Families London South West Oct 2010 by Families Magazine

October 2010 Issue No. 200

ISSN 1354-9553 Est. 1990

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SouthWest www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

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20th Anniversary Issue 200!

Image courtesy of Tesco schoolwear tesco.com

Families SW – useful information for parents of 0-12 year olds in SW London

Paint your own Pottery Everyone Can Do It! Parties for Birthday, Hen, Office & any get together Capture your Baby’s Footprints forever Personalise Gifts, Commissions, Gift Vouchers Open Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-6pm 85 Nightingale Lane, Wandsworth SW12 8NX 020 8772 8702 www.smartypaints.co.uk

October 2010

CONTENTS This month in

Families South West ®

South West Families® South West All content ©Families 2010 PO Box 4302, London SW16 1ZS www.FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Fax: 020 8696 9679 Editorial: editor@familiesmagazine.co.uk News: news@familiesmagazine.co.uk Adverts/artwork: adverts@familiesmagazine.co.uk Personal ads: personalads@familiesmagazine.co.uk Events, diary dates, out & about info: outandabout@familiesmagazine.co.uk

4-5

Local news & information

6-7

‘Families’ 20th Anniversary!

20th

Anniversary!

What a fabulous time we've had preparing these 200 issues!

Why you love Families

10-11

Peeping at postcodes Maggie researches the best things and places in SW13

6 10-11

Women’s health

Pelvic floor re-education, the secret of a mother's wellbeing

Sports Listing

Next issue: November 2010 Deadline: early October

• “Families® South West” heads a group of magazines All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence.

18-27

• There are 30 UK local editions with a print run of over 500,000 copies in all, in which you can advertise too. Oh, and we have a big website… familiesonline.co.uk

®®

The missing letters.

Schools Special Feature. • Open days • School news • Free schools in Wandsworth? • Homework: love it or hate it?

29-31

Half term activities

32-37

What's On There are now so many events, exhibitions and museums in our listing we've moved the pages towards the back.

• MOVING? Families® magazines can be be franchised in new areas. Read initial franchise information on the website or call.

• Printed by Ridgeway Press Ltd, Tadley, Hants.

This month on Familiessouthwest.co.uk

We take every care preparing this magazine, but the publishers and distributors cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence.

New this month:

Paper used to print Families is from fully-managed sustainable sources - meaning trees which are felled are continuously replaced. Inks are soya-based, which can be re-cycled.

• New blogger: Welcome Rachel Amankwa, who shares her own fab household tips. This month discover pumpkin recipes and meals on a budget. • New entries in Directories • Competitions (Win tickets to the Baby Show, two nights stay in a camping pod, Crafty kits and more)

Regulars • • • • •

Download the current magazine and access archived mags Free Personal ads and Childcare ads (under Forums) Local Directories (local classes, childcare, parties etc) Your favourite articles archived and searchable Anja's blog ever popular blog grows by the day, learn simple tips to relax and unwind.

October 2010

By logging in you allow ALL articles you read to automatically show the relevant local companies at the bottom. It also means Families South West becomes your default Home Page when you visit us. Isn't it clever!?

local news

Inclusion in these pages is always FREE

compiled by Joanna Parry

Party at The Parlour

Design, design

The arts has triumphed in Clapham as The Papered Parlour wins the Barclays Small Business Award for the South London region. Run by entrepreneurs Claire Heafford and Louise Hall, this inspirational business is only a year old yet has already received massive community support for its innovative programme of craft and design workshops. On top of that, The Papered Parlour runs an art studio for young, local artists and is planning to open an onsite café soon. This autumn, sign up for weekly workshops in dressmaking, knitting, millinery, silversmithing, screen printing, photography or quilting, and learn from some of the UK’s top artists and designers. Go to www.thepaperedparlour.co.uk as spaces are filling fast! You can even hire The Papered Parlour for your own private party or hen do – learn a skill while indulging in homemade cakes. Call Claire or Louise on 020 7627 8703, email Claire@thepaperedparlour.co.uk. 7 Prescott Place, SW4 6BS.

Local interior designer Henrietta Holroyd, with over 20 years experience in design and known for her refined and eclectic interiors, introduces a new concept. Through her ‘Beat the Budget’ scheme she will visit your house for a 2-hour intensive consultation, where she will advise on ideas for change, colour and styling. So if you are looking to redesign your house and don’t want to spend big bucks, get the benefit of Henrietta’s suggestions and visit www.henriettaholroyd.com

Blissful pregnancy

Clapham mothers celebrate! Local mums have been toasting a new law that allows them to breastfeed in public. Under the new Equality Act which comes into effect this autumn, mums can no longer be discriminated against, asked to leave a venue or treated unfavourably because they are breastfeeding when out and about in England and Wales. As surveys have shown that two in three breastfeeding mums have faced unsupportive comments or behaviour, this new law is a real boost. To celebrate the law’s arrival, Clapham’s NCT branch will be holding picnics, tea parties and drop-ins, and has called on all shops, cafes and leisure centres to let mothers know that they are welcome to feed their babies on site. Alongside this, NCT’s breast-feeding drop-in café in the Salvation Army coffee lounge, Balham, will be offering breast-feeding counsellors for local mothers. NCT Breastfeeding Line 0300 330 0771, www.nct.org.uk

Yoga is a tool that can greatly help the expectant mother to embrace this magical time. Yoga is a way of living mindfully and consciously. Going to a Pregnancy Yoga Class may help to feel more aware of the changes in one?s physical body as well as the emotional changes. Anja runs classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6.30pm–7.40pm at The Capoira School in Streatham Hill. Drop in class. Also Pregnancy massage. www.yogaembodied.com 079 63 820 702 info@yogaembodied.com Read Anja's blog on www.familiessouthwest.co.uk

This October why not brave the autumn chill and visit the London Wetland Centre’s new Pond Safari and Digital Pond? Their new pond zone features interactive games and an underwater camera that allows visitors to watch a range of fascinating aquatic creatures in their natural habitat. See pond life up close and try to spot flashing perches or paddling water voles, or walk around their stunning new digital pond where you can create ripples in the ‘water’, feed a dragonfly nymph and clear a rubbish filled pond. Also, this October half term the Children playing in the digital pond Wetlands Centre welcomes you for a week of activities including pond dipping, craft sessions and creepy crawly games. Find out more on www.org.uk. WWT London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, London SW13 9WT, 0208 409 4412. wwt.org/london

Picture credited to Callum Winton.

Autumn wildlife

visit www.familiessouthwest.co.uk for more ...

Blueberry Set

Mama maternity Local lingerie company Eloise Lingerie, based in South Wimbledon, is known and loved for its maternity and nursing range Eloise Mama. Now Eloise have launched a collection of post surgery lingerie for women who have had mastectomies, lumpectomies or reconstructions. Free bra fitting service. 0845 22 55 080 www.eloise.co.uk

October 2010

local news

send to news@familiesmagazine.co.uk

For exercise haters everywhere A unique concept of workouts that combine fun with exercise gives women a more positive approach to training. Fit for a Princess was founded by local mum Janey Holliday to encourage women to train together regardless of their ability or experience, so whether you are a beginner, a new Mum, pregnant, twenty, fifty, super fit or a marathon runner, you will still get a fantastic workout. Workouts are designed to push those who want to be pushed and support those who want to take it at their own level, empowering women, whatever their age, ability, size or shape to improve their health, happiness and well being. These workouts outdoors ‘Double plank’ are fun, easy to follow and cost effective. Join Fit for a Princess at Battersea Park, Clapham Common, Fulham, Wandsworth Common, Wimbledon Common and Tooting Bec Common. Daily classes are at 6.15am or a more sociable 9.30am, with babies in buggies more than welcome, or join Fit for a Fiver drop-in classes on Saturdays and Sundays. www.fitforaprincess.co.uk

Vintage delights Shop ‘til you drop for beautiful vintage and vintage-inspired gifts at new website Cherish & Cherubs. Set up by a local mum, www.cherishandcherubs.co.uk is an Aladdin’s cave of interiors and homeware for children, including children’s wallpaper, bedding, bunting and furniture. Cherish & Cherubs is a funky online store that also offers a comprehensive interior design service and a soft furnishings service at a competitive price.

Personalised Blue Colour way Whole Quilt

Wow! three new venues for Perform!

Many mums want to do something alongside raising a family, but don’t want to return to the 95 office grind. Montessori teaching offers great career opportunities for parents. Montessori is the world’s largest global education movement with 600+ UK nurseries. The settings tend to be sessional and close during the school holidays. Montessori is a unique and respected child-led approach to education. It believes that a child’s early years – from birth to six – are the period when they have the greatest capacity to learn. Montessori Centre International is Europe’s No.1 Teacher Training College. It is based in central London, with parttime regional centres. With more and more parents both working, there are good opportunities to set up your own nursery once qualified. For more information on training to teach this inspirational teaching approach go to: www.montessori.org.uk or telephone: 020 7493 8300.

From just 3 children in January 2000, Perform now have 3,500 children attending their workshops across London. Up to now they had mainly classes for 4-8 years old, but recently have massively expanded their PERFORM PLUS department. Perform PLUS classes are for children between 8 and 12 years old. Perform is a new type of children’s drama school. They use a unique mix of drama, dance and singing specially formulated to bring out every child’s true potential. Classes are kept small to ensure lots of individual attention by their experienced actor/teachers. Their focus is entirely on The 4 C’s. Confidence, Communication, Co-ordination and Concentration. They don’t send children to auditions or castings, but focus on helping children develop their social skills whilst having the best fun of the week. New times and venues from September 2010: Wimbledon: Tuesdays 4pm and 5pm: Pelham First School, Southey Road, Wimbledon, SW19 1NU Putney: Tuesdays 4pm and 5pm: St Stephens Church Hall, Manfred Road, Putney, SW15 2RS Barnes: Thursdays 4pm and 5pm: The Kitson Hall, Kitson Road, Barnes, SW13 9HJ Free Trial Session. Please call 0845 400 4000 or visit www.perform.org.uk

October 2010

Work school hours!

Dancing feet Do your little ones love to dance? Fancy Footwork is your child’s first step on a magical journey through the world of dance. Classes in ballet, tap, modern, jazz, musical theatre and street dance give a great foundation into dance, plus the chance to perform in shows and study for RAD/ISTD exams in a fun, inspiring atmosphere. Classes are local, accessible and in the heart of the community in SW11, SW12, SW18 and new for September 2010, SW20 and SW16. All ages are welcome, 2+ to adult. For more information and a timetable of classes visit www.fancyfootwork.co.uk or call for more informaion on 0845 094 1774.

SouthWest

is 20 years old! By Kate Birch

I can’t exactly remember when I read my first copy of Families. I only know that it has been a part of my life ever since my children were tiny, as it has been for so many people. I got my first real information on ethical sourcing from it, found babysitting services, handymen and party entertainers through it. It was something to turn to when friends and family had run out of ideas. It was and still is, as publisher James puts it “the next best thing to a good friend.” James and editor Pascale Gravell have been at the helm of “Families South West” since 1994 but it was actually set up by Fulham mum Nancy Shafee in 1990. There was nowhere to turn to for local information for activities for her young son. She contacted a few advertisers and “Families SW” was born.

The early years The first issue in October 1990 was 16 pages, black and white and included Nancy’s memorable Rostrum column, a platform for her strong opinions on local issues. Wimbledon Nannies advertised on the front page and remains Families South West’s longest serving advertiser. For nearly four years and through the birth of her second child – “I used to type and make advertising calls with him clamped to a boob” - Nancy continued to publish the magazine. She decided to sell when her family moved out of London.

The familiar “smiling face” Families® logo was introduced in September 1995. Out & About, which evolved from Days Out in 1994, was initially a single page and now runs to a packed 6-page spread. This is the most popular column and this is thanks to the 12 years of experience from Sophie Martin-Castex, who is the longest serving writer! The next big step–colour—was one they thought long and hard about before taking. “The people who loved Families said be careful not to lose your soul just because you want to have colour.” There was a worry that the magazine would become too glossy at the expense of losing content. This was in 2000, how things have changed!

Going online and interactive And when the Gravells took it on it was, according to Pascale, “a little kitchen table business for me. When we bought it I had two young children and I was pretty occupied.” Their first decision was to increase the print run. But they remained true to Nancy’s original thinking, a hands-on magazine with local information for mums, centred around the local community. However the “little business” has grown and grown. The experts told them that franchising would never work in publishing... Families proved them wrong when ‘Families West’ launched in west London in October 1995, and Families South East followed a year later. Robina Cowan started FSE because “FSW was already well established and, as a neighbouring postcoder, some of the groundwork had been done.” There are now 30 local Families magazines in the UK from Fife to Manchester to Portsmouth—each with a local editor who owns plus runs it.

Families had a web presence as early as September 1997 (when many of us had yet to discover email.) This, despite a feeling on the part of James and Pascale, that a local magazine did not need to be accessible to someone in Japan. But then it became apparent how a community of like-minded people who lived in the same area and never met could come together on the web and how important it was for readers to have access to the back catalogue. And now when I google for something, it’s amazing how often I am led to FamiliesOnline! There have been slight shifts in Pascale’s editorial focus too. “I think you’ll find that it evolved as I was evolving. I did my first article on homeopathy because of Families… and then I thought well I must try this myself. When you start going down one alternative route you learn about another one and eventually it lead me to environmental and ethical issues… So I would say, yes, it is definitely following my little journey.”

Family life ... and Families life Throughout its growth Pascale has managed to combine work and family. Families was published from home so she was always there for the children in the morning and at lunchtime. “Tears, I was there.” It must have been an incredible amount of work. Now they have four part-time staff in addition to a whole network of writers, reviewers, roving reporters and distributors. Said Pascale: “Over the years we have been fortunate to work with fabulous writers/columnists including Maire Ni Reagain, Jess Darby, Kate Christie, Kate GorringeSmith, Sarah Husselman, Maggie O’Brien, Joanna Moorhead, Karin Snelson, Joanna Parry, Kate Birch and many others including Shirley Trimmer, our designer, who have helped make FSW what it is now.” “I guess we are a ‘virtual’ company: it takes quite a lot of people to make it work and they hardly ever meet…. It’s a cake with a lot of ingredients and without each ingredient you wouldn’t get the delicious cake,” James added.

