I get tired. They carry extra kit too and share my fundraising so more people know about it and I can raise more money. The Outdoor Guide Foundation is looking for more children to become Ambassadors. What would you say to others about getting involved? That it’s a really good thing to aim for and picking something that’s a bit of a challenge to you but is also fun can give you ideas on how to help and raise money. Start with something small and keep moving and remember that being outdoors makes you feel good – even if it’s raining (you can have hot chocolate with marshmallows at the end)! If your child is interested in becoming an Outdoor Guide Foundation Youth Ambassador, find out more at www.theoutdoorguidefoundation.org /ambassadors

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Aiden with Julia Bradbury, Gemma Hunt and Gina Bradbury-Fox of The Outdoor Guide Foundation 6 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON

Fun for all the family this Winter A guide to What’s On in the West Midlands Events

February Half-Term Cadbury World Birmingham Enjoy a day choc-full of fun and discover the story of how they make Cadbury Chocolate. Interactive factory tour with demos, exciting rides, meet Cadbury characters. With plenty of chocolatey treats! www.cadburyworld.co.uk

Black Country Living Museum Dudley Explore the Black Country through time in the carefully reconstructed shops, houses and industrial areas this half term. Book online. www.bclm.com Ash End House Children’s Farm Tamworth Hands-on family-friendly farm. Entry includes animal feed, tractor-trailer ride, pony-sit-on and lots of animal interaction. Outdoor play areas available. Great for children parties! www.ashendchildrensfarm.co.uk

Drayton Manor Tamworth Thrills and adventure for all the family to enjoy. Tickets include Thomas Land, a 15-acre zoo - home to over 500 animals from all over the world, a Vikings area and nautically themed Adventure Cove. www.draytonmanor.co.uk Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham Get creative and have fun with your favourite LEGO characters in Miniland, the 4D cinema, the Kingdom Quest Ride, Lego City Softplay and so much more. www.legolanddiscoverycentre.com

National Sea Life Centre Birmingham Take a trip to the aquarium with the UKs only 360-degree ocean tunnel and over 60 displays of freshwater and marine life. Quieter experience sessions available for SEND children and their families. www.visitsealife.com/birmingham West Midlands Safari Park Bewdley Four-mile drive-through safari with over 100 different species throughout the park. Plus thrilling theme park and dinosaur exhibit. Stay overnight in a luxury Safari Lodge for a totally wild experience. www.wmsp.co.uk

Monkey Forest Trentham See nature up close with 140 fascinating Barbary macaques to watch and discover. Plus a new play area for children to explore and replicate various primate behaviour. Fun and educational. www.monkey-forest.com

Sing-a-long-a Matilda The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham 25 Jan (14:00) Watch the film, learn the dance moves and use your FREE props bag to fully immerse yourself in the story. Fancy dress is strongly encouraged and full audience participation essential! Book online. www.atgtickets.com

Get Active Ackers Adventure Birmingham Get involved with the action at Ackers, including learn to ski lessons (4+), tubing or tobogganing, disc golf, sessions for home schoolers and holiday camps. www.ackers-adventure.co.uk

Sing-a-long-a The Greatest Showman The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham 25 Jan (16:00) Watch the film, learn the dance moves and use your FREE props bag to fully immerse yourself in the story. Fancy dress is strongly encouraged and full audience participation essential! Book online. www.atgtickets.com

Adventure Golf Four Ashes Golf Centre, Solihull 18 holes of fun packed adventure golf with cascading waterfalls, rocky routes and a possible hole in one - It’s fun for all the family! Opening times vary during winter. https://fourashesgolfcentre.co.uk/ adventure-golf-course-midlands/ Cliff Lakes Tamworth The Ultimate watersports destination! Home to the UK’s biggest Aqua Park. With an extensive range of inflatable slides, climbing walls and trampolines over 5 parks. Plus SUP and cold water swimming. www.clifflakes.co.uk Go Ape Cannock Chase (Staffordshire), Wyre Forest (Kidderminster), Coombe Abbey (Coventry) For thrill-seeking adults and funseeking children experience the best of high rope antics, forest segways, net adventures, zip trek adventure, axe throwing and miniLand Rovers. Activities vary by location. Book online. www.goape.co.uk Junior Parkrun Various Locations A FREE, fun and friendly weekly 2K event for juniors (4-14 years old) Every Sunday at 9:00. Children must be able to complete the course without an adult. www.parkrun.com

