Families Oxfordshire Issue 71 January/February 2016

Issue 71 - January/ February 2016

Issue

71

FREE T

ak e

®

a c opy

Oxfordshire

WR SOCCER SCHOOLS “Giving children the confidence to play” For boys & girls aged 4 - 12 all levels and abilities coached

PPA Cover/PE Lessons I After School Clubs I Holiday Camps Weekend Classes I Birthday Parties February 2016 Half Term Soccer Schools In Headington, Cowley, Chipping Norton & Banbury

Cover Image © M&Co

Call 07547 292 012 info@wrsoccer.co.uk

Rye St Antony is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3-18 (and boys 3-11). Established in 1930 as a lay Catholic foundation, the school is situated in a beautiful 12-acre location overlooking the city of Oxford.

www.wrsoccer.co.uk

Big enough to challenge: small enough to care

Pullen’s Lane, Oxford OX3 0BY

01865 762802

enquiries@ryestantony.co.uk | www.ryestantony.co.uk Oxfordshire Magazine

1 in 4 of our girls go on to Oxbridge Junior School Open House events:

Friday 15 January 9.30am to 11.00am

Tuesday 1 March 9.30am to 11.00am

Book your place now

01865 318500 admissions@oxf.gdst.net www.oxfordhigh.gdst.net

One-to-One tutoring for Primary SATS, 7+ exams, 11+ exams, 13+ exams, GCSE/IGCSE, AS/A2 Levels.

Group tutoring (max 4now students) at our in Summertown and Jericho Tuition centres open in centres Summertown and Botley One-to-one In home tutoring offered in all areas of Oxford

For more information visit our website

www.lotustutors.com E: info@lotustutors.com T: 01865 703545 2

January/ February 2016

www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

Oxfordshire Magazine Editor: Ema Murphy 01993 815966 - 07733 228 038 editor@familiesoxfordshire.co.uk www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

In this issue..

4

What's New?

7

Making the most of school

Next issue: March/ April 2016 Booking deadline: 5 February Copy deadline: 10 February

8

Health - New Year, New You?

9

Keeping the family active

36,000 readers per issue Printed by Warners

10

Focus on; Dance & performing arts

12

Advice on sharing family holidays!

@FamiliesOxon

16

Local clubs & classes

/familiesoxfordshire.co.uk Disclaimer: Families Oxfordshire Magazine is part of Families Magazines Ltd a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families ÂŽ is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Temple House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Oxfordshire Magazine are fully protected by copyright and non 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.

BOOK NOW to be included in our March/ April issue Call 01993 815966 for more details.

Snappy online shopping at Croc Shop Ltd If you love crocodiles you’re going to really love Croc Shop Ltd where you can buy official Crocodiles of the World souvenirs online, as well as lots of other croctastic things.

Take a look and make it snappy crocshopltd.co.uk

Competition Winners

Drivers Wanted Oxfordshire

We are looking for distributors in Oxford.

If you have a few hours to spare every two months during term time and would like to earn some extra money, please contact us for more details. All you need is a polite manner and be able to carry and have your own transport.

Contact Ema for more information Call 01993 815966/ 07733 228 038 or email: editor@familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

Here are the details of the winner from our November issue competitions: R Harris of Colwell Drive won a personalised Santa's Sack by Little Pickle Creations Jenny Millar, husband Paul and children Rudy and Ava, won a VIP ticket to Rush UK, High Wycombe, for the opening launch. The children attend Matthew Arnold and New Hinksey Primary School.

Oxfordshire Magazine

3

What's new?

What's new?

Local Martial Arts for Children At the new state of the art Oxford martial arts academy, they offer a friendly and supportive training environment for children aged 5 - 16 years.

Specialising in a variety of martial arts, their experienced and professional coaches build confidence and encourage individuals to reach their full potential. Giving your child the opportunity to learn a martial art has many benefits. So if you would like to know more information, or to book a free session then please call them on 01865 711333. January membership offer - No joining fee and one month free!

Promo code: FAM16

Oxford Fertility celebrates 30 years For three decades Oxford Fertility has given couples across the region a helping hand in realising their dream of having a child. Since founded in 1985, the clinic has assisted 10,000 babies in entering the world and to mark the occasion the clinic organised a reunion. Families whose lives have been transformed met at the clinic to swap stories and celebrate in December. Tim Child, Medical Director at Oxford Fertility, remarked how the team feel "Proud that so many couples entrust us to help them with the building of their family." Pictured are Deborah and Andrew Steer and Baby Maxwell, the clinic’s 10,000th baby.

Get 2016 off to a wild start Have you made a New Year’s resolution yet? Here’s a good one - if you haven’t visited the UK’s only Crocodile zoo yet, make 2016 the year that you do! After all where else can you hold a baby alligator, stroke a python and see crocodiles being fed and it’s right here on your doorstep. With talks, feeds and animal encounters every 30 minutes, there’s plenty to keep you entertained, including some very cheeky meerkats and laughing kookaburras. Don’t forget the unique keeper experiences or what a wild place for a school trip or birthday party! To find out more visit crocodilesoftheworld.co.uk

Tread the boards!

With the panto season becoming a memory, this can be a quiet time of year for theatre. But not so in March, as 'Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat' explodes onto the New Theatre stage!

