Primary Times Avon May 2016

in Avon Issue 197 27 May-21 July 2016

Also Father’s Day Meet the iPals Private tuition

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Download the new Primary Times app, free! Page 3

Discover Friendsbook, a new idea which will make your children fall in love with writing.

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Theatre • Arty Barty • Roundabout • Save money!

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With summer on its way, thoughts turn to the end of the school year and the holiday season ahead. Elder primary children may choose (dare we say with a smidgeon of encouragement from parents?) to brush up on key subjects in preparation for the next academic step, whether or not they’re taking part in 11+ tests. If so, our private tuition feature (P.23) explores how best to approach topping up that knowledge.

In between the hard work there’s plenty of fun to be had, perhaps at the Festival of Nature (P.36) , spoiling Dad on Father’s Day (P.25) or getting involved with older people as part of Alive! charity’s wonderful iPals project (P.6). Whatever you choose, May Half Term is sure to be packed.

THEATRE P8 ROUNDABOUT P13 PINBOARD P27 ADVERTISING FEATURES P30 PUPILS’ PAGE P34 CLASSIFIEDS P37 MEET THE iPALS P6 Primary Times reports on a scheme bringing children together with older people.

THE LEARNING CURVE P23 How to get the best from a private tutor.

FOR THE DADS P36 the editor

Avon iin A

Issue 197 July 2016 27 May-21

Some great Father’s Day ideas.

Also Father’s day Meet the iPals n Private tuitio

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PRIMARY TIMES IS NOW AVAILABLE AS AN APP https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/primary-times/id674066003?mt=8 Cover image: BestPhotoStudio/Shutterstock.com

Primary Times in Avon

Bristol News and Media, 1 Temple Way, Bristol, BS2 OBY. More information at www.primarytimes.net

Editor

Commercial director

Advertising

Distribution

Design Production Sub editor Proof reader Main office

Mike Gartside mike.gartside@localworld.co.uk Tracie Simms tracie.simms@localworld.co.uk 0117 934 3165 Caroline Stretton caroline.stretton@localworld.co.uk 0117 934 3737 Juliet Hobbs 01242 278053 juliet.hobbs@localworld.co.uk Cath Evans, Mike Gartside Emma Gorton, Ruth Wood Eric Blair Ellen White 0117 934 3000

Primary Times is independently published and distributed free in Primary, Junior, Infant and Middle Schools throughout the former Avon area, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. It is also available by subscription at £10 per year.

Its aims are to inform families and children of current educational issues, forthcoming events, courses and attractions, and to give teachers, pupils and parents the opportunity to participate in the magazine by adding to its contents or joining in the competitions which we run. It is NOT our intention to publish any racist, sexist or politically biased material whatsoever. We also undertake not to carry any advertising which we would consider to be offensive to young families or harmful to the best interests of young children.

While we make every effort to ensure information published is accurate, readers are encouraged to check details of all events in advance and neither Trinity Mirror Ltd nor its contributors are liable for the consequences of any errors. Primary Times would like to thank all the schools in the counties for their assistance in distributing the magazine and their contributions to its contents. We would also like to thank all the advertisers who have supported this publication and therefore made it possible. Please support their endeavours when and where you can. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains with Trinity Mirror Ltd. Primary Times currently publishes more than two million copies per issue under franchise.

PRIMARY TIMES

Find these amazing offers this issue!

Noah’s Ark - one child goes free with one paying adult Magicland - 10% off entry Cardiff Castle - prebook for great savings Wildplace Project - book online and save 10% Happy Days Nursery - free baby massage classes Avon Lawn Tennis - try tennis for free Bristol Aquarium - kids go free MAY HALF TERM 2016

3

FoxMa ster in Friend troduc sbook es Childre n’s Dia www.th ries to efriend UK sbook. co.uk

diary

A page in your

A young company, FoxMaster Publishing, aims to inspire children to write and record their memories with the new Friendsbook Children’s Diaries.

I

n a world dominated by flashing screens, it can feel next to impossible to get children to settle down and focus on their writing skills, or anything that doesn’t need to be plugged in. But a new company, FoxMaster Publishing, hopes to help a new generation of writers “make friends and keep memories” with the launch of Friendsbook, a series of imaginatively themed, fill-inthe-blank diaries where children can share their lives with each other.

A new idea in the UK, Friendsbook was inspired by the 7-year-old daughter of Alexander Glebovskiy, Bristol-based director of FoxMaster Publishing, who needed a way to stay in touch with her friends when she moved to a new town.

“My daughter was really down about the fact that she wasn’t going to school with her group of friends anymore,” says Alexander.

“I suggested that, if she wanted something to remember them by, she could ask them to write down a few of their favorite memories together. She would then have all those good times written down, to read and remember.

That’s really when the idea of Friendsbook first came to me.”

In January this year, he went to work on the Friendsbook series, aiming to give kids a real-world, tactile way to play, practise writing and drawing, learn about themselves and their classmates and, perhaps most importantly, create cherished mementos.

Designed for children aged 5 to 12, every Friendsbook includes 96 pages of spaces for kids to share their lives with each other, jotting down thoughts about their dream job, nickname, favourite food, doodles, a photo of themselves, and more.

Created and printed in Bristol, Friendsbook comes in 15 different themes. Young diarists can imagine themselves among 4

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utterstock.com Vasilyev Alexander/Sh

different illustrated topics, sharing the page with fairies, princesses, mermaids, football players, warriors, astronauts, jungle animals, ballerinas and other characters. Alexander says he’s seen the concept of fill-inthe-blank diaries or journals for children in other countries, but it seems to be entirely new here and thinks it’s a solid outlet for kids to express themselves.

“Identifying how we feel is an important skill to develop early on,” he says. “It forms a big part of emotional intelligence. I’m just a parent who believes our kids learn best when they use their imaginations and play. I wanted a way for my daughter and other kids to be able to organise their thoughts and have fun together in an off-line way.”

He hopes to see Friendsbook in school classrooms and nurseries, eventually, as well as on bookshelves in homes.

“The Friendsbook series makes a great gift for birthdays, holidays or any occasion that calls for a special present,” he adds. “Schools could use the book as an incentive for students, or perhaps as a present for departing students to

remember their friends.”

Alexander says that the Friendsbook series might also help teachers or parents better understand the children in their care, particularly those who may not want to talk about themselves or their interests. He hopes Friendsbook may one day become a method for educators or parents to “break the ice” with reticent children and get some insight on how a child is feeling, without having to put them on the spot.

FoxMaster points out that the benefits of Friendsbook go beyond creating entertainment and doesn’t require a screen or parental controls. Meanwhile,

experts in early childhood development, such as the U.K.’s Foundation Years, agree that nurturing children’s writing skills early on can provide many benefits, helping kids with their creative and critical thinking, as well as preparing them for short-answer and essay writing at university and eventually in the workplace. There’s the added benefit of sitting a child down to think and write in a calming, contemplative environment.

Alexander hopes there’s a bright future out there for the series of diaries and wonders what he might have written if he had one. “I wish I’d had a book like this when I was young, something to look back on and remember my playmates fondly, as well as who it was I wanted to grow up to be,” he says. “Maybe I would have said a writer!”

The Friendsbook series is available in hardcover from FoxMaster Publishing for £8.99.

W: www.thefriendsbook.co.uk.

About Friendsbook and FoxMaster Publishing

• Inspire creativity, create unique mementos • 15 illustrated themes — football, astronauts, ballerinas and more!

• 96 full-colour pages • Perfect for birthdays, holidays • Only £8.99 • Free shipping in the U.K.

FoxMaster is dedicated to creating high-quality, fiction and nonfiction material for children.

Ffi on Friendsbook or Foxmaster Publishing W: www.thefriendsbook.co.uk.

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09/05/2016 12:19:04

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Meet the

iPals

Primary school children are discovering how rewarding it is to engage with older people through a new scheme developed by the Bristol charity Alive! Mike Gartside reports.

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here’s a pleasant hubbub in the room as primary school children mingle with care home residents.

Small groups are huddled around a well-known piece of technology, swiping and selecting images of friends and relatives, while exchanging memories of each others’ lives. One resident, Fred, strikes up a conversation with a pupil.

“Do you swim?” asks Fred.

“Yes,” replies the pupil.

“Sometimes we go swimming with the school.”

“I was an excellent swimmer,” says Fred. “I used to swim in the sea.” Fred tells the pupil that he was once in Berlin, where he had to do a lot of running, that he enjoys his outings to museums and that he was chairman of the caravan club.

“What would you do to improve the care home?” asks the pupil.

“It would be nice to meet you more often,” Fred replies.

The visit is the culmination of an iPals project, an initiative run by the Bristol-based charity Alive!, which is bringing children together with the older generation, encouraging them to use today’s technology to learn about the lives of those at either end of the age spectrum. The scheme developed out of the charity’s Paint Pals initiative (see Primary Times, Avon, Feb Half Term edition, 2014) in which children and old people teamed up to paint pictures.

Alive! has run two pilot iPals projects this year, pairing up St Stephens Primary School, Kingswood, Bristol, with neigh6

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e!

Images courtesy of Aliv

bouring care home Deerhurst, while Bournville Primary in Weston-Super-Mare has joined with nearby Beach Lawns Care Home.

The project brings eight primary school children together with eight older people. Initially, residents are taught to use creative apps on an iPad to create picture collages with images from their lives, including previous occupations, the homes where their families grew up and their interests. The youngsters also create collages about their hobbies and interests. In the second term both residents and children produce short films on the iPad, including detailed tours of schools and care homes.

At the end of each term all participants exchange their collages and videos, while the pupils visit their iPals in the care homes to discuss, over biscuits and cake,

everything they’ve learnt from each other.

According to Isobel Jones, Alive!’s project coordinator, “Seeing the children connect with the residents has been very moving. They are so confident and so at ease, chatting with their iPals. The children have shown a real interest in the lives of the elders, which has meant so much to them.”

Margaret, one of the residents, says, “Using the iPads is very exciting and I found putting the pictures of my life history together a lovely way to go down memory lane. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed looking at the collages from the children. The designs they have put together for us are so inspiring: you can learn so much through the eyes of young children.” Her husband Keith, also an ‘iPal’, agrees.

“We are never too old or too young to learn something new,” he says.

Chris Chaffey, Bournville Primary’s deputy head, agrees, “The children are enjoying the iPals project very much. It is a good opportunity for them to get to know and appreciate someone in their community from an older generation. It also helps to boost their self-esteem by doing something for someone else. We hope that the links they have started to make will develop into a greater cross-generational understanding.”

Equally, Lesley Hobbs, Deerhurst Care Home Manager, enthuses, “iPals has truly brought the residents alive. It’s given many of them a new skill and so much more confidence when talking to others. They especially love the interaction with young people.

Some residents have even visited the school and been on the radio as a result. They love it and it is exciting for families and staff to see them develop skills.”

Alive! is hoping to expand the iPals scheme this September by creating two more partnerships.

Schools or care homes wishing to take part or who would like further information should contact Isobel (details below).

Alive! T: Isobel Jones 0117 377 4756 E: isobel@aliveactivities.org W: www.aliveactivities.org PRIMARY TIMES

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FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SHOWS ★ BRISTOL, BATH, N. SOMERSET & SOUTH GLOS

BATH THE EGG Theatre Royal, Sawclose, Bath BA1 1ET. 01225 448844, www. theatreroyal.org.uk Stig of the Dump Thu 26-Sun 29 May, 10am & 1pm (Thu & Fri)/11.30am & 3pm (Sat & Sun), adult £8.50/child £7.50 • Join Barney and his mysterious new friend Stig, a caveman, with shaggy black hair and bright black eyes. It is nearly 50 years since Clive King’s story of Stig and Barney’s adventures first saw the light of day but this timeless children’s classic remains as charming and entertaining as ever.

The Very Magic Flute Mon 30-Tue 31 May, 11.30am & 3pm, adult £8.50/child £7.50 • Meet a lost Prince chased by a dragon, a mysterious Queen of the Night, a kidnapped Princess, a lonely BirdMan, and don’t forget the Magic Flute and Bells. Expect a new twist on Mozart’s classic tale with puppets, magical transformations and fully integrated sign language.

The Curious Adventures of Pinocchio Wed 1-Sun 5 Jun, 11.30am & 3pm, adult £8.50/child £7.50 • Crickets, cats, foxes and, of course, the world-famous puppet will spring out of dusty, old, magic books, while Patrick Lynch from CBeebies pulls all the strings and turns all the pages to bring you the true story of Pinocchio, no lie. Who nose? He might even find his father and become a real boy.

Error 404 Sat 11-Sun 12 Jun, 11.30am & 3pm, adult £8.50/child £7.50 • There’s a boy. No more than 10 years old. You know someone just like him – except that his best friend is a robot. When his mum brings home an unusual parcel, things start getting weirder Katie’s Birthday Party, Fri 17-Sun 19, the egg, Bath

8 MAY HALF TERM 2016

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Hansel and Gretel, Wardrobe Theatre, Bristol, Tue 31 May-Sun 5 Jun

and weirder. Funny, engaging and unusual, ‘Error 404’ asks you to look again at everything you thought you knew.

Wave Tue 14-Thu 16 Jun, 1pm & 6pm (Tue)/10.30am & 1pm (Wed & Thu), £20 for one young person & one carer • Join weather scientist Dad on his island and explore the sensory world of the weather, workshop and the beach in this show inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’. Performed for small audiences in a purpose-built space and including live music, singing and projections, ‘Wave’ is a vibrant multi-sensory play for young people with profound and multiple learning disabilities and/ or on the autistic spectrum.

Katie’s Birthday Party Fri 17-Sun 19 Jun, 10am & 1pm (Fri)/11.30am & 3pm (Sat & Sun), adult £8.50/ child £7.50 • You are invited to celebrate Katie’s 12th birthday as she explores what it’s like to be 12 years old and moving from primary to secondary school.

Solo performer Mary-Frances Doherty explores childhood at the approach of adolescence, looking at the trials and tribulations of what a young girl goes through, from new friends to school, exams and thoughts for the future.

Suitable for ages 10+.

Antigone Sat 25-Sun 26 Jun, 2pm & 7pm, adult £8.50/child £7.50 • TRB Theatre School presents the timeless tale of a fearless young woman whose influence can be seen in everything from Greek tragedy to ‘The Hunger Games’. Driven by her convictions, Antigone defies the most powerful man in the country, signing her own death warrant in the process. Suitable for ages 12+.

Shouty Arthur Thu 30 Jun, 10am & 11am, all tickets £2.50 • Dinkies Storytime returns with the tale of the oh-so-loud Shouty Arthur, especially for pre-schoolers and their parents.

KOMEDIA 22-23 Westgate St, Bath BA1 1EP. 01225 489070, www.komedia. co.uk Nutty Noah: Wear Your Pants With Pride Mon 30 May, 2pm, adult £7/child £6/family £22 • Join the King of Fun for a spectacularly silly show. Nutty Noah, one of the region’s top children’s entertainers, will delight young and old alike with his blend of comedy, music and unbridled fun.

SESKA: Milkshake Tue 31 May, 11.15am, adult £7/child £6/family £22 • Crazier than finding a poodle in your fridge, SESKA is back with ‘Milkshake’, one of the coolest comedy shows around.

Expect magic tricks, music, laughter, sword swallowing and lots of cookies.

Teddy Bear’s Picnic Wed 1 Jun, 11.30am, adult £7/child £6/family £22 • If you go down to the woods today … Join Sally, Danny and Bear for live music, songs and stories. Don’t forget to bring your teddy and a picnic.

Pitschi: The Kitten With Dreams Thu 2 Jun, 2pm, adult £7/child £6/family £22 • Pitschi doesn’t care for the rough and tumble and mischievous fun of kitten play, but dreams of being something else – a chicken, perhaps, or a goat or a rabbit … after all, anything is better than being a cat.

Comedy Club 4 Kids Sat 4 Jun, 2pm, adult £7/child £6/family £22 • Now in its ninth year at Komedia, Comedy Club for Kids is back with some of the best names on the circuit doing what they do best – without the rude bits!

