Parent Talk April 2019 by Parent Talk

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Clubs & Classes Schools Events Reviews Essential reading for parents and grandparents in Somerset

April 2019 Volume 26 Issue 4

Inside our bumper Easter Issue

WIN

a round of golf plus a meal for two! p6

a Hape Scoot Around trike p8

plus Fun in the garden p10

Book Review p22 Facebook “f ” Logo

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Parent talk contents Out & About

p2-5

Easter fun

p6-7

Events

p8, p12

Easter fun

In the garden

p10-11

Education, information

p13-21

Book Review

p22-23

Classified

p23

competitions Vivary Park Scoot Around

p6 p8

Dear Readers...

Welcome to our Easter issue packed full of fun days out in Somerset as well as some suggestions of places to visit further afield. With spring well and truly upon us now, we also have a feature on gardening including how to encourage wildlife into the garden as well as children! For anyone about to look round schools and confused by what to look for in an Open Day, read on for some really good advice on how to get the best out of your visit as well as navigating your way around possible bursaries and scholarships. Have a wonderful Easter and enjoy all that chocolate and time with the family. Best wishes Tamsin, Editor

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Newtons, Churchstanton, Taunton TA3 7QF T: 01823 601086 E: sales@parenttalk.org.uk Disclaimer: The editorial and advertising content of this publication does not imply endorsement of them by Parent Talk. Nor can Parent Talk be held responsible for any actions or consequences arising from contact between reader and advertiser. Readers are therefore advised to check carefully, any references, professional qualifications and stated membership of professional bodies before entering into contracts or making arrangements to use a service featured herein.

Editor Tamsin Humphreys Advertising Juliet Barber Production Sarah Harmer May issue copy deadline: 24th April 2019 To guarantee receiving your copy of Parent Talk every month why not take out a subscription for just £17 a year and it will be sent to your door?

Competition winner tonies® R. Monkton, Stoke-sub-Hamdon

OUT & ABOUT

Xtreme FMX British Champion at Royal Bath & West Show Visitors to this year’s Royal Bath & West Show will be treated to an awe-inspiring demonstration of motorbike skills, complete with soaring no-hand tricks and death-defying backflips. We meet the man behind Xtreme FMX – British champion Lee Musselwhite. What is your favourite part of the job? I love competing – but the shows are the most enjoyable. We have different disciplines and all the riders are true professionals. What can spectators expect at the Bath & West Show? We start with relatively simple tricks and then build up the difficulty – you see everyone raising the bar. There will be handless tricks, bike grabs, dynamic air moves, and even the elusive backflip. I’m really excited to be running the motorbikes in the main ring – it’s always absolutely packed

and the atmosphere is really buzzing. Tell us about your Guinness World Record… My first one was a no-handed spinning trick – I did 62 spins in one minute. Then in 2014 I did a spider glide – the first trick with no hands or legs on the bike. I’m always looking at different directions to take things. What do your school workshops involve? I go in to promote cycle safety, healthy living, and perseverance: Practice makes perfect. The kids absolutely love it and it’s really rewarding for me, too. Further details The Royal Bath & West Show will be held on 29 May – 1 June. Children go free during the May half term, with a £5 discount on early adult bookings. Tickets are available from www. bathandwest.com or by calling 0844 776 6777.

Members of Extreme FMX

Internet, mobiles and money top parental worries There are many important rites of passage for children, from getting their first set of house keys, to being trusted with money independently but a new survey of over 2,000 parents on behalf of OneFamily reveals that the majority of parents fret about the ‘right’ ages for these milestones, as modern life opens up unchartered waters. While over half of parents would like their ‘kids to be kids’ and to enjoy their childhood for as long as possible, the majority also believe that giving them more responsibility helps them to become independent. Making sure their child feels they ‘fit in’ is also important to parents, with a third saying they don’t want their kids to be left out because they’re not allowed to do or have certain things. Technology The most common parental concerns relate to the safety of their children, with modern technology causing many challenges to consider. The biggest worry is what age to let children use the internet unsupervised, while a similar number feel the same about when children can have their own social media profiles. The average age is now 10 for youngsters to be given access to the internet unsupervised and to get a basic mobile

phone. Smart phones with internet access come at age 11 on average, often tying in with the start of senior school, and most children now have their own social media profiles by the age of 12. Safety With four in five parents feeling that the world is less safe now than it was when they were young, prominent safety concerns include staying home alone and letting their children walk to school on their own. Reaching senior school seems to act as a trigger with children having the autonomy to do these at age 12 and 11 respectively. When it comes to having the freedom to come and go from home, most children get their own set of keys age 12, and when it comes to holiday independence, this is not until mid-teens, with parents saying their children are allowed to go away with friends at age 14. Money Parents are keen for their children to understand the value of money, with half talking to them about money from an early age, and two in five regularly discussing the cost of living with their children. To help them learn, most give their children pocket money by age eight, and let them choose what to spend it on when they turn nine.

All children aged between 16 and seven will have a Child Trust Fund which were designed to help children and parents engage with money from a young age, and with an average of £1600 in every account, many youngsters can expect a significant windfall on reaching 18. But parents aren’t stopping there, as when it comes to saving accounts children will have one in their name by the tender age of seven. Bank accounts come four years later at age 11, reflecting the increased responsibility. Having ready access to money via a cash card comes when children hit their teens at age 13, which ties in with when they can go shopping and make their own clothing choices. Sibling rivalry Comparing siblings paints an interesting picture. Of those who have multiple children, nearly a third let their younger ones do things at an earlier age than their first-born, with one in five worrying less about giving their younger kids responsibilities earlier because their first child ‘turned out okay’. For example, the second child on average is allowed to get their first job in the school holidays two years earlier (age 13 v 11) and their own computer or laptop 12 months younger (age 10 v 9). Looking back, many parents

say they were given more responsibility at a younger age than children today, because they were expected to be more independent. But many feel it’s difficult to know when to let go, with one in five saying it’s hard to know when children should be reaching certain milestones. Over half use their gut instinct when it comes to deciding the ‘right’ time to let their kids do something for the first time, while one in three wait for their children to ask them, and one in five discuss the issue with other parents. Steve Ferrari, Managing Director of Children’s Savings at OneFamily, says: “We are seeing that parents are keen for their children to become independent at a young age, and these rites of age are important milestones along the way. The path to becoming financially independent is certainly a long one with many stages – from giving pocket money to opening their first bank account and eventually helping them to manage a budget on their own – with each step helping children to understand the value of money. “Many parents are worried about when their children should be given new responsibilities – but the truth is that there is no right time and every family is different.” Parent Talk April 2019 3

OUT & ABOUT

Why not try a Go-Kart Party– tailor made for kids!

Call Nathan on: 07703 719 402

www.gokartpartysw.co.uk nathan@go-kartparty.co.uk facebook.com/GoKartPartySW TA postcodes only

If you are looking for a party that is really different, exciting, great fun and hassle free then look no further than Go-Kart Party. Nathan and his team offer both boys and girls of 4 -10 years a unique opportunity to race battery powered go-karts around an inflatable mini Grand Prix circuit. The parties are fully hosted and structured and fun games such as cops and robbers, cone dodging, reversing and emergency stopping will give the children an experience they will never forget.

Kart speeds and games are tailored to the age and ability of the children so whether they are aged 4 or 10 the kids will have an amazing time and will feel a real sense of achievement when they pick up their certificate and possibly the Go-Kart Party Best Driver trophy at the end of the party! Available indoors in numerous leisure centres and sports halls across Somerset, or even outside at your home, Go-Kart Party is accessible all year round at a venue near you.

You can check out the fantastic feedback Nathan receives from parents on www.facebook.com/GoKartPartySW and for more information contact Nathan on 07703 719 402, nathan@go-kartparty.co.uk or visit www.gokartpartysw.co.uk

Kids run off steam Family activities at at real working farm the Shoe Museum Give the kids a treat this summer and pay a visit to one of the region’s oldest farm attractions. Now in its 31st year, Court Farm offers both indoor and outdoor fun for under tens. Set on a real working farm, kids can run off steam in the large outdoor castle with zip wire and trampolines or visit the farm’s friendly animals. The milking show takes place daily at 11am with bottlefeeding shows at 11.30am and 3pm. With two indoor playbarns, free tractor rides and a whole array of farm fun based in stunning countryside, this family run attraction is a great day out for all your budding young farmers. The farm is open daily from the beginning of April 10am until 5.30pm. For details call 01934 822383

Wolvershill Road, Banwell, Weston-super-Mare

Remember to check out our book reviews at www.parenttalk.org.uk 4 Parent Talk April 2019

Visit the Shoe Museum in Street, Somerset, to see footwear from Roman times to the present day. Visitors can also find out about the history of Clarks and shoemaking in Somerset. Did you know the business was started in 1825 when James Clark took offcuts from the rugs produced by his brother Cyrus and turned them into slippers. Other displays showcase wedding shoes through the ages and fascinating facts about Chinese and Japanese shoes. Here Be Dragons is our Spring family activity with lots to do for all ages, including spotting our scaly shoes! You can also see one of the Sea Dragons of Street, a fossil which is millions of years old. Our new exhibition for 2019 tells the History of Footwear in 100 Objects and will be launched in May. Our summer family activities this year, from May half term, will take you into the tomb of Tutankhamun and the shoes that were buried there. Did you know that the young pharaoh was buried with 40 pairs of shoes. See our mock up of Howard Carter’s office and also find out about Clarks Desert Boot, which was designed in Cairo in 1950. Join us and Walk like an Egyptian. There are always craft activities available and shoes to try on. The Museum is free admission so there’s no excuse not to come down and have some footwear fun. We are open Monday to Friday 10am-4.45pm and Saturdays 10-4pm but we are closed on Bank Holidays.

01458 842243 Museum@clarks.com the-shoe-museum.org

HERE BE DRAGONS Join us for Spring Holiday fun! Sat 6th April –Sat 20th April

Free Admission Follow the dragon trail See one of the Sea Dragons of Street Make a dragon shoe Find out about Chinese Dragons

High Street, (opposite the Bear Inn), Street, Somerset, BA16 0EQ

OUT & ABOUT

Spring always means longer and warmer days, but now experts from BillyOh.com have revealed seven things Brits might not know about the coming season. 1. It starts at different times According to the Gregorian and meteorological calendars, spring starts on the 1st of March every year and runs through until the 31st of May. But the astronomical calendar, which bases the seasons on the tilt of the Earth as it rotates around the sun, determines that spring in the northern hemisphere doesn’t start until the 20th of March and carries on to 21st June. 2. It travels at 2mph Using measures such as sightings of ladybirds, frogspawn and swallows, as well as the leafing of oaks and hawthorns, the pace spring takes to travel from the south coast of the UK northwards has been calculated to be two miles per hour.

This is quicker than in the past, potentially due to global warming; during the first half of the 19th century, spring travelled at just 1.2 miles per hour according to similar factors. 3. Everything smells stronger As there is generally more moisture in the air, your sense of smell can be more acute during the spring, for everything from blossoming flora to farmers fertilising their fields. 4. It’s more likely to snow than at Christmas According to the Met Office, snow or sleet falls in the UK on an average of 4.2 days in March, compared to 3.9 days in December. 5. ‘Spring Fever’ is real Everyone is excited at the passing of winter for a reason – the rise in temperatures and longer days, as well as wider availability of fresh food, that come with spring can increase

the amount of serotonin in your body and dilate your blood vessels, which raises your mood and energy levels. 6. The name ‘spring’ is literal The time around Lent was called the ‘springing time’ in Old English, in reference to plants springing up from the ground. It has since been shortened to ‘spring time’ and later ‘spring’ over the centuries, but originally, around the 14th century it only meant a source of water. 7. There’s a formula to determine when Easter falls The date of Easter is calculated using a combination of mathematics, astronomy and theology. At present, Easter falls on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox around March 21. This means it can fall on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Many people are wanting to see a fixed date for Easter but it won’t be for a few years yet.

The arrival of spring brings new life and a thirst to get outside again and explore. There are four National Trust places in South Somerset where you can enjoy the crisp clean air and nature’s wonders. At this time of year there are drifts of daffodils across Barrington Court, the drumming of the Great Spotted woodpecker can be heard at Montacute House, new-born lambs are getting to their feet on the Lytes Cary Manor estate and lime coloured Brimstone butterflies are stretching their wings at Tintinhull Garden. Open every day, all these places are within a forty minute drive of each other and easily accessible from the A303. As well as enchanting old houses and beautiful gardens to discover, there are acres of parkland, woods, hills and streams that make perfect adventure spots. Top everything off by indulging in a great selection of delicious cream teas, cakes and other delights

National Trust Images Chris Lacey

7 things you might not Spring with National Trust, South Somerset know about spring

in the National Trust cafes and restaurants. The ever popular Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt will be also taking place at Barrington Court

and Lytes Cary Manor over the Easter weekend. Head to the National Trust website for all the details, including opening times and prices.

Barrington Court Sow and grow 6 & 20 Mar, 11.30am-12.30pm £2 each Springtime nature trail 6–22 Apr, 10.30am-4pm

Cadbury Easter Egg Hunts Barrington Court Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 19–22 Apr, 11am-4pm Barrington Court is the ideal place for a great Easter egg hunt – there’s lots of space to run around, and a Cadbury chocolate treat. £2.50 per trail

Paint a hand-cut Easter decoration 6–22 Apr, 11am-4pm £2 – £5 each May Day Fun 6 May, 10.30am-4pm Paint a hand-cut springtime decoration 25 May–2 Jun, 11am-4pm £2 – £5 each Wildlife days 28–31 May, 10.30am-3pm

nationaltrust.org.uk/barrington-court

Lytes Cary Manor Animals of Lytes Cary trail 6–23 Apr, 10.30am-5pm

nationaltrust.org.uk/lytes-cary-manor

nationaltrust.org.uk/barrington-court

Lytes Cary Manor Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt 19–22 Apr, 11am-4pm Hop along to Lytes Cary and follow the clues of the Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt to receive your tasty prize. £2.50 per trail nationaltrust.org.uk/lytes-cary-manor

Normal admission applies unless otherwise stated. Photography: ©National Trust Images/Megan Taylor Design: timjulierdesign.co.uk ©National Trust 2019. The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846.

