Families Warwickshire Issue 27 Jan-Feb 2016

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January/February 2016 Issue 27

Take me home!

速

warwickshire

Clubs & Classes Education Days out and more!

The really useful magazine for parents www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

Issue 27 | January/February 2016 | Families Warwickshire

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In this issue

Contact details

3 Snippets 5 Clubs & Classes 8 Education e New Year - New You r Theatre r Half Term Holiday Clubs t Days Out

Call: Claire Jones on 01926 335004 E: editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

57 Fishponds Road, Kenilworth, CV8 1EY T: (01926) 857 280 | W: www.tommieschildcare.co.uk

• • • •

Newly refurbished ‘Good’ Ofsted Heuristic play & education Free induction sessions

• •

Home-from-home environments Extra curricular dance & sport sessions

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Cover by Linda Scannell www.lindascannell.com Design by Caroline Smith www.carolinesmithdesign.co.uk All content © 2015 Families Warwickshire Families Warwickshire is a bi-monthly magazine for parents, covering Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick Districts with 21,500 copies. Towns covered include Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Leamington Spa and Kenilworth, plus Studley, Alcester, Bidford, Henley-in-Arden, Wellesbourne, Welford-on-Avon, Shipston-on-Stour, Southam and lots of the smaller villages in between.

Advertise with us and reach 40,000+ local parents and carers from just £30 a month!

Next issue: March/April 2016 Deadline: Friday 5 February Families Warwickshire is part of Families Magazines Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Warwickshire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher. 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.

FAMILY LAW

WHEN YOU HAVE A FAMILY LAW ISSUE YOU CAN TRUST NOVATE

NoVate Direct Legal Solutions; Direct access to legal experts.

If you need any help finding advice for a family law issue, we can help.

Managed by friendly staff with decades of legal services experience we can refer you to a specialist legal team to suit your budget.

Our barristers will provide a free 30 minute conference where appropriate free of charge.

T: 0845 201 0160 E: info@novatedls.com www.novatedls.com

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editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk T: 01926 335004

Big Garden Birdwatch

New look museum The British Motor Museum at Gaydon, formally known as the Heritage Motor Centre, re-opens Saturday 13 February after undergoing a major refurbishment to show off the world’s largest collection of historic British cars to even better effect. With elevated views, more stories, cars to sit in, new family activities plus an extra 230 cars to see - some that you may not have seen before - there is lots more to keep your family entertained on a day out.

Last year over half a million people took part in the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch, spotting more than 8.5 million birds across the UK, and the organisers are hoping this year’s watch will be a record-breaking event. This year’s survey takes place on 30 and 31 January. To take part, simply spend one hour counting the birds in your garden or local park, and record the highest number of each bird species seen at any one time. The morning is the best time to look, when the birds are out and about feeding after a cold winter night.

To sign up for a free Big Garden Birdwatch 2016 pack, go to

The Let’s Animate ‘hands on’ animation experience uses a range of equipment,

@familieswarks

familieswarwickshire

7 Augusta Place, Leamington Spa CV32 5EL

01926 257280 marion@raspberryhair.co.uk

www.raspberryhair.co.uk

Stop-motion Animation Workshops & Birthday Parties

www.letsanimate.co.uk hello@letsanimate.co.uk letsanimateuk

including Apple iPads, to create an animation studio that can be replicated at home. Participants experience designing, storyboarding, set building, model making, lighting, animating, sound and editing, directing and producing their very own stopmotion animated movie that can then be downloaded, viewed and shared.

Let’s Animate works with a variety of groups schools, galleries and museums, families and youth groups to name but a few - and uses animation to enhance expression, team skills, problem solving, imaginative investigation and confidence, and above all, to have fun!

Party packages at

LEt's Animate

www.britishmotormuseum.com

Let’s Animate was founded by Gemma Amos, an industry professional with a passion for implementing animation as a creative tool.

This mobile stop-motion animation company has been delivering fun-packed creative animation courses, workshops, holiday clubs, birthday parties and much more throughout Coventry and Warwickshire since 2012.

Hair Catwalk show

www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch

During every school holiday themed activities add to the fun, with crafts, trails, quizzes and interactive workshops. New for 2016 are family tours with one of the enthusiastic tour guides who will help bring the cars to life and younger visitors can even cruise along in one of the push along cars. The onsite café has everything to keep you fuelled throughout your visit with hot and cold meals and children’s lunch boxes. Children can also let off steam in the outdoor play area.

Lights, camera, action!

Nails s Mocktail

Let’s Animate’s most successful venture is the Animation Birthday Parties. Supplying parties to ages 7+, these 3 hour sessions cover every aspect of creating an animated film, whilst eating birthday cake! Parties can be tailored to any theme; Brad aged 9 chose a Minecraft party: “Our 9-year-old son was joined by 5 friends plus his brother and sister. Everyone had a great time. The children split into 3 groups each building a set, creating the characters, agreeing the script, capturing the stop motion images on iPads and then adding the sounds.

It was great to see the children working together and exploring their imagination.

Most of all though, they were totally engaged and having fun! The iPad software was really rather clever and the resulting movies are actually excellent quality.”

0797 3354567 letsanimate

Getting you back to doing a job you love Courses start in North Oxon 19th January 2016 www.back2work.club

Helping mums get back into the workplace An innovative idea has led to The Back2Work Club™; geared towards helping people to return to work after a career break, such as mums who have had time off to raise a family. Held at Bloxham Mill in Banbury, The Back2Work Club™ offers courses, workshops and online forums to help with confidence building, securing new posts, freelancing, launching new ventures and more. www.back2work.club

For more information about the courses, clubs and workshops Let’s Animate offers, please visit: www.letsanimate.co.uk email hello@letsanimate.co.uk call Gem on 0797 3354567 Your show is about to begin…

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

3

Top Tips to avoid a stressful and expensive divorce Traditionally, more people file for divorce in January than any other time of the year.

After the Christmas lock-in with a spouse, tensions often rise to the point where the idea of divorce makes its way onto the New Year’s resolution list. Moore and Tibbits’ divorce expert, Carline Gayle-Buckle, gives some simple advice on how to avoid a stressful, expensive and drawn-out divorce.

Seek professional advice

Emotions are often the driver in the divorce process and the angrier and more hurt a client is, the more likely that the divorce will be acrimonious. Speak with professional counsellors and family therapists at the very beginning to help you process your thoughts. This will help you make sensible decisions that will protect you in the future and save you money in the long run.

Be clear on costs

The most common concern amongst firsttime divorcees is the likely cost. Don’t be afraid to ask your solicitor for a clear price at the start of the process once you have agreed the support you require of them. Our solicitors will offer you guidance when you first instruct them, allowing you to avoid legal costs that spiral out of control.

Keep communication open and friendly This may not always be possible, but it is in everyone’s interest if you are able to discuss and agree arrangements concerning your children and finances together with your ex-partner. The longest and most expensive divorce cases are amongst ex-partners whose relationships have completely broken down and they only communicate through legal representatives. Mediation or the collaborative law process are options

you may consider if this is the case. Moore & Tibbits offer the collaborative process and work alongside several good mediators.

Talk to friends and family

Whilst you should always seek the advice of a professional, asking for support and advice from friends and family can also really help.

With almost half of UK marriages ending in divorce, you are bound to know somebody who has been through the process. Find out what worked well and learn from their mistakes.