Loyal advertisers But no magazine “recipe” would be complete of course without its advertisers. Wimbledon Nannies may be the longest serving but others such as photographer Robin Farquhar-Thomson, tutor Victoria Page and le Club Tricolore’ s Teresa Scibor have been there nearly as long. How do they feel about it still? “Wimbledon Nannies have advertised with Families Southwest from its inception and look forward to a continuing presence in one of the South West’s premier advertising media for nannies and parents looking for childcare.” “I started advertising with Families SW because I thought the ad rates were reasonable and the distribution done in an intelligent way. I carried on because the prices stayed low …and I did get a lot of

October 2010

®®

20th

Some of the faces behind the magazine... left to right: Sophie, Helli, Kim, James, Pascale, Karin, Kate, Maggie, Sarah, Andrena, Brian, Shirley, Deborah. Sophie, Ann, Juliette... and not everyone could make the photocall! calls from clients who mentioned the magazine. Also many people when introduced to me [say] ‘So you’re Robin F-T. I’ve seen your ad in Families SW’.” Robin Farquhar-Thomson. “Families has really helped me to build up [le Club Tricolore]. It is the only magazine that ever bought in business. Nine out of ten people say they got details from Families.” Teresa Scibor, a big fan, is quick to emphasize how James and Pascale are “always prepared to listen and talk” and are “open to ideas.” But despite all these ingredients, there would be no point baking a cake without the printer, the over 500 places that stock it (thank you), and you the reader. We know you enjoy it. Very often copies will disappear within a few days after delivery (and a special thanks to our team of “delivery mums” as it’s not much fun in the rain). And it is the reader’s opinion that matters most: “What I enjoyed most about the magazine were the health articles pertaining to good nutrition and alternative medicine… It has also been a good resource when looking for children’s courses.” (Lynn SW12) “Families? We ALL love it! Happy anniversary to FSW and may it live a very long life, it is such a helpful magazine.” (Ruth, SW6)

And what’s next for Families South West?

Some things you may not know about ‘Families South West’ • The first issue had a run of 4,000 copies. Today it is approaching 30,000 copies in SW London. • There are now 30 local franchised magazine editors in different parts of London and the UK. • Nationally across all franchises the total print run is over 500,000 each issue, which is more than three million copies a year.

According to James & Pascale, it is “growing the web site so that it becomes a real tool for parents,” getting more bloggers and reporting from local people and perhaps greater focus on parents’ issues when dealing with teenagers or even their own parents.

• The first issues were literally cut and paste. Founder Nancy would type up her copy, cut it into strips and paste it in columns before sending these off to the printer.

Ultimately, however, Families SouthWest, its website and its franchisees will still remain true to the ideals established by Nancy 20 years ago.

• Although pictures of Pascale and James’ children have featured regularly in the magazine, Pascale has only been pictured once before when James snuck one in while she was on holiday!

But if anyone wants to donate a ‘Families Apps’ as a 20th anniversary present, well Pascale and James won’t say no. We know just how useful readers would find it.

• One of James and Pascale’s proudest, and toughest, moments was when they launched Families North London themselves in the same month Pascale gave birth to twins in 1997.

October 2010

Picture: copyright Brian Sharland www.uklandscape.net

Anniversary!

• When Nancy decided to sell the magazine she placed a small business ad in, of course, Families SW.

www.familiessouthwest.co.uk home page

®®

20th

Anniversary!

Which article stuck out for you? By Joanna Parry

Over the years we’ve explored everything from osteopathy in pregnancy to homeopathy in childbirth, from real nappies to making homemade playdough, with a dash of party tips and ‘how to choose the right nursery’ in between, all the while providing local parents with an interesting, informative and original one-stop shop for raising children.

o celebrate our 20th Anniversary we have taken a look at our favourite articles over the years and asked some of our readers what they love about Families South West. The feedback we received was impressive: some readers love the magazine for its diary listings - it’s a great way to find out what’s going on locally and to locate classes or suppliers. Others love our pieces on how to find a nanny, how to settle your child into school or how to keep kids entertained over the holidays – subjects we regularly cover in the magazine. And everyone loves the fascinating articles that Families prides itself on, covering a wide range of themes from being green at Christmas to treating dyslexia. Here, we have selected a few favourites from the past 20 years.

Tired? Not surprisingly, many of the most popular articles have been ones that dealt with issues we parents all face at one time or other. How about this article by Penny Crowther on treating tiredness through diet? It’s our editor’s personal favourite and perfect for those of us who are constantly exhausted: www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/nutrition-tiredness Alternatively take a look at these on helping babies

Nannies, Maternity Nurses, Housekeepers and Mother’s Helps

All our applicants are personally interviewed and their references checked

Permanent and Temporary Residential, Daily, Full and Part-Time Evening Babysitting Register

Tel: 020 8947 4666 info@wimbledonnannies.co.uk www.wimbledonnannies.com 184 Copse Hill, SW20 0SP Fax: 020 8947 0405 bestbear.co.uk accredited

sleep: www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/sleepsolutions and www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/sleeplessbaby

Allergies? Other popular articles in the health arena include this one on treating colic www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/treatingcolic as well as www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/firstaid by the wonderful Maggie O’Brien. Staying on the subject of health, one of my favourites is www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/babiesfoodallergy child food allergies can be confusing and if you’re interested this article is a good place to start. Many articles loved by our readers are what I call the ‘moan over a cappuccino’ pieces – articles on subjects we love to debate with fellow mums over coffee. What nursery should we choose? Should our child go to nursery at all? Is it right that our children start school so young and why are they given so much homework so early on? Look at www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/earlyyearseducation and www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/earlylearning about early learning. Another favourite is www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/TVaddict if, like me, you are concerned about the amount of television your child watches. ‘I completely agree with Joanna Moorhead (the author of the piece),’ says Tom, dad to Max. ‘I would love to put all our TVs in the bin and I am refusing to allow mindless TV watching.’ Kate, mum of Gracie, adds, ‘when I read that article I realised our girls probably watch too much TV. Thank you for a well-balanced and interesting article.’

was the one on whether you should tell your children about Santa Claus. Joey was 8 and Julia 5 and there were all sorts of Father Christmas rumours floating around. Joey had been told by a classmate that Santa wasn't real and I told him not to be silly which I felt uncomfortable about because of course he was not being silly. Then several years later, I read that article and relaxed. My kids would decide to stop believing when they worked it out for themselves.’

Postcodes? Then there are our perennial favourites what to do and where to go locally. A wonderful article is familiessouthwest.co.uk/rovingreporter SWLondon or try Maggie’s fabulous Peeping at Postcodes series, which can all be found on the website. ‘I’m often at a loss about what to do with my children on weekends,’ says Antonia. ‘Families South West is always my first port of call for ideas.’ Families isn’t just useful for finding childcare, unusual gifts, local clubs and birthday venues, it also has listings for more unusual things a mum-at-home might need. Take a look at this Home Services feature by Karin Snelson www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/HomeServices next time you need someone to paint a mural in your little one’s bedroom or blitz the gremlins in your laptop. www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/localservices is also worth a look. If you want to do the opposite and get away from home, how about this inspiring story of a local mum: www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/businessfromhome

Green?

Geocaching?

Another popular subject with our readers is being green – take a look at www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/carbonoffsetting by Kate Gorringe-Smith, and there are many more articles on the subject on our website. Georgina of Fulham loved this piece on the rise of new members clubs for parents www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/familyclubs, while Claire raved about www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/separatingparentshelp ‘Ironically, I think reading this might have helped save my marriage,’ she says. Kate loved www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/fatherchristmas. ‘I woke up this morning and remembered which Families SW article had a particular impact on me. It

And finally, have a look at these more off-thebeaten-track pieces: www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/geocaching and www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/powerofnow and find out things you never knew!

So yes, it’s not only nappies and parenting in Families or on familiesonline!! Yup, it’s Life as we know it. All of these articles and more can be found on www.familiesonline.co.uk so catch up on what you’ve missed. You love these articles as much as we do, so keep reading! And do write in if this has stirred any happy/sad memories or tips from you.

We invite readers to share their personal stories on our dedicated 20th anniversary Forum: www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/anniversary

October 2010

Maggie’s treasure trove: SW13 Barnes

Maggie O’Brien continues her search for the best things and places in SW London... this month SW13 Twenty years of ‘Families’ magazine, and twenty years since I first visited Barnes, SW13, probably as a result of something I’d read in the magazine! Brought up in Norfolk, I still turn to places like Barnes for a dose of ‘country tonic’ with a hint of urban chic. There’s a Saturday Farmer’s Market and an Annual Summer Fair. Quintessentially English, it has all the hallmarks of quality rural mixed with an edge of London ‘know how’. It’s well known for the Wetland Centre, but less for its simple, idyllic calming nature. When my children were smaller, if I wanted to take them somewhere peaceful and by a pond, I would go to Barnes on a sunny day. What I didn’t appreciate was the amount of things to do now on offer, in what I used to regard as a fairly small place.

The Old Membery’s Sorting Office

Olympic Studios

Barnes Pond, 19-21 Station Road, SW13 OLF Tel: 020 8876 9885 / www.osoarts.org.uk

117 Church Road, London. SW13 9HL Tel: 020 8286 8600 / www.olympicstudio.co.uk

1 Church Road, Barnes. SW13 9HE Tel: 020 876 8075 www.membery’s.com

This is as its name suggests, an old sorting office, transformed into a vibrant community centre with a huge selection of everything ‘artsy’ on offer. With a wide variety of classes from Soccatots to Pilates, this hidden, yet central gem, is tucked behind ‘Ask’ restaurant and has something for everyone. ‘The Zoo Story’, a cutting-edge play by Edward Albee was showing recently and if you are into auctions, Barnes Auctions are held here too. The café is very accessible with a wide entrance and it makes a great venue if you need to hire somewhere fun, friendly and in a delightful setting. (See website for latest details of what’s on etc).

I met Jane, from Ealing, visiting her daughter Emma and her grandchildren. “I love coming over here and today we have been pond dipping in the rain. My daughter loves the area and she lives at Membery’s, it’s a gorgeous shop for children”. Certainly everyone I met knew of this super shop where Sally Membery stocks some of the finest Special Occasion Wear clothes for children, including her own label. Also, Kenzo, Catamini, Petit Bateau, D’arcy Brown and many more. It has a wonderful feel to it and is now in its 30th year of trading! So, if you want traditional and even made to order service, do go and have a look.

Barnes already boasts being the home of ‘Twilight’ success, Robert Pattinson (who originally performed at Barnes Theatre), and shrine to the 1970’s pop star, Marc Bolan. However, Olympic Studios has a rich history of musical celebrities, some legend, and many well known actors. Closed by EMI in 2008, it was a top independent recording studio and included; The Rolling Stones, U2 and The Beatles. It is rumoured to be re-opening in the future as a cinema: Watch that space....

The Bull’s Head 373 Lonsdale Road, London. SW13 9PY Tel: 020 8876 5241 / www.thebullshead.com Still on celebrities, this pub regularly has artists that are household names and has had the likes of Ronnie Scott and Dudley Moore perform there. It serves a very varied selection of food from traditional pub lunches to Nuay’s Thai. Since 1959, Jazz has been a large part of the Bull’s Head, with its original owner, Albert Tolley wanting to bring Modern Jazz to South London. Concerts are performed 7 nights a week and Sunday lunchtimes. (See website for excellent historical information and What’s on).

visit www.familiessouthwest.co.uk for more ...

October 2010

Peeping at postcodes

Two Peas in a Pod 85 Church Road, London. SW13 9HH Tel: 020 8748 0232 Small but nevertheless excellent greengrocers, selling fresh produce including organic fruit and vegetables. It’s a treat to stumble across what is now fast becoming a unique style food shop in the High Street. A local Community Support worker who dropped in to take shelter from the rain, said, “I like popping in here to scrounge a cup of tea, the staff are so friendly and you really get to know everyone”. She went on to say that Barnes was the ‘safest ward in the safest borough’.

Sonny’s 94 Church Road, London. SW13 ODQ Tel: 020 8748 0393 / www.sonnys.co.uk/barnes Having read an excellent review of this restaurant some time ago, I decided to try it out. It had good food and a fun atmosphere. The shop at the front serves a selection of fresh sandwiches daily and they also stock a range of specialist foods including wheat-free muffins, their own jams and Hill Station ice cream. (Extensive menu on website)

Want to help in the community.....

‘Cook’ Green Thai Curry

Cook 50 Barnes High Street, London. SW13 9LN Tel: 0208 8392 2060 / www.cookfood.net/shops/barnes

Barnes Green Centre (Help the Aged) a resource centre for 50+ The Green, Church Rd, Barnes, SW13 9HE Tel: 020 8876 2377 Chrissie Penfold, who works at the centre parttime, is also an Outreach Co-ordinator, setting up projects in and around the borough, as well as organising monthly Arts & Crafts events. She welcomes volunteers to work with people as there is always so much going on. For someone who is new to the area, and it can be quite isolating with young children, this is a route into doing something for people and an excellent way of getting to know others into the bargain.

‘Frozen meals that look and taste like they have been home- cooked, made with love and flair’. (Daily Telegraph) Cook is not only recommended by local residents; I’ve used it myself on a number of occasions! It’s a great place to let yourself indulge when you need to; perhaps after a baby; stocking up the freezer after an operation; dinner party catering; or plain and simply why not? Karen, mother of 3, who works part-time suggested; “It allows me to take the time to really sit down and get involved with the kids, I choose a healthy meal and pop it in the oven, saving me so much time and frankly, energy”. The Green Thai Curry recently won the ‘Great Taste Gold Award’ from The Guild of Fine Foods along with 7 other of their dishes. The puddings are excellent too, “Best ever Eton Mess”, says local foodie, Maddie, 12! Impressed? Either visit the shop or arrange for delivery.

October 2010

This is only a snap-shot of SW13 highlighting some favourite spots. There are also excellent schools like St.Paul’s and St. Osmund’s Catholic primary school and good transport links - having two railway stations; Barnes and Barnes Bridge. Full list of nursery schools at www.accessplace.com/nurseryschool/london/barnes

October 2010

Dawmouse Montessori Nursery Schools WWW.DAWMOUSE.COM There are now two established Montessori Nursery schools in Fulham bearing the Dawmouse name. The original Dawmouse Brunswick in Haldane Road, SW6 7EU and Dawmouse St Peter’s at St Peter’s Terrace, SW6 7JS. Both schools offer a wide range of Montessori equipment and have outdoor play areas. They will offer a safe, stimulating and active environment in which children can have fun and achieve. The broad curriculum covers all areas of the Early Learning Goals and includes science, drama, cookery and music lessons. Project work will give the children scope for creative development as well as an increased understanding of their world. We insist on our staff being Montessori trained teachers. For a prospectus and a visit to view the schools please contact : www.dawmouse.com or speak with Miss Emma 020 7381 9385

Bilingual education since 1996 The French Nursery School For children from 2 years old to 5 years old. (Toddler group from 1yr) Morning or afternoon sessions available Full time sessions 9h - 15h

SW7 Queen's Gate SW1 Knightsbridge Group of international nursery schools

The Belgravia Nursery School Bilingual Nursery school French/ English. For children 2-5 years. (Toddler group from 1yr) Part time session 9h - 12h Full time session 9h - 15h • 15h35-17h

All schools have native language teachers, excellent facilities and lovely outside The Spanish Nursery School playground / garden.