Big Garden Birdwatch 24 – 26 Jan Play your part in the world’s largest garden wildlife survey. Get your FREE guide online and spend an hour on one of the designated dates watching the birds on your patch and record the birds that land, then tell the RSPB what you saw (submit online or by post). Simple, fun and FREE! www.rspb.org.uk

NPF Bassets Pole Adventure Park Sutton Coldfield Kids and fun family activities, ideal for keeping active, adventurous kids entertained. Paintball, Laser Tag, Archery, Bushcraft, Quad Trekking, Jungle Escape, Gelball and much more. All designed for children, age restrictions apply. www.npfbassettspole.com Planet Ice Solihull Skate for fun, learn to skate, book a party or take the family to watch an Ice Hockey game and support the Solihull Barons this Winter. See website for fixtures and booking. www.planet-ice.co.uk www.solihull-barons.net

8 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Rush UK Trampoline Park Stirchley, Birmingham The ultimate play experience for all ages! Open Jump, Sunset Sessions, Toddler Takeover and NEW Soccer360 and ValoArena - The world’s first mixed reality playground. Plus, the bounciest parties in town! Book online. www.rushuk.com Rock Up Birmingham Enjoy some healthy, action-packed fun in a safe environment. Climbing walls (age 4+), toddler climb and play (up to 5’s), vertical challenges, high ropes (min height requirements) plus soft play for 0-5’s. Also available for group bookings, schools and parties. www.rock-up.co.uk

The 2025 Birmingham International Tattoo bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham 8 - 9 Feb A parade unlike any other! Experience the massed marching bands, pipes and drums, fast-paced field gun competition, the flyball dog racing competition plus massed dancers. The pomp and pageantry of this amazing spectacle includes something for all the family. www.resortsworldarena.co.uk The Tale of Nobody Nose Newhampton Arts Centre, Wolverhampton 19 Feb Imaginative, wordless storytelling, skilful puppetry and classic clowning combine to delight audiences of all ages this winter. This accessible, funfilled production promises to warm the heart whilst making you laugh out loud. Book online. www.newhamptonarts.co.uk /events/the-tale-of-nobody-nose

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WHAT’S ON

Theatre Scan to sign up

Birmingham Hippodrome Birmingham

The Alexandra Theatre Birmingham

Peter Pan Sat 21 Dec – Sun 2 Feb 2025 Age Recommendation: 5+ Birmingham Royal Ballet - Cinderella Wed 19 Feb – Sat 1 Mar Age Recommendation: 5+ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Tue 4 Mar – Sun 9 Mar Age Recommendation: 5+ www.birminghamhippodrome.com

Ministry of Science LIVE Sun 12 Jan Age Recommendation: 5+ The Dinosaur that Pooped Sun 2 Mar www.atgtickets.com

Sutton Coldfield Town Hall Sutton Coldfield

The Core Theatre Solihull Silent, But Deadly Fri 28 Feb – Sun 2 Mar Age Recommendation: 5+ www.thecoretheatresolihull.co.uk

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tue 11 – Sat 15 Mar www.suttoncoldfieldtownhall.com

DON’T MISS!

Wolf Run Junior 2025 Children over 7 and teenagers can get a taste of the action and enjoy wild running and obstacles at Wolf Run Junior events in 2025.