PRIOR PARK LANDSCAPE GARDEN Ralph Allen Drive, Bath BA2 5AH. 01225 448844, www.theatreroyal. org.uk The Illuminating Times of the Darkling Society Fri 3-Sat 4 & Fri 10-Sat 11Jun, 9pm, £10/child

£8 • Stay up late, pack a torch and make a pilgrimage into the great outdoors. Curious siblings Lina and Hersch make the perilous journey to a secret sanctuary beyond the boundaries. Here they try to make sense of their topsyturvy world – but what are they running from and who really are The Darklings? Inspired by William and Caroline Herschel, Bath’s 18th-century astronomers, Kilter will enchant audiences of all ages with their irresistible performance style, not to mention their pedal organ, cycle generators, moth lures and bat detectors!

Moon Princess Fri 15-Sat 17 Jul, see website for times, adult £8.50/ child £7.50 • A captivating retelling of a traditional Japanese tale amongst the trees of Prior Park. Princess Kaguya follows a silken chord from her lunar home to experience life in the forest.

As she is taught the ways of the woods by her adopted mother, news of this unusual girl spreads across the land. Expect a visual feast combing aerial acrobatics, live music and storytelling.

BRISTOL BRISTOL HIPPODROME St. Augustine’s Parade, Bristol BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012, www.atgtickets.com/bristol Horrible Histories: Live on Stage Wed 25-Sat 29 May, see website for times, £14.65-£19.65 • It’s the Groovy Greeks vs the Incredible Invaders – which side will you choose? Learn about savage Sparta and angry Athens, compete in the first ever Olympic games, meet your match with the Minotaur and be zapped by Zeus in ancient Greece. Or if Vikings are more your scene, learn what happens when the ruthless Romans invaded Britain, find out who’s at Sutton Hoo and stop King Alfred from burning his buns. Both shows use live actors and 3D effects to bring history to life.

BRISTOL OLD VIC King Street, Bristol BS1 4ED. 0117 987 7877, www.bristololdvic.org. uk 250th Birthday Weekend Sat 28-Mon 30 May, times & prices TBC, check website for further announcements • Celebrate the Old Vic’s 250th birthday with a whole host of talks, guided tours and workshops for all ages.

Gruffalos, Ladybirds and Other Beasts Sat 16-Sun 17 Jul, 1.30pm & 4.30pm (Sat)/10.30am & 1.30pm (Sun), £12/family £45 • Bestselling British author Julia

»

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PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL . . . AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THE EVENT IN PRIMARY TIMES!

»

Thumbelina, Keynsham Library, Sat 16 Jul

Donaldson brings this enchanting show to Bristol. Meet all the beloved characters from her popular books, including ‘Jack and the Flumflum Tree’, ‘What the Ladybird Heard’, ‘A Squash and a Squeeze’, ‘Zog’ and, of course, ‘The Gruffalo’. The set transforms a library into a ship, a tropical island and a deep, dark wood in a show that families won’t want to miss.

REDGRAVE THEATRE Percival Road, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3LE. 0117 315 7000. www.redgravetheatre.com The Redgrave has no permanent box office so please book directly with the visiting companies listed below.

Fame: The Musical Wed 1-Sat 4 Jun, 7.30pm/2.30pm (Sat only), all pre-booked tickets £12.50, box office 07927 382668 • BAOS Youth present the famous musical set in New York City’s High School of Performing Arts, where sweat and hard work are the key factors to a successful life as a performer.

Follow a group of students in the acting, dancing and music faculties as they learn to master their craft and grow up alongside each other.

Oliver Twist Tue 19-Thu 21 Jul, 7.30pm, £11/conc £9, call the Redgrave number above for tickets • A new take on Charles Dickens’ classic tale as the action moves to 2016. The current childcare system has chewed 10-year-old Oliver up and spat him out. He has escaped the clutches of Mrs Bumble and the East Side Children’s Home as well as a brutal foster family. But now he finds himself the new boy in Fagin’s gang. Follow this iconic tale as Oliver desperately tries to fulfil his dream of finding a home.

Ruff Guide to Shakespeare Sat 23-Sun 24 Jul, 2.30pm, £8, book via the Redgrave’s website • Commemorating the 400th anniversary of his death, Ruff Guide tells the tale of William Shakespeare (well, what we know of him at least). Expect silly songs, daft dance routines and some of his most famous speeches as you learn all about the greatest playwright of all time.

Bad Guys Mon 1 Aug, 11.30am & 2.30pm, adult £12/conc £8/family £33, book via the Redgrave’s website • Derek, Ernie and Dick are really bored of being good.

It’s just got to be more fun being a baddie, but being an evil scientist, pirate or cowboy is trickier than they thought. Can the bumbling brothers learn how to stay out of jail and be real bad guys? Comedy Club 4 Kids and CBeebies’ Three Half Pints trip and stumble their way through a brand new comic misadventure, packed with songs, slapstick and silliness.

LazyTown Live Wed 3 Aug, 2.30pm, £13/conc £11, book via the Redgrave’s website • In this brand new stage show Robbie is at his rottenest worst while Sportacus has to be at his athletic best to save the day. Stephanie and Ziggy also star as a mix of music, movement and humour engages, 10 MAY HALF TERM 2016

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entertains and motivates children to make healthier choices in their everyday lives.

ST GEORGE’S BRISTOL Great George Street, Bristol BS1 5RR. 0117 925 3333, www. stgeorgesbristol.co.uk Minibeats: Wonderful World Sun 5 Jun, 10.15am (ages 3-5) & 12noon (ages 5-8), £6 plus booking fees • MiniBeats goes global with its first ever adventure in world music. All around the planet, everyone loves to make and listen to music. From the ice caps to the deserts, there are sounds to be found and the MiniBeats team have been on the hunt for world musicians to entertain and inspire.

Project Zulu Tour Finale Concert Fri 10 Jun, 7.30pm, £12-£18 plus booking fees • The Project Zulu choir comprises children from six schools in the Madadeni Township, KwazuluNatal, South Africa. Three weeks of performing and fundraising across the UK to improve the educational resources at their schools culminates in one final performance from the choir.

Bristol Youth Choir Summer Concert Tue 21-Wed 22 Jun, 7pm, £6/£2 plus booking fees • Join singers from the junior and intermediate (Tue) and senior (Wed) sections of the Bristol Youth Choir as they perform a selection of songs and choral pieces from classical and folk songs to jazz.

The Hidden Valley Wed 29 JunFri 1 Jul, 7pm/7.30pm (Fri), £12/ conc. £8 • Dewi stumbles into a Hidden Valley and falls in love with Ariene, a river princess whose father is not to be messed with.

Enter a magical world of talking beetles, scheming crows and a search for love against the odds. A family-friendly introduction to the world of opera.

TOBACCO FACTORY THEATRE Raleigh Road, Bristol BS3 1TF. 0117 902 0060, www.tobaccofactory. com The Magic Doors Tue 31 May-Thu 2 Jun, 2pm & 5pm (Tue & Wed)/11am & 2pm (Thu), £9 • Join Penny, Olly and Max as they travel underwater, down creepy corridors and battle hurricanes. Here they discover that play and friendship reveal the most important secret of all and that even the scary-looking boy in the street can be their friend. Suitable for ages 4-8.

Into The West Wed 29 JuneSun 17 Jul, see website for times, £7-£13/family £28 • Imagine a glorious white horse comes out of a sea-mist and into your troubled life. Imagine trying to keep her on the 14th floor of a Dublin tower block. Now imagine the police are after you and your only escape is to ride into the west …To celebrate their 20th anniversary, Travelling Light are bringing their internationally acclaimed story of grit and magic, love and loss, hope and discovery to a new generation of audiences.

TOBACCO FACTORY: BREWERY THEATRE 291 North Street, Southville, Bristol BS3 1JP. 0117 902 0344, www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com Take It On: Shakespeare’s Heroes and Villains Mon 6 Jun, 4.15-5.45pm, £5 • Join in a practical workshop exploring Shakespeare’s most wonderful and wonderfully awful characters.

Delve into their delightful and dastardly exploits and decide which one you prefer. Suitable for ages 8-11.

Take It On: Clowning Around Mon 11 Jul, 4.14-5.45pm, £5 • Forget what you’ve seen in the circus, here’s a chance to find your own inner clown by developing your performance presence through games and play. Suitable for ages 8-11.

THE WARDROBE THEATRE The Old Market Assembly, 25 West Street, Old Market, Bristol BS2 0DF. 0117 902 0344, www. thewardrobetheatre.com Hansel and Gretel Tue 31 MaySun 5 Jun, 11am & 2pm, all tickets £7 • With a rucksack stuffed with Hula Hoops and very little sense of direction, Rose and her brother Ollie journey deeper and deeper into the forest in search of the Gingerbread House and the kind of adventure they’ve only ever read about in stories. Climb into the walking boots of adventurers past and watch the forest come alive in this fast and funny treat featuring live music. For ages 4+.

THE WILDPLACE PROJECT Blackhorse Hill, Bristol BS10 7TP. 0117 9807175, www.wildplace.org. uk Peter Pan Sat 11 Jun, 6pm, adult £12/child £6/conc £10.50 • Chapterhouse Theatre Company

present the unforgettable story of a boy who wouldn’t grow up in an outdoor production. Join Wendy, Michael and John Darling on their adventures with Peter, far away on the magical island of Neverland.

There they encounter enchanting mermaids, magical fairies and the cruellest pirate of them all, Captain Hook. A brand new adaptation of J.M.Barrie’s classic tale.

WINDMILL HILL CITY FARM Philip St, Bristol BS3 4EA. 0117 963 3252, www.windmillhillcityfarm.org.uk View from the Pen Sat 2 & Sun 3 Jul, throughout the day, free • Show of Strength present the stories of eight animals around the farm in a series of specially written short plays as part of the much-loved community project’s 40th birthday celebrations.

Expect fun and frolics as the animals speak up!

KEYNSHAM LIBRARY Keynsham Civic Centre, Market Walk, Keynsham, Bristol BS31 1FS. 01225 394041, www.theatreroyal. org.uk Thumbelina Sat 16 Jul, 11am, free • There was once a girl so small that she could float on a lily pad and ride on the back of a dragonfly ... Hans Christian Andersen’s tale of a girl no bigger than a thumb and her encounters with a frog, mouse, mole and swallow is told amongst gardening tools using traditional glove and rod puppets.

THE PLAYHOUSE THEATRE High Street, Weston-superMare, Somerset BS23 1HP. 01934 645544, www.parkwoodtheatres. co.uk Doctor Dolittle Thu 2-Sat 4 Jun, 7.30pm/2.30pm (Sat only), adult £16.50/child £15.50 • Based on the classic family film, Doctor Dolittle and a host of animals (Gub-Gub the pig, Chee-Chee the Chimp, Jip the Dog and the beautiful Polynesia the Parrot) embark on a quest to find the legendary Giant Pink Sea Snail. But not all goes to plan for the loveable residents of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh in this epic musical.

Aliens Love Underpants Sat 23-Sun 24 Jul, see website for times, £14.50 • Aliens love underpants of every shape and size but unfortunately there are no underpants in space ...A zany tale based on the bestselling children’s book is brought to life on stage for the first time with special effects, madcap action, original music and lots of aliens.

BLAKEHAY THEATRE Wadham Street, Weston-superMare BS23 1JZ. 01934 645493, www.blakehaytheatre.ticketsource.co.uk The Wizard of Oz Thu 28-Sat 30 Jul, 7.30pm/2.30pm (Thu & Sat), £12.50 • Weston Operatic Youth Productions present their version of the much-loved ‘Wizard of Oz’. Follow Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow and friends down the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City.

PRIMARY TIMES

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50% discount applies to Puxton Park members

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OUTDOOR FUN

FOR ACTIVE KIDS

Get outdoors, get active and have a blast! Our instructors are experienced, fully qualified and DBS checked, and are there to ensure your child gains confidence and enjoys every experience to the maximum.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Children’s parties SchOOl educational programmes Holiday clubs Sports clubs Scouting, guiding, youth club activities

Look out for our exciting away days including mountain biking, canoeing, mountaineering, surfing and raft building!

What is your next adventure?

■ Military assault course ■ High & low ropes course

■ Field gun and commando challenges

■ Cryptic treasure hunt

■ Big foot challenge

■ 7.3m climbing wall

■ Team games (softball, dodgeball, volleyball…)

■ Orienteering ■ Tunnel maze ■ Archery

For more information visit www.mojoactive.co.uk Mojo Active, Over Court Farm, Over Lane, Almondsbury, Bristol BS32 4DF T 01454 660075 M 07770 925022 E info@mojoactive.co.uk www.mojoactive.co.uk

PRIMARY TIMES

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■ Woodland activities

fantastic summer “My daughter had a Mojo. I’d like to at ys da because of her o made every day thank all your team wh r. So much better fun and exciting for he club she has been ay than any other holid to before” Jo Adams

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Cli�on Village & Westbury Park

0117 970 6808

PLACES AVAILABLE IN RECEPTION AND YEARS 1-6 Scholarships may be available For further information visit www.colstons.org Email: admissions@colstons.org Telephone: 0117 965 5207

0117 970 6828

Smiles, laughter and learning Excep�onal care for babies and children up to 5 years in our secure and happy nursery

www.daisychainnursery.co.uk

THURSDAY 23 JUNE - 6:00pm - 9:00pm

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St Katherine’s is an award winning secondary school set in a beautiful location overlooking the city of Bristol.

S

Prospective students and their parents or carers are warmly invited to join us at our Year 7 Showcase Evening, to meet teachers and see the amazing work our students produce. Call 01275 373737 to book.

SE

St Katherine’s School A warm welcome HOWCA YEAR 7 NING

St Katherine’s School Pill Road, Bristol North Somerset BS20 0HU Tel: 01275 373737 Email: school@stkaths.org.uk

Buses run from all over Bristol direct to the school.

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www.stkaths.org.uk

PRIMARY TIMES

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ROUNDABOUT Your ultimate family diary of what’s on, where & when

struct a small wood-related item such as a whittle, pencil or small animal. Price includes a hot drink and all materials. Booking essential: please call 0844 2491895.

Deadlines: List your school or community events in Primary Times for free. We work a half-term in advance so we’re now collecting information for late July and August: deadline for inclusion Monday 13 June. If your event is to raise funds for a school, a charity or your community, and is open to the public, please let the editor know at the address below. Please send all listings information and news/feature ideas to him at: mike.gartside@localworld.co.uk PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL While we make every effort to ensure these listings are accurate and up to date, event information can sometimes change after we’ve gone to press. Please check with the venue or organiser before you set off to an event to make sure it’s going ahead as planned . . . and tell them you saw it in Primary Times!

MAY UNTIL SUN 12 JUN BRISWOOL M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN. 0117 352 6600, www.bristolmuseum.org. uk/m-shed, 10am-5pm (6pm Sat & Sun), closed Mon, free • Briswool is Bristol as you’ve never seen it before: an intricately crotched and knitted model featuring popular landmarks including the Clifton Suspension Bridge, St Mary Redcliffe and Cabot Tower.

UNTIL WED 15 JUN SPRING IN THE GREENHOUSE At-Bristol, Anchor Rd, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DB. 0117 915 1000, www.at-bristol. org.uk, drop-in sessions throughout the day, included in standard admission prices • Find out what’s sprouting in At-Bristol’s indoor greenhouse. Get hands-

Apology In our Easter edition, we accidentally listed a toddler event at Old Down Country Park one week too early. It’s very rare that we get dates wrong in Primary Times but it’s clearly a great inconvenience when we do.

We sincerely apologise to anyone who was affected by this mistake.

May we also reiterate our regular message to readers: please double check an event is taking place before you travel as, while we make every effort to avoid errors, they may occasionally creep in and sometimes information changes after we go to press.

PRIMARY TIMES

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Briswool, M Shed, Bristol, until Sun 12 Jun

on and plant gravity-defying herbs to grow at home or make your own hanging garden.