Don’t let others cloud your judgment

Be wary of people who are quick to criticise your ex-partner as they may make it more difficult for you to keep things on civil terms.

Always remember it is in your best interests to keep things friendly.

Research your finances

Do not hide information – it will come out!

Sometimes a client may think it is ingenious to conceal important information that they think may work against them and that their spouse/solicitor will never find out. The truth invariably comes out and, if in the middle of court proceedings, will adversely affect your outcome. Let your solicitor do their job properly by giving them all the information.

Take advice

Why pay a solicitor to give you legal advice and simply ignore their guidance? If a solicitor has indicated it is a poor deal, it usually is.

If you have a query regarding a family issue, please call Carline for free initial advice on 01926 491181 or email carlineg@moore-tibbits.co.uk.

If you have already begun to investigate your finances - mortgage capacity, alternative accommodation cost - this sets the initial meeting with the solicitor on a realistic footing and progress can be made more swiftly than having to refer to independent financial advisors, tax accountants etc. It is also a good idea to try and make a list of who owns what. If this can be agreed early on, disagreements over lowvalue items can be avoided so your solicitor can focus efforts on more important things such as property, pensions and living arrangements for your children.

The more you argue, the more it will cost Clients need to be pragmatic and ready to negotiate and settle and be mindful of the fact that extra legal costs will ultimately lessen the final settlement you receive.

Supreme Court strikes right balance on divorce

By Juliet Allen, Family Barrister at No5 Chambers

Disgruntled ex-partners looking to have their divorce settlements revisited have been given a clear message by the Supreme Court - first check your facts!

Rather than opening the matrimonial finance floodgates of partners rushing to take their former spouses back to court, the hotly anticipated judgment in the cases of Sharland v Sharland and Gohil v Gohil has been seen to strike just the right balance between legitimate claim and bitter ex.

Alison Sharland and Varsha Gohil were both permitted by the courts to re-visit their original divorce settlements on the grounds of fraud. The women claimed they had

been deliberately duped by their former husbands’ non-disclosure into accepting a substantially lower pay-off than they were entitled to.

Family barrister at No5 Chambers Juliet Allen said: “A difficulty for the Supreme Court in deciding these appeals was that the balance to be struck was likely in part to be policy-driven: the need on the one hand to send a strong message to those who would use dishonesty and non-disclosure as a means of influencing the outcome of matrimonial proceedings in their favour, and on the other hand, the need to avoid an open invitation to apply to set aside consent orders on the basis of the most flimsy issue of non-disclosure.”

“Whilst each of the decisions handed down was determined in the context of its own technical point of law, the Supreme Court’s approach to these issues appears to strike the right balance between these two competing policy aims.”

“This comes as welcome news for many matrimonial finance lawyers, for whom the Court of Appeal decisions in both Sharland

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and Gohil had struck a wrong note. The outcomes just seemed, somehow, unfair, notwithstanding the apparently wellreasoned, technical, decisions of the Court of Appeal in each matter.”

“It is likely that Sharland and Gohil will join the lexicon of the most cited authorities in matrimonial finance law. As lawyers we must guard against over-zealous applications to set aside on the basis of minor issues of non-disclosure, particularly where the cost of the litigation is likely to be disproportionate in the context of the nondisclosed assets. But at the same time, these two decisions are to be welcomed as they take the law in this most discretionary of areas in the right direction: towards clarity and fairness.”

If you need help with a divorce or any aspects of family law, please visit www. novatedls.com. Where appropriate, an initial 30 minute conference with a barrister will be provided free of charge. If your case requires a solicitor, NoVate can recommend a legal expert to suit your budget. www.novatedls.com

editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk T: 01926 335004

Clubs & Classes

The gift of music, a gift for life

Want the best for your child through music?

Music education brings about many benefits and encouraging children to learn to play an instrument or to sing can enrich their lives and help them foster a lifelong love of music. Local organisation, Warwickshire Music Hub, has a clear vision: “To ensure children in Warwickshire have the very best opportunities to learn to play an instrument, learn to sing, play together in ensembles and progress to the next level of excellence.”

Supporting high quality music education in over 200 Warwickshire schools, Warwickshire Music Hub has a highly trained team of 115 music specialists delivering everything from instrumental lessons to music therapy - and so much more. Children across the county are also able to take part in a range of ensemble and tuition activities after school and on Saturday mornings. Warwickshire Music Hub is supported by the Arts Council England whose major funding input goes directly into music making for 11,700 local children and young people every week.

Warwickshire Music Hub runs every sort of music event from school workshops to massive concerts at Symphony Hall in Birmingham and Warwick Arts Centre at the University of Warwick. In 2016, more than 1,000 young performers will take to the Butterworth Hall stage at Warwick Arts Centre for a series of spectacular events: 11 March: Primary School Singers, County Choirs and the Coventry and Warwickshire Youth Orchestra 12 March: Day of Wind featuring the County Wind Band and County Jazz Orchestra 14 May: World Music and Rock & Pop Festival

Warwickshire Music Hub offers: • Instrumental and vocal tuition by fully qualified teachers • Wide variety of after school music groups • Music theatre groups • Specialist groups including Suzuki strings and drum school • Performance opportunities throughout the year

“Thank you very much for a great 7 years of music. Tours, concerts and weekly practices with various CMS groups form some of my fondest memories and were certainly a wonderful opportunity.”

Sam - member of the County Youth Orchestra and Wind Band.

15 May: Strings Spectacular featuring special guests String Fever

T: 01926 745111 cms@warwickshire.gov.uk

For more information on music opportunities for your child please contact Warwickshire Music Hub. T: 01926 745111 E: cms@warwickshire.gov.uk

www.warwickshiremusichub.org

www.warwickshiremusichub.org ! !

After School Drama ! Club ! for 7-11 yrs and 12-16 yrs

Now offering Arts Awards at Stratford Artshouse

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Baby & Pre-school age 0-4

Your baby has the potential

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To find out more :-

07804 848674 thedramaclub@yahoo.co.uk

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We have the expertise

*T&Cs apply

tel: 01905 888 346 visit: puddleducks.com

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DANCE WITH DASH

Our teachers are especially trained to identify your own child’s stage of development, nurture confidence and unlock their potential to swim.

• Quality dance classes in Shipston-on-Stour • From 18 months to adults • Ballet Tap Modern and Jazz • British Ballet Organization (BBO) syllabus • Pre-School Melody Bear class

T: 07970 742256 www.dancewithdash.co.uk Calypso Kids Pre-school Music Classes for children aged 6 months - 4 years

Classes on Wednesday and Friday mornings at Townsend Hall, Sheep Street, Shipston-on-Stour CV36 4AE

Discounts are available for siblings.

Book a FREE Taster Class Tel: 07890 399162 www.calypsokids.co.uk

@familieswarks

familieswarwickshire

SOUTH LEAMINGTON

NORTH LEAMINGTON

STRATFORD-UPON-AVON

SHIPSTON-ON-STOUR

St. Anthony’s School CV31 1NJ

North Leamington School CV32 6RD

Stratford Leisure Centre CV37 6YY

Shipston High School CV36 4DY

MONDAY

6-7pm Children 6-12 years 7-8pm Teens and Adults THURSDAY Sydni Centre CV31 1PT

6 -7pm Children 6-12 years 7-8pm Teens and Adults Contact Gavin McAteer: 07971 002858

TUESDAY & THURSDAY

6pm-7pm Children 7pm-8pm Teens and Adults Contact Alex Wright: 07969 111338

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

MONDAY & WEDNESDAY

6-7pm Children 5-12 years 7pm-8.30pm Adults 13+ Contact John Archer: 07973 408865

MONDAY

6-7pm Juniors 7pm-8pm Adults Contact John Archer: 07973 408865

l Classes for Children & Adults l Family Discounts Available

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Fully qualified and CRB approved instructor

5

Clubs & Classes

Parlez-vous français?

