Families Surrey East Sep/Oct 2019

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IN THIS ISSUE Education focus Making the most of open days What’s on in September & October Helping children believe they can do anything Singing, dancing and acting classes for 4 - 18 year-olds

CHEAM & WORCESTER PARK stagecoach.co.uk/ cheamandworcesterpark COULSDON & CATERHAM stagecoach.co.uk/coulsdon

SUTTON stagecoach.co.uk/sutton SHIRLEY stagecoach.co.uk/shirley

CROYDON stagecoach.co.uk/croydon EPSOM stagecoach.co.uk/epsom Stagecoach Performing Arts is the trading name of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited. Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach and Creative Courage For Life are registered trademarks of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Limited.

Issue 72 September/October 2019 familiesonline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk Families Surrey East

WHOLE SCHOOL

OPEN DAY SATURDAY 28 Activity Mornings for children starting Reception September 2020

SEPTEMBER 2019 NURSERY

PREP

SENIOR

SIXTH FORM

Wednesday 25 September Thursday 28 November Book online at www.bansteadprep.com/visit

SUTTON LANE | BANSTEAD | ADMISSIONS@BANSTEADPREP.COM | 01737 363600

www.lingfieldcollege.co.uk

01342 838153

A school for life Where every child is extraordinary Curious Minds & Active Bodies Daily activities for Under 5s • Toddler Forest School

• Classical Ballet & Tap

• Active Play

• Swimming Lessons

• Get Active with Sport

• Toddler Group

www.hawthorns.com 2 Families Surrey East

A thriving independent school in Bletchingley for girls and boys aged 2 to 13

Please join us for one of our forthcoming

Open Mornings Saturday 12th October Friday 22nd November

Book your visit

www.hawthorns.com familiesonline.co.uk

Welcome to issue 72 Adventure time! The start of a new academic year, and the kaleidoscopic cycle of nature as she turns from bright sunshine to the warm colours of autumn.

Surrey East Editor Tamar Pearson editor@familiessurreyeast.co.uk Design Rebecca Carr Printer Print Mates

This issue we bring you a plethora of events and activities to enjoy over September and October, and a selection on Bonfire Night activities. Before the winter arrives, get out and enjoy the last of the autumn warmth.

Wishing all your little one’s huge amounts of happiness, as they set out into a new academic year.

Happy reading!

Tamar xx

21,000 copies printed 42,000 readers per issue Next issue November/December Booking deadline 4 October Cover Image Depositphotos

In this issue 4. News 5. Clubs & classes news 6. Education news 8. Independent School Open days 9. Education feature 10. Helping with the fundamentals of eduation 11. Making the most of open days 12. What’s on in September & October Follow us on Facebook for all the latest news and events happening your local area www.facebook.com/FamiliesSEMag

Improving your Child’s Concentration Perform and parenting expert and child psychologist, Dr Claire Halsey offer their tips.

Concentration is a vital life skill which develops from birth. Linked closely to brain development, it improves alongside a child’s memory and ability to organise their thoughts.

Set Up for Success - Reduce big distractions: television, music and screen time make it difficult to listen and concentrate, so limit these to set times.

Make it Fun - Make activities fun as your child is more likely to pay attention eg tidying up toys is less of a chore when you offer a tickle to the child who finishes first!

Keep Practising - Games and activities can build concentration. Choose turn-taking games like Snap or Picture Dominoes or those with simple instructions.

Praise the Good Stuff - Praise your child when they focus rather than highlighting when they don’t eg “Well done for sticking with that puzzle.”

Seek Advice - A small number of children have difficulty paying attention no matter how hard they try. Ask your child’s teacher for suggestions. If you’re still concerned, see your GP. More from Dr Claire Halsey at www.clairehalsey.com Perform offers concentration-boosting drama classes across East Surrey.

Families Surrey East 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 East are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Surrey East. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Surrey East; our distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

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More about Perform Weekly Drama, Dance and Singing Classes for 4 – 12’s Perform is a unique children’s drama school that has a special emphasis on child development. Perform uses a mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s full potential. Run by highly experienced actor-teachers, in small groups, Perform classes focus on developing the 4 Cs: Confidence, Communication, Coordination, and Concentration.

The perform curriculum ensures plenty of fun, using a mix of energetic games, catchy songs and funky dances. All class materials are written by Perform, with apps, CDs and videos that the children can play at home to keep the magic alive.

Perform offer no-obligation FREE trial sessions. Call 020 7255 9120 or visit www.perform. org.uk/try to book a FREE class today.

Families Surrey East 3

Why Daylight is Essential for Children’s Health

By Andrew Campbell Modern children are spending more time indoors than previous generations. An extensive survey in 2016 found that three quarters of UK children spend less time outside than prison inmates and a fifth do not play outside at all on an average day. A report

by Natural England concluded that 12% of children in the UK had not been to a park or natural environment at all in the preceding year.

Spending less time outside restricts children’s access to natural light and this can have an impact on their health.

Short-Sightedness

Babies are born longsighted, with a short eyeball that grows as their bodies do. A healthy eye stops growing when it reaches its optimum shape, but it struggles to do this without access to good quality light, which is only available outdoors. Our eyes are very good at tricking us into believing that our indoor environments are well lit, but even a brightly lit room cannot match the levels of outdoor light, even on a cloudy day outside.

Without the correct daylight cues, the eyeball can grow too long, making the child shortsighted, at which point, they will need lenses or surgery to correct their vision. The NHS advises that ensuring your child regularly spends time playing outside may help reduce the risk of becoming short-sighted.

The Sunshine Vitamin

Sunlight helps children produce adequate levels of vitamin D, protecting them from poor bone health, cardiovascular disease and reduced muscle function. The NHS recommends that babies and children aged under 5 years should be given vitamin D supplements even if they do get out in the sun and everyone else should consider daily Vitamin D supplements, especially from October to early March.

SAD

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a specific type of depression thought to affect around 2 million people in the UK, including children. SAD is thought to be related to lack of daylight exposure and the effect that this has on some of the brain’s chemicals and hormones. The exact nature of this effect is not fully understood, but one theory is that light stimulates the part of the brain called the hypothalamus which controls mood, appetite and sleep. In some people insufficient sunlight results in a disruption of these processes.

Typical symptoms include lack of energy and motivation, sleep problems, feeling depressed or anxious and poor concentration.

Visit the Family Learning Festival The Family Learning Festival which runs from 19 October to 3 November is a national celebration to inspire a love of learning in family life.

Organisations across the UK, including schools, libraries, museums, children centres and galleries will be staging a range of FREE creative family learning activities.

This year’s Festival theme is ‘Future Families’ and organisers will be holding activities to encourage families to become earthy explorers, digital discoverers or wellbeing warriors!

Organisers of the festival, the lifelong learning charity, Campaign for Learning, believes learning that takes place in the family and home should be valued as much as learning that takes place in school classrooms and formal education. The family is where we learn important life skills and positive attitudes to learning, which enable us to become confident, motivated lifelong learners.

To find a local event, visit www.familylearningfestival.com

Hear echoes of the past at Polesden Voices Exhibition Polesden Lacey is known as the weekend party house of Dame Margaret Greville, the indomitable Edwardian socialite who used it to entertain royalty and high society, including Winston Churchill, Beverly Nichols and Queen Ena of Spain.

The research team at Polesden Lacey have conducted hundreds of interviews over the years with people, and the families of people, who lived and worked at Polesden Lacey during Mrs Greville’s time. These recollections have been painstakingly compiled and are now brought to life in this new exhibition, telling the stories of the men and women who lived, worked, and made their own special memories at Polesden Lacey over the last century.

Step inside one of the parties that Mrs Greville held for the village children each summer, learn about estate manager Mr Hepburn and his prize-winning turkeys and even discover who found love at Polesden Lacey.

Echoes of the Past runs from Mon 9 September – Thurs 14 November. Usual admission applies; admission is free to National Trust members. More info: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/polesdenlacey

Learn to swim with Freedom Leisure A recent report by the Amateur Swimming Association shockingly revealed that more than half of children aged between seven to 11 are unable to swim a minimum of 25 metres unaided, meaning that over one million children in the UK are potentially unsafe in and around water!

Our centres in Caterham and Oxted aim to provide the best swimming lessons in the area, with well-structured, rewarding, affordable and fun lessons for all ages and abilities.

