Hammersmith
Kensington
Maida
At last Spring is here and we can all enjoy the increasingly longer and lighter evenings! We are always big fans of getting the kids outside and with Easter just around the corner, don’t forget to check out our ‘Easter holiday fun’ article on pages 14 and 15, for inspiration including family events, some holiday camps plus shows in the local area.
As always, we also have our focus on education and parenting too - read ‘Six reasons why children switch off from learning’ on page 9 and read all about what NOT to say to a child with ADHD on page 12. Also, if you are searching for a new school, don’t forget to check out our school open days diary on page 8. Have a Happy Easter and enjoy the bird song, Anna
Editors: Rachel Bailey & Anna Collins 01628 829761 / 07753 414605 Editor@FamiliesWest.co.uk www.Familiesonline.co.uk
Next Issue: May / June 2023
Tel: 01628 829761 / 07753 414605
Circulation: 16,000
Cover image: depositphotos.com
Families West London is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All Franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd. Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks, SL8 5TD. The contents of Families West London are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families West London. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers, nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.
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
Spring is the perfect time of year to get those feel-good endorphins pumping and Perform’s new summer term themes are sure to get bodies moving and hearts singing. What’s more, your child can try a class for free!
Perform offers a different type of children’s drama class. They don’t focus on creating perfect dancers or the next child stars. Instead, they put children’s social development at the heart of their classes, using a specially formulated mix of drama, dance and singing to bring out every child’s true potential. Exciting termly themes keep young imaginations buzzing while small class sizes ensure lots of individual attention from experienced professionally trained actors, dancers and singers. Classes are for children of all abilities and they can join at any point in the term; the only requirement is to be ready to have the best fun of the week!
From April to July, 4-7s will be setting sail on the Jammy Dodger in Mermaids & Pirates whilst 7–12s will take part in The Dream, an hilarious adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
To book a FREE trial class at one of the following venues, visit www.perform.org.uk/try
LOCAL PERFORM CLASSES IN WEST LONDON:
NEW St Mary’s Acton, 1 The Mount W3 9NW
4-7s Wednesdays at 4pm;7-12s Wednesdays at 5.05pm
Masbro Children’s Centre, 87 Masbro Rd, Brook Green W14 0LR
4-7s Saturdays at 9.30am; 7-12s Saturdays at 11.15am
St. Michael’s Hall, Elmwood Road, Chiswick W4 3DY
4-7s Sundays at 9.30am; 7-12s Sundays at 11.15am
Christ Church W4 Mission Hall, Cunnington St, Chiswick Park W4 5ER
4-7s Tuesdays at 4pm; 7-12s Tuesdays at 5.05pm
St. Paul’s Church Hall, Ridley Ave, Ealing W13 9XW
4-7s Tuesdays at 4pm; Fridays at 3.45pm
7-12s Tuesdays at 5.05pm; Fridays at 4.45pm
St. Barnabas Millenium Hall, Pitshanger Lane, Ealing W5 1QG
4-7s Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 4pm; Saturdays at 9.30am
7-12s Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 5.05pm; Saturdays at 11.15am
Holy Innocents Church, Paddenswick Rd, Hammersmith W6 0UB
4-7s Thursdays at 4pm; 7-12s Thursdays at 5.05pm
Kensington United Reformed Church, Allen St W8 6BL
4-7s Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 4.15pm;
7-12s Wednesdays at 5.15pm and Fridays at 5.20pm
NEW St. Phillips Church Hall, Earls Court Rd W8 6QH
4-7s Fridays at 4pm; 7-12s Fridays at 5.05pm
The Advent Centre, 37 Brendan St, Marylebone W1H 5JE
4-7s Mondays at 4pm; 7-12s Mondays at 5.05pm
St. Peter’s Hall, 59a Portobello Rd, Notting Hill W11 3DB
4-7s Wednesdays at 4pm; Fridays at 4pm
7-12s Wednesdays at 5.05pm; Fridays at 5.05pm
NEW Christ Church Watts Hall, Redford Way, Belmont Rd UB8 1SZ
4-7s Thursdays at 4pm; 7-12s Thursdays at 5.05pm
For more information visit www.perform.org.uk/try
Bring the family to Cutty Sark in Greenwich for an action-packed day out on this world-famous historic ship.
Meet the cast of colourful characters from the ship’s past, including the fearless Captain Woodget and the ship’s cook, as they share stories about life on board the fastest ship of its time.
Find your sea legs by taking the helm at the ship’s wheel, pull the ropes on the main deck and explore the crew’s bunk beds. Play interactive games, and visit the Cutty Sark figureheads, part of the world’s largest collection of ship figureheads.
Follow a free family trail and discover how the ship’s crew lived and worked at sea in the age of sail.
Treat the family to an unforgettable experience by climbing Cutty Sark’s iconic masts to see breathtaking views of London and get a taste of life as a 19th century sailor.
Book your
We often cover topics related to the environment in our magazine but have you ever wondered about how environmentally-friendly we are?
You may have spotted the FSC® logo in the magazine. We’re happy to report that this gives an assurance that all paper we use is made of material from well-managed, FSC®-certified forests and other controlled sources.
The magazine is printed by Buxton Press on responsibly sourced paper. Each aspect of our printer’s business has been examined for continual improvement of its green credentials. In fact, Buxton Press has even been recognised for its achievements to date, including winning PrintWeek’s award of Environmental Company of the Year. Read more at www.buxtonpress.com/environment
Not only that but Families West London is reducing the impact of its publication on the environment by carbonoffsetting, compensating for the emission of carbondioxide into the atmosphere as a result of the paper making process.
This year, Red Nose Day will take place on Friday 17 March and this year, more than ever, it’s important to have fun and raise money to support people in need.
Red Nose Day is a campaign created by Comic Relief to help raise awareness of and put an end to child poverty. The campaign funds programmes, entertainment and raises money to keep children safe, healthy and educated.