Les Rainettes, originally called Le Petit Poucet, is a local francophone group which was created many years ago by French expats whose husbands were working in Coventry at the Peugeot factory.

The factory closed its doors in 2006 and many of the group returned to France.

Marie Delvaux Lunn was a member at the time and was asked if she would take over and lead the group – which she did.

The name of the group changed to Les Rainettes and started to welcome not only French people but anyone with a good level of French who wanted to communicate with native French speakers and learn more about the culture.

The members - mostly mother and toddlers - now meet every Friday morning for a coffee and the grown-ups - ladies and partners - regularly meet at the pub for a drink or a meal on a Friday or Saturday night. They also arrange family gatherings for Christmas, Easter and Bastille Day. As well as exchanging books and clothes, they are a valuable source of support and advice to each other as well as to French people when they first arrive here.

There are currently about 50 families in the group, from Coventry, Stratford, Warwick, Leamington and Kenilworth. Some of the members have recently decided to create a French school called ‘La petite école Marianne’ for children who live here and are being raised bilingually.

Marie Delvaux Lunn, who runs Les Rainettes, lives in Leamington Spa and is a native French teacher with over 10 years’ experience. For more information about the group or about French classes, please contact Marie on 07918 110656 or email mariedelvaux@hotmail.com. www.lesrainetteslanguages.weebly.com

Developing potential with Stagecoach Theatre Arts

Swim to it – the benefits of swimming lessons

by Kate Attwood, Puddle Ducks Franchisee As an activity that all the family can enjoy together, it is no wonder that swimming is the largest participation sport in the UK. There are lots of benefits to starting a swimming class at an early age. As well as being a fun activity, it will also help develop water confidence and vital personal survival skills.

For babies and pre-schoolers it is best to choose a class that is based on their age and developmental stage so that they can learn amongst their peers and you will feel reassured that the activities within the class will be at the right level for them. Classes with smaller numbers of children will allow for more individual attention and can mean that a programme can be tailored to each child.

Kate Attwood, Business Owner at Puddle Ducks Worcestershire says: “Swimming is an enjoyable activity which helps them interact with other children and encourages them to lead a healthy lifestyle right from the start” You can take your baby for their first swim lesson as soon as they are a couple of weeks old. Swimming at this age is a great way for you both to relax and bond together and often leads to a better night’s sleep too. It’s worth looking out for a swim school that allows you to stay with them through to school age so that they can continue their swimming journey with the same company.

Don’t forget, as well as being great for the children, swimming classes are also a fantastic way to meet other local mums and dads in the area. Have a look at classes in your area; there aren’t many children’s activities that teach a skill for life at the same time as being great fun! www.puddleducks.com

Stagecoach Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth provides dance, drama and singing classes to 4-18 year olds. As well as having fun with friends and learning valuable performing arts skills, Stagecoach believes that the classes help children to develop their confidence and creativity, and stretch their imaginations. Classes run after school and at weekends to fit in with and compliment children’s schooling and students are given the opportunity to take part in some fabulous regional and national events, each time expanding their talents and building on their presentation skills.

Stagecoach Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth is offering a 2 week trial in January so book your child’s place today and give them a taste of the world of performing arts.

Contact Jacqui Dance, Principal of Stagecoach Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth on 07976 608574. www.stagecoach.co.uk/leamingtonspa www.stagecoach.co.uk/kenilworth

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Try tennis for FREE on Monday 11 January Warwick Boat Club is opening its doors on Monday 11 January and inviting children aged 5 to 11 to its Junior Tennis Open Afternoon.

There is a session for 5 to 7 year olds at 4pm-4.45pm, then for 8 to 11 year olds at 4.45pm-5.30pm. All levels are welcome, including complete beginners. To book a FREE place, please email gavindhenderson@hotmail.co.uk or call Gavin on 07787 568642. www.warwickboatclub.co.uk

editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk T: 01926 335004

Clubs & Classes Come and have fun at our

Saturday morning tennis coaching for juniors

DANCE CLASSES H Southam Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat

Spanish & French Classes in Leamington Spa, Kenilworth, Coventry & surrounding areas.

Music, instruments, bubbles, sensory play, dance, puppets, elements of baby massage & yoga

H Leamington Mondays

Any questions?

H Alveston

ADULT CLASSES H Shrewley TOO!

Contact Gavin Henderson

Wednesdays

on

07787 568642

or email tennis.manager@warwickboatclub.co.uk

Sundays

All ages and abilities welcome.

H Barford Saturdays

Book your FREE Trial Lesson

Call Claire on 07774 518949

mel@bilinguasing.com

claire@loveballet.co.uk

07815 149877

33, Mill Street, Warwick, CV34 4HB

ng www.warwickboatclub.co.uk n Morni nnis Ope 1 pm

www.loveballet.co.uk

www.bilinguasing.com

am or Te Free Juni 28th March 10 turday

Rugby fun for 2-7 year olds Fun non-contact rugby-based sessions for girls and boys

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Book your FREE trial session at www.scrumkids.co.uk

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Facebook.com/scrumkids Twitter.com/scrumkids

Ballet, tap, modern & street dance classes

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Classes available from 21/2 years Free trial & sibling discounts IDTA & RAD exams taken annually Biannual show Classes in Claverdon & Wootten Wawen Call 07791 852891

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TIME TO TAKE TO THE STAGE

TIME TO TAKE THE STAGE 速

warwickshire

@familieswarks

Call Claire on 01926 335004 or email editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk to advertise in the Clubs and Classes pages in our next issue.

familieswarwickshire

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

7

Education

Outside the classroom

By Liat Hughes Joshi

These days, education is about much more than what goes on in the classroom. Most schools, whether state or private, offer a range of extra-curricular and enrichment activities and these can be fun, educational, sociable, confidence-boosting or all of the above. So how can you ensure your child capitalises on the opportunities on offer but still gets the balance right between work, rest and play?

Choosing activities

Follow your son or daughter’s lead when deciding which classes to sign up for - most children have a strong feel for what appeals to them. That said, it’s also worth pointing them towards something you think they might benefit from, such as drama sessions for a shy child.

Don’t force a square peg into a round hole

It might be ‘daddy’s dream’ for your son to be the next Beckham but if your little boy hates the idea, it’s unwise to force him into the football club. Making children take up an activity that they really don’t feel good about, in the hope it’ll grow on them, can be counterproductive.

Encourage persistence

Some of us have flighty children who get super-excited about an activity but within weeks, lose enthusiasm - unfortunately only once you’ve coughed up a whole term’s fees. Consider having a rule that your child does have to see the period you paid for out before they can give up – they might well change their mind back after a few weeks anyway!

How much is too much?

There’s no set answer about how many activities are optimal - it varies for each child. Some will get more tired than others and find just one or two classes suffice, others embrace a packed schedule from karate to clarinet without losing energy.

Needs change over time

Certainly most reception children are exhausted enough from school for the first term or so without lengthening their day by adding extra activities. Keep things simple at this stage. Older primary children have a decent opportunity to learn a few different skills and enjoy classes, whereas once they start secondary, longer commutes, more homework and exam pressures might mean reining things in.