Montacute House

‘Elizabeth of Bohemia: the Winter Queen’ Every day, see website for opening times Exhibition in partnership with the National Portrait Gallery Levels Best farmers’ and craft markets 30 Mar, 27 Apr, 18 May, 10am-2pm Free entry to the market Easter holiday activity See website for details nationaltrust.org.uk/montacute-house Normal admission applies unless otherwise stated. Photography: ©National Trust Images/John Millar Design: timjulierdesign.co.uk ©National Trust 2019 The National Trust is an independent registered charity, number 205846.

Parent Talk April 2019 5

6 Parent Talk December 2012

EASTER 6 Parent Talk FUN December 2012

Best things to do this Easter Weekend in Somerset and beyond Across Taunton, Somerset and Dorset, Easter is in the air and if you’re looking for an Easter egg hunt, there are plenty of options for you and your little ones. Here’s our list of the best things to do this Easter weekend in the local area from doing an Easter egg hunt to food and drink fairs, to keep you and the kids entertained. Hestercombe’s Dotty Duckling’s Easter Egg Hunt Dotty has misplaced all her eggs and hopes you can help her find them in time for tea! Running from 6th – 22nd April, this is a great trail for the family and there’s a chocolate prize for all those who can help Dotty. On Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 17th April, you’ll also be able to watch the restored 17th century Mill in action during Mill Days, as it grinds up corn to make flour – all powered by water from the Hestercombe Mill Pond.

Museum of Somerset’s Easter Egg Hunt Search the Museum of Somerset in Taunton filled with historic gems to find hidden clues in this popular Easter egg hunt, running from 6th – 26th April, 10am-5pm. A great adventure for all ages! Kilver Court Gardens Why not pop down to one of our partner gardens over at Kilver Court to soak up some spring sunshine and let the kids explore? The grown-ups can take the opportunity for some retail therapy, and a coffee. These stunning gardens are in all their spring glory right now and are worth paying a visit. Bishop’s Palace Easter trail An Easter-themed trail runs throughout the holidays at the Bishop’s Palace in Wells, along with a number of family-friendly activities including Bugs and Buds, and Nature Ninjas. Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens Another fabulous garden attraction, near Weymouth

in Dorset, the subtropical gardens at Abbotsbury look stunning in the spring. On 20th April you’ll also find the Food Fair in association with Dorset Food & Drink taking place, where you can celebrate Easter with the finest food the area has on offer. Forde Abbey Gardens ‘Once Upon a Time’ trail From 19th – 22nd April, Forde Abbey Gardens will be joined by a cast-list of characters straight from the classic fairy

tales for their Once Upon a Time trail. Hunt for clues and solve the challenges along the way, and meet some very friendly faces that are sure to capture your imagination. There’s chocolatey treats for everyone who takes part in this adventure and ‘Once Upon a Time’ storytelling for children, both big and small. Open from 10am – 4pm daily. West Somerset Railway’s PAW Patrol event The kids will love seeing PAW Patrol’s Chase and Marshall on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th April 2019 at Minehead Railway Station. The heroic pups will be making personal appearances at intervals between 10am and 4pm. Whether you fancy an Easter egg hunt, or you’re looking for something a little bit different, we hope you’ll find plenty of things to do this Easter weekend. Compiled by Laura Briggs at Hestercombe.

Military Spectacular The Royal British Legion is the centrepiece Charity for this year's 'World at War Weekend' at the Helicopter Museum, Weston super Mare. The show will see the land surrounding Weston Airfield's restored WW2 era Control Tower and Pilots Block brought to life by re-enactors, living history camps and historic military vehicles from around the country on the 6th and 7th April. The Royal British Legion will occupy the museum's Duke of Edinburgh Hangar for the Weekend with a number of displays and activities planned to promote their Charity. “The most important part of the show for us each year is to work closely with a military charity and raise as much awareness and support for their cause as possible,” said Museum Volunteer and Show Organiser Simon Parks-Lockett. “This year we are also celebrating our own

Charity's 30th Anniversary, so have planned our biggest and best World At War Weekend ever!” Over 100 re-enactors will be in attendance at the show with exhibits including WWII Vehicles, a German Military Command Centre and Field Hospital, A Vietnam Village, A Home Front Exhibition and a display of U.S Armoured Cars and Trucks. There will also be a very special Remembrance Service and Veterans Parade on the Saturday and entertainment provided by Vintage Wartime Singers throughout the weekend.

COMPE TITION

Fabulous fancy dress Win a round of golf plus a meal for two Easter Egg Hunt at The Toy Barn

Vivary Golf Course is challenging for players of all abilities. At 4,580 yards, the par 65, 18 hole parkland golf course tests every aspect of your game. With fantastic greens, numerous bunkers, water hazards and tight outof-bounds areas, it rewards control and accuracy. Located in the heart of Taunton, Vivary Golf Course is very easy to access, with affordable membership and pay & play options. Simply ring, book a tee time and turn up – we can even provide all the gear you need. Footgolf is also played on Vivary golf Course using a size 5 football. The object of the game is to get the ball into the hole using only your feet in the fewest number of shots possible. Footgolf is a very ‘addictive’ sport – it combines the best of football and golf,

Just alongside the main course, our 18-hole mini golf course is great fun for the whole family. Putt your ball up, down and around obstacles as you try to make the lowest score. Parent Talk have teamed up with Vivary Golf course and are offering a round of Golf for two people plus a meal for two, from the bar menu in the Club House. For your chance to win, answer the question below and visit www.parenttalk.org.uk to enter by the closing date of 24th April 2018.

two of the most popular sports in the world. The beauty of the game lies in you being able to strategically combine power and precision every time you play Footgolf. And, of course, it is open to everyone.

How many yards is the Vivary Golf Course a. 4,000 b. 4,580 c. 580?

Sherborne-based toy shop The Toy Barn will be hosting their annual fancy dress Easter egg hunt on Good Friday, 19th April from 11am. Tickets which cost £7.50 per child in advance (£8.50 on the door), include a traditional egg hunt, a chocolate Easter egg and unlimited play on the climbing frames, swings, trampolines and Wendy houses in the Orchard Play Area. There is no theme to the fancy dress this year so let your imagination run wild! The Toy Barn will award a prize for the best-dressed child. Adult entry is free and Doodles Play Café will be serving teas, coffees, refreshments and delicious treats in their pop up café.The egg hunts are planned every hour on the hour from 11am to 3pm.

You can buy your advance tickets online at www.toybarn.co.uk or by popping into the shop at Blackmarch Farm, Sherborne or by calling 01935 815040.

the toy barn's fabulous fancy dress

easter egg th hunt good friday 19 april

T&C’s: the competition is only open to those without a Golf membership at Vivary, the prize will be valid for 3months from the closing date, non referable, meal only, drinks aren’t included. If you win this competition, we will contact you for permission to pass on your contact details to the PR company concerned. We will never pass on your details without your consent. All other entries will be deleted after the competition closes and will not be passed on to any third parties for marketing or promotional purposes.

6 Parent Talk April 2019

includes cHOcOlATe eAsTer egg & PlAY On cliMBing FrAMes, sWings, TrAMPOlines & WendY HOuses The

Toy Barn

Sherborne

tickets & info: toy-barn.co.uk

( 01935 815040 blackmarsh farm, sherborne dt9 4Jx

The Toy Barn is a marvellous, family-run toy shop specialising in traditional toys, climbing frames and outdoor play equipment for children who love to play and explore. The shop and play area are based on a working farm conveniently situated on the A30 (DT9 4JX) at the bottom of the hill out of Sherborne. Free parking is available on site. The play area is also available to hire as a unique children’s party venue. Follow @ToyBarnDorset on Facebook for more information and details of other events during the year.

EASTER FUN

Meet the Easter Bunny and other animals at Puxton Park Hop on over to Puxton Park for a fun family day out this Easter Break! Puxton Park, based in Weston-super-Mare has just won the National Farm Attraction of the Year Award. The National Farm Attraction Network (NFAN) presents this prestigious award to only one attraction in the United Kingdom every year. The Park is ecstatic to have won this award and they are celebrating by hosting all sorts of fantastic events! During the Easter break there will be discos, comedy, Easter egg hunts, magic shows and Nutty Noah, of course! There will also be Easter arts & crafts and a chance to meet the Easter Bunny!

Events will take place from 6th22nd April and every day will be jam-packed with activities for the whole family to enjoy! After Easter, every weekend is full of amazing events like Princess Parties, Bubble Parties, Outdoor Games and Unicorn Weekends! In addition to all of the rides and attractions, Puxton also has a happy little farm at the moment, with lambs leaping all over the fields, and the cows busy with their calves. Come along and see the adorable baby lambs and pregnant ewes. There will be a chance to hold and bottle feed the lambs and if you are lucky enough, you may even see one being born and taking its first breath of Somerset air.

For more information, follow Puxton Park on Facebook or visit www.puxton.co.uk

Easter holiday fun for families at The Bishop’s Palace If you’re looking to keep little ones busy this Easter Holiday, why not head over to The Bishop’s Palace & Gardens in Wells to join in with a whole range of family-friendly activities with a variety of Easter themes. The holiday fun kicks off on Saturday 6th April when the new Easter Egg Trail will be in place. Challenge the kids to follow thåe clues around the Palace & Gardens and find coloured eggs hidden in unexpected places – and if they find them all, they can claim a chocolate prize from the Visitor Centre on the way out! On Tuesday 9th and 16th April (10:30am-3pm), our Crafty Cats sessions will take place in the Undercroft of the Palace. On 9th the theme will be ‘Bugs and Buds’ and the children will have the chance to create Bug Hand Puppets, Coffee Filter Butterflies and Tree Blossom Pictures, and on 16th the Easter-themed activities will include making Bunny Masks, weaving Easter baskets and creating Easter Egg Mosaics! On Thursday 11th and 18th April (11am-3pm), the Palace Garden team will be holding

6th22nd April

“Nature Ninjas” activity sessions in the Community Garden, aimed at getting little ones engaged with nature and gardening. The team will have lots of horticulturally-based fun activities for all ages. For something a little different, join Raptorcare on Saturday 13th April for the Palace’s Medieval Falconry Day. Taking place from 10am4pm, Tony, the master falconer, will be hosting flying displays, suitable for all ages, on the South Lawn. Visitors will also have the chance to handle some of the birds. The 14 acres of Gardens will be open daily throughout

the Easter Holidays and the Dragon’s Lair Play Area is the perfect place to exercise little legs – climb the Dragon’s Wings, explore the Tree Pods, crawl through the Dragon’s belly or pump the water to spill the bucket and send the Dragon to sleep – the choice is yours! There’s also a choice of The Hungry Dragon Snack Bar (adjacent to The Dragon’s Lair), serving drinks and snacks, or The Bishop’s Table Café, which is open daily, serving childfriendly menus alongside lunches, cakes and hot drinks to refresh the grown ups too! All activities are included in standard admission.

Parent Talk April 2019 7

8 Parent Talk December 2012

EVENTS

2nd-7th April: Romeo and Juliet. the egg, Theatre Royal Bath, BA1 1ET. Michael Wicherek’s adaptation fully realises the characters of the lovers and brings to life their world: the sound, heat and colour of Verona, the dark threat of the feud between their families and the everincreasing speed at which events hurry the lovers to their inevitable doom. Tues 1pm & 7.30pm, Wed & Thurs 10am & 1pm, Sun 11.30am & 3pm. Age: 10+. 01225 823409 5th April: Toddler Explorers – Flowers! The Museum of Somerset, TA1 4AA. 10.3011.30am and 1.30-2.30pm. Ages 1-3. Discover museum collections through play and active learning. Booking essential £4. 01823 255088 5th-6th April: Macbeth. the egg, Theatre Royal Bath, BA1 1ET. Michael Wicherek adaptation. Vibrant language and physical theatre chart the devastating effect that one act of evil can have on an otherwise honourable and loyal man – we see how the ripples of that act spread to destroy both Macbeth himself

and all those for whom he cared. Fri 10am & 1pm, Sat 11.30am & 3pm. Age: 10+. 01225 823409 6th April: Swan Lake – Ballet Theatre UK. Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre, TA2 8PD. Spectacular new production of a timeless classic. This immortal tale tells of a princess held captive as a swan by the spell of an evil magician, a spell that can only be broken if a prince swears true love to her. 2.30pm and 7.30pm. 01823 414141 6th-7th April: American Mardi Gras: Easter family fun trail at the American Museum, Bath, BA2 7BD. 10am-5pm. Can you solve the Easter family fun trail? Grab your basket and find the hidden egg clues to win an Easter prize. Age: 5+ 01225 460503 6th-22nd April: Springtime nature trail. Barrington Court, nr Ilminster TA19 0NQ. Family friendly nature themed trail. 10.30am-4pm. 01460 241938 6th-22nd April: Easter at Clarks Village, Street, BA16 0BB. Meet Daphne the Dinosaur who is laying her special dino eggs around the village and will be roaming the village from 11.30am2.30pm. Help her find them by

following a themed trail. 01458 840064 6th-23rd April: Stop, look and list it! Montacute House, TA15 6XP. Be a Junior Ranger and go on a wildlife hunt around the gardens and parkland. 10.30am-4pm. 01935 823289 6th-26th April: Easter Egg Trail. The Museum of Somerset, TA1 4AA. Search the museum to find hidden clues in the Easter egg hunt. Drop in. £1 per child. 10am-5pm. 01823 255088 6th-26th April: Easter Egg Trail, Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury, BA6 8DB. Search the museum to find hidden clues in the Easter trail. 10am-5pm. 01458 831197 6th-28th April: Easter Eggstravaganza. Wookey Hole, Wells, BA5 1BB. 01749 672243 7th-10th April: Have a go archery at Dunster Castle, TA24 6SL. 11am-4pm. 01643 823004 9th April: Bugs and Buds art & crafts session at The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, BA5 2PD. 10.30am-3pm. See p7 for details. 01749 988111 9th-12th April: American Mardi Gras: family craft activities at the American

COMPE TITION

Scoot Around summer As the weather starts to get warmer, ensure your little ones are out and about on their feet, exploring the world around them with Hape’s Scoot Around, perfect for both indoor and outdoor escapades! The four-wheeled scooter is perfectly-sized for speedy adventures. The bright green colours add a splash of character to this scooter while also highlighting the rubberised wheels which won't mark-up floors when your youngster goes for a spin. Best of all, Hape's Scoot Around is a sure way to get kids moving around, having fun, building muscle strength and balance! As your child gains more power and confidence, increase the wheel time and distance. Put your child in the safe hands of Hape, allowing them to play, while gaining value skills as they grow. Hape toys are created from high quality wood, with a real commitment

to sustainability and are ecofriendly. All products are tested to the highest safety and quality standards, so you know your child can play for hours with a

Hape product that will last generations. The Hape Scoot Around is available to buy online for £60.99 from Amazon.

