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Education What’s On Early Years Clubs & Classes
Issue 103 March/April 2022 Familiesonline.co.uk
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Families London Surrey Borders
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CONTENTS
CONTACT US: EDITOR:
Tamar Pearson T: 075 3714 1998 E: editor@families-lsb.co.uk Design: Rebecca Carr Printed by: Buxton Press Limited Next issue: May/June Booking deadline: 7 April Readership of over 65,000 local parents, carers and teachers every issue. Published six times a year. For families from birth to twelve.
Welcome Spring has sprung, and the colours are brightening up the day. You can’t but help smile when you see the birds busy nest building and butterflies as they dance with the breeze. This issue is packed with local news and education news starting from page 4. We also have our regular Open Day Directory on page 11 and a bumper What’s On, packed with wonderful activities for all the family. Plus, a new addition to our very popular What’s On sections- What’s On for under 5’s. Meet Miss Edwards, Early Years specialist and Head of Cumnor House Boys’ School and one of my favourite features of the year: Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond – A Tribute to Mother’s, which promised lots of useful and interesting information for all Mother’s. Happy reading!
Tamar xx
IN THIS ISSUE: 4 News 6 Clubs & classes directory 8 Education 9 Meet the Head 11 Open day directory 12 Parenting 14 What’s on Cover image:
www.depositphotos.com
Families London Surrey Borders Magazine is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of this magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Print Ltd. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but Families Print Ltd, its distributors, franchisees and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequences thereof. Familiesonline.co.uk
There’s a different way. Nursery | Boys | Girls | Surrey
The Cumnor Way. Cumnor House School, has a proud tradition of providing an exceptional education to boys and girls between the ages of 2 and 13.
Contact Admissions 0208 660 3445 admissions@cumnorhouse.com cumnorhouse.com Families London Surrey Borders
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NEWS
Local News
Make it more fun with Rugbytots Perform classes will build your child’s confidence
Perform puts children’s social development at the heart of their weekly sessions for 4-7s and 7-12s. Using performing arts-based games and inspiring activities, their classes are designed to boost confidence, build concentration, develop communication skills and hone coordination – and are brimming with fun and laughter too. Run by professionally trained actors, dancers and singers, classes are kept small to ensure individual attention, with regular progress reports provided. Fantastic termly resources – such as free apps, music downloads and dance videos - support each theme, meaning the fun continues at home. But don’t just take Perform’s word for it, see what parents say by visiting www.perform.org.uk The beaming smile you see when Annabelle finishes a class is so wonderful to see. She has grown in confidence and thoroughly enjoys it. – Katie Pashley Children can join at any point during the term and will still take part in the end of term performance. Classes are for all abilities; children just need to arrive ready to have the best fun of the week! Book a no-obligation FREE trial class to get started at perform.org. uk/try. Families readers receive a £40 discount when booking before 31st March, just quote LSB 310322. Call 020 7255 9120, email enquiries@perform.org.uk or visit perform.org.uk/try
Away Resorts: A promise of memories that last a lifetime. Away Resorts is a collection of naturally beautiful holiday parks, each in outstanding locations, with their own style and personality. Whether you desire coastal or country locations, full-on fun or a relaxing time with loved ones, each resort is alive with character and atmosphere, and specially crafted to suit your needs. So, are you ready to fall in love with a new type of holiday? A holiday that puts you first, where your accommodation is off-thescale amazing and where new experiences await at every turn. A holiday to create “remember when we did that?” moments that will last a lifetime. More at www.awayresorts.co.uk
AS SEEN ON
MAKE YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT MORE FUN!
TRY RUGBYTOTS Our dynamic weekly play sessions enable boys and girls aged 2–7 to develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment. For more details, just call or email:
0345 313 3242
enquiries@rugbytots.co.uk
Rugbytots is the world’s favourite rugby play programme! The dynamic weekly sessions enable boys and girls aged 2-7 to develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment. The Rugbytots motto is simple: “make it more fun”! This is achieved by delivering their specifically designed programme for each age group with energy, enthusiasm and excitement. This creates an atmosphere in the class that is totally unique and engaging for parents and children alike. Rugbytots runs all year round, including throughout the summer. The classes are split into three age ranges; 2-3.5 years, 3.5-5 years and 5-7 years. Local venues include: Croydon, Sutton, Epsom, Reigate, Leatherhead and more! Classes are run on the weekends, with weekday sessions also available in some areas. To find your nearest class, visit www.rugbytots.co.uk
Participate in British Science Week British Science Week is a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering, and maths which takes place from 11 to 20 March. A range of FREE activity packs and other resources suitable for all age groups can also be downloaded for fun family activities in the home. To find a local event, visit www.britishscienceweek.org
Would you like to learn to sew? Classes for children, teens and adults info@ stitchesacademy.co.uk www.stitchesacademy.co.uk 16 upper Mulgrave Road, Cheam, Sutton, SM2 7AZ
CHILDREN & ADULT YOGA CLASSES Christchurch Hall Walton on the Hill
Childrens Classes Thursday’s: Years 1-5
4:30 - 5:10pm
Year 6+
5:15 - 6:00pm
Enquires for both Adult & Childrens classes: Lisa - 07950 226249
rugbytots.co.uk
lisa@surreyheathyoga.co.uk
The world’s favourite rugby play programme
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Families London Surrey Borders
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NEWS
Meet Lisa, local Mum of two young and Yogapreneur
Plastic-free Red Nose Day!
Having suffered with anxiety from a young age, Lisa grew up not understanding how her mind was controlling her body, and then in her mid-twenties, when her anxiety was at its peak, she discovered Yoga. ‘’My Yoga journey, instilled in me a confidence, that has allowed me to manage my anxiety and has taught my mind how to reflect and be still during turbulent times and most importantly, understanding the link between my body and mind, and how they impact on each other.’’ says Lisa.
There will be eight characters to track down, including the colourful Cam the chameleon. All Noses will be 100% plastic free, making them green as well as red. Red Nose Day is a campaign created by Comic Relief to help raise awareness of and put an end to child poverty. So why not buy some red noses and help raise money to keep children safe, healthy and educated?
Lisa offers classes in Tadworth and Walton on Hill, for both adults and children where the main focus is calmness and stillness, enabling students to have confidence to manage their thoughts and be at peace with stillness. If you would like more information on classes, either for yourself or your child please contact Lisa on lisa@surreyheathyoga.co.uk or call 07950 226249. More info at www.surreyheathyoga.co.uk
Red Nose Day 2022 will return on Friday 18 March and will feature a collection of the “wildest bunch” of character noses yet.
As well as making a donation, you can find tips on creating your own fundraiser or planning a school fundraising event at www. rednoseday.com
Feature your business in our next issue and reach 1,000’s of local parents. Email editor@families-LSB.co.uk for more information.