Swim School direct debit members also benefit from free unlimited swimming throughout the year at the centre. Find out more www.freedom-leisure.co.uk

Making small changes, such as giving your children more access to daylight, even when it’s cloudy, and encouraging regular physical activity, will set them up for a much healthier future. Getting your children to go out and play is an essential component of their long term health.

More info visit:

www.nhs.uk/conditions/seasonal-affectivedisorder-sad www.nhs.uk/conditions/short-sightedness www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/how-toget-vitamin-d-from-sunlight 4 Families Surrey East

familiesonline.co.uk

Clubs & classes news Girls Attack!

Netball Club based in and around Oxted, Surrey Inspired by the Roses? Come and join us on court! We are a fun, vibrant, inclusive club that provides year round excellent netball coaching for girls 6+: minis, juniors and seniors (Back to Netball and Walking Netball). ‘’Our misson is to build girls’ confidence and team skills in a fun, vibrant club that provides year round excellent netball coaching for girls 6+: minis, juniors and seniors’’ We also run popular holiday workshops and camps with highly experienced England Netball qualified coaches. Email girlsattackit@ gmail.com, contact us through our website www.girlsattack.com or find us on Facebook. Take part, get fit, learn new skills and have fun!

Visit Girls Attack! & Oxted Ladies Netball Club on Facebook for more information. www.facebook.com/groups/644963135660721

Create memories and enjoy a Busylizzy Big ONE Birthday!

A big ONE party is delivered by our team of expert entertainers and includes 60 mins of imaginative play and traditional party fun – singing, shakers, balls, puppets, scarves, pom poms as well as a multi-sensory box, parachute and bubble fun – all designed to keep the birthday boy/girl and their friends engaged on your special day. Our entertainers are the best in the business and insured for your peace of mind so you can relax and enjoy the celebrations with your family. If you would like to find our more go online to the website at www.busylizzycaterham.co.uk/parties.

More about Busylizzy If you haven’t heard about Busylizzy Caterham & Coulsdon yet, they are a one stop shop for mums providing specialised pre and postnatal fitness classes where baby comes along. Help is on hand at all classes to keep babies entertained and ensure you get a chance to focus.

That’s not all... they provide fun Baby classes, coffee mornings and discounted events all in one monthly package. What’s not to love!

Take a look at our What’s On section to find out where, and when you can join a taster session for FREE. Visit www.busylizzycaterham.co.uk to find out more and book your free trial class.

Stagecoach Performing Arts

Stretch, Song & Sensory Baby Massage and Yoga classes come to Reigate

Stagecoach Performing Arts teach children and teenagers how to sing, dance and act, not only to perform on stage but also, more importantly, to perform better in life.

Suitable for a range of abilities, Stagecoach offers the chance for kids to pursue a career in the performing arts or simply learn some new skills to share with family and friends. Students are encouraged to take ‘safe risks’ through rehearsals and performance, which brings out a willingness to take on new challenges.

Classes usually run for 12 weeks during the school term. Each class is small to allow our teachers and their assistants to give each child support and attention.

Stagecoach Performing Arts nurtures the shy and apprehensive, until they find their feet and voice, whilst at the same time developing and channelling those with bundles of talent, confidence and energy.

For more information, and to find your nearest class visit www. stagecoach.co.uk

Sara, a local Reigate mum, is a qualified baby massage and yoga instructor, Montessori teacher and Occupational Therapist.

She runs’ small classes in lovely calming environment with sensory light, toys, bubbles & rhymes incorporated throughout each session.

Each session ends with 15 minutes extended sensory play.

Ideal for any parent with a baby aged 4 weeks - 1 year, Baby Massage & Sensory Play is a lovely sensory experience for your baby. Sara shows parents how to move and hold their baby in a safe and exciting way.

This can help them reach developmental milestones. The benefits of baby massage include relief from colic, trapped wind, reflux and lots more. The very small group size allows for a personal feel in a lovely calming environment, and parents are welcome enjoy a complementary refreshment too.

Classes are held in Reigate, on a PAYG basis as £5 per session. Please email Sara at babymassagebysara@gmail.com, or call 07766825379 to book your session.

To advertise your business to over 45,000 parents living in East Surrey in our next issue call 07947 535986 or email editor@familiessurreyeast.co.uk

British Wildlife Centre l l l l

Red squirrels l Pine martens Otters l Badgers l Foxes Owl display l Deer park Wildcats & more

Over 40 different species!

Open every weekend & during state school hols

Half term open: Sat 19 Oct - Sun 3 Nov

1 child FREE with this advert - save £8.50!

Valid to Sun 3 Nov 2019 with one full paying adult - No cash alternative One voucher per party - No photocopies - Not to be used with other offers (FSE 09-19)

We’re on the A22, Newchapel, nr Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6LF

01342 834658 www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Families Surrey East 5

Education news

Banstead Prep has exiting new announcements to make!

Banstead Prep School is excited to announce the opening of new sports changing facilities to enhance onsite playing field and full-sized all-weather pitch.

Outdoor Education programmes at Surrey Wildlife Trust The Surrey Wildlife Trust have two private educational nature reserves in Surrey, both with classrooms, amenities and acres of beautiful natural surroundings. As they are closed to the public these reserves make the perfect safe environment to immerse yourself in nature.

The early years and primary programmes are designed to guide children on a journey of discovery into nature, inspiring natural inquisitiveness, a sense of adventure and empathy for the natural world.

Sessions are planned with the children in mind, involving a range of engaging, handson activities and games to suit all learning styles. Every session aims to encourage enquiry, creativity and teamwork as well as delivering subject-specific learning outcomes. Early years sessions include sessions for EYFS, KS1 and KS2.

It is well-known that the best way to learn is through practical experience and our secondary programmes use field studies, scientific investigation techniques and realworld examples to demonstrate concepts in biology, geography and environmental studies.

There are sessions available for KS3, KS4 and A-Level Programmes.

For more information and to book an outdoor education session, please email education. centres@surreywt.org.uk, or call 01372 379509. Visit www.surreywildlifetrust.org

Calls for Compulsory Climate Change Education in Schools A petition launched by four Oxford school girls calling for lessons on Climate Change to be made compulsory in schools has gathered over 75,000 signatures. The students are hoping to make climate change a “core part of the compulsory curriculum” to increase the next generation’s understanding of the global issue. They claim they have “barely learned about the climate crisis at school, even though it’s supposed to be part of Geography and Science.”

According to the petition: “Climate change is the biggest issue of our time, and it must be a part of our education if our generation is to understand it and help us to combat its effects. That’s why wewant climate change to be made a core part of the national curriculum.”

More info: www.change.org 6 Families Surrey East

Vicky Ellis, Headteacher said “The new building will enable us to use our exceptional sports facilities to an even greater extent, improving the experience for our children as well as visiting sports teams and spectators. This is the first of several planned building works, demonstrating United Learning’s commitment to the school and their confidence in our continued sucess.” The school has also extended the dining hall to increase capacity and further building is planned for 2020, including an additional classroom to accommodate expected increases in pupil numbers.

Another new addition to the school is Toddler Time, a free parent and toddler group open to the community, that runs once a month on Fridays from 9.30am - 11am during term time for children aged 1-3. For dates and further details please see our website or Facebook page.

More info: www.bansteadprep.com

Outstanding results secures exciting future at Croydon High School GDST The Class of 2019 have much to celebrate at Croydon High this summer, with almost half of all grades awarded being A* or A. In a year group of diverse interest and ambition, Croydon High girls are heading off on many different paths, secure in the knowledge that their hard work has paid off and they have achieved their goals.

Headmistress, Emma Pattison is not only extremely proud of the academic achievements of our girls but also of the individual journeys they have taken.

The school is delighted to report that 60% of students will be taking up places at one of the prestigious Russell Group universities and equally proud of those who have chosen to follow different paths, including a highly competitive apprenticeship, or on more specialist courses in subjects they are passionate about.

For more information, please visit www.croydonhigh.gdst.net/a-level-2019

Community is a golden thread at Essendene Lodge Essendene Lodge is an independent co-educational Preparatory and Nursery School in Caterham, providing extremely highquality education for 3 to 11 year olds, within a friendly family environment with wraparound care from 8am to 6pm. Local families can enjoy free drop in, stay and play sessions, which are held every Tuesday where everyone is welcome to join between 10am – 11.30am. Feel free to drop in.