UNTIL WED 15 JUN SPRING KITCHEN At-Bristol, Anchor Rd, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DB. 0117 9151000, www.at-bristol.org.uk, drop-in sessions throughout the day, included in standard admission prices • Join the team in their seasonal science kitchen as they whip up some scrumptious spring treats. Discover the secret of melt-in-the-mouth chocolate and take part in an egg dissection to learn more about this versatile ingredient.

UNTIL WED 29 JUN NATURE LAB At-Bristol, Anchor Rd, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DB. 0117 915 1000, www.at-bristol. org.uk, 10am-4pm (5pm weekends & school holidays), included in standard admission prices • Celebrate nature and explore the science of living things with dropin sessions covering everything from how bees feed to dissecting a daffodil. Plus become a nature detective by learning to survey the wildlife in your own garden.

UNTIL SUN 10 JUL (WEEKENDS & HOLIDAYS ONLY) GOOD VIBRATIONS At-Bristol, Anchor Rd, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DB. 0117 915 1000, www.at-bristol.org.uk, 12.15 & 3.15pm (subject to change, please check before arrival), free with standard admission prices • From under the sea to outer space, birdsong and bass bins: see, hear and feel vibrations as the presenter leads you through a series of immersive experiments during At-Bristol’s new family science show.

SAT 28-SUN 29 MAY CAMPING CAPERS Puxton Park, Cowslip Lane,

Hewish BS24 6AH. 01934 523500, www.puxton.co.uk • Stay over and play all day and night. Enjoy an adventure in the park, followed by supper and a disco, before pitching your tent for an overnight stay, then wake and continue the fun for another full day. Booking essential, please call for details.

SAT 28 MAY-SUN 5 JUN DOWNY DUCKLINGS Slimbridge Wetland Centre GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org. uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge, 9.30am-5.30pm, included in standard admission prices, book your tour on the day • Go behind the scenes at Slimbridge s busy duckery and find out how they rear hundreds of ducklings, goslings and cygnets each year. Plus a duckling crèche where little ones can get up close, the chance to see a baby bird hatching and paper craft activities.

SUN 29 MAY FAMILY MUSIC DAY Parade Gardens, Grand Parade, Bath BA2 4DF. 01225 463362, www.bathfestivals.org.uk/music, 11am-3pm, entrance to gardens £1.50/80p conc/under-5 free • Ever wondered what it’s like to play a cello or violin? Sarah Moody is back with a wealth of instruments for you to try. Drop into the workshops in the musical marquees and explore the gardens with a treasure hunt. There’ll also be bright young musicians playing on the bandstand, so bring your family and a picnic and enjoy a musical day by the river.

SUN 29 MAY FAMILY WOODWORKING: TYNTESFIELD ANIMALS Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol, BS48 1NX. 01275 461900, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield, sessions at 10am, 12noon & 2pm, £10 per child & parent/carer • Under the expert guidance of the North Somerset Bodgers, you’ll con-

MON 30 MAY SYDNEY GARDENS PROMENADE Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney St, Bath BA2 4DB. 01225 388569, www.holburne.org, 1-6pm, free • A utopian promenade will revive some of the spirit of Sydney Gardens in Bath’s golden age, when they were dedicated to pleasure, display and entertainment. People of all ages, shapes and dispositions are invited to participate in a spectacle of self-presentation. Part of the Fringe Arts Bath and Bath Fringe utopia:dystopia series of exhibitions and events.

MON 30 MAY CHEESE ROLLING Cooper’s Hill GL3 4SB. www. cheese-rolling.co.uk, first race starts at 12noon, free • One of the more eccentric English traditions, dating back to the 1800s, returns to Gloucestershire as hordes gather to chase an 8lb double Gloucester cheese down the steep Cooper’s Hill. There will also be an uphill race for children.

MON 30 MAY PUNCH & JUDY SHOWS Old Down Country Park, Foxholes Lane, Tockington, Bristol BS32 4PG. 01454 414081, www.olddownestate.co.uk, 11am, 1 & 2pm, included in standard admission prices • Enjoy a traditional Punch & Judy show in the country park, plus regular attractions including pets’ corner, adventure park, zipwire, farm animals and more.

MON 30-TUE 31 MAY LAND ROVER SAFARI Slimbridge Wetland Centre GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org. uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge, 2pm, adult £5/child £3, book tours on arrival to the admissions area • Head out on safari with a warden to see the best views of the reserve and wild birds that live on »

Great Big Tree Climb, Leigh Woods, Bristol, Thu 2 Jun

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FA M I L I E S

KIDS

Helping children have fun learning through play, indoors and out We offer funded hours for 2, 3 and 4 year olds Popular Forest School sessions included in curriculum Run by a dedicated team of experienced and highly qualified staff Ofsted rated GOOD with OUTSTANDING contribution to the well-being of children

A D U LTS For dates and to book

Currently taking bookings for September 2016 and beyond

lta.org.uk/gbtw

Tel: 0117 956 6800 Email: Beccy@hambrookpreschool.co.uk Website: www.hambrookpreschool.co.uk ©LW

©LW

Clion High School co-educaonal nursery school to sixth form

Find out more with our open events, tours and taster days.

Available throughout the year, please contact us for more information.

realising individual brilliance 0117 933 9087 | www.cliftonhigh.bristol.sch.uk

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PRIMARY TIMES

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PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL . . . AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THE EVENT IN PRIMARY TIMES! »

the banks of the Severn estuary and enjoy the sights from the comfort of a seat in the covered trailer.

Bath Fringe aims to revive the spirit of the Sydney Gardens Promenade at the Holburne Museum, Bath, Mon 30 May.

MON 30 MAY-FRI 3 JUN ANIMAL ANTICS Roman Baths, Stall St, Bath BA1 1LZ. 01225 477785, www.romanbaths.co.uk, 10am-1pm & 2-4pm, included in admission prices • Explore the animals around the Roman Baths and make a mobile to take home. No need to book.

MON 30 MAY-FRI 3 JUN HALF-TERM WEEK Puxton Park, Cowslip Lane, Hewish BS24 6AH. 01934 523500, www. puxton.co.uk • Promising a variety of fun and events: please check the park’s social media pages for a full programme of events, including Nutty Noah on Thu 2 Jun. TUE 31 MAY THE CHANGING FACE OF FASHION Bath Fashion Museum, Assembly Rooms, Bennett St, Bath BA1 2QH. 01225 477789, www.fashionmuseum.co.uk, 10.30am-12.30pm & 1.30-3.30pm, included in standard admission prices • Make flicker books to show the changing shapes of fashion through time or have a go with a dressing-up thaumatrope, an old-fashioned spinning toy.

TUE 31 MAY HOLIDAY FAMILY FUN M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN. 0117 352 6600, www.bristolmuseums. org.uk/m-shed, 11am-3pm, pay what you think • Explore the M Shed’s collections and exhibitions through creative and hands-on activities. Suitable for ages 3-10.

TUE 31 MAY WOOLLY CREATIONS M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN. 0117 352 6600, www.bristolmuseums.org. uk/m-shed, drop-in sessions from 11am-2pm, pay what you think • Inspired by the woolly wonder of Briswool? Start designing your own woolly creations through finger knitting and making pom-pom creatures. Suitable for ages 3-10; limited places available.

JUNE WED 1 JUN HOLIDAY CLUB Leigh Woods, Abbots Leigh Rd, Bristol, BS8 3QB, www.mygreenworld.co.uk. 10am-3pm, £27 per child • Spend an action packed day in the woods and hone your bushcraft skills by building a shelter, learn how to light a fire without matches, go on a big forest bug hunt and paint using natural materials. Courses are led by experienced outdoor tutors, suitable for ages 8-12.

WED 1-THU 30 JUN CELEBRATING CAPABILITY BROWN Prior Park Landscape Garden, PRIMARY TIMES

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Ralph Allen Dr, Bath BA2 5AH. 01225 833422, www.nationaltrust. org.uk/prior-park-landscapegarden, 10am-4.30pm, included in standard admission prices • Learn to paint on the Palladian bridge, listen to poetry or create your own, or enjoy a walk and talk with the head gardener – all centred around the work of landscape architect Capability Brown.

THU 2 JUN FAMILY FUN: MAY HALF TERM Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, Queens Rd, Bristol BS8 1RL. 0117 922 3571, www.bristolmuseums.org. uk/bristol-museum-and-art-gallery, 11am-3pm, pay what you think • Explore the museum’s collections and exhibitions through creative and hands-on activities. Suitable for ages 3-10.

THU 2 JUN PRINT WORKSHOPS Yate Heritage Centre, Church Rd, Yate, Bristol BS37 5BG. 01454 862200, www.yateheritage.co.uk, 10.30am-12noon & 1.30-3pm, free • Free print workshops for ages 5-12 (with parental supervision).

Limited places: please book in advance.

THU 2 JUN GREAT BIG TREE CLIMB Leigh Woods, Abbots Leigh Rd, Bristol, BS8 3QB, 0800 0556760, www.bigtreeclimbing.co.uk, hourly slots from 10am, £20 • Tick off tree climbing from your ‘50 things ...’ list in style at Leigh Woods. Two highly skilled and friendly instructors will teach you how to enter a tree’s canopy using ropes, knots and karabiners, whilst being securely attached in a harness at all times. Enjoy the amazing experience of life in the tree tops before bravely abseiling to the ground. Suitable for ages 6+.

THU 2 JUN MOVIE STARS: HEROES & VILLAINS American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7DB. 01225 460503, www.americanmuseum.org, 1-4pm, included in gardens-only admission • Create your own hero or villain, complete with branded headband and props, then use the TV box to frame your family photographs as a souvenir of your visit.

THU 2 JUN KITE FLYING FUN Leigh Woods, Abbots Leigh Rd, Bristol BS8 3QB. 0117 9731645, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/leighwoods, 10.30am-2pm, £2.50 per kite • Leigh Woods is high above the Avon Gorge and the plain is the perfect place for flying kites.

Drop in for a masterclass in kite making – and bring along your own brightly coloured old carrier bags to add a personal touch to your kite.

FRI 3 JUN MOSAIC WORKSHOPS Yate Heritage Centre, Church Rd, Yate, Bristol BS37 5BG. 01454 862200, www.yateheritage.co.uk, 10.30am-12noon & 1.30-3pm, free • Free workshops for ages 5 to 12 (with parental supervision).

Limited places: please book in advance.

SAT 4 JUN 100 YEARS HERE FAMILY DAY Holburne Museum, Great Pulteney St, Bath BA2 4DB. 01225 388569, www.holburne.org, 12-4pm, free • Celebrate the museum’s anniversary with activities and events to get stuck into.

WED 8 AND WED 22 JUN TUNNEL TOURS Roman Baths, Stall St, Bath, BA1 1LZ, 01225 477785, www.romanbaths.co.uk. 11am, included in standard admission prices, booking required • Explore the hidden Roman, Georgian and Victorian

history of the site beneath street level. Suitable footwear and clothing is advised as the walkways are uneven and the visit will involve negotiating a number of steps.

SAT 11 JUN MONKEY THREADS Bath Central Library, Northgate St, Bath BA1 5AN. www.facebook. com/monkeythreadssale, 10am4pm, free • Monkey Threads is bursting at the seams with preloved French baby and children’s clothes. Expect over a thousand secondhand bargains from brands such as Petit Bateau, Catimini, Bout’Chou, Jacadi and DPAM, with many items under £5. Plus an appearance from Smallprint fingerprint jewellery and free crafts for kids.

SAT 11-SUN 12 JUN BRISTOL FESTIVAL OF NATURE Bristol Harbourside, Bristol. 0117 9253931, www.bnhc.org.uk/festivalof-nature, 10am-6pm/5pm Sun, River Avon Spectacular 4pm on Sun, free • The Harbourside comes to life for what’s claimed to be the UK’s largest free natural history event, featuring more than 100 organisations and a programme of hands-on activities, talks, live entertainment, market and more. See website for a full list of event times.

SAT 11-WED 25 JUN CANOE SAFARI WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Bowditch, Slimbridge GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org.uk/ wetland-centres/slimbridge 11am4pm • Part of the Festival of Nature, this safari gives families the chance to paddle through a kilometre of wetland wildlife.

SAT 11-SUN 12 JUN, SAT 18-SUN 19 JUN & SAT 25 JUN LAND ROVER SAFARI WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Bowditch, Slimbridge GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, info.slimbridge@ wwt.org.uk, 2pm • Enjoy the view of wild wetland birds on this a four-wheel drive tour of the WWT reserve. Part of the Festival of Nature.

SAT 11-SUN 12 JUN FALCONRY WEEKEND Puxton Park, Cowslip Lane,

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Movie Stars: Heroes & Villains, American Museum, Bath, Thu 2 Jun. (Pictured, Robert Redford and Paul Newman in ‘Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid’)

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Hewish BS24 6AH. 01934 523500, www.puxton.co.uk, 9am-5pm, included in standard admission prices • Join Puxton Park’s friendly and knowledgeable falconers and learn more about their fabulous birds of prey.

SUN 12 JUN FAMILY FUN: SURVIVAL SKILLS Leigh Woods, Abbots Leigh Rd, Bristol BS8 3QB. www.mygreenworld.co.uk, 2-4.30pm, adult £6/ child £4/family £20 • Would you survive if you were lost alone in a remote forest? Spend time in the woods as a family and use resources around you to test your survival skills. Learn how to build a shelter to keep you warm, dry and safe in the woods and then see if you can light a fire without matches and cook bread on it.

Please wear waterproof clothing and sensible footwear. Suitable for ages 4-14.

TUE 14 & TUE 28 JUN SLIMBRIDGE CYGNETS Slimbridge Wetland Centre GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org. uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge, 10.30am for 11am start, £1.50 • Special events just for little ones: the 14th celebrates natural art – collect twigs, feathers, leaves and other items found on a walk around the grounds before creating art to take home; the 28th covers beautiful butterflies – listen to the story of ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ before making your own butterfly.

FRI 17 JUN BEHIND THE SCENES TOUR Roman Baths, Stall St, Bath, BA1 1LZ, 01225 477785, www.romanbaths.co.uk. 2.30pm, included in admission prices, booking required • Go behind the scenes with the Roman Baths’ curatorial team to discover the collections and how they care for them. A chance to handle the oldest object and many more from the collection.

SAT 18 JUN RAINBOW RUN Durdham Downs, Stoke Rd, Bristol BS9 1PG. 01271 325270, www. chsw.org.uk/rainbowbristol, 1pm, adult £15/child £10/family £40 Slimbridge Cygnets, Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Tue 14 & Tue 28 Jun

Rainbow Run, Durdham Downs, Bristol, Sat 18 Jun

• Bristol’s Rainbow Run is the brightest 5k around. You can walk, jog or run your way through 5k of colour explosions to raise money for Children’s Hospice South West – and this year they’ve lowered the age range, so anyone aged 5 years and over can join in.

SAT 18-SUN 19 JUN FATHER’S DAY WEEKEND CLASSICS Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1NX. 01275 461900, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield, 10am4pm, included in standard admission prices • An array of classic vehicles will descend on the estate over the weekend. Explore the different makes and models, find a favourite and maybe even take a photo of Dad behind the wheel.

SAT 18-SUN 19 JUN JOUST! Cardiff Castle, Castle St, Cardiff CF10 3RB. 029 2087 8100, www. cardiffcastle.com, adult £13£15.50/senior £11-£13/child £8.50£10/family £33-£43/under-5s free • The Knights of Royal England demonstrate the noble art of jousting with fanfares, parades, stunts, falls and fights plus combat displays, a dragon procession, junior jousting and a medieval encampment to explore.

SAT 18-SUN 19 JUN BATH FESTIVAL OF MOTORING Walcot Rugby Ground, Lansdown, Bath BA1 9BJ. www.bathfestivalofmotoring.com, 10am-5pm (4pm Sun), see website for prices • The Rotary Club of Bath’s Festival of Motoring returns with more than 500 vintage and classic cars and motorbikes plus trade stands and entertainment for all ages. Also live music, supercar rides, competitions, refreshments and family activities.

SUN 19 JUN KEYNSHAM FESTIVAL OF NATURE Keynsham Bandstand, Memorial Park, Bath Hill, Keynsham BS31.