Parent Talk have one Scoot Around to give away. For your chance to win, rearrange the word below and visit www.parenttalk.org.uk to enter by the closing date of 1pm on 24th April 2019.

E S OT O C R If you win this competition, we will contact you for permission to pass on your contact details to the PR company concerned. We will never pass on your details without your consent. All other entries will be deleted after the competition closes and will not be passed on to any third parties for marketing or promotional purposes.

8 Parent Talk April 2019

Museum, Bath, BA2 7BD. 11am-3pm. Age: 5-10. £3 per child. Normal admission applies. + other dates, visit americanmuseum.org 01225 460503 9th-12th April: American Mardi Gras: Easter family fun trail at the American Museum, Bath, BA2 7BD. 10am-5pm. Can you solve the Easter family fun trail? Grab your basket and find the hidden egg clues to win an Easter prize. + other dates, visit americanmuseum.org Age: 5+. 01225 460503 9th-13th April: The Addams Family presented by GSMCS. Strode Theatre, Street, BA6 0AB. The show, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, is based upon The Addams Family characters created by Charles Addams in his cartoons, which depict a ghoulish American family with an affinity for all things macabre. It features an original story about love, family, honesty and growing up. Tues-Sat 7.30pm + matinée on Sat at 2.30pm. 01458 442846 10th April: Make a tissue paper flower – family activity. Glastonbury Abbey, BA6 9EL. Make a tissue paper flower to take home and keep. 11am. 01458 832267 11th April: Nature Ninjas at The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, BA5 2PD. 11am-3pm.Activity sessions in the Community garden. See p7 for details. 01749 988111 11th April: Giselle. Vienna Festival Ballet. The Playhouse, Weston super Mare, BS23 1HP Giselle, a peasant girl, has fallen in love with Count Albrecht, who has told her he is a villager named Loys. Her discovery of his true identity has devastating consequences. With its irresistible combination of a heart-breaking story and exquisite choreography, Giselle is the perfect way to discover classical ballet. 7.30pm 01934 645544 12th April: Paint a glass tea light holder – family activity. Glastonbury Abbey, Abbey museum, BA6 9EL. Stained glass windows told stories to people who could not read. Paint a glass tea light holder and tell a story with colour. 11am. 01458 832267 12th-13th April: Giselle. Vienna Festival Ballet. The Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre, TA1 1JL. Fri 7.30pm, Sat 2.30pm & 7.30pm. 01823 283244 11th-13th April: Folk Lore. the egg, Theatre Royal Bath, BA1 1ET. 2pm. Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School invites you to raise your voices and join in the dance as it celebrates traditions of the South West. 2pm Age: 5+. 01225 823409 13th April: Medieval Falconry Day at The Bishop’s Place, BA5 2PD. 10am-4pm. See p7 for details. 01749 988111

14th April: Family Day at Wincanton Racecourse, BA9 8BJ. Free entry for under 18s, you can enjoy face painting, rosette making, designing silks + bouncy castle and obstacle course. Gates open 12 noon – last race 5.15pm, 01963 435840 14th-17th April: Have a go archery at Dunster Castle, TA24 6SL. 11am-4pm. 01643 823004 15th April: Potty about Pots. Roman Baths, Bath, BA1 1LZ Craft activity. Use wax crayons and a wax resist effect to create some amazing pot designs inspired by our collection of Roman pots. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Included in admission price. 10am-12.30pm and 1.30pm4pm 01225 477785 16th April: Crafty Cats art & crafts session – Easter themed activities at The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, BA5 2PD. 10.30am-3pm. See p7 for details. 01749 988111 16th April: Buttoned Up. The Fashion Museum, Bath, BA1 2QH. Family activity - create a button brooch. Included in admission price. 10.30am12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm. 01225 477789 16th-17th April: Holiday club workshops at Bodley Craft, Ford Street, Wellington, TA21 9PG. 9am-5pm. Easter craft projects and activities for children including games, quizzes and lots more. Age: 6+. 07525 127878 17th April: Goldilocks, The Three Bears & the Mayor of Porridgeton. The Regal Theatre, Minehead, TA24 5AY. For years and years no one has entered Bear Wood by order of The Mayor. However one summer morning Goldilocks decides she is going to find out for herself exactly who or what is in the woods! She finds a hidden cottage and peeks inside to find three very differently sized chairs… three very differently sized beds… and three very differently sized bowls of porridge! Come and enjoy one of the greatest story book tales ever told with a great new twist that is filled with song and dance, excitement, puppets and adventure. 2.30pm. Age: 2+. 01643 706430 18th April: Nature Ninjas at The Bishop’s Palace, Wells, BA5 2PD. 11am-3pm.Activity sessions in the Community garden. See p7 for details. 01749 988111 18th April: Easter themed family fun, Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury, BA6 8DB. Make your own Easter rabbit or chick basket ready for Easter. Hook Easter eggs and make your own Easter rabbit and carrot hanging craft. 11am-1pm and 2-3.30pm. Drop in. Ages: 3+. 01458 831197 19th April: Design a shield – family activity. Glastonbury Abbey, BA6 9EL. Make your own shield and become a knight.

11am. 01458 832267 19th-22nd April: Easter Egg Hunt at Barrington Court, nr Ilminster TA19 0NQ. 11am-4pm. 01460 241938 19th-22nd April: Easter Egg Hunt at Lytes Cary House, 11am-4pm. 01458 224471 20th-21st April: Glastonbury Medieval Fayre, Glastonbury Abbey, BA6 9EL. Fun family day out includes archery, medieval joust and market. 10am-5pm. 01458 832267 20th-21st April: American Mardi Gras: Easter egg roll, American museum, BA2 7BD £3 per child for egg decoration. Normal admission applies. The Easter egg roll is a presidential tradition started in the early 19th century by the First Lady Dolley Madsion, when children were invited to roll eggs down the White House lawn. Celebrate this fun American Easter tradition in the New American Gardens. 11am-3pm. Age: 5-10. 01225 460503 21st-23rd April: Have a go archery at Dunster Castle, TA24 6SL. 11am-4pm. 01643 823004 22nd April: Make a fire breathing dragon – family activity. Glastonbury Abbey, Abbey Museum, BA6 9EL. Day before St George’s Day, make a fire-breathing dragon to scare away the knights. 11am. 01458 832267 23rd April: Willow Weaving Workshop at Barrington Court, nr Ilminster TA19 0NQ. 12 noon – 4pm. Fun for all the family! Learn how to weave your very own willow garland or dreamcatcher to take home with you. 01460 241938 23rd-24th April: The Sun, The Moon and The Coffee Pot. Dragonbird Theatre at the egg, Theatre Royal Bath, BA1 1ET. A mischievous sun wants to play! She decides that if she could just stop the night time, we could all stay up and play… always. 10am & 11.15am. Age: 6mths-4yrs. 01643 706430 26th April: Toddler Explorers - Cool Castles, Somerset Rural Life Museum, Glastonbury, BA6 8DB. Fun-filled session of play and active learning. 10.30-11.30am. Booking essential - £5. Ages: 1-3. 01458 831197 4th-5th May: Noisy Holiday. the egg, Theatre Royal Bath, BA1 1ET. The Noisy Animals are looking forward to their dream holidays and have some brilliant ideas about where in the world they want to go. A ridiculous and funny story about going on your holidays with silliness and mischief for the whole family. Expect diving bears, massive carrots and Ibiza anthems. A lively mix of music, theatre, comedy, puppetry and animation. 11.30am & 3pm. Age: 3+. 01225 823409

EASTER FUN

10 Amazing Easter Activities for Kids in 2019 Easter wouldn’t be Easter without an egg hunt, but let’s face it – nobody can eat that much chocolate, right? Laura Briggs from Hestercombe Gardens selects do-it-yourself Easter activities for kids that don’t necessarily end in chocolate-covered faces, and that the whole family can enjoy. Who knows, maybe you’ll find your new Easter family tradition from this list! Egg and spoon race We’re not talking about the school sports day, but a fun Easter game to be enjoyed by all ages. Boil a batch of eggs (best to hard boil!) and then test your mettle against your rival friends and family members as you try to carry your egg in a spoon to the finish post as quickly as possible. Marbled eggs Have some fun with colour and create some artistic and bright boiled eggs, as pictured above. Just add a drop of food colouring to a pan of water, and prick a hole in the shell of your eggs before you boil them in the colouring. When

you remove the shell, the eggs will be marbled and you’ll be guaranteed an Easter breakfast that will really impress the kids. Origami bunnies Nothing says Easter quite like fluffy bunnies, and a great crafting activity with children is to make a whole bunch of colourful origami bunnies. Easter Egg Hunt Well we did say Easter wouldn’t be complete without one! Head on down to Hestercombe

for Dotty Duckling’s Easter Egg Hunt from 6th – 22nd April, help Dotty find her eggs and make your way back to the Pear Pond. Don’t forget to collect your chocolate prize! A great activity for all the family, as it promotes exercise and fresh air – and takes place across Hestercombe’s 50 acres of beautiful heritage gardens. Easter bonnet parade Easter activities for kids can be a lot of fun, and creating an Easter bonnet is no exception. Gather as much ribbon, feathers, sequins and glitter as you can get your hands on and see who claims the prize for the best bonnet in your own family contest. Egg rolling In Preston, egg rolling really is a big deal. As hundreds of people gather together at the top of a hill, Easter is marked in a rather remarkable way. Why not gather your own troops and find a hill to roll some eggs down? Boiled

or otherwise, see what makes for the most interesting game. Bunny bunting Why not decorate your home with some of the kids’ creations? With easy bunny bunting from Easy Kids Craft on Youtube, you can festoon the house and create an Easter wonderland. baking. You can find recipes galore online.

Bake a simnel cake A traditional cake for the Easter season, simnel cake has the tell-tale marzipan on top, and can be decorated with chicks and any number of other ways. Get your little bakers kitted out in their chefs’ outfits and get

Chick hunt We’ve mentioned the egg hunt, but you can always set up your own Easter hunt with fluffy chicks, bunnies, and any other non-chocolate and Easterinspired creature. The joy of this is you can create your hunt indoors or outdoors, depending on the weather!

Daffodil posies With spring all around, nothing says Easter like daffodils, and kids will enjoy creating pretty bunches of daffodils for mum and dad, or as gifts for other family members.

Find out more about visiting Hestercombe for a range of Easter activities this year. www.hestercombe.com

Parent Talk April 2019 9

10 Parent Talk December 2012

IN THE GARDEN

Help your plants grow with unusual household items With temperatures rising and people keen to get into the garden now that spring is upon us, we’re sharing some unusual household items that will aid new plants growth. 10 Unusual Household Items to Help Your Plants Grow Eggshells, matches, and human hair are amongst some of the most surprising household items greenfingered Brits can use to help their plants grow. The outdoor experts at GardenBuildingsDirect. co.uk have researched into the unlikely products and items that British gardeners could use as natural fertilisers this summer. From common food products such as bananas and eggshells to the more unusual fireplace ashes and potato water, these are items that can be found in the average UK household. A spokesperson for GardenBuildingsDirect.co.uk said: “You might not think your used-up coffee grounds contain much in terms of nutritional value, but they can actually provide your plants with vital antioxidants and minerals like potassium and nitrogen. “Similarly, white vinegar, coconut milk and banana peels are all bursting with important nutrients that can

help your plants grow and thrive. “Surprisingly, even human and pet hair can be used thanks to its high levels of magnesium – so think twice before vacuuming up your pooch’s fur!” 1. Hair Hair – whether sourced from a human, dog, cat or horse – works surprisingly well as a natural fertiliser thanks to its high levels of magnesium. It can take up to two years to break down, but when used in compost, the hair can provide structural support for roots and help break up thick or clay soil. 2. White vinegar Mixed with water, this makes for a great acid feed. Mix a tablespoon of vinegar into a gallon of water to feed your roses and hydrangeas once per season – but make sure you test your soil before doing this, as you don’t want the pH to be too low.