Starring X factor winner Joe McElderry and performing alongside him will be a throng of local children age nine and over, all of whom are students at Stagecoach Theatre Arts schools from across the region. If your child is the next budding Joseph, enrol them in your local Stagecoach, where their talent will be nurtured and opportunities abound! www.stagecoachtheatrearts.org/oxford

New Children’s Online Magazine Jungle School is a new fun and educational resource for children ages 4-7, turning lessons into an exciting, colourful story they will love!

Set-up by mothers and teachers, children can follow animal characters through their school journey, through a variety of subjects including maths and English and even have fun with them at lunch and playtime!

Annual subscriptions are just £10, plus 12 printable issues. For your free copy visit jungleschool.net or email info@jungleschool.net

Try something new?

Why not start 2016 with a complimentary Monkey Music class? It's a wonderful way to begin the New Year and make lots of new friends for both you and your little one. Great music, fabulous instruments, award-winning progressive curriculum and fun for all. BOOK NOW!

Inspiring tuition– free trial session!

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.

Do you have a budding superhero?

Perform children will unearth their hidden superhero powers as they go on a top secret mission to save the world. Along the way they will learn catchy songs and funky dances! Before saving the planet from global warming. Call 0845 400 4000 and book a Free Trial class before the 15th Feb 2016 and quote FAML150216 to get £30 off in Didcot class.

Dance Teachers required Betty Bloom are expanding and looking for excellent Dance Teachers & Dance Coaches, with dance qualifications, or, if you’re simply an amazing dancer get in touch.

Call 07785 232862 or visit BettyBloomdance.co.uk.

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January/ February 2016

www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

What's new?

WR Soccer Schools

Offering quality sports coaching for children aged between 4-12 years, across Oxfordshire.

Focusing on skills and sportsmanship, W R Soccer aims to give children the confidence to play – whatever their ability. Running sessions in local schools as well as weekend and holiday camps. Check out www.wrsoccer.co.uk for a session near you.

Current Weekend Sessions: Littlemore/Cowley: Every Saturday 10am-12pm Headington: Every Saturday/Sunday 10am-12pm Feburary Half-Term Camps: Sandhills CP School/Barton Sports Hall Shenington Primary School Littlemore Village Hall/Littlemore Rec

Great Trampoline Park Now Open!

Rush in High Wycombe opened its doors in December, after a fantastic VIP launch featuring Olympic star Denise Lewis, which the Millar family from Oxford also won tickets to. As well as jumping, foam pit and dodgeball, visitors can enjoy a range of exciting fitness classes, coaching, Toddler Mayhem classes and creative play and for the older kids, there’s Rush After Dark, with its own DJ on Saturday nights!

A fantastic new place for all the family. Off junction 4 on M40. rushuk. com.

Helping mum’s get back into the workplace An innovative idea has led to The Back2Work Club™; geared to helping people to return to work after a career break, such as mum’s 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. Visit back2work.club on how to join.

Students jump grades with Lotus tuition Lotus tutors is a family owned education consultancy based in Oxfordshire. Lotus tutors provides private tutors for one-to-one home tutoring for primary, SATS, 11+ exams, 13+ exams, GCSEs and A-levels within Oxford and Oxfordshire.

In the summer of 2015, Lotus tutors started group tuition classes with small groups of four students per class. The group classes are proving to be very successful as the students get close to one-to-one tutoring experience with an expert tutor. Whether it is one-to-one at home or in group tuition centres, Lotus tutors provide comprehensive tutorial reports after each session or class.

In the year 2015 results for GCSE & A-Levels, over 70% of students tutoring with Lotus Tutors jumped at least two grades and 100% of their students jumped one grade. Over 90% of the students tutoring for 11+ exams with Lotus Tutors successfully achieved a place to some of the most selective private schools in Oxfordshire.

To find out how Lotus Tutors can support your child, contact their Summertown office on 01865 703545 or email info@lotustutors.com.

TIME TO ENTER A NEW WORLD Acting, singing and dance classes for 4 to 18 year olds.

Find out more and start your child’s journey today OXFORD 01869 278600 Maya Sprigg oxford@stagecoach.co.uk

BANBURY 01908 969467 Melissa Allen banbury@stagecoach.co.uk

ABINGDON 01865 390970 Julia Howson abingdon@stagecoach.co.uk

THAME 01865 763767 Nicky Goodwin thame@stagecoach.co.uk

Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools are operated under franchise and are independently owned by their Principals. Stagecoach is a registered trademark of Stagecoach Theatre Arts Ltd.

Oxfordshire Magazine

5

“I don’t know where I would be without Katy!”

The words of Ruth Laing, 97, as she receives care in her Oxfordshire home.

Katy’s move from chef to carer was easier than you’d think.

“I was struggling with the working hours of being a chef.

I applied to be a carer because the work was much more flexible.”

“I got free training.”

“I had no experience”, says Katy. But she did have the values a carer needs: • Compassion • Dedication • Reliability These made the move from the kitchen to the homes of clients easy. Her lack of care training didn’t hold her back.

Why?

Five years later Katy, 24, is a mobile response carer.

She works four days on with four days off; “It’s not a job you just do for the money.”

“Seeing the difference you can make makes it all worthwhile.”