Distributor Wanted Redhill Area We are looking for someone to distribute our magazine in the Redhill area. If you are trustworthy, reliable, have a car and a few hours to spare every two months and would like to earn some extra money then please contact Tamar for full details.
editor@families-LSB.co.uk
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CLUBS & CLASSES
CLUBS & CLASSES DIRECTORY Preschool and Toddler Aquatots Various locations Swim programme for children from 10 wks-8 yrs. www.aquatots.com
Busylizzy Reigate Join our community of like-minded mums in Reigate for support, fitness and wellbeing along your pregnancy and postnatal journey. Busylizzy is a great way to have fun whilst getting fit with your little one. https://busylizzy.co.uk Mini Athletics Reigate, Dorking, Sutton, Croydon Structured and fun athletics programme for children 2–7 yrs. www.miniathletics.com Monkey Music Reigate, Lingfield, Epsom, Ashtead, Walton on the Hill, Bookham Providing a progressive curriculum for children aged 3 months to 4 years, supporting learning and development in a safe and nurturing environment. www.monkeymusic.co.uk/area/ leatherhead-dorking Rugbytots Croydon, Sutton, Epsom, Reigate, Leatherhead and more Rugby play programme offering dynamic weekly sessions which enable boys and girls aged 2-7 to develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment. www.rugbytots.co.uk
The Lotus Practice - Baby Massage and Yoga Croydon Baby yoga is relaxing and enjoyable for both mum and babies and supports bonding. Massage offers a unique way to raise the ‘feel-good’ hormone oxytocin in yourself and your baby. www.thelotuspractice.com
TumbleTots Epsom Epsom, Ewell, Sutton, North Cheam A progressive play programme designed to develop children’s balance, climbing and co-ordination, which enhances brain development and builds confidence. From 6 months old who can sit up unaided. www.tumbletots.com/epsom
Axten 1-2-1 Private Football Coaching Across London & Surrey 1-2-1 football coaching with UEFA B License football coach for beginners to professionals. www.axtenfc.com Great Waves Swimming Academy Various locations Lessons for swimmers of all ages and abilities. 1-2-1 and 2-2-1 lessons are available. www.greatwaves.co.uk
Kidslingo Coulsdon, Tadworth, Banstead Fun French classes suitable for children of all ages from birth-11 yrs. www.kidslingo.co.uk Rock Project Croydon Caterham, Purley The Rock Project teaches 7-11 and 12-18 yr olds Drums, Guitar, Bass Guitar and Vocals. www.therockproject.com/croydon
Performing Arts Ashtead Ballet School Venues across Ashtead Classes for students from 3 years to adult in ballet, tap, modern and, for older students, body conditioning and pointe work. www.ashteadballetschool.co.uk C&C Dance School S.Nutfield, Redhill, Reigate, Merstham A wide range of classes in dance & drama for pupils aged 18 months to adults, including ISTD Graded examinations in Ballet, Modern & Tap and LAMDA Speech and Drama. www.candcdanceschool.co.uk Hidden Gems Theatre School Coulsdon Performing Arts Theatre School specialising in musical theatre, dance, singing & drama for kids ages 3-16. Youth MHFA, BAST singing teacher. Holiday Workshops. www.hiddengemstheatreschool. co.uk Perform weekly drama, dance and singing classes Purley, Cheam, Caterham, Reigate, Oxted Confidence building fun for 4-12s. A unique mix of drama games, dance and singing specially designed to boost confidence, communication, concentration, and coordination. Use LSB310322 for a £40 discount when you book before 31 March. Book a free trial online at www. perform.org.uk/try
Bus Stop Forest School Training üLevel 2 & 3 Forest School Training üOutdoor Learning Certificates üForest School Consultancy Service üForest School Taster Sessions for üPractitioners üEarly Years & Secondary Level Students learn alongside experienced Forest School leaders and amazing pre-school children at our amazing Forest School setting in Polesden Lacey Estate, Bookham. 01372 879712 I busstoppreschool@aol.co.uk Follow us on Instagram: busstopforest
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Active Sports
Families London Surrey Borders
MultiSports Sutton and Cheam Nonsuch High School for Girls MultiSports gives boys and girls of all abilities between 4-16 yrs a unique learning experience in the world of sport. The extensive programme covers 18 individual and team sports across the year. www.multisportssutton.co.uk Surrey Heath Yoga Tadworth and Walton on the Hill Gentle & calming adult yoga classes. 1-2-1 & private group sessions in your home or local studio. Fun and interactive children’s yoga classes in studio or at schools. www.surreyheathyoga.co.uk
Art, Language and Music Art K Various locations Art learning in the studio and at home, to suit every pupil who loves art! www.art-k.co.uk
Stitches Academy of Sewing and Creative Arts Cheam Sewing and textiles classes for children and adults. Lessons take place daytimes, afterschool, evenings and at the weekends. 121 and home education groups available. www.stitchesacademy.co.uk
Academic Tuition First Class Learning Various locations Providing expert English and maths tuition for children of all ages and abilities. www.firstclasslearning.co.uk Maths Masters Epsom, Tadworth & Redhill Professional, affordable maths tuition clubs for children at Key Stages 1-2. Fun and friendly, small groups 1-3 ratio. www.maths-masters.co.uk
Mock Test Masters Sutton, Croydon, Wallington Specialist providers of 11+ mock tests in the UK. www.mocktestmasters.co.uk
Craft My Day Worcester Park Crafts activities for all ages and abilities that range from papercraft, decoupage, painting, printing, powertex, sewing and much more! www.craftmyday.com
Starlight Learning Kenley, Caterham, Purley, Coulsdon A small tuition group designed for children in yrs 3-6. www.starlightlearning.co.uk
Dunottar Saturday Music Academy Reigate Music tuition for young musicians aged 5-18. All abilities welcome. Piano, Singing, Woodwind, Strings, Brass and Music Theory. www.dunottarschool.com/ musicacademy
Get your club or class seen by 1000’s of local parents for less than £20 per month. Call Tamar on 075 3714 1998 or email
editor@families-lsb.co.uk
for more information.
Calling all young Scientists! Help us discover how babies & kids learn! We’re recruiting infants from birth to school age to take part in fun studies at Birkbeck’s Babylab & ToddlerLab in central London. Our prime locations are easy to reach and we refund travel expenses. We also have online studies you can do from the comfort of home www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk/online-studies
020 3926 1207 babylab@bbk.ac.uk www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk Familiesonline.co.uk
EDUCATION
. le p eo Little P
. as de I Big
• Flexible nursery options to suit your ‘new normal’ • A choice of days and times to suit you • Monthly payments and ‘pay as you go’ holiday club • Outstanding academic results, exceeding National averages by 18% for Writing, and 17% in Maths • Qualified and Specialist teachers providing creative, innovative teaching for even our littlest people • Finalist in the ISA Awards for our work with the Lego Foundation and the Institute of Engineering and Technology
Call 01372 372311 or email admissions@downsend.co.uk to arrange a tour. Familiesonline.co.uk
Families London Surrey Borders
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EDUCATION NEWS
Why children thrive at Little Oaks Under Fives Little Oaks Under Fives Pre School offer sessional preschool places to children aged from 2 to 5, where they are encouraged to take the lead in their own development, with qualified staff supporting them whenever required. At Little Oak’s children can enjoy outside or inside when they wish, and every Friday children enjoy a Forest School session. Forest School is an inspirational process that gives all children an opportunity to achieve and develop confidence and self-esteem through hands on learning experiences, in a woodland area. Forest school helps the children grow in confidence whilst learning new boundaries and taking new risks under supervision.
Dunottar win Championship Award at the Lego League tournament First Lego League is a global science and technology challenge for teams of students, aged 9-16 years. It aims to encourage an interest in real world issues and develop key skills that are crucial for their future careers. This inter-school’s competition challenges teams to work together to explore a given topic; designing, building and programming an autonomous Lego robot to solve a series of missions. As well as the overall Championship Award, a Dunottar team won both the Project Award and the Robot Performance Award for scoring the highest points in the robot challenges.