SW7 and SW1 The Spanish out of school club for children For a brochure please call from 2 to 5 years old. Marie-Laurence Edmonstone Toddler Group from 1 year old 020 7259 21 51 marie-laurence@thefrenchnurseryschool.com

October 2010

Women’s health

Pelvic floor re-education: the secret of mothers’ wellbeing. By James Turgis, from Baby Physio

While giving birth can be the most wonderful experience in a woman’s life, pregnancy and labour have a big impact on the body and especially on the pelvic-floor.

What treatments are available?

uring the nine months the baby’s weight puts pressure on it, the increase of hormones (oestrogen and relaxin) and the childbirth itself will stretch the muscles. The combination of these factors will lead to loss of tonus and the muscles will not be able to fulfil their role as before. This development is unavoidable and, if left untreated, can have serious consequences, such as incontinence, prolapsed womb, back pain and reduced sexual sensation. Yet this impact on the body is not irreversible. Pelvic-floor re-education will allow you to regain the strength and the tonus of your muscles and therefore avoid suffering these complications in the future. Perineum is certainly one, if not the most important muscle for a woman. It plays a very important role: it is the muscle holding the womb, the bladder, and its tonus allows continence. And finally, it is the base for a good back health. A stretched perineum will not be able to maintain all these functions and will also decrease normal sexual sensation. In France, receiving treatment for pelvic floor rehabilitation after giving birth is the norm, while, in the UK, many mothers are not aware of this treatment and think that the consequences of pregnancy are normal and cannot be reversed. We have often heard mothers saying “it is normal, my mother had the same problems” even though today not a single women should suffer these problems.

The first session of pelvic floor re-education always starts with a check-up of the strength of your perineum and of your level of awareness of it. Following the check-up, the physiotherapist will determine a personalised treatment based on your medical background, the course of your pregnancy and the method of childbirth as well as on your level of awareness of your muscles. The level of awareness is one of the keys to a successful reeducation because a lot of women are not able to feel and control this muscle as they should. This is the first thing that the physiotherapist will teach you through simple exercises. There are also different kinds of re-education which can be offered, depending on which one you are most comfortable with, consisting of stimulation using probe and feedback, and manual re-education using the contraction of the muscle itself; and finally hypopressive gymnastics, which is the most modern and certainly the most efficient technique. Hypopressive gymnastics is based on different postural exercises which need to be done in specific positions in order to use the internal pressure of your body to tone, in the meantime, your pelvic floor muscles, your abdominal muscles and your lower back muscles. This means that with this new technique, while toning your pelvic floor, you will start to regain a healthy lower back, and you will start flattening your stomach in a perfectly secure way for your body.

You can start your pelvic floor rehabilitation at different periods. There is growing support in favour of beginning to exercise before the childbirth because the awareness of this muscle will facilitate labour. After childbirth you have to wait at least six to eight weeks before starting any re-education or sports. It is very important not to start any abdominal re-education with a weak pelvic-floor because it would increase the stretch of the perineum and increase such symptoms as incontinence. After this period of six to eight weeks you may start your pelvic floor re-education whenever you feel ready for it. If some years have already passed since you gave birth and you did not have any re-education and you are experiencing the consequences (incontinence while coughing or while exercising etc.), it is not too late - you can start whenever you decide to. By doing the pelvic floor re-education you will be able to regain the tone of your body in a fast and secure way. Once your pelvic floor is strong you can start abdominal toning, by yourself or with help of our specialist, to regain a flat and toned stomach.

Mummy’s Physio is a home visit physiotherapy practice dedicated to the follow-up of mothers during and after pregnancy. We are aware that pelvic floor re-education is a very intimate issue and could feel a little embarrassing for many. This is why our specialist is a woman, mother of two, and we offer home visits only for you to be able to relax and feel good in the comfort of your home. They also treat back pain and circulatory problems, such as swollen legs or arms, during pregnancy and offer abdominal toning and flattening after childbirth. We also treat any other adult pathologies (back or shoulder problems etc…). For more information call: 07748647355 or visit www.mummysphysio.com •For your baby’s health (respiratory illnesses, feet deformation, stiff neck) you can contact Baby Physio on 07824 553765 or visit www.babyphysio.com

October 2010

Sports feature

SPORT: the missing letters! Part 6 Compiled by Karin Snelson

Last of the series, our Families SW London Sports feature is now complete: phew, we've now covered all sports from A to Z. (this month's letters were omitted from last issue as we were too full—well spotted by avid reader Nick who reminded us!) To see the whole feature go to www.familiessouthwest.co.uk under Listings.

ROWING

Serpentine Lido Hyde Park, W2 (020 7706 3422/ www.serpentinelido.com In the heart of Hyde Park. For envigorating fresh water swimming. Take the roller blades with you and, after your refreshing swim, you can warm up by roller blading round the Serpentine. June to September 10am-6pm.

Community Rowing Barn Elms Boathouse, Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, SW15 1LB. The facilities include a full size indoor sculling tank, changing rooms, workshop and a full range of boats from single sculls to eights. 0208 788 9472, www.wandsworth.gov.uk/ info/644/sports_facilities/383/barn_elms_boathouse

Thames Rowing Club Putney Embankment, SW15 1LB Catering for all, from juniors to veterans, from novices to internationals, Thames is currently one of the largest and most successful rowing clubs in the United Kingdom. Periodically run complete beginners courses and also welcome more experienced juniors. For more information please contact juniors@thamesrc.co.uk, www.thamesrc.co.uk

SAILING Wimbledon Park Sailing Club Home Park Road, SW19 7HX Offers a range of water sports activities for the whole community. All activities are run by qualified professional staff. 020 8947 4894, wimbledonpark@merton.gov.uk

SKATING Coaching opportunities in Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, Battersea Park, Bishops Park and Dulwich Park. info@citiskate.co.uk, www.citiskate.co.uk

Little Dippers

South London Swimming Club

Putney Leisure Centre,

Swim outdoors all year round with this club at Tooting Bec Lido. Founded in 1906, this club welcomes all ages. They organised the first children's aquathlon on 5 September 2010. Find out more at www.slsc.org.uk

Dryburgh Rd, SW15 020 8785 0388, www.dcleisurecentres.co.uk

Leander Swimming Club

Latchmere Leisure Centre,

A competitive club which trains children and young adults in order to compete at national level. Sessions are held at Balham Leisure Centre, Tooting Leisure Centre, JAGS, Alleyns and Ernest Bevin schools. Children are expected to swim at least once a week throughout the year and more as they improve. It is also hoped they will enter the various galas which take place. 07518 956695, www.leanderswimmingclub.org.uk

Burns Road, SW11 2DY, 020 7207 8004

Battersea Jacks Swimming Club

Tooting Leisure Centre

Provides children with the opportunity to swim regularly after school and prepare for galas. Sessions are held at Tooting Leisure Centre and it is hoped that children will come at least once a week and enter competitions. Mondays 7.30-9pm. Wednesdays 7-8pm and Fridays 7.30-9pm. Contact the Leisure Centre on 020 8333 7555.

Greaves Place, off Garratt Lane, SW17 020 8333 7555

Wandsworth Swimming Club

SQUASH Wimbledon Racquets and Fitness Club Cranbrook Road, SW19 4HD Junior squash beginners can attend coaching sessions every Saturday at 10am-11am at £4 class. Non members are welcome. Contact the club for more details on 020 8947 5806, www.wimbledonclub.co.uk

SWIMMING CLUBS Little Dippers 24 Trinity Road, Tooting Bec, SW17 7RE For your babies’ first swimming experience. 0844 482 8222, info@littledippers.co.uk

South West Swimming School At Emanuel School. Call the club on 020 8767 2723 for details.

October 2010

INDOOR SWIMMING POOLS

Mostly at Putney Leisure Centre SW15 1BL, (Also Ibstock Place School, Clarence Lane, SW15 5PY and Bank of England SW15 5JQ.) See website for training timetable: www.wandsworthsc.com

OUTDOOR SWIMMING Tooting Bec Lido Tooting Bec Road, SW16 91.5 metres long, this is the second biggest outdoor freshwater pool in Europe. Water chill factor: very high… but exhilarating. 6am-8pm daily. 020 8871 7198, www.wandsworth.gov.uk

Aspire Centre, 337 Merton Road, SW18 5JU, 020 8875 2603

Brixton Recreation Centre 27 Brixton Station Road, SW9 8QQ 020 7926 9779

Roehampton Leisure Centre Laverstoke Gardens, London SW15 4JB 020 8785 0535

Balham Leisure Centre Elmfield Road, SW12, 020 8772 9577

The Harbour Club, Watermeadow Lane, SW6 2RR 020 7751 9443, 0845 125 7004 for membership enquiries.

David Lloyd Clubs Raynes Park, Chelsea, Fulham, Kensington For membership enquiries dial 0844 543 9783 or visit www.davidlloyd.co.uk Out and indoor pool, sauna and steam room. Good to know: there is a kid's area and a good creche for 0-5 so you can enjoy your class, (or have your hair done) in peace knowing your child is having fun too (see page 29 for halfterm activities. For Raynes Park call 020 8544 9965

TRIATHLON

Brockwell Park Lido

Windrush Triathlon Club

Dulwich Rd, SE24 020 7274 3088, www.brockwelllido.com Monday-Friday 6.45am-6/7/8pm (weather dependent); weekends 12 noon-6pm.

Triathlon Junior Swimming sessions at Tooting Leisure Centre on Saturday mornings. £3. Phone Stuart on 07527 818568. www.windrushtri.ning.com

visit www.familiessouthwest.co.uk for more ...

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October 2010

School Feature

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October 2010

School Feature

Hornsby House School’s new addition ‘The Lime Tree Building’

SCHOOL

NEWS

Compiled by Joanna Parry and Amanda Butterworth

Celebrating 25 years This year The White House Prep School & Woodentops Kindergarten will be celebrating its 25th anniversary. September marked the beginning of a year of celebrations overseen by the founder Mary McCahery and will see exciting developments including the opening of a new day nursery. The school continues to offer a range of after-school activities. The car club in which the children build an electric car and then race it against other schools at Goodwood racetrack is very popular. A tea-time homework club until 6pm daily has been well received by parents. Contact: 020 8674 9514 office@whitehouseschool.com

School moves

October 2010

New school building

As the autumn leaves start to fall and a new season begins, last year’s leavers are settling at their new secondary schools (from the more local environs of Dulwich College to the faraway St George’s, Namibia). Meanwhile, at Dolphin, they are thrilled to welcome two new classes of eager Reception pupils, immaculate in royal blue blazers and pulled-up socks. This year’s annual theme is “My Story-Your Story” with a visit from a story-teller whose oral narratives have brought peace, reconciliation and delight to diverse local and international communities. As they revive the ancient tradition of story-telling in the computer age, Dolphin boys and girls will once again be writing their own individual and collective stories through the challenges and opportunities of academic, artistic and sporting life. 020 7924 3472.

Hornsby House School is proud to announce their ground-breaking new building is now open. Faced with a need for specialist subject teaching rooms and dining facilities, Hornsby House was running out of space on its compact site. The solution: a new building with almost two thirds of the space below ground level. The Lime Tree Building includes a basement stretching underneath the playground, filling an awkward, underused corner of the school site while taking away very little playground space. Sustainability was a key priority in the design of the building, which incorporates long-life low-maintenance materials, energy-saving construction and flexibility of use. Headmaster Jon Gray says, “The Lime Tree Building is an inspired design. In addition to the three new classrooms, we have a dining room and catering facilities, which have long been on our wishlist. Our pupils and staff now enjoy a freshly prepared lunch every day and, since these facilities are all below ground, the new building has taken up very little of our outside play space." This thriving independent co-educational day school offers some scholarships for children who are gifted academically or show exceptional ability in either Music or Sport, with bursaries available for up to 100% of fees. Hornsby House School is holding an Open Morning on Thursday 7th October at 9am. Hornsby House School, Hearnville Road, SW12 8RS, 020 8673 7573, www.hornsbyhouse.co.uk.

Streatham & Clapham High School – what a successful summer! Streatham & Clapham High School has got the year off to a great start: over the summer seven A level students reached Everest Base Camp, junior gymnast Hermione Hopson was nominated Lambeth “Female Athlete of the Year” and ex-pupil Georgina Bremner was awarded highest marks and a Congratulatory First Class Degree in PPP from Oxford University. On top of all this, as a result of an exceptionally strong set of A level and GCSE results this August, Streatham & Clapham High School is once again ranked as one of the top schools in Lambeth and a leading girls’ schools in South West London. Of the 40 Sixth Formers who took AS and A levels, an astounding 85.4% obtained Grade C and above, with 40.7% of these achieving A and A*grades. The GCSE candidates fared equally well. Of the 61 girls taking them, 96.3% obtained Grade C and above, while an astonishing total of 57.3% were awarded A and A* grade. Head Mrs Sue Mitchell says, “Our girls work very hard and these results only confirm our strong academic reputation. We are delighted that so many of our Sixth Formers will be going on to their chosen course of study at University, and that so many of our GCSE students will be returning to SCHS for their A levels. We look forward to seeing them all go from strength to strength.” 020 8674 6912.