In the last six years, Red Nose Day has raised more than 250 million to help end child poverty. Red Nose Day has also positively impacted over twenty five million children around the world.
So why not buy some red noses and help raise money to keep children safe, healthy and educated?
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
Roald Dahl has scooped the top three places in a list of the UK’s favourite children’s reads from the past eighty years.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, first published in 1964 and illustrated by Quentin Blake, tops the poll of two thousand parents of children ages 1 to 12 commissioned by the CILIP Carnegie Medal. The BFG (1982) and Matilda (1988), both also illustrated by Blake, followed in second and third place respectively.
The CILIP Carnegie Medal are the UK’s longest running children’s book awards, recognising outstanding reading experiences created through writing and illustration in books for children and young people.
The poll also revealed that the majority of parents read to their kids for an average of two hours per week and over eighty percent prefer print books to e-books.
To view the Top 15 go to: www.thebookseller.com/news
Please ring the school to check the Open Day or Evening is still going ahead.
André Malraux Primary School
44 Laurie Road, Hanwell - London W7 1BL
To book a visit, contact below:
020 8578 3011
contact.malraux@lyceefrancais.org.uk www.lyceefrancais.org.uk/apprendre/ primaire/andre-malraux
Clifton Lodge School
8 Mattock Lane, Ealing W5 5BG
Saturday 13 May 2023
10am to 12pm
To book a visit, contact below: 020 8579 3662
admissions@cliftonlodgeschool.co.uk www.cliftonlodgeschool.co.uk
Durston House
12-14 Castlebar Road, Ealing W5 2DR
Wednesday 15 March
10am-12noon
Saturday 20 May
To book a visit, contact below: 9am-12noon 0208 991 6530
info@durstonhouse.org www.durstonhouse.org
Heathfield School
London Road, Ascot, Berks SL5 8BQ
Friday 10 March 10.15am to 1pm
Saturday 13 May 9.45am to 12 noon
To book a visit, contact below: 01344 898342 admissions@heathfieldschool.net www.heathfieldschool.net
Kensington Wade Bilingual Nursery And Prep School
Fulham Palace Road W6 9ER
To book a visit, contact below: 020 3096 2888
admissions@kensingtonwade.com www.kensingtonwade.com
Les Trois Oursons Bilingual Nursery
170 Gloucester Terrace W2 6HS
Saturday 22 April
9am to 12.30pm advance booking required
To book a visit, contact below: 020 7099 0452 www.bilingualnurseries.com
Maria Montessori Institute
5 London school sites for 2-12 year olds including Bayswater and Notting Hill
To book a visit, contact below indicating which school site you are interested in: 020 7435 3646 schools@mariamontessori.org www.mariamontessori.org/schools
Orley Farm School South Hill Avenue, Harrow HA1 3NU
Friday 19 May 9.30-11.30am
To book a visit, contact below: 020 8869 7600 registrar@orleyfarm.harrow.sch.uk
www.orleyfarm.harrow.sch.uk
Paint Pots Montessori Nurseries
The Grove, Notting Hill, W11 2RW & The Park, Hyde Park, W2 2QD
Personal visits in Spring
To book a visit, contact below: 020 7223 0123
info@paint-pots.co.uk
www.paint-pots.co.uk
Phoenix Academy
The Curve, Shepherds Bush, London, W12 0RQ
To book a visit, contact below: 020 8749 1141
www.phoenix.futureacademies.org
Stepping Stones Nursery School
7 Gayford Road W12 9BY
To book a visit, contact below: 020 811 1646 admissions@steppingstonesw12.co.uk www.steppingstonesw12.co.uk
St Augustine Priory Hillcrest Road, Ealing W5 2JL
Saturday 18 March (Yr7 & above)
Tuesday 9 May (Nursery to Yr6) 020 8997 2022 admissions@sapriory.com www.sapriory.com
Given eleven years of compulsory full-time schooling, it’s not surprising many children come across difficulties that affect their performance and ability to learn and some switch off learning altogether. The reasons for ‘switching off’ can be many and varied. Here are six of the most common I have come across along with steps which can help children re-engage.
Boredom
It is not uncommon for parents to know intuitively that their child could do much better if they applied themselves. Children need three things to help them do this: to understand how schoolwork helps them develop skills, to know which goal to aim for next and to receive positive praise for small as well as big achievements.
Summer born
Summer born babies are the youngest in their class, which can mean up to eleven months’ less experience of life and development. Being in a group of children who are physically bigger and who know and can do more, can affect confidence and self-belief. Talking to your child about the age difference and what it means can help to keep them engaged.
Learning differences
Sometimes children switch off because they have an undiagnosed learning difference. They get by using coping strategies such as copying friends or telling you they ‘read better in their head,’ to hide their embarrassment. Trust your gut instinct if something doesn’t feel right.
Major events
Separation and divorce, bereavement, moving house, illness and the birth of a sibling all disrupt daily life. It takes three years to recover from a major stress event and we can sometimes forget this in the hurly burly. Having a chat to help settle your child’s mind about the event or remind them how much they’ve achieved or changed can help to ‘update’ their brain and refocus on moving forward.
A normally enthusiastic 7-year-old child had become reluctant to go to school and his work was starting to suffer. His teacher and parent both noticed the change. When investigated, it turned out that the boy’s desk had been moved next to the window in class
School Holiday Football Camp
DATES: 2 TO 7 APRIL
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and he was cold! He didn’t know who to tell. Sometimes the most challenging issues have the simplest solutions. Ask your child what’s going on in school. Don’t overthink it; start simple.
Poor concentration
The possibilities for distraction from learning are numerous. Too much screen time can agitate young developing brains; not enough sleep; not understanding or liking a subject; being too hot, too cold, too hungry or chatting with a friend and missing instructions can all lead to concentration issues. It is more important than ever that your child can focus and concentrate well in the classroom.