Little Oak’s promote independence and teach the children British values and celebrate different events with the neighbouring residential home.
This second-year win is testament to the inspirational computer science teaching at Dunottar, the success of the school’s Robotics Club and focus on ensuring pupils are gaining the digital skills that employers and government say are vital.
More info: www.littleoakshurstgreen.co.uk
More at: www.dunottarschool.com
Inspiring the content creators of the future at Little Downsend The teams at Little Downsend have been on a digital journey as they focus on the next phase of their Ed-Tech strategy. So far this year, the team have taken steps towards their Microsoft Innovative Educator status, learned about video integration app Flipgrid, and have worked with the Book Creator app to give children ways to combine text, images and audio. Alongside this, Little Downsend is working with Common Sense Media, to make sure that internet safety and digital citizenship are high on the agenda. With all Reception and Year 1 children receiving their own 1:1 iPad, and children in Nursery working with one device between two, the team are carefully and creatively integrating technology into the classroom in a way that deepens and stretches learning, whilst firmly embedding it in the 21st Century. Come and see future skills in action at Little Downsend by booking a tour: www.downsend.co.uk
Is your daughter ready for Reception this September? If so, Croydon High School invites you to join their Ready 4 Reception afternoon on Thu 31 March from 1.15pm–2.30pm. If your daughter is about to embark on the great adventure that starts in Reception, you will want to make sure she makes the best possible start. Croydon High’s unique approach to laying the allimportant foundations that help every little girl blossom into the best version of herself. Because it’s never too soon to encourage her to dream big and believe she can do anything! At this Ready 4 Reception event, your daughter will enjoy a variety of fun activities and you will have the opportunity to chat with other parents and hear from highly experienced staff about what to expect and what you can do to prepare her for this next big step! Register for the event on 31 March bit.ly/CHSReady4Reception or for a personal tour before or after this date email: c.macmillan@cry. gdst.net 8
Families London Surrey Borders
Ewell Castle Tennis Academy ranked one of the best The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) is responsible for the administration and development of tennis throughout Surrey, and have awarded Ewell Castle Tennis Academy the prestigious LTA 2022 Surrey Tennis ‘School of the Year’ Award, heralding them as one of the most successful tennis schools in the UK. The Ewell Castle Tennis Academy is a scholarship scheme for girls and boys at the Senior School who have the potential to become professional tennis players. The Tennis Academy, currently ranked 7th in the UK, includes pupils playing at county and national level, delivering high level tennis coaching alongside an independent school tailored curriculum. The academy Head Coach is renowned coach and former player Tom Burn, who reached an ATP best 550 and went on to become part of Eugenie Bouchard’s coaching team as she made it to the Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles Final. More at: www.ewellcastle.co.uk/tennis-academy
Cumnor House School features in the Cricketer’s Top 50 Prep Schools Surrey based, Cumnor House School, is so proud to feature in the Cricketer’s Top 50 Prep Schools for the third year running. Cricket is part of the school’s DNA with a strong cricket culture in the playground. Fundamentals to cricket are introduced in the lower school with competitive fixtures in Year three onwards. In most year groups the school fields four teams and the A teams take part in tournaments and international cricket tours. The majority of the school’s ABC team players play for club, county district or full county age-group teams and many of the school’s alumni have gone on to play at professional and international level. More at: www.cumnorhouse.com
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EDUCATION
EDUCATION
Meet the Head at Cumnor House Boys’ School
Meet the Head
Cumnor House Boys’ School is an IAPS Preparatory Boys’ School in the Croydon area, with 280 pupils in the Boys’ school and over 100 pupils in their two Kindergarten and Preschools. Miss Edwards is an Early Years specialist and joined Cumnor House in 2004 as a Reception class teacher. She soon became the Head of Early Years, as well as taking on the role of SENCo and Designated Safeguarding Lead. By 2013 she was appointed Head of Learning Support and Director of Studies, and has since had the roles of Assistant Head, Senior Deputy Head and was appointed Head in 2020.
allocations are similar to that of a senior school which enables them to transition smoothly. How does the School’s pastoral care provision help support children with any anxieties associated with settling into Senior school? Pastoral care is extremely important; form tutors spend time assessing and observing how the boys are doing. Any additional support needed is provided on an individual basis. We also have nurture groups which focus on teaching strategies to manage anxiety.
What attracted you to Cumnor House Boys’ School? Cumnor House has always had an excellent reputation. After teaching in Yorkshire for two years it was time to move back to my hometown. Independent schools offer so much more than just education to children. Pastoral care, high academic standards and an emphasis on the importance of the wellbeing of children is paramount. How would you describe the ethos of Cumnor House Boys’ School? Our ethos is one of compassion and kindness. We embed the Cumnor Way throughout the school and focus on ‘The five core values’: courage, compassion, integrity, endeavour and belief, that all our boys, families and staff follow. What inspired you to teach at a boys school? I was always interested in the way boys learn and develop. Having four sisters meant that my family was very female dominant, and I wanted to make a difference to boys’ in our society, teaching them to show their emotions and to promote positive mental health.
Special feature
at all times. What do you think are the key skills that children should have mastered by the time they enter Senior school? The boys should be well rounded, have skills across the curriculum and be able to flourish in areas that they are interested and excited in. A high level of Maths and English is important; and reading and language skills are key to their success. How would you describe that Cumnor House Boys’ School supports the boys in this important stage of the educational journey? As a prep school it is our role to prepare them for their future school. We do this by providing excellent teaching and enabling the boys to be successful at a high level in Sport and Music.
How would the students describe you?
How does the school help children transition to the senior school environment?
The boys would describe me as kind, they know that I care about them and want the best from them. They would also say that I have very high expectations and like them to work hard, be kind and show integrity
From Kindergarten upwards the children have a busy timetable with different lessons delivered by specialist teachers. As they move into the Upper school in Year 5 their timetable and subject
What sport and/or co-curricular activities does the school offer which really engage students in the first two years of their life at the school? All boys have weekly swimming lessons in our on-site swimming pool. They are able to take part in swimming galas from Reception up to Year 8. Our boys have specialist Rugby, Football and Cricket coaches and have the opportunity to join a number of choirs and music ensembles. Some of our most popular clubs include computer coding, mindful yoga, DT club and dinosaur club. Cumnor House is currently U11 Surrey Prep Schools Cricket Cup 2021 Winners and U11 ECSA National Cricket Cup 2021 Winners and one of the top 50 Prep schools for cricket in the UK. What are the qualities of a great teacher? To be a great teacher you need to be able to build a good rapport with your pupils; they need to know that you care about them, and you want them to do well. Teachers should be role models. What advice would you give to parents choosing a school? Visit the school when the pupils are there on a typical day. Sometimes it can be very different to visiting on an open day. Make sure the school suits your child, importantly, ask what opportunities will be afforded to them and if the environment allow them to flourish. Most importantly, ask will they be happy there? What did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a teacher, of course! What is your real-life superpower? Kindness; making sure other people are happy is very important to me. Find out more about Cumnor House Boys’ School at www.cumnorhouse.com
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Families London Surrey Borders
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EDUCATION Finally, introduce children to effective goal setting. This must include flexibility, short and long-term goals and enough challenge to maintain motivation. Goal setting allows learners to create targets that they would like to work on independently and achieve in a given time frame. Research has found that when people wrote down their goals, they were thirty three per cent more likely to achieve them than those who kept them in their minds. Encourage children to make a to-do list so that their goals feel more concrete. Overall, developing independent learners is easy to say but hard to do. It takes time, effort and repetition to ingrain these habits. But if you persist, your child will reap the benefits for many years to come.