3. Banana peels Tossing banana peels right into your garden will give your plants a nice potassium boost as they break down. This will help to make your plants strong and healthy, allowing them to fight off pests like aphids. 4. Eggshells Dry eggshells out and add them under your mulch and they will slowly break down and give your plants calcium. For even quicker results, you can grind them up and place in a small amount of vinegar overnight to break them down and make the calcium ready to be utilized by your plants. You could even give them a whirl in a food processor to sprinkle the eggshell powder. 5. Ash from the fireplace Lightly coating your soil will fireplace ash will supply potassium and calcium carbonate, and increase the pH of your soil.

6. Coconut milk Make a ‘tea’ containing one tablespoon of dried coconut powder to five gallons of water, then use this mixture once a week or every other week to add electrolytes and bacteria to the soil. 7. Coffee Use coffee grounds to fertilize your soil and provide your plants with antioxidants, potassium, phosphor and nitrogen – but make sure the grounds are dry as using wet coffee can cause fungus to grow which will harm your plants. 8. Potato water The water you use to boil potatoes can be used to water your plants, as long as you haven’t added any salt – so think twice before tipping it down the drain! 9. Green tea Green tea is especially beneficial for raspberry plants, as they require a great amount of iron which green tea has stacks of. So instead of throwing away the green tea leaves you’ve used to brew your tea, simply give it to your plants. 10. Matches Good, old-fashioned strike matches are a great source of magnesium, so simply place the whole match in the hole with the plant or soak the matches in water to use this as a fertilizer. The magnesium will dissolve into the water and make application easier. ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀ ❀

Birds in the garden With the warmer weather upon us, are you asking if you still need to feed the birds and if so, what to feed them in the spring and summer months? The RSPB advises that during the summer months, birds require high protein foods, especially while they are moulting. Only feed selected foods at this time of year. Good hygiene is vital, or feeding may do more harm than good. These food include: Black sunflower seeds, pinhead oatmeal, soaked sultanas, raisins and currants, mild grated cheese, mealworms, waxworms, mixes for insectivorous birds, good seed mixtures without loose peanuts, ● RSPB food bars and summer seed mixture are all good foods to provide. Soft apples and pears cut in half, bananas and grapes are also good. ● Some people use soaked dog or cat food and tinned pet foods, but these may attract magpies, crows and cats. ● Avoid using peanuts, fat and bread at this time, since these can be harmful if adult birds feed them to their nestlings. If you feel you must put out peanuts, only do so in suitable ●

mesh feeders that will not allow sizeable pieces of peanuts to be taken, reducing the choking risk to chicks. ● Home-made fat balls can go soft and rancid in warm summer weather, and should be avoided. Commercially produced fat bars are suitable for summer feeding but discard any remains after three weeks. ● Temporary food shortage can occur at almost any time of the year, and if this happens during the breeding season, extra food on your bird table can make a big difference to the survival of young. ● Birds time their breeding period to exploit the availability of natural foods: earthworms in the case of blackbirds and song thrushes, and caterpillars in the case of tits and chaffinches. It is now known that if the weather turns cold or wet during spring or summer, severe shortage of insect food can occur, and if the weather is exceptionally dry, earthworms will be unavailable to ground feeding birds because of the hard soil. In order to help with this, buggy nibbles and mealworms can be provided during these times to prevent starvation.

Read more at https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/ advice/how-you-can-help-birds/feeding-birds/when-tofeed-garden-birds

Time to get gardening!

With the sun shining brightly after the cold weather, now is the time to get out into the garden! At Willowbrook Nursery and Garden Centre we have a wide choice of plants including alpines, herbs, clematis and climbers, heathers and roses. Our Aquatic shop has everything for your pond including marginal plants, lilies, pumps, filters and now with a larger area for outside fish! The pet shop has a good range of feeds for all types of pets and a range of wild bird care. Our Café serves daily chef 10 Parent Talk April 2019

specials and along with the tasty menu they are all freshly prepared. We are open seven days a week and can be found situated between Taunton and Wellington on the A38. With our Click & Collect service at www. willowbrooknurseryand gardencentre.co.uk you can pick your gardening and pet products that you need and then collect them either the next day or even the same day – aimed to save you time so that you can get out and enjoy your garden!

IN THE GARDEN

How to encourage Are you trying to introduce wildlife children into gardening into your garden? Tom Hibbert from The Wildlife Trusts offer some top tips. Introduce more wildlife features into your space using pots and containers Pots and containers are a great way of introducing wildlife features into more formal areas of the garden like the patio, or outside the front door. They are also perfect for small gardens or spaces like window ledges or roofs. Herbs, in particular, make good container plants and attract lots of wildlife, as well as being useful in the kitchen. There are many ingenious planting schemes that can be tried: sow your own mini wildflower meadow in a windowbox; line a pot with plastic to make a potted pond; or use walls to create vertical herb displays. Use a quirky container You can use anything you like for planting. Try an old watering can, chimney pot, kettle or teapot, holey boots, metal pails and buckets, bird or other pet cage, paint tins, catering tins, pans and colanders, veg racks... the sky’s the limit! How to make a hanging basket: 1. Rest the basket on a bucket or large pot for stability. 2. Line with an old woolly jumper (not a moss liner) cut to size, or choose a solid basket. 3. Plant using peat-free compost. Put in a tall, central plant (such as scabious, lavender, sage), followed by smaller plants around it, and trailing plants through the sides. 4. Continue building up plants and compost until about 5 cm from the top. 5. Feed once a week and water frequently in summer. What to plant in your hanging basket: ● Cool blues: Aubrieta, Lobelia, Wild Pansy, Nepeta ● Hot reds: Marigolds, Fuchsia ● Neutral whites: Sweet Alyssum, Erigeron, Ox-eye Daisy ● Tall central plant: Knapweed, Scabious, Lavender, Snapdragon, Pot Marigold ● Herb smellies/eatables: Verbena, Patio Tomatoes, Chives, Thyme, Rosemary, Parsley, Sage, Patio Strawberry, Dwarf Lavender ● Trailers: Ivy, Nasturtium, Honeysuckle, Sweet Pea, Lobelia ’Pendula’

How to make a cornfield meadow pot: 1. Make drainage holes – if necessary, drill 5-10 mm diameter holes into the bottom of the pot about 15 cm apart. 2. Cover with crocks. 3. Half fill with peat-free compost. 4. Start planting! Continue building up plants and compost until about 5 cm from the top. 5. Feed once a week and water frequently in summer. 6. Sow each year. What to plant in your cornfield meadow pot: ● Cool blues: Cornflower, Wild Pansy ● Hot reds: Poppy, Corncockle, Pheasant’s Eye ● Soft yellows: Corn Marigold, Corn Buttercup How to make a pond in a pot: 1. Find a suitable leak-free container, such as an old sink with the plughole plugged. 2. Put a 2-4 cm thick layer of peat-free compost in the bottom and cover with gravel to hold it down.

Getting children into gardening is not as difficult as you may think – using a few simple techniques can result in a lifelong interest in the natural world. Creating a happy outdoor learning environment is fun for all the family. Here are some tips to inspire you. Start small – even just growing a large seed like a runner bean in a jar of water shows your child how plants start off in life as the seed germinates, or try an acorn in a pot of soil. Make a small patch of land available to your child and give them ownership of it – whilst they need steering in the right direction let them have some creative input. As they see you performing garden tasks, they can copy you, for instance, if you are planting out some summer bedding, they could pop a few plants in their own patch. Then as they grow, teach them about watering and feeding the plants. Using

experiments is a great way to keep the interest going, so maybe try watering one plant, and not another to show the importance of water. You can even start small by growing a carrot top in a saucer – simply cut the top off a carrot and place the cut end into some wet kitchen towel on a saucer and watch the green foliage

sprout after a few days. A lovely idea to do as a family is to create a time capsule of lots of things your children are into or have made and then place it underneath a tree or shrub you are planting – they will love the thought that it will be dug up sometime in the future – but make sure its waterproof! Growing vegetables is exciting for children but to ensure their interest doesn’t wane it’s a good idea to choose really fast maturing ones like radishes or baby leaf lettuces. They can grow these in a pot they may have painted themselves. Runner beans are excellent too, grow them up some canes and have a fun competition to see whose grows fastest by marking the cane weekly! The important thing is to keep gardening light hearted and fun and don’t force children into doing tasks in the garden – especially the weeding!

3.Run water in very gently, preferably over plastic to avoid stirring the substrate. Use rain water if possible. Let tap water stand for a few days. 4. Plant-up after a few days when the water has cleared. 5. Maintain the water levels. What to plant in your pond in a pot: ● Submerged oxygenators: Hornwort, Spiked Water-milfoil ●Submerged floaters: Potamogetons, Water Starwort, Frogbit ● Emergent plants (on a shelf ): Water Forget-Me-Not, Gypsywort, Flowering Rush, Arrowhead, Water Crowfoot ● Cool blues: Wood ForgetMe-Not, Bluebell, Burgle ● Red hots: Hedge Woundwort, Red Campion, Foxglove, Herb Robert ● Neutral whites: Primrose, Lesser Celandline ● Yellows and greens: Archangel, Ivy, Wood Avens, Ferns, Hellebores, Wood, Sage, Lords-and-ladies, Spurge www.wildlifetrusts.org

Parent Talk April 2019 11

EVENTS

Meet the Knights at Cardiff Castle

Sunday, April 21st & Monday, April 22nd 10.00-17.00 Travel back to the medieval times as Sir Jay and Sir Lewis (The Warwick Warriors) return to Cardiff Castle on Easter Sunday and Monday. There will be two combat displays each

Magical Alnwick Castle Harry Potter is always alive and well at Alnwick Castle (the Castle starred as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in two Harry Potter films) and this year is no exception. During various Wizarding Weeks and Wizard Weekends throughout 2019, you may see lookalike characters from the films, including Harry and Dumbledore, mingling with the crowds and conjuring up all sorts of fun. Alnwick Castle’s own wizarding professors will also be on hand and you might spot some real, live enchanted

creatures (not for the fainthearted) and make your very own magic wands in craft workshops. As usual, every day from now until 27th October, you’ll find an amazing array of activities to enjoy, including the highly popular film location tours, broomstick training, and scary Dragons Quest (only for the very brave). Little children in particular - and sometimes grown-ups too - love the medieval dress-up, games and craft-making in Artisans Courtyard. And there’s yet more magic at

Alnwick Castle! For history fans of all ages, you can tour the incredible State Rooms with an engaging and knowledgeable guide, hear stories from the long and eventful history of

day, along with the chance to learn more about the weapons and armour used by a medieval knight. In addition, there will be stories, Egg Rolling and Egg & Spoon Races taking place at various times throughout the two days.

Alnwick Castle as you walk the grounds, or enjoy a 10 minute talk on a variety of different historical figures or objects from the Alnwick Castle collection.

All activities are free with admission. For more information on Alnwick Castle please visit www.alnwickcastle.com or call 01665 511 100

Normal admission applies. www.cardiffcastle.com

Take part in Museum of London - Beasts Palace life of London Kensington Palace 6 – 22 April Meet the King 11:15, 12:15, 14:15, 15:15 and 16:15 Meet King William III – who commissioned the building of Kensington Palace -as he shares the trials, tribulations and triumphs of being a king. Dress-up as a Georgian Courtier 10:30 – 17:00 Try on the latest lavish court

fashions and pose for a Georgian inspired family portrait in this drop-in session. Garden Games 10:30 – 17:00 Compete at coits, croquet and other genteel outdoor games with guidance from Queen Victoria’s childhood governess, Baroness Lehzen. All included in Kensington Palace admission. Free for Historic Royal Palaces members.

www.hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace

Step into a tour through London’s history, narrated by the animals who once lived here. Beasts of London explores the fascinating role animals have played in shaping the capital. Be guided through time, from the Roman era through Medieval London and right up to present day, narrated by the beasts themselves. Discover how animals – from lions and elephants, to horses, rats and pigeons – have shaped the city and its beastly history.

Some of these creatures might sound a bit familiar, too: Kate Moss, Brian Blessed, Pam Ferris, Nish Kumar, Stephen Mangan, Angellica Bell and Joe Pasquale will be voicing some of the animals featured in the show. Inspired by objects in the collection and created in partnership with the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Beasts of London will be a fully immersive digital installation using video projection mapping.

Beasts of London opens on Friday 5 April 2019. Tickets on sale now www.museumoflondon.org.uk 12 Parent Talk April 2019

Hampton Court Palace Lindt Gold Bunny Hunt 6 – 22 April The Lindt Gold Bunny Easter Hunt returns to Hampton Court Palace for 2019, with the famous Lindt Gold Bunny hiding throughout the palace and gardens. Every bunny found reveals a new story from Hampton Court’s history, with successful hunters offered the chance to claim a delicious chocolatey prize! Included in Hampton Court Palace admission. Free

for Historic Royal Palaces members. Tudor cookery 6 – 22 April From roast beef to spiced marchpane, discover some of the Tudor delicacies that would grace the tables in Henry VIII’s Palace as the team of historic cooks whip up some tasty Tudor treats. Included in Hampton Court Palace admission. Free for Historic Royal Palaces members.

www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

Open days at Centre for Young Musicians Centre for Young Musicians Taunton (CYMT) celebrated its 5th birthday last month and its 2nd year at Richard Huish College, Taunton, since moving from Hestercombe Gardens in March 2017. Over one hundred guests devoured lots of birthday cake, cut by the Mayor of Taunton Deane Cllr Catherine Herbert, and everyone enjoyed a live set from rock-country band Wrecking Ball. CYMT has grown hugely in the past 5 years and now has 73 students attending every Saturday in term-time from 38 schools across Somerset, Devon & Dorset. A division of the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, CYMT provides sustainable musical training with expert tutors for 5–18s, beginners to advanced. The Centre is building on the success of last summer’s music course with a brilliant summer holiday course in August 2019

for music and drama students aged 10–18. Based at Richard Huish College, this year’s holiday course from 12–16 August will include drama and acting workshops alongside bands, orchestra, music production, singing, theory of music, and lots more. Ideal for keen musicians and actors and students working towards GCSE Music & A Level Music.

