UK Forces Education Guide 2 2015

UK Forces Issue 2 2015

Education Guide To K C A B School

Preparing for

Boarding School

AZ to

anton Win a family ticket to Hunst Sea Life Sanctuary

Win family tickets to Snettisha m Park Fa rm

UK Forces

Education Guide School Reviewer

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Colour Alive WIN

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School’s Out - A - Z of Summer Fun

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Hunstanton Sea Life WIN + READER OFFER 17

Welcome to issue 2/2015 of the UK Forces Education Guide This is our re-launch issue, although we have produced this publication for nearly a decade, we’ve decided to make it bigger and better! Upgrading from A5 to A4 and with a fresh, new, modern and punchy look with relevant editorial, we hope you like the changes we have made. We will also now be more visible on Facebook, Twitter and other Social Media Platforms.

This issue of the UK Forces Education Guide includes more competitions than ever before Crayola are giving away 4 Minion Colour Alive packs and Izzy & Ollie have given us 4 of their books to give away. Would your child know what to do in an emergency? We have an array of competition prizes from the Norfolk Coast, including Hunstanton Sea Life who have offered us 5 family tickets to give away worth a whopping £55.20 each and a 1/2 price voucher is also included within. Snettisham Park Farm have offered us 2 Family Tickets and Paint me Ceramics have a brilliant Reader Offer included. Go back to a time when iPads and tablets weren’t invented, when games such as Rock, Scissors, Stone, Duck-Duck-Goose and Hide and Seek were the normal outdoor games.

Pavilion Books, the publishers of ‘You’re It’ have given us 5 copies to give-away.

Get entering for your chance to win!

Paint me Ceramics READER OFFER

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Snettisham Park WIN

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How To Prepare Your Child For Boarding School

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Back To School

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Izzy and Ollie WIN

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Salt Therapy

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Neglected Cookbooks Dining Out With a Seven Month Old And Other Lessons Learnt

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I’m Done Making My Kid’s Childhood Magical

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You’re It! WIN

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Front cover image courtesy of BHS

Read our opinions on The Salt Cave, where child allergies and asthmas are helped without the use of conventional medicine. We have a new resident blogger, Hayley Eagle, who discusses the trials and tribulations of taking a seven month out for a meal whilst Bunmi, a blogger from the States, describes how we all need to take a step back and enjoy our children, rather than meeting the highest expectations of always being the biggest and best at everything.

We have included interesting articles on ‘How to prepare your child for Boarding School’ and a ‘Schools Out A-Z of Summer Fun’. Find out what’s in trend when it comes to backpacks, for both younger and older children. Whilst researching for this issue we found School Reviewer, a new website designed to help you with that all important decision of where your child should go to school. Already have children in school? Why not leave your feedback on their website for all to read? You may be helping next year’s parents with their all important decisions.

If you feel we should be including anything that has been missed or you would like the opportunity to include some editorial, please e-mail me: sally@ forcespublishing.co.uk by the 24th of August to appear in the next issue.

Articles and photographs reproduced by kind permission of the contributors

Forces & Corporate Publishing Ltd, Hamblin House, Hamblin Court, Rushden, Northants NN10 0RU. Tel: 01933 419994 www.forcespublishing.co.uk Editorial: Sally Haynes Design: Hayley Smith

© No responsibility for the quality of goods or services advertised in this magazine can be accepted by the publishers or printers.

Advertisements are included in good faith.

The MOD or any Service Establishment is not responsible for the advertiser or its advertised product or service.

Education Guide 3

Choosing the right school for your child is one of the biggest decisions you’ll face. At Tettenhall College, we understand that there isn’t a ‘one size fits all’ approach to education. Every child is unique and we have created a close-knit, family atmosphere where individual needs are catered for.

Based in central England, around three miles to the west of the city of Wolverhampton, the School is situated in the picturesque village of Tettenhall, just a short drive from the Shropshire and Staffordshire countryside and well-served for transport links.

With its own private woodlands, historic buildings and secret gardens, Tettenhall College offers an idyllic setting for pupils from ages 2-18 years, who learn in inspirational surroundings.

With a packed extra-curricular programme, weekend activities and trips and a caring pastoral team onsite, we provide a term-time home, not just a place to sleep.

The School is set to improve even further with major boarding and sports redevelopments taking place to enhance its offering to staff, pupils and the wider community.

Academic achievements at Tettenhall College demonstrate the success of our teaching and learning. Last year was also a record year for A Level A* performers and our overall pass rate was almost 99 per cent. Pupils went on to top universities and instituitions, including Oxford UCL and RADA. GCSE results were also excellent, with pupils achieving top grades. Eleven Year 10 pupils and one Year 9 pupil also took their Maths GCSE a year early, with all achieving top A* and A grades.

Outstanding new facilities, including enhanced sports provision and renovation of historic buildings, will enable the School to retain its unique blend of the traditional and contemporary and widen opportunities for pupils.

Detailed work is underway on new multi-use games areas to further enhance sports facilities at the School. There are also plans for a new floodlit Astroturf pitch, a new tennis and netball area, a high ropes facility and a designated mountain bike trail to complement the recently developed ‘Forest Schools’ area, loved by all pupils who enjoy exciting, outdoor activities in a safe setting.

Café culture is being embraced at the School, with a new coffee shop for parents and sixth formers set to be unveiled for the start of the Autumn term. All these exciting developments will enhance the learning and social environment of the School.

However, it’s the dedication to nurturing each child and helping them achieve their potential and develop their own talents that has helped us to become a successful school with an outstanding reputation.

Inspectors recently singled out the outstanding relationships between staff and pupils in an official report. They highlighted the excellent personal development of pupils, caring staff and successful learning.

The report from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) stated: “The pupils’ excellent behaviour and the outstanding relationships they enjoy with the staff and each other are conducive to their successful learning.”

It added: “The success of the school lies in the good standard of achievement and excellent personal development of its pupils, from EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) to Year 13.”

Education for younger children was judged as outstanding, with good preparation for senior school and particular praise for EYFS. Teachers were praised for knowing pupils well and being able to respond to individual needs and pastoral care was also stated to be excellent.

This care is particularly evident when boarders, who may be leaving home for the first time, join us. Like all our pupils, Tettenhall College boarders are made welcome from the moment they arrive. Our nurturing atmosphere and our dedicated staff and friendly

pupils help new arrivals settle quickly.

The boarding houses are run by The Housemaster and Housemistress but ample opportunity is given for students to have their say on the routine and rules within the House. In order to promote leadership skills and responsibility, pupils are expected to carry out minor duties to ensure the smooth running of the boarding houses. Our boarding school accommodation is also included in the School’s redevelopment. A major facelift will incorporate 21st Century facilities and ensuite accommodation.

For everyday support, the Housemaster and Housemistress appoint a Head of House and a Prefect Team. These prefects will be responsible for liaising with the House staff regarding everyday boarding matters, act as House representatives and promote active participation in House competitions, trips and excursions.

While we are very proud of these results, we also understand the importance of extra-curricular activities and offer an innovative and varied programme, from games clubs to sports. Pupils are also top performers in English Speaking Board Exams and are encouraged to undertake voluntary work and charitable pursuits.