Pupils at Essendene Lodge children thrive, feeling the strong sense of community, with Pre-school children knowing and interacting with Year 6 pupils. Coming together as a community is a golden thread running throughout the school.

For further information call 01883 348 349, email office@essendenelodge.surrey.sch.uk or visit www.essendenelodge.co.uk

“Little Steps, Large Leaps” * Opening hours 08:00-18:00, with extended days from 07:30 – 18:30 if requested; * Ofsted graded GOOD January 2018; * 10% sibling discount; * Security entry system; * Spacious gardens in each room with free flow throughout the day. * Qualified, caring staff with a current DBS check; * Extracurricular activities: Gymnastics and Jo Jingles * SPF 50 sun cream supplied in each room; * Toothbrush and toothpaste provided for each child; * Food is prepared and cooked on site by our qualified chef; * Consumables included nappies and wipes; * Up to 30 hours funded sessions for children over 3 years old; * 15 hours FEET funding entitlement for 2 years old; * Nutritionally balanced menus, including specific weaning menus and special diets; * Free Toad Hall water bottles; Get in touch Nursery Manager: Leila Parrott Tel: 01293 823 500 Email: horley@toadhall-nursery.co.uk Toad Hall Day Nursery :19 Massetts Road, Horley, Surrey, RH6 7DQ

familiesonline.co.uk

The love for Learning Starts Here!

Croydon High School in Selsdon, Surrey is an exceptional independent day school for girls aged 3 to 18. Part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the leading network of independent girls’ schools in the UK, Croydon High has been delivering outstanding education to local girls since 1874.

Girls join Nursery in the term in which they will turn 3, progressing through Junior School, gaining confidence and experience, enjoying unparalleled opportunities to discover individual talents with a curriculum specifically developed to empower and inspire girls. This includes specialist teaching in areas such a computer science, drama, music and PE from Nursery up.

From her very first day, every girl is treated as an individual.

Relationships with staff are crucial; staff know each girl, her likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses and plan teaching opportunities to suit each and every one.

A personal tour of the Junior School on a normal school day is the perfect opportunity to meet Head Sarah Raja, to see first-hand how the girls learn and to soak up the school’s unique atmosphere.

The Junior Admissions team is on 020 8260 7508 or juniors@cry.gdst.net More info: www.croydonhigh.gdst.net

Building community spirit In the technological society we live in the importance of face to face interaction, and taking time to contribute to the local community is easily forgotten. At Micklefield School in Reigate we model how important citizenship is and ensure our children leave with the integrity and intelligence they need to engage not only academically but socially. Our pupils are given opportunities which will enable them to become effective contributors and responsible citizens. Micklefield pupils become wellrounded individuals with good character, self-belief and a willingness to help others and seize new opportunities. A community spirit is developed in our children from a young age with our Preps visiting a local nursing home to do craft and sing songs with the residents once a week. Pupils also have the opportunity to stand for School Council and take on many roles and responsibilities throughout their school life.

To fully appreciate the family atmosphere at Micklefield and what makes us special, come along to our drop in morning on 15 October from 10am12noon. www.micklefieldschool.co.uk

Dunottar School, the gem of Reigate Dunottar School in Reigate is a coeducational day school where boys and girls aged 11 to 18 receive an excellent, rounded education as part of a vibrant, friendly community.

Teachers at Dunottar are passionate about their subjects and deliver an engaging curriculum designed to spark imaginations and instil a love of learning, so that students acquire skills and confidence to think critically, challenge convention and aim high. Pupils are encouraged to be aspirational, tenacious, curious, creative, independent, collaborative and inclusive both within and beyond the classroom, and exceptional pastoral care underpins every aspect of school life.

Located just outside Reigate, Dunottar offers the transport convenience of a town centre site in a stunning 15-acre countryside setting. Call the admissions team on 01737 761945, email admissions@dunottarschool. com or visit www.dunottarschool.com for more information about open mornings. familiesonline.co.uk

Turning Singleuse Plastics into Something Fantastic Pupils from The Hawthorns School in Bletchingley worked with local artists Pippa Ward and Anna Louise Cox to create a piece of art highlighting the issues caused by single-use plastics.

Led by the Head of Conservation, Lizzie Bruce, and Eco Team pupils, plastic bottle tops collected by the children and their families were threaded onto fishing line, which was subsequently attached to the pipe.

The sight of the torrent of bottle tops that seem to be gushing out of the pipe creates a very visual reminder of the plastics that drain into our rivers and seas and its presence will prompt dialogue about single-use plastics continues for years to come.

Headmaster, Adrian Floyd commented, “Here at The Hawthorns we are very conscious of the impact we as a school have on the environment.

As part of our sustainability programme, The Hawthorns School is committed to becoming Zero Waste to Landfill next year.”

More info: www.hawthorns.com

Salutations, from Jacky Shackel, Head of Lingfield Prep School As Head of Lingfield Prep School, I am delighted to welcome you to our wonderful school.

Being the mother of two children who have attended the school, I am conscious of how important it is to choose the right school for your child. I wanted my children to be happy at school, to be valued as individuals, for their talents to be recognised and encouraged and for them to be both challenged and supported in their learning. These are all things that I believe they had in abundance whilst at Lingfield Prep & College.

At Lingfield we have a huge responsibility to make sure our children get the best education they possibly can, and I am proud to say that they are given every opportunity to shine in all areas of the curriculum.

Making learning enjoyable is crucial – from Nursery right through to the Sixth Form.

I strongly believe that if you join our school, you’ll agree that you’ve made a very good decision that will last a lifetime.

More info: www.lingfieldcollege.co.uk

School Children to Tackle Speeding Drivers An initiative in London is getting primary school pupils to confront speeding motorists, in a bid to enforce the 20mph speed limit near schools.

The Junior Roadwatch scheme involves drivers who are caught speeding and pulled over by police officers being given the option of receiving a fixed penalty fine and points on their license, attending a speeding awareness course or being told off by children.

Drivers “deemed suitable” to speak to the pupils following a police national computer check will face questions such as “are you aware of the consequences of speeding” and “why do you think the speed limit is 20mph on this road?”.

Collisions are a leading cause of serious injury, disability or death of children in the UK. In 2017, 48 children died in road collisions in the UK and over 15,700 children were injured.

Similar schemes are being used elsewhere, visit www.tfl.gov.uk to find out more.

Families Surrey East 7

Education news Reduction in School Breaks ‘Unhealthy’ School break times are much shorter than they were two decades ago meaning children are missing out on valuable opportunities to make friends and develop social skills and exercise, according to research by the Nuffield Foundation.

Independent School Autumn Open Days Open events require advance booking, so please call the school to check.

Aberdour School Burgh Heath, KT20 6AJ 01737 354119 www.aberdourschool.co.uk Fri 4 Oct, 9.30am - 12pm

The study looked at how school breaks have changed over 25 years comparing data from over 1,000 primary and secondary schools.

It found that despite the length of the school day remaining much the same, break times are being squeezed even further with potential serious implications for children’s well-being and development.

Afternoon breaks have been virtually eliminated; they are now only available to 15% of primary school children and 1% of secondary schools. There is also a clear trend to shorter lunch breaks with reported lunchtimes of 35 minutes or less.

According to the authors, break times are important for children to get physical exercise – a particular concern given the rise in obesity, and to develop important social skills that are not learned in school lessons.

More info: www.nuffieldfoundation.org

Teachers ‘As Good as Tests’ at Predicting Success Sats are no better than teachers at predicting pupil’s GCSE and A-Level results, a study has found.

The study, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, found teacher assessments at age 7, 11 and 14 were just as effective as using Sats results to predict pupils’ subsequent exam success.

Researchers say their findings, published in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, question whether the benefits of standardised exams outweigh the costs.

A lead researcher Dr Kaili Rimfeld, from the King’s College London, said: “We have shown for the first time that teacher assessments predict GCSE and A-level results just as well as earlier exam scores.”

“The fact that exam scores correlate so highly with the teacher assessments raises questions about the value of the testing culture that characterises compulsory education in the UK.” More info at www.kcl.ac.uk/news

Drive for More Men in Childcare More men are to be encouraged into careers in nurseries and early years’ settings, in a new project to provide more diverse role models for children before they start school.

With men making up just 3% of early years staff in England, the project aims to break down the barriers that prevent men entering careers in children’s early education, including the myth that men are less suited to caring roles.

The project will be run by the Fatherhood Institute, and will spearhead an innovative recruitment drive that highlights the positive roles men can play in the crucial first years of a child’s education.