How to help
Sit down with your child and ask them what they see as their strengths and what they are proud of, then tell them what you see they have achieved in the last year. Ask them what help they would wish for at school if you had a magic wand. By taking an interest and showing you care, this helps get the discussion started to tease out anything on their mind that you can help with.
Gail Hugman is the bestselling author of 100 Things to Learn Before You’re 10. A children’s life coach, she owns and runs Human at Core (www.humanatcore.com), which helps parents motivate and engage their children through science-based, online personal development courses.
Imagination is the ability to create mental images, thoughts or ideas. It helps us to generate new ideas, to think creatively and to consider possibilities that may not be rooted in current reality. Imagination can be a powerful tool for problem-solving and innovation.
Imagination is often associated with childhood and is an important aspect of child development. Children use their imaginations to create stories, games and other forms of play in which they explore their environment and learn about the world.
However, imagination isn’t only important in childhood. There are many jobs that rely on imagination and creative thinking. For example, imagination is used by the following professionals in the following ways:
Painters, sculptors, photographers - to create works of art;
Novelists, screenwriters and other writers - to create stories and characters;
Actors - to portray characters and bring stories to life;
Architects - to design buildings and other structures; Graphic designers - to create visual designs for websites, advertisements and other media;
Musicians - to compose music and create new sounds; Game designers - to create interactive games and virtual worlds;
Marketers - to come up with creative marketing campaigns and advertisements;
Teachers - to create engaging lesson plans and activities for their students;
Engineers - to design and build new products and systems.
Imagination takes many forms, including visual imagination to create mental images or pictures, verbal imagination in stories or ideas using words and musical imagination creating melodies and harmonies. It can also involve the use of all five senses, such as when someone imagines the taste, smell, or texture of a food they have never experienced.
By providing opportunities for children to use their imagination and encouraging them to be creative, parents can develop their creative thinking skills.
All imaginative play starts with an understanding of the world around us, so to help a child to use their imagination we must first introduce them to different experiences, from sensory experiences such as discovering new foods or smells, to listening to different accents and instruments. This exposure to the world allows your child to have a large mental ‘dressing up box’ to use when creating characters and scenarios for their imaginative play.
Jemma Zoe Smith is Director of The Education Hotel (www.educationhotel.co.uk).
Encourage open-ended play. Playing with certain toys allows for open-ended exploration and creativity. Blocks, dolls and dressing-up clothes can all be used in a variety of ways, led by a child’s imagination.
Encourage storytelling. Parents can encourage children to create their own stories and characters, either through verbal storytelling, drawing or writing.
Encourage experimentation. Children use their imagination and creativity when trying new things and experimenting with different materials. For example, parents can provide children with art supplies, such as paint, clay or markers and encourage them to create their own projects.
Read together. Reading with children stretches their imagination and exposes them to new ideas and concepts. Encourage them to ask questions and make predictions while reading, to help stimulate their imagination.
Encourage role play. Role play is a fun way to use imagination, for instance, pretending to be a doctor with dolls and soft toys or pretending to be a chef while cooking dinner.
Leaving a child to be bored can actually be a good thing; it can help them to develop their imagination and creativity.
When children are not constantly entertained or stimulated by screens or other external sources, they are more likely to turn inward and develop their imagination to create their own fun and entertainment.
It is important therefore to make sure that children have access to a variety of age-appropriate materials and resources that they can dip into anytime to engage their imagination and creativity. Keep a box of ‘prompts’ nearby full of open-ended materials such as art supplies, dressing-up clothes, pieces of old board games, pictures, story books and materials such as pinecones collected on a walk.
By directing your child towards this box of goodies, they will find something to spark their imagination, without being constrained by an existing game, story or role play. This allows them to discover their imaginative process on their own, without input from you.
ADHD, or ‘attention deficit hyperactivity disorder’ to give its full name, is a neurodiverse condition that some people are born with and have for life. It is not a childhood behavioural disorder and has nothing to do with E numbers, bad parenting or just being naughty. In an MRI scan, it is now possible to see the difference between a neurotypical brain and a neurodiverse brain.
Children who are born with neurodiverse brain wiring have as much right to be their authentic selves as those born with neurotypical brains.
However, ADHD children are known to receive approximately twenty thousand negative messages before they reach age 12. This indicates that we grossly misunderstand them. How can we address this?
The main thing not to say to any ADHD child is anything critical of their natural, inbuilt behaviours. This could include their hyperactivity, restlessness, inattentiveness, distractedness and their impulsive and compulsive behaviours.
It is very important we see ADHD as the way a child’s brain functions and work with their traits, rather than fighting them. You are never going to knock the ADHD out of a child or send them to therapy and get a neurotypical child back. It is kinder and more effective to understand all the traits of ADHD and embrace them positively instead.
ADHD brains are different!
ADHD brains have specific ways of thinking. Some of these might shock you but they are all true.
Kids with ADHD are wired to think they know best, want everything their own way, think they are right about everything, dislike authority or being told what to do and push boundaries at every opportunity.
The biggest trait of all is emotional dysregulation which is the element of the brain that is supposed to regulate emotion malfunctions. This is when you get angry kids having meltdowns or kicking-off or weepy, overly emotional kids; they are unable to regulate their emotions. So, another thing not to say to a child with ADHD is anything about ‘being unable to control their temper’ or ‘being overly sensitive.’ They really can’t help this either.
ADHD kids also have a heightened sense of justice so are very hot on things being fair and equal. Again, respect their opinions and don’t dismiss their feelings.
Sarah Templeton is an ADHD counsellor, coach, CBT therapist and author of How Not to Murder Your ADHD Kid, available through good bookshops and at her website www.sarahtempleton.org.uk
It is now accepted that not being able to control emotions is the most difficult element of ADHD.