0117 925 3931, www.bnhc.org.uk/ festival-of-nature, 1-5pm, free • This year the Festival of Nature visits Keynsham for the first time, showcasing Dreamshed Theatre’s

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PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL . . . AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THE EVENT IN PRIMARY TIMES! www.wildplace.org.uk, 5.30-9pm, £5 • A special after-hours session with talks about animals, live entertainment, a cafe and other onsite activities. The theme is ‘The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party’ and fancy dress is encouraged.

magical performance of ‘Wind in the Willows’ at 2pm. Pull up a seat at the bandstand to follow the adventures of Ratty, Mole, Badger and the ever-eccentric Mr Toad before enjoying workshops with the RSPB, University of Bath and more. Plus stalls, activities and the River Avon Spectacle at 1.30pm.

SUN 19 JUN FATHER’S DAY AT PUXTON PARK Puxton Park, Cowslip Lane, Hewish BS24 6AH. 01934 523500, www.puxton.co.uk, 9am-5pm, standard admission prices/dads go free • Time to spoil Dad with free entrance to the park before enjoying a special Father’s Day menu in the Meadows restaurant.

SUN 19 JUN CHEW VALLEY 10K & 1K Bishop Sutton Village Hall, Wick Rd, Bishop Sutton, NE Somerset BS39 5XD. 01275 331383, www. chewvalley10k.co.uk, 10k race 9.30am/children’s 1k 11.45am, 10k entry £17 • Registration is open for Chew Valley’s ever popular 10k: last year’s event sold out well in advance of the day. There will also be a children’s 1k fun run following the 10k race and – new for this year – a trophy for the fastest team (five people max). Proceeds will be split between a charity supporting premature babies at Bristol hospitals, Blood Bikes NICU Support and local schools in Chew Valley.

WED 22-THU 23 JUN TYNTETOTS: ALICE IN WONDERLAND Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1NX. 01275 461900, www. nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield, 10-11.45am, adult £3/child £7 • Wander through the beautiful summer gardens at Tyntesfield and imagine you’ve fallen down a rabbit hole. There’ll also be a Mad Hatter’s tea party with party games and a pretend picnic. A hot drink will be included for the adults. Aimed at pre-school children: booking essential – please call 0844 2491895.

FRI 24 JUN SUMMER SUNDOWN Wildplace Project, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol BS10 7TP. 0117 980 7175,

SAT 25 JUN BATH FESTIVAL OF NATURE Royal Victoria Park Bandstand, Marlborough Lane, Bath BA1 2NQ. 0117 925 3931, www.bnhc.org.uk/ festival-of-nature, 11am-6pm, free • The grand finale of the Festival of Nature programme: watch the festival procession as it winds its way to the main event in Royal Victoria Park. Take part in handson research with the University of Bath, explore the local environment with Bath and North East Somerset Council or join Fine Chisel theatre company for their family-friendly show ‘Flit, Flap & Fly’ inside a giant nest. There’ll also be mouthwatering local food and refreshments to enjoy. See website for a full list of event times.

SAT 25 JUN PIXASH ARCHAEOLOGY STORE OPEN DAY Next to the Recycling Centre, Pixash Lane, Keynsham BS31 1TP. 01225 477785, www.romanbaths. co.uk, 11am-3pm, free • Explore the archaeology of Roman Bath with a treasure trove of items at the Keynsham archaeology store.

SAT 25 JUN SUMMER FAYRE Meadowbrook Primary School, 3 Brooks Lane, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 8TA. 11am-2pm, free entry • Kick off summer with a BBQ, tombola and more – and support Meadowbrook school and its students while you’re at it.

JULY FRI 1-SUN 17 JUL CHELTENHAM MUSIC FESTIVAL Various venues around Cheltenham. 01242 850270, www. cheltenhamfestivals.com/music, see website for times & prices • An exciting and eclectic programme featuring a vast range of classical music including symphonic, choral, chamber, contemporary and early music, jazz, folk and electronica, as well as spoken word, film and family events.

FROM SAT 2 JUL THE STORY OF CHILDREN’S TELEVISION FROM 1946TODAY M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN. 0117 352 6600, www.bristolmuseums.org.uk/mshed, 10am-5pm, free • Exhibition tracing the history of children’s TV, from Muffin the Mule to the multichannel world of today. Iconic objects, memorabilia, merchandise, clips, images and much more illustrate how television helps to shape the way we view the world. » PRIMARY TIMES

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St Bernadete Catholic Secondary School

Birthday Parties

Looking for an unusual party idea?

Take a look at one of our Children’s Party packages - enjoy two hours in the cinema.

Watch a film or play games on the big screen and then sit down and have a delicious Watershed Burger and chips, plus a drink.

So if you are looking for a totally different party experience - call us on 0117 927 2082 or email: events@watershed.co.uk to discuss your needs.

watershed.co.uk Watershed, 1 Canons Road, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5TX

Gr

aith

All Welcome St Bernadete Catholic Secondary School is a vibrant, ambitous and successful school serving families in the South and East of Bristol.

• Academic • Strong Success Pastoral Care • High • Rich ExtraExpectatons curricular • Inclusive Ethos Program • Good Behaviour • Student Leadership • Traditonal Values Opportunites We welcome all those seeking a quality educaton within a caring Christan environment.

Fossedale Avenue, Whitchurch, Bristol, BS14 9LS

Tel: 0117 377 2050 www.stberns.bristol.sch.uk

©LW

TORWOOD HOUSE SCHOOL

Torwood House School proudly: • • • • • •

����� � �������� �������� ����� �� ���� ����� ����� ����� � ��� ������������� ����� ������� �� ����� ����� ���� ����� ��� ������� ����� ����� ������������ �� ������ ������� ������� ����� ����� �� ����������� �� ������ ������������ ����� ������������ ����� ���� � �� ����� � ��

Come and visit us and meet our greatest ambassadors, the children! �� ��� � ����� ����������� ������ ��� �������� ���� ������� � ��� �� ��������

Call: 0117 973 6620 | Email: hello@torwoodhouseschool.co.uk | Website: www.torwoodhouseschool.co.uk PRIMARY TIMES

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ROUNDABOUT »

PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL . . . AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THE EVENT IN PRIMARY TIMES! MON 25 JUL TOGAS & TUNICS Roman Baths, Stall St, Bath BA1 1LZ. 01225 477785, www.romanbaths.co.uk, 10am-1pm & 2-4pm, included in admission prices • Family activity based around what the Romans wore.

SAT 2 JUL INDEPENDENCE DAY FAIR & BBQ American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7DB. 01225 460503, www.americanmuseum.org, 12-8.30pm, included in gardens-only admission before 5pm /adults £2, child £1 after 5pm • The American Museum hosts its first Independence Day fair, with games and food followed by an evening of live music.

SAT 2 JUL SUMMER FAYRE Almondsbury CE Primary School, Sundays Hill, Lower Almondsbury BS32 4DS. 01454 612517, www. almondsburyprimary.co.uk, 12-2pm, free • Lots of Olympicthemed fun including a bouncy castle, tombola, face-painting, nearly new stall, BBQ and traditional games including skittles and coconut shy.

SUN 10 JUL FAMILY FUN: ART IN THE WOODS Leigh Woods, Abbots Leigh Rd, Bristol BS8 3QB. www.mygreenworld.co.uk, 2-4.30pm, adult £6/ child £4/family £20 • An afternoon of family activities using the natural resources of the woodland to weave, paint and make sculptures or collages. You can either take what you make home or leave it in the woods for others to enjoy.

Suitable for all ages.

SUN 10 JUL COMPANION DOG SHOW Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1NX. 01275 461900, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield, 11am3pm, included in standard admission prices • The South Western English Springer Spaniel Club hosts competitions for pedigree and novelty classes. Registration opens at 10am: all breeds of dog welcome.

SUN 10 JUL TEDDY BEARS PICNIC Avon Valley Railway, Bitton Station, Bath Rd, Bristol BS30 6HD. 0117 932 5538, www.avonvalleyrailway.org, 9am-5pm, £7.50/ child £5.50(free with teddy bear) • Children accompanied by a responsible teddy bear get free travel on all diesel and steam Teddy Bears Picnic, Avon Valley Railway, Bitton, Sun 10 Jul

Fifty Things Weekender, Tyntesfield, nr. Bristol, Sat 23-Sun 24 Jul.

trains – plus there’ll be balloon modelling, Punch & Judy, arts, crafts and a teddy bear hunt.

included for the adults. Booking essential: please call 0844 2491895.

FROM TUE 12 JUL (EVERY TUE) TUESDAY TIMES TABLES Roman Baths, Stall St, Bath BA1 1LZ. 01225 477785, www.romanbaths.co.uk, 6-8pm, included in admission prices • A series of evening sessions looking at objects from the Roman Baths’ collections, plus an opportunity to handle original artefacts.

THU 21 JUL PRINCESSES IN CARS, PRINCES UP A TOWER American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7DB. 01225 460503, www.americanmuseum.org, 1-4pm, included with gardens-only admission • Have fun creating a giant wall of film characters in unlikely comedy situations through collage and sketching. ‘Frozen’ will be shown in the stables at 2.30pm. Suitable for ages 3+.

SAT 16-SUN 17 JUL HUNDRED YEARS AGO Yate Heritage Centre, Church Rd, Yate, Bristol BS37 5BG. 01454 862200, www.yateheritage.co.uk, 10.30am-4.30pm, free • Special event looking at the local history of animals, transport and the First World War. There will be farm and domestic animals, military and domestic vehicles from the time and First World War demonstrators.

SAT 16-SUN 17 JUL THE GREAT BRITISH TENNIS WEEKEND Various venues around the region, to find your nearest event see www.lta.org.uk/gbtw, free • Free activities for families and people of all ages and abilities as part of the Lawn Tennis Association’s initiative to encourage more people to try and take up the sport.

Venues will provide the rackets and balls and offer players a range of tennis activities, including mini tennis, cardio tennis, junior and adult coaching and relaxed free play.

WED 20-THU 21 JUL TYNTETOTS: SECRET GARDEN Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1NX. 01275 461900, www. nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield, 10-11.45am, adult £3/child £7 • Special storytelling and games sessions for under-5s and their families. This month you can explore the rose garden, go on a treasure hunt around the grounds and take part in outdoor games and summer crafts before hearing the Victorian story of the secret garden. A hot drink will be

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FRI 22 JUL WILDPLACE PROJECT’S AFRICAN THIRD BIRTHDAY Wildplace Project, Blackhorse Hill, Bristol BS10 7TP. 0117 9807175, www.wildplace.org.uk, 5.30-9pm, £5 • The Wildplace Project holds a special late opening with animal talks, onsite activities, live entertainment and tasty treats in the cafe as the sun goes down.

FROM SAT 23 JUL NATURE EXPLORERS Slimbridge Wetland Centre GL2 7BT. 01453 891900, www.wwt.org. uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge, 9.30am-5.30pm, normal admission prices apply • Summer sees Slimbridge staging activities on a different theme each week which let you discover the wetlands and investigate British wildlife and habitats. Children get a ‘passport’ which they can have stamped when they take part in different activities – and if they collect enough stamps, they’ll get a certificate.

MON 25-FRI 29 JUL SUMMER THEATRE SCHOOL Theatre Royal Bath, Saw Close, Bath BA1 1ET. 01225 448844, www. theatreroyal.org.uk, 10am-2pm, £85 per course • Theatre Royal Bath’s popular summer school for ages 7-9 returns with sessions to develop acting skills, build confidence and have fun. Schools for ages 5-6 and 10-12 run from Mon 1-Fri 5 Aug and cost £75 and £95 respectively.

TUE 26 JUL BEST FOOT FORWARD Bath Fashion Museum, Assembly Rooms, Bennett St, Bath BA1 2QH. 01225 477789, www.fashionmuseum.co.uk, 10.30am-12.30pm & 1.30-3.30pm, included in admission prices • Explore footwear and draw around your own shoes on giant paper before creating a design to decorate the Fashion Floor.

WED 27 JUL YOUNG ARTISTS: CHARACTER DESIGN American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7DB. 01225 460503, www.americanmuseum.org, 10am-12noon, £10 per child • Professional artist Matt Jeanes reveals the secrets of bringing your own cartoon characters and illustrations to life. Booking essential: call 01225 820866 or use online booking form. Suitable for ages 8+.

THU 28 JUL YOUNG ARTISTS: FIGHT LIKE A JEDI American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7DB. 01225 460503, www.americanmuseum.org, 10am-12pm, £10 » Almondsbury C of E Primary School Summer Fayre, Sat 2 Jul

SAT 23-SUN 24 JUL FIFTY THINGS TO DO BEFORE YOU’RE 11 3/4 WEEKENDER Tyntesfield, Wraxall, Bristol BS48 1NX. 01275 461900, www.nationaltrust.org.uk/tyntesfield, 11am-3pm, included in standard admission prices • Challenge yourself to complete Tyntesfield’s list of 50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4 by building a den, learning to read a map and compass or holding a scary beast. Wild art, mud pies and finding a geocache are also on offer.

PRIMARY TIMES

09/05/2016 13:40:47

My partner and I need your help to become an altruistic. Could you become an altruistic egg donor for us?

We would be grateful for your courage and kindness.

The fertility clinic which is helping us, accepts egg sharers (women who are having IVF themselves and who may be willing to share some of their eggs for a subsidised cycle) and may be able to cover some of your expenses.

If you are a woman aged 18 - 35 please call the Bristol Centre for Reproductive Medicine, for a confidential conversation on 0117 414 6880. Please leave your name and number and they will contact you with more information. Please say where you saw this advert.

©LW

15 YEARS OF FARRINGTON’S! Tractor Ted Live! Friday 3rd June 11am – 3pm Join Tractor Ted & friends for outdoor family fun!

Farm Park, Animal Trail and Playbarn.

Open daily from 9.30am at Farrington’s Farm Shop & Café.

©LW

Find us just off the A362 (BS39 6UB).

FARM & FUN FOR ALL THE FAMILY!

K’s The UEST L ARG

OPEN

MAY HALF TERM 28th May - 5th June

Lots of animals to meet 2 huge indoor playbarns 2 jumping pillows On site catering Tractor & trailer rides

www.cattlecountry.co.uk 01453 810 510

or for more information please call us on

Berkeley Heath Farm, Berkeley, Glos. GL13 9EW Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult

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WHAT’S ON AT THE AVON VALLEY RAILWAY (All events subject to change or cancellation without prior notice).

11

FAMILY FUN WITH

14 & 15 MAY ™

Come and see Paddington at intervals throughout the weekend Advance booking recommended at www.avonvalleyrailway.org to guarantee seats.

Primrose Vale Farm Shop Shurdington Rd, Bentham, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL51 4UA

FREE train tra vel for children who bring their Teddy Bear plus a family ted dy bear trail and craft activitie s

2025

st

2 m 24 &nique perfor tre’s open u ea l See a rhouse Th ith a rea .w te tial Chap oduction.. ine! essen oking air pr steam eng re-bo ets: p

augu

First PYO strawberries now ready *

109 Jul

EN ILDR Y CH A W T RAIL GUS f THE 5 AU ance o

Open 7 days a week

d tick limite with ance rm o erf ing p Even

©LW

* Availability changes daily - please call or check online to avoid disappointment.

Tel: 01452 863359, facebook.com/primrosevalepyo Email: info@primrosevale.com Web: www.primrosevale.com

TEDDY BEA RS’ PICNIC 10 JULY

y

Pick Your Own this summer at Primrose Vale

www.avonvalleyrailway.org Tel: 0117 932 5538 Bitton Railway Station, Bath Road, Bitton, Bristol BS30 6HD

©LW

A DV E R T I S I N G F E AT U R E

Children aged between four and nineteen years are hoping the Bristol School of Performing Arts Summer School at White Hart Lodge on Brislington Hill will be their first step to a life treading the boards in musical venues around the country.

