Primary Times in Hereford & Worcester - BACK TO SCHOOL 2019 by PW Media & Publishing Ltd

30,431 COPIES FOR FAMILIES OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

Hereford & Worcester

www.primarytimes.co.uk

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Education

Launching the Love of Reading ..........................................................................................

In Hereford & Worcester

Second Floor, Richardson House, 21/24 New St, Worcester. WR1 2DP. Tel: 01905 723011 Fax: 01905 780103 Publishing Editor: Dawn Pardoe - 01905 727909 Design and Production: Paul Blyth Sales & PR : Rachel Seabright - 01905 727900 • rachel@pw-media.co.uk Primary Times is independently published and distributed free through Infant and Junior Schools throughout Hereford & Worcester. It is also available by subscription at £50 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 based 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. Primary Times would like to thank all the schools for their assistance in distributing the magazine and for 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 Primary Times or the relevant contributor. Primary Times is currently publishing over 2,672,883 copies per issue throughout the counties of: Avon, Bedfordshire & Luton, Berkshire, Birmingham & Black Country, Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire, Cardiff & The Vale, South West Wales, Newport & Monmouthshire, Cheshire & The Wirral, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, Edinburgh & The Lothians, Fife, Tayside & Central Scotland, Glasgow & West of Scotland, Essex (North & Mid, South & West), Gloucestershire, Greater Manchester, Hampshire, Hereford & Worcester, Hertfordshire, Ireland (Dublin, Leinster, South and West), Kent (East, North & West), Lancashire, Leicestershire & Rutland, Lincolnshire, London (East, North, South East, South West, South, West), Merseyside, Newcastle, Gateshead and Northumberland, Newport & Monmouthshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Plymouth, Somerset, Staffordshire & Stoke on Trent, Sunderland & Durham, Surrey, Sussex (East & West), Tees Valley, Warwickshire and Solihull, Wiltshire, Yorkshire (North & East, South and West). For further details contact The Primary Times Team on 01905 723011

An Interview With Konnie Huq

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Roundabout

What’s on ..........................................................................................

Pinboard

News from your area ..........................................................................................

School Open Events

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Theatre 28 Who’s treading the boards?

This magazine is audited by BPA, 30,431 copies, 2018.

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For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

The best start for your child Of course every parent wants the best for their child. You need to be confident your child will be given every opportunity to grow and develop to their best, in the sure knowledge that they are safe and well looked after. Experienced staff, the wide range of indoor and outdoor facilities at Little Squirrels beautiful setting provides that. Little Squirrels Childcare and Pre-School offer a private, safe environment for your child to thrive. With vast experience and Early Years knowledge, Little Squirrels provides a stimulating, happy environment where children can learn and enjoy play, feeling secure in a homely caring atmosphere which prepares every child with their life skills and ready for school. This unique idyllic 4 acre setting lies on the edge of the city expanding out into the open countryside overlooking the River Severn providing the best of all worlds for you and your family. Positioned at the bottom of Northwick Close WR3 7EF is a convenient location for easy access to both the City and the commuter routes.

A limited number of 30 hours per week FREE FUNDED places are available for 3-4 year olds from September 2020, APPLY NOW

Birchwood Mill, Northwick Close, Worcester, WR3 7EF Arrange a visit: sharon@littlesquirrels.co.uk or through our website: www.littlesquirrels.co.uk Ofsted Registered No: EY440512 & EY498582

For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

Primary Times Back to School 2019

For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

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INTRODUCTION TO POTTERY Eastnor Pottery, Home Farm, Clencher’s Mill Ln, Eastnor, Ledbury, HR8 1RD. Introduction to the potter’s wheel for families, couples and individuals during Sept 2019. Tues-Sat 10am4pm. Simply email admin@ eastnorpottery.co.uk or tel 01531 633886 to book a session. Make a pot on the potter’s wheel for as little as £30 inclusive of materials and firing. Excellent & creative indoor activity.