Music and performing arts are a further strength of Tettenhall College. We even have a Preparatory School rock band and a string quartet in senior school. Alongside performances in our very own theatre, our pupils frequently support full-scale professional productions at The Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton.

Our children have been praised for their excellent behaviour, good manners and confidence, a reflection of our school ethos. We help them develop the confidence and attributes to succeed in whichever path they choose to take.

James Alder is a shining example of how our pupils show skills beyond the classroom after becoming the highest possible rank for his age group in the RAF cadets and also being commended for his achievements at a prestigious city awards.

The high-flying student is now a Flight Sergeant with the cadets and was also recognised in the city when he was nominated for The Wolverhampton Young Citizen Award 2014.

Judges commended him for his outstanding work and fantastic contribution to the cadets and the wider community.

We are proud of every single pupil success and celebrate achievement in a variety of areas, helping our pupils to feel valued.

Headmaster David Williams says: “We are working extremely hard to provide the best education possible by producing well-rounded individuals who know their own minds and can flourish here and in the world beyond”

For further information or to arrange a visit please contact our Admissions Team by emailing admissions@tettcoll.co.uk or calling us on 01902 751119 Education Guide 5

A good education is the right of every child.

Therefore, it stands to reason that parents need to make informed choices about any school they choose for their child.

D

etailing 41,826 schools throughout the UK, ‘School Reviewer’ will provide an invaluable, informed and objective overview of all educational establishments from nursery through to further education, including both state schools and those in the independent sector. Its aim will be to become the premier platform for school information in the UK, providing a comprehensive and continually updated database about schools, helping parents research the most suitable school for their child. By making this website interactive, it will

allow members to share experiences, post comments and write reviews.

Busy parents are able to download the specially developed School Reviewer IOS and Android Apps which are available to download from the relevant App stores. This gives mums and dads the freedom to explore the credentials of a chosen school from anywhere, at any time. Using the intelligent search algorithm, parents can search for schools by name, gender, establishment type, proximity to a chosen postcode and availability of reviews.

‘School Reviewer’ will create an online community that will provide first-hand information that goes beyond the school prospectus and the often, overwhelming school tour, providing personal experiences of schools by those who know the school. Members will have the opportunity to review and rate their experiences against given criteria. This will provide a valuable tool for those seeking to investigate new schools, whether for the next stage in their child’s education, a change of location, or simply looking for a better ‘fit’ for their child.

For schools, the website offers the opportunity to profile and promote their own establishments, whether by writing

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Note from the editor: This website will be an invaluable tool.

If any parents believe that this is a valuable addition to their current resources for information on their children’s’ schools, then may I invite them to take a few minutes to comment on their current school, as the site is only valuable and worthwhile if parents are proactive.

‘Upon education of the people of this country, the fate of this country depends’.

Benjamin Disraeli.

their own description, uploading photos or updating relevant information. Head teachers will also have the opportunity to respond to reviews, thus ensuring a fair platform.

The website has been developed by a parent for parents. Edwin Chan, founder, recognises the importance of making confident and informed choices for any child. “School Reviewer was born from the frustration felt when attempting to find first-hand information on potential schools for my children. Short of standing outside the school gates and canvassing opinions from parents at those schools during school run hours, I had no other source of parental reviews or opinions on those schools via the

internet. School Reviewer is a free platform drawing on genuine feedback from everyday parents, providing an intelligent solution for parents wanting unbiased and honest reviews on schools throughout the United Kingdom.” www.schoolreviewer.co.uk invites parents, teachers and head teachers to become part of this important and valuable initiative. This is intelligent support for parents wanting to see beyond the prospectus and the school visit, and who want to make informed choices.

Please visit www.schoolreviewer.co.uk to find out more.

Education Guide 7

Bring Minions to life with

Colour Alive!

A revolutionary new way to breathe augmented life into colouring, Crayola Colour Alive enables children aged 4+ to experience the wonder and magic of seeing their creations jump off the page as interactive 4D images!

An all new way to create, Colour Alive takes a child’s creativity into the digital world and merges the wonder of drawing and colouring with an App-linked virtual experience.

It’s easy to get started! After colouring in the pages using the markers included, kids simply need to download the free Colour Alive App on any iOS or Android portable device, then aim the device’s camera at the coloured page to bring the drawing to life in a child’s own surroundings. The included Colour Alive Markers transform colouring by activating special effects through the drawing on the page, in real-time.

Children can also interact and take photos with the colouring book characters and are able to store and collect their creations to play with later!

The new Crayola Colour Alive Minions is a 16 page colouring book, each page depicting a Minion character in a different scene and each with its own unique animation elements. Head off on a pictorial journey with the Minions visiting different countries and eras, similar to those in the upcoming Minions movie. The majority of the pages have additional content enabling parts of the background to come to life or flash when animated. Get yourself in the picture by taking photos and selfies of you and your favourite Minion then save them to your device!

Available now from leading retailers nationwide for RRP £6.99 each pack, Crayola Colour Alive is set to ignite a child’s creativity via an innovative offline and online play experience through colour and 4D technology, allowing them to bring their colouring to life.

Crayola is also introducing a number of Minion themed products into their range for 2015 including Minions Colour Wonder packs, Minions colour and sticker book, Minions googly eye book with one eye in the middle that goes through every page to add a 3D element to every drawing; Minions Giant Colouring Pages plus Minions Inspirational art case: a durable case including 64 Crayons, 22 short coloured pencils, 40 Washable Markers and 15 large Minions paper sheets.

!

n o i t i t e p m o C

The guys at Crayola have offered us 4 x Crayola Colour Alive Minions packs (rrp £6.99 each) to give away.

For your chance to win simply answer the question below...

What colour are the Minions?

Please email us at competitions@forcespublishing.co.uk with your answer, including your name, address and telephone number so we can get it touch with you.

Closing date for competition is 20/08/15

www.crayola.co.uk Education Guide 11

AZ to

There’s so much for parents and kids to love about summer!

Get excited for the sunniest season by exploring our A to Z list of summer’s best!

Get comfy in your hammock, pour a glass of lemonade, and get ready to make some warm, wonderful memories!

ab ANIMAL VIEWING

Most petting farms are designed to encourage people to get up close and interact with more domesticated animals such as Sheep, Goats, Rabbits and Ponies and It’s usually safe to feed and physically interact with the animals.

Zoos are still amazing whatever your age, some even have interaction points with the bigger animals like giraffes.

c BIKING

A great way to get out & about, an important skill to learn and a cheap option for a day out, not to mention exercise & fresh air.

CERAMIC CAFES

An amazing experience not to be missed. It’s an option that’s not weather dependant. If you know you are going in advance, have an idea of what you’d like to paint before you go, as once you’re there their array of pottery can be overwhelming. Make sure you read the cafes terms & conditions before painting as some charge studio fees. Many don’t but it’s better to not have that little surprise after you’ve painted or you can budget it into the piece you’re picking. If you’re at a resort and wont be there after your piece has come out of the kiln (turnaround is normally anything from 3 days to a week) check out their postage options.

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dg eh GARDENING

Can be fun at any age and an activity the whole family can share. Entertain your children with a range of educational activities, you can search online to print gardening facts or an insect finding sheet!