Developments at Donhead In September 2010, Donhead Preparatory School in Wimbledon completed the final stages of a 4-year, £3m Development Plan. The boys at Donhead now benefit from significantly enhanced facilities, with the ‘Berchmans Building’ housing three additional, environmentally-friendly, classrooms for their younger pupils and the ‘St Ignatius Building’ hosting a new Sports Hall, Music Room, Art Room and ICT Suite. In addition, a new Dining Room, Kitchen and Music Practice Centre complete the development. Donhead is now well equipped to deliver a quality education for the 21st century and continue in its mission to educate young men of competence, conscience and compassion. For further details contact Mrs June Smith: 020 8946 7000 or headmasterpa@ donhead.org.uk. www.donhead.org.uk ®

Cont. pg 20

This autumn the Waldorf School of South West London has moved to temporary premises at Streatham Methodist Church on the corner of Riggindale & Mitcham Lane, Streatham, SW16 1QH. This Steiner/Waldorf school, which places emphasis not only on the intellectual development of the child, but equally on developing the child’s artistic and emotional life, will continue to support families and individuals in the local area during their move. This includes a weekly offering of affordable indoor and outdoor parent and child groups for those with pre-school children, craft workshops accessible to the general public and termly education workshops, where parents and local adults can experience Waldorf lessons directly from a child’s eye view. The school will be at this location whilst they await the outcome of negotiations with two local authorities on a new permanent site for the school. www.waldorfswlondon.org, 020 8769 6587

Storytelling at Dolphin

cont from p.19

School Feature So much going on at Roche School Recent Roche School class visits have included the National Portrait Gallery, Westminster Abbey, Chichester Harbour, etc, etc... Their Top Year 5 group won the interschool Mathematics Challenge, a Year 6 pupil gained a top scholarship to St Paul's Girls' School; each year every pupil acts in their class’s play and last term they memorably watched Year 5's Pied Piper and Year 6's Pirates of Penzance. Pupils collected sackfuls of coins for the 'Pennies for Peace' charity. The older children visit France each year and enjoyed the market & cathedral of St Omer plus watching croissants being made. Contact: 020 8877 0823. www.therocheschool.co.uk

Artsmark Gold status The Study Prep School has long been renowned for its creative and inspiring teaching methods. From Reception though to Year 6, the girls are exposed to a wonderful array of art, music, theatre and dance. So much so that the Arts Council, England, awarded the school Artsmark Gold status

Splashing news Swimmers at James Allen’s Preparatory School have been making a big splash with their

Summer 2010 Refurbishments Ravenstone Prep School and Nursery are on the verge of completing a major refurbishment programme. They now have some fabulous new facilities: large dining room; new kitchen; spacious nursery classroom on the lower ground floor; refurbished reception office and new head’s office; redecorated studio; and a huge reception classroom. They have also had the entire front elevation completely redecorated. The entire building now has a much more open, spacious feel whilst retaining its established cosy atmosphere. You will notice the difference. Elizabeth Heath, Headmistress. 020 7225 3131 www.ravenstoneschoolslondon.com

Outstanding results Year 5 girls enjoy a fun lesson in the Science Lab

last summer. The school’s ethos is to balance its excellent reputation for high academic standards with plenty of creative fun! The next Open Morning is on November 4th 2010, specifically aimed at girls between the ages of 8 to 11. For further details call 020 8947 6969 or visit www.thestudyprep.co.uk.

Students at Thames Christian College have succeeded expectations in their GCSE results this year. This independent secondary school in

Frederick Hugh House

news: the Year 6 team (11 year olds Breagha Campbell, Rosa Collier, Sophie Lewis Ward, Megan Mirchandani and Jessica Mascarenhas) spent a weekend in Sheffield where they took part in the ESSA Primary Schools’ Swimming Relays and they came 6th in the country in two events - Freestyle and Medley. Earlier in the summer the same team came 8th and 6th in the National Finals of the IAPS (Independent Association of Preparatory Schools) swimming championships, where Breagha Campbell also finished 2nd in the country in the 50m Freestyle with a personal best of 30.33 seconds. Congratulations! Please contact: Katherine Graham: 020 8693 3465.

Frederick Hugh House is a new, exciting and unique primary school in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, for special needs children with moderate learning delays. Every school child at Frederick Hugh House benefits from a tailor made therapeutic programme including in-house speech, occupational and physiotherapists who work closely and continuously with the teaching staff to integrate each child’s targets into every aspect of the school day. The therapists work with the pupils either in a classroom setting, in a small group or individually, depending on the needs of each child. All facets of teaching and learning are supported by Frederick Hugh House’s state of the art facilities, adopting a multi sensory approach that enables each child to access the curriculum, whatever their learning style. It is the ethos at Frederick Hugh House to discover and nurture the talents and passion of every child, so that they have the freedom to fulfil their potential. For more information please visit www.frederickhughhouse.com

Tunmise Makinde (Left) and Jazmine Nurse-Francis (Right) Thames Christian College GCSE RESULTS

Battersea is for boys and girls of mixed ability, including some who are dyslexic and gifted and talented, and they celebrate their outstanding GCSE results with 71 % of students attaining A* B grades and 82% of students attaining 5 A*- C grades (including English and Maths). Their excellent results demonstrate the amazing journey of Thames pupils who year on year have outperformed their predicted grades. Stephen Holsgrove, Executive Head of Thames Christian College says: “Once again the GCSE results at Thames are excellent with some remarkable individual achievements. At Thames our ethos is to provide a positive and nurturing environment with small well-behaved classes, to ensure our pupils are given the best opportunity and motivation to achieve. Our individual results reflect this and it was lovely to see lots of smiling faces upon opening the dreaded brown envelopes.” Contact 020 7228 3933.

October 2010

School Feature School OPEN DAYS for 2010 Streatham and Clapham SW2/16 High School

11-18 G

Oct 6 and Nov 2 2pm

8677 8400

Streatham and Clapham SW2 Junior School

3-11 G

Nov 9 and Dec 7 2pm

8674 6912

Thames Christian College SW11

11-16 Co-Ed Oct 2 10am-2pm

8241 1382

Hornsby House School

SW12

4-11 Co-Ed

Oct 7 9am

8673 7573

White House Prep. School

SW12

2-11 Co-Ed

Nurs+Prep Nov 13 9.30-11.30. 7+: Nov 11 7.30-8.30 pm

8674 9514

Alleyns Junior School

SE22

4-11 Co-Ed

Nov 4 and Nov 16 1.30-3.30 pm

8693 3457

The Study Prep. School

SW19

4-11 G Yrs 4-6 Nov 4 9.30-12 pm Willberforce Nov 12 9.30-12pm Spencer Nov 19 10-12.30 pm 8947 6969

Dolphin School

SW11

4-11 Co-Ed

Eridge House School

SW6

2-11 Co-Ed

Oct 2 10-12pm

7471 4816

GEMS Hampshire School SW7

3-13 Co-Ed

By appointment

7584 3297

Sinclair House School

SW6

Tues and Thurs by arrangement with Registrar 7924 3472

2-8 Co-Ed

By appointment

7736 9182

Ecole des Petits - Fulham SW11

3-6 Co-Ed

By appointment

7371 8350

Ecole de Battersea

SW11

3-11 Co-Ed

By appointment

7371 8350

Eaton Square School

SW1

2.5-13 Co-Ed Wed and Thurs mornings by appointment

Eaton House the Manor

SW4

2.5-13 Boys 2.5-11 Girls

The Roche School

SW18

2.5-11 Co-Ed Oct 14 and Nov 17 9.45-11.30 am

Nov 13 9-12pm Nov 13 9-12pm

Bertrum House School

SW17

2.5-7 Co-Ed Thursday mornings by appointment

Radnor House

TW1

7-18 Co-Ed

Donhead

SW19

4-11 boys

October 2010

Nov 2, 3, 4 diff times Nov 8 2-3.30pm

7931 9469 7924 6000 7924 6000 8877 0823 8767 4051 radnorhouse.org 8946 7000

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School Feature

Now in Wandsworth 020 8875 0573

THE ROCHE SCHOOL (independent co-ed primary and nursery)

OPEN MORNINGS Thurs. 14th Oct, Weds 17th Nov 9.45 – 11.30 a.m.

COME AND SEE US! OFSTED Nov ’08: Pupils make outstanding progress in their learning ….. The school creates a happy and relaxed family atmosphere!!

0208 877 0823 www.therocheschool.co.uk 11 Frogmore SW18 1HW (off Putney Bridge Road) Bursaries available

October 2010

School Feature

Free schools, academies... Joanna Moorhead unravels the story so far Education, education, education. That was another government’s mantra – Tony Blair adopted it as his slogan in 1997 – but it could as easily fit the bill for the new Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition.

gathering the momentum, the documents, the funding and the premises you need to make a school happen. Setting up a new school, as the site says, isn’t easy – but the network aims “to make it as easy as possible” and promises that it will “shortly be publishing data on sites, budgeting, and detailed guides on the process of setting up a school from start to finish”.

Why so? Well, according to education secretary Michael Gove, major changes are afoot...and they’re the sort of changes that many parents have campaigned for over the last few years. In an age when an increasing number of mothers and fathers have questioned all sorts of issues around their children’s schools, Gove has a new message: do it yourself.

Despite the major cuts that lie ahead in public spending, Mr Gove has promised £50 million to cover start-up costs for free schools. And he’s also given his word that the current planning laws and building regulations, which conspire to make life difficult for parents’ groups trying to set up schools, will be reformed.

‘Free schools’ are the government’s Big New Idea, and here’s how the idea will work. First, you need a group of parents (plus maybe teachers, and other interested parties) who feel there’s a need for a brand new school in their area. Next, you need to gather your case – and get as many supporters as possible. You also need to put together evidence for why the school you’re planning is necessary – which may be, for example, that it’s providing a secondary school in an area that doesn’t already have one, and where a lot of children have to travel large distances to get to where they’re being educated. Or, you may want to set up a school with a particular faith bias. Alternatively, you may think that the existing schools in your area are too large, and that some children would benefit from a much smaller establishment. There’s an organisation called the New Schools Network whose job is to talk through whether plans for a new school are viable – their website is packed with useful advice on how to go about

The government believes that ‘free schools’ have the potential to raise achievement in areas where local authority-run schools aren’t providing a good education – and he points to the US for evidence that his scheme will work. There, he says that some of the most successful schools have been set up by groups backed by parents and teachers – and he’d like to see the same thing happen here. There’s a similar scheme, too, in Sweden, which again has seen the foundation of many successful schools. But the free schools scheme is only part of the new government’s plans for education. The other main policy concerns academies; shortly after being appointed education secretary, Mr Gove wrote to every primary, secondary and special school in England inviting them to apply for academy status.

Where to find out more The Department for Education website, at http://www.education.gov.uk, has lots of information about both academies and free schools. The Free Schools Network is at www.newschoolsnetwork.org

Academies, like free schools, are outside of local authority control and are funded by private organisations, or by central government. Earlier this summer, Mr Gove said seven in ten top secondary schools had expressed an interest in getting academy status – and he hoped that the ones who did forge ahead with this would help drive academic standards higher, because it would give them more autonomy than they have at the moment. Parents and teachers have worried about academies being too exclusive, and discriminating about special needs pupils; but Mr Gove has promised that academies will be governed by admissions codes which will guarantee fair access to all, and safeguard the inclusive character of comprehensive schools. In all, the reforms Mr Gove is promising have the potential to provide the biggest shake-up in state education in a century, with parents in the vanguard. Watch this space!

October 2010

A free school in south London? The most advanced plan for a free school in south London is the campaign to set up a new secondary school on Bolingbroke Grove in Battersea. The school would use the site currently occupied by the former Bolingbroke Hospital. Jon De Maria, who is one of the local parents behind the scheme, says the vision is for a local school that is nonselective, that’s secular and is socially-inclusive. He and other campaigners point to the fact that South Battersea parents currently have limited options once their children leave primary school. Last year the closest secondary, Chestnut Grove, received 777 applications for 150 places, and the next closest, the Salesian College, is only an option for Catholics. So children from Belleville and Honeywell primaries tend to scatter far and wide for Year 7 – over the past four years, children from these two schools have gone to no fewer than 49 different secondaries across London and beyond. Not everyone is happy with the idea of a free school for Battersea – some people worry about the concept itself, and wonder whether the organisers will be able to recruit and hold on to governors, and whether there will be enough experience to set up and then maintain educational standards. But the campaigners – whose steering group numbers around 12, with support from upwards of 3,000 parents in the wider community – say they have enlisted the support of ARK Schools, an educational charity which has already set up academies across London including Evelyn Grace in Brixton and Ark Academy in Wembley. Others worry about whether a new school will lead to a surplus of places at existing schools around the area – and that this could lead to lower funding for the other establishments. But the campaigners point to the long distances children from the borough are currently having to travel to reach existing secondary schools, and say they deserve better. They also believe a new school could create a new community focus for the area, and plan for the site to host a cafe and youth club as well as after-hours learning facilities for adults. Meanwhile Wandsworth Council has reassured residents that plans for a new school are on course. The current plan is for a September 2013 opening – although there’s still a possibility of an opening the previous year. Wandsworth Council leader Edward Lister said he welcomed the idea of a free school in the borough. "The great thing about free schools is that they enable parents to decide their own priorities," he said. "Parents know what is best for their child -and they have firm ideas about the kind of schooling they want. Some free schools might opt for smaller class sizes, others would go for different subject choices or a longer school day. It's about broadening choice and being open to new ideas. "We’re already on course to see the first free school open in Battersea in 2012 – we are very keen to work with other groups of local parents who share our enthusiasm for this new approach.” *For more information see http://www.thensc.net/

School Feature

Sinclair House

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October 2010

School Feature

October 2010

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School Feature After-school Holidays Half-terms Covering all of SW London, including Fulham and Chelsea, After School Nannies provides childcarers for after school periods, half-terms and school holidays. All our nannies have relevant childcare experience and range from nursery teachers and teachers-in-training to students and ex-au pairs. We interview them personally, check references and apply for enhanced CRB disclosures

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The HORROR of homework When it comes to homework, the more they get, the more they learn, right? LYDIA WHITTLE searches for the evidence among parents, teachers, students and official statistics. In her recent article, ‘Homework? A total waste of time*’, Dr Eleanor Updale berates the toll ‘homework inflation’ has taken on family life. She recalls how she, ‘nagged, shouted, bullied and bribed’ her children to complete their work. Sounds familiar? Perhaps as the new term starts such scenes have already played out around your kitchen table? It has long been recognised that playtime is beneficial for learning in a number of ways, such as information processing, language learning and other aspects of brain development. So why are such activities now being asked to take second place to vigorous homework assignments? ‘The boys get far too much homework with hardly any time to play’, says Sara, whose 6 year-old sons were given an hour and a half of homework a night in preparation for their 7+ exams. ‘If any of the homework wasn’t completed by the deadline, they were sent home!’ Surely this sort of pressure is unhealthy for young minds, let alone for parents who have to cajole their tired children to keep on working? Helen feels that homework puts a lot of pressure on both her and husband Adam; ‘the homework my 5 year-old is given encroaches on our family time making it difficult to complete.’ Indeed, of all the parents we spoke to, few thought the amount of homework their child received was about right and in most cases it was too much. Susan says, ‘I don’t feel that children should be given compulsory homework until they are much older’. Felice is one of the few mothers who felt her children were given the correct amount of work but perhaps it is telling that her girls attended a European School not subject to UK guidelines. ‘Homework was set in manageable chunks from age 6 which helped the children to work in an organised and independent way.’

Shockingly, there was a prevalent feeling that completed homework was a reflection of parental competence and an indication of their management of family life. Annette points out that ‘children need the right environment to work in’. Similarly, Helen believes her 5-year-old son needs support with all of his homework. But home life can be diverse and complicated, so doesn’t this prerequisite promote inequality? Surely this could be a major disadvantage to children who, though no fault of their own, don’t have a certain set of domestic circumstances to return home to? What about children from nonEnglish speaking families, whose parents can’t Street Jazz, Tap Tots Dance understand the Musical Theatre Parties homework themselves, for example? South West London’s street jazz experts, offering classes in a range of commercial dance styles for tots, kids, teens and adults. BE.Inspired!