“You have to be kind, caring, bubbly” The majority of carers in the county are between 45 and 60 years old. Their blend of life experience and sensitivity makes each of them invaluable to the people they help every day.

Oxfordshire needs more carers like Katy. People who want to improve lives in their area. If you think you have something to offer people in need of care, visit the OACP website for more information: oacp.org.uk/jobs

All carers in Oxfordshire receive the training they need from the day they start.

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January/ February 2016

Oxfordshire Association of Care Providers

www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

Education

Making the most of School

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 these. 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 kids 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 counter-productive.

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!

and find just one or two classes suffice, others embrace a packed schedule of 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.

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 tutorhunt.com to search for local tutors.

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).

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

2016 SPRING SCHOOL OPEN DAYS Oxford High School Oxford, OX2 6XA Girls, 4-8 01865 559888 / Oxfordhigh.gdst.net Book your places now for: Junior School Open House Events: Friday 15 January: 9.30am-11.00am Tuesday 1 March: 9.30am-11.00am

Abingdon Preparatory School Frilford, OX13 5NX Boys 4-13 & girls 4-7 01865 391570 Abingdon.org.uk/prep Open Morning and Phonics Demonstration For Reception to Year 4 Thursday 25 February: 9.30am

Ferndale House Preparatory School Faringdon, SN7 7JF Boys & girls 2-11 01367 240618 Ferndaleschool.co.uk Saturday 6 February: 10.00am-12noon

Cranford House Moulsford, OX10 9HT Boys 4-13 & girls 2-16 Cranfordhouse.net Little Willows Nursery Friday 4 March: 10.00am-12noon Junior School Open Week Monday 7 – Friday 11 March: 9.00am-3.00pm

All details are correct at time of printing.

Please check each school prior to visiting.

Oxfordshire Magazine

7

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

By Sally J. Hall

THREE OF THE BEST POST-BABY FITNESS DVDS

As soon as Christmas Day is over, holiday and weight loss advertisements start to appear on the television.

My Pre & Post Natal Workouts £34.99 Davina McCall

Research shows that most people start a new exercise regime in January, with a huge boost in gym memberships around that time. There’s something motivational in having a whole new year to look ahead to and many of us start of with great new resolutions.

When you’re a busy mum, when are you going to find the time for a fitness regime?

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

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. Always start with stretches to warm your muscles and

don’t overdo anything. If you start to hurt, stop. Start with a short routine and increase the time and intensity of your work-out.

Let’s swap Suggest a swap with your partner or a friend. They have the kids while you go to the gym, for a swim, for a long walk in the woods – then do the same for them another day.

Do what you like Choose an activity you enjoy. Try out a few different classes and then pick the one you like the most. Try to include something that gets your heart racing, something stretchy and something that involves weights.

Kids come too Take the kids with you. Go to a local park with scooters and bikes and baby in a pushchair and walk around the outside of the park.

Using baby Try some exercises at home. Pop in a DVD, do a few exercises and have your baby on a play mat next to you.

Quick bursts Use nap time for a quick burst – one of the hottest new fitness trends right now. Do push-ups, use small weights, do squats and a few yoga poses.

In this DVD, Davina and her personal trainer show you how to do a workout in two sections for before and after you have your baby.

Baby2body Pre and Postnatal Workout DVD £15.99 Melinda Nicci Best for: those who are quite serious about their fitness routine.

Two workouts that take 45 minutes – one for pregnancy, one for afterwards. There’s a warm up section, a cardiovascular work out and toning and floor exercises. You’ll need some hand weights.

Post Natal Pilates £9.99 Caroline Sandry

This DVD offers exercises designed to be used from right after birth. Stage one works on the pelvis and abdomen. Stage two checks that those muscles are getting back to normal and then moves on to improving strength and tone.

Dumbbells £5.05 Reebok

Weighing from one to five kilos, these weights are ideal for banishing the bingo wings.

Rowing Action Exerciser £12 Pineapple

This can be used in a rowing motion to help tone your thighs, bottom, abdominal muscles and back.

• Muay Thai • Boxing • Taekwondo • Brazilian Jiu JiTsu

r you

l k Boo e tria fretoday

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January/ February 2016

omaa.org.uk

01865 711 333

Pilates Stretch Bands £8.10 Calmia

Use this oversized stretch bands to give you resistance to help tighten abdominals, tone your arms and back and shoulders and slim your legs and behind.

21 templar’s Square, oxford oX4 3XQ

www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

Keeping the Whole Family Active

By Kelly Vanerboom – Fitness & Pilates Specialist at Body Fit Solutions, Witney

From birth, our primal movement patterns —rolling over, crawling, walking – help us to develop our gross and fine motor skills. But as we move into school age, and then into the work environment, we tend to move away from natural movement patterns into sitting for long periods of time. This sedentary behaviour leads to an increased risk of obesity, heart disease and other health concerns.

And over time, due to inactivity or simply poor mechanics, we develop muscle imbalances and asymmetries, which can make us less efficient and more prone to injury.

As a child, play serves two purposes: it is natural, and it is also instructional. Through successes and failures, play helps us learn to make our way through our environment, and failures are accompanied by pain when falls, cuts, scrapes and bruises occur, and as children, we learn from this pain and alter our movements accordingly.