DANCING

There are so many clubs offering summer day camps. These usually involve, Street, Modern, Ballet and can be found advertised on or in places like Facebook or local newspapers.

f

FOOTBALL

One ball, a few friends, goals (or as we all remember doing at some point, jumpers or items of clothing to set your goals), one large playing field da da…….

Also have you checked out the new craze?

Bubble Football! It looks so much fun, we can imagine it would make an awesome birthday party idea (no matter what age you are).

j

JOGGING

The most important thing when considering running with children is that they enjoy it. Don’t push them too far or too hard.

A nice peaceful jog is a great activity you can do together.

ENGLISH HERITAGE

To view over 400 historic venues head over to www.englishheritage.org.uk, keeping your eyes peeled, for special membership offers including ‘Kids go free’.

Free entry for up to 6 children accompanied by an adult member (under 19 & within a family group).

i

ICE SKATING

Most venues offer sessions that provide a safe and fun way for children to learn the basics of skating & hopefully meet new friends.

The rinks should offer fun for all ages and abilities from general skating, discos, family and mother and toddler sessions.

HORSE RIDING

k An exceptionally rewarding activity.

Setting children up with skills such as posture, co-ordination & balance. It will improve social skills, confidence & responsibility.

KAYAKING & CANOEING

Children aged 4-7 will do fine sitting in the bow of a kayak but will not provide much propulsion, so probably better for older children. Canoeing is better for younger children as they easily accommodate 2 or 3 children riders plus adults.

Education Guide 13

n o m r P q s l

LASER QUEST/ TAG/MAZE

An indoor game using infrared hand-held units & vests. A game for all the family it will have your adrenalin pumping whilst stalking your opponents.

NATURE TRAILS

Most country parks set up nature trails in the holidays, but, if the times don’t suit or its too expensive why not make your own?

Visit www.naturedetectives. org.uk for tips, advice & downloadable sheets.

ORIENTEERING

A great family activity that tests your map and compass skills to navigate from point to point.

Some towns and villages have downloadable maps and questions you can follow.

MOVIES

A time to chill out, reach for the popcorn & get your PJ’s on. Everyone needs down time, especially with all the activities you’ll have planned. Last year saw a rise in local parks showing movies too! It’s worth checking Facebook and local papers for these to be advertised. The movies are usually free and more often than not a movie that’s not too old.

ROUNDERS

PARKS

They are free and depending on the age of your children you may even get the opportunity for a sit down, natter and a cup of tea with friends whilst they play! A great way to burn off some energy and good for all ages, with swings & slides for the little ones and usually open space for the older children. Why not take a picnic and make a day of it?

A great game for a group of friends or played as a family.

Suitable for all ages, teaching children skills and another activity that’s absolutely free.

Find a park or beach and you’re away.

QUAD BIKING

Most venues cater for children 6+, provided they wear a helmet & safety glasses and will listen to the verbal instructions & introduction to make sure the equipment is used safely. Quad Biking is a great, fun filled experience, but be ready to be covered in mud and drenched in water!

SEASIDE

What’s better than a day at the beach? Sand between your toes, rock pools, fish & chips & making sandcastles. If you go onto google, you can search ‘clean beaches’ which will give you the list of the best to visit. A personal favourite of ours here at HQ is Hunstanton. It’s probably our closest Blue Flag beach, they are Gold Winners in Britain in Bloom and the cliffs are in the top 10 ecologicals. There’s so much to see and do. Whilst there, why not take a wonder around the many independent shops, the fair, Paint Me Ceramics café or the Sea Life Centre? Just outside of Hunstanton there is Snettisham Park Farm which is enough to keep you busy for a week if you wanted to make it into a longer holiday.

14 Education Guide

t V VOLLEYBALL

THEME PARKS

Catering for most ages but worth some research before you take tiny tots. Definitely look into Merlin Passes, if you visit attractions regularly, as although the initial payout may be costly, with discounts on food, drink and shop purchases, it’s paid for in the first couple of visits. I personally have a Merlin Pass (in fact we are just renewing ours now) and I thoroughly recommend it. Last year, my husband and I, went to Thorpe Park, Alton Towers, The London Dungeons and Madam Tussards and we took our daughter to Windsor Castle, Legoland, my absolute favourite, Chessington World of Adventures, The London Eye and 4 different Sea Life Centres.

First time around we bought standard passes but this time we have upgraded to premium so we can enjoy free car parking and visiting London attractions in the summer holidays.

Children will love this, a sport growing in popularity.

Ideal for Key Stage 1 (5+) its linked to the fundamentals of movement.

Volleyball encourages social interaction due to its team structure.

uX w ULTIMATE FRISBEE

A fast moving team sport, getting more and more popular which has been compared to sports such as American Football.

However without referees and played with a flying disc it requires speed, agility & endurance.

WATER FIGHTS

I think everyone at some point has taken part in a water fight, whether it be with buckets or bombs. A small packet of tiny balloons will keep children entertained for hours.

XARE

Is a racket sport, where the ball is neither struck, nor caught, but somewhere in-between. It takes part in a special indoor court & you’ve got to wear a helmet, similar to a bike helmet – it’s definitely one to try. Other racket sports which are slightly more well-known and easier to find equipment for would include Tennis & Badminton.

y YOGA

When I think of Yoga, I would never imagine children doing it, however research has shown children benefit enormously.

Physically it enhances flexibility, strength, coordination and body awareness. Whilst mentally their concentration, sense of calmness and relaxation improves.

z ZORBING

Rolling down hills in a huge inflatable bubble. Truly brilliant for adrenalin junkies. A sport which is growing extremely popular.

Great for all the family & popular for parties

Education Guide 15

After a ten month closure due to a severe tidal surge/flood, the £3million refurbished Hunstanton SEA LIFE Sanctuary re-opened in October 2014.

There are many new exhibits including ALL NEW seal underwater viewing, new otter exhibit, an all new ‘high-tech’ ray tank, new family rockpool area, a completely re-built and improved seal hospital, and once you have finished looking at all of the amazing creatures, an all new coffee shop selling fresh local produce.

For your chance to WIN A FAMILY ticket for four people all you need to do is answer the following question: What month did the Hunstanton SEA LIFE Sanctuary re-open following its closure?

Send your entries to: competitions@forcespublishing.co.uk and include your name, address and telephone number so you can be contacted.

Closing date for entries: 5th August 2015 Don’t worry if you can’t wait to hear if you have won one of our family tickets to the Hunstanton Sea Life Sanctuary - simply cut out the voucher below and you could visit immediately for 1/2 price.

Education Guide 17

Bromsgrove - Boarding Houses are Homes After over 450 years of being a successful but relatively small School, Bromsgrove has, in the last few years, become one of Britain’s largest independents with 1,600 day and boarding pupils aged 2 to 18, including over 500 boarders. That growth in pupil numbers has been wedded to a build programme of titanic scope and the passion, vision and flair that transformed the School intellectually, culturally and on the games fields is now manifested in Bromsgrove’s modern boarding facilities.

The youngest boarders at the school have a new House for 70 boys and girls aged 7-13. Creating a home away from home for very young boarders is a challenge in any school, but it is a challenge met head-on in Page House. The building and facilities speak for themselves, but it is the atmosphere and the people that really make Page stand out as a leading example of modern Prep School boarding. The boarders in Page House are cared for in a warm, supportive environment modelled as much as possible on an ordinary, if huge, family home. Visitors often comment on the atmosphere of Page House and it is difficult to define what individual factors add up to the friendly, supportive, fun, welcoming environment of which we are so proud. Gone are the days of long dormitories with rows of beds and little personal space; the boarding house of today (and tomorrow) features smaller bedrooms, suitably decorated for the age of the children living in the rooms, and enough common areas that there is always somewhere to spend time with friends or have quiet time alone.