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Izabella from Poland says, ‘My parents spoke very little English; they would have been in no position to help us with reading or writing if we’d been set homework’.

A head teacher whose primary school has two outstanding Ofsted reports explained what teachers do to ensure a level playing field. ‘In terms of creating good learning environments the school runs homework workshops throughout the school day. This gives all children an opportunity to complete homework tasks effectively. Also, their reading books are translated to help parents of any ethnic origin give essential support to their children.’ At The White House Prep School, they have gone one step further and introduced a tea-time homework club. The teacher in charge is informed of what homework has been set for each pupil, and whether there is anyone who needs specific help. Unsurprisingly, with this level of support the club is proving extremely popular with parents! If there is not a homework club at your child’s school, White House Prep says it is important to sit down to homework at a regular time everyday. ‘Make homework an extension of what they are doing at school, and make sure it is supervised.’ This is echoed by Streatham and Clapham High School: ‘If there is nowhere suitable at home take advantage of the school library or homework clubs, where you are often in the company of teachers who can genuinely help. Homework is about developing and consolidating work done in lessons.’ But perhaps the focus is not about improving skills, as we so often think. Could it be that the real value of homework is about preparation for the future? Perhaps without a gradual build up of homework children would not succeed in the increasingly competitive workplace? Sarah A says, ‘Luckily my daughters didn’t get much homework at primary school, but now that my eldest is at high school and receives untold amounts of homework, she finds she wasn’t prepared for it by her primary.’ Patricia, who has five children, told us, ‘All our children on leaving primary school were able to get on with their own homework without me bossing them around (too much). The school has been excellent in teaching them good habits and it has served them very well in secondary.’ So, do countries which put less emphasis on homework have different levels of attainment? In Norway children start school aged 6 – by this stage British children have been in formal education for 2 years and completed up to one and a half hours of homework every night (add that up if you dare!). According to the UN’s most recent (2009) Human Development Index, these countries actually have a higher level of attainment. The composite statistic used to rank countries by level of ‘human development’ is produced with data on life expectancy, education and per capita GDP. Surprisingly Norway is ranked the highest in the world, while the UK appears at no 21. Dr Updale notes that there have been no recent studies of the benefits of current levels of homework in the UK. It is unknown whether there is a correlation between homework levels and educational achievements.

October 2010

travelmatters For the family holiday, flights or even a short break * Your local travel agent

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Picture thanks to TESCO Back to School range

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Tips for good homework habits Are we even clear as parents and teachers about the actual purpose of homework? Patricia believes, ‘homework should be an extension of learning rather than a chore.’ At Streatham and Clapham High School they not only encourage pupils to try to stick to the homework timetable but equally recommend to not ‘let homework exclude other extracurricular activities – get the balance right.’ They believe that ‘homework is about developing work done in lessons.’ Still, it seems that as a nation we have become entirely education-reliant as a means of preparing the next generation to pave a way through our perceived underachieving, ‘broken Britain’. In doing this, could it be that we forget the foundations that build strong, successful characters - the family? Without time spent as a family, bonding and having fun, we can’t hope to achieve this. Could it be that by exposing children to extreme schooling and intense homework, we are destroying the very qualities we are trying to promote? As Dr Updale remarks, ‘what drives those children out of the garden, away from the kitchen table and in front of the screens in the first place? What gives them the excuse to cut themselves off? It’s homework.’ If you feel strongly that something must be done and hear parents views Log on to www.familiessouthwest.co.uk/homework

• Do find a quiet place at home to use as a homework area. It needs a flat surface, a good light source and the right equipment eg pens, pencils, ruler, scissors, glue. • Do allow your child to have something nutritional to eat before starting on homework and a drink of water. • Do plan a homework timetable and agree on when your child will do their homework. • Does your child prefers a little at a time, do as much as they can in one go to get rid of it?

I am looking for mothers who received therapy in the first year following the birth of their baby to share their experiences. Participation in the study involves a 45 minute interview at a location convenient to you. This study has received ethical approval, and will help professionals offering counselling to mothers to address better their needs.

• Never on Sundays! Keep that day stress free. • Once you have agreed on a homework plan: stick to it. Take away treats (TV?) if work is not done. It works superbly! • Do be aware of modern teaching methods, eg in long division. Don’t teach your child methods you used at school. It could confuse them. • Do discuss any homework tasks with your child and how it connects with what they are studying at school. • Do turn off the TV - but you could have music on if they find it helpful.

Read more *Eleanor Updale’s original article, originally published 7th May 2010 can be read in full at www.tes.co.uk/article.aspx?storycode=6043047

• Don’t give your child the answer in order to get a task finished. Instead, explain how to look up information or find a word in a dictionary.

For the UN’s Human Development Index, see http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/ Search FamiliesOnline for: “Why do I have to do homework?” “The great homework debate” and more such articles.

• Don’t let homework become a chore. Keep it fun and make it a special time that you both look forward to.

October 2010

Mothers’ Experiences of Therapy Research Help Requested

Compiled from editor’s own tips and bbc.co.uk

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Wellington Nannies – Nannies – Mother’s Helps – Maternity Call 020 7183 4374 wellingtonnannies.co.uk 1 Newburgh Street / W1F 7RB ®

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October 2010

ɗ Denotes activities which are very good value.

Half-term activities Diva Salon, Theatrebugs Drama and more. The week culminates with the Eddie Catz annual Halloween parties in Putney on 29 October and Wimbledon on 30 October. They are always a sell out so book now. For more information see www.eddiecatz.com and click on the pumpkin on the homepage.

Fun with Fimo Clay West London Monday 18, Friday 29 October and Monday 1 November: Fun workshops Aboriginal art, spooky stuff and Tom and Jerry! Creative clay modelling for 6 years and over. 10am-4pm. £45. Bring a lunchbox. Call Clare McKnight 020 8992 3767, fimofun@tiscali.co.uk, www.funwithfimoclay.co.uk

Glitterbug Compiled by Karin Snelson

The Outward Bound Trust - Adventure Unlimited

RESIDENTIAL CAMPS The Outward Bound Trust Snowdonia 23-30 October: Adventure Unlimited residential outdoor adventures for 13 to 18-yearolds. Taking place at The Trust’s Lake District and Snowdonia centres, they are fully inclusive and cost £349. Book by calling 01931 740000 or visit www.theoutwardboundtrust.org.uk

Putney School of Art and Design

ɗ ɗ

Oxford Road, SW15 2LQ Monday to Wednesday 25-27 October (tbc): Family Learning – one parent/carer to accompany one child for pottery, painting and drawing workshops. Ages 7-14. FREE. Contact 020 8788 9145 to book places.

Dulwich Picture Gallery

Putney and Fulham 25-29 October: Halloween workshops From spooky spiders and bats to trick or treat Glitterbug Halloween

Gallery Road, London SE21 7AD Sunday 31 October: The Big Draw - Try your hand at drawing a portrait. Dress up using props and costumes and use special see-through frames

DAY CAMPS bags and masks. 18 months to 8 years. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at St Mary’s Church, Putney. Tuesday and Thursday at The Vicarage Room, 2 Clancarty Road, Fulham. 10.00-11.00 am. £11 per child. Booking essential on 07951 724 045, annie@glitterbugfun.co.uk, www.glitterbugfun.co.uk

DL Kids and Bowling

Dulwich Picture Gallery to make colourful pieces to display in the portrait room. 11am-4pm. £2 per child. Drop in but get there early to avoid disappointment. 020 8299 8732, s.atkinson@dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk

Happy Faces Holiday Club Dundonald Primary School, Wimbledon, SW19 3QH 25-29 October: cooking, arts and crafts, parachute games, team games and sports. Day trips. From 8am to 6pm. £22 per day (trips additional £6). Contact Karen Reddy on 020 8286 1549, karen@happyfaces.info, www.happpyfaces.info

Eddie Catz Putney 1st Floor, 68-70 Putney High Street, SW15 Wimbledon 42 Station Road, Merton SW19 2LP Half Term camps for children 18 months to 11 years. Choose from Halloween Toddler Cookery with Cookie Crumbles, Art with Artybobs, a Divalicious Spa Manicure and Pedicure Morning for pre-teen girls in the Wimbledon Mini

ART AND CRAFTS Art-imate At the Nature Study Centre, Wandsworth Common, SW18 Monday to Thursday 18-21 and 25-28 October: As part of the National 'Big Draw,' Artimate will be running a bonanza of workshops, run by a team of experienced illustrators and artists, to explore all types of drawing through creative drawing games. Activities are suitable for 5 to 12year-olds. 10am–3pm. To book phone 07775 781332, www.art-imate.meandyou.org.uk

October 2010

Little Hands Design The Winchester Project, 21 Winchester Road, Swiss Cottage, NW3 25-29 October: Clothes making – Use the sewing machine and design and make your own outfit and accessories. Also a Halloween costume workshop. 9am-4pm, full or half days. Separate groups for 6-8 and 8-18 years. £225 (£120 half days) Email info@littlehandsdesign.com or call Astrid Jacoby on 07739535684, www.littlehandsdesign.co.uk

Little Needles At Methodist Hall, 155 Half Moon Lane, Herne Hill SE24 Saturday 30th October: 3rd birthday open afternoon – Make a felt plushy toy, try out a sewing machine and get a FREE sewing kit. Ages 8 and up. 2.304.30pm. £5. Call 07984 772040, www.littleneedles.co.uk

Halloween Eddie Catz

Morden Hall Park ɗ Morden Hall Road, Morden SM4 28 October: The Big Draw – Join in some fun drawing activities for all the family. 11am-3pm. Family ticket £3. 020 8545 6850, mordenhall@nationaltrust.org.uk, www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Cont. pg 30

David Lloyd Raynes Park, Bushey Road, SW20 8TE 18-22 and 25-29 October: DL Kids Holiday Active - an exciting programme including tennis, tenpin bowling, arts and crafts and swimming. Ages 5 to 13. 9am to 5pm (extended days 8am-6pm). Also exciting wow factor workshops like movie making, den building and street dance. Book for a single day or the whole week. All prices include breakfast, lunch and snack. £33.60 per day for non members. Call 020 8544 9965 or visit davidlloyd.co.uk/rpdlkids.

Half-term activities their creations, with increased confidence and better accents. 10am-4pm. Call Teresa on 020 7924 4649, 07889 967003, info@leclubtricolore.co.uk

MUSIC AND DRAMA Funky Moves

Little Needles crazy creatures

Pottery Café 735 Fulham Road, SW6 5UL, 020 7736 2157 322 Richmond Road, TW1 2DU, 020 8744 3000 25-29 October: Autumn Days - make your own Autumn pottery designs using decorating sponges provided - everything from leaves and acorns, to toadstools and blackberries. Studio fee £5.95 per person covers all materials, demonstration, glazing and firing. www.pottery-cafe.com

Smarty Paints Pottery Painting Studio 85 Nightingtgale Lane, Balham SW12 Half term week: Halloween pottery painting fun from scary skulls to plump pumpkins! Cost is £6 studio fee plus pottery from £5. Open Monday to Saturday 10-6pm, Sundays 11-6pm. 020 8772 8702, www.smartypaints.co.uk

Stitch & Knit Nursery & Pre-school Open: 7.30am to 6.00pm Full and Part time places available Friendly and welcoming environment Good OFSTED report (3 months to 5 Years) Clapham: 0208 674 5544 Nunhead: 020 7277 5956 'The nursery where children learn with fun & enjoyment' www.magicmindnursery.co.uk

Wimbledon Half term week: Fun sewing classes for children aged 8-15. 10am-4.00pm. £95 for two days. Contact Fiona Howell on 07941465478 or visit www.stitchknit.co.uk for further details.

LANGUAGES Le Club Tricolore At St Columba’s Church, Pont Street, SW1 26 and 27 October: French Fun – games, art and craft, cooking, songs, sketches, treasure hunts and lots more en français! All levels, ages 5-11. Relaxed yet buzzy, children go home happily with

Belleville Primary School, Belleville Road, SW11 6PR 25-28 October: Practise funky dance moves to current music, fusing street and commercial dance. Also art activities and a performance at the end of the week. Themes include Dizzee Rascal Day, Totally Gaga Day and more... 9.30am-12.30pm. Contact Alice on 07810 431101, alice@funkymovesdance.com, www.funkymovesdance.com

The Music House for Children 306-310 Uxbridge Road, W12 7LJ 25 October: Music and Movement Workshops – singing, playing instruments and dancing based on “The Robin who lost his voice”. Up to 5 years. Junk Orchestra Workshop - make musical instruments made from household junk. 11am12pm - £10 per child. Up to 11 years. 26 October: Musical Theatre and Singing Workshops – record and perform songs and dances from well known musicals. 10-12.30pm. £20 per child up to 12 years. 020 8932 2652, www.musichouseforchildren.co.uk

Theatrebugs Balham, Barnes, Clapham, Fulham, Putney, Twickenham Half term week: Two-day adventures – jam packed with drama, music, dance, arts and crafts and lots of Halloween fun! Nothing too spookysuitable for 3 to 8-year-olds. A ghoulish snack and drink included. 10% sibling discount. £48. Call 020 7350 2995, enquiries@theatrebugs.co.uk, ww.theatrebugs.co.uk

Upbeat Music Chelsea and Battersea. 25-27 October: Sing, dance, play electric guitars and drums, perform with a band. Learn new skills and develop confidence in a caring but exciting environment. 5-12years. 10am-4pm each day. End of course performance. Call 07816 901396, upbeatmusic@btinternet.com, www.upbeatmusiccourses.co.uk

October 2010

Half-term activities Chelsea FC Soccer School

Battersea Park Zoo

Battersea Park, Barn Elms and Holland Park. 25-29 October: For boys and girls aged 4-14 years. Phone 020 7957 8220 or check out the website www.chelseafc.com

Open 10am-5.30pm 23-31 October: Spooky fun – pumpkin trail, witch and wizard hat making (all day), flapping bat making and spooky face painting (drop in 11am-1pm and 2-3.30pm). Children must be accompanied by an adult. For details call 020 7924 5826, www.batterseaparkzoo.co.uk

Herne Hill Harriers ɗ Tooting Bec Athletics Track, Tooting Bec Road, SW17 3NP Half term athletics training – Get top training from qualified athletics coaches. From 10.30am to 2.30pm each day. £8 per day. Contact Steve Bosley on 07721 555688 for more details. 24 a/b High Street, SW19 5DX Wednesday 27 to Friday 29 October: Pony Riding Courses. 1.45-4.15. To book phone 020 8946 8579, www.wvstables.com

100 London Road, Forest Hill, London SE23 3PQ Sat 30 October: Miss Horniman’s Halloween Gathering – Discover some ghoulish pumpkins in the community food garden and get spooked by her stories in the creepy centenary gallery. Bring a torch! £3 per person. 5.30-6.15pm and 6.457.30pm. For families with children aged 5+. Places must be booked in advance. 020 8699 1872, www.horniman.ac.uk

YogaBugs

Syon House

Wimbledon Village Stables

YogaBugs

SPORTS Aspire 337 Merton Road, SW18 5JU Tons to do here over half term: multi-sports (510years) £22 per day, 9.30-3pm; rock-climbing (616years) £12 per session, 10-12pm and 1-3pm; cookery (5-10years) £14 per session; flash animation (8-13 years) £15 per session; arts and crafts (5-10years) £12 per session. Some of the above activities may also take place at West Hill Primary School and Albemarle Primary School. For more information phone 020 8875 2603.