It will provide practical resources like myth busters, ‘how-to’ guides and online content to support male recruitment into the profession, as well as online peer support for men already working in the sector.

Banstead Prep Banstead SM7 3RA 01737 363601 Co educational day school.

Pupils aged 2 – 11 years www.bansteadprep.com Open Mornings 9.15am - 10am Fri 20 Sep, Thu 10 Oct, Tue 12 Nov, Toddler Time parent & toddler group 27 Sep & 18 Oct, 9.30 - 11am Belmont Prep School Dorking, RH5 6LH 01306 730852 www.Belmont-school.org Open Morning Mon 23 Sep, 10.15am Boxhill School Dorking, RH5 6EA 01372 373382 www.boxhillschool.com Sixth Form 16 Sep, 6-8pm Open Morning 5 Oct, 10.15am – 12noon Caterham School Caterham, CR3 6YA 01883 343028 www.caterhamschool.co.uk Open Mornings, 9.30am Wed 11 Sep, Sat 21 Sep, Wed 25 Sep, Wed 9 Oct Sixth Form Mon 14 Oct, 9.30am City of London Freeman’s Ashstead Park, KT21 1ET 013 7282 2423 www.freemens.org/openevents Sixth Form Open Evening - Thu 19 Sep, 4.30pm Open Morning - Fri 27 Sep, 9.30am Open Morning - Sat 12 Oct, 10am Croydon High School Old Farleigh Rd, Croydon, CR2 8YB 020 8260 7508 admissions@cry.gdst.net Independent girls’ day school Pupils aged 3 – 18 years www.croydonhigh.gdst.net Whole School Sat 12 Oct, 9.30am Sixth Form Open Evening Tue 15 Oct, 7-9pm Downsend School (Pre/Preps) Leatherhead, Ashtead and Epsom 01372 372311 www.downsend.co.uk Pre-Prep School Fri 4 Oct & Fri 11 Oct 9.30-11.30am Prep School Sat 5 Oct, 9.15am Dunottar School High Trees Rd, Reigate, RH2 7EL Co educational day school for pupils aged 11-18 years www.dunottarschool.com Open Morning Tue 17 Sep, 10.15am Open Morning Wed 16 Oct, 10.15am

The Hawthorns School Pendell Rd, Bletchingley, RH1 4QJ 01883 743048 Co educational day school Pupils aged 2 - 13 years www.hawthorns.com Sat 12 Oct, 10am – 12noon Lingfield College Senior School St. Pier’s Lane, Lingfield, RH7 6PN 01342 832407 Lingfield College Prep School Racecourse Road, RH7 6PH 01342 833372 Co-educational independent interdenominational school.

Pupils aged 2.5 -18 years www.lingfieldcollege.co.uk Whole School Sat 28 Sep Sixth Form Open Evening Thur 10 Oct Manor House School & Nursery Leatherhead, KT23 4EN 013 7245 7077 www.manorhouseschool.org Prep School and Senior School Open Morning Sat 5 Oct, 10am

Micklefield School 10 Somers Rd, Reigate, RH2 9DU 01737 224212 Co educational day school Pupils aged 3 - 11 years www.micklefieldschool.co.uk Tue 15 Oct, 10am – 12noon Free Toddler Group on Tues, Wed & Thurs, 2-3pm Moor House Oxted, RH8 9AQ 01883 712217 www.moorhouseschool.co.uk Wed 25 Sep, 9.45am-12.45pm Wed 16 Oct, 9.45am-12.45pm Oakhyrst Grange Caterham CR3 6AF 018 8334 3344 www.oakhyrstgrangeschool.co.uk Fri 11 Oct, 10am-12noon Reigate St Mary’s Reigate, RH2 7RN Call 01737 244880 www.reigatestmarys.org Sat 5 Oct, 10am – 12noon Royal Alexandra & Albert School Gatton Park, Reigate, RH2 0TD 01737 649000 www.raa-school.co.uk Sat 21 Sep & Sat 12 Oct, 9am -10.30am Sixth Form Open Evening Thu 10 Oct, 7pm – 9pm St John’s Leatherhead, KT22 8SP 01372 373000 www.stjohnsleatherhead.co.uk Sixth Form Open Evening Thu 19 Sep, 5pm – 6.30pm Open Evening Fri 27 Sep, 5 –7pm Open Morning Sat 28 Sep, 9–11am Discover Event Tue 8 Oct & Wed 16 Oct 9–10.45am

More info at www.fatherhoodinstitute.org 8 Families Surrey East

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Education Focus negative experiences at school that have an impact on how well they can engage in their own child’s learning.

But there are simple, practical and evidence-based steps that parents can take to support their child’s development.

And the most effective approaches are often the most obvious - daily stories, teaching them songs and nursery rhymes, and playing with letters and numbers.

These are all proven to help children discover the joy of learning. This, in turn, will help close the early attainment gap.

Of course, part of the answer to early years education lies in giving toddlers and pre-schoolers access to high-quality nursery provision, with well-trained and skilled staff. But parents are a crucial part of that equation. After all, they are their child’s earliest educators.

How Parental Engagement Improves Learning

By Stephen Fraser

As a parent or carer, you want to give your child the best start in life and you play a crucial role in supporting your child’s learning before school and throughout their time in education. Research is clear that levels of parental engagement are also consistently associated with better learning outcomes.

At no point is parental engagement more important than in the early years. They are a vital time in the life of any child and play a significant role in shaping the person they will become and the opportunities in life they will have. It is also a critical, and often difficult, time for parents, trying to balance the wellbeing and development of their child with the need to provide financial stability, and especially for first time parents, with the emotional and practical complexities that can accompany the joys of parenting.

Unfortunately, the early years are where we first see the attainment gap – the difference in educational outcomes between young people from the least well-off backgrounds and their classmates – first take hold. There is already a big gap in the school readiness of less well-off children and their more advantaged classmates when they start school: five year olds from economically disadvantaged homes are estimated to be over four months behind their peers.

This link between family income and attainment, even among young children, is clear-cut, long-standing, and difficult to break.

But there is nothing inevitable about this trajectory. The best research we have provides a much more hopeful message. As a parent, your occupation, education and family income matter less familiesonline.co.uk

to your child’s intellectual and social development than what you actually do with your child. In short, parenting can trump background.

Research by charity, the Sutton Trust, has found that good parenting and a supportive home environment are more important determinants of good levels of learning at age 5 than family income. It also found that most children with a good level of learning at age 5 are read to every day, taken to places of interest, and given regular bed times. Evidence from our Early Years Toolkit suggests that effective parental engagement can lead to learning gains of around four months over the course of a year.

This shows what is possible. Challenges, of course, remain. Many parents, as well as being time-poor, may lack confidence in their own reading, writing and maths skills. Some parents may have had

So it is encouraging to see the Department for Education make improving the home learning environment one of its key priorities. This commitment is backed by a £5 million fund which will be used to find out how early years settings can best work with parents to support their children in language and reading at an early stage.

There are some practical things that schools and early years’ settings can do, too, such as monitoring parental engagement activities to get the most out of them, looking at the best ways to communicate with parents, and strategies for supporting learning at home.

By building effective practice, it will be possible to support more parents to actively engage in their children’s learning, from the early years and throughout school, radically improving their life chances.

Stephen Fraser is Deputy CEO of the Education Endowment Foundation, an independent charity established in 2011 to improve the educational attainment of the poorest pupils in English schools.

For further information, visit www. educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk

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Families Surrey East 9

Education Focus

STEM: Helping Children with the Fundamentals of Education

By Christopher Cederskog

When you’re out with your children, encourage scientific observations: when walking to the park, talk about why the leaves are green or why they fall in autumn. See if your children can spot any mini-beasts and set them the challenge of learning about them when they get home.

And when at home, help bring out your child’s inner-engineer by encouraging them to put those endless MegaBlocks and LEGO bricks to work.

Every activity can be a learning opportunity without a child needing to identify it as such. Your job as a parent is to try to find ways to make the learning opportunity fun.

It’s not easy being a parent. You want to do the best for your children, but sometimes it’s hard to work out what the best actually is.

Education is one of those areas where advice is constantly changing.

If you are interested in helping your kids with the fundamentals of education there is an acronym which you should become aware of: STEM. It stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and it is fast becoming the core of the British and global education system. There is hardly a career which does not involve some element of STEM, from farming to neurosurgery, and it also plays a part in a many everyday activities. This is why it’s important our children can understand its key tenets.