Spring Wolf Junior 13 Apr The Offchurch Bury, Warwickshire (Enter by 10 Apr)

Summer Wolf Junior 8 Jun Stanford Hall, Leicestershire (Enter by 5 Jun)

Autumn Wolf Junior 14 Sep The Offchurch Bury, Warwickshire (Enter by 11 Sep) Open to 7 - 17-year-olds*, the junior course is 3km long and can be completed once or twice. It’s designed to challenge, thrill and inspire young runners and is the ultimate fun day out for friends and families. Why not get a team together? Every 5th runner goes FREE! *All junior wolf runners must be accompanied by a paying adult. Enter all 3 junior events in one calendar year to be a Trilogy Wolf and receive a 10% discount! All entries must be registered online and purchased at the same time to receive the discount. Plus get the chance to purchase a Trilogy shirt and take part in a special photo opportunity at the September event. www.thewolfrun.com familiesonline.co.uk

Rowheath Pavilion Bournville B30 1HH

Saturday 29 March 11am

BIRMINGHAM’S TASTIEST FUN RUN IS BACK! www.birminghamhospice.org.uk/the-chocolate-5k

Outdoor Fun Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park Edgbaston Home to a unique collection of animals from across the world. There are red pandas, lemurs, reptiles, meerkats, otters, birds, wallabies and a collection of monkeys. birmingham.gov.uk/conservationpark Martineau Gardens Birmingham 2.5 acres of organically managed landscape to explore including a nature trail, formal garden and children’s ‘shipwreck’ play area. www.martineau-gardens.org.uk National Trust Birmingham and West Midlands Wrap up warm and explore the outdoors this winter at our local National Trust properties: Birmingham Back to Backs, Roundhouse, Wightwick Manor and Gardens, Clent Hills & Moseley Old Hall. Each property has its own unique family activities so why not visit them all. See individual websites for details and prices. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Museums & History Dudley Museum at the Archives Dudley Filled with fantastic fossils and guaranteed fun, enjoy a whole host of displays including geology, dinosaurs, historic finds from Dudley Castle and local heroes. FREE seasonal family trails. Open every Thu, Fri and Sat. FREE entry. www.dudley.gov.uk Dudley Zoo & Castle Dudley Home to a large collection of endangered species as well as being the site of an 11th century castle - an important geological site. www.dudleyzoo.org.uk Lapworth Museum of Geology University of Birmingham Go and see the finest and most extensive collections of fossils, minerals and rocks in the Midlands. Exciting family activities, educational talks, tours and arts & crafts activities. www.birmingham.ac.uk

Sutton Park Nature Reserve Sutton Coldfield Wrap up warm this winter and visit one of the largest urban parks in Europe. From playgrounds, restaurants, sailing, bike riding to kite flying. A great day out for the whole family! www.birmingham.gov.uk /suttonpark

Sandwell Museums Sandwell, various locations Explore a range of different museums including Oak House Museum (a half-timbered farmhouse), Bromwich Hall (a medieval moated manor house), and more. Mostly FREE to visit. Seasonal activities. www.sandwell.gov.uk/museums

Winterbourne House and Garden Birmingham Edwardian historic house and botanical garden with plenty of activities available all year round for families. Children’s garden, family trail, Tea Room, gift shop and second-hand bookshop. Under 5s FREE. www.winterbourne.org.uk

Selly Manor Museum Birmingham Step back in time to discover how the Tudors cooked, dressed and lived. Explore the parlour, dining hall, kitchen and bed chamber. Dress up in replica costumes and suit of armour. FREE children’s trail. www.sellymanormuseum.org.uk

Walsall Arboretum Town Centre, Walsall Accessible walkways, boating lake and lakeside café, tennis courts and acres of open playing fields to explore. Plus a children’s play area with skate park and splash pad. FREE entry. www.go.wasall.gov.uk

ThinkTank Birmingham Four floors of fun to explore, bursting with more than 200 hands-on hightech displays alongside historical collections and natural science specimens. Fun and educational! Autism friendly sessions. www.birminghammuseums.org.uk /thinktank

editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 9

EDUCATION

Supporting highly able children at home By Erin Miller As a teacher, the most common question I receive from parents is: ‘how can I support my child’s learning at home?’ All parents ask this question, whether their child is struggling or flourishing at school. You may find that your child’s school has more support and resources available for children who are struggling than for children who are thriving in school. It is quite natural that schools are most concerned with ensuring that children who struggle are given as much support as possible to access the curriculum. Unfortunately, the byproduct of this is that sometimes less time is spent nurturing the talents of the most able children. The Department for Education does not state how schools should meet the needs of their most able learners, only that all schools have an obligation to provide an education which meets the needs of every learner. Of course, many schools do an excellent job in supporting their highly able children to build upon their talents but realistically, a highly able child will have a thirst for knowledge that must be fostered at home as well as in school. Therefore, it is useful to know what you can do at home if you have a child who is highly able. What to do at home is as much about creating the right atmosphere as it is finding concrete enrichment activities for your child. I believe that this is threefold. Firstly, be a home which is open to intellectual curiosity If your child expresses an interest in something, ask more questions and allow yourself to be guided by their interest in your choice of media, outings and family activities. Secondly, be a household which visibly values education For example, having books on display in your home communicates that you value reading. This can be achieved easily and cheaply through visits to libraries and charity shops.

Thirdly and perhaps most importantly, support your child to become an independent learner A concern that the parents of highly able children often voice is that their child is bored or under-stimulated at school. Relative to age, children need to understand that they also have a responsibility for their learning. They should have routines and practices to turn to if they finish their work early at school or if they want to pursue an interest in a particular topic. For example, always having a reading book or knowing where to find extension tasks or activities. You may have noticed that I have used the phrases ‘most able’ and ‘highly able’ interchangeably. This is because, since the Young Gifted and Talented Programme closed in 2010, there has been no official, national terminology to describe the most able students. Therefore, the definition and identification of ‘highly able’ varies from school to school. This definitional information is also likely (and rightly) to be kept in-house as making this label known to children can have awkward connotations, both for the pressure it can place upon individual students and the impact it can have on other students who do not receive such a label. Therefore, be cautious about how you approach discussing this topic with your child, if you choose to at all. It’s likely they will already have an awareness of where they fall in their peer group and labels can be damaging for highly able students.

Erin Miller is a teacher with a keen interest in how research can be used in the classroom to improve learning.

Enrichment for primary ages

Enrichment for teens

National Geographic Kids (www.natgeokids.com/uk): humanities, natural sciences, games, videos, articles. Epic Reads (www.epicreads.com): hosts reading challenges for book-hungry children. Primary Homework Help (www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk): wide range of resources aligned with the primary curriculum. NASA’s Climate Kids (www.climatekids.nasa.gov): games, videos, activities about climate science. Aquila (www.aquila.co.uk): a subscription magazine aimed at highly able children. www.code.org: used by schools, helps children learn how to code.

FutureLearn: offering short courses from various universities. Perfect for giving secondary children experiences of studying subjects they have previously not encountered.

10 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Nrich.maths.org: from the University of Cambridge, helping gifted mathematicians (age 3+). BBC Bitesize (www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize): resources of excellent quality across all subjects, linked to the national curriculum. Scratch by MIT (www.scratch.mit.edu): for children interested in developing their coding skills (Scratch Jr available for younger children). familiesonline.co.uk

EDUCATION

Independent Schools Birmingham, Solihull & Sutton Coldﬁeld Highclare School Seniors Erdington, Birmingham T: 0121 373 7400 www.highclareschool.co.uk

Eversfield Prep School Solihull T: 0121 705 0354 www.eversfield.co.uk Open Morning: Sat 1 Feb 09:00 – 12:00

Prep and Junior Schools Edgbaston High School for Girls Pre-Prep & Prep Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 454 5831 www.edgbastonhigh.co.uk Open Morning: Wed 15 Jan & Fri 28 Feb 09:30 – 12:00 Hallfield School Pre-Prep & Prep Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 454 1496 www.hallfieldschool.co.uk Open Morning: Sat 1 Mar 09:30 – 12:00 Highclare School Pre-Prep & Prep Erdington, Birmingham T: 0121 373 7400 www.highclareschool.co.uk

Norfolk House School Birmingham T: 0121 454 7021 www.norfolkhouseschool.co.uk Priory School Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 440 4103 www.prioryschool.net

Ruckleigh School Solihull T: 0121 795 2773 www.ruckleigh.co.uk Open Morning: Sat 1 Feb 10:00 – 12:30