ɗ Hope Street, SW11 2DA 25-29 October: Holiday Programme – Activities include football, basketball, trampolining, Kwik cricket, team and relay games, dance, arts and crafts and Uni-hoc. Register at 9.30am for a 10am start. Day ends at 3pm. £7 per day or £30 per week paid in advance. Please provide your child with a packed lunch. For further details phone 0208 871 8529 or 0207 228 0632.

Battersea Sports Centre

Horniman Museum

Magdalen Park Bowling Club, 38 Magdalen Road, SW18 3NP Mon 25 to Thurs 28 October: Fun, creative story style yoga, games and activities for 4 to 7-year-olds which help co-ordination, balance and agility whilst improving concentration and self confidence. 9.30-11.30. £12 for 2 hour class. For more information contact nell@yogabugs.com or call 07956 551003

IDEAS FOR A DAY OUT

Syon Park, London Rd, Brentford TW8 8JF Sunday 31 October: Is Syon House Haunted? Join a ghostly Halloween tour. Children’s tours will be at 2.30pm and 4pm. Tickets £6 per child, maximum one accompanying adult per child. House admission costs apply for the accompanying adult. Booking is essential, as spaces are limited. Contact 020 8569 7497 or 020 8560 0882. Check our What's On column page 32 for more half term activities including art clubs, workshops, shows, theatre skills and more...

Bank of England museum Entrance in Bartholomew Lane, London EC2R 8AH. 25 – 29 October 10:00am – 5:00pm Admission free 10am – 5pm Monday to Friday. Closed weekends and public holidays. 020 7601 5545 www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum Designs on your money Banknote Big Draw Learn about banknote security features and design your own secure banknote. Enter the competition, with prizes to be won! Warm loving environment for 2+ to 5 year olds Montessori-qualified staff International atmosphere Light and airy premises Private sunny patio Fulham /Hammersmith border Please ring— Morning sessions plus Tuesdays 1-3pm

October 2010

020 7381 3511 020 7736 8729

What’s on Compiled by Sophie M-C. Please always phone before setting out in case details have changed since press deadline or we got it wrong...

DRAMA TARA STUDIO 356 Garratt Lane, London SW18 4ES. 020 8333 4457, www.tara-arts.com Sat 9 Oct. TOM THUMB 10.30am, 1.30pm. Tom stays one tiny step ahead of everyone to save his brothers from mum, dad and the monster. With feathery spinning birds, a scary ogre head, flying fiery houses and a portable forest this show, performed entirely on a kitchen table, is a wee wonder. It’s a story about being afraid; it’s a story about being hungry. It’s also a story about playing and having fun. £6.50/£7.50. Thurs 28-Sat 30 Oct. 10.30am, 1.30pm. WHEN THE LIGHTS WENT OUT A wonderful and captivating story about the Indian Festival of lights: Divali. Based on the Indian epic, The Ramayana, the show tells of the darkening

version (1-2yrs) please check the calendar on the website. £7/£9. HALF-TERM WORKSHOPS Tue 26 Oct. BLACK HISTORY MONTH FAMILY WORKSHOP 10am-11.30am Interactive, storytelling and craft workshop for parents and children. 5-8yrs. £7.50 (accompanying adults free) Wed 27 Oct. DIGITAL SPACE LAUNCH 10am-4pm Create your own short film using stop motion animation. 711yrs. £35. Thu 28 Oct. MISSION TO MARS 10am-12noon. Build your won spaceship in this interactive drama and craft session. 7-9yrs. £15. Fri 29 Oct. LOST AND FOUND 9.30am-11am. Book early for this gentle drama and craft workshop. 3-5yrs. £15. SPECIAL EVENT: WIMBLEDON BOOKFEST Sat 2-Sun 10 Oct. Tickets 020 8543 4888 or online. Info: www.wimbledonbookfest.org Lots of exciting book related events and workshops for adults and children taking place in venues all over Wimbledon, including The Polka Theatre. There will be a “big Tent” on Wimbledon Common for the final weekend (8-10 Oct) where authors talks and family based activities will take place.

BLOOMSBURY THEATRE

TARA Studio: When the Light Went On of the sun and how light was returned to the earth. Discover how the legendary lovers, Sita and Rama, were separated by the ten headed Demon King Ravana and meet Hanuman the wondrous Monkey King! 7-11yrs and their families. £6.50/£7.50.

15 Gordon Street, WC1H 0AH 020 7388 8822 www.thebloomsbury.com Shows at 10.30am and 1.30am, except Sundays,2.30pm on Saturdays 5-16 October, Tickets £18.50, children £12.50, concessions £13.50, family of four £56. Ideal for key stage 2 up to year 7. From the acclaimed producers of Horrible Histories comes the seriously squishy world premiere Horrible Science! What are millions of animals doing in your kettle? Why don’t penguins get spots? Why do rabbits eat the same food twice? Could a 10-million-volt battery float over your head? Using actors and jaw-dropping 3D Bogglevision, this astounding show has the awful answers - guaranteed to thrill you and your children!

THE COLOUR HOUSE THEATRE POLKA THEATRE 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1SB. 020 8543 4888. www.polkatheatre.com SHOWS 1 Oct to 6 Nov. MISSION TO MARS Written in consultation with space scientists and based on the real science of planned Mars missions. Gail and Stephan have been selected from thousands to be the first human beings to land on Mars. This new show is fun, fast-paced and packed with emotion. 7-11yrs. £8/£12. Fri 8 Oct. Free after show talk as Dr Gail Iles & Dr Andrew Newsam discuss what it’s really like training for a mission into space. 13 Oct to 12 Feb 2011. LOST AND FOUND From Oliver’s Jeffer’s acclaimed picture book. Once there was a boy and one day he found a penguin at his door.. A beautiful and touching tale of friendship. 3-5yrs. For a special toddler

Merton Abbey Mills, Merantun Way, SW19 2RD. 020 8542 5511. www.colourhousetheatre.co.uk Sat & Sun 2pm and 4pm. £7/£9. To Sun 14 Nov. LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD Wonderful new songs and a sparkling, witty script for all the family to enjoy. It’s guaranteed to be full of fun and excitement! 3yrs+.

THE LYRIC HAMMERSMITH THEATRE Lyric Square, King Street, London W6 0OL. 0871 22 117 20. www.lyric.co.uk Saturdays shows 11am/1pm £6/£8, then “MESSY PLAY” arts and crafts activities £5, 12pm & 2pm. £9 for Show and Messy Play Workshop. Add Messy Play to your family Ticket for just £3 extra per child. Family ticket £25.

OCTOBER HALF-TERM 26-31 Oct. THE VERY NOISY NIGHT A new production based on the charming book by Dian Hendry and Jane Chapman. This is a bewitching tale about a scared little mouse with a very big imagination. £6/£8, family £25. 3-7yrs. MESSY PLAY Sat 30 Oct 12pm & 2pm. FAMILY SUNDAY 31 Oct The Very Noisy Night 12pm & 2pm Messy Play 1pm & 3pm. SATURDAY SHOWS & FAMILY SUNDAYS Sat 9 Oct. ELMER THE ELEPHANT Elmer is not an ordinary elephant, he is every colour of the rainbow. But he doesn’t want to be different, he wants to be just like all the other elephants. 2-7yrs. Sat 16 Oct. DRUM Listen to the gentle rhythm of the big bass drum and watch the pretty shadows dancing on the surface of the small drum. Oily Cart Production present this wonderful new sensory adventure for very young children. 6mths-2yrs. Sat 23 Oct. BEGINNING WITH BLOBS Three identical playdough blobs bob around in a deep dark sea. Watch as the blob creatures grow and change over time. This highly visual show is a entertaining way to learn how we were created. 4-7yrs.

NEW WIMBLEDON THEATRE The Broadway, Wimbledon, London SW19 1QG 0844 871 7646, www.ambassadortickets.com/wimbledon Tue 5-Sat 9 Oct. DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’ A tribute to “glee” and other gleeful tunes. Never before has a show had so much music, Dancing, Haute Couture and Cheerleaders..all mashed-up together. £11.50 to £28.50. Tue 12-Wed 13 Oct. BLAZE A high energy 80 minute show packed full of non-stop dance from some of the world’s hottest DJ’s, B-Boys and street-dancers, all working together in this spectacular stage production. £16 to £31. Tue 19- Sat 23 Oct. SCROOGE with Tommy Steele A heart-warming family story with stunning sets and costumes, specially created illusions and a fantastic musical score. A magical theatrical experience! Tue-Thurs eve, kids go halfprice. £19 to £36. Sat 6-Sun 7 Nov. PEPPA PIG’S PARTY A charming, original and imaginative show, full of brand new songs, muddy puddles, and oinks! £12.50 to £16.50.

PUPPET THEATRE BARGE To 3 Oct Puppet Theatre Barge will be at : Buccleuch Gardens, Petersham Road, Richmond. On Thames TW10 6UT 020 7249 6876 www.puppetbarge.com £8.50/£10. 21 Oct to 31 Oct daily 3pm. THE TOWN MOUSE & THE COUNTRY MOUSE These two famous cousins visit each other and both experience exciting new sights and sounds. They end up all the wiser as a result of these adventures. A very special delight for both young and old, with music, songs and rod puppets. Suitable for the youngest audience.

The ultimate fitness for mums Fresh air and fun •Battersea Park call Wendy 07711 436 830 wbrockes4@yahoo.co.uk •Wandsworth and Tooting Common call Eliza 07779 271 655 elizadaoalot@hotmail.com •Wimbledon Park & Common call Heather 07941 851 778 info@hafitness.com

October 2010

What’s on

Please send info to our listings editor to be considered: whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk (inclusion is free)

NATIONAL THEATRE South Bank, London SE1 9PX. Info: 020 7452 3400, box office: 020 7452 3000 9.30am8pm. Bkg online: www.nationaltheatre.org.uk 14-26 Oct. PRINCE OF DENMARK. COTTESLOE THEATRE 11.15am and/or 1.30pm. 60mns. Talented young theatre-makers have been paired with experienced NT practitioners to produce this specially commissioned new play for audiences 10 yrs and above. In royal Elsinore, the teenage Hamlet, Ophelia and Laertes rage against the roles handed down by their parents. Set a decade before the action in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, this new play is a terrific first introduction to Shakespeare’s antihero. 25, 26 Oct FAMILY WORKSHOPS 10am, before the morning performances. £5/£7.50. 10yrs+. SPECIAL EVENTS: 25-29 Oct. THEATRESKILLS FOR FAMILIES Suitable for 8-12yrs. www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/families

UNICORN THEATRE 147 Tooley Street, Southwark, London SE1 2HZ 020 7645 0560 www.unicorntheatre.com 5-9 Oct. THE DAY THE WATERS CAME It’s summer 2005, Maya Marshalls takes you by the hand and leads you through her landscape on the day Hurricane Katrina came. Go with her as she shows you how her world and that of thousands of black American citizens changed forever on the day the waters came. 13yrs+. £8/£10.50, family £30 To 31 Oct. THE GARBAGE KING Live music and a spectacular set made from recycled and found objects combine in a striking production that brims with the sights and sounds of the Ethopian capital city. Strong emotions, hope and a beautiful unlikely friendship makes the world stage première of Elizabeth Laird’s novel a show not to be missed! 10yrs+. £10.50/£16.50, family £46.

BARBICAN CENTRE Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS. Info: 020 7638 4141, booking 020 7638 8891. www.barbican.org.uk Open Mon-Sat 8am-11pm. Sun & public Hol 11am-11pm. FAMILY CONCERT: Sat 16 Oct 3pm. GREAT PERFORMERS 10-11 – WATCH THIS SPACE. The Houston Symphony orchestra have teamed up with NASA to produce the show, merging spectacular HD footage of NASA’s latest planetary explorations with a performance of Holst’s The Planets by the Houston Symphony. Free family activities based around the themes of space and The Planets in the Barbican foyers before the concert. For more info:

Sat 23 Oct at 2pm. No perf on Tues 26 Oct. THE 6TH LONDON CHILDREN FILM FESTIVAL: Sat 30 Oct to Sun 7 Nov. Barbican Centre plus 10 cinemas across London. www.Icff.org.uk Boasting the pick of the best new international children’s films and brimming with special events and previews, the LCFF is a unique opportunity for young film fans and their families to delight in little-seen celluloid treats from around the world.

BOOK AHEAD! YOUNG VIC THEATRE 66, The Cut, London SE1 8LZ, 020 7922 2922, www.youngvic.org 25 Nov-1 Jan 2011. MY DAD’S A BIRDMAN. (The Maria) An uplifting tale by David Almond, author of the Carnegie Medal Award-winning Skellig. The Great Human Bird Competition is coming to town! Lizzie and Jackie have been building their nest and are preparing for take off. Will the dynamic father and daughter duo get a chance to fly, or will sums, dumplings and headmasters get in their way? 4-7yrs.

Visit 345 Nursery where “The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding” (Ofsted 2008). Children become independent inquisitive and motivated in this rich and vibrant learning environment. Great outdoor space! Options include Afternoon School, Lunch Club and Early Bird Club. www.345nurseryschool.co.uk

EVENTS LANDMARK ARTS CENTRE

Please contact us on 020-8870-8441 or dixonannab@aol.com

Ferry Road, Teddington, TW11 9NN. 020 8614 0390/020 8977 7558, www.landmarkartscentre.org HALF TERM ACTIVITIES: Sat 23 Oct. SATURDAY ART CLUB 10am-12noon. Painting, drawing, sculpture and collage. 5-11yrs. Bkg essential. Mon 25 Oct. 10am-12noon. THE BIG DRAW – TALES FROM CHINA Untutored drawing sessions for families. Take your work home or exhibit it on our Big Draw frieze. Free, £2 for drawing materials. Tues 26 Oct. 2pm. THE EMPEROR & THE NIGHTINGALE – A musical play for families. A thoroughly interactive, sing-a-long experience. £5. 5-11yrs. Fri 29 Oct. 10am-12noon & 2pm-4pm. THE BIG DRAW – ANIMALS FROM AFRICA CHINA Untutored drawing sessions for families. Take your work home or exhibit it on our Big Draw frieze. Free, £2 for drawing materials. Thurs 28 Oct. ZULU THEATRE COMPANY 10am, 11am & 12noon: Children’s African drumming & singing workshops. 2pm: performance for families. Workshops £6/performance £5. Bkg essential. 5-7yrs.