Somehow the media makes fitness, sports performance, weightloss, and all other forms of physical conditioning more about physical appearance than physical function. But if we focus on

Annoying or deadly?

How intolerances and allergies can make your child’s life a misery

By Radhika Holmstrom Everyone’s heard of an ‘allergic reaction’ but what does it mean?

What’s the difference between an allergy and an intolerance? An ‘allergic reaction’ isn’t caused by the ‘allergen’ but by your immune system reacting to something.

function, we will see a consistent reduction in injury and chronic pain, as well as an improvement in quality of life and efficiency of movement.

If you’d like to consider regaining some of that more play-like movement in your life, why not take a look at your children when they play. Pretending to be different animals in crawling, rolling, leaping, and squatting patterns is at the heart of functional training.

Functional movements like these can help to prevent injury, improve your overall fitness, health, and well-being!

Try putting some playfulness in your life with your kids 1.

Crawling patterns – crawl like a bear, primate, or lizard

2.

Squat like a monkey with 1 arm on floor and one arm in air

3.

Crab walking

4.

Roll like a ball

5.

Frog leap

6.

Balance like a stork

At Body Fit Solutions functional and corrective movement is at the heart of their training. Join a class or get some specific exercises for your needs from specialist trainers.

Kelly and Stuart Vanderboom are qualified, highly-experienced Pilates and fitness professionals who have spent 15 years perfecting their skills as personal trainers and corrective exercise specialists.

They have a passion for educating and motivating people.

Find out more at www.bodyfitsolutions.co.uk.

These defence chemicals produce symptoms like inflammation and irritation and at worst anaphylactic shock, with a rash and swelling in the throat which can cut off the airways and plummeting blood pressure.

Could it be my child – and what should I do?

If your child’s showing an allergic reaction to foods, take them to the GP and a referral to a consultant.

If they do have an allergy, they will be prescribed an EpiPen (it injects adrenaline into the body to relax airways and muscles so they can breathe but get them straight to hospital too. You must also avoid the allergen.

Intolerance Some people have a food ‘intolerance’ and get a reaction but not an allergic one. Intolerances are harder to identify and there are only a few reliable tests. They are not life threatening. Talk to the GP and get a referral to a dietician, especially if you suspect coeliac disease.

Don’t DIY At their worst, allergies can be deadly – and at their mildest, both allergies and intolerances are pretty annoying. Nobody really wants to spend their time scrutinising lists of ingredients. If you do suspect your child has one, don’t try and diagnose it yourself, or with the help of a ‘kit’ from a company. Get the professionals on board to help work out what the problem is. You may well find it’s quite different from the one you suspected; and you may even find that your child doesn’t have an allergy or an intolerance at all.

Radhika Holmstrom has a strong background in health journalism. She has written for many consumer and specialist magazines. Whilst she focuses on health, parenting and learning issues, she has also written widely on environmental and ethical issues. She is a visiting lecturer at Middlesex University, lecturing to undergraduates and postgraduates on feature-writing.

Oxfordshire Magazine

9

Clubs and Classes

Dancing feet Sally J. Hall investigates some great ideas for starting your child’s love of dance and performing arts. different activities – this gives them a great grounding in what they might be best at. Allround schools are also options where they learn to sing, act and dance.

Royal Ballet Associates training If your child has been taking ballet grades and is seriously thinking about a career in dance, the Royal Ballet runs classes to prepare them for this move. The Associates Programme trains children aged eight to 15 in conjunction with their usual classes (royalballetschool.org.uk).

Boy’s brigade

Ah, the ballet. All those gorgeous costumes, perfect turn-outs, buns and the sublime music. Who hasn’t dreamed of being a Prima Ballerina when wafting around our bedroom in a synthetic net tut?

And if you actually went as far as learning to dance when you were younger, you might be keen to instil this love of dance in your child – even if you gave up when you weren’t allowed to tie your shoe ribbons up to your knee.

How can you find out what kind of class is best for your child, whether they are a boy or a girl? Read on to find the perfect dance space for your Baby.

Tiny dancer When your child is very young – say, under five – shuffling around on tip toe while wafting their hands or pretending to be a tiger is about as much as you can ask for.

Look for a class that teaches very young children together, not mixed in with older age groups when they will probably be ignored or will be disruptive. A class where there’s an emphasis on having fun and doing different dancing games each time will keep them keen and entertained – and going back each week. Expect to have to stay for these classes and possibly join in, too.

Try MAD Academy - offering high-energy music and dance for babies and children aged 3 months to 4 years. The free spirited and fun style of the classes bring to life both music and dance. Classes include a variety of activities and games to develop and improve children's musicality, listening skills, physical awareness, co-ordination and intellectual reasoning. www.madacedemy. com.

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January/ February 2016

Stagecoach also offers dance, acting and singing as a part of its performing arts syllabus and has classes for those aged four to six and for six to 18 years (stagecoach.co.uk).