Relaxation time is vital too

Watch out for activity overscheduling - quiet contemplation and scope to be creative and relax is just as important as that second musical instrument or third sport. If your child doesn’t have space to just play and chill out, consider cutting back.

Taking things to the next level

if your child is coping well with all that school throws at them and they’ve found their passion, be it gymnastics or music, you could contact local clubs and associations to see how they can take their talent to the next level, with matches/performances or extra training.

Liat Hughes Joshi is a parenting journalist and the author of four books including ‘New Old-fashioned Parenting’ and ‘How to Unplug Your Child’ (both published by Summersdale) and Raising Children: The Primary Years (Pearson).

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If your child is struggling, particularly if he or she finds their class work difficult, it might be worth putting additional effort into building skills at home or with a tutor. Talk to their teacher about what help they need to focus on. Perhaps they can suggest fun but educational games, or workbooks. Tutoring can be expensive and you need to check the tutor’s credentials (because anyone can set up and call themselves a tutor) but one-to-one attention can have a remarkable impact on learning.

Try www.tutorhunt.com to search for local tutors.

Introducing the successful Change Maker programme to Warwickshire!

The Family Weight Management Team in Rugby Borough Council has been commissioned

by Public Health Warwickshire to deliver a weight management programme called “Change Makers” for families in Warwickshire.

The aim of the service is to help families lead a healthier lifestyle, both emotionally and physically, through weekly nutrition and physical activity sessions.

Change Makers is a FREE, 9 week programme for children aged 4-12 years old and their families, which take place during term time in schools, leisure and community centres. Each week there is a 45 minute healthy eating session which includes topics such as a balanced diet, portion sizes, food labelling, and ideas for healthy breakfasts and lunches. A Sports Coach will then deliver a 45 minute physical activity session - activities include tennis, dodge ball and kwik cricket.

For parents who are unsure whether or not to attend, one mum has some friendly advice, “I was nervous to attend but found the staff very patient and friendly. It has been informative and the kids looked forward to it every week. I will miss the adult chat and family-friendly environment that has been non-judgemental. It’s been great fun.”

Parents and Guardians can book onto the programme by contacting the Change Makers team directly or by completing an online form at www.fitterfutureswarwickshire.co.uk. There is a wide variety of Change Maker courses already taking place and spaces are still available.

For more information: e: fitterfutures@rugby.gov.uk t: 01788 533721 Dawn Wilson, Family Learning Tutor for Adult and Community Learning, showing families how to make simple healthy pizzas.

editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk T: 01926 335004

Education

Awarded ‘Outstanding and Excellent’ ISI 2015

For further information, or to book a tour with the Headmaster, please call 01789 293795

www.croftschool.co.uk Alveston Hill, Loxley Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7RL

Award-winning tuition Maths & English ages 5 -14

New skills Confidence Enthusiasm

Free trial session - book today!

Leamington Spa 01926 422 800 www.explorelearning.co.uk @familieswarks

familieswarwickshire

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

9

Education

A warm welcome from Warwick Junior School Visitors to Warwick Junior School often comment on the happy atmosphere and the warm, caring relationship between staff and pupils. The school caters for approximately 250 boys aged 7 to 11. Most boys enter the Junior School at age 7, but entry is possible at age 8, 9 or 10. Class sizes are small with a maximum of 18 boys in the first year, rising to a maximum of 24 boys in year 6.

External facilities at the school are outstanding and include a swimming pool and professional theatre. 50 acres of playing fields include rugby pitches, cricket pitches and tennis courts.

Inside, the wonderful facilities continue with bright, modern classrooms and include a fully equipped laboratory, art studio, library, two ICT suites and a fully equipped design and technology workshop.

The school recognises that every boy is unique and that each will have a distinct set of abilities and talent. So, in addition to what happens in the classroom, boys have the opportunity to take part in a huge range of activities including Animation, Archery, Choir, Cookery, Cricket, Debating, Drama, Fencing, Football, Golf, Guitar, Hockey, Kung Fu, Orchestra, Rock Band, Horse Riding, Water Polo and many more.

Don’t take our word for it, do visit the school yourself. New taster sessions are available for your son to spend a morning at the school, taking part in lessons and having fun at break time and lunch. Please call Warwick Junior School on 01926 776418 to book a place.

Junior School Open Morning: Saturday 16 January, 10am-12noon 7+ Entrance Assessments: Monday 22 February

Arnold Lodge Leamington Spa CV32 5TW T: 01926 778050 E: info@arnoldlodge.com www.arnoldlodge.com Bablake Pre Prep Coventry CV1 2LH T: 024 7622 1677 E: bablakepreprep@bablakejs.co.uk Bablake Junior School Coventry CV1 4AU T: 024 7627 1260 E: jhmsec@bablakejs.co.uk www.bablakejuniorschool.co.uk Sat 30 Jan, 10am-12 noon: Open Morning Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery Kenilworth CV8 2FT T: 01926 514444 E: post@crackleyhall.co.uk www.crackleyhall.co.uk Tues 12 Jan, 10am-3pm: Open Day Sat 12 Mar, 10.30am-12.30pm: Open Morning

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Explore Learning centres provide maths and English tuition for 5 to 14 year olds of all abilities. The centres are open 7 days a week, meaning Explore can fit into busy family life.

As Explore members, children work with tutors who are great educational role models, enthusiastic about learning and fantastic motivators. Each child has an individualised learning programme, and all Explore courses map to the National Curriculum in England and the Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland.

Find out how your child can benefit from Explore Learning membership today. Book your free trial at www.explorelearning.co.uk

www.warwickschool.org/home

Independent Schools Contact Details and Open Days

Inspiring tuition– free trial session!

The Croft Preparatory School Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 7RL T: 01789 293795 E: office@croftschool.co.uk www.croftschool.co.uk Sat 19 March, 10am-12noon: Early Years and Pre-Prep Open Morning

Stratford Preparatory School Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BG T: 01789 297993 E: secretary@stratfordprep.co.uk www.stratfordprep.co.uk Thurs 14 Jan, 10am-2pm and 6pm8pm: Open Day

King Henry VIII Senior School Coventry CV3 6AQ T: 024 7627 1111 E: info@khviii.net www.kinghenrys.co.uk Tues 2 Feb, 9.30am-12.30pm: Open House

Henley Montessori Primary and Merrydays Montessori Nursery Henley-in-Arden B95 5JP T: 01564 792427 E: helen.everley@henleymontessori.co.uk www.henleymontessori.co.uk

Warwick Preparatory School Warwick CV34 6PL T: 01926 491545 E: admissions@warwickprep.com www.warwickprep.com Sat 30 Jan, 9.30am-12 noon: Open Morning

King Henry VIII Prep School Coventry CV3 6PT T: 024 7627 1307 E: headmaster@khps.co.uk www.khps.co.uk

Warwick School Warwick CV34 6PP T: 01926 776400 E: enquiries@warwickschool.org www.warwickschool.org Sat 16 Jan, 10am-12 noon: Junior School Open Morning Week commencing Mon 11 Jan, 8.30am-12.45pm: Taster Mornings To book a place T: Mrs Turner 01926 776418 E: j.turner@warwickschool.org

King’s High Warwick CV34 4HJ T: 01926 494485 E: enquiries@kingshighwarwick.co.uk www.kingshighwarwick.co.uk Sat 12 Mar: Taster Morning (for entry 2017)

The Kingsley School Leamington Spa CV32 5RD T: 01926 421368 E: carolewatson@kingsleyschool.co.uk www.thekingsleyschool.com Sat 27 Feb: Preparatory School Open Morning Sat 5 Mar: Taster Morning for Year 7 (for entry in September 2017) Tues 8 Mar: Reception/Year 3 Taster Day (for entry in September 2016)

Senior Schools

Princethorpe College Rugby CV23 9PX T: 01926 634201 E: elainewarwick@princethorpe.co.uk www.princethorpe.co.uk Thurs 7 Jan, 10.30am-12.30pm: Open Morning Warwick School Warwick CV34 6PP T: 01926 776400 E: enquiries@warwickschool.org www.warwickschool.org

Bablake Senior School Coventry CV1 4AU T: 024 7627 1200 E: info@bablake.coventry.sch.uk www.bablake.com

editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk T: 01926 335004

Education

An End to the Act of Worship?