King Edward VI High School for Girls Birmingham T: 0121 472 1834 www.kehs.org.uk

Solihull School Solihull T: 0121 705 0958 www.solsch.org.uk The Shrubbery School Sutton Coldfield T: 0121 351 1582 www.shrubberyschool.com

St.George’s School Prep Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 625 0398 www.sgse.co.uk Open Morning: Sat 8 Mar 10:00 – 12:00

Senior Schools

The Blue Coat School Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 410 6800 www.thebluecoatschool.com Open Morning: Sat 11 Jan 09:00 – 12:00 West House School Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 440 4097 www.westhouseprep.com

King Edward’s School Birmingham T: 0121 472 1672 www.kes.org.uk Open Day: Sat 29 Mar

Edgbaston High School for Girls Senior Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 454 5831 www.edgbastonhigh.co.uk Hallfield School Seniors Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 454 1496 www.hallfieldschool.co.uk Open Morning: Sat 1 Mar 09:30 – 12:00

Priory School Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 440 4103 www.prioryschool.net St.George’s School Senior Edgbaston, Birmingham T: 0121 625 0398 www.sgse.co.uk Open Morning: Sat 8 Mar 10:00 – 12:00 Solihull School Solihull T: 0121 705 0958 www.solsch.org.uk

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EDUCATION

Pastoral care in primary schools By Melanie Sanderson

What do the inspectors expect? The good news is that Ofsted and the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) now assess personal development, which includes mental health in schools. Areas such as resilience, confidence, independence and how to keep mentally healthy are all covered in their assessments. As part of pastoral care, all schools are now also required to provide a mental health and relationships curriculum. A school judged ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in the area of personal development will provide high quality pastoral support alongside a wide, rich set of experiences which support pupils to be confident, resilient and independent. It will offer exceptional quality opportunities for children to develop their talents and interests and strongly encourage take up of these, especially amongst disadvantaged pupils. Schools that are ‘Outstanding’ in the area of personal development are expected to promote equality and diversion and teach pupils how to be responsible, active citizens who contribute positively to society and demonstrate their own ‘outstanding’ personal development. However, do look beyond Ofsted’s current one-word judgements and check when they last visited the schools that you are considering too. More than ninety percent of mainstream state schools are summed up as ‘Good’ or ‘Outstanding’ and yet, clearly, there is plenty to distinguish these schools from each other. What’s more, a lot can change in between Ofsted visits. For parents with children in the private sector, the Independent School Inspectorate (ISI) benchmarks are similar to Ofsted. The ISI is a government approved body that inspects and provides objective evaluation of independent schools. However, ISI reports are more nuanced than Ofsted reports and don’t give single word summative judgements for each area inspected. Their recently revised framework has pupil wellbeing running through it, resulting in TES magazine stating: ‘The upshot of [the new framework] is that personal, social, health and economic (PSHE) education is now probably the single most important subject that schools teach when it comes to inspection outcomes.’ Amanda Childs, Chair of the Independent Association of Prep Schools (IAPS) Pastoral and Wellbeing Committee, added: ‘Pastoral care is what the independent sector is renowned for. It is about a child knowing they are completely valued and cared for; allowing them to feel safe in order to discover themselves, what they are capable of and developing a positive sense of self.’