CYMT is a delivery partner of Sound Foundation Somerset, the music education hub for Somerset, providing bursaries for term time courses with funding from Arts Council England. Further bursaries are available thanks to the Guildhall School Young Artists Assisted Places. All applications are dealt with in strict confidence.

Millfield Pre-Prep Open Morning If your child is aged 18 months - 6 years and would like to explore Millfield Pre-Prep, please book to join us on our OPEN MORNING on Saturday 4 May or Monday 20 May. Our children frequently engage in hands-on problem solving, using analytical thinking and interactive resources to aid learning. At Millfield PrePrep, we encourage a love of learning and aim to inspire each child to make the most of their potential. We utilise a dynamic topic-based, child-led curriculum, small class sizes and fantastic indoor and outdoor learning spaces and activities. Frequent trips and an onsite Forest School, walled and sensory gardens, apple orchards and a soft play area gives children the space and freedom to let their imaginations run wild.

Our all-round education ensures all our children get the individual care they need. We offer over 20 free afterschool activities including pottery, computer skills and trampolining, specialist clubs including; horse riding and

yoga, or an Early Birds and Late Club. We also run a daily Minis Parent and Toddler group during term time for ages 1-3. Explore the wonderful world of Pre-Prep on our website or attend our fun-filled Open Mornings.

To arrange a Personal Visit or book a place on our Open Mornings please call Hannah Cox 01458 837524 or email cox.h@millfieldprep.com millfieldschool.com/openmorning

Would you like to find out more? Please contact CYMT to book a visit anytime. If you prefer an Open Day the dates are: 4 May and 18 May. For more information visit www.cymtaunton.org.uk Call 07754 217993 or email taunton@cym.org.uk. @CYMTaunton

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Experience Millfield Pre-Prep at our next Open Day on either Saturday 4 May or Monday 20 May

millfieldschool.com/mymillfield follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

Parent Talk April 2019 13

14 Parent Talk December 2012

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

Live Adventurously at Sidcot Sidcot School was founded over 300 years ago as a Quaker school – one of only six such schools in the UK. We pride ourselves on a values-based educational approach and we welcome students and staff of all faiths and none. The school lives and breathes the Quaker values of

truth and integrity, equality and community, peace, simplicity, and sustainability. We want Sidcot students to have an inspirational education that’s as much about nurturing the spirit as it is about outstanding academic success. A recent University of Bristol study showed that a love of

learning can be fostered by cultivating confidence and self-esteem among students through openness and support. It’s at this point we can really create a difference in our young people. Rather than relentlessly drilling students for exams we must stimulate ‘deep learning’ motivated by a desire to

www.sidcot.org.uk

Not just an exam factory We educate students rather than simply train them to pass tests. Find out how we can prepare your child for a life of adventure.

Open Morning Bank Holiday Monday 6 May 9.15am for a 9.30am start To attend or arrange a personal visit, please call 01934 845236.

Independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 3 to 18. Located just south of Bristol Airport with daily buses from around Somerset

understand the subject, rather than ‘surface learners’ who are motivated by grades and learn how to follow instruction. With this style of learning comes better reasoning and decision making which are fundamental to adult life – rather than memorising facts with little contextual application. Sidcot’s setting in the Mendip Hills means students have 150 acres of countryside to explore. The school’s motto ‘Live Adventurously’ means learning is often taken out of the classroom giving students a deep understanding and appreciation for the environment and with skills and attributes that can’t simply

By Iain Kilpatrick, Head of Sidcot School

be measured by an exam result. We encourage prospective parents and students to come

and see just what Sidcot can offer at our Open Day on 6th May.

Family atmosphere at Fairfield Fairfield is a small school where everyone knows everyone and the school strives to create a family atmosphere in which everyone feels valued and appreciated. At the heart of everything is the strength of the relationship between child, family and school. Fairfield’s philosophy is based on one overarching question: what is in the best interests of its children? The Fairfield team plans a stimulating and vibrant Creative Curriculum to the North Somerset and Bristol encourage children to develop areas, sending the children at a lifelong love of learning. age 11, with many of them in At Fairfield, the children are receipt of scholarship awards, fortunate to enjoy the benefit of to all of the Bristol independent being taught by an outstanding senior schools and to the team of teachers who put the local maintained sector senior children at ease, nurture and schools. encourage them, as well as Fairfield’s nursery classes are developing their self-belief. an integral part of the school The school specialises in the and provide a significant field of primary education for School number their intake for the Independent forofboys Independent School for boys children aged 2-11. It has Reception class. and girlsan2-11 years of age excellent reputation within Nursery children also benefit and girls 2-11 years of age

from access to all of the facilities on the school site and Upper Nursery receive specialist music and sport teaching. There are limited vacancies throughout the school for September 2019. For further information, or to book an individual tour of the school, please contact: secretary@fairfieldschool.org.uk or call 01275 462743 or visit the school’s website www.fairfield. school

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Fairfield School, Backwell, is a place of immense energy, Fairfield Backwell, is a place of immense energy, creativitySchool, and excellence. and excellence. Independentcreativity School for boys Our specialist staff will nurture and develop your child’s and girls 2-11 years of age Our specialist staff will nurture develop potential and individual talents and to build high your levelschild’s of potential and individual talentsand to build levels self-confidence, self-esteem valueshigh which willof equip self-confidence, and values which will equip them to deal withself-esteem future challenges. them to deal with future challenges. With outstanding results, we provide the right foundation With outstanding results, we provide the right to build active minds, healthy bodies and happyfoundation hearts, to build active minds, healthy bodies and happy hearts, and help children discover a lifelong love of learning. and help children discover a lifelong love of learning.

Call 01275 462743 to arrange a visit Call 01275 462743 to arrange a visit www.fairfield.school www.fairfield.school

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COME & COME & VISIT US VISIT US follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk 28/01/2019 14:26 28/01/2019 14:26

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

Off to a good start at Queen’s Pre-Prep What do parents look for when choosing their child’s first school? For many, the priorities are for their child to feel excited about starting school, engaged with the transition activities into Reception and happy and safe in the new setting. Parents want to know that their child will be encouraged and enjoy a wealth of educational opportunities, tailored to support their specific learning. At Queen’s College PrePrep, we recognise that a caring, nurturing, supportive environment is critical to a child’s educational success in the early years. Our transition activities, which take place throughout the Summer Term, before the children join Reception, ensure that each child is relaxed, confident and excited about starting their educational journey. A broad and balanced curriculum, delivered in an exciting and tailored way, ensures all children fully participate and enjoy their learning.

Our small classes also ensure consistency and offer an engaging, positive learning environment where every child is respected as an individual. We never cease to be amazed at the remarkable level of learning our children achieve in their Reception year, and the high standards they achieve ensure they are well prepared for their move into Key Stage One. In a recent parent questionnaire, our Reception parents commented that Queen’s College Pre-Prep “… provides a safe and comfortable environment in which our child

is thriving”; offers “… a wide range of activities and my child feels happy to participate without pressure”; “… makes my child feel nurtured and supported”; “… goes above and beyond what is expected”; “ and “… gives the children the opportunity to express themselves”. We are delighted to be delivering the wonderful experience any parent would want for their child. Come and see us in action and experience Queen’s College for yourself at our Open Morning on Bank Holiday Monday, May 6th.

Please contact junioradmissions@queenscollege.org.uk or call 01823 278928 to book your place or to arrange a personal tour on an alternative date.

A school for every child Taunton School’s Open Mornings are the perfect opportunity to get a feel for life in an outstanding local school. Whether you are looking for the first place for your child in Nursery, Reception Year, or you are considering the benefits of moving your child into an independent setting, the staff at Taunton School would be delighted to meet you. Taunton School guides your child through Nursery, Pre-Prep, Prep, Senior and Sixth Form education, all based on one 56-acre campus. It’s a popular choice for families who see the advantages of a ‘throughschool’. Your child will benefit from superb teaching, small class sizes, extended opening times, excellent facilities, freshly cooked meals that are prepared on-site and of course, highly qualified, passionate staff. There is some availability for September 2019 start, so now is the perfect opportunity to visit us, and with Early Years

Entitlement there is now additional support to ensure you can access the best possible care for your child. With up to 30 hours of free childcare available per week for children who meet the eligibility criteria, this funding allows you to access the outstanding care in Taunton School Nursery. The school offers a stretched

system that enables you to access funding throughout 51 weeks of the year ensuring flexibility and convenience. Our Whole School Open Morning on Monday, 6th May is open to everyone. We’re excited to meet you! For more information, visit www.tauntonschool.co.uk or call 01823 703703

WHOLE SCHOOL OPEN MORNINGS Monday 6th May 2019 Saturday 5th October 2019 See our website to register your interest in our Open Morning or to book a personal visit: www.tauntonschool.co.uk/ openmorning

CHALLENGE

We’re excited to meet you.

NURTURE

INSPIRE

Parent Talk April 2019 15

16 Parent Talk December 2012

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

'It's lasted longer than the husband' Nearly seven in 10 Brits are regularly using household appliances which are at least 10 years old, according to research. A study into the nation’s kitchens revealed many old devices are still going strong in the country's homes. A survey of 2,000 adults found 37 per cent have a fridge that’s more than a decade old, and four in 10 are still using an oven after a decade or more. Amazingly, nearly one in ten of the population are still going strong with an appliance that’s a quarter of a century old, or even older. The research was conducted by the online electricals store, AO.com, whose spokesperson said: “It seems many Brits live by the old adage ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’ “While we seem happy to chop and change certain tech in our lives – mobile phones and tablets spring to mind – in the kitchen we’re much more resistant to change. “Even small kitchen gadgets like kettles and blenders have a much longer life span than many of the other pieces of tech we use daily.” The study also put the callout for Brits who maintain some of the oldest working kitchen appliances in the country. Margaret Havercroft, 65, from East Yorkshire, who has owned her blender since 1977, said: “I bought this in 1977 in order to prepare food for my baby son who had allergies. ''This blender also has a few attachments including a burger press and a chopper. “I am happy to say it is still going strong. Items were built to last 'back in the day'. “I must admit that talking about this trusty yet old appliance brought some happy memories back for me and hubby.” Jackie Andrews, 62, from Barnet, north London who still keeps her 1976 wedding gift appliances in working order, said: “My kitchen is awash with ancient appliances: My faithful Kenwood mixer has served me well since 1976. It was a wedding present which has lasted longer than the husband. “When I had my new kitchen installed about three years ago, I kept my built-in Siemens microwave and separate builtin oven from about 1994. Both work perfectly well so if it ain’t 16 Parent Talk April 2019

broke, don’t fix it.'' Non-electric gems include my Prestige pressure cooker, which was also a wedding present in 1976 and is used for everything from stews and risottos to jam-making. “It has always cooked quickly and fuel efficiently before energy efficiency became fashionable. “My manual multi-grater was bought in 1976 for about 75p from Wembley market and I thought it would only last a year or two but, despite a broken handle, it’s used at least once a week.” More than one in 10 have a kettle that’s been collecting limescale for 10 years or more, and the same amount say it’s the kitchen gadget they’d most like to replace. However, the appliance Brits most want to see swapped for a new model is the oven, followed by their freezer and then the washing machine. And if they moved house, the appliances most likely to get upgraded would be the old oven, with just one in five saying they’d spring for a new kettle. Brits appear to get strangely attached to the helpful tech and machinery in the kitchen – with more than a fifth saying they’d feel a genuine sense of loss if something they’d owned for more than 10 years broke down. Forty-seven per cent of respondents believe there is too much technology found in brand-new appliances, preferring to stick with the tried and tested. And a fifth report their parents still have appliances they remember from their own childhood, potentially going back generations. These are most likely to be blenders, microwaves or washing machines. Almost one in five Brits have something in their kitchen they believe is ‘impossible to break’ which they expect to last forever. While one in 10 have had their ancient appliances commented on by friends or family members – broadly in a positive light, praising their hardiness. After a kitchen gadget finally does break down, the average Brit takes less than five weeks to get it replaced, according to the research conducted through OnePoll.com.