The School, which is run by John Redgrave, has the reputation of being a first class teaching establishment from where big budget theatrical productions at the Hippodrome and Bath Theatre Royal trawl for young talented musicians, actors, singers and dancers. The school counts amongst its Patrons such familiar names as Bill Kenwright known for his successful West End and touring productions and Vanessa Redgrave who is in fact John Redgrave’s cousin.

Professional artists who will be appearing at the Summer School and inspiring young performers are BSPA regulars Amanda Salmon with over ten years in London’s West End including two years as Eponine in Les Miserables, Elysia Lawrence-Tebb, professional choreographer and past touring choreographer for the musical Annie, Musical Director Simon Carr-Minns (who was for 20 years Musical Director at the prestigious Italia Conti Theatre School in London) and Emma Weaver, Head of our Junior School (the voice of Bella in The Tweenies and Mina in Jelly Jamm).

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MAY HALF TERM 2016

Mr. Redgrave has been in the entertainment profession for over fifty years and has experience in all areas of showmanship.

As a Director he has worked with many famous stars including Norman Wisdom, Ken Dodd, Frankie Howerd, Tony Bennett, Sarah Brightman, Bradley Walsh and Bruce Forsyth. He is also highly regarded in the theatrical world for his skills as a Producer and Lighting Designer.

Children from BSPA have appeared professionally in many Hippodrome productions over the years including The Lion King, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Sound of Music and Evita plus many, many, more. Only recently, eighty youngsters appeared alongside Joe McElderry in Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at the Playhouse Theatre, Weston-Super-Mare, a production with which the School has been associated for in excess of forty years, thus giving the chance for young performers to work alongside seasoned professionals and to regularly experience the learning curve of appearing on the stage of a number one touring theatre.

So why not take the opportunity of a FREE trial session, or apply to join our Summer School and work with professional directors, choreographers and Vocal Coaches all of whom are still very actively engaged in the profession and visit us from their London base for this very special week.

This year’s Summer School will take place from Monday 25th July to Saturday 30th July 2016.

Phone or ask at White Hart Lodge for a Saver Card enabling payment to be made in instalments for as little as five pounds. www.bspa.biz | info@bspa.biz | 0771 4495373

©LW

Summer School could be first step to a stage career

PRIMARY TIMES

PLEASE CHECK BEFORE YOU TRAVEL . . . AND TELL THEM YOU SAW THE EVENT IN PRIMARY TIMES! »

per child • A must for ‘Star Wars’ fans: Squire Stage Combat offer an introduction to the art of stage fighting and use aikido bokken (wooden swords) to help you recreate the opening fight scene from ‘The Empire Strikes Back’. Booking essential: call 01225 820866 or use online booking form. Suitable for ages 8+.

ROUNDABOUT

Prior Park Landscape Garden, Bath - the ideal place to tick off some of the National Trust’s “50 Things”

THU 28 JUL SAND PAINTINGS American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath BA2 7DB. 01225 460503, www.americanmuseum.org, 1-4pm, included in admission prices • Find out how the Navajo used sand paintings for healing ceremonies and help create a giant artwork to decorate the Coach House.

AUGUST FRI 10 AUG WORLD ELEPHANT DAY Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Clevedon Rd, Wraxall BS48 1PG. 01275 852606, www.noahsarkzoofarm. co.uk, 10.30am-5pm, included in standard admission prices • Join staff and elephants Janu and M’Changa for the third annual World Elephant Day, featuring special keeper talks and competitions.

ONGOING EVENTS ONGOING ROMAN BATHS TRAIL Roman Baths, Stall St, Bath BA1 1LZ. 01225 477785, www.romanbaths.co.uk • Pick up an activity sheet from reception and follow one of two trails around the Baths: the Roman Bath trail (for oversevens) or Meet The Romans trail (for younger children).

ONGOING GO ALOFT ss Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Gas Ferry Rd, Bristol

BS1 6TY. www.ssgreatbritain.org, 11am, £10 plus standard admission fees • Could you have sailed the seven seas? Step into the shoes of a Victorian sailor and climb the huge mainmast of the ss Great Britain. You’ll be safely strapped into a harness and briefed by a topman on the weather deck before ascending the rigging to a viewing platform 26m above ground level.

ONGOING JUNGLE TOTS Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, Clevedon Rd, Wraxall, Bristol. 01275 852 606, 10.30am-12noon, free for season ticket holders or £10 for one adult & up to two children, additional adult £5/child £3 • Every Monday and Thursday morning during term time, Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm hosts a parent and toddler group. Prices include free play in the Jungle Den soft play area and the chance to meet an animal.

ONGOING FLASH, BANG, WALLOP! Brunel’s ss Great Britain, Great Western Dockyard, Bristol BS1 6TY. 0117 926 0680, www.ssgreatbritain.org, daily, free with general

admission • Travel back in time and around the world to pose for a portrait in the Melbourne photographic studio. Using your own camera you’ll create unique ‘holiday snaps’. Try on a monkey jacket or overcoat to see if you’d have looked the part as a captain or seaman or create a Victorian-style souvenir picture in stovepipe hats, bonnets and crinolines.

ONGOING THEATRE TOURS Bristol Hippodrome, St Augustine’s Parade, Bristol BS1 4UZ. 0844 871 3012, www. atgtickets.com/bristol, regular Saturday tours, 10.30am, £16.40 • Go behind the scenes of Bristol’s West End for two hours of fun and adventure – from front-of-house history to the stars and gossip backstage. An exciting insight into how this historic Bristol theatrical institution runs.

ONGOING PRIOR PARK LANDSCAPE GARDEN Ralph Allen Drive, Bath BA2 5AH. 01225 833422, www.nationaltrust. org.uk/prior-park, cost of general admission • This garden offers some of the most picturesque views in Bath. Parents can enjoy the gorgeous surroundings while kids can get stuck into the National Trust’s current ‘50 things to do before you’re 11 3/4’ initiative.

ONGOING BIRTHDAY PARTIES AT AVON VALLEY RAILWAY Bath Road, Bristol, South Gloucestershire BS30 6HD. 0117 932 5538, www.avonvalleyrailway. org, 11am or 2.45pm, from £5.50 per child • Avon Valley Railway offers the chance for children to have their birthday party on a real 1950s steam engine. There is an option to have a catered party or you can provide your own food.

Go behind the scenes at the Bristol Hippodrome on one of its Satruday tours

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ONGOING ANIMAL TALK & FEEDS Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton, Bristol BS8 3HA. 0117 9747300, www.bristolzoo.org.uk, included in

standard admission prices • Learn more about the zoo’s range of exotic animals with various daily talks and feeds, including big fish at 11.30am, gorillas at 12.30pm, meerkats at 2.10pm and penguins at 3pm.

ONGOING FAMILY EXPLORER KITS M Shed, Princes Wharf, Wapping Rd, Bristol BS1 4RN. 0117 352 6600, www.bristolmuseums.org. uk/m-shed, 10am-5pm, £2 plus £8 refundable deposit • Can you find the things on the photo trail?

Pretend to be an explorer on an expedition and see how different things look through binoculars or a magnifying glass. Suitable for under-sevens. Hire from M Shop.

ONGOING BIRTHDAY PARTIES AT THE WATERSHED 1 Canon’s Rd, Bristol BS1 5TX. 0117 927 2082, www.watershed. co.uk, weekend mornings from 10am-1pm, call for prices • Ever dreamt of playing your favourite computer game on the big screen?

Or how about a private screening of your favourite film just for you and your friends? Watershed can make it happen with weekend slots available in all three cinema screens and catering available for afterwards. Call for info about children’s birthday party packages.

ONGOING FOOD! At-Bristol, Anchor Rd, Harbourside, Bristol BS1 5DB. 0117 909 2000, www.at-bristol.org.uk • Major exhibition demonstrating how to make popcorn using nothing but light energy, grind your own grain, create sugar explosions and converse with a robot waiter.

ROUNDABOUT AND THEATRE LISTINGS BY ELLEN WHITE MAY HALF TERM 2016

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09/05/2016 13:42:50

Concerned about your child’s progress in English or maths?  Free educational assessment  An individual, structured learning programme  80 minute tutoring sessions  Fully qualified teachers  Matched to the new primary and secondary curriculum  GCSE, SATs and local entrance exam experts

su see al an our d e web xcit site ing for act mor ivit e de ies tail s

www.clearwellcaves.com

unu

OPEN 10.00am-5.00pm Clearwell,Nr Coleford Telephone: 01594 832535

SO DIFF METHI DO EREN NG T!

Contact us today to book your FREE assessment Bath North - 4 Fairfield Road, Bath, BA1 6EP 01225 335510 • bathnorth@kip-mcgrath.com Bristol Central - 3 Portwall Lane, Redcliffe, Bristol, BS1 6NB 0117 370 4525 • bristolcentral@kip-mcgrath.com Bristol North - 32A Downend Road, Downend, Bristol, BS16 5UJ 0117 373 8367 • bristolnorth@kip-mcgrath.com

2k route available for little legs!

Don’t miss out on the UK’s most colourful 5k!

The Downs, Bristol - Saturday 18 June 2016 www.chsw.org.uk/rainbow

Registered Charity No. 1003314

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learning

Enjoying the curve

Ellen White discovers how private tuition most helps a child’s academic understanding.

T

he leap from primary to secondary school can be one of the most significant changes in a child’s life. It presents most families with difficult but exciting choices, as parents try to find out which schools might best suit their not-so-little ones, while children start to form their own opinions about how and where they would like to spend their teenage years. Inevitably, those wishing to choose certain schools may find they are faced with extra testing, while some families may simply want to strengthen their children’s understanding in particular academic disciplines.

It’s no surprise, therefore, that many will seek the services of a wide range of private tutors to supplement their school studies.

They may have been influenced by findings published in The Guardian which show that the proportion of tutored pupils rose by more than a third in the past decade, from 18% in 2005 to 25% in 2015. The newspaper also published findings of a 2015 survey which found that 62% of parents with children sitting an 11+ exam for grammar school entry in England employed private tutors.

Grammar school entry requires children to sit the 11+ exam, which includes sections outside of the core curriculum such as verbal reasoning and logic that some children may not be familiar with.

“It’s vital for a child to enjoy learning”, says Phil Brooks, head teacher of Gloucestershire’s Edward Jenner School. “That’s what our tuition aims to provide, building upon general skills in maths, English and science and filling in any gaps in a pupil’s knowledge. We don’t just provide a hothouse environment in order to PRIMARY TIMES

16 Avon Features May Half Term 2016.indd 7

ting and constructive use of time, all skills which translate well to academia.

So, whether you’re looking for some extra help with an important entrance exam, want to build your child’s confidence in a specific subject or pursue your child’s desire to learn a new skill, there’s sure to be a local tutor to suit your needs.

pass the 11 +.”

“Building children’s confidence and self-esteem, and giving them the motivation to continue learning outside school is essential,” adds Seonaid Birkett, centre owner for the Bristol Central branch of Kip McGrath. “We aim to build upon self-study and discipline, and instil the self-belief that they can and will improve”.

Private tuition can also give parents vital support and ease their anxieties, as Birkett explains.

“We’ve noticed that some parents find navigating the school report difficult,” she says. “They are keen for their children to improve but aren’t sure how or where to start.

We can map an assessment to show where the child’s abilities are at, and progress from there based on a child’s individual needs. It makes it easier to understand which areas need improvement and parents get regular feedback.”

However, there is more to private tuition than core academia, with many parents using it to nurture or pursue a new skill that

the school may not cater for, such as learning a foreign language or musical instrument. Anna Sibley, head piano tutor at Bristol Music School, recognises the benefits that learning an instrument can bring. “I am a trained teacher in the ‘Suzuki Method’,” she explains.

“This teaching style places great emphasis on parental involvement, repetition and encouragement with the belief that musical ability can be developed in all children. We also organise group sessions on top of individual lessons where children are taught working together as a team, to be respectful and, most of all, listen.”

Learning an instrument using this method (or indeed in general) is also said to help children learn discipline, goal set-

11 + Tutoring Academy T: 01242 221271 W: www.11plustutoringacademy.co.uk E: Kathryn11plustutoring@gmail.com Bristol Tutors T: 07899 928546 W: www.bristoltutors.co.uk.

Bristol Music School T: 07552 593618 W: www.bristolmusicschool.com E: enquiries@bristolmusicschool.com Edward Jenner School W: www.edwardjennerschool.org.uk Kip McGrath T: (Bristol Central) 0117 370 4525, (Bristol North) 0117 373 8367, (Bath North) 01225 335510 W: www.kipmcgrath.co.uk.

Kumon T: 0800 854714 W: www.kumon.co.uk.

La Jolie Ronde W: www.lajolieronde.co.uk.

Image courtesy of Edw ard

Jenner School

MAY HALF TERM 2016

23

10/05/2016 12:14:37

Ellen White has some brilliant ways to make sure Dad enjoys Father’s Day this Sunday 19 June.

I

used to dread being dragged round record fairs in cold warehouses by my dad as he flicked through endless collections of Neil Young and Frank Zappa. But, years later, I came to appreciate the passion for music that he’s passed down to me. Most of us have similar memories of our fathers, while primary school children will be amassing those experiences right now. So, whether your dad taught (or is teaching you) to ride a bike, makes you laugh, or is a handy sports companion, he’s usually a friend, teacher and hero rolled

Doing it for the

Dads sports or foods - anything you like!

Then simply staple the ends safely together and let dad pick how you spend the day, whether it’s cooking him his favourite meal, playing sport or taking a trip as a family.

If your dad’s crazy for golf then a hedgehog golf tee holder is a creative and fun idea, and very simple to make! All you need is a styrofoam egg (get mum or another adult to cut it in half).

Paint the egg half however you like, stick on some googly eyes and then stick in plenty of golf tees to

Parent and child cookery at Bord eaux Quay, Bristol

Make a unique pottery gift

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MAY HALF TERM 2016

16 Avon Features May Half Term 2016.indd 8

into one for most children.

What’s more, those experiences often have a lifelong influence on a child, which might only become clear years later.

So, if children want to get creative and show him that they care, here are ideas ranging from homemade crafts to gifts and activities to celebrate Father’s Day. A homemade gift or card is a great place to start and a personal touch is always appreciated while a “memory box” makes a great 3D card – just decorate a plain cardboard or wooden box and fill it with photos, ticket stubs, drawings of your Dad’s favourite

things or write down a few of your favourite memories. Alternatively, fingerprint cards are great for little ones: make a design using your fingertips dipped in paint or use your whole hand print as a starting point for an animal or alien picture.

If dad struggles to get a word in sometimes, make him the centre of attention with a fun ‘king for the day’ theme. All you need is a sheet of gold card measured to fit around dad’s head to make a crown. Cut out the pointy shape then decorate with glitter, stickers, drawings of dad’s favourite

PRIMARY TIMES

09/05/2016 13:10:19

make spikes. You could paint the tees too or add glitter to make it even more colourful.

Not many fathers would say no to a homemade cake and a lot of recipes are quick and easy to make with a bit of help. Why not use food colouring to dye icing in the colours of dad’s favourite football team, or sprinkle green dyed desiccated coconut on top to make ‘grass’? Stout or Guinness adds a great rich flavour to chocolate cakes and is perfect for beer lovers (of course you’ll need an adult to help you with those). Add beer to just half the mixture so that all ages can enjoy before decorating with vanilla and chocolate butter icing.

Alternatively, there are some splendid and reasonably priced gifts out there which are sure to tickle him, before, perhaps, you head out to a local Father’s Day event. But, if all else fails, one way

way to bond, plus you’ll pick up some key skills and create some tasty food to take home too. Why not take Dad to the next adult and child cooking session on Tue 5 Aug and create a bread, main and pudding from scratch. V-Shed, Canons Way, Bristol, BS1 5UH, 0117 9431200, www.bordeaux-quay. co.uk. 10am-12.30pm, £70 per adult and child.

TO BUY

• A handy travel sized gift set containing everything dad needs to look great on the go. Tucked inside this lime-green patterned box are four West Indian Lime favourites for invigoratingly scented skin and a smooth shave. Box contains why not repay him with a fun eight ball bike bell? An affordable, stylish way to keep safe on the road. £5.99. Available from www.electrabikes.com

Festival of Motoring

you’ll always make the day memorable for your dad is to laugh at his terrible jokes.