In addition, those with ADHD also have ‘rejection sensitive dysphoria’ which is largely accepted to relate only to ADHD people. It means ADHD kids will take rejection and particularly humiliation very badly. Be mindful of how you speak to an ADHD child as even your tone of voice can make them feel hurt, rejected and undermine their self-esteem.
However frustrated you are feeling, try never to snap at your child. Remember, whatever they have just said or done to irritate you is no doubt just their natural ADHD brain’s way.
Try and speak to your child with respect, give them options wherever possible, so they feel they are in charge and not being told what to do and always make sure they feel listened to and heard.
An ADHD child will get more frustrated than most if they feel they aren’t being taken seriously and this can begin from the age of 3 upwards.
School can be difficult for ADHD kids. Long lessons with little activity can bore them. Teachers who don’t teach in an engaging way won’t stimulate their brains and they will never be equally interested in all subjects.
You can expect your child to do very well in some classes and not so well in others. This isn’t because they aren’t trying; it’s just their brain is not being stimulated enough to concentrate on that subject.
Revision is also hard. Doing anything for a second time is never going to stimulate an ADHD brain. So rather than expecting your child to read and absorb words for hours and for that to sink in, be creative with your revision plans.
Grab their attention with visits to interactive museums or to theatres or cinemas to see live or screened versions of any plays or books they are studying.
As a way of stimulating their brains to learn and retain information, try testing them in fun quizzes on topics they need to learn, with rewards on offer!
Families chats with George Webster, the 22-year-old TV presenter, actor, dancer and ambassador for Mencap. George was catapulted into the public eye when he spoke about Down syndrome in his myth-busting video for BBC Bitesize. A trailblazer, he is now the first ever CBeebies presenter to have Down Syndrome. In November 2022, George won a BAFTA (Children and Young People Awards) for Best Presenter.
Congratulations on winning your BAFTA! How do you feel about that achievement?
I feel really proud and really honoured to achieve the award for presenter. I work with so many brilliant people at CBeebies and I feel like things are starting to improve for people like me in the media industry.
Tell us about your journey to become a presenter on CBeebies.
I always loved acting, dancing and performing at school and since then one thing has led to another. While volunteering at Parkrun, Sky filmed me for a documentary and I then became a Mencap ambassador. When my BBC Bitesize video busting the five myths of Down syndrome got five million hits, CBeebies got in touch inviting me to be a
guest presenter and now I’m a regular!
Who has been most supportive in helping you achieve your success?
My parents have been really supportive throughout my life and they always keep telling me ‘just be yourself.’ I always am and I want to say thank you to them for their love and support. Also, my support teachers at school, my friends, the NHS and local charities.
What advice would you give to encourage other youngsters who are facing challenges and want to pursue similar careers?
Be yourself and dream big. We can all dream big so don’t let anyone else decide for you as it’s your life. Get involved with local performing arts groups too.
Families has teamed up with BAFTA award-winning TV presenter, George Webster, CBeebies’ first presenter with Down syndrome, to o er five lucky children copies of George’s new book, This is ME!
This is ME! is a heartfelt and uplifting story that follows a little boy called George as he tells the reader all about who he is, his life and his experiences. George knows that having Down syndrome is an important part of him but it does not define him.
Featuring George’s real-life friends and family as well as a joyful cast of characters reflective of society and with bright and bold illustrations by best-selling illustrator, Tim Budgen, This is ME! celebrates uniqueness, being ourselves and how our di erences make us special.
Scan the QR code to apply or visit familiesmag.co.uk/go
Closing date: 21 April
T&Cs at https://bit.ly/gwbookgiveaway
What do you enjoy most about presenting?
I love everything about presenting at CBeebies! I’ve met loads of brilliant people and now we’re great friends. I also enjoy showing the viewers at home that people like me can be represented within the media and that ‘difference’ can inspire their kids’ lives. Their kids can have many role models, no matter who and what they are.
You’ve now written a picture book called This is ME! Tell us more.
This is ME! is about me, my friends and family when I was younger. It’s about celebrating differences no matter what we look like and who we are. It’s also about each person having their own glow inside that we all need to see.
The book illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to your rhyming words. How did the partnership come together?
My publisher, Scholastic Children’s Books, paired me with the wonderful illustrator, Tim Budgen. Working with him and my co-author, Claire Taylor, has been brilliant and a real collaborative effort.
What has been the best moment of your career so far?
There are so many! Working with CBeebies, writing a book, winning a BAFTA, being on Casualty, going to the premiere of S.A.M and dancing on stage with Talent Hub. Plus going to UDance National Finals to represent
Yorkshire as the first inclusive dance group with Meshdance and watching my appearance on Strictly Come Dancing back on Christmas Day.
You are ambassador for the charity Mencap, which works to improve the life of young people with learning difficulties. Tell us what this work means to you.
It means a lot to me as I have many friends with a learning disability and they’re all brilliant. People like us exist and working with Mencap means our voices get heard. I want people to understand us more rather than be scared of us.
Where would you like to see your career heading in the future?
I’d love to do more presenting and acting work. I would love to be in Death in Paradise, EastEnders and Doctor Who. Or I could be the new James Bond - why not! Also, I’d love to compete on the main show of Strictly Come Dancing.
If you had to bust one myth about having Down syndrome, what would it be?
‘People with Down syndrome are always happy.’ This just isn’t true! We have a range of emotions like every living person has.
What do you do to relax?
I love going to the theatre or cinema, watching films and tv and listening to music. Oh, and thrashing my dad at FIFA!
With two weeks to fill during the Easter holidays, we’ve picked out some of our favourite family friendly activities to fill the holidays. We cover everything from Easter egg hunts to family shows as well as the odd club to give you all a break from each other! There’s something on offer for everyone, whether it’s enjoying the outdoors or suggestions for how to fill those wet weather days. Happy planning!