Saturday 7th

STOURPORT LAND AND RIVER CARNIVAL The highlight of Stourport’s year – the carnival on the first weekend of September – includes a big parade with floats and marching bands, an evening river carnival, plus a host of activities and entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

Saturday 7th Sunday 15th

H.ART – HEREFORDSHIRE ART WEEK Over 100 venues across the County. Herefordshire Art Week is a nine day art trail open to all. Artists, craft-makers and creative businesses open their private studios. Galleries put on special events, whilst groups get together to put on one-off exhibitions, in a wonderful mix of interesting

Throughout September

SEPTEMBER

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venues across Herefordshire. Since 2002 this county wide art trail has taken place every year in the second week of September. h.Art has become part of Herefordshire’s rich cultural calendar, with a huge variety of art and art forms on show in Open Studios, Group Exhibitions and Gallery Events. With the vast majority offering FREE admission to visitors, h.Art promises a fun day out in one of England’s most beautiful counties. www.h-art.org.uk

Saturday 7th & Sunday 8th

POTTER’S WHEEL COURSES Eastnor Pottery, Home Farm, Clencher’s Mill Ln, Eastnor, Ledbury, HR8 1RD. Spend the weekend or day relaxing and creating pots on the potter’s wheel. £280 w/e £150 day. Includes materials, refreshments and lunch. Please tel 01531 633886 or email admin@ eastnorpottery.co.uk for more details.

Sunday 8th

CHURCHILL FORGE WATER MILL OPEN DAY The Forge was one of the last working water powered forges in the country, making hand tools such as spades, shovels and ladles. The Bache family ran the Forge from before 1800 until it’s closure in 1969. Today the Forge still looks much the same as it did in 1900. On the open day both water wheels will be turning, driving some of the original machinery. Open 2pm-5pm. For more information go to churchillforge. org.uk. Tel: 01527 870168

Primary Times Back to School 2019

Malvern Cube, Worcestershire, WR14 2YF. LIVE Music, kids activities, food, bar, stalls and games. 12noon - 4.30pm. Free event.

Every Thursday

TRANSLUCENT YOUTH DANCE COMPANY 11+ Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome St, Worcester WR1 1UH. 4.45pm-6.15pm. Cost: £7.50 per session. Takes place in the Theatre. Audition required. Contact Anna translucentdancecompany@gmail. com. For further information visit www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk

Thursday 12th

YOUNG AT ART: CRAFTY FUN FOR TODDLERS Enjoy exploring, listening and making with your little ones. Looking for a hands-on and fun toddler session? Come and join a themed art session, especially designed for under 5s. Each week explore clay, paint and craft materials to make something lovely, and cosy up for story time. Sessions are led by experienced staff Kate Phillipson, Learning and Communities Co-ordinator for Museums Worcestershire, and Jane Stephens for The Hive. 2pm3.30pm. Also taking place on 19th & 26th September and 3rd & 10th October.

NEW ‘CREATE AND PLAY’ FAMILY FRIENDLY POP UP SESSIONS By popular demand, we are pleased to announce that we will be running a combined monthly session suitable for children from 5 months to 5 years old. We’ll take the best of Baby Discover and Little Explorer and roll it all into one in this unstructured session designed to promote creative play, messy exploration and lots of fun! This session is perfect for siblings to play together, groups of friends with mixed age children to have a play date together and also brilliant for child-minders looking for messy, sensory and paint play without having the mess at home to clear up. Sessions will run monthly at: Oaks Children Group, Leominster – 2nd Thurs of the month - 10am -11am Each session costs £6 for the first child and then £4 per sibling (a massive 33% discount for siblings!) and must be

booked in advance. You can book monthly or for a block of 3 months at a time.

Friday 13th Sunday 15th

WORCESTER MUSIC FESTIVAL Worcester Music Festival – a metropolitan festival supporting emerging artists and raising money for charity – returns for the eleventh consecutive year. The festival takes place in more than 20 venues in Worcester City Centre, hosting around 250 bands over 3 days as well as a number of workshops. A non-profit making event, it is run by an enthusiastic team of volunteers who all give their time for free to support live music, encourage new audiences to visit new venues and help to make live music accessible to more people. With live music across the city, from pubs, clubs, restaurants and cafes to historic buildings, record shops, on the streets and even in breweries, the festival is absolutely FREE to attend. Our team of promoters put on hundreds of gigs, showcasing some of the best, new and emerging artists in the UK. The festival also delivers free musicrelated workshops for the whole community. Adults and children can take part in everything from drum clinics and Q&As with industry experts to learning an instrument or singing in a pop choir. Amateur photographers of any age or experience can also enter the annual photography competition. Almost £55,000 has been raised for charity by the festival in its eleven year history and the 2018 charity was Worcestershire Association of Carers.