As a parent, then, what can you do to help form the STEM of your child’s tree of knowledge?

While I’m not saying that all education should be done by stealth, I am an advocate of learning through play. The lessons I most strongly remember from my childhood are those that were learned while I was having fun: the Van de Graaff generator sparking as much imagination as electricity; the recreation of the witches’ scene in Macbeth making Shakespeare seem relevant and interesting; the days in the garden, learning where food actually comes from and that there is a point to worms.

Children were born to learn and their brains are busy absorbing information from the second they leave the womb. If you can make your lessons fun, informal and an integral part of everyday life, then your little ones will learn by osmosis and you can sit back in the happy glow of a good job, well done.

Christopher Cederskog is MD of Wonder Workshop which teaches children coding through robotics and enables them to master critical thinking, problem solving, cause and effect, communication, and collaboration.

For more information, visit www.makewonder.com

I have always believed that learning should be fun and the popular perception is that the subjects of STEM are anything but. However, science, engineering and technology are particularly well-suited to play and mathematics can be applied to virtually any day-to-day situation. It’s just a matter of identifying the right opportunities.

The next time you’re baking pastry together, let your child measure out the ingredients and ask them questions: what does ‘half fat to flour’ mean? Let them work out, according to that rule, how much flour is needed if you’re using 100 grams of fat. Get them to count out how many pastry cases were made from that ratio, then work out how much more pastry it would take to double the number of cases, or how many pies each family member will get based on the current number.

Talk about the ingredients, what they are and where they’ve come from.

The next time your child falls, take the chance to talk to them about gravity and discuss why they fell downwards rather than upwards! If they’ve grazed their knees, once the tears have stopped, chat a bit about biology – why is blood red, why do scabs form, how do cuts heal? If you don’t know the answers yourself, call on Doctor Google – he’s always there to help.

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Education Focus

Making the Best of School Open Days This autumn, state and independent schools will be opening their doors to prospective pupils and their parents to give them a flavour of life at their school. Claire Winter has the lowdown on how to get the best out of these Open Days and tours.

What is an Open Day?

Tips for Visiting an Open Day

School open days help you decide what school you want your child to go to. During an open day, prospective parents are shown around the school, often on a school day, to give them a flavour of the working life of the school and the school environment. You will be able to see the children in lesson and talk to the teachers and pupils.

Take your child with you. There is no point in falling in love with a school only to find your child does not want to go there.

Sometimes pupils are given the task of showing parents around the school. This is a great opportunity to ask them how they enjoy being at the school. How settled, relaxed and confident these children are can give you an idea of how happy the children are there.

Usually, the head teacher or a senior member of staff also gives a talk which includes a general overview of the school and its values and ethos. This is often followed by a presentation by the head of admissions or the relevant head of the section of the school (for example, head of reception, or sixth form).

When Are They Held?

State schools generally hold Open Days in September and October aimed at children and families looking for a school place for the following year. It’s a good idea to start looking a year in advance. So if your child is starting school, start looking at schools when they are three. If you are looking for secondary school places, start looking in year 5 (when your child is nine or ten). You can then revisit the schools

What is your general feeling about the school?

Your gut reaction is very important. Do the pupils look happy and engaged?

you are most interested in with your child the following year.

Independent schools often hold Open Days throughout the Autumn and Spring terms.

They can have waiting lists for Reception-age children or require children to take a schoolspecific 7+ or 11+ exam to gain a place, so you need find out the criteria for entry to the school and visit well in advance.

How are Open Days Organised?

Schools organise Open Evenings as well as days to allow working parents to visit the school too. Some schools (mainly independent) hold Open Days on a Saturday. All schools put a lot of care and organisation into the events and they all want to show their school in the best light. However, there may be a lot of people attending so do be sure to turn up on time and follow the school’s directions during the event.

MICKLEFIELD SCHOOL

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Make sure you ask the pupils what they think of the school.

Don’t make decisions on individual teachers.

They often move on and large departments have a variety of teachers that will rotate every year to teach your child a particular subject.

If your child has a particular interest in a subject, make sure you visit the department and look at the kind of work they will be doing.

What extra-curricular activities do they have?

Are there clubs that will engage your child and allow them to pursue a broad range of interests?

While exam results aren’t everything, every parent wants their child to do well. Academic performance is a top priority for many families.

It’s a good idea to see how the school is performing compared to other local schools, using exam league tables and Ofsted reports.

Finally, in making your decision, don’t be afraid to trust your instincts; you know your child and you are best placed to ascertain what is right for them.

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Watch your child flourish Open Morning - 15 October 2019 10am - 12pm

Tuesday 17th September Wednesday 16th October Thursday 21st November

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Independent Preparatory School, Reigate Free Toddler Group on Tues, Wed & Thurs 2-3pm Be ready

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What’s on

Your essential guide to family events this September & October.

We take great care in compiling our events guide, but check with the venues before you leave home just in case times or prices have changed since we went to print.

Mon 2 Sep – Fri 11 Oct RHS Photography Competition Display RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley Come and enjoy the very best of garden and plant photography, with a selection of winning images from the RHS Photography Competition.

Tue 3 Sep – Sun 6 Oct RHS Garden Mars in the Glasshouse RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley Visit the Glasshouse for an astronomical horticultural experience in a Martian landscape, using alienlooking plants such as Tillandsia (airplants) and Solenostemon cultivars to create the red planet.

Thu 5 Sep – Thu 26 Sep Sport Weenies Dapdune Wharf, Guildford, GU1 4RR www.nationaltrust.org.uk Special sessions for our youngest visitors and their grown-ups. Sport Weenies provides a fun introduction to sport, games and movement in a beautiful natural environment with an emphasis on participation, play and learning.

Sun 8 Sept, 11am – 2.30pm Ancient Adventures Nower Wood, Leatherhead www.surreywildlifetrust.org/whatson Meet people from our woodland’s history including stone-age man, Victorian gamekeepers and modern day conservationists at this family event. Learn ancient crafts from cave painting to Viking braiding and cook bread over the campfire. BE. Sun 8 Sep, 10.30am-4.30pm Huxley’s birds of prey Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher, KT10 9JG www.nationaltrust.org.uk Take flight with a wide variety of birds of prey including eagles, hawks, falcons and owls as they display their beauty and majesty in Claremont’s historic setting. NAA. Sun 8 Sep, 10am-4pm Hatchlands Dog Show Hatchlands Park, East Clandon, GU4 7R www.nationaltrust.org.uk Bring your four-legged friend to Hatchlands Park and enjoy show and fun classes. NAA + £2 per class.

Mon 9 Sep & Tue 10 Sep Box Hill Bugs Box Hill, Tadworth, KT20 7LB www.nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill Box Hill Bugs is a fun, exploratory, toddler and pre-school group for nature lovers. BE. Tue 10 Sep, 9.30am – 10.30am Dog Walking Club Polsden Lacey, near Dorking, RH5 6BD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Join us on a walk of the estate with your canine friends on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

Wed 11 Sep – Sun 20 Oct Autumn Art Polesden Lacey, near Dorking, RH5 6BD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Come along and help create our art 12 Families Surrey East

installation with fallen leaves, inspired by the landscape and wildlife at Polesden Lacey.

12, 19 & 26 September, 3, 10 & 17 Oct, 10am-12pm Wild Tots at Nower Wood Nower Wood, Leatherhead www.surreywildlifetrust.org/whatson Wild tots provide a wonderful opportunity for your little ones to experience and learn from nature.

Suitable for 2-5 year olds accompanies by an adult. Babes in arms go FREE. BE. Fri 13 Sep, 10am – 4.30pm Heritage Open Day Polesden Lacey, near Dorking, RH5 6BD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Wonderful Polesden Lacey is open to the public. Visit for free all day with the family and enjoy the glorious house and grounds. Normal car park charges apply.

Sat 14 Sep, 2.30pm – 3.30pm Jingle Ring Leith Hill Place, Dorking, RH5 6LY www.nationaltrust.org.uk Bring your children to a family music session with Jane Newberry, using toys, percussion and dance.

Sat 14 Sep – Sun 15 Sep Heritage Open Weekend Shalford Mill, Near Guildford, GU4 8BS www.nationaltrust.org.uk/shalford-mill Why was the mill the centre of village life? Learn more on a free tour with our volunteer guides. ‘Country wear’ exhibition including historic costumes from part of a private collection.