Discover your talents...

A study from the Arts and Humanities Research Council has said that British schools should no longer be forced to include a daily act of worship. In reality, they say that 76% of schools do not provide an act of worship, so in effect are breaking the law.

The Council claims that because these acts tend to be Christian, they could discriminate against other religions. Parents often do not realise that they can remove their child from worship too, they said.

Discover your talents at The Kingsley School, where we know your name and what you are capable of.

Preparatory School Open Morning 27th February 2016 - 11am - 1pm

At the moment, schools in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are, in theory, obligated to provide a daily act of collective worship. While in faith schools, this would be in line with the school’s particular faith, in non-religious schools, the act of worship at the moment tends to take on a Christian flavour, though it is usually nondenominational.

www.thekingsleyschool.co.uk

@kingsley_school

Should All School Staff Have First Aid Training?

Teachers at a school in York did not realise when they went on a first aid training course that they would use their newly learned skills just a few months later.

The University of Leicester has made recommendations that the government re-think the rule. They state problems with the law, which was introduced in 1945, include how appropriate the acts are in a multicultural society, how the rights of all groups can be included, including those with no faith, and raise concerns that the acts do not enhance the spiritual education of children.

When a 15-year-old boy, Alex, collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest in a PE class, his teacher Shona Jagger and the school’s matron, Erica Melsom, came to his aid with their skills and a defibrillator.

CPR training is only taught in a quarter of schools but the British Heart Foundation says that it would WarwickSchool 87 bymandatory 130 JS Open RunBoys like CRMorning trainingJan in all schools.2016_Layout 1 04

Apply now for 2016 entry An Independent Day School and Nursery for boys aged 3-7 and girls aged 3-11

Open Morning

Saturday 30 January 2016 9.30am – 12.00noon

Last tours 11.30am

Entrance Assessments for girls aged 7+ Monday 22 February 2016

Register now for entry in September 2016.

Warwick Preparatory School, Bridge Field, Banbury Road, Warwick CV34 6PL admissions@warwickprep.com | 01926 491545 | www.warwickprep.com

Warwick Preparatory School is part of the Warwick Independent Schools Foundation, together with King’s High School and Warwick School, providing high quality education for boys and girls aged 3-18.

@familieswarks

familieswarwickshire

Open Morning

(Junior School only)

Saturday 16 January 2016 10.00am ­ 12.00 noon For details and a prospectus please contact: The Admissions Registrar T: 01926 776414 E: admissions@warwickschool.org www.warwickschool.org

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

Warwick School

Independent boys’ school (7­18 years)

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New Year

Three of the best post-baby fitness DVDs Pregnancy Health Yoga with Tara Lee £14.99 A very comprehensive DVD that offers a choice of eight workout routines all suitable for pregnancy. It promises not just to strengthen your muscles but to give you more energy and help you relax too. It includes a birth visualisation by Dr Gowri Motha, the creator of the Gentle Birth Method too.

My Pre & Post Natal Workouts £34.99 Davina McCall You name the reason for exercise, Davina has made a DVD for it. But she really does know quite a bit about fitness during pregnancy and afterwards. In this DVD, Davina and her personal trainer Jackie Wren show you how to do a workout in two sections for before and after you have your baby. Well thought out and well presented.

New Year – New You? How to start a new exercise regime when you’re a busy mum

By Sally J. Hall It seems as soon as Christmas Day is over, two types of advertisement start to appear on the television; the first are for holidays for the following summer, showing gorgeous people in tiny bikinis and trunks, cavorting across golden sands. The others - yes, you’ve guessed it. Weight loss.

It’s no surprise that the fitness industry targets us just as we throw ourselves, groaning with overeating, onto the sofa for a few hours of feel-good films. Their research shows that most people start a new exercise regime in January, with a huge boost in gym memberships around that time. It seems there is something motivational in having a whole new year to look ahead to and many of us start of with great new resolutions - even if they fall by the wayside by March.

class, can’t keep up, end up red in the face and aching all over and dread going back, it’s not the right exercise for you. Try out a few different classes - everything from kick boxing to zumba is available these days, in gyms and church halls - and then pick the one you like the most. If you have joined a gym, you might find it works better to do a different thing each time. Try to include something that gets your heart racing, something stretchy and something that involves weights.

Add to this the complication of being a busy mum. When, for goodness sake, are you going to find the time for a new fitness regime to shift those few pounds you put on over the winter or to get the baby weight off?

Don’t despair, we have a few great ideas.

Children come too

Preparation is key

Before you start any kind of exercise routine, check with your doctor (or midwife if you’re pregnant) that it’s OK. If you’ve recently given birth, wait until after your six week check-up.

If you had a C-section or other complications, you might want to wait a while longer. Always start with stretches to warm your muscles and don’t overdo anything. If you start to hurt, it’s your body’s way of telling you to stop. Start with a small, short routine and gradually increase the time you spend and the intensity of your work-out.

Let’s swap

Chances are your nearest and dearest may also be feeling the belt pinch. So talk through your desires for some time to yourself to get a little fitter and suggest you swap. He has the children while you go to the gym, for a swim, for a long walk - whichever you feel you like the most. Then do the same for him another day. If you’re single, could you and a friend swap exercise times?

Do what you like

It may sound obvious but choose an activity you actually enjoy. If you join a spinning

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Haven’t got anyone to help with your little ones? Want to get a few more steps done this week? Take the children with you. Go to a local park with scooters, bikes and baby in a pushchair and walk around the outside of the park, encouraging the children to race you.

Not only will you all get an oxygen boost, they will sleep really well that night.

Using baby

If you are at home quite a lot with a very young baby and don’t yet feel ready for a work out at a gym, try some exercises at home. There are quite a few post-natal exercise DVDs available that start you off gently and most importantly, know how to support and strengthen your body as it returns to your pre-pregnancy shape. Pop in the DVD, do a few exercises and have your baby on a play mat next to you so that you’re still close. You can even use your baby to strengthen your arms by lifting her over and over - she’ll love it too!

Quick bursts

The time when your baby naps can be great for a quick burst, one of the hottest new fitness trends right now. Do push-ups against the wall or on your knees, use small weights to tighten arms (tins of beans work just as well), do squats and a few yoga poses for flexibility and strength in your core.

Post Natal Pilates £9.99 Caroline Sandry Pilates is a very powerful form of exercise that gives you great strength in your core, abdominal muscles and also has the muscle lengthening effects of yoga. This DVD offers safe and effective exercises designed to be used at different stages, from right after birth or as soon as you feel able. Stage one works on your pelvic floor and the muscles of the pelvis and abdomen.