Starting to get more serious If your child makes it past the age of five or six and still wants to go to class, it may be time to start looking at a proper training class where they can take grades or get involved with productions. The choice for ballet is the Royal Academy of Dance (rad. org.uk) syllabus or for modern dance there’s the Imperial Society Modern Theatre & Tap Dance (istd.org ) course. If they are still keen but aren’t motivated by grades, find a class that keeps their attention and won’t get boring. Street and jazz dance are great for this as they will learn new routines all the time. They can also try out holiday classes where they might spend a week doing

Dance is not just for girls and though your son may have to cope with teasing if he intends to dance and carry on dancing, there are plenty of roles for ballet, jazz and modern dancers in all areas – the stage, TV and touring groups. There’s even a Boys’ Ballet school in London (boysballetlondon. com) that teaches the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus.

What’s available?

If you’re not sure what all these styles entail, it’s best to take your child along to have a look or try a taster session. One style may resonate. And if they get older and hang up their ballet shoes, why not encourage them to move on to a funkier style rather than give up dancing altogether?

•

Ballet

•

Tap

•

Ballet and Tap

•

Modern Dance and Tap

•

Jazz

•

Hip Hop

•

Contemporary

•

Break Dance

•

Street Dance

•

Commercial Dance (a blend of Street and Hip Hop)

Sally J. Hall is a writer and editor who has written for all the main parenting titles as well as The Independent and The Mail. She is author of Eco Baby and contributing author to Watch My Baby Grow (Dorling Kindersley).

www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

Clubs and Classes

Local dance and performance clubs DANCE Ruth Nuttall School of Dance ruthnuttall29@hotmail.com 07824 313526 Betty Bloom Dance bettybloomdance.co.uk 07785 232 862

Vera Legge School of Dancing facebook.com/Vera-LeggeSchool-of-Dancing 01865 881173

THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE Stagecoach Theatre Arts (Oxford) stagecoach.co.uk/oxfordshire 01869 278600

Flair Dance Studio Flairdancestudio.co.uk 01993 813373 Mini Professionals Dance Academy miniprofessionalsdanceacademy.com 07543 167 106 Whitestar Performers whitestaryogaanddance.co.uk 07717 837 706 The Oxford School of Ballet oxfordballet.co.uk 01865 511097

Total Vocal Academy totalvocalacademy.co.uk 01295 722 444 Youngstar Oxford youngstaroxford.tv/ 01235 539772 Perform perform.org.uk/venues/areas/ Oxford 0845 400 1276

The Jill Stew School of Dance jillstew.co.uk 01993 772464

Elite Dance and Theatre Tuition elitedanceandtheatretuition.com 0784 290 2207

Baby and Primary Ballet Aadanceacademy.co.uk 01235 553565

Creation Theatre creationtheatre.co.uk 01865 766266

East Oxford Ballet eastoxfordballet.co.uk 01865 847747

North Oxfordshire School of Drama

northoxfordshireschoolofdrama.org

McGahan Lees Irish Dance Academy marionflanagan.co.uk 07971 035 797

07884 055 057

Pauline Quirke Academy Pqacademy.com 0800 531 6282

Oxford, Abingdon and Thame E: oxford@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 01865 408037

ABINGDON on Monday mornings SUMMERTOWN on Monday mornings THAME on Tuesday mornings HEADINGTON on Wednesday mornings NORTH OXFORD on Thursday mornings NORTH OXFORD on Friday mornings

A World of Dance for Children!

Including:

• La>n • Line-Dancing • Freestyle

• Charleston • Bollywood • Street Dance

Classes for 2 – 15 year olds

Term->me Classes & Holiday & Programmes Fun & Imagina>ve Classes for both girls & boys!

And We’re Expanding!

We’re looking for excellent Dance Teachers & Dance Coaches in Oxfordshire If you have dance qualificaCons, OR are an amazing dancer and would like to train with us, get in touch!!!

beLybloomdance@gmail.com

hLp://beLybloomdance.co.uk

07785 232862

for boys and girls 18 months - 7 years Classes being run on:

Saturdays Lord Williams Lower School Thame OX9 3NW For class times visit

midbucks.kiddikicks.co.uk /timetable

01296 290204

Call Email midbucks@kiddikicks.co.uk

free trial sessions – get in touch for details

Oxfordshire Magazine

11

Family travel

It takes two...families Advice on making a family holiday with another family - work!

By Sally J Hall

It seems like a great idea when you and a friend are daydreaming about your next holiday and it turns out you both want to hire a cottage in Cornwall. If you want to go away with both your families and share the costs of the holiday, read our tips to make this a holiday to remember – not a nightmare.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing…

How well do you know the other family? Are there areas of their life you find difficult to cope with? If you’re a neat freak and they are the kind to ignore mould on the milk bottle – or the other way around – you’re probably not going to get along with each others’ standards of housekeeping. Do you know what their politics are? And do your children get along?

All good friends Your partners also need to get on and you need to be friends as a foursome. The grown-ups need to be united if there are disputes between the children. Spend a day together in the run-up to the holiday

turns and eat out a couple of times so that you all get a break.

Us-time As there are other grown-ups with you, this would be an ideal opportunity to have some time alone with your partner. Take it in turns to look after all the children, so that each couple has some personal space. and have the children on a sleep-over to iron out problems before you go.

Set the rules Make some ground rules. Set a budget and decide how you are going to share the price of the house and shopping once you are away. It’s best to share everything equally (easy if your families are the same size, otherwise work it out proportionately).

Talk this all through before you go, as the last thing you want is an argument at the supemarket check-out!