At the other end of the age range, Sixth Form boarders at Bromsgrove have also recently moved into their new boarding house. Many schools will have faced the challenge of recreating parts of their boarding environment whilst maintaining the dignity and grandeur of the buildings that they have inherited from the past. Few however, will

have had the opportunity to do so on the size and scale of Bromsgrove School’s redevelopment of Housman Hall, the former home of Poet A.E Housman, himself a former pupil of the School. The new and refurbished accommodation and facilities on offer at Housman Hall match the quality of the house spirit – this is a perfect environment for Sixth Formers to finish their school years and begin the next part of their journey. The sense of space and the comfortable homely surroundings coupled with the fact that this is a Sixth Form only, co-educational boarding house gives it the perfect pre-University feel. Pupils have the chance to grow in confidence, become more independent and prepare for life beyond school whilst having the guidance and support of the tutor team and Housemothers at hand at all times.

Reader Offer

Suzy & Dave from Paint Me Ceramics Hunstanton have been kind enough to offer all readers of the UK Forces Education Guide ‘Buy One Get One Half Price’* Whilst in Hunstanton pop in and visit. They have a huge selection of different items to paint, from tiles, to money boxes, plates to plant pots, the list is endless. Decopatch and acrylics are also available as a take home on the day option. They offer plenty of seating and a separate ‘Party Room’ so ‘dropping in’ is usually fine. If you’re a large party we advise you call them on 01485 534340 and book as they do get very busy in the summer holidays.

Feel free to check them out on and follow them on

Buy one get one HALF PRICE

Snettisham Park is a busy working farm consisting of 329 acres. One of its highlights is the unique and amazing tractor and covered trailer Deer Safari ride where you can get up close to the friendliest deer in the UK. This 45 minute round trip takes you into our deer park and enables you to hand feed a spectacular herd of over 60 hinds plus the awesome stags. You will receive live commentary throughout and enjoy the parks rich and amazing wildlife plus learn about the crops we grow as you go. If you are lucky you might see the deer swim across the lake. During deer calving months of May, June and July you will be able to see beautiful spotted calves. During the summer the stags grow their new antlers ready for the rutting season towards the end of September.

Activities include bottle feeding our lambs, collecting and grading freshly laid eggs, pony grooming, friendly goats to feed, watching our young calves being fed, guinea pig and rabbit cuddling. There are also pony rides during the school holidays for children.

Younger visitors will be able to enjoy our Young Drivers activity - a chance for budding farmers to practise their tractor driving skills on our pedal tractor track. They can also burn off energy on our play area.

The Visitor Centre is the welcoming hub of your visit. Here you will find the tearoom - light airy space where you can treat yourselves to delicious home-baking, fresh coffee and much more.. On sunny days you can sit our on the terrace and enjoy the splendid views across the Norfolk countryside.

Special Events include Sheep Dog Trials, Sheep Shearing and evening Deer Safaris and BBQ events. For more details on these events see website www.snettishampark.co.uk or telephone the visitor centre on 01485 542425.

Win a Family Ticket! *Cheapest item half price.

Only one item half price per booking.

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

Valid during 2015 season only.

To be in with a chance to win one of the 2 Family Tickets we have available please answer the following question:

How long does the Deer Safari Trip take?

Send your entries to: competitions@forcespublishing.co.uk and include your name, address and telephone number so you can be contacted.

Closing Date: 5th August 2015

Education Guide 19

How To Prepare Your Child For

Boarding School It goes without saying that sending your child to boarding school will be an emotional time for both you and your son or daughter.

Whether your child is raring to go, enthused by images of Hogwarts and Harry Potter and thrilled at the prospect of the packed extracurricular timetable, or dreading the thought of taking their biggest independent steps yet away from the family home, you will want them to be fully prepared.

Luckily, there is plenty of groundwork you can put in, not just in the days and weeks leading up to the start of term, but also when choosing your child’s school, which will help ease the transition and give you that all important peace of mind.

24 Education Guide

Number 1: Choosing The Right School When selecting a school, you will no doubt be looking at a range of factors including the academic success and breadth of activities on offer. You will also be looking at how your child reacts to their surroundings and what the people are like.

But paying attention to how the schools settle students into their surroundings is also just as important, particularly if your child is completely new to boarding.

Find out if there is a buddy or mentor system where older children pair up with new students to ease transition.

Does the school offer activities in the months preceding the start of term to help children familiarise themselves?

Many boarding schools run entire programmes in the spring and summer which include social events to help students get to know the school, the staff and their peers.

Ask the school how it deals with homesickness. Most boarding schools take the matter of homesickness very seriously indeed, and offer support accordingly. But it is important you are happy with these methods and that you are comfortable they will suit your child.

You could also take a look at schoolreviewer.co.uk a website designed to provide an invaluable, informed and objective overview of all educational establishments.

Number 2: Familiarise Yourself And Your Child With The School Take every opportunity for both you and your child to spend time at the school before the first day of term.

Make the most of open days, social events and induction activities. If your

child is particularly nervous, or if you have any concerns, set up a meeting with your child’s teacher. Write a list of questions and worries and talk them through.

Finally, have a look at the living space, and where your child will be sleeping so they are familiar with the places they will relax and sleep. There might not be much storage space, so this will give you an idea of how much to pack too!

Many boarding schools can arrange sleepovers before term begins, so take advantage of these if you think your child will benefit.

Number 3: Get To Know Other Students Find out if anyone from their current school is going to the same boarding school and, if so, arrange for them to get together in the summer holidays.

Likewise, use the open days to speak to other parents and arrange for their children to come to your house before term starts too.

While the other children might not be in your son or daughter’s house or class, they will still be able to share their feelings about starting school together and talk about any worries they have. In addition, it will be nice for them to see a familiar face at school now and again, particularly in those crucial first few weeks.

Number 4: Introduce Your Child To Independence Giving your child the opportunity to enjoy snatches of independence before they start boarding school will boost their confidence and get them used to doing things without their parents.

Use your judgement based on their

age and the previous experience of independence to explore and get them used to taking on more responsibility.

If your child is a teenager, for example, you could arrange for them to take a bus alone or a short train journey to meet up with their friends.

If your child is younger, perhaps allow them to stay at a friends’ house, or at the home of a relative, for a few nights – if this is something they have not done before.

Teach them how to cook a few basic meals, how to do their washing and other helpful household skills. Again this will give them a taste of how to cope without you, but also might come in handy at some boarding schools where students are encouraged to do some domestic duties.

Number 5: Do The Practical ‘Stuff’ Being meticulously organised will help with the preparation process, as it will give you one less thing to worry about when your child is dealing with the settling in process.

It will also ensure your child does not get into trouble for having the wrong kit or being without a vital piece of equipment.