Sun 15 Sep, 10am – 5pm Classic Vehicle Gathering Rural Life Centre, Farnham, GU10 2DL www.rural-life.org.uk The Classic Vehicle Gathering returns to attract all manner of vintage vehicles.

Sun 15 Sep 12th Century Knights at the Castle Arundel Castle, West Sussex, BN18 9AB www.arundelcastle.org The knights, ladies and men-at-arms of the Earl of Arundel demonstrate combat and costumes.

Sun 15 Sep, 10am-5pm Heritage Open Day Hatchlands Park, East Clandon, GU4 7R www.nationaltrust.org.uk Enjoy free admission to the house and parkland.

Tue 17 Sep, 7pm – 8pm Painshill Guided Bat Walk Painshill, Cobham, KT11 1JE www.painshill.co.uk Take a walk in the Painshill landscape whilst observing bats in their natural habitat.

Wed 18 Sep Walkies at Wisley RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley RHS Garden Wisley welcomes visitors and their four-legged friends for a special Wednesday evening ‘Walkies at Wisley’. Open after hours for a walk around the garden from 6pm to 8pm, last entry 7.30pm.

Enjoy Autumn at Hever Castle www.hevercastle.co.uk

Visit Hever Castle & Gardens this Autumn to enjoy an entertaining programme of events and activities set amidst award-winning gardens.

As the gardens turn vibrant shades of red, pink and gold and the leaves tumble from the trees, it’s the perfect time to enjoy Autumn Colour at Hever Castle (from 1 October). Children can take part in a leaf and seed collection challenge with 10 different seeds and leaves to be collected. Young visitors are also given a tulip bulb to take home and plant.

Treat the children to a spine-tingling programme of entertainment over the Halloween half term break (19-31 Oct) with prizes for the best Halloween costumes. Creepy craft workshops, spooky storytelling and a scarecrow scavenger hunt to follow in the grounds.

From 23 Nov to 24 Dec feel festive. With welcoming log fires, and beautiful decorations in the Castle, an Alice in Wonderland themed Christmas trail to follow and the chance to see Father Christmas – be enchanted by the magic of Christmas at Hever.

Surrey Hills Wood Fair www.surreyhills.org

A great family day out with lots to see and do in beautiful woodland and meadows.

An exciting day out for all the family. Full of traditional rural charm, there are woodland walks, demonstrations, beautiful crafted woodland products and delicious local food and drink, all within the stunning landscape of the Surrey Hills. Children can enjoy zip wires, tree climbing, horse & cart rides, crafts, archery, woodland games and a flying Hawk display.

Sat 5 Oct & Sun 6 Oct, 10am – 5pm. Book ahead. £7.50 in advance or £10 on the day. Children under 12 go free. Free Parking.

Tickets also available from Guildford Tourist Information Centre 01483 444334 www.tickets.visitguildford.com

Wiglet’s Great Spooker-ree at Godstone Farm www.godstonefarm.co.uk

Come and visit from 26 Oct to 3 Nov for eerie fun on the farm, and don’t forget your best creepy costume. It’s going to be a Spooktacular half term filled with Pumpkin Carving, Trick or Treat games and our brand-new “Light Illusion Tunnel” with 3D glasses. Our amazing Halloween glasses transform any point of light into Brain Chilling Bats, Scary Skulls and Petrifying Pumpkins! Listen for the “WOW!” every time someone tries them for the first time. There’s crafts, a spooky quiz, face painting and spooky tales too, so this really is a week not to miss!

Wizards and Witches Week at Bocketts Farm www.bockettsfarm.co.uk

Enjoy a full packed programme of fun and freaky activities including a Spooky Quiz Trail, Creepy Craft Corner and Reptile Roadshow, where you’ll get the chance to meet awesome creepy crawlies up close! Plus, they’ll be amazing science and slime shows from Einstein’s Entertainers as well as hundreds of pumpkins on sale! Daily activities include pony rides, tractor rides, animal handling and pig racing, and you can meet and feed all of the friendly farm animals too. 26 Oct to 3 Nov.

DASH October half term holiday camps – 29, 30 & 31 Oct at de Stafford Sports Centre www.freedom-leisure.co.uk

Our Dash team are ready to entertain your children and safely lead them through a selection of fun packed activities which can include swimming, football, cricket, tennis, badminton, team games, bouncy castle and arts and crafts. Each activity is supervised by our friendly staff – many of whom have been returning to Dash term after term. We at Dash strive to offer different opportunity’s to children, involving them in craft activities and sporting activities.

Visit the website for more information or to book.

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Thu 19 Sep, 10am, 12pm, 2pm Heritage Open Day Gatton Park, Reigate, RH2 0TW www.gattonpark.co.uk Join a free guided tour and explore the rich history of Gatton Park. Meet at St. Andrew’s Church lych gate.

Thu 19 Sep Bat Walk London Wetland Centre, Barnes, SW13 9WT www.wwt.org.uk See and learn about these amazing flying mammals and their astonishing aerial acrobatics. 8 +.

Fri 20 Sep, 6.30pm – 8.30pm Creatures of the Night Nower Wood, Leatherhead www.surreywildlifetrust.org/whatson When the sun goes down, creatures of the night appear! Come and discover the nocturnal mammals, invertebrates and amphibians of Nower Wood.

Suitable for children 7+. BE. -Sat 21 Sep, 10am – 3pm Family portrait sessions Box Hill, Tadworth, KT20 7LB www.nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill A chance to be photographed with your loved ones, against the beautiful backdrop of Box Hill, with award winning photographer Rachel Thornhill.

Sat 21 Sep, 11am - 9.30pm Wey River Festival Dapdune Wharf, Guildford, GU1 4RR www.nationaltrust.org.uk The biggest event on the river this year, with a variety of stands, food, craft activities and of course, the fantastic illuminated pageant.

Sat 21 & Sun 22 Sep, 11am – 5pm Elmbridge Food Festival Painshill, Cobham, KT11 1JE www.painshill.co.uk Meet a host of local food and drink producers, watch live cookery demonstrations and enjoy live music.

Free.

Sat 21 Sep, 10am – 12pm Box Hill Bugs & Beetles taster session Box Hill, Tadworth, KT20 7LB www.nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill Free taster session to Box Hill Bugs & Beetles as part of Heritage Open Days.

Enjoy singing, playing outdoors and learning some fascinating facts.

Sat 28 Sep- Sun 27 Oct, Sat & Sun only Harvest Fest: Hay Maze!

Morden Hall Park, Morden, SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Celebrate the Harvest Fest at Morden Hall Park trying to find your way out of a child-friendly hay bale maze constructed of over 300 bales of golden straw and built to entertain all ages, from toddlers to adults.

Sat 28 Sep, 10am – 4pm Apple and Orchard Day Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks, TN15 0NT www.nationaltrust.org.uk Celebrate the bounty from the garden of England with our apple and orchard day. With apple tasting and stalls.

Sat 28 & Sun 29 Sep, 11am – 4pm Harvest Fest: Apple Weekend Morden Hall Park, Morden, SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Get into the autumn spirit with our Apple Fest! Try local Merton varieties, taste a range of National Trust harvest goodies and have a go in the childfriendly hay bale maze!

Sat 28 Sep, 10am, 11am, 1pm & 2pm Dorking South Street Caves Tours Dorking Museum & Heritage Centre, Dorking, RH4 1BS www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk familiesonline.co.uk

Take a trip under the streets of Dorking to explore the famous 17th century caves. Discover how they were created and how they evolved over the centuries.

Sat 28 Sep, 2pm – 6pm Be a Chorister for a Day! Guildford Cathedral, GU2 7UP www.guildford-cathedral.org For boys aged 6 – 8 and girls aged 8 – 11, who like to sing, come and try out the choir for the afternoon. A fun filled musical time, with refreshments and culminating in Choral Evensong alongside the Cathedral Choir!

Autumn at Nower Wood Open Day 29th Oct

From 1 Oct Autumn Colour Hever Castle and Gardens, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG www.hevercastle.co.uk As the air turns crisp and a rich display of autumn colour envelops the countryside, pack your wellies and head to Hever Castle to enjoy the crunch of leaves underfoot and spectacular autumn tints. The Castle is at its most photogenic during the autumn months when the Boston ivy on the front turns a vivid shade of red.