Saturday 14th KINGTON SHOW

Kington Show offers a traditional show with horses, cattle, sheep and Poultry classes culminating with a grand parade of livestock. There is something for everyone including a motorbike stunt team, horticultural tent, young farmers, an after show dance and much more! There will be nearly 200 trade stands at the event, with many local producers, arts and crafts, food, tools, toys, clothes, tractors to name just a few! The show will combine the traditional feel of an agricultural show,

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R including horse, cattle and sheep classes, with an action-packed programme of entertainment. In the main ring, excitement will be provided by the country’s top Freestyle Motorcross Team – Broke FMX with their heart stopping stunts. In addition, we will have the grand parade of livestock, sheep dog displays, trotting races and vintage vehicles. Elsewhere on the showground there will be thrilling displays. There will be plenty of opportunity to eat and drink during the day at the wide variety of catering stands and the licenced public bar. In addition, there will be nearly 200 trade stands, a dog show, horticultural classes, shearing and YFC competitions. Further information can be found on the website kingtonshow.co.uk or contact the show secretary wendy@ kingtonshow.co.uk 01544 340598

MALVERN HILLS CHALLENGE Priory Park, Priory Road, Malvern, WR14 3DR. Join us for the Malvern Hills Challenge on Saturday 14th September 2019 to raise funds for the charity Help for Heroes which assists serving as well as ex-service personnel. Enter as an individual or organise a team with your friends, family or work colleagues. Dogs are welcome. Choose which challenge you would like to undertake at your own pace. Full Route - 18km End to End Half Route - 9km End to End Registration starts 0700am at Priory Park, Malvern. Start and Finish is at the same location. Parking available near by. Buses will take you to your start walking point. Registration Fee includes: Malvern Hills Challenge T-Shirt and a Route Guide. Race mementos for all finishers including the dogs! Official photographer, Refreshments available to buy, First Aid Responders in attendance. 7:00am-6:00pm. £10 - £20.

BROADWAY HORTICULTURAL & CRAFT SHOW ON THE VILLAGE GREEN

Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th

1pm-4.30pm. A lovely display of locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants, plus baked goods, jams and craft items.

The County Museum at Hartlebury Castle takes part in Heritage Open Day – offering FREE entry. Explore over 1000 years of history, meet some of the Castle’s characters and get hands-on with the museum collections. www. museumsworcestershire.org.uk/ events/county-heritage-open-day/

RIDE+STRIDE FOR CHURCHES We hope that most churches and chapels in the county will be open to visitors coming by foot, bike, on horseback or even by classic car! Are you interested in cycling, walking, riding - and the beauty of Herefordshire and its churches, Gothic architecture, stained glass windows, carved woodwork? Then get stuck in! Visit as many (or as few) churches as you want on the day. And it’s all for free! Any money you might raise through donations or sponsorship for a great day out goes towards supporting these buildings which are such an important part of our Engish landscape. National Ride + Stride chairman Hilary Cakebread Hall says: “Churches are so important spiritually and aesthetically, and they are the setting for some of the most important events in all of our lives – baptisms, weddings and funerals. But they are also increasingly becoming a focus for the wider community.” “Ride + Stride is not just for people who go to church, it is for couples and individuals who want an excuse for riding miles on a Saturday, or for families who want to do something fun and worthwhile.” Ride + Stride takes place this year on Saturday, 14 September. Nationally, the event raises more than £1million annually. The National Churches Trust helps to co-ordinate the event and runs the national website but visit our own website at www.ridestrideherefordshire.uk

Saturday 14th

HERITAGE OPEN DAY (FREE ENTRY)

Sunday 15th

BROADWAY FOOD FESTIVAL ON THE VILLAGE GREEN 10am-4pm. Local artisan producers ~ Cooking demos by local chefs ~ Delicious food to go. Discover the best of local food and drink! FREE ADMISSION! A great day out for all the family. This year’s festival will be the sixth annual Broadway Food Festival and attracts local residents and visitors from further afield - more than 5000 in 2018. Local artisan producers have about 35 stalls in a marquee and an additional dozen or so mostly “food to go” stands are outside on the green. The original aim of the festival was to showcase the wealth of local of food and drink that can be purchased all year round in Broadway’s shops and eateries.This remains the core of the event and its success. This year’s stallholders include: bakers, bee keepers, brewers, cheese makers, confectioners, curers, distillers, farmers, food oil producers, fruit & vegetable growers, pie makers,vintners, and many more. The outside stands include: ice cream, salt beef bagels, Indian street food, pig roast, coffee, crepes, pan Asian veg street food, Longhorn burgers, Caribbean curry, mini Dutch pancakes, cocktails, real ale and more!