NURSERYdirectory Busy Bees Nursery, Portishead Fantastic setting near the marina, providing good childcare, large carpark with easy access for drop off and pick up and easy access to M5. Large and exciting outdoor area for all children to enjoy. From 3 months. We accept childcare vouchers. www.busybeeschildcare. co.uk 01275 847275 Hazlegrove Nursery and Pre-Prep, Sparkford. Our Nursery is a lovely first step into the Hazlegrove community. Children learn that the school is somewhere they can have fun, and they start to build relationships with staff, and friendships with each other. The winning combination of experienced committed staff and small class sizes, creates a friendly, stimulating and secure environment for the children. The Nursery provides a vibrant and engaging space for pre-school children and is the ideal start to their school life. For more information, please contact Victoria Dando on 01963 442 606 admissions@hazlegrove.co.uk King’s Hall Nursery King’s Hall is a wonderfully traditional yet progressive school set in the rolling Somerset countryside just outside Taunton. Although the Nursery shares the Preparatory school’s superb facilities, it is self contained and operates in a secure and peaceful environment. Log cabin classrooms, vast on-site Forest School and highly experienced, dedicated staff make King’s Hall Nursery the natural choice for children 2 to 5 years. 01823 285921 www.kingshalltaunton.co.uk

Millfield Pre-Prep School (Ages 2-7), situated in the beautiful Prep campus in Glastonbury. Our aim is to encourage a love of learning through a combination of classroom and outdoor activities, using a child-led curriculum, small class sizes and excellent facilities, including our on-site Forest School and indoor swimming pool. Over 20 free after-school activities as well as an Early Birds and Late Club, and a daily toddler group during term time for ages 1-3. To arrange a visit please contact: Hannah Cox in Admissions on 01458 837524 Queen’s College Highgrove Nursery, Nursery School, Pre-Prep and Reception 0-5 years. Queen’s Pre-Prep and Junior School is renowned for excellence in infant and junior education and care. The Queen's Highgrove Nursery offers year-round care for children aged 0-3 year olds. Queen’s Nursery school is situated in the Pre-Prep Department and it is here that the stepping stones to a formal education are laid. Highly qualified and experienced Nursery School staff work in close liaison with parents and the Highgrove Nursery team, ensuring a smooth and personalised transition. Queen’s Pre-Prep takes pride in providing a rich, stimulating and diverse education within a nurturing and caring environment. www.queenscollege.org.uk 01823 278928, junioradmissions@queenscollege. org.uk Little Steps Little Steps Preschool, North Newton TA7 0BG Offering fantastic learning opportunities for children aged 2-5yrs in a rural village setting

getting out and about as much as possible. Highly qualified staff with extensive experience. Opening times Mon-Thurs 8am-3pm and accept 2,3 & 4yr old funding. To come & visit please contact Helen Barham, Preschool Manager Tel: 07745 229438 Email: little.steps@outlook. com Sunny Hill Pre-School and Pre-Prep Sunny Hill welcomes pre-school and primary school aged children, taking girls from 3-11 years old and boys aged 3-7. Situated in the beautiful market town of Bruton and sharing the same 40 acre campus of ‘big sister’ school, Bruton School for Girls, children have space and freedom to learn, have fun, take on new challenges and make friends. Our small classes mean that every child receives high quality, individual attention. All pupils enjoy either Forest School or John Muir outdoor education, and there is a wide variety of extra-curricular clubs and activities. Full wrap-around care is available to suit the needs of busy families, including breakfast and supper club options and free after school care until 5.30pm every day. To arrange a visit please contact: Mrs Carrie Crook in Admissions on: 01749 814401 or email: admissions@brutonschool.co.uk Taunton Nursery School for children from 0 years. Flexible Nursery Education, 7.30am- 5.45pm. Highly qualified teachers. Spectacular grounds and facilities used by all. Children can attend a combination of morning, afternoon and late club sessions. 01823 703300 www.tauntonschool.co.uk

Wellington Prep School Nursery Attractive, well-designed buildings. Talented teachers. Cheerful children. Proud parents. All this can be yours at Wellington Prep School Nursery and Pre-Nursery. EYFS can be redeemed against our fees. We would love to have your children from 3 years upwards. Open term time with holiday clubs. Please enjoy our website www.wellington-school.org.uk or call Rachel Debenham to arrange a visit. 01823 668700 Little Wellies Term time Toddler group. Open to all pre-school children every Thursday morning 9.15-11.15am, Wellington Prep School Hall. £3 per child and £1 per additional child weekly charge. Contact Marian Bassindale for more details 01823 668700 prep@wellington-school.org.uk Wyvern Nursery Ltd Nurseries across Somerset Fun learning environment is created and encouraged to ensure your child thrives as an individual. Bishops Hull Taunton 01823 327429 The Hollies Children Centre Taunton 01823 330554 Wellsprings Leisure Centre Taunton 01823 289997 Levels Children Centre Langport 01458 250003 Victoria Park Bridgwater 01278 422409 Frome Community College Frome 01373 453838 www.wyvernnursery.co.uk

To book our Nursery Directory, please call 01458 250461 follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

11+ and SATs tips New nursery to by Joe Norman

Right. Boring stuff first. The best thing you can do to help with SATs and 11+ and pretests is to go to Sats-papers. co.uk and Elevenplusexams. co.uk to download a batch of past papers (and answers) so you can practice with them in a slow and leisurely fashion (time limits are the very last thing you bring in: get good first, then get fast). Also, get creative with your own google searches to find material – it’s really good to get a range of stuff to work with. Vital to have a working printer for this. Or you could buy Bond books and other similar ones – variety is important, so choose a few different kinds. Also, it’s good to try something that’s too hard for you. You don’t know what you’ll get in the exam – at least one of the questions will be too hard. So it’s good to build some failure in to your revision schedule. If you know it’ll be too hard it takes the pressure off. Which is why I give ten year-olds the Wonderlic Test even though it’s aimed at adults (it was developed for 18 year-old American Football players to determine who was mentally agile enough to play as quarterback). You can try it online at beatthewonderlic. com. I only got to question 33 of 50, so ignore the time limit too. Or google ‘st pauls reasoning paper’ for a printable PDF (a PDF is always better than printing out a

whole web page). Actually you might want to do both these harder tests as a team. First of all, you and your student are probably each good at different things. And also it’s a good thing for your student to see a (supposedly competent) adult sweat a bit over their schoolwork, whether they get the right answer, or have to pick themselves up after a wrong one. Here are four or five general tips for you to use these practice papers effectively: RTR Read The Rubric aloud to each other. It’s boring, so take turns. The Rubric is everything you have to read before you get to the actual question. And – especially – read the example questions aloud, if they offer them. It’s always 95% obvious stuff, and 5% stuff you might miss if you weren’t paying attention. So get into the habit of paying attention. RTQ Read The Question too, obviously. Pay attention to key words – which ones should you keep in your head as you go about answering this question? ATQ Answer The Question. You’ve done your best to think about what it is the examiner wants from you. Now give it to them, keeping an eye on the mark scheme so you know how fulsome your answer should be.

Fast and Slow I’ve saved my best tip for last. Thinking Fast and Slow is a book by Daniel Kahneman, who won the Nobel Prize for Economics in 2002, despite being a psychologist. Kahneman shows that humans have two ways of thinking, the instinctive (fast) way, and the logical (slow) one. You need both these ways to do these tests, which are often multiple choice. You need to know when to trust your instincts, and when you need to slow down and use logic. With these tricky multiple choice questions, which require the calm application of logic, try to channel Sherlock Holmes. If you can eliminate the impossible (i.e. the wrong answers), then whatever remains must be the truth (i.e. the right one). A Habit Actually, I lied. The best thing you can do is not worry too much about these tests – you can’t affect the scores all that much. So no more than an hour a day on this stuff, even if you’ve skipped a lot of days. The best thing you can do is to think long term. And that’s going to involve you cultivating a reading habit. Read a lot, read together and alone, read aloud, take it in turns, and – most of all – make sure you’re always reading books you both enjoy. It’s worth doing some serious research – there are loads of reading lists out there, all different flavours, but Thomas Tolkien’s website has loads of them (ignore the age bands), and I’ve had a crack at writing one too, in the first chapter of my book. The effort of searching widely is well worth it, not least because it’s got to be a book you find fun – and because that fun is infectious, bonding, and massively propulsive to your co-reader’s intellectual development. Try to keep some evolving version of that fun going until they’re teenagers who would rather read (and do everything else) alone in their room.

open in September 2019 Nerrols Nursery is opening in September 2019 as part of the Richard Huish Trust, which sponsors a number of schools in the Taunton area and is linked to Richard Huish College – rated outstanding by Ofsted. Aiming to offer children the best care and education possible, we want our children to feel happy and secure, to enjoy spending time at Nursery, make friends, and enjoy exciting, engaging activities that inspire and give them the confidence to achieve their potential. Nerrols Nursery will offer high quality care and education for children aged between two and four. Situated in the grounds of Nerrols Primary School, the

Nursery is easily accessible providing parents and carers with convenient childcare. Nerrols Nursery benefits from large, well-resourced rooms, free flow access to a designated outdoor area as well as benefiting from the wider facilities of the Nerrols campus which include an all-weather pitch, vegetable garden, pond and a range of outdoor play equipment.

The Nursery is reflective of children’s ages and stages of development, with routines, activities and learning experiences meeting each child’s individual needs. Nerrols Nursery will be open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm for 49 weeks of the year (excluding bank holidays, Christmas closures and staff training days).

If you are interested in your child starting at Nerrols Nursery in September 2019 and have any questions regarding the Nursery, please email administrator@richardhuishtrust.co.uk

Joe Norman is author of The Super Tutor, published by Short Books, Hardback £12.99

Running out of ideas for a family meal? head over to our website www.parenttalk.org.uk where you'll find lots of ideas for preparing easy, wholesome and tasty dishes. follow us on twitter @parenttalksw visit us at www.parenttalk.org.uk

Parent Talk April 2019 17

18 Parent Talk December 2012

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

How to get the best out of school open days Absolutely all schools, no matter how oversubscribed, are keen to market their wares to future applicants. Open days may not be a true reflection of the school on an average day and will always show the school at its best, but they’ll give you a flavour of what goes on and allow you to soak up the atmosphere. Beth Noakes, editor of The Good Schools Guide, gives her advice.

The head’s talk Always make sure you’re there in time to hear the head teacher’s presentation: they are the figurehead of the school and should accurately represent its ethos and culture. Even if the head isn’t an obviously inspirational speaker, don’t write off the school – he or she may be an excellent leader who is better on a one-to-one basis. Take this chance to interrogate your young guide about what life at the school is really like: ● What do you like best about the school? Don't be surprised if it's break-times... ● What subjects do you like best? (This often reveals the most popular members of staff.) ● Are you happy here? Who wouldn't like it or fit in here? ● Are you allowed to be an individual, to get on with your own thing, without teasing or bullying? (This might flush out peer group pressure to conform.) ● What changes would you make if you were in charge? Don't be surprised if it is extended break-times.... ● Where is the head’s office? What do you think of them? ● Have you got a brother or sister in the school; what does he/she think of it? ● What happens if you forget your books, calculator, homework? ● Do teachers mark your work promptly and explain where you've gone wrong? What happens about corrections? ● How difficult is it to get selected for a school sports team or choir or after-school club? ● Is it okay not to like/be good at sport? Under the magnifying glass: what else should I look out for? ● Does the fabric of the school feel cared for? Many schools’ buildings are old and worn but should feel clean and free from litter. ● Is there a band, choir, orchestra, sport for all? Plays and productions? Not all of these things may interest your child but they can often dictate the ethos and culture of a school.

Are they aiming the talk more at parents or including the potential future pupils in their address too? The school tour In all likelihood the school tour will be conducted by an existing pupil, so ask yourself (particularly with older students) whether they are the kind of person you would like your budding 10 year old to Is the atmosphere calm, relaxed and friendly? Stiff and formal? Are current pupils smiling and communicating pleasantly with each other?

●

Further questions when visiting a school: academic performance and results ● How good is ‘value added’? Value-added measures the improvement in pupils’ performance over the years. If a child enters school with an expectation they will attain low grades at GCSE (based on their Sats performance) and then does, no value has been added (clearly, the lower the expectation, the greater the scope to add value).

Are there plenty of clubs for all interests, from chess to macramé? ● How does overall value added

compare with the national average? Is this consistent over all subjects or is the good news all in one or two areas? (The Good Schools Guide carries this information for state schools, and much more, on school's data pages, available to subscribers). ● How does the school monitor progress? The best use regular tracking integrated with the value added system, which allows the school to pick up under-performance quickly (within a term). If this is working well, it will result in lots of happy stories about pupils rescued and enthused teachers. ● What about pressure? Are they loaded down with homework from the off? Or do some spend the first few years coasting whilst others catch up? In some selective schools, in particular, pupils put immense

turn into. Ask them whether they volunteered to show prospective parents around or were they carefully chosen for their glowing academics, squeaky clean personality and extracurricular credentials? All schools have a handful of Perfect Peters, it’s the rest of the motley crew you need to meet to get a true feel for the pupil cohort.

pressure on themselves. How does the school deal with this? ● Is it all work and no enrichment? Do they get out to visit galleries and museums, on geography field trips and language exchanges? ● What subjects are popular at A level? Is there a strong gender divide, with boys doing maths/ science whilst girls do arts and languages? ● What languages are genuinely on offer - and how many take them – at GCSE and A level? ● How are pupils grouped? Setting? Streaming? Mixed ability? Vertically? Horizontally? Or a mix of methods? There is no one right answer – but the school should be able to explain its policies. ● Homework - how much, how often? Is there a homework club pupils can attend? Is homework supervised where, how? Is additional help available from tutors or subject teachers via email? How is homework monitored, recorded and reported? Is there a holiday reading list or holiday homework? Ever? Never? ● How does the school deal with particular needs? The Good Schools Guide has a section on Special Educational Needs Further questions when visiting a school: sports and arts ● What happens, when? Ask for a timetable of what happens and who is eligible. Are the choir and the dance club by audition only? Does the trampolining club actually happen, or is the teacher on maternity leave for a year? ● Music - does it strike a chord? How many pupils learn a musical instrument, and for how long? Are there ensembles, choirs and orchestras? Do only the elite

get a chance to perform? ● Sport for all? If your child is keen on sport but unlikely to make the First XI, find out the school’s attitude. Are there house teams, fourth and fifth teams, sports clubs open to everyone? Or does the school concentrate all its efforts on the top performers, with no opportunities for those who play for fun? ● Sporting choice? Are there options for the boy who refuses to play rugby or the girl who loathes hockey or wants to avoid team games altogether? What about those who trip up over their own feet? Are the facilities on site or a bus ride away? ● Are budding thespians well served? Are there plenty of productions, and opportunities for everyone to get involved, backstage or front? ● Travel for work and pleasure? If you think school trips are important, find out what actually happens. How many times a term will the average class get a trip? Is the Spanish exchange open to everyone, or is it first come, first

What is the food like? Prepared from scratch, or brought in and reheated? Is it healthy and plentiful? Do the staff eat it?

served? Are curriculum trips compulsory? Who gets to go on sports tours? ● Are there plenty of clubs for all interests, from chess to macramé? ● Sex and drugs. What is the head’s attitude to discipline? Drugs? Sex? Alcohol? Further questions when visiting a school: pastoral care ● Who is responsible for pastoral care? Who does you or your child contact to discuss problems? ● Who will be overseeing your child? Form tutor? Head of year? Are there houses? ● What does the school do about bullying? Bullying is universal, ‘We don’t have it here’ probably means they don’t look and there’s lots of it. A good sign is frequent examples of dealing well with it. ● What happens when a child is ill? ● What is the food like? Prepared from scratch, or brought in and reheated? Is it healthy and plentiful? Do the staff eat it? ● Do they notice if pupils skip meals? Does the tuck shop sell good food or junk? How aware is the school of the dangers and signs of anorexia, depression or self-harm? ● Water - deluge or drought? Are drinking water fountains placed conveniently around the school? Are pupils allowed to take water into classes? ● What is the temperature at the school in the winter? Does

it get too hot in summer? ● What form do punishments take? Are prefects involved in reporting misdemeaners? ● Rule breakers. What happens to those who steal? Use bad language? Or break the more petty school rules? How many have been excluded/expelled in the past three years? Further questions when visiting a school: parental involvement ● How welcome are parents at the school? How involved are they with school life? Are they encouraged to attend matches or special assemblies? ● School report. How does the school report to parents? How often are parents’ evenings? How often are school reports issued? ● Are there regular parental socials? Is there an active Parents' Association/PTA? Are parents invited to end of term celebrations? ● Parent portal? Is there special provision for parents on the school website? ● Getting in touch. Can parents talk to (or email) teachers when they want to – and will they get a response?