12 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk

News reports last year claimed there is a child with a suspected mental health concern in every primary school classroom in the country. Figures released by NHS England showed more than 165,000 children ages 6 to 10 were in contact with NHS mental health services at the end of February 2024, while the number of primary-age children in England either waiting or being treated for mental health problems, increased by over a quarter in less than a year. The picture has never been starker and schools have a key part to play both in terms of prevention and providing expert support. The past twenty years has seen schools evolve from places where it was ‘brain first’ to spaces where body and mind are recognised as needing equal developmental attention. Before anything else, a school should be a centre for care. Pastoral care encompasses a wide range of initiatives and approaches. A good primary school will embed pastoral care into all it does within the culture of the school: how it teaches, how it protects, how it listens and learns. A pastorally strong school is in the best position to thrive academically. When they experience anxiety, children can’t access learning, making it crucial that all schools have a robust pastoral care system to support pupils’ development. Simple measures like buddy benches, mindfulness lessons and worry boxes or mood charts are now widely offered and can make a big difference. Animals are good too. Some schools have a therapy dog and even class pets like goldfish or hamsters can help children open up. A common thread running through primary schools with a strong pastoral offering seems to be plentiful opportunities for fresh air, physical exercise and being in nature. Even in some of the most space-pressed inner-city schools, children are cultivating a mini allotment or growing sunflowers in the playground. Similarly, Forest Schools offering regular outdoor hands-on learning sessions in natural environments, are building young children’s confidence and self-esteem. Extra-curricular activities also play a role, fostering social engagement, personal development and a sense of belonging among pupils. An inclusive sporting ethos is often front and centre in schools with good pastoral care, particularly in the co-curricular timetable. However, do look for schools that offer a wide selection of clubs which appeal to all kinds of interests beyond sport too. Amanda Childs, Chair of the IAPS adds: ‘Pastoral care is more than formal PSHE lessons. It incorporates every interaction an individual has in school; from the moment they arrive until they leave. It is about a genuine, positive culture, having excellent role

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EDUCATION

Roll out of free breakfast clubs to begin in April The Chancellor has announced that up to seven hundred and fifty state-funded primary schools will start offering free breakfast clubs from April this year. This initiative will run during the summer term (April-July) as a pilot phase to prepare for a national rollout. models and high expectations, balanced with a kind and realistic view of the support any individual child needs to succeed - and that will be different for every single child.’

The Department for Education will work with the schools selected as part of the pilot to understand how breakfast clubs can be delivered to meet the needs of schools, parents and pupils when the programme is rolled out nationally.

Central to a robust pastoral approach is staff fully trained in mental health first aid and safeguarding. This also includes the non-teaching staff that children often seek out to talk to such as school nurses, lunchtime and office staff. Sometimes the support offered will be a listening ear, at other times, children might require signposting to additional support. The more mentally healthy schools usually have a school nurse, mental health support teams and even dedicated counselling.

The Government claims breakfast clubs will help reduce the number of students starting the school day hungry and ensure children come to school ready to learn. It will also support the government’s aim to tackle child poverty by addressing rising food insecurity among children. More info: www.gov.uk/government/news

For Dean Taylor, Associate Headteacher at Seven Kings School, a co-ed state school for ages 4 to 18 in east London, it’s the relationship between staff and pupils that holds the key to positive mental health in schools. Dean says: ‘The ethos is more important than anything and you can walk around this school and see that it’s inclusive, friendly, safe and with clear and consistent boundaries’. Seven Kings pays particular attention to pressure points and makes sure every child has a trusted adult. There’s a joined-up approach with the SENCO too, in the knowledge that youngsters with conditions such as ADHD and autism can be particularly at risk of mental health problems. ‘The most vulnerable pupils have a one-page profile that’s shared with all staff’ adds Dean. Finally, successful pastoral care involves the school, child and parents. Starting school is a huge milestone for the whole family and a carefully managed transition makes for a smoother pastoral pathway right from the start. Likewise, primary schools with good pastoral provision work closely with secondary schools in Year 6 to ensure a seamless transition to the next stage of education. Good schools take the time to get to really know a child personally; what they like or don’t like and what they are interested in. Schools where pastoral care is foregrounded will extend their offerings to parents too. They might offer useful parent talks, for instance on safe use of technology and share wellbeing resources. Crucially, these schools will have the confidence to collaborate with parents in robust and trusting ways. If you think your child might need help, your first port of call should be your child’s form teacher or tutor who can elevate your concerns to the appropriate staff member. Melanie Sanderson is Managing Editor of The Good Schools Guide (www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk), which reviews the key components, pastoral care being one, of hundreds of schools per year, providing parents with in-depth, unbiased insights. Familiesonline.co.uk