Plus Ancient Adventures, Creatures of the Night, Wild Tots & more!

Booking essential: surreywildlifetrust.org Find us on the B2033 nr Leatherhead

Sat 5 Oct, 10am – 3pm Family portrait sessions Box Hill, Tadworth, KT20 7LB www.nationaltrust.org.uk/box-hill A chance to be photographed with your loved ones, against the beautiful backdrop of Box Hill, with award winning photographer Rachel Thornhill.

Tue 8 Oct, 9.30am – 10.30am Dog Walking Club Polesden Lacey, near Dorking, RH5 6BD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Join us on a walk of the estate with your canine friends on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.

Fri 11 Oct – Sun 13 Oct Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival www.twpuppetryfestival.org.

Tunbridge Wells will be filled with puppetry in all its forms when the curtain rises on the third Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival1 (TWPF).

Sat 12 Oct Spider Saturday Drusillas Park, East Sussex, BN26 5QS www.drusillas.co.uk Spider experts from the British Tarantula Society will be displaying some of their most commonly feared animals in the Discovery Centre. The aim of the day is to try and overcome visitors’ phobias, as well as being fun and informative.

Sun 15 Sep, 10am – 7pm Cheam Celebration of Food & Drink Cheam Park, SM3 8QS www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cheamcelebration-of-food-drink A Celebration of the pleasure of food while supporting great small producers and independent food businesses.

Family days out across Surrey Join us at Hatchlands Park, Claremont Landscape Garden, Polesden Lacey, Morden Hall Park, River Wey and Winkworth Arboretum this summer and enjoy family fun activities including; trails, outdoor theatre, sports, picnics and walks.

Sat 19 Oct – Sun 27 Oct, 10am – 5pm October half-term family fun Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks, TN15 0NT www.nationaltrust.org.uk Learn more about owls who make Ightham Mote their home and try to complete our fun trail in the gardens.

On Thu 24 October, there will also be the chance to get up close with real owls from the Kent Owl Academy.

Half term: Pumpkin Carving Fest!

Morden Hall Park, Morden, SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Drop in to the Stableyard to pick your pumpkin, create your crazy carving and light it with an LED tea light candle.

nationaltrust.org.uk/surrey #nationaltrust

When you visit, donate, volunteer or join the National Trust, your support helps us to look after special places for ever, for everyone.

© National Trust 2019. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846. Photography © National Trust Images.

Families Surrey East 13

We’ll help you create a spooktacular Jack-o-Lantern to decorate your home, just in time for Halloween. Please bring your own pumpkin. NAA + £2.

Sat 19 Oct – Sun 27 Oct Pumpkin Trail Battersea Park Children’s Zoo, Battersea Park, SW11 4NJ www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk Purchase a quiz sheet upon entry and use the clues to work out, and find, which animals have put out pumpkins this Halloween half term. NAA + £1.50 (includes a prize).

Tue 29 Oct, Wed 30 Oct, Fri 1 Nov, 11am-1pm Creepy crafts Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher, KT10 9JG www.nationaltrust.org.uk Get creative with some spooky crafts in the Thatched Cottage. Mysterious masks and scary spiders. What can you conjure up? NAA + £2 per craft.

Sat 19 Oct– Sun 27 Oct The Forgetful Witch Penshurst Place & Gardens, Kent, TN11 8DG www.penshurstplace.com Follow in the footsteps of Willow the witch to find all the magical items she lost when wandering the gardens.

Sat 19 Oct-Sun 3 Nov, 10am-4pm Trail: Peculiar Pumpkins Winkworth Arboretum, Godalming, GU8 4AD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Pumpkins have begun to pop up across Winkworth with creepy carved faces – can you solve the mystery? NAA + £1.

Sat 19 Oct –Sun 3 Nov, 10am-4pm Half-term potion making trail Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher, KT10 9JG www.nationaltrust.org.uk Hubble Bubble, where to find wizard stuff for your potion? Search the ghoulish garden for mysterious ingredients and create some natural magic! NAA + £1 per trail.

Sat 26 & Sun 27 Oct, 10am – 6pm Painshill Autumn Tree Festival Painshill, Cobham, KT11 1JE www.painshill.co.uk Celebrate trees at Painshill with tree surgery demonstrations, craft stalls, wagon rides and more.

Sat 26 Oct – Sun 27 Oct Birds of Prey Weekend RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley See the enthralling birds of prey agility demonstrations taking place on Seven Acres (west) at RHS Garden Wisley and get to meet the wonderful birds up close.

Sat 26 Oct Woodfest RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley Admire traditional skills in a weekendlong celebration of the natural beauty of wood, including artisan woodcraft demonstrations, tree listening, horse logging and tours of Wisley’s woodland.

Sat 26 Oct – Sun 3 Nov Halloween Shriek Week Drusillas Park, East Sussex, BN26 5QS www.drusillas.co.uk We’ve mixed a potion and cast a spell to add some fang-tastically spooky surprises to the park which are sure to keep your little horrors happy!

Sat 26 Oct – Sun 3 Nov, 10am-4pm Halloween half-term Hatchlands Park, Guildford, GU4 7R www.nationaltrust.org.uk Take the trail through the parkland to discover folklore and superstitions and then claim your pumpkin prize. NAA + £3 per trail.

Sat 26 Oct – Sun 3 Nov Halloween trail Polesden Lacey, near Dorking, RH5 6BD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Uncover the mysterious clues around the gardens of Polesden Lacey to find what’s been prowling around at night when all the visitors have gone home. A sensory trail which will fuel imagination! Includes a prize.

Sat 26 Oct – Sun 3 Nov October 2019 half term trail Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl, Hindhead, GU26 6AG www.nationaltrust.org.uk Share the magic of nature with the kids and help them tick off some of the 50 things activities by coming along to our half term trail. Suggested £1 donation per trail.

Sun 27 Oct, 10am start Halloween Fun Run 10K & 2K Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, RH5 6AA www.denbies.co.uk/events Dress up in your spookiest costume for

a leisurely 10K around the estate. 2K for those who would prefer a lighter run.

Sun 27 Oct, 1-4pm Spooky Spiders, Wizards and Witches Gatton Park, Reigate, RH2 0TW www.gattonpark.co.uk Drop in for Halloween activities and enjoy a spooky trail around the grounds. Ideal for younger children. In collaboration with Gatton Community Theatre.

Sun 27 Oct Potion Masters from History Penshurst Place & Gardens, Kent, TN11 8DG www.penshurstplace.com/whats-on Discover the horrible history of potions and spells with an interactive session led by ‘Hands on History’.

Mon 28 Oct, 11am-1pm Pumpkin carving Claremont Landscape Garden, Portsmouth Rd, Esher, KT10 9JG www.nationaltrust.org.uk Don’t let ghosts play trick or treat on you. Create a spooky pumpkin to take home, just in time for Halloween. Please bring your own pumpkin. NAA + £2 Mon 28 Oct & Wed 30 Oct, 10am, 11am & 12noon Spooky Train Ride & Storytelling!

Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, RH5 6AA www.denbies.co.uk/events Dress-up in your best spooky costume for a vineyard train ride and storytelling.

Tue 29 Oct, 11am-1pm Pumpkin carving Winkworth Arboretum, Godalming, GU8 4AD www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Free Family Fun with Heritage Open Days

Wed 30 Oct, 6pm – 7.30pm Halloween spooky trail Hindhead Commons and the Devil’s Punch Bowl, Hindhead, GU26 6AG www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hindheadcommons-and-the-devils-punch-bowl Spooky walk and treat hunt followed by a story fire circle and toasted marsh mallows. BE. Wed 30 Oct & Fri 1 Nov, 10-11.30am or 1.30-3pm Trails and Tales: Funnybones Gatton Park, Reigate, RH2 0TW www.gattonpark.co.uk Enjoy the story of ‘Funnybones’ and go for a walk in the park to bring the story to life. Return to create artwork linked to the story. £8.00 per child. Booking online. 2-4 years.

Wed 30 Oct The Gruffalo Drusillas Park, BN26 5QS www.drusillas.co.uk The fearsome favourite will be meeting brave visitors in the Events Arena at intervals throughout the day.

WITCHES & WIZARDS WEEK

N

RN

ENJOY A SPOOKTACULAR DAY OUT AT BOCKETTS FARM PARK

Running from 13 to 22 September, this annual celebration of England’s & history and culture, allows visitors’ FREE access to historical landmarks that are either not usually open to the public, or would normally charge an entrance fee.