Doing the housework The chores will also have to be shared equally, so that nobody has to do all the cooking or all the washing up. Take it in

A room of one’s own Make sure there’s room for you all to have some personal space. Even the best of friends can end up getting on each others’ nerves at times. Letting the kids sleep in the same room may backfire too, as they will be so excited that they may not get to sleep before the small hours.

So while there may be some things to consider before you embark on a holiday with friends, there are many advantages.

You can afford somewhere much nicer than you might otherwise have done, you can share chores and babysitting and you can forge lifelong friendships between both the adults and the children. With a little forethought, this will truly be a holiday to remember!

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What's on

What's on January & February For a comprehensive list of what’s on at each venue please refer to the venue. We can only include a small number of events, space depending. Families cannot be responsible for any changes of dates or other details.

Don’t’ forget to visit our website for more what’s on in 2016 www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk

DAIRY DATES 1-10 Jan Aladdin Oxford Playhouse 11 Beaumont Street, OX1 2LW www.oxfordplayhouse.com Join Widow Twankey, Aladdin, Princess Perfect Rose, Wishee Washee the Dog and Pee King the Duck on their adventures in the ancient city of Ox-A-For. *Gong!* Soar with us as we Reach for the Stars on a magic carpet ride of non-stop panto thrills, spills and downright silliness. From £15.

1 Jan-29 Feb Sensing Evolution Oxford University Museum of Natural History Parks Road, OX1 3PW www.oum.ox.ac.uk Touchable tables are back and better than ever. Now themed around evolution, you can explore how mammals and reptiles have adapted to live in a huge variety of environments. Permanent exhibition held in the main court.

30-31 Jan RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch www.rspb.org.uk/birdwatch The world's biggest garden wildlife survey for families. Aimed at tackling issues of our threatening wildlife. People are invited to provide a place for wildlife in their gardens and outside spaces.

Planting pollen-rich plants to attract bees and butterflies, putting up a nestbox or creating a pond. Get involved.

2 Jan & 28 Feb Pitt Stops Pitt Rivers Museum Parks Road, OX1 3PW www.prm.ox.ac.uk Fun ways to explore the Museum and discover more about the exciting collections.

Make something super to take home. Suitable for all ages - held on the first Saturday of the month.

1pm-4pm 3 Jan & 29 Feb Free family friendly fun Pitt Rivers Museum Parks Road, OX1 3PW www.prm.ox.ac.uk Visit Pitt Rivers Museum and Oxford University Museum of Natural History for a relaxing afternoon. Try activity backpacks, sorting boxes, trails, colouring sheets, story corner and craft activities. For all ages. 2pm-4pm 3 Jan, 7 Feb Guided nature walks - Open Afternoon Ewelme Watercress Beds Nature Reserve, Ewelme, OX10 6HQ www.ewelmewatercressbeds.org Take a guided walk with knowledgeable guides through nature reserve situated next to the watercress beds. No need to book & no dogs except guide dogs. Free parking. Refreshments. Every first Sunday of the month. Between 2pm-5pm. Adults £3, children FREE. 8 Jan Witney Music Society Concert Wood Green School Woodstock Rd, Witney, OX28 1DX www.oxfordshirecotswolds.org Alison Rose (soprano) and Matthew Fletcher (piano) were granted Young Artist Awards in 2014 under the Oxford Lieder

HAVE A WILD TIME

AT THE UK’S ONLY CROCODILE ZOO! • Crocodile encounters and handling • Birthday parties Phone: 01993 846353 • Keeper experiences and much more!

Book tickets online and plan your visit at www.crocodilesoftheworld.co.uk 14 January/ February 2016

Young Artist Platform scheme. 7.30pm.

9-10 Jan Winter Wonders Trial University of Oxford Botanic Garden Rose Lane, OX1 4AZ www.botanic-garden. ox.ac.uk The Garden may appear asleep, but take the trail to find early signs of spring such as blossom, bulbs and birds.

10am-4pm / Free with entry to the Garden.

12-16 Jan Gangster Granny New Theatre George Street, OX1 2AG www.atgtickets.com The world premiere of David Walliams’ Gangsta Granny is coming to the Oxford stage. It’s Friday night and Ben knows that means only one thing - staying with Granny! But what Ben doesn’t know is that Granny has a secret - and Friday nights are about to get more exciting than he could possibly imagine!

17 Jan Cushion Concert St Hilda's College Jacqueline Du Pre Music Building, OX4 1DY www.sthildas.ox.ac.uk Rozzy & Mr Cello introduce the oboe. Fun, close up, in a special music venue. Remember your own cushions! 10am & 11am under 5’s, 12 noon over 5’s. £5/£16.

18 Jan Festival of Lost Cities East Oxford Community Classics Centre Cheney School, OX3 7QH www.eoccc.org.uk

A Festival of Ancient Cities, this is a celebration of the great classical cities and areas of the school will be themed on different ancient sites! All ages are welcome, with activities and events for every age range. 3.30pm-7pm.

23 Jan The Adventures of Bookworm The Story Museum 42 Pembroke Street, OX1 1BP www.storymuseum.org.uk A fantastic Early Years activity with puppeteer and author Emma Boor!

Go along and meet book worm and join in his amazing adventures through the world of story books.