Read carefully the school’s kit list and ensure, once you’ve purchased all the items, they are named. It might also be worth speaking to other parents with children at the school to find out what

Education Guide 25

personal items other students take with them, what is ‘cool’ and ‘uncool’ and if they have any tips on belongings that are needed and not needed. Equally, let your child choose the non-uniform clothes they want to take – they will want to fit in and there will be certain personal items to which they are attached, and from which they will take comfort.

See if you can get hold of a campus map for your child so they can familiarise themselves with the layout.

Small things like having a good idea of where the maths class is located, will ensure there is one less thing to worry about in those anxious first few days.

Number 6: Talk To Your Child Communication is vital when your child is heading off to boarding school. Over the summer, talk to them about the school, go online and look at the school website, involve your child in compiling lists, packing and preparing.

It is also essential to address any concerns. Don’t sweep their worries under the carpet, ignore them or say “you’ll be fine”.

Mike Fleetham, an education consultant and trainer who runs the Thinking Classroom consultancy, advises the use of empathy. “Be emotionally honest, and value your child’s feelings,” he says.

Using phrases such as “I understand why you might feel like that” and talking about situations where you have felt the same way will help your child feel as if their concerns are justified and ordinary.

Explain that it is okay to feel scared or anxious about starting boarding school and tell them that they will probably feel different once they’ve settled in.

This is also where building up friendships with parents and children who are either already at the school or are about to start the school will help too. They can provide reassurance too that these feelings are totally normal.

Number 7: Draw On Your Armed Forces Experience Whether a child is from a family with one or both parents in the armed forces, your experience will be of huge benefit to them.

For a start they will be used to dealing with separation, and will therefore already understand that it does not go on forever and that – despite being far away – you still love them, care for

26 Education Guide

them and miss them.

You probably already have lots of coping strategies in place which can be adapted to boarding school life, such as using Skype or Facetime to keep in touch. Or maybe you write family diaries, compose stories for each other or make videos to post on a family blog or use social media to stay close.

Most importantly, you have been there. Talk to them about how you feel before you are deployed, and how you deal with those emotions.

Number 8: Plan And Prepare For Homesickness Of course it is highly likely your child will feel homesick in the first few days and weeks. The school will have systems in place to deal with

this, indeed once the busy academic timetable finishes for the day, a whirl of extra-curricular activities will kick-in to help distract students from homesickness.

Yet, there will still be times when they will – quite simply - miss you. Talk about this before your child starts and explain the other children will also be feeling the same.

Find out about the school’s policy on using mobile phones and calling home and encourage your child to write letters and keep in touch. Many children use Skype or Facetime, so remind your child how easy it is to communicate.

Give them a diary or calendar and go through it, filling in the events taking place that term. Also use this to show them when you will next be together.

It will help them divide their time up into manageable chunks, and look forward to your next reunion.

BACK l o o h Sc To

From cool to quirky the team here at The UK Forces Education Guide have trawled the web to find you the best pick of this summer’s school bags to suit all ages and budgets!

Becky & Lolo Children’s Backpack- Football £16.99 notonthehighstreet.com Tito Backpack £145.00

cuckooland.com Leather Satchel Bag in Ultra Violet £84.00

Image courtesy of BHS

The Cuties and Pals Becky & Lolo

Polka the Ladybird Backpack

Nordic Navy Kids Backpack

£24.99

notonthehighstreet.com Iris Leather Backpack £157.00

£19.99

Becky & Lolo Roses Kid Backpack £26.99

notonthehighstreet.com

dotcomgiftshop.com Vintage

Urban Junk X Ray

Transport Mini Backpack £9.95

Student Backpack £35.00

Becky & Lolo Pirate Backpack Marks & Spencer Shark Bag £14.00, Marks & Spencer Bee Lunch Bag £14.00

Personalisable £16.98

Becky & Lolo Children’s PE Bag Forest Friends £13.99 Education Guide 31

Near tragedy, led to a clever little girl saving her mum’s life, and sparked the idea for a life saving project!

accident within the home or become incapacitated through illness - they would have only young children to assist them.

Isabelle (then 2 years old) called 999 whilst Jo was having a severe allergic reaction and nearly died.

Jo had taught Isabelle her name and address by composing a rhyme. All children that age can learn nursery rhymes, so why not this important information in case she ever found herself lost! She then inadvertently taught Isabelle how to make a 999 call - and when not to! A role play game of Drs & Nurses proved to be more beneficial than ever imagined.

What Jo hadn’t anticipated was that Isabelle would use these new skills sooner rather than later to save her mum’s life. Jo was proud to see such amazing praise in the National news/ papers but was determined to set the record straight. Isabelle was not a genius! Jo believes any child can replicate this, advocating all parents of young children should teach them this vital life saving skill.

It was also crucial to share with parents that it need not just apply to those with a pre-existing medical condition. Any carer of young children could have an

Jo (a Police Officer) recognises the dangers children are faced with, and the difficulties that parents have teaching children various safety issues so she started a campaign via social media to share her story and encourage all parents of young children to teach them this vital life skill.

One small voice was proving difficult to reach a nation of parents and subsequently, months later, Jo embarked on a mission to educate children through a story. She wrote her first story book teaching children how/when and when not to call 999 in a medical emergency. This book

was published by Small World and endorsed by a large early years organisation, Bright Horizons. Jo even adapted the book for the US and Izzy presented it to a nursery in Florida!

It has helped many children learn the concept of 999 and give them the confidence to know what to do in an emergency. Clearly she is very passionate about saving lives on and off duty and never stops thinking how she can help keep people safe.

She believes that we should never underestimate the capabilities of young children. As such she has co-written further safety books with Isabelle (now 8) who also thrives in the knowledge that she too can help save more lives!

For further information or to get your own copy of the book please visit www.izzyandollie.com.

Competition Four lucky UK Forces Education Guide readers could be in with a chance to win one of these fantastic books by Jo Keeling.

To enter, simply answer the following question....

How old was Isabelle when she called 999 and saved her mum’s life?

Please email us at competitions@forcespublishing.co.uk with your entry.

Closing date for competition is 20/08/15

Education Guide 33

SALT THERAPY What is salt therapy?

Salt Therapy aka Halotherapy is a powerful, natural treatment in a controlled air medium that simulates the natural salt cave microclimate to treat respiratory and skin conditions. This is no health fad – from the ancient Greeks to modern-day doctors, medical experts have championed its amazing effects. In fact, the NHS officially endorses Salt Therapy to treat COPD – but only via branches of the company which has led the way: The Salt Cave…

“Making salt castles…”

Jo at “The UK Forces Education Guide”

M

y colleague and I visited the Milton Keynes Salt Cave on a Saturday morning for a free, one hour, introductory session. Both mine and my colleague’s daughters (aged 2 and 11 months) suffer with eczema and asthma and I also took my 3 year old along for the ride.

On arrival we were greeted by a very polite and friendly gentleman who gave us the paperwork to complete and explained the process.

34 Education Guide

Whilst the children were barefoot, the adults were given shoe covers, and we were all given hairnets. We were led to the children’s room where the walls and floor are covered with salt.

This gave it an igloo type feel and I imagine it to be the same as visiting Pingu’s house! Inside were sofas and chairs, blankets, toys and a television.

The salt covered floor was similar to sand and the girls enjoyed making ‘salt castles’ and digging for treasure.

The lights were dimmed and as the fans began to signal the start of the session you could almost immediately taste a slight saltiness on your lips and notice a white dust on your clothes.