The Good Schools Guide (GSG) is the UK’s number one school guide, helping parents in every aspect of choosing the best education for their children. 0203 286 6824 and www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk 18 Parent Talk April 2019

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

What are scholarships and bursaries? With talk of independent schools being beyond the reach of most people, we wanted to find out what options are available for parents with limited funds and how to apply for scholarships and bursaries. Julie Robinson from The Independent Schools Council (ISC) talks us through it. The ISC brings together seven associations of independent schools, their heads, bursars and governors. Through its member associations it represents over 1,300 independent schools in the UK and overseas. Around half of UK independent schools are ISC schools, and they educate more than half-amillion children – about 80% of all independent school children. ISC schools are strongly committed to widening access and are making strenuous efforts to increase the amount they can offer in meanstested bursaries, but what are scholarships and bursaries? Bursaries Many ISC schools have fundraising programmes so that they can offer more help to hard working families who may not otherwise be able to afford the fees.

According to the latest annual ISC Census, £398million was provided in means-tested fee assistance for pupils at ISC schools. Nearly half of all pupils on means-tested bursaries have more than half of their fees remitted. The total value of means-tested bursaries and scholarships has increased by nearly £140m since 2011. Bursaries are means-assessed on a financial basis and will require a parent or guardian to complete a declaration to establish whether the student meets the necessary criteria. This is usually re-assessed each year that the bursary is required.

The school looks at what it is reasonable for you to afford and sets a fee accordingly. Some schools are able to offer greater bursary provision than others. At Christ’s Hospital School in Sussex, a boarding school, most of the pupils are on greatly reduced fees or pay nothing at all. The details of fee assistance will always be found on the schools’ websites. If anything is not clear, ring the school’s admissions office. Some schools require you to apply for a place a long time in advance, others don’t. Again, you need to check the details on school websites. Schools have different age points of entry such as age 5, 7, 11, 13, and 16. The numbers of bursaries and scholarships on offer vary according to age of entry but tend to be more numerous for older pupils. For families with low incomes, some schools have a fund which contributes to the costs of extras such as uniform, books and school trips. There are 42,977 pupils on means-tested assistance at ISC schools. Scholarships Scholarships are also available for pupils who are particularly strong either academically, or in music, sport or art. Both scholarships and bursaries can be awarded to children at the same time. Parents or guardians should contact the admissions department of the individual schools you are interested in, as schools will have their own fee assistance programmes. To find schools with financial assistance options, you can use the ISC ‘School Search’ at www. isc.co.uk/schools. When looking on a school’s website, information about bursaries is likely to be on the ‘Bursaries and Scholarships’ page, often in the ‘Admissions’ section.

Value is a mix of quality, time and choices Much has been written in the press recently about the affordability of private education and, here in the South West, being blessed with several independent schools, it is a hot topic. Although all schools strive to exercise cost control and fee restraint, in an area where many independent schools compete, fees remain very competitive, as shown by a recent decision by one school to decrease their fees to line up with others in the sector. Mike Buchanan, Chief Executive of HMC, recently observed in the Daily Telegraph that ‘private schools serve ordinary middle class communities where hard-working parents choose to spend some of their money on buying a different form of education for their children which is not available from the state.’ Far from being the wealthy elite so often depicted in the press, these families, where both parents are often working full time, are looking for added value for their children’s education and

personal development, and expect value for money, too. At Downside School in Somerset, where the School day fits a working day, the absence of any additional childcare costs can make this a more attractive option. The School day runs from 8.20am to 6pm and, for those going in the opposite direction for work, there are daily minibuses running to all corners of the county. Increasingly, parents are taking advantage of a day place in a boarding school where the school operates 24/7, and the co-curricular activities are

all on-site and part of the offer at no extra charge. In their recent inspection of Downside School, ISI inspectors observed that pupils ‘develop strongly as individuals, enabled by the very high levels of pastoral care’ and that ‘different activities, such as drama, or running a fashion show, play an important role in developing their confidence.’ Come to our next Downside Open Day on Saturday 18th May, or make a private visit to see what a day place at Downside School can offer you and your family. admissions@ downside.co.uk / 01761 235103

EVERYTHING BUT EVERYTHING E XCEPT THE BED AND SOMETIMES THAT AS WELL

An exceptional Day Plus offer at Downside School

downside SCHOOL COME AND SEE US AT OUR NEXT OPEN DAY on SATURDAY 18TH MAY To book call 01761 235103 www.downside.co.uk 2018_03_20_EBTB_170x130.indd 1

21/03/2019 13:44:02

Parent Talk April 2019 19

20 Parent Talk December 2012

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

Ten ways to help How to support children learning EAL your child de-stress Learning English as an additional language (EAL) is challenging at the best of times, but for children it can be even more testing. It is important to understand how each individual child learns and how you can use this to your advantage when it comes to working with and supporting children who are learning EAL. A child’s mannerisms can give a lot away - from their facial expressions, to their sounds of anguish when they don’t quite understand something and the joy and excitement they attain when they learn something new. So, what are the secrets behind supporting children who are learning EAL? The truth is, there are none. There is no magic wand and no set agenda to follow when it comes to supporting these children. There are, however, a few factors to bear in mind when trying to steer them in the right direction and help them to develop their skills: Relationship building Building a solid relationship and a sense of trust with the child is the foundation of successful learning. Once a child feels secure, they flourish. Good liaison and understanding between school and family makes it easier to communicate with a child learning English as an additional language. Effective communication Building on from establishing a sense of trust and building a relationship with the child, communicating with them

and be happy

effectively will also have a positive impact on their learning. A meaningful conversation is a two-way communication and the child must feel comfortable asking questions to prompt their learning. Effective communication by staff at school is key as children will pick up on this and it will extend their vocabulary. It will allow them to feel confident in participating in certain conversations and interactions with their peers. Relevant resources Having access to suitable resources is always critical in a child’s learning and development. In particular, resources which encourage interest and build links with a child’s own experience are very beneficial as it establishes a sense of familiarity. This will enable children to spark a conversation with one another and provide opportunity for them to listen to and learn

from each other. This is a great way to develop and enhance their knowledge of the English language without them even having to think about it - and eventually, it will all come naturally to them. Patience is key One of the most important factors of supporting a child who is learning EAL is to be patient. Every child learns at their own pace and allowing them to get their words out, as well as actions and sounds in their own time and without a prompt is critical to their learning. Gentle smiles and nods for encouragement go a long way in reassuring the child they are doing well. Maintaining strong eye contact with them will also reassure them that they have your full attention and support, making them feel more comfortable with their abilities. Written in partnership with TTS and SENCo Kate Ruttle.

Little feet can make a big difference this June as Barnardo’s Big Toddle returns to raise money for vulnerable children Children, families and nurseries are being called on to put their best foot forward for Barnardo’s, as the charity announces 2018’s Big Toddle raised an incredible £231,512. Last year’s Barnardo’s annual Big Toddle fundraiser saw thousands of under-fives take part in short, sponsored “toddles” to raise money for the UK’s largest children’s charity, which supports more than 301,000 children, young people, parents and carers across the UK. The charity is now once again calling for children, families and nurseries to join in the fun this summer as Big 20 Parent Talk April 2019

Toddle Week returns with an animal theme from June 24th – 30th. With lots of opportunities for creative dressing up and exclusive animal-themed early years learning resources available to those who register, this year’s Big Toddles are sure to be roar-some! Parents, carers and nurseries are encouraged to hold their very own Big Toddles to help raise money for Barnardo’s; this could involve a community Big Toddle, one for families and friends or one organised by nurseries or primary schools. Barnardo’s Chief Executive Javed Khan said:

“The Big Toddle is a great opportunity for the under-5s to have fun with their friends and families and raise money to help vulnerable children. “We are really grateful for everyone taking part as the money raised helps our vital services continue to support hundreds of thousands of vulnerable children, young people, parents and carers.” Those who register by May 20 will receive a Big Toddle pack containing information and fundraising ideas. To register to hold your own Big Toddle, or for further information, visit www.bigtoddle.org.uk or call 0800 008 7005.

Lesson 1: How was school? If you visit proper academic papers and government reports, you’ll find that far too many families are hindering their children’s development. A study by Hart and Risley suggested that by age 4, children raised in poor families will have heard 32 million fewer words than children raised in professional families. To add to the woe, it’s not just quantity, it’s also the emotional tone. So please speak a lot and, where possible, couch your language in the 8:1 ratio of positive to negative. Say instead of ‘how was school?’ why not upgrade to ‘what was the highlight of your day?’ or ‘what was the funniest or most amazing thing you’ve done today?’ Say it like you mean it and, of course, properly listen to the answer. You will be rewarded with an increased likelihood of a positive conversation. Lesson 2: Celebrate strengths As parents, we have a lot to answer for. Too much love and encouragement gives children an inflated idea of what they can do. Witness the early rounds of the prime-time talent shows where the kid has been bigged up so much that they believe the parental hype. We, the viewer, reach for our ear plugs as the performer refuses to accept the truth of their wailing banshee voice. And yet too little love and encouragement means we’re crippled emotionally. You can have the best voice on the planet but no confidence to get up there and belt it out. A lot of people beat themselves up about what they’re not good at to the point that it stops them celebrating what they are good at. Make sure you are a strengths spotter for your child. Lesson 3: The 7-second hug Everyone needs a hug sometimes, it helps your child feel safe and give them some reassurance. I started delving into the research behind this and then thought, nobody cares what the stats say. Here’s the headline news – the average hug lasts just over 2 seconds. If you hang on for a full 7 seconds then oodles of nice warm chemicals flow around both bodies and the love is

transferred. One word of advice, don’t count out loud while you’re doing the 7-second hug as it tends to spoil the effect. Lesson 4: Monday is the new Friday Here’s a terrifying fact for your child – a seventh of their year is going to consist of Mondays. That’s too much time to simply write off. So dare to stand out by celebrating the awesomeness of Mondays. Mondays are a chance for your children to get stuck into a new school week, learn something new and make a dent in the universe. Lesson 5: Gratitude If your child is feeling a bit down, get everyone in your family to write a list of 10 things they really appreciate but take for granted. Then compare lists (top tip, make sure your partner is near the top of your list!) Spookily enough, top of everyone’s list will be family and health. Kids will likely have wifi and PlayStation up there too. But the point is that too many people spend too much time moaning about what they haven’t got. Happy folk are much more grateful for what they have got. Look at your 10 things. #OMG, How lucky are you? Lesson 6: Praise for effort rather than talent Teaching your child a good working ethos starts at school. The advice from positive psychology is that if your child accomplishes something, don’t say, ‘Well done, you are such a little genius!’ But rather, ‘Awesome, you put the effort in and got the reward.’ Here’s a concrete example. If your daughter does well in a mock maths exam don’t highfive, ‘Holy cow, total genius girl. You were born to do algebra.’ You’d be better off saying, ‘Amazing result. That’s what

practice and hard work gets ya!’ and ruffle her hair in a chummy fashion. Lesson 7: The digital detox The time you have together as a family is precious and finite, particularly after the holidays. Before you know it they are adults and have flown the nest, so make sure to turn off your electronic devices and spend more time with your real flesh and blood family. Happiness is a social thing. Lesson 8: The four minute rule Practise the four minute rule. This is a phrase that came from a guru friend of mine, Steve McDermott, and I love its simplicity. Basically, your emotions are contagious. They leak out of you and ‘infect’ your family around you. So to help your family beat the back to school blues, make the conscious choice to be positive and upbeat, it takes four minutes for other family members to catch it too. So be enthusiastic for 4 minutes and everyone else will feel great too! Lesson 9: The gift of positivity When you’re thinking of passing down your inheritance, be sure to remember that it’s not just a lump of cash and a bit of jewellery. You are passing down habits, knowledge, mindsets and cognitive traits. Your positivity can set your child up for life! Lesson 10: Make time Any family is only as happy as their least happy child. Rather than avoiding them, make sure you aren’t too busy to invest time with your children, and be genuinely interested in what they’re up to. This is such an important point - I should probably have included it at number 1!