Encouraging your child to become an independent learner
Bradley Busch and Edward Watson are the writers of the book A Parent’s Guide to The Science of Learning: 77 Studies That Every Parent Needs to Know out now in paperback, published by Routledge, David Fulton.
By Bradley Busch and Edward Watson As children get older and progress within the education system, how they manage their time and how efficiently and effectively they study by themselves becomes an ever-increasing premium skill. So, what does academic research tell us about how parents can help facilitate this? Let’s look at three different but related techniques. The first is knowing that developing independent learners goes hand in hand with improving self-reflection. The more selfaware children are, the more likely that they can manage potential distractions. Self-monitoring is a skill that can be developed by encouraging students to ask themselves good questions, such as ‘how can I get better?’ and ‘where do I do my best work?’ Another way to improve independent learning is to help children become better at managing their time. Left to their own devices, people tend to procrastinate. In fact, some studies have found that seventy five per cent of students consider themselves procrastinators, with fifty per cent procrastinating regularly and to a level that is considered problematic. Research suggests that most students are poor at estimating how long a task will take to complete, as they get distracted or face unexpected obstacles along the way. This is called ‘the Planning Fallacy.’ One study found that one of the best ways to overcome the Planning Fallacy is with small, regular deadlines. This was proven to help children manage their time better and perform significantly better in their work, achieving higher grades overall.
A sense of purpose This is all about getting students to care about what they are doing. If they care about it, they are more invested in it and are more likely to apply themselves. One study that illustrated this manipulated the environment that students were taught in. Some students were told that they had to study hard because there would be a test. Others were told that studying hard was simply what was expected of them. A third group of students were told that learning the material would really help them achieve their goals. The result? Those who had the instruction that learning the topic would be useful to them (i.e those who were given a sense of purpose) rated the material as more important and were more likely to put more effort into it. A sense of purpose can be encouraged in a number of ways. Something as simple as completing the sentence ‘doing well at this will help me because…’ is a good starting point here.
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Woodfield Secondary School Woodfield Secondary School in Redhill, caters for the needs of students with learning and associated difficulties and are currently recruiting for the following positions. Classroom Teaching Assistants I One to One Teaching Assistants IT Support/Teaching Assistant Do you have passion, drive, enthusiasm and a willingness to go the extra mile to make a real difference to the lives of all our pupils with special educational needs and disabilities? If you are interested, please email: hresources@woodfield.surrey. sch.uk to request further information and an applicaation form. www.woodfield.surrey.sch.uk Sunstone Grove, Merstham, Surrey, RH1 3PR
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EDUCATION
Independent School Open Mornings Many open events require advance booking, so please contact the school to check. Banstead Prep Banstead, SM7 3RA bansteadprep.com 01737 363601 Co–educational Prep school. Pupils 2–11 yrs Open Event - Fri 18 March Box Hill School Dorking, RH5 6EA boxhillschool.com Sat 19 March, Tue 29 March, Thu 28 April Chinthurst School Tadworth, KT20 5AP 01737 812 011 chinthurstschool.co.uk Wed 16 March City of London Freeman’s Ashstead Park, KT21 1ET 013 7282 2423 clfs.surrey.sch.uk Fri 25 March, for children in Year 5, looking to join Freemen’s in Year 7 September 2023 Croydon High School Croydon CR2 8YB croydonhigh.gdst. net 020 8260 7508 Independent Girls’ Day School. Pupils 3–18 yrs Ready for Reception - Thu 31 March Cumnor House Boys & Tree Tops Nursery South Croydon, CR2 6DA cumnorhouse.com 020 8660 3445 Independent day school for boys Pupils 2–13 yrs Whole School Open Week Mon 25 – Fri 29 April Cumnor House Girls & Tree Tops Nursery Purley, CR8 3HB cumnorhouse.com 020 8668 0050 Independent day school for girls Pupils 2–11 yrs Whole School Open Week Mon 25 – Fri 29 April
Downsend School Leatherhead, Ashtead and Epsom downsend.co.uk Co–educational Pre prep school Pupils 2–6 yrs Year 2 to Year 11 – Fri 11 March To book a 1 to 1 tour with the Head of Little Downsend visit the website.
Dunottar School Reigate, RH2 7EL dunottarschool.com Co-educational day school Pupils 11-18 yrs Tue 1 March, Tue 29 March Elmhurst School for Boys, and Little Elms Nursery South Croydon, CR2 7DW elmhurstschool.net 020 8688 0661 Independent day school for boys Pupils 2–11 yrs Fri 18 March Essendene Lodge Caterham, CR3 5PB essendenelodge.co.uk 018 8334 8349 Thu 28 April Ewell Castle Junior and Senior Ewell, KT17 2AW ewellcastle.co.uk 020 8393 1413 Co-educational day school Pupils 3–18 yrs Fri 11 March The Hawthorns School Bletchingley, RH1 4QJ hawthorns.com Thu 24 March Kingswood House School Epsom, KT19 8LG kingswoodhouse.org Fri 29 April Laleham Lea Purley, CR8 3J 020 8660 3351 lalehamlea.co.uk Open Week – Mon 7 – Fri 11 March Lingfield College Lingfield, RH7 6PH lingfieldcollege.co.uk Nursery & Prep – Sat 19 March Old Palace School of John Whitgift Prep - South Croydon, CR2 7YN Senior – Croydon, CR0 1AX 020 8688 2027 oldpalace.croydon.sch.uk Pre School & Reception - Thu 10 March
Banstead Prep School is a diverse and inclusive community dedicated to equipping children with skills for life and helping each individual grow in character and be the best they can be. With senior school standard facilities, Banstead Prep can offer the broadest range of opportunities as part of a an engaging, innovative, and exciting curriculum, helping to achieve the highest possible ambition for every child.
Take a virtual tour at bansteadprep.com/admissions
Reigate St Mary’s Reigate, RH2 7RN reigatestmarys.org Thu 10 March Seaton House School Sutton, SM2 5LH 020 8642 2332 seatonhouse.sutton.sch.uk Sat 19 March
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An independent school and nursery for girls and boys aged 2-11, where there’s more to a good education.
Sutton Lane I Banstead admissions@bansteadprep.com I 01737 363600 www.bansteadprep.com Families London Surrey Borders
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PARENTING Birth, Pregnancy and Beyond – Our Tribute to Mother’s this Mother’s Day
What is a doula and why hire them? As a mum of 6, you might guess I’m passionate about all things birth-related. Eight years into parenthood, I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t surrounded by fellow birth enthusiasts. This is what led me to my work as a birth and postnatal doula, a breastfeeding counsellor and an antenatal educator.