26TH OCTOBER -3RD NOVEMBER CREEPY CRAFTS

Nationwide there will be hundreds of FREE interactive activities for children, including dressing up, crafting, woodland walks and railway rides.

HUNDREDS PUMPKINSOF SCIENCE & SLIME SHOWS

With a theme of ‘People Power,’ this year’s festival will offer visitors more opportunities than ever to discover the secret history of their towns, villages and countryside.

14 Families Surrey East

Tue 29 Oct 10am-12.30pm & 1.30pm-4pm Nower Wood Autumn Open Day Nower Wood, Leatherhead www.surreywildlifetrust.org/whatson Half term fun exploring the habitats in our beautiful ancient woodland. There will be lots of free activities including pond dipping, fire lighting and natural crafts. BE.

A EW! DIS NIMAL C BA OVERY

This year, Heritage Open Days is celebrating its 25th anniversary and will be the biggest and most diverse to date.

SPOOKY QUIZ TRAIL

REPTILE ROADSHOW FM/OCTOBER2019

Co-ordinated nationally by the National Trust with support from the People’s Postcode Lottery, the celebration brings together thousands of organisations and properties across England. For local events visit, www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Tue 29 Oct, 11am - 3pm Henfold Birds of Prey Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, RH5 6AA www.denbies.co.uk/events See birds of prey fly and perform amazing overhead tricks. Free of charge. Performance subject to weather. Main display at 12.30pm.

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Thu 31 Oct, dances at 10.30am, 1.30pm, and 3.15pm Halloween Fancy Dress Disco!

Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, RH5 6AA www.denbies.co.uk/events Traditional children’s disco including party games & dancing.

Thu 31 Oct, 6pm Hallowe’en Dorking Ghost Walk Dorking Museum & Heritage Centre, Dorking, RH4 1BS www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk Come face to face with some of Dorking’s spectral historical inhabitants on this guided Halloween ghost walk through the town streets from St Martin’s Churchyard. Spooky encounters guaranteed.

Thu 31 Oct, 4.30pm -6.30pm Spooky walk Claremont Landscape Garden, Esher, KT10 9JG www.nationaltrust.org.uk Are you brave enough for a horrifying Halloween walk around Claremont? At Claremont we’re hosting the ghosts.

Who knows what’s going to jump out at you? Join us for a scare if you dare.

NAA + £1.50 per child.

Fri 1 Nov, 11.30am & 2.30pm Tropical Creepy Crawly Roadshow Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, RH5 6AA www.denbies.co.uk/events Meet Snakes, Lizards, Mini-Beasts, and Frogs for an inspiring Animal Encounter.

FREE TASTER CLASSES WITH BUSYLIZZY CATERHAM Book online at www. busylizzycaterham.co.uk Centenary Hall, Caterham Baby Massage Mondays 10.35am Mummy & Me Aerobics (Baby comes along too!), Mondays 11.15am Mummy & Me Pilates (Baby comes along too!), Mondays 12.15pm Mums to Bee Yoga, Mondays 7.30pm Mums to Bee Pilates, Saturdays 8.30am Mummy & Me Yoga (Baby comes along too!), Fridays 11.15am.

The Arc, Caterham Mummy & Me Pilates (Baby comes along too!), Tuesdays 9.30am The Cricket Green, Guards Ave, Caterham Mummy & Me Bootcamp (Baby comes along too!), Wednesdays 10.45am Queen’s Park, Caterham Mummy & Me Buggy Fitness (Baby comes along too!), Thursdays 10am.

REMEMBER REMEMBER 5TH NOVEMBER – BONFIRE NIGHT Fri 1 Nov Bonfire Coldarbour Village Coldharbour Cricket ground www.surreycommunity.info/ coldharbour/calendar Torch-lit procession from The Plough, Bonfire and fireworks, bar and lots of good food.

Sat 2 Nov Round Table Carshalton Fireworks Ruskin Road, SM5 3 London www.carshaltonfireworks.org.uk Enjoy one of the largest charity fireworks displays in the South East of England.

Sat 2 Nov Epsom Fireworks Display and Funfair Hook Road Arena, Epsom www.epsomfireworks.com Enjoy another spectacular night of fireworks and funfair fun.

Sat 2 Nov Horley Bonfire & Fireworks Horley Lions Club www.horleylions.org.uk/fireworks Join in for the 3rd anula Horley Bonfire and Fireworks night. There will also be a small fun-fair to keep the children entertained between events.

Sat 2 Nov Caterham Fireworks Westway Library, Caterham, Caterham, Surrey, CR3 5TP www.caterhamroundtable.co.uk Bigger and better than ever, don’t miss the Caterham and District Round Table annual bonfire and firework display. A great evening out for all the family.

Under 5’s FREE! Early bird tickets are available from early October Thu 31 Oct & Fri 1 Nov Low Bangs Fireworks at Godstone Farm Godstone Farm, RH9 8LX www.godstonefarm.co.uk Tickets to fireworks are strictly limited and only available by booking in advance.

Sat 2 Nov, 5pm, fireworks at 6pm, event finishes at 8pm Fireworks Night at Wisley RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley Join us for RHS Garden Wisley’s first family-friendly, low-bang fireworks display.

Mon 28 Oct Once Upon A Princess This smash-hit glittering production features all your favourite fairytale princesses.

WHAT’S ON AT THE THEATRE Hawth Theatre, RH10 6YZ 01293553636 www.hawth.co.uk

The Harlequin Theatre & Cinema, RH1 1NN, www.harlequintheatre.co.uk

Sat 14 Sept Woodland Tales with Granddad Featuring a cast of extraordinary puppets, this uproarious family show not only entertains but has an environmental message to share.

Sat 12 Oct The Wizard of Oz Join Ballet Theatre UK as we follow the yellow brick road and discover all the wonders of Oz.

Sat 28 Sep Family Folk Show An organic, authentic and fun folk concert for big & little music fans!

Sat 12 Oct Peace at Last Olivier award-winning Oper A Up Close partners with Gallions Primary School in Newham to create a new opera for 3-5-year-olds, based on Jill Murphy’s much-loved picture book, Saturday 19 October, 11am, 2.30pm Peter & The Wolf This family concert is a perennial favourite by Sergei Prokofiev. It is a wonderful way to introduce classical music to younger children.

Epsom Playhouse, KT18 5AL 01372 742 555 www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk Wed 9 Oct -Sat 12 Oct The Sound of Music A childhood classic that promises to be a truly nostalgic performance that will bring childhood memories flooding back!

Tue 15 Oct – Sat 19 Oct Jesus Christ Superstar Jesus Christ Superstar tells the story of biblical Jesus in the final days leading up to his crucifixion. The musical has no spoken dialogue and is sometimes considered a modern rock-opera.

Sat 26 Oct Jack and the Beanstalk Patrick Lynch (from Cbeebies) tells the gripping story of Jack who sells his cow for 5 magic beans and finds himself in the land above the clouds Tue 29 Oct Pop Divas Live!

Get ready for the best songs from all your favourite female stars in one fabulous fun-packed show.

Dorking Halls Dorking Halls, Reigate Road, Dorking RH5 1SG 01306881717 www.dorkinghalls.co.uk Wed 2 Oct &Thu 3 Oct Tabby McTat Tabby McTat is a cat with the loudest of meee-ews and a best friend with a guitar. Together they sing their favourite songs delighting the crowds, until one day Fred disappears.

Sun 27 Oct There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly From the creators of Don’t Dribble On The Dragon, this magical show has been written especially for grown-ups to enjoy with their children, so come and relive the delights of this most charming of tales.

Shopping

whatever weather the

The Belfry Shopping Centre in the heart of Redhill with a great mix of stores all under one roof.

Wiglet's Great Spook-er-ree

Love keeping up to date with the Belfry? Follow us on social media!

Don't miss our Low Bangs Firework displays on 31st October & 1st November '19.

Book online to avoid disappointment!

WHSmith Waterstones Clarks Toy Barnhaus Boots Superdrug Claire’s H.Samuel New Look Card Factory Dorothy Perkins Game JD Vision Express The Works PLUS MANY MORE

‘like’ us on Facebook /redhillbelfry follow us on Twitter @BelfryShopping 26th October - 3rd November 2019 www.godstonefarm.co.uk

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includes:

unlimited swimming*

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