TO DO

• Perfect for Father’s Day, the Rotary Club of Bath’s Festival of Motoring returns this Father’s Day weekend with more than 500 vintage and classic cars and motorbikes, plus trade stands and entertainment for all ages. Also, live music, supercar rides, competitions, refreshments and family activities. Walcot Rugby Ground, Lansdown, Bath BA1 9BJ. www. bathfestivalofmotoring.com. Sat 18-Sun 19 Jun, 10am-5pm (4pm Sun), see website for prices.

body wash, after shave balm, shave cream and even a travel sized bottle of cologne. £24. John Lewis, The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, BS34 5QU, 0117 959 1100, www.johnlewis.com/www. crabtree-evelyn.co.uk.

• Delicious chocolate truffles filled with lightly salted caramel.

Dad’s sure to love the not-toosweet edge and the stylish box. £11 for 120g. John Lewis, The Mall, Cribbs Causeway, Bristol, BS34 5QU, 0117 959 1100, www.johnlewis.com.

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16 Avon Features May Half Term 2016.indd 9

• For the adventure loving dad who likes to enjoy a warming hot coffee or refreshing cold beer after spending a day in the great outdoors, Eco Vessel’s Double Barrel Mug makes a great present for Father’s Day. It features double insulation technology to keep hot or cold drinks at the ideal temperature for up to eight hours, plus an open/close slider lid for easy drinking. £19.95, available from www.anatomfootwear.co.uk or www.ecovessel.com.

• If Dad’s a fan of spicy food then this compact tin has everything he

TO MAKE Father’s Day Burger Cupcakes Most dads wouldn’t say no to a burger or cake so why not combine the two?

These fun cupcakes look great and are quick and easy to make.

You will need: • Nine plain fairy cakes (shop bought is fine or ask Mum to help you make your own) • Three chocolate brownies • Red, green and yellow writing icing • Vanilla buttercream • Yellow and white sprinkles (optional)

• Why not give Dad a unique gift to treasure by decorating one of over 100 pottery items? Flying Saucers has everything from teapots to plates and clay dinosaurs.

They’ll even glaze and fire your finished piece for a truly professional finish. Pottery pieces from £7. Studio fee (includes use of all paints, brushes and materials) £4 per child. Flying Saucers, 9 Byron Place, Bristol, BS8 1JT. 0117 9273666. www.flyingsaucerscafe.co.uk.

• Bordeaux Quay’s parent and child cookery courses are a great

needs to grow a tongue-numbing chilli plant in your own home. Pull back the ring to open the can, sow the seeds under the soil and then water them. Leave the tin in sunlight and, with a little love and care, two months later, you should have a crop of extremely hot chillies. £5. Hawkin’s Bazaar, Unit 23, The Galleries, Broadmead, Bristol, BS1 3XB, 0117 930 4179, www.hawkin.com.

• It’s likely Dad was (or is) involved in teaching you to ride a bike, so

1. Slice the cupcakes horizontally in half and the brownies into three to make the ‘burger’ (don’t forget to ask an adult to help). Spread some buttercream on the bottom half of the cake then pipe some green icing for the ‘lettuce’.

2. Place the brownie on top then pipe yellow and red icing to make ‘cheese/mustard’ and ‘ketchup’.

3. Spread some more buttercream on the underside of the top cupcake half and place on top. If you want to make the ‘burgers’ look even more authentic, try adding a thin layer of jam onto the domed top, followed by sprinkles to look like sesame seeds.

MAY HALF TERM 2016

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PRIMARY TIMES

06/05/2016 12:59:45

ADVERTISING FEATURE

d r a o b n Pi

Parents’ & teachers’

news, education & contacts

Mastering maths

Getting Kree8-ive Kree8 provides a menu of activities which encourage and enhance positive behaviours. The emphasis is on having fun in a safe environment. The team of group leaders encourages each child to be fully inclusive and to try new things – including the chance to show off skills and talents in the in-house talent show.

Group leaders are all qualified teaching assistants or play leaders and are DBS certified, first aid and Makaton trained, as well as being experienced with children who have additional needs. The overriding priority is the welfare of the children, demonstrated through Kree8’s registration with Ofsted.

Kree8 holiday club is open 9.30am-4.30pm, catering for ages 5-10 yrs at £18 per day (£14 per sibling), with dates from May through to August.

Ffi: Kree8 T: 07539 312 688 W: www.kree8holidayclub.com

Joust for fun

Following the results of the 2012 PISA tests, which ranked England and Wales 26th for maths, the government has created a new national curriculum which is more “rigorous, stretching and ambitious”. Replicating countries which fared better, a new emphasis has been placed on mastery and mental maths, with students now expected to recall fluently multiplications up to 12 by the age of nine.

Established for nearly 60 years, Kumon understands the connection between mental maths and long-term memory as a means of building up fluency and mastery of a subject.

Similarly, as part of the English curriculum, schools will now have to promote reading for pleasure: a core aim of the Kumon English programme since it was devised.

If you would like to know more about how Kumon can help your child excel, contact your local study centre for more information.

Ffi: Kumon T: 0800 854 714 W: Kumon.co.uk

A fabulous adventure awaits on the weekend of 18-19 June at Joust! at Cardiff Castle as the sensational Knights of Royal England return for a breathtaking display of the noble art of jousting. It’s a chance to experience all the pomp and pageantry of a medieval joust complete with fanfares, parades, galloping horses, stunts, falls and fights. Throughout the day the action continues with combat displays, a dragon procession, junior jousting and juggling skills, a medieval encampment to explore and hands-on activities.

You’re also welcome to go along in costume as a princess or a knight, be part of the children’s parade, meet the dragon and join in an audience participation version of the battle of Agincourt – and all within the magical setting of Cardiff Castle. Children under five go free and there are early bird ticket offers until Mon 13 June. Visit the website or call to book.

Ffi: Cardiff Castle T: 029 2087 8100 W: www.cardiffcastle.com

Bear necessities If you go down to Noah’s Ark this season, you’re in for a big surprise… The farm is “bearly” able to contain its excitement as it enjoys the recent arrival of spectacled bears. Visit the Andean Adventure, the largest habitat for these bears in the UK, an impressive two acre landscaped playground for Tupa and Sonco, the bear brothers.

Springtime at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol is the perfect season to watch nature flourish, with a host of impressive animals enjoying the brighter and warmer weather, including African elephants, White rhinos, the giraffe family, big cats and primates.

Noah’s Ark offers a fun visit all day, in all weather. If it’s rainy, enjoy the large, warm play barns, now with full heating for all indoor play and eating areas. Take the family along today to Bristol’s award-winning attraction, which received a certificate of excellence from Trip Advisor for a third year running. Enjoy 15 exciting adventure play areas, an indoor Animal Village and covered Animal Show Pens. Noah’s Ark looks forward to welcoming you!

Ffi: Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm W: www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk

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16 Avon Pinboard May Half Term 2016.indd 23

Downy duckling days The WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre rears hundreds of young birds every year and there’s a chance to see the fluffy ducklings, goslings and cygnets in its busy duckery between Saturday 28 May and Sunday 5 June. A duckery warden will tell you all about the ducklings, you’ll visit the newly hatched ones and you’ll even get the opportunity to see inside an egg using a technique called candling. For younger visitors, there’s a duckling crèche where little ones can get up close to the ducklings and see the progress of hatching eggs in an incubator. There’ll be paper and craft activities on offer in Slimbridge’s Discovery Centre too.

Tours run throughout the week between 9.30am and 5.30pm and are included in the admission cost (free to members). Tours are booked on a firstcome-first-served basis and cannot be booked in advance so it’s worth arriving early to secure your place.

Ffi: WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre T: 01453 891900 W: www.wwt.org.uk

Pirates ahoy!

Popular with kids and parents across the region for its swashbuckling birthday party fun, Bristolbased Pirate Attack is now delivering workshops and pirate days for primary schools.

Captain Rocky Cliff leads a series of entertaining talks, games and activities.

Designed for early years, reception and Years 1 and 2, Pirate Attack provides all the resources for a day or half-day pirate experience. Teachers have said: “The staff and children enjoyed the day enormously, a big success”, “the kids had a fantastic time and loved every part of it” and “professional, organised and comes highly recommended”.

Featured in the sessions are a light and breezy talk about pirates, walking the plank, skittles, quoits, storytelling and a treasure hunt. Various props are included, such as huge pirate flags, a pirate standee and a pirate pillory.

Ffi: Pirate Attack T: 0117 939 4311 W: www.pirateattack.co.uk

MAY HALF TERM 2016 27

09/05/2016 13:25:20

®

Tractor Ted Big Machines Weekend at Bowood House and Gardens FREE Entry with Bowood House & Gardens Ticket*

Join Tractor Ted with his favourite ‘Big Machines Weekend’ www.tractorted.co.uk

Sat 28th to Mon 30th May 2016, 11am to 5pm The perfect day out for all the family with plenty of Tractor Ted Big Machine fun...

New Holland Big Machine Challenge Dog Agility Fun • Build-a-Tractor Challenge with Lackham College • Discounted Tractor Ted Shop • Digger Displays

Entry to the Tractor Ted Little Farm Tractor & Trailer Rides* • Tractor Ted Bouncy Castle • Entry to Bowood Adventure Playground • And so much more...!

•

•

•

•

Full details at: www.bowood.org Advanced Day Tickets are strongly recommended Buy now at: www.bowood.org • Tel: 01249 812102

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*A separate charge will apply for Tractor & Trailer Rides

©LW

PRIMARY TIMES

06/05/2016 13:03:42

ADVERTISING FEATURE

d r a o b n i P A bright future Students and staff at Bristol School of Performing Arts are looking forward with BSPA’s Annie excitement to their forthcoming association with the performing arts course at St Brendan’s sixth-form college, which has itself recently achieved academy status. The joint venture forms a major step in providing Bristol and the West Country with a strong and viable alternative to the costly exercise of attending a London stage school. The Bristol School of Performing Arts has already introduced the “London experience” to its existing students by offering regular professional performance opportunities at the Bristol Hippodrome and Bath Theatre Royal.

Much of its teaching faculty too is still active in the theatre profession, with choreographers, vocal coaches, musical directors and directors regularly travelling from London to teach at the school’s Brislington-based White Hart Lodge. Combined with the teaching on offer at St Brendan’s, the potential of the new venture is not difficult to see.

Ffi: Bristol School of Performing Arts T: 0771 4495373 E: info@bspa.biz W: www.bspa.biz

Parents’ & teachers’

news, education & contacts

Oh Happy Days!

Happy Days Bradley Stoke Nursery/Preschool is delighted to announce the start of its six-week baby massage courses which are free to any parent with a baby aged between eight weeks and 12 months. The next course starts on 13 June from 10am to 11am.

Benefits include: • being a great way of affirming your bond with your baby; • helping you become more confident in handling your child and better at recognising their needs; • regularly massaging your baby may help them to sleep and settle better too. Your baby’s muscles relax and breathing becomes deeper as massage raises levels of the ‘feelgood’ hormone oxytocin in both you and your baby. This helps you both feel calmer and relaxed. (This can also help with breastfeeding.)

You can call or email Happy Days for more information about baby massage or any childcare requirements between 7am and 7pm from Monday to Friday.

Ffi: Happy Days Bradley Stoke Nursery/Pre-school T: 01454 614411 E: bradleystoke@happydaysnurseries. com W: www.happydaysnurseries.com

Tailored tuition Founded in 1976, Kip McGrath has been helping primary and secondary schoolage children all over the world to improve or extend their learning after school. With more than 500 education centres globally and 215 in the UK, Kip McGrath knows what works. All its tutors are qualified teachers with an extensive knowledge of the new school curriculum, SATs, GCSEs and local entrance exams.

If you are considering private tuition in maths or English for your son or daughter, Kip McGrath’s qualified teachers offer a free assessment that forms the basis of a tailored learning programme just for them. Each weekly lesson lasts for 80 minutes with homework set and marked by qualified teachers. Proven tuition methods, combined with regular progress updates, are used to ensure your child’s success.

Kip McGrath has locations across Bath and Bristol and you can arrange your free assessment by getting in touch with your local centre.

Ffi: Kip McGrath Education Centres W: www.kipmcgrath.co.uk

Outdoor adventures

A warm welcome

Museum outreach

Mojo Active is one of Bristol’s largest outdoor activity centres with over 115 acres of private fields and woodland.

Located close to Cribbs Causeway off junction 17 of the M5, there’s plenty to keep children and families enjoying the great outdoors.

This half term the popular Mojo Active holiday club offers archery, climbing wall, orienteering, assault course, tunnel maze, team games and special days such as a surfing trip to Croyde, a high ropes session, zorb football and archery tag. Visit www. mojoactive.co.uk/mojo-holiday-club/ for more information but do book early to avoid disappointment.

For a great family adventure, take on Mojo Active’s high ropes course – it’ll certainly get your adrenaline pumping. After a thorough safety briefing you can enjoy the challenge of swinging through the trees using rickety bridges, traverse nets, organ pipes, islands in the sky or zooming down the 100m zip wire.

Mojo Active is open most weekends and during school holidays.

St Katherine’s School in Ham Green is a dynamic and aspirational school with high standards of behaviour built on the collaborative relationships fostered between staff and students. The school values effort, nurtures opinion and encourages breadth of thought to create successful independent learners who are prepared for any path they should wish to follow. St Katherine’s is a relatively small secondary school, which means that staff know every student and help them to fulfil their potential. Set in a beautiful semi-rural location with views across the city, students from all over Bristol and North Somerset go to St Katherine’s. “We welcome all!” says the school.

To find out more about the work that the students achieve, year five and six students and their parents are invited to the school’s year seven showcase evening on 23 June. St Katherine’s is also hosting an open evening on 15 September.

Weston-super-Mare Museum is currently closed for refurbishment and will open again in 2017.

Throughout the closure, however, the museum team will be running an outreach programme to engage with surrounding schools and community groups.

Learning sessions on a variety of historical topics are now on offer, as well as handling boxes to hire with a wide range of images, tactile objects and information.

Call, email or visit the museum website to find out more or subscribe to regular updates on the project. You can also pick up snippets of up-todate information and fun historical facts from the museum’s Facebook page (WestonSuperMareMuseum) or Twitter (WestonsMareMuse).

The team always welcomes new volunteers who want to get involved in a variety of different teams and projects, so if you would like to learn about your local history, meet new people and contribute to learning, get in touch.

Ffi: St Katherine’s School Ham Green BS20 0HU T: 01275 373737 E: school@ st-katherines.n-somerset.sch.uk W: www.st-katherines.n-somerset.sch.uk

Ffi: Weston-super-Mare Museum T: 01934 621028 E: museum@wsm-tc.gov.uk W: www.westonmuseum.org

Ffi: Mojo Active T: 01454 660075 W: www.mojoactive.co.uk

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Now open

Adver tising Feature

introducing

Smashing times

the warehouse

at the

the best place to discover adventure!

schools & colleges groups & organisations caving parties The only indoor caving system in the area!

■

An adventure playground like no other

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Negotiate tight tunnels, passageways & chambers

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Over 90 metres of challenging twists & turns

■

Realistic experience, discover a world of subterranean wonders with a series of life-like sights & sounds

■

Suitable for youngsters from 8+yrs (or 5+ yrs with adult)

■

A unique party venue (with food in our new grotto’s!)

To book or find out more call 01452

www.the-warehouse.co.uk Parliament St, Gloucester GL1 1HY

302351

• Families from across Avon will be able to go tennis crazy again this summer thanks to a range of tennis activities run as part of the Lawn Tennis Association’s Great British Tennis Weekends. Avon Lawn Tennis Association is working to support venues in the local area so they can offer opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to try the sport for free.

Venues will provide the rackets and balls and will give players the chance to experience a range of tennis activities, including mini tennis, cardio tennis, junior and adult coaching and relaxed free play – all completely free as part of the LTA’s drive to get more people playing more often.

Great British Tennis Weekend events will be run across Avon throughout the summer, with two nationally supported weekends on the following dates: Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 May; Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 July.