Alexandra Park is alive with activity. From high-octane zipwires, softplay, boating lake and pitch & putt, there’s something for everyone, so why not not make a day of it? There is also the world premiere of the animated feature film, ‘ The Amazing Maurice’ which is showing at the Alexandra Theatre on Sunday 9 April and the score is to be performed live by a full orchestra. Alexandra Palace Way, London N22 7AY www.alexandrapalace.com/whats-on/theamazing-maurice
Visit Cutty Sark in Greenwich for an actionpacked day out on the world-famous historic ship. Play interactive games, follow a free family trail and you can even treat everyone to an unforgettable experience by climbing the Cutty Sark’s iconic masts to see breathtaking views of London.
King William Walk SE10 9HT www.rmg.co.uk/cutty-sark
Harry Potter World is a great day outdefinitely put the whole day aside as there is lots to see! Don’t miss ‘Magical Mischief which is on as part of your tour up until Tuesday 18 April. Here you will learn how your favourite mischievous moments from the films were brought to the screen in this exciting feature! www.wbstudiotour.co.uk
Do you have a child keen to take their football training to another level? JTL FC Academy is a Football Academy established by Hilo Lemo. Hilo is currently Head of Football at Crystal Palace FC and also has experience at premier teams such as Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and RC Lens. He wanted to create a Football Academy in West London that teaches children the methodology derived from the PSG and Barcelona FC, the game of possession, perception and decision making. Find out more about JTL DC Academy holiday workshops through the link below. St Charles Sixth Form College, W10 6EY. www.jtlfcacademy.com/ schoolholidaycamps
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew can offer the whole family lots of fun at Easter. In particular look out for the Children’s Garden specifically designed for ages 2-12. Based in a natural setting the size of 40 tennis courts, children can explore all the things plants need to grow. Children also love ‘The Hive’ and the viewing platforms that allow them to see Kew from the trees.
Richmond TW9 3AE
www.kew.org/kew-gardens/families
Let your kids explore different professions and hobbies at KidZania If your kids are over the age of eight, you can drop them off to independently explore whilst you indulge in some shopping!
Westfield, Ariel Way, Shepherds Bush W12 7GA www.kidzania.co.uk
Legoland Windsor Resort reopens for the season on Friday March 17 with over 55 rides, live shows and attractions for the whole family to enjoy. Winkfield Road, Windsor, SL4 4AY www.legoland.co.uk
We love a trip to a museum and the Water and Steam Museum offers some great family activities during the school holidays. This Easter join in some bubble-tastic fun! They’re open every day from Saturday 1 to Sunday 16 April 10am-4pm with crafts, hands-on activities and the popular Wet and Bubbly Science Show.
Brentford TW8 0EN www.waterandsteam.org.uk
range of activities throughout the day. Odds Farm Park, Wooburn Common, Wooburn Green HP10 0LX
www.oddsfarm.co.uk
You really can’t go wrong with some bouncing fun at Oxygen Free Jumping over the holiday period. Bounce around on all of their trampolines, touch the sky on their clip n’ climb walls or dive into their airbag! There are also toddler sensory play sessions to help your toddler develop mentally, physically and socially. Supervised by a highly enter-trained team at Oxygen’s Indoor Activity Park these sessions run for 1 hour every weekday morning.
Unit 15, Vision Industrial Park, Kendal Avenue W3 0AF
www.oxygenfreejumping.co.uk/locations/ acton
Hop along to Odds Farm Park between Saturday 1 to Sunday 16 April to enjoy the annual Easter event ‘Spring into Easter’. Little ones can meet the Easter Bunny, before popping over to Odds Farm Easter Garden for the Easter Scavenger Egg Hunt, with delicious chocolate treats. There will also be ‘ahhhs’ a-plenty thanks to fluffy bunnies, kid goats, and bouncing lambs for families to see in the animal barns. There will even be opportunities for children to bottle-feed the kid goats at regular times throughout the day. Also get stuck into making Spring-themed creations! Plus, there’s all the usual fun with the tractor and trailer ride, H2Odds water play, Marmalade’s Mini Rover rides and giant Indoor Playbarn. With the all-inclusive price Odds Farm Park offers to guests, families can access a huge
Go wild in The Jungle Book this Easter! Take part in three days of drama, dance and singing with Perform this Easter holiday on a course based on The Jungle Book. Children will join Mowgli and friends as they journey deep into the jungle, meeting Baloo the bear, black panther Bagheera and hunt down ferocious Bengal tiger Shere Khan. Topped off with a fabulously colourful final show, it’s going to be the wildest holiday ever! Choose from either 3rd-5th or 12th14th April from 10am-3pm each day.
3-5 April:
The Tabernacle, Dance studio, 35 Powis Square W11 2AY
12-14 April:
Kensington United Reformed Church, Allen St W8 6BL
12-14 April:
Holy Innocents Church, Paddenswick Rd, Hammersmith W6 0UB
www.perform.org.uk/junglebook
As ever the Southbank Centre is always a great place to find family fun. Watch out for ‘Marty and the Party’ running April 8 and Sunday April 9. Follow Marty for an adorable, cheeky show about fun, friendship and finding your groove! On Saturday April 8, through funk, jazz and electronic
soundscapes, ‘Groove Baby’ takes you on a sensational sensory voyage created for under-5s and their grown-ups. Maybe try the ‘Pedal Power Disco’ on Saturday 8 April, a free event for the whole family. There is also Bossy on Friday 7 April, where you follow Beth’s quest to find out who she really is, and what she stands for in this family show celebrating black culture, with a kick-ass Caribbean soundtrack. Queens Walk, Southbank SE1 www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
Children and Teenagers can make friends, have fun and develop some great new skills at Stagecoach Holiday Drama Clubs and Workshops. Their holiday workshops are designed for 6 to 18-year-olds, with some areas offering tailored workshops for kids aged 4-6. At the end of their time at the workshops, the students will join together to showcase their new-found singing, acting and dancing skills to family and friends.