They thankfully supplied a large box of tissues as little noses soon began to run, their bodies clearing out unwanted mucus.

The hour passed quickly and even within that short time, you could feel a difference in your breathing. The girls were completely oblivious to the fact they were receiving ‘therapy’ and played happily for the duration. Once our time was up and we were back at reception, we were given further information on salt therapy and what we could expect as a result. We were particularly impressed that there was no ‘hardsell’ and we were not made to feel that we must sign up for future sessions. That said, we have both agreed that we

will definitely be returning in the next couple of weeks as we have seen a noticeable different in our children.

My colleague’s 11 month old daughter has struggled to sleep due to coughing and yet since the salt therapy, her sleeping has improved.

My daughter has definitely been coughing less and I hope with a couple more sessions, her eczema will also improve. We would both highly recommend salt therapy and commend the Milton Keynes Salt Cave for their friendly and professional service and their clean and inviting premises.

What is The Salt Cave?

The Salt Cave is a chain of clinics providing 100% natural, effective, riskfree Salt Therapy treatments. Visitors merely sit back in one of our treatment rooms, where the healing microclimate of a natural salt cave is reproduced by the most advanced device called Breeze Tronic Pro. This technology is used ONLY by The Salt Cave franchise in the United Kingdom.

How does it work?

Salt has the following properties: • Antibacterial • Anti-inflammatory • Mucolytic effects: loosens excessive mucus and speeds up mucociliary transport • Removes pathogen agents (airborne pollen)

• Reduces IgE level (immune system oversensitivity) While relaxing in one of our treatment rooms, customers inhale the dry, saltenriched air deep down into the lungs, where the healing benefits do their greatest healing. The salt loosens the mucus, which begins to clear quickly, and inflammation is reduced, which makes more room in the airways for you to breathe. Symptoms subside, sometimes for up to 12 months.

Salt therapy can significantly help to: • Reduce the need for inhalers and antibiotics • Make your breathing easier after just a few sessions • Improve lung function • Reduce the number of hospital

Testimonials...

Asthma

Eczema

“Toby has Asthma and potential allergies, possible hay fever. After 10 sessions I have noticed that Toby is breathing much more easily at night and I have had to give him his ventolin much less frequently. The cold he had when he started treatment has mostly gone (usually his colds last for around 2months.”

“Kiaan has suffered with eczema since he was a baby, it gets particularly bad when we go away on holiday and he spends long periods of time in the pool.

This year his eczema was particularly unbearable and the medication prescribed by our GP just didn’t seem to work. It was very painful for Kiaan, at nights he would scratch it in his sleep until it bled. We were introduced to the Salt Cave by the headmistress of Kiaan’s school and took advantage of an offer to the school for a free session at The cave.

After just 3 sessions we noticed the difference in Kiaan’s eczema and after just 7 sessions the condition

Mum of Toby Cannock “Ella Rose has stopped using her inhaler and her skin has improved at the back of her legs. From my side as a mother, The Salt Cave is relaxing and allows you to switch off for an hour or so !!”

Abigail P

admissions • Alleviate sneezing, coughing, and shortness of breath • Clear mucus and sticky phlegm from the lungs • Increase the resistance to respiratory tract diseases • Strengthen your immune system • Prolong remission times • Improve general health and quality of life • The treatment’s efficacy is estimated at 75-98% depending on conditions • Enhance sport performance for professionals

Contact details

To find your nearest clinic please visit www.saltcave.co.uk

had completely cleared up.

Both Kiaan and myself are extremely grateful to the staff at The Salt Cave and would highly recommend this as an alternative treatment for anyone with eczema conditions!”

Mum of Kiaan Malcolm

Cough “My daughter suffered from persistent cough for more than 2 months. She started to use the puffer with no effects. After a week of treatment the cough become soft and rare and she could sleep at night quietly. After a few more sessions in The Salt Cave the cough disappeared.”

Michelle B

Ear Infection “We’ve been coming for salt therapy sessions 3 times a week for one month. After

the second week there was still a lot of fluid in the ear, after the third week it became less and after the fourth week there was no fluid in the ear. Last two weeks speech was improved a lot and a hearing test is scheduled, but tube surgery is cancelled. (2 years old)”

Matthew S.

Chest Infection, Wheezing “We came to The Salt Cave to clear up Sam’s wheezing.

Sam has always had to have antibiotics followed by steroids to help his chest infections get better. I didn’t want to do that again so tried The Salt Cave...we did 15 sessions and could start to see the difference after 5 then much better by 10 sessions. I am thrilled with the results. Would highly recommend it to anyone! “

Rachel B Education Guide 35

Please welcome Hayley to our publication! An amazing blogger who for years has blogged about her small library of neglected and unloved cookbooks, taking herself on challenges to branch out of her comfort zone and try new recipes. Her blog has taken a change in direction recently when she had her gorgeous little boy Joey. Hayley takes us through her now meal times with a little one. Still very much into trying new dishes, but more than welcome to let others cook every now and then, will she ever get to try something in a restaurant or will little Joey prevent her from eating a meal that’s hot?

Hayley’s take on new recipes and eating out has us in stitches and we hope you love her as much as we do.

T

here are times when your child is perfectly well behaved. There are times when your child is nothing but a complete angel. You will be in a bustling coffee shop on holiday, you will put your baby in a highchair with nothing but some chopped banana to keep him entertained and he will be an absolute gem. You can both eat your lunch with two hands, your coffee will still be hot when you drink it and you will both be super relaxed, albeit with a baby covered in banana gunk (a price I am happy to pay). Pensioners will pass by and comment on how well behaved he is, what lovely blue eyes he has and what a total darling he is.

You will beam with pride, fit to burst at the fact that you can take your bambino anywhere and he will behave. You will chuckle at aforementioned pensioners, comment cheerfully that “you should see him at 5am” then stroll away safe in the knowledge that you can now go somewhere a bit nicer for lunch the next day as he has passed the busy coffee shop on holiday test for three whole days in a row now. He is ready for the next stage in his holiday eating education, and you are more than ready for a meal that isn’t fish and chips or a jacket potato. Unfortunately for you, this will also be the time that your child will forget everything they ever knew about being a perfect little angel in a restaurant.

So you can see what’s coming. We decided whilst on holiday in Devon to give The River Cottage Canteen in Axminster a go one day for lunch.

Trip Advisor told me it was a relaxed restaurant, family friendly and a more affordable way to experience The River Cottage food and ethos without forking

36 Education Guide

Neglected Cookbook s Resident F

ood Blogge

r Hayley E

agle

Dining out with a seven month old, and other lessons learnt out to go to a River Cottage HQ dining experience. Whilst the restaurant was definitely family friendly, our baby had decided that he was very much not restaurant friendly. I don’t know what his problem was, we gave him soft chunks of artisanal bread to chew on – artisanal! A seven month old who is too good for artisanal bread, what kind of child am I raising? The bread was bloody delicious as well, he really missed out. The crust was crispy with a crunchy coating of salt and rosemary (fear not baby weaning experts, I cut off the salty crust before giving it to the baby) while the inside was chewy and dense. We polished the lot off with some rosemary olive oil; meanwhile the baby threw most of his on the floor then burst into tears all in approximately 1 minute (and I’m being generous with the time). The bread is laid out on a big slab at the front of the restaurant and is enormous, it’s cooked fresh in the restaurant and is similar to focaccia.