Avon LTA chairman John Fuller says: “We are really looking forward to another summer of Great British Tennis Weekend events in venues across Avon and hope that as many people as possible will take up this fantastic opportunity to try tennis for free.”

To find details of local events and more information about LTA, visit www.lta.org.uk/gbtw Ffi: The Lawn Tennis Association W: www.lta.org.uk/gbtw

Adver tising Feature

Meet the meerkats • Puxton Park tourist attraction in the West Country is celebrating the birth of four meerkats. The babies were born on 8 March and are continuing to thrive and put on weight under the watchful eye of Puxton’s animal keeper, Katy Bent.

“Our meerkat Mali gave birth to four baby meerkats in March and they have been building their strength and bonding with their mum inside the burrow,” Katy says. “During this time they have not been visible to our visitors so they had both comfort and safety until they were strong enough. Meerkats are born blind and with no fur, but all of them have now opened their eyes and are really healthy and ready to meet our visitors.”

Two of the babies have been named Pippin and Bruno and the public are being asked to name the other two meerkats as part of a competition.

“Their dad Maurice is doing a really good job helping bring mum food and her sister Squeak has also been helping to keep the babies warm and clean them,” Katy adds.

The adventure park unveiled its Puxton Meerkat Manor last summer and Mali welcomed her first two baby meerkats in August.

Meerkats are a small mammal and a member of the mongoose family famed for their upright posture. They often stand on their rear legs on sentry duty in order to keep an eye out for predators such as large birds of prey in the savanna.

Ffi: Puxton Park, Cowslip Lane, Hewish BS24 6AH W: www.puxton.co.uk

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Adver tising Feature

Go mad for science • There’s a whole world of science discovery waiting to be explored at Mad Science Summer Camp.

Booking a child a place on one of the many courses will help you take the stress out of planning summer activities. The camps are available in Henleaze, Southville, Brislington, Keynsham, Clevedon and Bath Weston – so are readily accessible.

Each day at camp will provide a totally immersive experience for children aged 5-11, allowing them to get stuck in with unique, interactive experiments. The programme introduces different topics and themes every day so no two days are the same.

Children can come for a day or for the whole week, with affordable prices and discounts available. Working parents can also take advantage of an extended wraparound care option at many of the camps, meaning that the time spent at the camp is longer, allowing for early drop-off and late pick-up.

Providing affordable and valuable childcare solutions for even the most inquisitive minds, Mad Science Summer Camps are guaranteed to excite and engage your little ones. In fact, they have so much fun they forget that they’re learning. They’ll build catapults and mind-boggling geo-domes, cast dinosaur teeth and dig for ancient bones. They also get full access to a crazy chemistry lab where they can create reactive concoctions and ooey-gooey slime with a certified ‘mad scientist’. Either way, they’re sure to have a blast and be inspired by science!

Ffi: Mad Science Summer Camps T: 01792 348205 W: www.madsciencecamps.co.uk

Adver tising Feature

Colourful fun • The city’s most colourful 5K, Rainbow Run is back on Bristol Downs on Saturday 18 June.

You can walk, jog, run or skip your way round the route whilst getting covered in coloured powder paint – and all in support of Children’s Hospice South (CHSW). The charity is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year so you can expect some silver surprises on the day as well.

CHSW’s Charlton Farm hospice in North Somerset helps and supports children and their families who are living with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions which mean that sadly they will not reach adulthood. CHSW enables these families to make the most of the very precious time they have together. It is the only provider in the region of respite, end-of-life and bereavement care in a hospice environment.

Last year more than 1,700 people took part in Rainbow Run Bristol, which raised over £90,000 for Charlton Farm. It’s a great reason to get your friends and family together and have fun whilst supporting local families. Turn up in your white T-shirt and leave with a big smile, happy memories – and covered in every colour of the rainbow. This year children aged 5+ can take part too.

This year’s event sponsor is Unum, along with paint station sponsors Mark Templer Residential & Lettings and Irwin Mitchell.

Heart radio is the media partner.

Ffi: Rainbow Run Bristol W: www.chsw.org.uk/rainbowbristol

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10% OFF ENTRY WITH THIS VOUCHER

01285 885570 WWW.MAGICLAND.CO.UK * WITH THIS VOUCHER ONLY. VALID UNTIL 31ST JULY 2016. PHOTOCOPIES NOT ACCEPTED AND THIS VOUCHER MAY ONLY BE USED ONCE. PRITIMES

taurus

Crafts

Childrens

Creative aCtivities

throughout

sChool

holidays

Cafe, Deli, Gift Shop, Arts, Crafts Events, Free Parking, Exhibitions

10% off Taurus Cafe & Gift Shop,with this advert (Sorry not on commission sales. Valid until 31/8/16 P.T.)

Lydney, GL15 6BU - 01594 844841 - tauruscrafts.co.uk Part of the Camphill Village Trust MAY HALF TERM 2016 31

09/05/2016 11:42:56

Adver tising Feature

Fun filled activities

Rediscover family time!

for children

t offers various An indoor soft play centre tha for children activities and unique parties

• The Country Park at Old Down Estate is the perfect place to rediscover family time. There’s a huge adventure playground, including a zip wire and giant jumping pillow, and now that spring has officially sprung on the estate, there are lambs, bunnies and little chickies to see, as well as plenty of other farmyard animals for children to interact with.

You can make your way round to pets’ corner and splash in all the puddles with the free-range ducks and chickens and have a snuggle with the bunnies and guinea pigs.

Wildflower meadows sweep across the landscape, with panoramic views across the River Severn and beautiful woodland walks.

Almost every weekend there are craft activities for children to get involved in or there may be a special guest performer. The Barn Cafe serves freshly prepared food made with locally sourced ingredients, some from the estate’s very own walled garden, while the Farm Shop supplies local produce, Old Down’s free-range eggs and special gifts. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for Kev the peacock – peao, peao!

A pirate weekend will be taking place over the May Day bank holiday, with a giant bouncy pirate castle and Captain Barnacle on hand. Fancy dress is always welcome – ahoy, me hearties!

There is a senior citizens lunch and free entry every Tuesday (excluding half term) until 19 July.

Little Monkeys Workshop Tues 10am-12pm Activity Jungle Tues 4pm-6pm Children’s Fitness Classes Mon, Wed & Thurs 4pm-4.45pm Eco Animal Encounters 1st Tues of the month

For more information call

01453 769 120 or visit www.gobananas.org.uk

Go Bananas Leisure Ltd. Ebley Wharf Mill, Ebley, Stroud, Glos GL5 4SR

Ffi: Old Down Estate Country Park W: www.olddownestate.co.uk

Adver tising Feature

Get crafty!

©LW

• Taurus Crafts near Lydney in the Forest of Dean is a thriving centre of creativity. It’s home to 17 artisan businesses, a gift shop full of original and local craft products and a café that serves delicious food and hosts regular art exhibitions.

The centre’s eclectic mix of independent artisans provides a welcome change from many modern-day high streets and includes: holistic beauty treatments, jewellery makers, picture framer, deli and farm shop, leatherworker, knitting, stone carver, antiques and collectables, glass artwork, chocolate shop, pottery activity, florist and an ethical and Fairtrade fashion shop.

Of particular interest to parents will be the hands-on activity sessions that run throughout the school holidays. These regularly include: pottery painting, jewellery making, stone carving, chocolate making, knitting and puppet making. The sessions are mostly drop-in in nature but it’s always worth checking the website and Facebook for details or joining the newsletter mail-out list.

Children’s parties are an option too, with centre staff happy to discuss requirements and put together activity sessions, room hire and catering.

Throughout the year Taurus Crafts holds a range of familyfriendly events like ukulele day, the summer beach, antiques and vintage fayres, kite day and Christmas markets – so there is always something to do and new to discover when you visit.

Taurus Crafts is located west of Lydney on the A48 with a free, large, accessible car park. It’s open daily from 10am. To find more information, you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit the website.

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Ffi: Taurus Crafts W: www.tauruscrafts.co.uk

PRIMARY TIMES

09/05/2016 11:43:18

Embrace creativity • Parents are always on the look-out for new ways to keep their children active, happy and engaged. Many have found the solution in the form of singing, acting and dancing classes at Stagecoach Theatre Arts, whose local branches are offering a twoweek trial at the start of the summer term for youngsters aged four to 18.

Children who attend Stagecoach are given the freedom to embrace their creativity and express themselves as they learn new skills. Classes boost self-confidence, creativity and curiosity and help youngsters build skills that last a lifetime.

Emma Jones (12) and her brother George (10) are now Stagecoach regulars after attending a two-week trial a couple of years ago. Their mum Sarah says: “My children absolutely loved it.

They came home after the first day and were full of chatter about the friends they’d made and the fun they’d had. They learn so much more than singing, dancing and drama. My son is naturally quite shy and I’ve seen his confidence levels soar, whereas my daughter is outgoing and has been able to channel her energy into performing.”

Classes are small, which means that every child is given attention and allowed to realise their potential at their own pace. The teachers are trained performers with professional performing experience and are there to lead and support youngsters as they conquer fears and rise to new challenges.

For locations and contact numbers, see the advert on Page 5.

To find out more about a two-week trial in Bath, Bristol or North Somerset, visit the website below.

Ffi: Stagecoach Theatre Arts W: www.stagecoach.co.uk/2-week-trial-offer

Adver tising Feature

It’s showtime at the Everyman!

• Half term is an opportunity to dress up and have fun at the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham. At 2pm on 2 June, there’s ‘Sing-a-long-a-Frozen’ – a screening of the Disney classic with lyrics so you can join in with all the songs.

A highlight for later in the summer is ‘Beatrix Potter and the Tailor of Gloucester’ (3-6 August - pictured).

The show celebrates Potter’s 150th birthday, with professional actors performing alongside local choirs and community actors to bring her famous tale to life. Expect magic, music and wonderful costumes.

‘The Sound of Music’, meanwhile, is at the Everyman from 12-23 July. Starring Lucy O’Byrne from ‘The Voice’, this is one of the greatest musicals of all time and features memorable songs like ‘Edelweiss’, ‘Do-Re-Mi’ and ‘My Favorite Things’.

During the summer holidays the theatre is running two musical theatre summer schools. One for the younger age group (7-10) runs from 25-29 July, with a show on Thursday 28. The cost is £100 including three show tickets. One for the older age group (11-18) is from 1-12 August when there’ll be the chance to sing, dance and act scenes from musicals from ‘Barnum’ to ‘Blood Brothers’, ‘West Side Story’ and ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog In The Night Time’. In week two you’ll join forces with Peter Gill’s Rock School Band for rehearsals and a final show on 12 August. The cost is £200 including three tickets to the show.

Somewhat further ahead, this year’s Everyman panto will be ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ starring Tweedy the Clown.

Ffi: Everyman Theatre Cheltenham W: www.everymantheatre.org.uk

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Riding School & Livery

x Pony days, Horsey days, 2 and 3 hour • Ponypackages days, Horsey

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x Pony Parties & venue • Pony Parties & hire

venue hire

Between Cirencester and Wootton (Braydon SN5 0AD) Between Cirencester andBassett, Wootton Bassett,

(Braydon SN5 0AD)

A modern and clean A moderncentre, and equestrian clean equestrian Highly Commended by centre, Highly the British Horse Society.

Commended by the Two 40x40m outdoor British Horse Society. arenas, undercover spectator’s Two 40x40m gallery, outdoor drinks, snacks & bar. arenas, undercover X Country Course, spectator’s gallery, Show Jump field drinks, snacks & bar.

X Country Course, Show Jump field ©LW

Adver tising Feature

01666 860068 www.reinandshine.co.uk

Follow the story of Wiltshire’s Past featuring the Lacock Cup 16 May to 16 July 2016

Children’s Picture Trail from Saturday 28 May

Craft Activities Amazing Artefacts Wednesday 1 June (Booking Essential)

Saturday Morning Club Saturday 11 June & 9 July (Booking Essential)

FOR EVENT PRICES & BOOKING VISIT www.wiltshiremuseum.org.uk

41 Long Street, Devizes. SN10 1NS T: 01380 727369 hello@wiltshiremuseum.org.uk

MAY HALF TERM 2016 33

09/05/2016 11:43:44

Hello Kids!

With World Photography Day coming up in August, and children increasingly using cameras, we have decided to ask pupils to send me their photographs of My favourite plant or animal.

Please do not include people in your photographs and make sure your parents check the picture before you send it to me. The photos need to be print quality ask Mum or Dad what that means (300dpi and about 10cm in width: most mobiles and digital cameras are set to this). Please also describe what you’re photographing and why it’s special to you.

Winners receive a fun book. So get clicking and send your entries to: mike.gartside@localworld. co.uk

Arty Barty I am absolutely starving after seeing all your excellent pictures of a delicious meal I will always remember. Well done to the winners who each get a VIP family ticket to Foodies Festival in Bristol.

WINNER! imary 11, Abbeymead Pr Louise Arminio,ol, Gloucester Scho etti with depiction of spagh What a wonderfule the details including the meatballs. I lov ted cheese, jar of pepper garlic bread, the gra ll done Louise! and knife & fork. We

Klaara Kerge, 9, Swindon Academy, Wiltshire You can almost smell the flavour coming off Klaara’s roast chicken, sizzling fresh from the oven and washed down with a yummy glass of fizzy lemonade. What an appealing picture!

Don’t forget to give me your name, age, full home postal address and school.

Deadline: Monday 13 June.

Have fun!

Arty NB. Please see T&Cs at primarytimes.net/ avon/home-intro/tcs

Idra Kennedy, 7, and Siebren Kennedy, 7, Brunel Field Primary School, Bristol Idra has served up a yummy dish of sausages, potato and carrots, while Siebren has created a fun line drawing of a homely meal with fish fingers and mussels. Keep up the good work!

WINNER!

MAY HALF TERM 2016

16 Avon Books & Arty Barty May Half Term 2016.indd 34

er C of E Zac Broomfield, 9, Sutton Beng Primary School, Wiltshire re cake spitfi a get How exciting it must be to Zac for for your birthday and well done to picturing it so wonderfully.

Isaac Bovanga, 10, Cheddar Grove Prima ry School, Bristol Wow! Isaac has drawn sophisticated and vibr a picture of a sushi meal,ant of joyful colour, completfull with a pair of chopstickse reaching down to pluck out a succulent morse Even the lettuce looksl. crisp and refreshing.

Isaac demonstrates an keen eye and excellent understanding of perspective.

Amelie Wong, 10,Elm Primary School, Winter Park bourne, Bristol These spicy fajita wraps loo watering, packed with tomk mouthatoes, chillies and grated cheese details Amelie has includ . I love the the sour cream and the ed such as recentlyused grater.

ary Nicholas Nikiforou, 8, Locking Prim School, Weston-super-Mare Regular contributor Nicholas has againic show how clever he is at drawing classthe from characters. This well-known scene s the Disney film ‘Lady and the Tramp’ showy bowl two main characters enjoying a yumm of spaghetti bolognese.

34

Harikesh Rajanikanth, 5, Field Court C of E Infant Academy, Gloucestershire Fish and chips with loads of broccoli, sweetcorn and mushrooms and ketchup on the side.

Yum! Harikesh has drawn a classic dish to come home to after school, painting a scene that’s about as homely as it gets.

WINNER!

Piran Kennedy, 9, Bru nel Primary School, Bri Field Piran has approached ourstol via that food loving cartoosubject Scooby Doo and his hum n dog an sidekicks. This vivid collage pic vast cake, topped with a tures a the gang’s transport, themodel of Machine, Scooby’s own Mystery bur and ketchup and, natura ger lly, a carton of the ever presen t Snacks. Piran makes surScooby whole team is fuelled for e the another spooky adventure.

PRIMARY TIMES

09/05/2016 11:52:09

h

d

ct g a f y

y

Primary Times reviews the new releases.

From “yuk” to “yum” A

s any parent will agree, the types of food which meet the approval of their child’s taste buds remain an enduring mystery. While, one day, a piece of chicken may be wolfed down, a few days later it is pushed off the plate with howls so bitter they pre-empt the consumption of anything else on the plate. Here’s a book that addresses the reverse side of that particular coin, attempting to answer children’s own curiosity about food.