Fitzhugh Grove, Trinity Road, London SW18 3SA

Barbican Parachutists

October 2010

n ko u Y

* * * * * *

SOMERSET HOUSE Strand, London WC2 1LA 020 78454600, www.somerset.org.uk SATURDAYS 2pm-3.30pm. Free Family Workshops: Free tickets are available from 1pm from the information desk in the Seamen’s Hall on the day and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. Children 6-12yrs must be accompanied by an adult.

Day Nurs er

For children (2-5) Full/part time vacancies

...cont page 34

http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/eventdetail.asp?ID=10289 and www.barbican.org.uk/ greatperformers1011 HALF-TERM SHOW: Thurs 21 to Thurs 28 Oct. PARACHUTISTS (in the Pit Theatre) by Croatian children’s theatre company “Theatre Mala Scena” Two performers play charmingly with dance, music and acrobatics to explore gravity, flying and falling showing how the descent of a feather means more than just the pull of the Earth – and how friends are the force which ultimately lifts people up. 3-8yrs. £7. 21, 24, 25, 27 & 28 Oct at 10.30am 21, 22, 24, 25, 27 & 28 Oct at 1pm

Kew Green, Richmond TW9. 020 8332 5655 or info@kew.org, www.kew.org Open 9.30am-6.30pm (Weekdays), 9.30am-7.30pm (weekends). £11.50/£13.30, children under 17 free. From 1st Oct. BOTANICAL PLAY Visitors will discover a brand new play area “PLANTastic Play” to celebrate International Year of Biodiversity. This new area will encourage children to learn about the importance of plants whilst they play. Shaped like a plant, children enter the play area via the roots, walk through the stem where they will encounter leaves, hide between fungi, disappear into a leaf maze, pretend to be bees zooming towards flowers on the zip wire, spin seeds watch birds make homes in the bird house and clamber of the timber stacks to find a variety of insects and micro-organisms. At every turn, there is something to learn – hunting for clues, solving puzzles, and enjoying science in a fun and interactive environment.

Photocredit Irena Sinkovic

KEW GARDENS

Bright well-resourced centre Pre-school education guaranteed Flexible hours/days Children in small groups Offers French, dance & swimming Positive emphasis on physical education * Very good OFSTED report

To view call 020 8675 Limited spaces

8838

Yukon Rd. Balham Hill Estate, Balham Hill, SW12 9DN

from page 33

What’s on 9 Oct. TRICK OF THE LIGHT Create your own tonal masterpiece in charcoals and chalk. 16 Oct. MINI MASKED BALL Design your own tiny ball complete with the outfits and decorations. HOLIDAY DROP-IN WORKSHOP: 23 Oct. SHADOWS ON THE WALL Make your own moveable shadow puppets and see them projected in our shadow theatre of old Somerset House. 30 Oct. GLOWING GHOSTS OF SOMERSET HOUSE! Create dazzling artworks and explore working with dark to light by scratching the surface to reveal bright colours beneath.

THE WALLACE COLLECTION Hertford House, Manchester Square, London W1U 3BN, 020 7563 9500/ 9551, www.wallacecollection.org 10am-5pm. Free. FAMILY ACTIVITIES. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Daily: -FAMILY MULTIMEDIA TOUR with interactive games. - FREE ARMOUR HANDLING Daily. Find out what a brigandine is and how heavy a bullet-proof breastplate really was. - FAMILY TRAILS Themed family trails available from the information desk at the front Entrance.

WWT WETLAND CENTRE Queen Elizabeth's Walk, Barnes SW13 9WT. 020 8409 4400. www.wwt.org.uk Daily 9.30am - 5pm £4.95/ £8.95, under 4s free, family £25. A spectacular 105 acre wetland landscape of lagoons, lakes and ponds offers a safe haven for hundreds of wild bird species, dragonflies, bats and amphibians. OCTOBER HALF-TERM CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES Sat 23-Sun 31 Oct. Pond dipping, themed arts and crafts sessions and identifying creepy crawlies are just some of the activities that children will love during the holiday period, plus a Halloween party on 31 Oct. NEW! Pond zone and Rain Garden... interactive games & see underwater.

NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY St Martin’s Place, London WC2H 0HE, 020 7306 0055, www.npg.org.uk/events Mon, Tues, Wed, Sat, Sun 10am-6pm. Late opening Thurs, Fri 10am-9pm. FAMILY EVENTS: Sat 9 Oct. MAKE YOUR MARK ON THE FUTURE Drop-in. 1pm-4pm. As part of the “Big Draw Campaign” this is an afternoon of fun drawing activities exploring the collection. All ages. Visit www.campaignfordrawing.org for more info. 23 Oct. STORYTELLING FOR FAMILIES 10.30am & 1.30pm. An exciting drop-in storytelling sessions followed by a fun art activity. 3yrs+ 23 Oct. FAMILY ART WORKSHOPS 11.30am-2.30pm.

Explore portraits in the collection, followed by an exciting art activity in this enjoyable family session. 5yrs+. Wed 27 to Fri 29 Oct. Daily 11am-5pm. 3-D IDENTITY CREATION Three -Day Workshop. Create your own 3-D digital character, in relation to your identity and the portraits in the Thomas Lawrence exhibition. Workshop at both the Gallery and the Roundhouse. Travel between venues will be arranged. This will culminate in a public screening on Fri 29 Oct 5pm at the Gallery. HALF-TERM HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES (every weekday) Mon 25 Oct-Fri 29 Oct. CHASING MIRRORS: PORTRAITS OF THE UNSEEN. A week of exciting storytelling and creative art workshops. 5yrs+. NEW FAMILY AUDIO GUIDE Exciting new audio tours for families are now available to help young visitors enjoy the Gallery’s collection.

TATE BRITAIN Millbank, London SW1P 4RG, info: 020 7887 8888, www.tate.org.uk/britain Open daily 10am-5.50pm. Until 10pm the first Friday of the month. FAMILY TRAILS. Available daily from the Information Desks. Free for 5yrs and under. Open everyday from 10am-6pm and late night until 10pm in Fri and Sat. Info: 020 7887 8888 Go on a journey around Tate Britain and post your discoveries into your POST IT! box as you go. When you get home, open up the box and show your friends what you found. Or you could follow the JOIN UP! trail: play the listening game, search for shapes, patterns and talking hands… and make your own sculptures. ART TROLLEY, Rotunda. Every Weekend. Free, for all ages. Kids are encouraged to imagine and create, they can make colourful collage, style a wonderful sculpture or perhaps make a sketchbook and filling it with great ideas.

THE ROYAL OBSERVATORY, GREENWICH National Maritime Museum and Royal Observatory are open 10am-5pm. Adm free. 020 8858 4422, www.nmm.ac.uk EXHIBITION: ASTRONOMY PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2010 From breathtaking images of deep space through telescopes, to quirky images taken with little else than a camera and some imagination. A visual feast! Free. PLANETARIUM SHOWS: Peter Harrison Planetarium £4.50/£6.50, family £17.50 VIOLENT UNIVERS. Until 15 Oct. Visitors will embark on a journey through supernovae, black holes and gamma ray bursts, as well as the possibility of an asteroid collision with Earth. 11.45am, 1.30pm, 3.15pm,5pm (weekends & school hol) 3.30pm (weekdays) 5yrs+ SPACE SAFARI. Join Ted the Teddy bear for live music and rhyme as he journeys throughout the solar system looking for the great bear in the sky. 11am (weekends &

school hol), 7yrs+ SKY TONIGHT LIVE. Take a tour of what can be seen in tonight’s sky with a real Royal Observatory astronomer. The journey takes in stars, constellations, planets and aweinspiring gas clouds. 12.45pm, 4.15pm (weekends & school hol) 3.45pm (weekdays) 5yrs+, MEET THE NEIGHBOURS Other planets, hundreds of moons and millions of asteroids, a new live show narrated by a royal Observatory astronomer. 2.30pm (weekends & school hol) 5yrs+ WE ARE ASTRONOMERS. From 16 Sept. This visually striking show explores the nature of modern astronomy, from space telescopes to particle accelerators and deep space networks to the internet. 11.45am, 1.3opm, 3.15pm (weekends & school hol) 2.45pm (weekdays) 5yrs+. FAMILY EVENTS -Explore Saturdays: 9, 16, 23, 30 Oct. 12noon, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm. Meridian Courtyard. From the Prime Meridian of the World join costumed actors in this interactive family show to bring the Observatory to life. 6yrs+. -Creepy Constellations: 23-31 Oct. Royal Observatory. A Halloween trail exploring the spookier parts of the Royal Observatory. 5yrs+. Free. -Saturday Space Explorers: 30 Oct. 1.30pm, 2pm, 2.30pm, 3pm, 3.30pm, 4pm. Learning Centre. Make an attractive model of the Earth-Sun system to take away in this drop-in workshop. Free.

LONDON ZOO Regent’s Park Outer Circle, Marylebone, London NW1 4RY, 020 7722 3333, www.zsl.org To 31 Dec. RAINFOREST LIFE IN LONDON ZOO A living rainforest in display containing native to the South American Rainforest. See three types of monkey, sunbittern birds, two-toes sloths and agoutis rodents which are nowadays on the endangered list. A fun and interactive display of a very fragile ecosystem that is in decline. Don’t forget to check out the special “Night Life” zone.

ENGLISH HERITAGE www.english-heritage.org.uk ELTHAM PALACE Court Yard, Greenwich, London SE9, 020 8924 2548 Every Tues during Oct. CONSERVATION IN ACTION 12pm-4pm Have a practical look at conservation in action and find out about the techniques used by the team to conserve and maintain the sumptuous textiles and veneered furniture throughout the mansion. £4.50 to £8.70, family £21.80. Sun 31 Oct. HALLOWEEN CRAFTS 10am-4pm. Join a ghostly tour and get your hands dirty with chilling crafts activities just for kids. Don’t forget to dress for the occasion, a small prize will be given to the best children’s costume. £4.50 to £8.70, family £21.80.

HUGE SALE OF NEW AND SECOND-HAND SKI CLOTHES FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN SKISUITS, JACKETS, SALOPETTES, GLOVES, SNOWBOOTS, GOGGLES, HELMETS, ETC. BIG REDUCTIONS ON LAST YEAR'S STOCK PLUS THIS YEAR’S NEW COLLECTION Tuesday November 9th and Wednesday November 10th 9.00am-7.30pm At 22 Northbourne Road, Clapham, SW4 7DJ

www.skiderouge.com Any enquiries ring Libby de Rougemont on

020 7720 4871/07939 051220 libbyderouge@hotmail.co.uk Do come and bring friends £2 entry for charity

October 2010

What’s on CORALS. Free. Visit the handling trolley in “Lasting Impressions” and take a closer look at some interesting specimens with the help of science educators. Weekends and school Holidays: FAMILY EARTH LAB. Free. Explore the wonder of fossils, rocks and minerals. Sessions are set up to allow everyone to join at their own level and there is a range of fun activities to choose from. 6yrs+.

SCIENCE MUSEUM

English Heritage: Apsley House

EXHIBITIONS & MUSEUMS NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

NATIONAL ARMY MUSEUM Royal Hospital Road, Chelsea, London SW3 4HT. 020 7730 0717. www.national-army-museum.ac.uk Open daily 10am-5.30pm. EXHIBITION: THE ROAD TO KABUL: BRITISH ARMIES IN AFGHANISTAN, 1838 – 1919 Since the early 19th century, Britain’s military intervention in Afghanistan has been the cause of debate and controversy. Examine the history and legacies of the First, Second and Third Afghan Wars and explore dramatic personal stories of the people involved.. Free. From 22 Oct. NATIONAL SERVICE DISPLAY The contribution of Britain’s post-war national service conscripts as they moved from civilian to soldier. Free. HALF TERM FAMILY EVENTS: 23-31 Oct INVASION EVENT Find out more about the lives of men and women during the Second World War as they prepare Britain’s defences “if the Invader comes!”. Meet soldiers and civilians, train with Home Guard, take part in creative activities. Free. ACTION ZONES: VICTORIAN SOLDIER ACTION ZONE Quizzes, games and hands-on activities will help children to learn more about life as a Victorian Soldier. Free. THE WORLD’S ARMY – EMPIRE, COMMONWEALTH AND DOMINION SOLDIERS. 1914-45 ACTION ZONE. Children can explore the lives of people from around the world involved in the first and

...cont page 36

Cromwell Road, London SW7. 020 7938 9123. Open: Mon-Sat: 10am – 5.50pm Sun: 11am-5.50pm. Info: Mon-Fri 020 7942 5000. Sat & Sun 020 7942 5011. Free. www.nhm.ac.uk From 22 Oct to 11 Mar 2011. VEOLIA ENVIRONMENT WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR The world’s most prestigious showcase of wildlife photography is back with the latest winning entries from its annual international competition. Visually stunning and often thoughtprovoking, the images provide an insight into the beauty, drama and variety of nature. Gift Aid adm £4.50 to £9, family £24. www.nhm.ac.uk/wildphoto Fri 29 Oct. Visit the Natural History Museum after hours. Until 10.30pm. World music, champagne, cocktails, tapas and ideas for gifts. DARWIN CENTRE: The hidden world of the Natural History Museum’s scientific collections and research. Brand New and Stunning! Everyday 10am-5.50pm. To book time tickets for Cocoon 020 7942 5725 or www.nhm.ac.uk/darwin-centre To 31 Oct. WILDLIFE GARDEN. Daily 10am-5pm. Set in the Museum’s grounds, the garden reveals a range of British lowlands habitats, including woodland, meadow and pond, and demonstrates the potential for wildlife conservation in the inner city. EVENTS FOR FAMILIES: check the full listing on www.nhm.ac.uk/education Here some highlights: Every Sat & Sun: 2pm-5pm. HANDS ON NATURE:

Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW7 2DD. www.sciencemuseum.org.uk Open 10am-6pm. Info & bkg 0870 870 4868. Adm is free but charges apply to some special exhibitions, IMAX cinema and simulator rides NEW GALLERY: WHO AM I ? Who am I? What makes you smarter than a chimp? What makes you smile? What makes you, you? This new exhibition presents the latest in brain science and genetics through a mixture of interactive exhibits and object-rich displays. Visit now to discover yourself! Free. LAUNCHPAD SCIENCE SHOWS Launch a rocket, turn your head into a sound box and control a magnetic cloud and play with 50 more brand new interactive exhibits demonstrating light, sound, electricity and magnetism and more amazing physics phenomena. Free. 8-14yrs.