But a really, really good focaccia, not one you’d pick up from the supermarket in vacuum packed plastic to go with

your soup.

Our mains were accompanied by crying and the dulcet tones of VTech’s Singing Alfie Bear who kindly offered several times to teach our baby ‘1,2,3’ and pathetically kept telling him that “I love you” (seriously Alfie, cool it) all while singing ‘delightful’ nursery rhymes to try and placate him. As you can imagine the other diners were thrilled at the unique soundtrack we provided for their meal. We both had the salt beef brisket hash with pickled red cabbage and a fried egg. We both agreed that it was a handsome dish; the beef was shredded and tender, with a salt and mustard flavour. Although there was no sauce, the dish still managed to be moist and the pickled cabbage added some acidity and kept the dish feeling fresh. My fried egg was extra crispy which was good, but on the negative side the yolk was very nearly cooked all the way through. I am super fussy with eggs though, the white has to be completely cooked with no trace in sight of the dreaded ‘snotty egg white’

w w w. n e g l e c t e d c o o k b o o k s . wo r d p r e s s . c o m

that you always get around the yolk with fried eggs, and then the yolk has to be really runny. Am I asking the impossible? The Boyfriend happily eats boiled eggs that have loads of undercooked whites in them while I look on in horror whilst eating what he calls burnt eggs. Overcooked they may be but at least I won’t be retching over my breakfast. I can’t perfectly boil and fry eggs myself, they are always slightly overcooked, but I’ve had no professional training so I’ve got a great excuse for consistently messing up my breakfast.

We each took it in turns to attempt one handed eating while rocking the baby or taking him for a walk around the restaurant to distract him from his very successful attempts to stop us eating hot food together as a family. Even though part of me was desperate to get out of there and walk him around in his buggy like he likes to do so he can have a good stare at everything, I was also determined to see the meal through to the bitter end and not give him the satisfaction of us abandoning dinner, so glutton for punishment (and also food) that I am, I ordered dessert. There were plenty of tasty sounding desserts on offer but I managed to pick parsnip and butterscotch pudding with vanilla ice cream. As a carrot cake lover the idea of a parsnip pudding didn’t seem too out there, especially when you consider how sweet parsnips can be and how often they are paired up with maple syrup or honey when roasted.

Images courtesy of River Cottage

I have to say, as good as the parsnip and butterscotch pudding was, it was nothing remarkable or memorable. The sponge was light, the sweet flavour of the parsnip shone through and there was also a touch of spice nestled in there, possibly cinnamon or ginger which really brought out the flavour of the parsnip. The butterscotch sauce ticked all the boxes, sugary and deeply sweet and the ice cream was smooth and creamy. Can’t fault the pudding in that respect, but rather than being a restaurant dessert it felt like a dish anyone could easily whip up at home for pudding after a Sunday roast.

Satisfying, comforting and sweet, but not a revelation. I would happily make this dessert myself one day, or one similar to it, on a cold winters day.

Whilst I was eating my pudding, the baby decided he’d push all his toys onto the floor, cry when they were no longer within his grasp, then when he got them back he’d start the cycle all over again. Delightful.

So Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s River Cottage Canteen gets a big thumbs up from me, but a big thumbs down from the baby. Good, honest food without bucket loads of pretension that makes you feel happy and contented, and (bonus) not stupidly full. The next day we had lunch at a service station on the way home, but despite the fact that services are the most miserable places to have lunch ever and I’d have totally shared in his misery had he been a grump, he behaved perfectly in his high chair while we ate flavourless noodles and drank from that ubiquitous coffee chain whose coffee is pretty dull.

Luckily back at home the two/three of us have lovely little lunches together as a family, where he sits in his highchair picking at fruit and crumpets while us grown-ups eat cheese on toast and dance like idiots to the radio to get him to laugh. This behaviour is frowned upon in restaurants though. Moral of the story: if you want a happy lunch with your baby, have it at home. Save the good stuff for when you’ve got babysitters.

Education Guide 37

Opportunities for all to Excel Boys & Girls 9 to 18 – Full Boarding & Day Strathallan is unique not just because it consistently delivers outstanding academic success but it offers a wonderful allround education. Located in 153 acres of beautiful countryside, the facilities at Strathallan are magnificent. We are a full boarding school with 12% international pupils from 33 different countries, offering an all-round education. Our focus is very much on our 556 pupils. With a 7 day week and no set exeats (weekends pupils have to leave the campus as the school is closed) this makes a wonderful environment to allow children to grow and develop. Most of our teaching staff live on campus with their families.

The aim of our founder, Harry Riley, in 1913 was that the School should offer such a variety of academic work, games and activities that there is the opportunity for all pupils to excel at something and therefore gain in experience and confidence for their own advantage and the service of others.

Choosing the right school for your child is not easy. Each child is unique and has individual needs. The school you choose has to be responsive to those needs – and strive to create an environment in which school days are positive and fulfilling, laying firm foundations for the future.

At Strathallan, we offer the best of both worlds – a small, caring community combined with top-class facilities.

From the first day, we offer a supportive, nurturing community and we challenge our children, encouraging them to be as good as they can be. We allow them to thrive within a supportive environment. It is a world where children make friends easily and where our staff ensure exceptional standards of care both within and beyond the classroom. Our pupils are nurtured, motivated and inspired; it is a home from home where they feel safe and happy and therefore excel in and out the classroom.

Most importantly, our children leave Strathallan confident, happy and ready to fact the next stage of their education.

Providing fantastic opportunities for every pupil to achieve, through a clear and committed focus on the individual, pupils enjoy a high level of nurturing support from teachers who are passionate about their subjects - as well as being high-quality practitioners.

All this gives them the very finest preparation for the future.

And the results are there for all to see…

The A-Level results have been consistently high over the last 4 years, making Strathallan one of the top co-ed A-Level schools in Scotland.

But it doesn’t stop there…

All boarding houses provide modern accommodation. Senior Houses feature individual study-bedrooms for privacy, with common room and leisure facilities for socialising and relaxation There is wireless broadband throughout.

The Junior House is designed to cater for children who wish to enter the School at ages 9 to 13 and is situated within its own campus. . It is a home from home where they feel safe and happy and therefore excel in and out the classroom. Like our senior pupils, our juniors have access to everything which Strathallan has to offer. This enables them to grow up to be independent, confident, responsible and happy individuals who make the most of our world of opportunity and easily find their feet in the senior part of the School.

There are extensive playing fields surrounding the buildings and these include six rugby pitches, four cricket squares, two floodlit synthetic hockey pitches, nine hard tennis courts, two netball courts and a nine-hole golf course; including very successful Tennis and Clay Pigeon Shooting Academies that allow pupils to compete at national levels in these sports.

Just two hours away from London Although having the luxury of the surrounding Scottish countryside, it only takes about two hours to get from London Heathrow to the School, which is much more convenient than many other boarding schools located within the UK. It takes just over 35 minutes to get from Edinburgh Airport to the School and flight duration from London to Edinburgh is less than 1 hour!

And Strathallan is a truly exceptional School. In every way.