To book www.stagecoach.co.uk/Chiswick or www.stagecoach.co.uk/acton (for Ealing Broadway & Acton) or www.stagecoach. co.uk/kensington
We love a trip to the theatre and a family show is a great way to spend an afternoon together or introduce younger children to the world of theatre. London has no shortage of shows to choose from so you’re spoilt for choice, but if you don’t know where to start, a couple of our favourite venues to visit with smaller children are the Beck Theatre
www.becktheatre.org.uk and The Lyric Theatre in Hammersmith. Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL www.lyric.co.uk
How about experiencing the Tower Bridge Cat Trail which is running until the end of the year. Join Bella the Tower Bridge Cat and the characters from the award-winning books as you make your way through Tower Bridge. Visitors will enjoy pop-up graphic installations and be able to complete their Apprenticeship and become part of Bella’s special Tower Bridge Team. Suitable for ages 4+. Adults: £11.40; Children aged 5 to 15: £5.70; Under 5s and cats go free! Family tickets are also available from £19.38. Tower Bridge Rd, London SE1 2UP www.towerbridge.org.uk/discover/towerbridge-cat
Bring a history lesson to life and visit a landmark like The Tower of London. See the crown jewels, the Fortress, the ravens and the White tower and your children will go back to school with a new enthusiasm to learn.
Tower of London EC3N 4AB www.hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london
Explore the joy and wonder of illusion at The Twist Museum. Step into mind-altering immersive rooms, get up close and personal with unexpected interactive illusions, and discover how your brain interprets reality. Explore the joy and wonder of illusion. Step into mind-altering immersive rooms, get up close and personal with unexpected interactive illusions, and discover how your
brain interprets reality.
248 Oxford St W1C 1DH
https://twistmuseum.com
Visit London Wetland Centre for a day of exploration and discovery that will put all of your senses to the test. To succeed as a Duck Detective and complete the Easter trail, you’ll need to get closer than ever to nature. It’s time to investigate underwater mysteries, follow tracks to work out who’s been creeping around at night, use everything from feather bird calls to animal poo (honestly!) to reveal the wildlife secrets only a true Duck Detective knows.
Are you ready for the challenge? The WWT London team has planned the following activities for Saturday 1 to Sunday 16 April: Duck Detectives trail £1, Colour Hunt trail card (Free for under 5s), Pond dipping 11am and 2pm drop-in sessions, Plant detectives 1pm drop-in and use your sleuthing skills to learn how to identify five plants from only their leaves!
WWT London Wetland Centre, Queen Elizabeth Walk SW13 9WT www.wwt.org.uk/London
All events still had availability at time of going to print (February 2023).
UNTIL MARCH 18
FILM AND MEDIA SATURDAY CLUB
London Film School Covent Garden
18 weeks of free film training for 13-18 years Term time only
www.lfs.org.uk/outreach/saturday-club
UNTIL APRIL 16
THE BABY SHOW
Unicorn Theatre, 147 Tooley St SE1 2HZ 6-18 months. Sensory performance with images and sounds to keep little ones rapt. www.unicorntheatre.com/events/babyshow
UNTIL MAY 4
SCIENCE FICTION: VOYAGE TO THE EDGE OF IMAGINATION
Science Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington SW7 2DD
Immersive exhibition £15 under 11s free www.sciencemuseum.org.uk
WEEKDAYS IN MARCH AND APRIL
TODDLER SENSORY PLAY
Oxygen Indoor Activity Park, Kendal Ave W3 0AF
1-hour structured play sessions every morning www.oxygenfreejumping.co.uk
FRIDAY 3 AND FRIDAY MARCH 17
RUG RHYMES
National poetry library, Level 5, Royal Festival Hall SE1 8XX 11am 0-5 years. Free www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
SATURDAY MARCH 4
THE WOLF, THE DUCK AND THE MOUSE Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX 10.15am and 12pm 4-8 years www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
SATURDAY MARCH 4
MISTER MAGNOLIA
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL
Based on the book by Quentin Blake 11am and 1pm Ages 4-10 www.lyric.co.uk/shows/mister-magnolia
MONDAY 6 AND MONDAY MARCH 20
MINI MONDAYS
Iver Environment Centre, Slough Road, Iver SL0 0EB
Theme: Wind. Activities include blow painting and making a paper kite. 10am-12pm www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/whatwe-do/event-listings
TUESDAY 7, 21 AND MARCH 28
ADVENTURE BABIES
Natural History Museum, Cromwell road SW7 5BD
Sensory storytelling class designed to boost baby’s development and nurture a love for books. www.nhm.ac.uk/events/adventure-babies
SATURDAY MARCH 11
THE TAP DANCING MERMAID
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL
11am and 1pm Ages 3+ www.lyric.co.uk/shows/the-tap-dancingmermaid
SATURDAY 11 AND SUNDAY MARCH 12
WOW UNDER 10S FEMINIST CORNER
Royal Festival Hall SE1 8XX
Girls 6-7 Sat 10.30am Girls 8-10 Sat & Sun 5pm Boys under 10s Sun at 10.30am www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
SUNDAY MARCH 12
THE LITTLE MATCH GIRL STRIKES BACK
Level 5 Function Room, Royal Festival Hall SE1 8XX
10.15am 7+ years
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
SUNDAY MARCH 12
TOLȦ OKOGWU: ONYEKA AND THE ACADEMY OF the Sun
Level 5 Function Room, Royal Festival Hall SE1 8XX
10.15am 7+ years
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
SATURDAY MARCH 18
THE KING OF NOTHING
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL
11am and 1pm Ages 5+ www.lyric.co.uk/shows/the-king-ofnothing
MONDAY 20 TO TUESDAY MARCH 28
HAMLET
National Theatre, South Bank, London SE1 9PX
Energetic and engaging retelling of Shakespeare’s most well-known tragedy reimagined for young audiences. 11am and 1.30pm 8-12 years www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/productions/ hamlet
TUESDAY MARCH 21
CORAM SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS THEATRE FESTIVAL
Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes UB3 2UE
7pm
www.becktheatre.org.uk
SATURDAY MARCH 25
FUNNYBONES
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL
Based on the book by Janet and Allan Ahlberg
11am and 1pm Ages 4-7
www.lyric.co.uk/shows/funnybones
SUNDAY MARCH 26
THE JUNGLE BOOK
Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes UB3
2UE
2pm 4+ years
www.becktheatre.org.uk
SUNDAY MARCH 26
WHERE’S WALLY FUN RUN
Battersea Park
5k, 10k or 1k for under 12s
£15 per child and £20 per adult
9am
Support the vital work of the National Literacy Trust. All the money raised will directly support children from economically disadvantaged areas in the UK in their reading, writing, and communication skills.