Top Tips for recovering from birth using yoga By Hannah Barrett Yoga can be particular good for helping mind and body recover from birth. Here are my five tips for recovery using yoga. Take a deep breath Motherhood is incredible but often extremely intense. Breathing consciously is the essence of yoga, helping us stay grounded and present. Try this yogic breathing exercise to reduce stress and release endorphins: Inhale through the nose from the base of your stomach feeling the stomach rise like you’re blowing up a balloon. Keep inhaling, sending the breath upwards through the chest, feeling the ribs moving outwards, sideways and backwards. Finally send the breath all the way to the collarbones, filling the lungs as full as they will go. Exhale slowly, through the nose, feeling the body release all the way down to the base of the stomach. Aim for each inhale and exhale to be as slow as possible (4-8 counts). Repeat for 10 to 20 rounds, 2 to3 minutes or as long as desired. There is no rush The prime focus, particularly in the six weeks after birth, is on rest and caring for yourself and your new baby. If you feel ready to get back to exercise, start slowly. Tune in to how your body is feeling and if it doesn’t feel right, then don’t do it. Pelvic floor is key Invisible yoga! It may be boring but having strong pelvic floor muscles prevents incontinence and pelvic pain and is important for healing. Try these exercises daily for 3 to 4 months: Inhale, then exhale to pull up your front and back passage as if trying to stop yourself passing urine and flatulence, without clenching your buttocks. Tighten, then relax fully and repeat ten times as you breathe, aiming for three times per day. Inhale, and then exhale engaging your pelvic floor as above. This time aim to hold for up to ten seconds as you breathe normally and then relax fully. Repeat ten times, aiming for a few times per day. Don’t forget your deep abdominals The transverse abdominus is the deepest abdominal muscle and activating it flattens the abdomen and can help provide stability to the spine and pelvis area. Strengthening this muscle can improve core control and reduce diastasis recti. How to engage your TRA: Lie on your back with knees bent. Inhale, then exhale pulling your lower stomach in, imagining your hip bones are two magnets being drawn in towards each other, or as though you are trying to get on a tight pair of jeans. Repeat ten times. Now try holding the contraction. Inhale, then exhale as you pull in your lower stomach as described and count up to 5 or 10 whilst keeping this engagement. Repeat x 10. Aim to do this twice per day. Hannah Barrett is a yoga Instructor, author and Postnatal Health & Fitness Specialist. For more information, visit www. hannahbarrettyoga.com 12
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As a society, we have moved away from the once-normal behaviours of leaning towards the wise women in our circles, but in other cultures it is still absolutely embedded in their normality. Doulas (pronounced doo-luh) are those wise women. Most have experienced birth themselves, and all passionately support others through pregnancy, birth and the early days of parenthood. Doulas are client-led, encouraging autonomy and empowerment whilst supporting clients to experience birth in a positive way. We also support new families in the early days after their baby arrives, sharing wisdom around infant behaviours and supporting feeding decisions. We ensure new mothers are well nourished, able to rest and have someone to talk to when they feel unsure or overwhelmed. I love talking about my work, so to learn more please visit www. maternal-instincts.co.uk and get in touch for a chat.
Closing the Bones Closing the Bones is a way to support a woman’s recovery after childbirth, however she birthed her child; to celebrate the amazing abilities of her body and to close the circle of pregnancy and birth. The ceremony creates a moment of stillness, of meditative peace and reflection in the rollercoaster of emotions of new motherhood. Originating in Ecuador, Closing the Bones is a postnatal ritual, which uses a massage and the warming, nurturing use of a shawl wrapped around pelvis to support the womb and pelvic area after the dramatic changes of pregnancy and birth. It is particularly potent in the postpartum period. However, every mother benefits from this process no matter how long ago she birthed. Women’s experiences differ widely, however many experience healing on the physical, emotional and spiritual levels as they re-centre their energy and free their bodies from remnants of pregnancy and birth and reignite their centre of creativity in a new way. Visit www.closingthebonesmassage.com to find a practitioner.
Maternal Instincts Bespoke antenatal education with hypnobirthing Birth and Postnatal Doula University Qualified Breastfeeding Support Traumatic Birth Recovery Parent First Aid Courses
Contact Helen 07485 477805 www.maternal-instincts.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk
PARENTING
What’s On for Under 5’s Mon, 10–11.30am term-time only Little Cumnor Stay and Play Cumnor House Kindergarten & Preschool, Purley https://bit.ly/3562g4f Weekly stay and play session. A great way to meet other parents in the local community and to familiarise families with Cumnor House and the facilities available. Sessions are interactive for both parents and children and include a variety of activities. Each session will end with a drink and a snack for both toddlers and parents. Mon & Fri Happy Wild Ones Forest School Frylands Wood Scout Camp, CR0 9AA www.wildonesforestschool. co.uk Weekly forest school sessions in for children 18months-5 years. Mon, 10–11am Park Explorers Morden Hall Park, SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ morden-hall-park Children and adults learn together about the natural world around them with outdoor activities based in the grounds of Morden Hall Park. First come, first served with no pre-booking possible. £5 per child. Mon & Wed, 9.45-11.45am Little Squirrels Forest School High Ashurst, RH5 6DQ www.surreyoutdoorlearning.uk Explore what nature has to offer. Discover and play in the woods while building your child’s confidence and providing them with a sense of adventure. Mon, 10am & 2.30pm Little Seeds Forest School Gatton Park, RH2 0TW www.gattonpark.co.uk/littleseeds-forest-school Explore the woodlands through organised play. Set in the beautiful Cedar Woods and include plenty of mud, fire, dens, woodland crafts and most importantly a lot of fun! Tue, 10.45–11.45am term time Forest Tots Little Downsend, Leatherhead A fun, interactive, outdoor stay and play session. Children are encouraged to have fun with bugs, play with mud, toast marshmallows, and tell stories around the campfire. Warm, waterproofs and wellies needed! 18 months to 5 years.
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Fri, 9.30–11am term-time only Toddler Time at Banstead Prep Banstead Prep SM7 3RA www.bansteadprep.com A free, weekly parent and toddler group featuring toys, activities and fun for children aged 1-3. These are a great way to build familiarity with the school and staff for children who may join the Nursery or Reception. Every Fri, Trails and Tales Gatton Park, RH2 0TW www.gattonpark.co.uk Enjoy the story and go for a walk in the park to bring the story to life. Return to create artwork linked to the story. Fri Leafy Learners Antlands Lane, RH6 9TF www.leafylearners.co.uk Activities for pre-schoolers in the great outdoors. Come and explore the woods with your child whilst making memories, singing, craft activities, drama, stories and more!
Busylizzy offer a great stepping stone from maternity leave to a childcare setting Your maternity leave is an extra special time. It’s a chance to make new friends for you and your little one. Busylizzy’s baby classes for newborns, new mummies and active babies are designed to be nurturing, calming and supportive – whilst aiding physical development, coordination and balance. Busylizzy classes offer a great steppingstone from maternity leave to future childcare settings. Even with Covid safety guidelines still in place, the importance of getting out and about with babies for them to explore new spaces and see new faces is still evident. So, if you are starting to think about the end of maternity leave and the natural worries around sending your baby to a new childcare, you can feel confident that your little one will have more confidence of their own and feel more socially assured if they have been introduced to a range of spaces, places, and people during your time together. Busylizzy Reigate have a timetable of 25 different pregnancy, postnatal and baby classes a week to choose from. Take advantage of their 7-day trial and see how you get on. www.busylizzy.co.uk/reigate
Fri, 9.25am Tiny Trees Forest School Overdale entrance to Ashtead Common, KT21 1PZ https://bit.ly/3LX0raq A space in nature for children to explore, discover and learn alongside their parent or responsible adult in the beautiful Ashtead Common. Fri, 1–2.20pm Woodpeckers at Sutton Ecology Centre Sutton Ecology Centre SM5 https://bit.ly/3JP9bxA Woodpeckers is a fun and friendly nature group for under 5s and their parents/ carers, run by Wildlings Forest School. Sat, drop off sessions Forest School Rangers Nower Woods just off Hampstead Lane www.wildwoodrangers.co.uk Tues community Forest school groups. Forest school sessions, birthday parties and woodland parkour.