Stage two checks that those muscles are getting back to normal and then moves on to improving their strength and tone. There are also two workouts to get you breathing hard and that oxygen coursing around your body to help with the healing process.

Handy home equipment Dumbbells from £4.99 Reebok Weighing from one to five kilos, these weights are ideal for banishing the bingo wings. Get pumping! They come in five colours – one colour for each weight.

Rowing Action Exerciser £12 Pineapple This little gadget will help you get fitter at home and will tuck away under the bed when not in use. It can be used in a rowing motion to help tone your thighs, bottom, abdominal muscles and back.

Pilates Stretch Bands from £9 Calmia Use these oversized stretch bands to give you resistance to help tighten abdominals, tone your arms, back and shoulders, and slim your legs and behind.

In three colours.

editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk T: 01926 335004

What’s on?

Family Shows Wendy and Peter Pan

Royal Shakespeare Theatre Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BB Until Sun 31 Jan Fly to Neverland with Ella Hickson’s acclaimed re-telling of JM Barrie’s classic children’s story. Wendy, Peter, Tink and the Lost Boys are waiting to take you on an unforgettable journey. Recommended for ages 7+.

Box Office: 0844 800 1110 www.rsc.org.uk

By Manuel Harlan

The Remarkable Tale of Oliver Twist

February Half Term Clubs, Camps and Workshops

Warwick Arts Centre Coventry CV4 7AL Sun 14 Feb Red Earth’s production brings Oliver’s story vividly to life for children and grown-ups. Introduce your children to the amazing world of Charles Dickens and his remarkable tale of Oliver Twist. Sign Language Integrated CAPS Captioned Theatre. Recommended for ages 6+.

Box Office: 024 7652 4524 www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

African Children’s Choir Concert Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6LU Fri 15 Jan This concert reflects the energy, beauty, dignity and unlimited ability of these incredible children through song, music and dance. Many of the Choir Children have lost one or both parents to poverty and disease. The performance is both uplifting and humbling and is an opportunity to experience the vitality of the youth from this challenged continent.

Box Office: 01789 207100 www.stratfordartshouse.co.uk

Royal Spa Centre Leamington Spa CV32 4HN Tues 16 Feb This new dazzling pantomime style show is magically brought to life with amazing sets, stunning costumes, magic, illusion, special effects, song, dance, puppets and an abundance of laughter.

Box Office: 01926 334418 www.royalspacentreandtownhall.co.uk

Gangsta Granny

The Belgrade Theatre Coventry CV1 1GS Tues 16-Sat 20 Feb From the acclaimed producers of Horrible Histories comes the world premiere of this amazing story by David Walliams, the UK’s best-selling author for children. Join Ben as he embarks on the adventure of a lifetime with his very own Gangsta Granny!

Box Office: 024 7655 3055 www.belgrade.co.uk

Tom Thumb

Warwick Arts Centre Coventry CV4 7AL Sun 31 Jan Celebrating nature, with sensory play and participation, children are encouraged to explore their local natural environments, with music to sing along to and steppingstones to follow Tom Thumb’s adventure after the show. Recommended for ages 4-7.

Box Office: 024 7652 4524 www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Pocket Dream

Aspire Active Camps

North Leamington School Leamington Spa CV32 6RD Mon 15-Fri 19 Feb, 10am-4pm Fun childcare for children aged 4-13. Lots of sports and activities to choose from.

Wraparound available.

T: 01926 298178 www.aspire-sports.co.uk

Stagecoach Theatre Arts School Trinity School, Leamington Spa CV32 6NB Thurs 18 Feb, 9am-3.30pm Workshop day with a west end star!

Fun, challenging workshop for those who enjoy performing!

T: 01789 263464 www.stagecoach.co.uk/leamingtonspa

The Belgrade Theatre Coventry CV1 1GS Thurs 4-Sat 6 Feb Sixty minute fast-moving, easily understood and visually stunning version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Full of clarity, poetry, humour and imagination, with a little bit of magic thrown in.

An inspiring introduction not only to Shakespeare, but also to the very best of English theatre. Suitable for all ages.

Box Office: 024 7655 3055 www.belgrade.co.uk

Snow White

Warwick Arts Centre Coventry CV4 7AL Thurs 18-Sat 20 Feb balletLORENT’s dance theatre adaptation of one of the most well-loved Brothers Grimm fairytales is a tale of magical mirrors, unexpected friendships and the importance of inner beauty. An enchanting dance theatre production for the whole family. Recommended for ages 7+.

Box Office: 024 7652 4524 www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Fit for Sport

Alice in Wonderland

Snow Child

Warwick School, Warwick CV34 6PP Mon 15-Fri 19 Feb, 9am to 4pm Short courses for ages 6-12. Activities include wall climbing, gymnastics, cookery, squash, beginners’ cricket and more.

T: 01926 735473 www.warwickschool.org/HolidayActivities

Stratford ArtsHouse Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6LU Thurs 4-Sun 7 Feb This family show promises to plough the audience into the heart of Wonderland.

The story tells the tale of Alice returning to Wonderland once she’s a little older and has lost all her memories of ever having been there before. With fabulous musical numbers, this is a show that you will not want to miss!

Box Office: 01789 207100 www.stratfordartshouse.co.uk

Sir Scallywag and the Battle of Stinky Bottom

Royal Spa Centre Leamington Spa CV32 4HN Sun 14 Feb Family concert! With music by Ensemble 360 and narrated by Polly Ives.

Recommended for ages 3-7.

Box Office: 01926 334418 www.royalspacentreandtownhall.co.uk

@familieswarks

Warwick Arts Centre Coventry CV4 7AL Fri 19-Sat 20 Feb A magical story about family, love and the power of dreams. With atmospheric music, beautiful movement and an inspired design, this promises to be a wonderland of poignant, inventive storytelling to enchant children and families.

Recommended for ages 3-7.

Box Office: 024 7652 4524 www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

Digitopia

Warwick Arts Centre Coventry CV4 7AL Fri 26-Sun 28 Feb A dancing digital wonderland! Tom Dale Company creates extraordinary performances that bring together urban contemporary dance, electronic music and digital art. A visually stunning integration of live dance and digital technology.

Recommended for ages 5+.

Box Office: 024 7652 4524 www.warwickartscentre.co.uk

familieswarwickshire

Stratford Leisure Centre Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6YY Mon 15-Fri 19 Feb, 9.30am-4.30pm A wide range of fun multi sports and activities. For ages 4-5, 6-7 and 8-12.

Extended day available.

T: 0845 456 3233 www.fitforsport.co.uk/venues/stratfordleisure-centre

Holiday Club

Tennis Camp

Warwick Boat Club, Warwick CV34 6PP Mon 15-Thurs 18 Feb, 9am to 2pm Open to members and non-members.

All abilities. £20 a day members £25 nonmembers.

T: 07787 568642 www.warwickboatclub.co.uk

Onside Coaching

Aylesford School in Warwick and Stratford upon Avon School Mon 15-Fri 19 Feb, 9.30am-3.30pm Multi sports, football and dance. Extended day available.

T: 01926 496406 www.onsidecoaching.co.uk

Motionhouse

Spencer Yard, Leamington Spa CV31 3SY Mon 15-Thurs 18 Feb, 10am-12.30pm Informal and fun, high-energy dance classes for ages 8-11. Explore acrobatic moves and partnering, develop new skills and make new friends whilst working together to create a short piece for performance.