www.literacytrust.org.uk/whereswally
FRIDAY MARCH 31
OUT OF HOURS TITANO TOURS
Natural History Museum, Cromwell road SW7 5BD
9am-10am
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/titanotours.html
FRIDAY MARCH 31
MYSTERY AT THE MUSEUM: THE CASE OF THE TITANOSAUR EGG
Natural History Museum, Cromwell road SW7 5BD
Put your detective skills to the test with an immersive, fictional mystery-solving experience.
6.30pm - 9.45pm Adults only www.nhm.ac.uk/events/the-case-of-thetitanosaur-egg.html
SATURDAY APRIL 1
LILY AND BEAR
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL
Based on the book by Lisa Stubbs
11am and 1pm Ages under 6 www.lyric.co.uk/shows/lily-and-bear
SATURDAY 1 TO SATURDAY APRIL 15
FAMILY WORKSHOP: THE TEMPEST 9-12 YEARS
Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New globe walk, Bankside SE1 9DT 9-12 years 12pm
www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on
SATURDAY 1 TO SUNDAY APRIL 16
CROWNS AND CORONATIONS CRAFTS
Pug Yard Learning Centre, Windsor Castle SL4 1NJ
Free upon admission to the castle.
MONDAY 3 AND MONDAY APRIL 10
LEARN TO ANIMATE WORKSHOP
Natural History Museum, Cromwell road SW7 5BD
Bring a titanosaur to life
Workshops run hourly from 10.30am3.30pm www.nhm.ac.uk/events/learn-to-animate. html
MONDAY 3 AND MONDAY APRIL 17
MINI MONDAYS
Iver Environment Centre, Slough Road, Iver SL0 0EB
Theme: April showers. Come and explore floating and sinking and create a watery painting. 10am-12pm www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/whatwe-do/event-listings
TUESDAY 4 AND TUESDAY APRIL 11
FAMILY FUN DAY
Iver Environment Centre, Slough Road, Iver SL0 0EB
Trail, craft activities and more. 10am-12.30pm or 1.30-4pm www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/whatwe-do/event-listings
WEDNESDAY 5 AND WEDNESDAY APRIL 12
DROP OFF DAY
Iver Environment Centre, Slough Road, Iver SL0 0EB 10am-4pm 7-11 years. www.iverenvironmentcentre.org/whatwe-do/event-listings
THURSDAY 6 AND THURSDAY APRIL 13
LEARN TO ANIMATE WORKSHOP
Natural History Museum, Cromwell road SW7 5BD
Bring a titanosaur to life Workshops run hourly from 10.30am3.30pm www.nhm.ac.uk/events/learn-to-animate. html
FRIDAY APRIL 7
BOSSY
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX
11.30am ages 7-11 years
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
FRIDAY 7 AND SATURDAY APRIL 8
MARTY AND THE PARTY
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX
10.30am ages 2-6 years
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
SATURDAY APRIL 8
PEDAL POWER DISCO
Riverside Terrace, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX All ages 12pm
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
SATURDAY APRIL 8
BOSSY
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL 11am and 1pm Ages 5-9 www.lyric.co.uk/shows/bossy
MONDAY APRIL 10
DINOSAUR ADVENTURE LIVE
Beck Theatre, Grange Road, Hayes UB3 2UE 2pm and 4.30pm www.becktheatre.org.uk
TUESDAY 11 TO SATURDAY APRIL 15
THE ‘NOT SO’ GRIMM TWINS
Lyric Hammersmith Theatre, Lyric Square, King St W6 0QL 11am and 1pm Ages 4+ www.lyric.co.uk/shows/the-not-sogrimm-twins
WEDNESDAY APRIL 12
THE LAMB THE LOST HER JUMP Music House for Children, 306 Uxbridge Road W12 7LJ 10am £15 For 2-6 years www.musichouseforchildren.com/whatson
WEDNESDAY APRIL 12
FAMILY WORKSHOP: MACBETH 5-8 YEARS
Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New globe walk, Bankside SE1 9DT
5-8 years 11am
www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on
WEDNESDAY 12 AND FRIDAY APRIL 14
FAMILY WORKSHOP: MACBETH 9-12 YEARS
Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New globe walk, Bankside SE1 9DT 9-12 years 11am
www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on
WEDNESDAY 12 AND FRIDAY APRIL 14
MACBETH STORYTELLING
Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New globe walk, Bankside SE1 9DT 5-8 years 1pm and 3pm
www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on
WEDNESDAY 12 TO SUNDAY APRIL 16
HUMANS 2.0 BY CIRCA
Queen Elizabeth Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road SE1 8XX
7.30pm Wed-Sat, 3pm Sun 8+ years
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
THURSDAY 13 AND SATURDAY APRIL 15
FAMILY WORKSHOP: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM 5-8 YEARS
Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New globe walk, Bankside SE1 9DT
5-8 years 11am
www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on
THURSDAY 13 AND SATURDAY APRIL 15
FAMILY WORKSHOP: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM 9-12 YEARS
Shakespeare’s Globe, 21 New globe walk, Bankside SE1 9DT
9-12 years 11am
www.shakespearesglobe.com/whats-on
FRIDAY APRIL 14
LITTLE BIRDSONG CONCERT
Music House for Children, 306 Uxbridge Road W12 7LJ
10am £15 For 6 months+
www.musichouseforchildren.com/whats-on
FRIDAY 14 AND SATURDAY APRIL 15
OUT OF HOURS TITANO TOURS
Natural History Museum, Cromwell road SW7 5BD 9am-10am
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/titanotours.html
SUNDAY APRIL 16
THE MAKING OF THE ORCHESTRA
Royal Festival Hall SE1 8XX 2pm and 5pm 5+ years
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
FRIDAY APRIL 21
RUG RHYMES
National poetry library, Level 5, Royal Festival Hall SE1 8XX 11am 0-5 years. Free www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
SUNDAY APRIL 23
OAE TOTS: WHIZZ ZOOM TO THE MOON! Royal Festival Hall SE1 8XX 10.30am and 12pm 2-5 years
www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on