HAPKIDO SELF DEFENCE Kicks for Kids & Self-defence for children ages 5 and upwards Ki breathing, Kicks, punches, throws, joint-locks, tumbles, jumps and breakfalls.

NEW: Classes for Parents and Adults and self-defence classes for Women Hapkido teaches: •Respect •Fitness •Discipline •Confidence •Control & sensitivity •Inner calm & peace •Defence •Strength & agility Instructor: Jon Bailie, 2nd Dan Qualified Hapkido Instructor and fully insured Classes available @ Balham Leisure Centre SW17, St Luke's Community Hall SW12, Broomwood Hall SW11, The Contact Centre SW4 and other venues

For all enquiries/bookings, please call on

07932 667 336 Private tuition/home visits also available

www.semokwan-hapkido.co.uk

October 2010

Wandsworth Schools’ Music Service Saturday Music Tuition •

Expert small group instrumental tuition for children aged 7–14

•

A full range of music activities inc. percussion, choir and world music

Tooting Centre: Professional Centre, Franciscan Rd, SW17 West Hill Centre: West Hill Primary School, Merton Rd, SW18 West Hill Centre only: Music sessions for Early Years and KS1 (18 mths+) Instrument hire available. Special rates for Wandsworth residents.

020 8871 8703 musicservices@wandsworth.gov.uk

What’s on from page 35

Tuesday Tutors Tuesday Tutors offers assessments and registration at most times. Please note, however, that increased demand means it is likely your child will be placed on our waiting list. Hence it is advisable to contact us early. Entry points will depend on your child's ability and experience

Second World Wars and the great advance made in technologies of warfare. KIDS’ ZONE Live in a soldier’s tent in an army camp, look after all the king’s horses and defend your castle against invaders! The Kids’ Zone is a free interactive learning and play space, tailored for under 10s and includes a soft play area for babies. Free.

2010: TAIL END CHARLIE AND TAFF IN THE WAAF With Author-Illustrators Mick Manning and Brita Granstrom. Have a go at drawing and creative writing while considering the impact of war on families. All ages with parental supervision. HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES 23-31 Oct 11am-12.30pm & 2pm-4pm. “What is War”? Share your thoughts in writing and illustration as part of a national event that encourages people to discover their artistic side. Free. All ages with parental supervision.

THE HOUSEHOLD CAVALRY MUSEUM

• We coach children for state and independent school and entry tests: VR, NVR, English, Maths and interview preparation. We also are happy to offer Maths and English support for children in school, and Home Education.

Horse Guards, Whitehall, London SW1A 2AX. 020 7930 3070, www.householdcavalrymuseum.co.uk 10am-5pm. £4/£6, family £15.

• NEW- a dedicated Maths/Physics tutor up to AS/A* available for homevisits in central London

Experienced tutors welcome Tel: 020 7735 8268

07906 312541

tuesdaytutors@hotmail.co.uk tuesdaytutors.com

National Army Museum: Kids Zone

IMPERIAL WAR MUSEUM Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ. 10am-6pm. 020 7416 5320/5321. www.iwm.org.uk EXHIBITIONS BAGHDAD 5 MARCH 2005: A PROJECT WITH JEREMY DELLER The Museum will display a car salvaged from the bombing of the historic Al-Mutanabbi street book market in Bagdad, surrounded by some of the most powerful military hardware of the past 100 years. During its time on display, the car will also be the focus for a series of open conversations about the conflict in Iraq. Free. To 31 Oct 2010. HORRIBLE HISTORIES – TERRIBLE TRENCHES EXHIBITION. Unmissable family exhibition based on the Trenches Handbook by Terry Deary in the bestselling Horrible Histories series. £2.50 to £4.95, family £13. Bkg: 020 7416 5439 or www.iwm.org.uk/trenches To 3 Jan 2011. THE MINISTRY OF FOOD The public will discover how the British public adapted to a world of food shortages, and how growing your own food, eating seasonal fruits and vegetables, reducing imports, recycling and healthy nutrition were just as topical in 1940 as they are today. £2.50 to £4.95, family £13. Bkg: 020 7416 5439 or www.iwm.org.uk/food FAMILY ACTIVITIES 9,10 & 16/17 Oct. THE BIG DRAW 2010: ANSWERS ON A POSTCARD 11am-12.30pm & 2pm-4pm. “What is War”? Share your thoughts in writing and illustration as part of a national event that encourages people to discover their artistic side. Free. All ages with parental supervision. 27 Oct 2pm & 3pm and 28 Oct 11am. THE BIG DRAW

Cavalry Museum HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES: Mon 25 Oct to Fri 29 Oct. CHILDREN’S CRAFT ACTIVITIES. 11.30am (45mns) Each activity has a connection to the Household Cavalry and its history, so children can have fun planting an acorn, creating a book mark using leaves and leaf printing. 5-11yrs. All week: Museum Trail & Colouring Competition. Tue 26 Oct. 2.15pm (30mns) STORYTELLING FOR UNDER 5s. Craft activities and storytelling are free for pre-booked children with an accompanying paying adult. Small charge for craft material. Booking recommended: 020 7930 3070.

DESIGN MUSEUM Shad Thames, London SE1 2YD. 020 7940 8783, tickets@designmuseum.org , www.designmuseum.org KIDS SUNDAY WORKSHOP – DRAWING ROOMS Sun 10 Oct. 2pm-5pm. This workshop will also celebrate

St Mary’s Summerstown Montessori Nursery School

St Mary’s Summerstown Montessori Nursery School situated between Earlsfield and Tooting, in a beautifully renovated church hall. Welcoming atmosphere, excellent teaching, good Ofsted, grants available, term-time places inclusive of Ballet, Cookery, French and PE. Bursaries and fees available on request. Contact Liz on tel : Tel: 020 8947 7359. www.stmaryssummerstownmontessori.co.uk

October 2010

What’s on the Big Draw Festival. Budding young architects can get creative, combining drawing and a variety of modelling materials, to turn 2D drawings into 3D models inspired by the designs of architect John Pawson. 5-11yrs. £4, children must be accompanied. HALF-TERM 3 DAY COURSE FOR 12-16 YEAR OLDS Wed 25 Oct-Fri 27 Oct. 12.10pm-3.30pm each day. £125. This course offers insights into professional practice and a chance to respond creatively to a design brief set by established designers. Participants will work with product designer Gregor Timlin from the design collective Propwork, exploring a range of techniques, focusing on how to generate ideas, develop them into concept designs and work from 2D to 3D model-making.

V&A MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD Cambridge Heath Road, London E2 9PA, 020 8983 5200, www.museumofchildhood.org.uk Daily 10am-5.45pm. Free. EXHIBITIONS: From 9 Oct to 9 Jan 2011. CUT IT, FOLD IT, BUILD IT WITH PAPER Brings together an extensive collection of paper models and shows them together for the first time. As well as beautifully designed and intrinsically detailed paper models created specifically for adults there will be simpler models produced for children, including much loved marketing promotions from the back of cereal packs. Visitors will be able to make their own paper models during family workshops and these will be added to a giant 3D cityscape based in and around the East End of London To 2 Jan 2011. DOLL FACE a Series of portraits by photographer Craig Deane, depicting a variety of dolls from the Museum’s extensive behind the scenes collection. EVENT FOR FAMILIES: Sat 9 Oct. BIG DRAW – BUILD IT WITH PAPER 11am-4pm. FOLD IT, FLY IT Make a gliding paper aeroplane and see how far it will fly. Top three flyers will win a price. Drop-in, 3yrs+. Free. 11am, 1pm, 3pm (60mns) CITY IN THE SKY Help us design a 3D cityscape and your construction will go on display. Tickets 020 8983 5205 or mocbooking@vam.ac.uk 6yrs accompanied by an adult. HALF-TERM ACTIVITIES: 25-31 Oct. PAPER CHASE A week of stories, trails and art activities inspired by the “Build it With Paper “ exhibition. Activities are drop-in and free unless otherwise stated. 10.30am, 11.15am, 12noon. FLAT STANLEY STORY TRAIL Search for clues to unravel the secret identity of Stanley’s destinations. Solve the riddle for a chance to win a prize. 2pm-4pm. ART SMARTS Drop-in arts and crafts session. 11am & 2pm (90mns) POP UP HOUSES Experiment with origami and paper modelling. Make your own pop up card to take home. Ticketed £3 per child. 020 8983 5205 or mocbooking@vam.ac.uk

British Museum: Children activities 11.30am-3.30pm. Choose pictures of animals from the Museum’s collection and combine them to create an imaginary creature. (30-40mns) Free, drop-in. Sat 16 & 23 Oct. PHOTOFIT: AFRICA. 11.30am-3.30pm. Use Photoshop and a green screen to create a picture of yourself interacting with some of the Museum’s African objects. (30-40mns) Free. Sun 24 Oct. JATAKA TALES ANIMATION WORKSHOP 11am & 2pm. Use animation software to bring ancient Buddhist stories to life. Free, bkg advised. (120mns) Sat 30 Oct. DIGITAL DISCOVERY ACTIVITIES: EGYPT. 11.30am-3.30pm. Choose from a selection of Egyptthemed digital activities to do in the Centre or the galleries. Free, drop-in. (30-60mns).

GEFFRYE MUSEUM 136 Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, London E2 8EA 020 7739 9893, www.geffrye-museum.org.uk Open Tue-Sat 10am-5pm, sun 12noon-5pm.

BRITISH MUSEUM Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DG, 020 7323 8000, www.britishmuseum.org FAMILY ACTIVITIES: Sat 9 Oct. THE BIG DRAW 2010 – DRAWING THE WORLD: PAST AND FUTURE 11am-4pm. A day of free drawing activities for adults, families and children, all ages and abilities. Materials supplied. Free, drop-in, some events ticketed on the day. Sat 16 Oct. AFRICAN STORYTELLING 12noon, 1.30pm &3pm. Free, no pre-bkg. 40mns. Sat 23 Oct. SOUTH ASIAN SCENES 11.30am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm. As part as the South Asian Literature festival. Free, 75mns. Sat 30 Oct. THE ANCIENT EGYPTIAN BOOK OF THE DEAD. 12noon, 1.30pm & 3pm. Join Nodjmet on her journey into the afterlife in this interactive performance. Free, no prebkg. 45mns. SAMSUNG DIGITAL DISCOVERY CENTRE. Make use of the latest digital technologies to explore the museum’s collection. Sun 17 Oct. MAKE A MISMATCH CREATURE.

October 2010

Geffrye Museum: Festive Cards HALF TERM ACTIVITIES: Tue 25 to Fri 29 Oct. LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE 10.30am-12.30pm & 2pm-4pm. This week workshops will be inspired by candles, gasoliers and lamps found in the Geffrye’s period rooms. “Sitting the Light Fantastic” – a new light installation in the gardens, and festivals such as Hanukkah, Christmas, Halloween, Fireworks night and Winter Solstice. Free. First come, first served basis 30mns in advance. Children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult.

Information for What’s On - send to whatson@familiesmagazine.co.uk ®

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• FOR SALE: Phil and Ted e3 Double Buggy (Red, newborn-4yrs), good condition, original instructions, Stormy Weather double buggy rain cover, red cosy toes and carrying bag. Totally flat newborn bed; 2 level front seat (upright and sleeping). Simple ‘click’ to upgrade to a double buggy; ‘Click’ easy removable wheels; adjustable ergonomic handle; large parcel tray for extra storage. Tough, washable/waterproof fabric; lightweight frame; Weight: 11kgs £200 o.n.o. Contact Ris on 07961 400 322 • FOR SALE: Black velvet riding hat size 51 (ages 4-6) £25, black jodhpurs age 4-6 £8, various DVDs (Dora, Charlie & Lola, Disney), M&P cot bed bedding set in pale blue and brown with a cute dog - suitable from birth for both boys and girls. Includes cot bumper, nappy holder, bits 'n' bobs bag, soft fleece blanket, 10 metres of wall frieze and a cute musical dog £30. Leap Frog LeapPad (pink) for ages 4-8 plus games inc Princess Stories, Scooby & Toy Story £15. Angelina Ballerina trolley suitcase £4. ELC shopping trolley £5. ELC Magnetic Playcentre £6. ELC Flashcards £1. Magnetic board and words for Years 1&2 £1.50. Alison (Putney) 07940 894793 • FOR SALE: Light pink wooden changing station very good condition with two lower shelves and a top and tail clip on bowl. Italian mamas and papas brand hardly used 89cm W 89cm H and 53cm D: £60 o.n.o. Cot bed duvet hardly used 4.5 tog £10. Wooden high chair German brand brought from Jonh Lewis in good condition with wooden chair, detachable cushions, wooden tray and toy basket underneath:

£50. Please call Cathy for photos or questions 07970 532970 • FOR SALE: Blue Raleigh Max 6 speed bike, 20 inch wheel, barely used, good condition: £25. Please call 07747 634854 • FOR SALE: Boden boys' fleece-lined anorak (green camouflage with pale blue coloured lining), size 11/12 yrs, same as the blue camouflage version on page 26 in current catalogue, originally cost £36, as new - hardly worn: £20. Gap 100% cotton, grey boys' jumper with Gap logo in subtle contrasting colour, size XL (age 13yrs), good condition but a couple of small worn areas on bottom hem, originally cost £39 - offers. Mizuno rugby boots, size 8 (European size 42), worn for less than half a season in very good condition, originally cost £35 - offers. SW17: 020 8767 6885 • FOR SALE: Microlite fastfold buggy board: £20; portable Tomy monitor (multifunctional - walkabout premier advance): £25; double white wood bed: £70; single white wood bed: £50; bed guard (blue): £10; red/blue push tricycle: £8: Lascal buggy board basic (black/blue): £15; pink/white potty (Jojo Maman Bebenew £25): £10. Southfields: 07738 286647 • FOR SALE: Vintage Silver Cross Pram with matching bag and cover, navy blue with cream interior, used but in good condition. Photographs available. Offers invited. Collection: High Street Kensington. Contact Tiffany by e-mail on tklwh@btinternet.com • FOR SALE: Maclaren twin traveller double buggy. Used for approx 1 year and in good condition, a really useful buggy where children can sit side by side: £50 ono. SW1. Contact Louise: 07985 246169

• FOR SALE:: 3 wheeler red mountain buggy urban single. Just over 2 years old, very good condition. Swivelling front wheel, multi seat positions - suitable from birth to 5 years old. A really sturdy buggy which includes a navy blue snuggle bag, universal shade-a-babe and rain cover for £200. Collection Wimbledon SW19. Contact: Caroline 020 8946 2165

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October 2010

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October 2010

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Babble Parade

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ÂŠFamilies Magazine

October 2010