We’ll leave the last word to a former parent…

‘We are convinced that we made the right decision in placing our daughter at Strathallan.

The School has been instrumental in her achieving her highest academic potential and ultimately gaining a place at Cambridge, quite apart from having a wonderful time - which I know she will look back on with great fondness for the rest of her life.’

We encourage families to visit us - for more information please contact Tessa Howard-Vyse on +44 (0) 1738 812546 or marketing@stathallan.co.uk to discuss a Visit or a Taster Day: http://www.strathallan.co.uk

I’m Done Making My Kid’s Childhood Magical If our grandmothers and greatgrandmothers could see the pressure modern mothers put on themselves, they’d think we were insane.

Since when does being a good mum mean you spend your days creating elaborate crafts for your children, making sure their rooms are decked-out with Pinterest Ikea masterpieces worthy of children’s magazines, and dressing them to the nines in trendy coordinated outfits?

I don’t believe for a moment that mothers today love their kids any more than our great-grandmothers loved theirs. We just feel compelled to prove it through ridiculously expensive themed birthday parties that have do-it-yourself cupcake

40 Education Guide

stations with 18 types of toppings and over-the-top gifts.

For a few years, I got caught up in the “Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better” parenting model, which mandates you scour Pinterest for the best ideas, execute them flawlessly, and then share the photo evidence with strangers and friends via blogs and Facebook posts.

Suddenly, it came to me: We do not need to make our children’s childhood magical. Childhood is

inherently magical, even when it isn’t perfect. My childhood wasn’t perfect and we weren’t rich by any stretch of the imagination, but my birthdays were still happy because my friends came over. It wasn’t about the party bags, perfect decorations, or any of that.

We popped balloons, ran around in the back garden, and we had cake. Simple.

But when I look back on those times, they were magical.

Christmas. With four of us kids and a limited income, my parents bought maybe two gifts per kid. There was no Elf on the Shelf all month long monitoring our activities and getting into photoworthy trouble. No special Christmas jammies. Very few decorations, if any. We didn’t even make cookies.

What made that time of year simply ethereal for me as a child was huddling in one bed with my brothers thinking we could hear Santa’s reindeer on the roof.

It was so much fun to try to stay awake, giggle together, and just anticipate the next morning. It was magical. I did not feel as if I lacked for anything.

I don’t have a single memory of doing a craft with my parents. Crafts were something I did in preschool and primary school. The only “crafts” I recall were the ones my mother created in her spare time. The hum of her sewing machine would often lull me to sleep as she turned scrap cloth into hair accessories to sell and hemmed our clothes.

At home we played. All the time. After school, we’d walk home from the bus stop, drop off our backpacks and my mum would push us out of the house. We ran around with the neighborhood kids until dinner. Times are different now and very few of us feel comfortable letting our kids wander, but even when we were inside, we played with our toys and video games. We made

blanket forts. We watched TV. We slid down the stairs on pillows. Our parents were not responsible for entertaining us. If we dared to mutter those two words, “I’m bored,” we would be handed a chore.

I look back on those times and smile. I can still recall what it felt like to have carefree fun.

My parents made sure we were warm and fed, and planned the occasional special activity for us (Friday night pizza was a tradition in my home), but when it came to the day-to-day, we were on our own to be kids.

They rarely played with us. Apart from the random empty refrigerator box scrounged from the back of an electronics store, we weren’t given toys outside of our birthdays and major holidays. Our parents were around in case we needed something or there was accident, but they were not our main source of entertainment.

Today, parents are being fed the idea that it benefits children to constantly be hand in hand, face to face, “What do you need my precious darling? How can I make your childhood amazing?” You can’t walk through Pinterest without tripping over 100 Indoor Summer Craft Ideas, 200 Inside Activities for Winter, 14 Million Pose Ideas For Elf on The Shelf. 12 Billion Tooth Fairy Strategies. 400 Trillion Birthday Themes. ??Parents do not make childhood magical. Abuse and gross neglect can mar it, of course, but for the average child, the magic is something inherent to the age. Seeing the world through innocent eyes is magical. Experiencing winter and playing in the snow as a 5-year-old is magical.

Getting lost in your toys on the floor of your family room is magical. Collecting rocks and keeping them in your pockets is magical. Walking with a branch is magical.

It is not our responsibility to manufacture contrived memories on a daily basis.

None of this negates the importance of time spent as a family, but there is a huge difference between focusing on being together and focusing on the construction of an “activity.” One feels forced and is based on a pre-determined goal, while the other is more natural and relaxed. The immense pressure that parents put on themselves to create ethereal experiences is tangible.

I’ve been told we went to Disneyland when I was 5.

I have no memory of this, but I’ve seen the faded photographs. What I do remember from that age is the pirate Halloween costume I wore proudly, picking plums from the tree in front of my house, intentionally flooding the back garden to teach myself to skip rocks, and playing with my dog on my front step.

I have not one memory of the holiday that my parents probably saved for months for: the holiday that was most likely quite stressful.

The “most magical place on Earth” in my childhood was not a theme park; it was my home, my bedroom, my back garden, my friends, my family, my books and my mind.

When we make life a grand production, our children become audience members and their appetite for

entertainment grows. Are we creating a generation of people who cannot find the beauty in the mundane?

Do we want to teach our children that the magic of life is something that comes beautifully gift-wrapped -- or that magic is something you discover on your own?

Planning elaborate events, daily crafts, and expensive holiday isn’t harmful for children. But if the desire to do so comes from a place of pressure or even a belief that the aforementioned are a necessary part of one’s youth, it’s time to reevaluate.

A childhood without Pinterest crafts can be magical. A childhood without a single holiday can be magical. The magic we speak of and so desperately want our children to taste isn’t of our creation, and therefore is not ours to dole out as we please. It is discovered in quiet moments by a brook or under the slide at the park, and in the innocent laughter of a life just beginning.

We constantly hear that children these days don’t get enough exercise. Perhaps the most underused of all of their muscles is the imagination, as we seek desperately to find a recipe for something that already exists.

Bunmi’s first book, The Honest Toddler: A Child’s Guide to Parenting, is available on Amazon.co.uk now.

I look back on those times and smile. I can still recall what it felt like to have carefree fun.

Competition Whilst researching for the article ‘A-Z of Summer Holiday Activities’, I came across this book, written by Katie Hewett.

You’re It! is a brilliantly observed hop, skip and jump down memory lane; a celebration of the days when you used to get home from school, hop out of your school clothes, skip over to your best friend’s house and jump around all afternoon until Mum called you in for tea. Nowadays, those classic - and universal - games of Hopscotch, Skipping, Bulldog and Hide and Seek are almost forgotten, rarely played, rarely passed on as generations come and go. With You’re It! you can relive those fun and silly games in this beautifully illustrated, wonderfully nostalgic book celebrating the games we remember from our childhoods as well as the days’ themselves. Pavilion Books have been super generous and have offered us 5 copies to give away. To be in with a chance of winning please answer the following…

Fill in the gaps to name these old fashioned games Duck, Duck, _ _ _ _ _ Paper, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _, Stone _ _ _ _ _ Says And the last one….

Hide & _ _ _ _ Please email us at competitions@forcespublishing.co.uk with your entry.

Closing date for competition is 20/08/15

“This is a fab book we would recommend to all children young & old.”

Education Guide 41