Dr Andy Cope is a happiness expert and bestselling author of The Diary of a Brilliant Kid available on Amazon. Find out more about Andy at www.artofbrilliance.co.uk

EDUCATION, INFORMATION

St. Margaret’s Hospice launches Glitter Run Remix

Learning for Life at Wellington School

St. Margaret’s Hospice’s award-winning Glitter Run is back – this time with even more fun in store for families, friends and colleagues in search of a challenge. The Glitter Run Remix is a sparkly and colourful 5k fun run featuring biodegradable glitter, bubbles and powdered paint. It is coming to Wincanton on Sunday, May 19, Wells on Sunday, June 9, and Taunton on Sunday, July 7. More than 2,000 people took part in the Glitter Run, which was named Community Event of the Year at the 2018 Believe in Somerset Awards. Events fundraiser Sonia Bateman said: “The response to our original Glitter Run was amazing. This year we’re making it even more exciting for our fantastic supporters by remixing our popular Glitter Run, Bubble Rush and Colour Run events to create a truly memorable day out. Not only will people be running, walking, dancing or skipping through glitter, they’ll enjoy a foam-tastic time going through bubble stations before finishing with a powder paint party.”

Wellington has so much more to offer than exam results. The performing arts go from strength to strength and in addition to some groundbreaking new theatre projects, our pupils have performed in an outstanding production of School of Rock, as well as Blood Brothers this year! There are workshops, creative performances and technical opportunities and with a huge range of bands, orchestras and ensembles, the whole school is taking advantage of a range of exciting opportunities. Our ethereal Chapel Choir performs regularly and our versatile musicians regularly sweep the board in singing competitions and exam results. We have superb sports facilities and a unique Sport and Wellbeing department with specialist strength and conditioning coaches who take fitness to new levels across all sporting disciplines. Our competitive sports have been resoundingly successful this year with some National players across many sports. Our pioneering new Wellbeing Programme teaches pupils a

More than 2,000 people took part in the first Glitter Run in 2018

Western Power Distribution is proud to be the headline sponsor of the Glitter Run Remix. Corporate communications officer Tracy Carr said: “The Glitter Run Remix is a great opportunity for families, friends and colleagues to support the amazing care given to patients and their families at the hospice while

enjoying a colourful and eventful day.” Last year St. Margaret’s Hospice supported more than 3,800 people across Somerset affected by life-limiting illnesses, including families and carers. For more information and to book your place, visit www.st-margarets-hospice. org.uk/glitter-run-remix-2019.

healthy lifestyle that will serve them at school and long into the future including nutrition, Judo sports psychology and leadership. There is a vibrant and active Outdoor Education programme, which includes Ten Tors CCF (Army, Navy and Air Force), Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, expeditions, camping, ski trips, trekking, kayaking, climbing, canoeing and a wide range of international trips including Iceland, the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, Nepal, Greenland, and a conservation project in Domenica. Wellington inspires and teaches pupils from 11-18 in the Senior School. In addition, the Prep School and Nursery

nurtures pupils from aged 3, with wonderful premises, outstanding facilities and inspiring, creative teachers. Additional activities such as Forest School, trips and outdoor education bring the whole experience to life. We are justly proud of the rounded, all-encompassing education our pupils receive. We call it “Learning for Life”. “Happy parents, happy pupils!” – The Good Schools Guide. Please do come along and find out what makes us so special. Join us for our Open Morning on May 6th. To find out more, please call 01823 668803 or email admissions@wellington-school. org.uk

Parent Talk April 2019 21

BOOK REVIEW

Editor’s choice

Doodle Cat Wears a Cape By Kat Patrick, illustrated by Lauren Farrell Published by Scribe. Age: 0-5 years He can perform all kinds of superhero acts, like catching humans when they fall from trees and firing furballs at top speed. But will Doodle Cat’s superpowers work when his friend is sad? Maybe he will have to try something new. B is for Baby By Atinuke, illustrated by Angela Brooksbank Published by Walker Books. Age: 2+ Baby’s brother is getting ready to take a basket of bananas all the way to Baba’s bungalow in the next village. He will have to go along the bumpy road, past the baobab trees, birds and butterflies, and all the way over the bridge. What he doesn’t realise is that his cute, very curious baby sister is secretly coming along for the amazing bicycle ride too! In the City By Dominika Lipniewska Published by Button Books. Age: 2-5 In the City covers every aspect of the features one is likely to find in cities throughout the world – from buildings of every shape and size, the many different modes of transport, bustling market places, parks and zoos and all the different people one is likely to find in the city. Visually engaging and over flowing with activity, there is plenty here to engage a classroom full of toddlers or enjoy just as a parent reading to their child at bedtime. How to Light your Dragon By Didier Lévy, illustrated by Frederic Benaglia Published by Thames & Hudson. Age: 3+ A little boy has a problem with his dragon: he’s no longer able to breathe fire. What to do? How on earth do you rekindle a despondent dragon’s flame? The little boy tries shaking him by his tail, and jumping on his belly, and tickling his legs… No joy. How about goading him somehow? – make him angry, fuel his jealousy… Still no luck. He decides that he’ll just have to tell him that he loves him just the way he is – and plants a big fat kiss on his cheek. What do you think happens next? A Percy the Park Keeper Story: One Springy Day By Nick Butterworth Published by HarperCollins Children’s Books Percy the Park Keeper and his animal friends are playing hide and seek in the park. The fox has found a great hiding place in Percy’s workshop but when he falls into a pot of Very Strong Glue, he soon finds himself springing into an embarrassingly sticky situation! Is there anything his friends can do to help?

22 Parent Talk April 2019

Rocketmole By Matt Carr Published by Scholastic. Age: 3-6 Can one mole with a dream have it all: adventure and friendship? Armstrong the starnosed mole longs to go to the moon. His friends think it’s an astronomically bad idea but he is determined to go where no mole has gone before.

Kind with a foreword by Axel Scheffler and pictured by 38 international illustrators Published by Scholastic. Age: 3+ Imagine a world where everyone is kind – how can we make that come true? KIND shows readers the many ways you can be kind, from sharing toys and games to helping those from other countries feel welcome.

What do they do with all that Poo By Jane Kurtz and Allison Black Published by Simon & Schuster. Age: 3+ There are many different kinds of animals at the zoo, and they each make lots and lots of poo. So what do zoos do with all of that poo? This zany, fact-filled read explores zoo poo, from cube-shaped wombat poo to white hyena scat, and all of the places it ends up, including in science labs and elephantpoo paper – even backyard gardens!

The Pawed Piper By Michelle Robinson, illustrated by Chinlun Lee Published by Walker Books. Age: 3+ The leading lady of this tale longs for a pet cat to cuddle – a furry fluffball, just like the one in her book. So, after studying her grandma’s cat, Hector, she lays a trail with all the things that she knows cats love – balls of wool, saucers of milk, cardboard boxes and catnip aplenty. But will any cats for in her trap…?

Hop Little Bunnies By Martha Mumford, illustrated by Laura Hughes Published by Bloomsbury. Age: 3+ There are lots of sleepy animals to wake up in this bouncy, energetic picture book. Lift the flaps, then hop with the little bunnies, cheep with the chicks, baa with the lambs and mew with the kittens.

Daisy and Bear By Fabi Santiago Published by Scholastic. Age: 3-6 Bear has never gone to the cinema before, so her friend Daisy decides today’s the day! As the film starts, bear munches, crunches, slurps and even takes a phone call! Everyone is annoyed but when the film stops, bear knows exactly what to do…

The Mystery at Stormy Point By Tracey Corderoy Published by Simon and Schuster. Age: 7+ The whole town is getting ready for a gymkhana and Bryony can’t wait to show everyone just how brilliant Red is. But Bryony’s practice is put on hold when she notices a strange light coming from the disused lighthouse at Stormy Point. The lighthouse has been empty for years and Bryony is determined to find out just who – or what – is living there. Will Bryony solve the mystery of Stormy Point and still have time to win the gymkhana?

My London Activity Clipboard By Eryl Nash, illustrated by Clair Rossiter Published by Walker Books. Age: 7+ All you need for a day out in London! Discover the capital’s amazing history and spot all the major sights, from the Tower of London to Buckingham Palace, while learning some of London’s best kept secrets. With things to see and do at each key landmark, along with fun puzzles, games and activities plus colour postcards to send, this has everything you need for an unforgettable, fun-filled trip.

Planet Earth By Megan Cullis and Matthew Oldham Illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman Published by Usborne Age: 7+ You could join a stampede of wildebeest in the Serengeti, dive to the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean, climb soaring mountain peaks with yak herders in the Himalayas or take a ride in a gondola along the canals of Venice. Perfect for fans of David Attenborough, Planet Earth takes readers on a tour of some of the most spectacular places on our amazing planet.

CLASSIFIED FAMILY Little Badman and the invasion of the killer aunties By Humza Arshad and Henry White Illustrated by Aleksei Bitskoff Published by Puffin. Age: 8+ Humza Khan is the greatest eleven year old rapper Eggington has ever known: he is Little Badman and he is destined to be rich and famous. But when Humza’s music teacher is taken ill, his dreams are put on hold. His Auntie has stepped in as substitute and nobody seems to care about the unorthodox teaching because of the endless sweet treats. As other teachers start to disappear, with more Aunties appearing in their place, Humza knows something isn’t right. With the help of his elderly Uncle and friends Umer and Wendy, Humza discovers that the suspicious Aunties might not be as friendly as they seem. Now he must find a way to destroy them before they take over the world.

Jake Atlas and the Quest for the Crystal Mountain By Rob Lloyd Jones Published by Walker Books. Age: 9+ Jake Atlas and his family are searching for their fifth emerald tablet, which will reveal the secret to the history of humankind. At China’s Terracotta Army Museum, Jake retrieves a clue to a safe passage into a nearby tomb, where the tablet is believed to be hidden. But when a helicopter appears to blow up the tomb, the Atlases know they are being pursued by the People of the Snake. They must decode the rescued tablet and journey to the Crystal Mountain in Tibet to discover its store of ancient knowledge.

The Bigfoot Files By Lindsay Eagar Published by Walker Books. Age: 9+ Twelve year old Miranda Cho is a straight-A student who is tired of her chaotic, cryptozoologist mother taking her out of school to look for fantastical creatures. Miranda used to believe it all – it was exciting to live in a world full of wonders but nowadays it’s just embarrassing and …it’s not paying the bills. She’s even started pulling her hair out from the stress of it all. So Miranda agrees to go to the mythical Fable Forest for one last creature hunt, determined to use all her scientific know-how to prove to her mother that Bigfoot isn’t real. Then her mum will have to grow up and get a real job. But when Miranda gets more of an adventure than she bargained for, will she be forced to question everything she believes?

Cloud Boy By Marcia Williams Published by Walker Books. Age: 9+ Harry Christmas and Angie Moon are best friends and almost-twins. Ever since they were born two days apart they’ve been partners in cloudspotting, sweet-eating and now treehouse-building. But when Harry is taken to hospital for headaches that won’t go away, he needs Angie more than ever. Meanwhile, Angie’s Grandma Gertie begins reading them the letters she wrote to her cat when she was imprisoned in Changi jail as a child, which reveal her own heart breaking story. Wildspark By Vashti Hardy Published by Scholastic. Age: 9+ Prue is a young farm girl whose older brother, Francis, had a natural talent for engineering. But after his untimely death, the family have been shattered by grief. Everything changes when a stranger arrives at the farm. A new, incredible technology has been discovered in the city of Medlock, where a secretive guild of inventors have found a way to bring spirits of the dead back into the world, capturing their energy and powering animal-like machines. A new, mind-expanding fantasy from the author of Brightstorm. My Brother’s Name is Jessica By John Boyne Published by Puffin. Age: 9+ Sam Waver has always idolised his brother, Jason. Unlike Sam, Jason seems to have life sorted – he’s kind, popular, amazing at football and girls are falling over themselves to date him. But then one evening, Jason calls his family together to tell them that he’s been struggling with a secret for a long time, a secret which quickly threatens to tear them all apart. His parents don’t want to know and Sam simply doesn’t understand. Because what do you do when your brother says he’s not your brother at all? That he thinks he’s actually… your sister? Managing your Money By Jane Bingham and Holly Bathie Illustrated by Nancy Leschnikoff and Freya Harrison Published by Usborne. Age: 11+ This down-to-earth guide is designed to take the mystery out of managing money. Filled with practical advice on topics such as how to be a smart shopper, how to budget and how to earn money, it will equip children and young people with the skills they need to manage their money now and in the future.

Open Daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm UR T YO k PAIN

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Ofsted Registered Childminder in idyllic rural location 5 minutes from A303

Melanie Tuffill 01460 234325/07876481027 melanie@oliveronline.co.uk

Quirky Textile Pictures www.sarahharmertextileart.com Selection of children’s books and parenting guides for one lucky school to add to their library. For a chance to win, email editor@parenttalk.org.uk giving the name of your school and, in less than 50 words, why it should be chosen. Closing date 22nd April 2019.

Sticky By Anna Doherty Published by Scholastic. Age: 3-6 A quirky tale about how friends can help you out of the stickiest of situations! The trouble began when Badger set out to wrap Owl’s birthday present. Badger’s roll of sticky tape was… particularly sticky! When Badger gets himself into a sticky situation, can anyone help to untangle him?

Mutant Zombies Cursed My School Trip! By Matt Brown Published by Usborne. Age: 9+ Ian Iansson is a little bit worried about his school trip. Firstly, Ian doesn’t have any friends, plus, his mum packed him ten pairs of pants for the two-day trip. But as it turns out, these are the least of Ian’s problems…

Parent Talk April 2019 23

Join us at our award winning 5k event

Sunday 19 May Wincanton

Sunday 9 June Wells

Sunday 7 July Taunton

Raise sponsorship and help us provide hospice care and support across Somerset

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss out! Book now: www.st-margarets-hospice.org.uk St. Margaretâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hospice 0845 034 2188 Registered charity number: 279473

Proudly sponsored by: stmargaretshospice

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