It introduces both children and parents to types of food eaten around the world in a colourful and, yes, appetizing way which could even overcome the “yuk” factor. Author Joshua David Stein brings together homonyms such as tornado and tournedos to make the point that similar sounds can have a whole range of foodie meanings. Julia Rothman’s illustrations are bright and simple, offering the perfect way to introduce new food ideas to children, which might go some way to solving the dilemma above. (Mike Gartside) Can I Eat That? Joshua David Stein (ill. Julia Rothman), Phaidon, £10.95, www.phaidon.com

Discovering dens

Super spy silliness

With the long holidays looming tantalisingly on the horizon, The Den Book is the perfect read to inspire some local adventures this summer. Jo Schofield and Fiona Danks are on a mission to get us outside and discover the natural world, so they’ve put together simple instructions and photographs for a variety of hideouts, forts and camps that children (and their grown ups!) can build.

The book is split into six sections covering a huge variety of dens, from garden dens and treehouses to fantasy dens (think a mermaid’s grotto and a theatre), natural dens in hedgerows and caves and those suitable for sleepovers and parties.

There’s also a handy tips section at the back to help you with the actual construction, with information on knots, waterproofing, decorative details and safety checklists - even recipes to enjoy cooking and eating outside. This is a book that will inspire endless hours of adventure for children of all ages, and is sure to be an annual favourite read. (Helen Dorritt)

Budding secret agents will gobble up this comedic adventure by Tom McLaughlin, the sequel to his first novel ‘The Accidental Prime Minister’. Thirteen-yearold Kevin Twigg goes from schoolboy to super spy after the secret service mistakenly believes him to be one of their agents. Mayhem and hilarity ensue as he tries to save the world from an evil supervillain using only his wits, big sister Elle and an arsenal of gadgets that 007 would be proud of.

As well as writing the story, Tom McLaughlin also created the cover and the black and white illustrations used as chapter headings, deploying skills from his previous job as a political cartoonist.

The book is aimed at 9 to 12 year olds, who are sure to love the idea of a teenager thwarting a bunch of adults. The pace is kept fast, enhanced by the use of capital letters and different fonts to heighten louder points in the dialogue. Fans of David Walliams’s novels are sure to love this silly spy spoof. (Helen Dorritt)

The Den Book Jo Schofield and Fiona Danks, £12.99, Frances Lincoln, www.goingwild.net

The Accidental Secret Agent Tom McLaughlin, £6.99, Oxford University Press, www.oxfordchildrens.co.uk

Lark misses mark

The zoo outside

Fifteen-year-old Lark is super talented but painfully shy, spending her days writing songs in secret on her old guitar. But that secret becomes harder to keep when Lark’s mother, a music record executive at her own label, announces that British boy band Abbey Road will be coming to live with them while they make their first album.

All Lark wants is to avoid the spotlight, but when a member of the band plagiarizes one of Lark’s songs and passes it off as his own, will she gain the courage to step into the spotlight herself? Harmony Jones’ novel is well pitched for the YouTube generation, and does a good job recreating a glossy fantasy version of West Coast America. With all the characters’ swooning over boy bands, it’s clear that this book is aiming at a market made up primarily of pre-tee nage girls. British children may struggle to relate to the trials of an American high school .

While Lark’s shyness makes her a protagonist many readers will relate to, the focus on crushes and boys may prompt parents to save it for older children. (Ellen White)

Did you know that you share your garden with thousands of different types of insects, spiders, woodlice and slugs?

That it’s a feeding ground, hibernation spot and travel corridor for hundreds of creatures? And that the sixteen million gardens in the UK make up the largest nature reserve in the country? Written in association with the RSPB, ‘Wildlife in Your Garden’ is full of fascinating facts like this, and is a great introduction to the natural wonders that can be found just beyond your back door.

Beautiful photography is overlaid with fun, cartoon-style illustrations by Sarah Horne, alongside easily understood information about all the wildlife you’re likely to spot.

You’ll find profiles on big mammals such as foxes, deer and hedgehogs, airborne creatures such as butterflies, bees and birds, water-dwelling frogs, dragonflies and toads, and those minibeasts that are a bit harder to spot at first, such as worms, beetles and millipedes.

The book also has lots of tips and tricks to maximise the wildlife in your patch, including the type of plants that you can grow to welcome visitors of all shapes and sizes. While this book is aimed at primary-aged children, older children and adults will also get a lot of information and ideas from its colourful pages. (Helen Dorritt)

Girl vs Boy Band: The Right Track Harmony Jones, £6.99, Bloomsbury, www.bloomsbury.com

Wildlife in Your Garden Mike Dilger, £12.99, Bloomsbury, www. bloomsbury.com

PRIMARY TIMES

16 Avon Books & Arty Barty May Half Term 2016.indd 35

MAY HALF TERM 2016

35

09/05/2016 11:53:44

The UK’s biggest free celebration of the natural world returns to the West Country in June. Eric Blair gets out his waders and his binoculars for the Festival of Nature.

It’s all perfectly

F

or two days in June, Bristol Harbourside will be bustling with wildlife, nature experts and enthusiasts as the city plays host to this year’s Festival of Nature. Taking place over the weekend of 11-12 June, the event will see more than 100 organisations celebrating and raising awareness of the natural world. Throughout the two days, there’ll also be a full programme of hands-on activities, talks by leading experts on natural history and live entertainment, as well as a market selling all manner of local produce.

All the big-name organisations from the conservation world will be taking part, as will all the key locally based organisations devoted to wildlife and nature.

The BBC, Bristol Zoo, Avon Wildlife Trust, the National Trust, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and the RSPB are just some of those who’ll be staging interactive exhibits and giving you the chance to find out more about what they do – and to meet a few beasties into the bargain.

Both Bristol University and UWE will also be on hand, demonstrating some of their cutting-edge

36

MAY HALF TERM 2016

16 Avon Features May Half Term 2016.indd 10

natural

research into the often mind-boggling science of the natural world.

Add in solar telescopes, a wetland garden, a pop-up butterfly house and the chance to follow a river all the way from its source to the sea via wild woods and urban jungles and you’ve got a whole weekend’s worth of investigation, exploration and wildlife-related entertainment to enjoy. And that’s before you get to the grand finale ...

On Sunday, from 4pm, the festival comes to a close – in Bristol at least – with what promises to be one of the highlights of the entire weekend: a spectacular waterborne procession full of light, colour and sound along the river Avon. This year, in fact, the whole event is processing along the river because for the first time the Festival of Nature is visiting Keynsham as well as Bristol Harbourside.

The Keynsham event takes place the weekend after Bristol’s, on the afternoon of Sunday 19 June, at Keynsham Bandstand and opens at 1pm when you’ll be able to browse stalls and take part in

the activities on offer. The waterborne procession will be arriving along the river Avon at around 1.30pm, then it’s back to the bandstand for a special performance of Kenneth Grahame’s much-loved classic ‘Wind in the Willows’ by Dreamshed Theatre – and a picnic if you’d like to bring one along – at 2pm. That’s followed by a series of workshops with the RSPB, the University of Bath, Transition Keynsham and naturalist Gill Brown (not to mention Ratty, Mole, Badger and Mr Toad) before the festival packs up and begins its journey to its third and final destination: Royal Victoria Park in Bath.

The Bath leg of the festival follows on Saturday 25 June, again beginning with the waterborne procession at noon before events and activities kick off around the bandstand in Royal

Victoria Park. Here the line-up includes talks, poetry and comedy, photography and wildlife walks, a garden tour and three performances of a family-friendly show from Fine Chisel theatre company, ‘Flit, Flap & Fly’, inside what’s intriguingly described as “a giant nest”.

And that’s not all. This year the Festival of Nature is really spreading its wings and over the course of the fortnight including the Bristol, Keynsham and Bath events there’ll also be special canoe and Land Rover safaris running every day at the WWT’s Slimbridge Wetland Centre (11-25 June), family-friendly bat-watching events along the river in Bath (16-22 June) and a watery version of a ‘bioblitz’ across the river Avon catchment area (WaterBlitz!, 11-25 June) when you can help research the wildlife and water quality of your local ponds and streams and perhaps maybe even discover a new species or two.

Ffi: Bristol Festival of Nature W: www.bnhc.org.uk/festival-ofnature/

PRIMARY TIMES

09/05/2016 13:21:03

Classifieds Party Ideas

Gymnastics

Tuition Vocal – Piano – Guitar Lessons

Music, Magic, Balloon modelling, Games The whole party package!

Rockys Magic Parties call for details

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May HOLIDay FUN SESSIONS TUESDay, THUrSDay, FrIDay 10 - 3pm ÂŁ12 per day (sibling discounts available) Gymnastics, Trampolining, Airtrack, Bouncy castle Parachute and Disco games. Crafs.

Call to book a space or just come along on the day.

Phone 0117 947 6449 e-mail: admin@kingswoodgymnastics.co.uk Visit our new website at www.kingswoodgymnastics.co.uk ŠLW

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Crime scene investigation parties and workshops for children age 7+

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Modern martial arts in a fun and friendly environment • Little Puma’s 4-6 yrs • Juniors 6-12 yrs • Cadets 12-16 yrs • Adults 16+ For information or to book TWO FREE trial classes contact instructor Ms Tiina Elise 07729 358691 or hdtkd@live.com (please quote Primary Times)

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avon classifieds.indd 3

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PRIMARY TIMES

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enquiries@wapleystables.co.uk www.wapleystables.co.uk Wapley Hill, Westerleigh, Bristol. BS37 8RJ 01454 321583 or 07860530199 MAY HALF TERM 2016 37

10/05/2016 12:16:57

THE SCIENCE GIRLS

A

DISCOVERING ART ABILITY

T

he Mouth and Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) trust fund has embarked on a quest to find Britain’s best young disabled artists. The first ever Unique Arts Awards (UAA) have two age ranges – child (ages 7-15) and youth (16-21) – and their categories cover five artistic media: painting, photography, sculpture, poetry and music. The overall theme is ‘my world’ and all the work submitted will be judged by a panel of professional artists.

Overall winners will receive prizes ranging from £250-£1,000 in vouchers as well as up to £3,000 for their school, college or university. One finalist will also be selected for a special prize of a week’s holiday at accessible holiday centre Flat Spaces in Hampshire. In recognition of the

work done by teachers in the arts in special education there will also be an award for best teacher in the fields of art, drama and/or music.

An exhibition of the work created for the competition will also go on show in a travelling exhibition.

“We’re thrilled to be launching the Unique Art Awards, an exciting initiative to showcase some of the incredible artistic talent that may currently be lying undiscovered,” says the MFPA trust fund’s Tom Yendell. “From painting to poetry, it’s sure to be an amazing platform for our entrants, not just through the awards themselves, but also through the travelling exhibition that will take to the road after the winners have been announced.”

The closing date for entries is 31 July and more information can be found at www.uniqueartawards.uk

new campaign designed to get more girls and young women interested in STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering, maths – has been launched in Bristol. Bristol Girls Make It aims to narrow the gender gap in the take-up of these subjects and to encourage girls and young women to consider careers in these areas by working closely with teachers and other professionals. The campaign was launched during British Science Week by Bristol’s Lord Mayor, councillor Clare Campion Smith, who said: “We know there is a wealth of expertise and experience in Bristol’s schools and businesses so we need to look at how we can better share that knowledge across the city.”

The campaign will focus on girls in years five and six in order to foster an interest in STEM subjects before they move to secondary school and, as part of it, the Lord Mayor will be visiting primary schools across the city to speak to pupils and staff.

The broadcaster Professor Alice Roberts is one of the campaign’s supporters. “There’s a real issue when it comes to studying STEM subjects and aiming for careers in this area,” she says. “Only one in five students studying A-level physics is female and in half of state secondary schools there are no girls in the physics A-level class. Girls are clearly missing out and society is missing out on their potential.”

Bristol Girls Make It is linked the wider Learning City initiative to improve learning opportunities within the city. There’s more information on its website: www.bristolgirlsmakeit.com

COMPETITION

WIN TICKETS TO MARWELL ZOO!

W

in a family ticket for two adults and two children to Marwell Zoo, near Winchester in Hampshire, and get close to an incredible range of species. Interested in all things tiger striped?

Then visit the zoo over May half term and discover more about Marwell’s Amur tigers, and take part in a purrrrfect tiger themed trail for a free sticker.

Experience the African wilderness at the zoo’s newest and biggest ever exhibit, Wild Explorers. Plus, don’t miss Marwell’s zany zebras this summer both in Southampton and at the zoo. What’s more, a brand new, location-based quiz app is now available to download free from the App Store or Google Play.

To be in with a chance of winning the tickets simply answer the following question correctly and send your replies in an email with MARWELL COMP in the subject line with your name, a daytime phone number and postal address to the Primary Times editor mike.gartside@localworld.co.uk by Monday 20 June.

“Which continent’s wilderness can you explore in Marwell Zoo’s Wild Explorers exhibit?” a) b) c)

Australasia Africa Antarctica

Terms and conditions apply. Prize is valid for general zoo entry to two adults and two children for 12 months.

Ffi: Marwell Zoo W: www.marwell.org.uk 38

MAY HALF TERM 2016

16 Avon Features May Half Term 2016.indd 12

GO WILD FOR WILDLIFE

T

he World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is holding its annual fundraising event Wear It Wild on Friday 27 May. The event challenges pupils and teachers – and parents on the school run too – to dress up in anything from tiger-stripe jumpers to leopard-print onesies to show off their wild side and help raise money to protect the planet’s wildlife.

On the day itself, schools across the country will be hosting fancydress competitions, bake sales, sports days, wildlife quizzes and other themed activities. The WWF can also supply those taking part with curriculum-related resources to help children discover more about their favourite wild animals.

“Sadly in the last 40 years, global wildlife populations have declined by half,” says WWF’s Charlotte Bagg. “Over 95% of the

world’s wild tiger population has vanished in the last century, slashing numbers to as few as 3,200.

And there are only around 5,000 black rhinos in the wild today. The situation is desperate, but we’re determined to change this trend.

We have the tools and knowledge to help protect our incredible wildlife but we need the enthusiasm and interest from schoolchildren to help us to do it.”

“I was really happy with the event and both the pupils and staff loved it,” adds a teacher who took part last year. “There was a real change of attitude and awareness of the plight of animals as a result.

Wear It Wild is a great way to raise the importance of conserving our world.”

Schools wanting to take part can visit wwf.org/wearitwild to find out more.

PRIMARY TIMES

10/05/2016 12:13:19

Gloucestershire Grammar Schools’ Entrance Test for 2017 entry

REGISTER in JUNE 2016

The Crypt School High School for Girls Gloucester Gloucester Ribston Hall High School Gloucester

Sir Thomas Rich’s Gloucester

Register in Year 5 to sit Entrance Test in Year 6 Register online: 1 June until 4pm on 1 July 2016 Test Day: Saturday 10 September 2016

Marling School Stroud

Pate’s Grammar School Cheltenham

Stroud High School Stroud

See individual school websites for admission numbers, details and Open Events Boys: www.cryptschool.org www.marling.gloucs.sch.uk www.strschool.co.uk

Girls: www.hsfg.org www.ribstonhall.gloucs.sch.uk www.stroudhigh.gloucs.sch.uk

Mixed: www.patesgs.org p39.indd 1

06/05/2016 13:14:03

Our new Performing Arts Centre will be opening in September 2016.

“...excellence in all it does within and beyond the classroom...”

ISI Inspection Report, October 2015

Whole School

Open Evening

re ntu e v Ad

Friday 7 October 2016 4.00pm–8.00pm (until 7.00pm for BGS Infants and Juniors)

Daily Visits and Taster Days

available on various dates during term-time.

Fr ie

To book your place or to request further information, please call Hollie Matthews on 0117 933 9885 or e-mail recruitment@bgs.bristol.sch.uk.

s hip s nd

Learning

Infant and Junior S Prospectus

Life changing p40.indd 1

06/05/2016 13:13:12