British Wildlife Centre A REAL natural history experience! l l l l l l
Get your baby, toddler and pre-school events or business seen by 1000’s of local parents Call Tamar on 075 3714 1998 or email editor@families-lsb.co.uk
Free-ranging red squirrels Otter ponds Hedgehogs Deer park Owl display Wildcats & more
Open at weekends and daily during school hols
Easter Hols: Sat 2 April - Sun 24 April
Over 40 different species F-LSB/ 03-22
Pre-book online and save £1 per ticket! Visit: www.britishwildlifecentre.co.uk On the A22, Newchapel, nr Lingfield, Surrey RH7 6LF Tel: 01342 834658 Families London Surrey Borders
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CHILDREN’S WHAT’S ON THEATRE What’s On
What's On Skellig at The Hawth Theatre
The Hawth RH10 6YZ www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk Thu 31 Mar – Sun 3 Apr Skellig When a move to a new house Families coincides with Favouri te his baby sister’s illness, Michael’s world seems suddenly lonely and uncertain. Then he stumbles into the old, ramshackle garage of his new home, and finds something magical. A strange creature - part owl, part angel, a being who needs Michael’s help if he is to survive. The bestselling story about love, loss and hope that launched David Almond as one of the best children’s writers of today has been adapted for the theatre by its author and is produced by Parkwood Theatres. Sun 3 Apr Dear Zoo Ben and Sally are searching for the perfect pet, but instead the zoo send a far too big elephant, a far too grumpy camel, and a far too jumpy frog. Whatever will they send next! Sat 16 Apr Little Grimm Tales A stunning new adaptation of Grimm’s most magical tales! For children aged 3+, featuring beautiful puppets, innovative theatre and spellbinding original music. Wed 27 - Fri 29 Apr In The Night Garden Live Take a spectacular journey into the magical world of In the Night Garden and experience the UK’s favourite family show with all the enchanting characters magically brought to life on stage. Harlequin Theatre RH1 1NN www.harlequintheatre.co.uk Sat 26 Mar Dinosaur Adventure Live Join our intrepid explorers as they journey to a world of living, breathing dinosaurs!
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Tue 5 Apr Rapunzel: A Tangled Musical Adventure Let your hair down in a brandnew musical adaptation of the popular fairy tale. Fri 8 Apr The Sooty Show Izzy wizzy, let’s get busy! Join Sooty for his laugh-out-loud magic show. Wed 13 & Thu 14 April Star for a Night: Rise up Reigate & Banstead’s annual youth variety show. Sat 16 Apr The Curious Adventures of Pinocchio One of the best-loved classics for children comes to life… literally! Sat 30 Apr I Spy With My Little Eye A family show based on the brand-new picture book by Steven Lee. Epsom Playhouse KT18 5AL www.epsomplayhouse.co.uk Sun 13 Mar Epsom Symphony Orchestra A wonderful afternoon of classical music awaits. Mon 21 Mar & Mon 4 Apr Playhouse Jazz Come along an evening of great jazz Tue 5 Apr Superslam Wrestling It promises to be an evening of non-stop action when all your favourite heroes and villains of All Star Superslam Wrestling meet again! Thu 7 Apr The Sooty Show Izzy wizzy, let’s get busy! Join Sooty for his brand-new Laugh Out Loud Magic Show! Tue 19 Apr Epsom and Ewell Showcase Some of the best performers from Epsom and Ewell area have got together with local charities to bring you an evening of entertainment!
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Theatre & Family Shows Justin Live at Fairfield Halls
Sat 23 Apr Close Up Magic Audiences get to experience the magic in an informal, close up setting, often taking part themselves and witnessing the impossible from only inches away. Sun 1 May Exciting Science Warning... warning... Extreme Fun Alert! Stand clear and prepare for action, as this show is full of Wiz, bang, pop …. and splurt! Fairfeild Halls Fairfield Ashcroft Theatre Croydon www.fairfield.co.uk Sun 10 Apr Rapunzel A tangled musical adventure! Let your hair down in a brandnew adaptation of the popular fairy tale Rapunzel. Fri 15 Apr Justin Live Come and see CBeebies superstar and children’s favourite Justin Fletcher live on stage in an all-singing, alldancing extravaganza. Fri 13 – Sun 15 May Peppa Pig’s Best Day Ever Get ready for a road-trip full of fun adventures. From castles to caves, dragons to dinosaurs and ice-creams to muddy puddles – there is something for all of the family and their friends to enjoy. Dorking Halls RH4 1SG www.dorkinghalls.co.uk Sat 2 Apr The Wizard of Oz Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Dorking Halls for a fantastic allnew Easter pantomime version of The Wizard of Oz. Thu 14 Apr Exciting Science This brand new and exciting show featuring loads of amazing experiments from the world of science. An educational show that will amaze & astound all ages from 4 years & upwards.
How to Hide a Lion at Polka Theatre
The Leatherhead Theatre KT22 8DN www.theleatherheadtheatre.com Thu 10 – Sat 12 Mar The Little Mermaid Based on one of Hans Christian Anderson’s most beloved stories, and the classic Disney film this fishy story will capture the hearts of all, with its irresistible songs, including Under the Sea, and Kiss the Girl. Sat 26 & Sun 27 Mar Dance First Presents Supercalifragilistic After successfully driven a succession of nannies away by their mischievous behaviour, Jane and Michael Banks are pleasantly pleased and delighted with the arrival of the delightful Mary Poppins. Polka Theatre SW19 1SB www.polkatheatre.com Fri 11 – Thu 24 Mar How to Hide a Lion Join Iris on a mission to squeeze and squash her furry new friend into a variety of sneaky spots, as Helen Stephens’ magical book comes to life with playful humour, dazzling puppetry and original songs. 3-6yrs. Wed 6 Apr – Sun 8 May Plastic Drastic Fantastic Akademi presents Plastic Drastic Fantastic a new dance show exploring our complex relationship - from the molecular to the planetary - with all thing’s plastic. 7+. Thu 28 Apr – Sun 22 May The Emperor’s New Clothes It’s Dress up and Play Day! The Emperor likes nothing more than a fashion parade and you are all invited to Ooh and Ahh at his latest eye-popping outfit. Meet the vain Emperor, the pandering advisors who offer uncritical support, and the crowd, who fail to recognize the truth, preferring lies to flourish. 3–8 yrs.
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WHAT’S ON
© National Trust 2022. Registered charity no. 205846. ©National Trust Images/James Dobson
Centre at London Wetland SAT 2 - MON 18
APRIL Can you ‘quack the case’ this Easter and find the bright yellow ducks hiding around our wetlands!