10.30am-11.30am.

23 Jan Reins - Live Band Showcase Pegasus Magdalen Road, OX4 1DY www.pegasustheatre.org.uk Pegasus and Oxfordshire Music Education Partnership (OMEP) present a selection of solo artists and bands from around the county in two showcases of original talent.

The next one is on 16 April. 7pm. £3 in advance, £4 on the door.

30 Jan Discovery Day Oxford Innovation Centre New Road, OX1 1BY www.scienceoxfordlive.com Drop in and have a go at a few of the science, engineering and

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What's on computing activities. Meet some of the Science Oxford team and try controlling a robot arm, build a torch to take home and melt sculptures using water! Ages 4-12.

10am-3pm.

31 Jan Funky Monkey & the Juicy Fruits Cornerstone 25 Station Road, Didcot OX11 7NE www.cornerstone-arts.org Packed with comedy, music, participation and puppetry, there’s lots for children to love in this jungle adventure. Funky Monkey is the coolest guy in the jungle until one day he loses his funk. Who’s got his funk and how he can get it back? Is it anything to do with what he eats? All will be revealed as we meet a whole host of characters and track down the Funk Doctor!

Ages 3-7. 2pm. £8.50/£6.50.

6 Feb FAMtastic Storytelling Yoga The Story Museum 42 Pembroke Street, OX1 1BP www.storymuseum.org.uk Enjoy favourite stories like Dear Zoo and Calm Down Boris while learning simple movement, breathing and relaxation exercises together with your child. Ages 3-5 years. 10.30am-11.15am. £3.00 on door/in advance £3.50.

12 Feb-19 Mar King Lear by Creation Theatre Blackwells Bookshop Broad Street, OX1 3BQ www.creationtheatre.co.uk Set in a basement amongst towering book stacks, follow Shakespeare's aging king and his three daughters in a tale of power, madness and betrayal as he divides his kingdom amongst them. At the Norrington Room in Blackwell's. 7.30pm. Book online.

6-28 Feb Granny Annie in Time for Bed www.storymuseum.org.uk Enjoy classic picture books and find new favourites at storytime with Grannie Annie. 11am-1pm.

Free with entry.

6-27 Feb Science Saturdays Oxford University Museum of Natural History Parks Road, OX1 3PW www.museums.ox.ac.uk Drop-in to the museum and investigate real natural history specimens with real live scientists.

Ages 8+. 2pm-4pm 7 Feb Bird Bonanza!

Wildlife Trust Sutton Courtenay, Abingdon, OX14 4TE www.earthtrust.org.uk Drop in and get to know feathered friends! Make a bird feeder, try twitching and build your own nest.

10am-2pm. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free.

7 Feb Comedy Club for Kids Cornerstone 25 Station Road, Didcot, OX11 7NE www.cornerstone-arts.org Back by popular demand! A guaranteed afternoon of cracking entertainment for big and little kids, as some of the best comedians from the UK circuit come and do what they do best, without the rude bits! 2pm. £8.50/£6.50.

7 Feb Cushion Concert St Hilda's College Jacqueline Du Pre Music Building, OX4 1DY www.sthildas.ox.ac.uk A Cushion Concert introducing children to the Tuba, showing how different instruments make music.

Each lasting 45 minutes, led by Roz with Mr Cello. Take your own cushions! 10am under 5's, 11am & 12pm for over 5's. £16/£5.

9-13 Feb Hetty Feather Oxford Playhouse 11 Beaumont Street, OX1 2LW www.oxfordplayhouse.com From best-selling author Jacqueline Wilson, the tale of plucky Hetty Feather is brought thrillingly to life. With beautiful storytelling, spectacular circus skills, original songs and live music, this critically acclaimed, five-star production offers the perfect treat for the whole family.

1pm, 5.30pm, 7pm.

13-21 Feb Outdoor Adventure Waddesdon Manor Aylesbury, HP18 0JH www.waddesdon.org.uk.

A range of activities covering the Feb half term for all ages. 11am3pm. Normal admission applies. £2 per child.

15 Feb K'nex Skeletons Oxford Town Hall St Aldate's, OX1 1BX www.scienceoxfordlive.com Why are our bones so important?

Why do we need a skeleton and what does it do? Join the Science Oxford team to design and build a skeleton for your own creature using K’nex and then test with model organs to see if your design works. Ages 6+. £8 per child.

15 Feb Mud Pie Monday!

Wildlife Trust, Sutton Courtenay, Abingdon, OX14 4TE www.earthtrust.org.uk Drop in for the first Mud Pie Monday of the year for buckets of mud and fun! Wellies and waterproofs advisable. Free taster session. 10am-11.30am.

17 Feb Woodland Adventure Wildlife Trust, Sutton Courtenay, Abingdon, OX14 4TE www.earthtrust.org.uk An expedition for 5-8 year old's.

Use detective skills to discover the secret destination for little ones to explore, build and play! 10am12noon. £4 suggested donation per child, accompanying adult(s) free.