Mon 15-Thurs 18 Feb, 1.30pm-4.30pm Dance classes for ages 12-18 in a fun and relaxed environment. Develop dance technique and confidence through creative and choreographic tasks that will be part of a small sharing of work by the end of the week.

T: 01926 887052 www.motionhouse.co.uk

Let’s Animate Animation Workshops

Fargo Village, Coventry CV1 5ED Mon 15 Feb, 9.30am-11.30am, 12noon-2pm, 2.30pm-4.30pm Come with all the family and create a short stop motion styled animated movie, think Wallace & Gromit! Film makers will experience model making, set building, animating/filming, voice recording and editing. Each film maker will receive a certificate, their created models and a copy of their very own animated movie to share with friends and family. £8 per child.

Booking is essential.

E: hello@letsanimate.co.uk www.letsanimate.co.uk

Activate Sports

Warwick School, Warwick CV34 6PP Weds 17-Fri 19 Feb, 9.30am-4.30pm Louis Smith Gymnastics Academy. For ages 5-14. Extended hours available.

T: 01785 711572 www.activatesport.co.uk

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

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Places to go and things to do in January and February See the What’s On pages of www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk for more ideas!

The MAD Museum

Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6PT Great day out! The only specialist museum of its kind in the UK, housing an impressive collection of eccentric and ingenious creations. With over 60 pieces of kinetic art and automata, the museum has machines that engage young and old. Buttons to press, handles to turn, lights, colour and weird sounds as well as beautifully handcrafted pieces of imaginative art.

T: 01789 269356 www.themadmuseum.co.uk

Hill Close Gardens

Warwick CV34 6HF A lovely place to visit. Children’s trail available. Explore the gardens and find the answers to all the questions.

Snowdrop Weekend Sat 6 and Sun 7 Feb, 11am-4pm Take your children round the gardens and see all the beautiful snowdrops.

Indoor table-top display of many different varieties. Snowdrops, and other spring bulbs and plants for sale. Café.

T: 01926 493339 www.hillclosegardens.com

Herbert Art Gallery

Coventry CV1 5QP There are plenty of fun things for families to do whenever you visit the Herbert.

Hands on experiences, dressing up, touch screen interactives, story baskets and trails.

War Games Until Sun 17 Jan 2016 A highly interactive exhibition for adults and children alike, War Games examines the role of war in childhood play and strategic games from the 1800s to the present day, through a series of intriguing and immersive activities. FREE. Wildlife Photographer of the Year Fri 5 Feb-Sun 10 Apr With stunning images, the worldrenowned exhibition, on loan from the Natural History Museum in London, features 100 awe-inspiring images, from

fascinating animal behaviour to breathtaking wild landscapes. FREE. T: 024 7623 7521 www.theherbert.org

Hatton Adventure World

Nr Warwick CV35 8XA Enjoy the perfect family day out. There’s lots to see and do both indoors and out and special events throughout the year.

Amazing Animal Antics In January Get involved with rat and rabbit agility shows, cuddle cute and furry friends or handle a snake. Amazing animal crafts, shows in the family theatre and falconry displays throughout the day.

Family Fun Circus February Half Term Family Fun Circus was brand NEW for 2015 and it was so much fun that it’s back for February half term. A full programme of indoor entertainment with circus skill workshops and shows. PLUS our newly born lambs will be here for you to meet!

T: 01926 843411 www.hattonworld.com/farmvillage

Shakespeare Houses

Visit Shakespeare’s Family Homes in and around Stratford-upon-Avon. There are children’s activities - puzzles, quizzes and trails - to help bring their visit to life and special events throughout the year.

February Half Term Activities included in admission.

Mon 15-Sun 21 Feb Shakespeare’s Birthplace Tudor Toys: Visit Shakespeare’s Birthplace to discover the toys young William would have played with when he was a boy. Put your hands into the feel boxes to work out what is hidden inside, and then have a go yourself!

Hall’s Croft Crack the Code: Can you crack the secret code? Come to Hall’s Croft to figure out secret messages, and write your own in invisible ink – just like spies did in World

War 1! Head to the exhibition to see how it was really done in 1914.

Harvard House Build Shakespeare’s Houses: You’ve visited the Shakespeare houses, and now you can build them yourself! Learn how Tudor houses were built, and help the team build their own miniature versions! Learn about mucky wattle and daub, and the dangers of a thatched roof.

Anne Hathaway’s Cottage Baking Day at the Cottage: Visit Anne Hathaway’s Cottage to do some baking ‘the old fashioned way’. Dress up as a Victorian descendent of Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway, and try your hand at some delicious historic recipes.

T: 01789 204016 www.shakespeare.org.uk

National Trust Properties

Families with children of all ages will find plenty to keep everyone busy at our local National Trust properties. Rain or shine there’s always something to discover, plenty of space to run around and an outdoor adventure to be had.

Baddesley Clinton Baddesley Clinton B93 0DQ T: 01564 783294 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ baddesleyclinton Charlecote Park Nr Warwick CV35 9ER T: 01789 470277 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/charlecotepark Packwood House Lapworth B94 6AT T: 01564 782024 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/packwood Upton House Nr Banbury OX15 6HT T: 01295 670266 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/upton Coughton Court Alcester B49 5JA T: 01789 400777 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ coughton-court

Royal Shakespeare Company

Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 6BB The RSC welcomes families and offers lots of fun things to do for all ages of children and their parents. There are free exhibitions and trails, a variety of events during the school holidays, as well as workshops for all ages. Pick up an adventure bag from the foyer and become an explorer and discover all sorts of stuff about Shakespeare and the theatres in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Family Day: Wendy & Peter Pan Sat 9 Jan 2016, 10.15am-11.15am Join members of the Wendy & Peter Pan Company and Creative Team to explore the theatre making process, includes an opportunity to take part. £5 adults, £3.50 children.

Lost in Neverland Trail Until Sun 10 Jan 2016 The Lost Boys and Tink have been playing all around the building and have lost some of their toys and friends. Pick up a FREE self-guide trail to discover magical fairies and lost property.

Make Believe: The Art of Neverland Until Sun 21 Feb 2016 Explore the world of Wendy & Peter Pan through the eyes of artists and illustrators, as well as original costume and stage designs for the magical RSC family show.

Clore Learning Centre Waterside Family Workshop: Wendy & Peter Pan Sat 16 Jan, 10am-11.30am Family Workshop: Dream Sat 20 Feb, 10am-11.30am These practical workshops will have you on your feet working as an actor. No previous experience or knowledge of the play required. £5 adults, £3.50 children.

For ages 8+.

T: 01789 403493 www.rsc.org.uk/families

A day out indoors!

On a recent cold and wet, wintery day, we had a great day out in Stratford-upon-Avon where we visited the Butterfly Farm and The MAD Museum. Both attractions are quite unique and are perfect for all the family.

Stratford Butterfly Farm is set in a large tropical greenhouse so you can stroll through the wonderful world of an exotic rainforest whatever the weather. We loved watching hundreds of the world’s most spectacular and colourful butterflies flying and feeding in this wonderful tropical environment and had fun spotting the curious iguanas and feeding the enormous fish. Educational as well as interesting, you can literally watch the lifecycle of a butterfly in the Emerging Cage. In Insect City and Arachnoland, we saw lots of creepy crawlies and mini-beasts from beetles and giant snails to chameleons and deadly spiders. We finished off our visit at the well-stocked gift shop.