For more information search WWT London
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Easter egg trails with the National Trust 2-18 April (Dates vary at each property – please check the website)
Enjoy an adventure in nature and collect your chocolate egg at the end.
of the venue Elderflower WIN TICKETS! To enter, email the name families-lsb.co.uk Fields Family Festival is held at to: editor@ Festival by 31 March. with the subject Elderflower Fields Family
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Visit Claremont Landscape Garden, Dapdune Wharf, the Devil’s Punch Bowl, Hatchlands Park, Morden Hall Park, Polesden Lacey, Runnymede and Winkworth Arboretum. For further details visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/surrey
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WHAT’S TRAVEL ON
What's On
events for all the family
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the information displayed here is accurate, always check with the venue before attending. Expect social distancing and pre-booking to still be in place. Every Mon & Fri, 10.30am Food Growing Drop-in Sessions Carshalton Community Allotment, SM5 2PW. www.ecolocal.org.uk Enjoy the outdoors, meet other people, learn new skills and take free fresh veg home. Free. Until Sun 30 Oct Cats and Dogs The Horniman Museum, SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk This immersive exhibition explores the scientific, social and cultural role that cats and dogs play in our world. Throughout Apr Easter Holiday Family Events Sutton Ecology Centre, SM5 3NY www.suttonbiodiversity. eventbrite.com This Easter, there will be a series of fun activities for the family to enjoy. Tue 1 Mar -Sun 27 Mar Sense-ational Trees Family Trail Morden Hall Park, SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Children will use their senses to interact with the trees in the park, through touch, sight, sound and play. £3 per trail. Sat 19, Sun 20, Fri 25, Sat 26 & Sun 27 March, 11am-3.30pm Mum’s the Word Morden Park Hall, SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Wow mum with flowerpots decorated just for them! Sun 20 Mar Denbies Chocolate Fair Denbies Wine Estate, RH5 6AA www.www.denbies.co.uk A fabulous day with a selection of chocolate makers and chocolatiers, all offering unique gifts and treats. Sun 27 Mar Mother’s Day Lunch at Wakehurst Wakehurst Ardingly, RH17 6TN www.kew.org/wakehurst Treat your mum to a delicious lunch at Wakehurst’s historic Mansion. Sun 27 Mar Mothering Sunday Relaxer Onslow Arms Pub, RH14 0RD www.weyarun.org.uk Treat the one you love to a coffee and danish pastry cruise, or perhaps a cream tea cruises. Sun 27 Mar Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea Painshill, Cobham, KT11 1JE www.painshill.co.uk Treat you mum to a day out in a beautiful landscape garden. Stroll in the spring flowers before tucking into afternoon tea. Sun 27 Mar Mother’s Day Brunch, Bubbles & Outdoor Vineyard Tour Denbies Wine Estate, RH5 6AA www.www.denbies.co.uk Brunch in the panoramic third floor Gallery Restaurant followed by the outdoor vineyard tour.
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Fri 1 Apr – Tue 19 Apr Giant Egg Hunt RHS Garden Wisley, GU23 6QB www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley Discover the enormous painted eggs hidden around the garden. Fri 1, Sat 2, Thu 7 & Sat 9 Apr The Easter Hunt Dorking Museum, RH4 1BS www.dorkingmuseum.org.uk Join in the Easter egg hunt, to reveal the name of a famous person who was fond of Dorking Cockerels. Sat Apr, 2pm - 4pm Croydon Mum2Mum Market St John’s Church Hall, CR2 8DD Popular nearly new sale packed with 100’s of bargains. Sat 2 Apr Quacky Races Morden Hall Park, SM4 5JD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Hire one of the plastic ducks and race it down the river to see if yours will be the fastest in this Morden Hall Park classic. £2 per duck. Sat 2 Apr – Mon 18 Apr Spring time on the Farm Bocketts Farm Park, KT22 9BS www.bockettsfarm.co.uk Hundreds of gorgeous baby lambs due. Complete the Spring Trail with chocolate treats. Meet chicks and bunnies and explore outdoor play.
Sat 9 Apr Museum Kids Club Bourne Hall, KT17 1UF www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk See the Normans’ weapons, swords and helmets and follow the path of William as he came up to London using the Roman road Stane Street after the Battle. Booking essential. Wed 13 Apr Museum Kids Club Bourne Hall, KT17 1UF www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk Discover how people learnt to live under Roman rule as a small native village became a busy roadside town. Booking essential. Wed 13, Fri 15 to Mon 18 & Wed 20 Apr Easter Special Onslow Arms Pub, RH14 0RD www.weyarun.org.uk Celebrate Easter with a canal trip, with free entry to Easter Egg hunt. Fri 15 Apr - Sun 18 Apr Egg Rolling Box Hill, Tadworth, KT20 7LB www.nationaltrust.org.uk Bring your decorated eggs for the annual egg rolling. Free.
Sat 16 Apr Horniman Spring Fair The Horniman Museum, SE23 3PQ www.horniman.ac.uk Join in with seasonal fun and games at the Spring Fair, with live music, crafty workshops and more. Sun 17 & Mon 18 Apr Easter Egg Hunt Gatton Park, RH2 0TW www.gattonpark.co.uk Come for a springtime stroll and join the hunt over the Easter weekend. Easter trails, topical activities and refreshments. Wed 20 Apr Museum Kids Club - Trace your family history Bourne Hall, KT17 1UF www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk Learn how to trace your family’s history. Booking essential. Sat 23 & Sun 24 Apr Spring Live South of England Showground, RH17 6TL www.seas.org.uk/spring-live Spring Live! features interactive entertainment. Children can see a variety of farm animals, take part in chocolate and circus skills workshops, experience the thrill of the funfair and much more.
Sat 2 Apr – Sun 24 Apr The Very Hungry Caterpillar Trail Wakehurst Ardingly, RH17 6TN www.kew.org/wakehurst Live life as a Very Hungry Caterpillar and follow interactive trail through the gardens. Sat 2 Apr - Mon 18 Apr Butterfly Garden Workshop Kew Gardens, TW9 3AE www.kew.org Make your own butterfly stake and use the spotter sheet to see how many different native butterflies visit your garden. Sat 2 Apr – Sun 24 Apr Easter Egg Statue Trail Painshill, KT11 1JE www.painshill.co.uk Giant, colourful Easter eggs are waiting to be found in the Painshill landscape this Easter. Sun 3 Apr Park and Gardens Open Day Gatton Park, RH2 0TW www.gattonpark.co.uk Explore walks around the rock garden, Japanese garden and more. Mon 4 Apr – Sun 17 Apr Children’s Nature Train Ride Denbies Wine Estate, RH5 6AA www.www.denbies.co.uk Enjoy a journey on the outdoor train learning about spring nature activity in the vineyard. Tue 5, Fri 8 & Tue 12 Apr Easter Wreath Making Polesden Lacey, RH5 6BD www.nationaltrust.org.uk Workshops for adults. Booking essential. £40 per person.
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WHAT’S ON Lost and Found Easter Family Fun at London Transport Museum Discover the wonderful and weird world of London Transport’s Lost Property Office this Easter at London Transport Museum, Covent Garden. Visitors can follow a trail around the museum’s galleries to discover fun facts about objects past and present that have been lost and found on London’s Tube trains and buses.
Easter Duck Trail at WWT London Wetland Centre Can you ‘quack the case’ this Easter and find the bright yellow ducks hiding around the London Wetland Centre from Sat 2 Sun 18 Apr?