18 Feb Here Be Monsters Cornerstone 25 Station Road, Didcot, OX11 7NE www.cornerstone-arts.org Join the villainous Captain CutThroat and his fearsome crew as they set sail through monsterinfested waters in search of a mysterious island crammed with jewels and gem stones. The Captain is certain that ‘monsters simply don’t exist,’ but as they near the island and the mist closes in around them, his crew are not so sure. 2pm. £10/£8 27 Feb Nick Cope's Song Book The Story Museum 42 Pembroke Street, OX1 1BP www.storymuseum.org.uk Monkeys, bears, socks and mud!

Nick Cope sings about everything children are really interested in, and you’re invited to join in!

10.30am-11.30am. £5/£3 29 Feb Russell Kane Stand-up Comedy Oxford Playhouse 11 Beaumont Street, OX1 2LW www.oxfordplayhouse.com For parents in need of some light entertainment after a busy festive season, why not book a date night to see this brand new show!

Where Russell Kane unleashes a blisteringly funny, award-winning stand-up performance about growing up, growing down, and why parps will always be funny…

8pm. £17/£15

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LOCAL CLUBS n CLASSES JANUARY 2016

Classes clubs & activities

At Families we want to provide you with up-to-date local clubs and classes for your children. Here are just some of those near you. Don’t forget to drop us a line, with any great classes you know about. If you do make contact with any of these classes, remember to say where you saw them.

FOOTBALL W R Soccer Schools 07547 29 20 12 wrsoccer.co.uk Kiddikicks 01296 290204 Midbucks.kiddikicks.co.uk

Water Babies 01869 325499 waterbabies.co.uk

Premier Tennis 0845 475 1147 premiertennis.co.uk

Puddleducks 01666 577377 puddleducks.com

MARTIAL ARTS

Little Monkey’s Gym n Swim 07855 324417 janebrooksgymandswim.com

Arsenel Soccer Schools playthearsenalway.com 077921 72430

MUSIC AND SONG

Little Kickers littlekickers.co.uk 01235 859 250

Monkey Music Oxford 01865 408037 monkeymusic.co.uk/area/oxford

BABY AND TOTS

My Sound My Self – Musicianship 07545 122 869 mysoundmyself.com

Boogie Beats boogiebeat.co.uk 07787 121 628 Nature Tots bbowt.org.uk 01235 862024

Matrix Music School & Arts Centre 01235 847264 matrixmusicschool.co.uk

MAD Academy (Oxford) madacademy.com 01869 369502

Clockwork Music 07528 146891 clockworkmusic.co.uk

Baby College 01865 436920 babycollegeoxford.co.uk

Salt Box Music Co. 01993 704207 saltboxmusic.co.uk

Tiny Tigers Education 01235 364371 tinytigerseducation.co.uk

Tatty Bumpkin Family Yoga tattybumpkin.com/seoxfordshire 07772 966039 Whitestar Performers Yoga whitestaryogaanddance.co.uk 07717 837 706

Oxford Martial Arts Academy omaa.org.uk 01865 711 333 Oxfordshire Taekwon-do & Little Puma’s oxfordshiretkd.co.uk 07831 950 850

ART Creative Art lisajayne.uk.com 01608 677558

Shaolin Mantis King Fu oxfordkungfu.co.uk 07917 334 818

Beatrice Hoffman Sculpture beatricehoffman.co.uk 01865 391502

Aikido for Children shudokan-oxford.co.uk 07773 982719

Buttermilk Art School Georgeirvinefineart.co.uk 0754 915 7855

Rising Spirit Academy rising-spirit-academy.co.uk 0800 019 6655

Art Club Janestrother.co.uk

Oxford School of Martial Arts schoolofmartialarts.com 01865 370339

LANGUAGES

GYMNASTICS Abingdon Gymnastics Club abingdongymclub.co.uk 01865 340992

Coyotes ELE

Oxford School of Gymnastics oxfordschoolofgymnastics.com

BirdSong Music 01865 559649 birdsongmusic.co.uk

Clockwork French

Carterton Gymnastics Club carterton-gym.co.uk

SWIMMING

TENNIS

Chris Polatch

Dippers & Divers Dippersanddivers.co.uk 01235 763328

Teach Me Tennis 01491 728 081 teachmetennis.co.uk

0845 450 4909 cp-fl.com/home

Kinetic Gymnastics kineticgymnastics.org.uk 07792 442 906

Oxford Swim School 01865 864537 Oxfordswinschool.co.uk

Oxford Family Tennis Club davidlloyd.co.uk/Oxford/Tennis_ Club‎ 01865 848 658

spanishcoyotes.com 07528 146891

YOGA Mum-Baby Yoga harmonyoftheheart.co.uk 07719 716 273

To advertise your business with

Oxfordshire

call 01993 815966 fo

r a 019 Ca fr 93 ll ee 81 tr 3 3 ia l s 73 es si on

Ruth Nuttall School of Dance

Children’s ballet, tap and freestyle dance classes classes are held at the Recreation Hall in Long Hanborough,Witney Dance lessons in Oxford & surrounding areas for children of all ages and abilities.

Opportunities to enter competitions, or to simply enjoy freestyle disco and commercial dancing taught by professionals.

Classes held in Bicester, Cowley, Witney & Woodstock

07824 313526 ruthnuttall29@hotmail.com Ruth Nuttall School of Dance

www.flairdancestudio.co.uk February 2016 16 January/ Call 01993 815 966 to advertise with us

First two lessons are free

www.familiesoxfordshire.co.uk