After lunch, we headed to The MAD Museum. This place is guaranteed to put a smile on your face whether you’re 5 or 95 (our group ranged from 7 to 71!). It is full of fascinating contraptions which are brought to life at the press of a button and which mesmerise you as you take in what you are looking at and try to fathom out how the inventor put the whole thing together in the first place! It’s quirky, eccentric and somewhat bonkers - visiting the toilet is also an experience as the theme of the museum carries on there as well. You can also pick up gadgets and games in the gift shop. It’s hard to pick favourites, but we particularly liked the marble runs and rolling ball machines, the moving heads of Einstein and Shakespeare and the kitchenator! www.butterflyfarm.co.uk www.theMADmuseum.co.uk

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editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk T: 01926 335004

What’s on?

British Motor Museum

Gaydon CV34 0BJ Build a British Car Week February Half Term You and your family are invited to the re-opening of the British Motor Museum, 13-21 February, where you can join us for a week of British cars.

Every day test your knowledge with the ‘Family Story’ trail and join one of our workshops in our LEGO® Education Innovation Studio where you can get creative, building a British car with LEGO® bricks.

Ryton Pools Country Park

Bubbenhall CV8 3BH Ideal for family day out. Lots to do and full programme of special events.

Toddler Trundle Every Wednesday, 10am-11.30am A weekly event for the tiniest of tiddlers! £3 per toddler.

Haggis Hunt Sun 17 Jan, 11am-12.30pm Join a Ranger and have a go at making your very own haggis and compete in the Ryton Highland Games! For ages 3+, children must be accompanied by an adult. £3.50 per child. Booking essential.

Family Wildlife & Soup Walk Sat 30 Jan, 1pm-3pm A bracing winter stroll around the park looking out for winter wildlife. Finish up with a warming bowl of delicious soup and a roll. Adults £7, Concessions £5.50, Family £22. Booking essential.

Chilly Winter Fun Trail Sat 13-Sun 21 Feb Follow the chilly winter trail around the park to help you warm up – half term fun for all the family. Collect your trail sheet from the Visitor Centre. £2 per trail sheet.

Mini-beast Hotels Mon 15 Feb, 11am-12.30pm Find out about mini-beasts, see if you can find any and then have a go at making a mini-beast hotel with natural and recycled materials to take home for your garden. For ages 3+, children must be accompanied by an adult. £3.50 per child. Booking essential.

Frosty Winter Lanterns Tues 16 Feb, 11am-12.30pm Make a willow frame, cover it with bright tissue and add some frosty decorations, then take it home and see your creation glow with your night light inside. For ages 3+, children must be accompanied by an adult. £3.50 per child. Booking essential.

Fantastic Felted Mini-Beast Workshop Weds 17 Feb, 10.30am-12.30pm Make your favourite insect or mini-beast with felt artist, Ursula Westood. Learn this specialist craft and have lots of fun making felt with wood, soap and water!

All resources and materials supplied.

Visit www.ursulawestwood.com for more information about felt making. Adults £20.00, Children £10.00, Adult & Child £25.00. Booking essential.

T: 024 7630 5592 http://countryparks.warwickshire. gov.uk

Kenilworth Castle

Kenilworth CV8 1NE From getting hands-on with history at an action-packed event, to exploring the vast grounds, Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden offers plenty to do on a family day out.

Knights and Princesses Academy Mon 15-Fri 19 Feb, 10.30am-3.30pm Join our academy for budding knights and princesses, with hands on medieval fun. Transform yourself into a courtly Lord or Lady with tips on everything from curtsies to combat.

T: 01926 852078 www.english-heritage.org.uk/ kenilworthcastle

Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum

WORKSHOPS How cool is your British car?

Sat 13 & Sun 14 Feb, 10am-3pm Build a British car in our LEGO® Education Innovation Studio and see where it ends up on our cool wall.

Technic Workshops Mon 15-Thurs 18 Feb, 10am-3pm Design, build and test your own vehicle using LEGO® technics and become an engineering apprentice for the day, see what you can design!

Build a balloon powered car Fri 19 Feb 10am-3pm How far will your LEGO® brick sports

car travel? Will it glide along the ground or float away?

Build a rubber band powered car Sat 20 Feb, 10am-3pm Use a rubber band to power your LEGO® brick British car, can you beat the current British Motor Museum’s record?

25 Brick Challenge Sun 21 Feb 10am-3pm Can you build a British Motor Car with 25 LEGO® bricks and four wheels?

T: 01926 641188 www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk

given written permission to attend alone.

T: 01926 742700 www.warwickdc.gov.uk/ royalpumprooms

Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve

Coventry CV3 3GW Great for families, lots to explore, including an orchard, a mouse maze, mini-beast homes, bird watching hides, a recycled garden, a sensory garden and a nature trail. Under-cover picnic area, tea room and well stocked gift shop. Regular activity sessions for toddlers, Nature Tots, and half term activities such as den building.

T: 024 7630 2912 www.warwickshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

Warwick Castle

Warwick CV34 4QU Jaw-dropping history, magic, myth and adventure! A great day out for the whole family all year round.

T: 0871 265 2000 www.warwick-castle.com

Leamington Spa CV32 4AA Who will buy?

Sat 30 Jan, 11am-4pm Step through the shop window for a family friendly day of storytelling, craft making and more as we launch ‘Through the Shop Window’, an exhibition about shopping in Royal Leamington Spa. Meet our Edwardian shop keeper and hear the stories of Burgess and Colbourne as part of National Storytelling week. There will also be a chance to add your own artwork and memories to the exhibition with a special Art Cart activity creating shopping memory boxes. FREE, drop in & join in. Suitable for the whole family.

Young Curators Club Tues 16 Feb, 2pm-3pm Explore behind the scenes to learn more about Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum collections and become an object photographer for the afternoon.

FREE event. Places are limited so please book in advance. For ages 8+. Children must be accompanied by an adult or

The UKs Largest Tropical Butterfly Paradise!

Open Every Day Except Christmas Day Please check our website for last entry times as they vary seasonally

Butterflies • Birds • Fish • Iguanas and much more...

Swan’s Nest Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire, CV37 7LS

Tel. 01789 299288

enquiries@butterflyfarm.co.uk

www.butterflyfarm.co.uk

4-5 Henley Street, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 6PT www.theMADmuseum.co.uk

01789 269356

Quote ‘Families Warwickshire’ and get 10% discount!

Welcome to Jungle Town!

An inspiring children’s

Are you the parent or guardian of a 4-12 year old living in Warwickshire?

play experience

encouraging imagination play and development!

A free family programme providing support and advice to help families make healthier lifestyle choices.”

For more information call (01788) 533721 or email fitterfutures@rugby.gov.uk”

Open at Stratford Garden Centre

Visit www.jungletown.co.uk

or call 01789 296637

@familieswarks

familieswarwickshire

www.familieswarwickshire.co.uk

15

Museum re-opens Saturday 13 February new name... more cars... new exhibits...

Fixed fees available

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FEBRUARY

HALF TERM AT COVENTRY MUSEUMS Saturday 13 – Sunday 21 February COVENTRY TRANSPORT MUSEUM

HERBERT ART GALLERY & MUSEUM

PRIORY VISITOR CENTRE

Find out more at www.theherbert.org and www. transport-museum.com

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18/12/2015 09:55

editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk T: 01926 335004