More info at www.ltmuseum.co.uk
More info at www.wwt.org.uk
© The National Trust - James Dobson
Meet the Author, Mon 4 - Wed 6 Apr, Meet Emily Rand, author of The Lost Property Office and Sat 9 - Tue 12 Apr, Meet Kate Wilkinson, author of Edie and the Box of Flits.
Pick up a trail card at admissions desk and crack the clues to find the bright yellow, cheeky ducks that are hiding around the nature reserve. You’ll need all your special detective skills to track them. Look up as well as down, as ducks like to perch above you sometimes. They also love splashing around, so they won’t be far from the water. Don’t forget! There’s loads of other activities to enjoy every day at the London Wetland Centre. Drop into a Spotlight talk and/or otter feed, while you are there.
Easter Adventure Trail with the National Trust
This Easter, the National Trust has an Easter Adventures in Nature Trail running at many of their local properties and parklands. On these family friendly trails, you’ll explore the countryside or garden to discover the 10 spring themed boards, taking part in fun activities along the way. Complete the trail and collect your chocolate egg at the end! £3 per trail (plus admission charge for some properties), no booking needed. More info at www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Easter family fun at Hever Castle and Gardens
Easter at the Belfry Easter Egg Hunt A cracking free Easter Egg Hunt for all young eggsplorers! Just pick up an entry form at the Belfry Centre, spot the six.Easter pictures in six different stores and hand your form in at Toy Barnhaus to receive a chocolate egg, with a hoppin’ good prize for one lucky winner! Superheroes Day, Sat 16 Apr Don’t miss the spectacular at the Belfry when Autism All Stars flies in some of your favourite characters! They’ll be waiting to meet young fans and pose for selfies with them in exchange for a small donation to this great charity. More info at www.redhillbelfry.co.uk
Make some special family memories this Spring with a fun trail and Easter egg hunt through the grounds of Hever Castle. From Sat 2 – Sun 18 Apr, visitors can take part in a colourful carrot trail, looking out for the Hever Bunny along the way. Discover hidden eggs around the gardens as part of an Easter egg hunt. Write down all the answers hidden around the eggs and receive a chocolate from our information. Children can get creative with a free scratch art craft workshop. Explore the play areas, water maze and stunning gardens, and enjoy a dazzling display of spring blooms from late daffodils to tulips. More info at www.hevercastle.co.uk
Spring Time at Godstone Farm! The Easter Holidays are bigger and better than ever down on the farm this year. Visit the farm’s mesmerising Easter Grotto where youngsters can meet the Easter Bunny inperson as well as get the chance to meet some of our newest springtime arrivals – kid goats, bunnies and chicks! Godstone Farm is home to over 500 animals ranging from donkeys, sheep, goats and pigs to meerkats, alpaca and rheas. Children can get up close to their favourite furry friends in the animal holding barn as well as watch pig races and enjoy a fun working farm experience. As its motto of “discover, explore and play” suggests, there is a wealth of activities to keep children happy all day. More info at www.godstonefarm.co.uk Familiesonline.co.uk
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WHAT’S ON
Holiday camps basketball, badminton, dodgeball, tag rugby, netball and many more including brand new Bubble Football!
Everything you need under one roof!
For more details and to book visit www.multisportssutton.co.uk
Mon 28 Mar – Fri 22 Apr Camp Beaumont’s award-winning multi-activity Easter camps Camp Beaumont, the UK’s most experienced day camp provider, is on hand to provide your child with a fun-filled adventure this Easter. With over 50 activities each week, not only can your child sharpen up their social skills, but they can pursue new interests, develop new talents and unleash their creative side. Activities range from Aqua Olympics to Movie Maker to Superhero Academy. Childcare vouchers are accepted and all bookings are flexible with their COVID flexible booking promise. If there are any changes to the government guidance you can change the date hassle-free or receive a full refund. To book, visit www.campbeaumont. co.uk or call 01604 851 0000. Camp Glide, Surrey’s favourite action-packed multi-activity day camp. Camp Glide’s multi-activity day camps provide fun-filled and affordable childcare during the school holidays for school-aged children. A typical day includes free play, a range of clinics for campers to choose from, swimming and one of our exciting all-camp activities, so you can be safe in the knowledge that your child is having a great time! Operating during Easter, Summer and Half Terms. Enjoy a bouncy castle and even jump in the pool (at selected venues). For more information, visit www.campglide.co.uk Mon Apr 4 - Wed Apr 5 Easter Holiday Camps at Multi Sports Sutton and Cheam Nonsuch High Multi Sports Sutton and Cheam are running 3 days of sporting fun this Easter for all children ages 4-16 years! Activities include football,
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Mon 4 – Sat 9 Apr Easter Holiday Fun with Stitches Academy Repair and Wear Learning how to customise and upcycle textiles into new products. You will use machine and hand sewing skills to create your projects. Make an Oversized Jumper Create a unique piece of fashion to treasure. You will use machine sewing skills to sew together your jumper, made from soft jersey fabrics and some technical fabrics as well. Make a dress for the Spring Over 2 days make a beautiful spring fashion item. You will learn some basic garment construction skills and go home with a garment to wear with pride. Age 8+. Sewing experience required for all of the above Beginners Sewing Skills This day is for novice stitchers. Spend the day getting to grips with the sewing machine and go home with some of our favourite mini projects to show off your newfound skills.
redhillbelfry.co.uk
Family Upcycle workshop Come along and learn how to upcycle a garment using water soluble embroidery patches, personalising and embellishing it to create a new look. For more details and to book visit www.stitchesacademy.co.uk From 4 Apr Craft My Day Easter Holiday Craft Club Craft my Day will be running holiday workshops at Worcester Park from 4 Apr, comprising of two 3 hr sessions a day, starting at 9 am and 1pm, offering a range of crafts in their ‘Holiday Craft Club’. The full timetable of events will be up on their website, visit www.craftmyday.com
Families London Surrey Borders
Familiesonline.co.uk
s Box of Flit Edie and the
THE LOST PROPERTY OFFICE
WHAT’S ON
Lost and Found London Transport Museum
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Easter Holidays 2-18 April Discover the curious world of London Transport’s Lost Property Office.
LTM
Meet children’s authors Emily Rand and Kate Wilkinson on selected dates. Book at ltmuseum.co.uk
2022.012_M_Easter Lost and Found_Print ad_Families Mag_180x130mm_AW.indd 1
Inspiring Easter adventures your child won’t want to miss BOOK NOW
KIDS GO FREE
16/02/2022 13:41
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SAVE 10%
www.campbeaumont.co.uk or call 01603 851000 Families Magazine Advert Familiesonline.co.u k (180x130mm).indd
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15/02/2022 15:41
Families London Surrey Borders
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Where Children Thrive Independent Co-educational Day School For Pupils Aged 3-18 Nursery, Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior and Sixth Form
OPEN EVENT Friday 11th March – Whole School Open Event
www.ewellcastle.co.uk See website for timings and further details
How do you spot a Croydon High girl? Croydon High girls are confident, compassionate, engaged and ambitious. It’s what makes them (and their school) so special. To find out more about the school everyone is talking about, call 020 8260 7543 or email admissions@cry.gdst.net We would love to tell you more about a whole new world of possibilities for girls.
www.croydonhigh.gdst.net
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