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Get ready for World Book Day 2025 Put Thursday 6 March 2025 in your diary for World Book Day 2025 and start planning your child’s costume. Marked in over one hundred countries, children and schools get involved by dressing up as their favourite book characters and reading together to celebrate authors, illustrators and books. Each year World Book Day releases a brand-new line-up of £1 books and issues tokens that children can use to choose one of the books for ƻ This year’s books include short stories from family favourites Bluey and Paddington Bear for beginning and early reading abilities, a search-and-find story from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler and a selection of poems from the 2022-2024 Children’s Laureate, Joseph Coelho. For more fluent and independent readers, Benjamin Dean captivates young adults with a standalone thriller, while Tom Palmer scores with The Soccer Diaries: Rocky Takes the Lead. More info: www.worldbookday.com

editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 13

CHILDEN’S HEALTH

Your baby’s biome By Lucy Upton If you’re a new or expectant parent, you may have heard a lot about the importance of your baby’s microbiome. But what even IS it? And why is it important? The microbiome encompasses the large but invisible community of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi and more, that live in various body parts. The one receiving the most attention in recent years is the gut microbiome. Your baby’s gut microbiome affects everything from their digestion (which you might expect) to immune function and brain development. The importance of the microbiome During the early months and years, up until they reach age 3, babies develop a community of gut bacteria that will last a lifetime. Developing a well-balanced microbiome during these years not only supports short-term health but will also reduce the risk of conditions like food allergies, asthma, obesity and immune conditions later in life. Several factors influence how your baby’s microbiome develops, some of which you can control and others which you cannot. Mode of delivery. Babies born vaginally are exposed to their mother’s vaginal microbiota, while caesarean-born infants are initially exposed to microbes from their mother’s skin and the hospital environment. Feeding method. Breastmilk is ideal for growing a healthy gut garden, containing its own probiotics (food to fuel gut bacteria) and a whole breastmilk biome. Babies who are formula-fed are known to grow a different community of gut bacteria but increasingly, formula milks have added ingredients to try and mimic the components in breast milk that help good gut bacteria thrive.

When your baby starts solid foods, their gut microbiome undergoes a significant transformation as they experience a diverse range of new foods. Environment. Exposure to pets, siblings and diverse environments can fuel the growth of your baby’s microbiome. A little dirt and outdoor play as your baby grows older are also excellent for their gut community. Medications. Certain drugs are known to disrupt the balance of bacteria in your baby’s gut. Antibiotics are well-known culprits but other medications, including some anti-reflux medications, are also known to impact the gut microbiome. However, it’s important to remember that these medications can be essential for treating specific conditions and should always be used under the advice of a doctor. Lucy Upton is founder of The Children’s Dietician (www.thechildrensdietician.co.uk) and expert speaker at The Baby Show (www.thebabyshow.co.uk) with Lidl GB, taking place 7-9 March at ExCeL London and 9-11 May at NEC

Breastmilk and the baby biome

Off to a ‘gut’ start with solids

Breast milk is a dynamic substance rich in various factors influencing your baby’s microbiome. Research suggests that breastfeeding lowers your baby’s risk of certain diseases and helps build a strong immune system.

The introduction of food marks a significant shift in your baby’s gut microbiome. Suddenly, there is an influx of new options to feed the community of bacteria and certain foods are potent fuel - namely, those containing fibre. Whilst it’s essential to be mindful of overall fibre content in your baby’s diet, prioritising a varied weaning diet, including the foods below, will be a key step in nurturing a healthy microbiome.

Below are just a handful of gut-loving components in breastmilk and how they help your baby’s gut garden grow and develop. Breastmilk’s prebiotics. Prebiotics are fuel or ‘food’ for gut bacteria. Breastmilk is rich in a substance known as Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs), a form of prebiotic. HMOs reach your baby’s gut undigested to encourage the growth of food bacteria and support immune function. Breastmilk’s probiotics. Breastmilk contains a community of bacteria, sometimes called the breastmilk biome. These help to establish and maintain your baby’s balanced gut microbiome. Antibodies. Certain antibodies, especially Immunoglobulin A (IgA), help coat your baby’s gut and protect it from harmful pathogens. 14 Families Birmingham editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk

Fruit. Offer a range of colours and types, such as pureed, mashed or soft finger food options like bananas, steamed apples, raspberries and ripe pear. Vegetables. Offer a range of options, including green and root vegetables. Many work well as finger foods and/or pureed or mashed options. Beans, legumes and lentils. These are easy to incorporate mashed or blended into meals or as options like hummus, which is excellent on toast or loaded onto roasted vegetables. Grains. Oats are perfect for porridge, milled in pancakes or sprinkled on top of muffins. familiesonline.co.uk

CHILDEN’S HEALTH

Optimising circadian rhythms for ) # %, By Usha Patel Do you have difficulties getting your child up in the mornings and worry that they are not getting sufficient sleep? Sleep is a vital process for children, especially for memory consolidation. The transfer of short-term memories happens during sleep, when everything your child learns during the day is moved to a part of the brain called the hippocampus. Memories stored in the hippocampus can be retrieved when called upon in the future. The rest, repair, and memory cycle during sleep are beneficial not just for our children but for all of us and understanding this can help you make informed decisions about your child’s sleep habits. We each have an internal ‘body clock’ known as the circadian clock. This clock creates daily rhythms for sleeping, eating and being active during a twenty-four-hour day cycle. By aligning your child’s routine with their natural circadian rhythm, you can help them achieve their best performance and get the most out of each school day.

times are another critical factor affecting optimum learning performance. The last meal should be around three to four hours before bed. Having a break after eating the last meal signals to the circadian clock that the night-time activities the brain and body need to do can start ahead of going to sleep. Premature babies and circadian rhythms Research shows that preterm babies who spend their early lives in Neonatal intensive care units (NICU) often have poorly adjusted circadian clocks. Exposure to constant bright light means that these newborns find it difficult to naturally wind down when it gets dark, once they are well enough to leave the hospital.

Factors that govern our circadian rhythm start in the morning with daylight. Our built-in light sensors pick up this morning light and create a level of alertness, getting ready for the day ahead. Morning daylight comprises more blue light frequencies which provide a signal to the body for a level of activity. Importantly, receiving this blue light input in the morning signals to the body’s main central clock that it is the start of the daily cycle.

Early excessive light exposure, in turn, impacts their feeding, growth, learning and general development. Many children with ADHD also show the same symptoms.

Children must eat a substantial meal to start the day after being asleep for eight hours (or more, depending on their age). Eating

Usha Patel is a Neurocognitive Therapist at Raviv Practice London (www.ravivpracticelondon.co.uk)

The best kind of light

The last meal

Is your child getting enough daylight in the mornings? Walking for around twenty minutes in the morning (to school) is a way to ensure that your child is getting enough blue light, even on overcast days.

While all children have different eating patterns and needs, the timing of the day’s last meal is critical. When there’s sufficient time between eating and going to bed, a child’s core body temperature is reduced, providing another trigger for the body to go into sleep mode.

Generally, evening lighting should be warmer, especially in your child’s bedroom, upstairs landing and bathroom. Warmer lighting in your child’s bedroom triggers the hormone for sleep production, melatonin and illuminating the desk instead of the room is considered gentler on the eyes at that time of day. Electronic devices emit blue light, so they should have their blue light sensor switched off in the evening. Sometimes, children want to get up at night to drink water or use the bathroom. Having a glass of water next to the bed and warm light in the bathroom means they are not overstimulated at a time when they should be resting. Excessive light exposure when children are supposed to be sleeping triggers the wake cycle and the child needs to restart their sleep cycle from the beginning.

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The more significant the gap between the last meal and going to sleep, the more the food is entirely digested, thus it feels natural for children to wake up because they are hungry. So, when children find it challenging to wake up in the morning, lengthen the time between their last feed and bedtime. Undigested food from a late-night meal indicates to the body’s circadian clock that more sleep is needed to finish digestion. Being forced to wake up when your child’s body is not ready to do so is challenging for them. Understanding our circadian rhythm is essential for everyone and making small tweaks can have a huge impact on overall wellbeing. The Circadian Code by Dr Sachin Panda is a book worth reading, especially for busy working parents.

editor@familiesbirmingham.co.uk Families Birmingham 15

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