FRIDAY APRIL 28
THE GIANT DINO NIGHT
Natural History Museum, Cromwell road SW7 5BD
Welcome one of the biggest dinosaurs ever to have roamed the planet, the colossal titanosaur. An evening of exploration and fun family activities 7pm - 9.45pm
www.nhm.ac.uk/events/the-giant-dinonight.html
FRIDAY 28 AND SATURDAY APRIL 29
OUT OF HOURS TITANO TOURS
Natural History Museum, Cromwell road SW7 5BD
9am-10am
https://www.nhm.ac.uk/events/titanotours.html
At Oxygen we’ve structured our Toddler Sensory sessions to help your toddler develop mentally, physically and socially. Supervised by our highly enter-trained team at Oxygen’s indoor activity park. These sessions are packed full of fun.
1 hour structured play sessions every morning during the week.
Any fans of His Dark Materials or the School of Good and Evil, will love our book club pick this month!
Working as a nurse seems a far cry from writing children’s books. Had you always wanted to write a fantasy series?
I wrote a lot when I was young, but it wasn’t until I was training as a nurse in my twenties that I found my way back to it. I realised quite quickly that all my ideas were children’s fantasy, that it felt like a very comfortable, natural fit. I hadn’t specifically planned on writing a series, but when the idea for Fireborn came to me, I knew the story was too big for one book. There’s so much more scope for worldbuilding and character development in a fantasy series than in a standalone.
We love that Fireborn has such a strong female lead. Did Twelve come to you fully formed or what was the inspiration for her character?
Thank you, I’m such a fan of Twelve and it always makes me so happy to hear that others are too! She was actually the very first spark of the story to come to me and there are three characters I credit with inspiring her: Aloy from Horizon Zero Dawn, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Xena: Warrior Princess – all strong female characters themselves.
Twelve didn’t pop into my head fully formed, but I knew two important things about her immediately. Firstly, she was holding a pair of axes and secondly, she was full of this fiery anger. It was in exploring those two details that the world, the plot and even the other characters pulled into focus. In
a funny way, she is the inspiration for the whole story.
Twelve reminds me a little of Frankie, the heroine in Nicola Skinner’s book Storm (another of our book club picks). Nicola said she felt it was important to write a ‘real’ character warts and all, not just another ‘sweet’ heroine. Did you find that those ‘real’ female characters were missing from children’s books you’ve read?
I’m a big fan of Nicola’s writing, so thank you for that comparison! I do think it’s relatively rare to see female characters who freely express darker emotions in children’s books. I don’t feel I made a conscious choice to portray Twelve that way though. When she arrived in my head, she was already furious: her anger was one of her defining qualities and there were good reasons for that. To do justice to her story, I knew I couldn’t shy away from her rage – it is what drives her in the first book. I think it’s important and very healthy for girls to know it’s OK to be angry and to express that. I would love it if Twelve empowered some young readers to be comfortable speaking their minds.
What can we expect from the second book and are there more planned?
Without giving any spoilers, the second book opens up the world that we saw in Book 1. The action will move beyond the Hunting Lodge though, so we’ll discover new locations and meet new characters while getting to know the original group
much better. There will be many new monsters too, along with a few (hopefully) unexpected twists and turns!
I planned the story as a trilogy and am currently editing the third book. I’m not going to say I’ll never write anything else set in Ember though. I love this world and these characters a lot and think there could be more to explore there one day…
I’ve heard that, like me, you have a large ‘to be read’ pile. Books are my guilty pleasure so mine never gets any smaller! What’s top of your list?
Haha, I think it’s a universal problem for booklovers! I’m very lucky that I get sent proofs of books that aren’t out yet and I’m particularly excited to read Cosima Unfortunate Steals a Star by Laura Noakes. I’ve heard such wonderful things about this story – a heist set in a school for disabled girls. It’s landing in bookshops in June this year.
Are you a keen adventurer yourself or do you prefer to get lost in a book and travel from the comfort of your sofa? Both! My ideal is where the two combine: real adventures in the day and bookish ones in the evening!
Phoenix and the Frost Palace, Aisling’s second novel in the Fireborn series is out in hardback in March priced £12.99.
@aislingfowler
@fowler_aisling
www.aislingfowler.com
The perfect read to enjoy over the long Easter break, Rachel Bailey talks to Aisling Fowler author of the Fireborn series whose second novel Phoenix and the Frost Palace is out on March 2nd WIN Families have a copy of both Phoenix and the Frost Palace and Twelve and the Frozen Forest to give away!
For your chance to win, all you have to do is answer the question below and email your answer to editor@familiestveast.co.uk
Who is the main character in the Fireborn series?
A Twelve
B Eleven
C Twenty-Two
Closing date for entries is 31 March 2023