Monday 16th

POTTER’S WHEEL COURSES

EXCLUSIVE RACE DAY AT WORCESTER & LOCALS DAY

Eastnor Pottery, Home Farm, Clencher’s Mill Ln, Eastnor, Ledbury, HR8 1RD. Spend the weekend or day relaxing and creating pots on the potter’s wheel. £280 w/e £150 day. Includes materials, refreshments and lunch. Please tel 01531 633886 or email admin@ eastnorpottery.co.uk for more details.

Experience racning at Worcester at a more relaxed pace. Our midweek afternoon fixtures offer a chance to experience horse racing at Worcester at a more relaxed pace than some of our other racedays. As such, they offer the perfect opportunity to bring family, friends or work colleagues to sample Worcester’s delights. Escape the office for a

Primary Times Back to School 2019

truly memorable trip to the home of summer jump racing. Two for one tickets for postcode residents. As a thank you for your ongoing support of your local racecourse, we are offering a special offer exclusively for WR postcode residents. Enjoy 2 for 1 on County Enclosure tickets if you live at a WR postcode, which means you’ll get 2 tickets in advance for just £17*! Simply select the 2 for 1 package below, enter your postcode at the checkout and if you have a WR postcode the discount will be applied. Alternatively, call us on 01905 253 64 and quote your postcode to claim this offer. This offer is only available for tickets booked in advance and is not available on the gate. Also available is an offer to give just 18 horse racing fans the chance to live a day in the life of an owner. The exclusive experience will include; breakfast and a tour of David Dennis’ yard and world class facilities, meet and greet with a professional jockey, behind the scenes access around the Racecourse, including access to the weighing room and paddock, an award-winning sit down meal and a private box to view the racing. Midlands Air Ambulance Charity fundraisers will also be at the event collecting donations, selling raffle tickets and showing people around the charity’s interactive helicopter pod. www. midlandsairambulance.com

Saturday 21st

HERITAGE OPEN DAY 2019 Hereford Cathedral, Cathedral Close, Hereford, HR1 2NG. The Cloisters of Hereford Cathedral have been home to campaigners for centuries; this Heritage Open Day we are continuing the tradition by giving control to our community and putting ‘People Power’ into action! From the beginning of August, we will be sharing weekly polls to let you choose between

Wyeside Day Nursery & Out of School Care Ltd

“Where children enjoy their learning adventure” Tel: 01432 358070 26 Eign Road, Hereford, HR1 2RY

www.wyesidedaynursery.co.uk

‘Kids Mediate’ Peer Mediation in Schools Helping your children solve their own conflicts

We train children to mediate disagreements between their peers by using the same process used in family disputes. Our lead trainer is Claire Jackson, a former barrister, who now practices as an Accredited Family Mediator at Wye Valley Mediation. This training and practice develops excellent life skills including active listening, co-operation and problem solving. Ofsted consistently praise peer mediators for their contribution to schools’ behaviour and safety and the DfE research highlights the efficacy of peer mediation in reducing bullying.

How to Bring Peer Mediation Into your School

We can train your children in school or you can attend our Train the Trainers Course in Hereford. Cost £220.

Venues in

Tewkesbury

Tel: 07926 312645

Ross on Wye

Tel: 07725 228016

“We are already seeing the benefits. One of the lunchtime supervisors the other day said ‘I feel redundant!’ which shows it is working and in fact going really well” Joanna Bryan, Head of Peterchurch Primary School, Herefordshire

Alternatively you can join us at one of our ‘Train the Trainers’ Hereford days. Cost £220 per person or £380 for two people.

Suitable for teachers, Governors and mediators. The course materials provided will allow you to set up the service yourselves. Our next ‘Train the Trainers’ days are on:

Thursday 26th & Friday 27th September Thursday 21st & Friday 22nd November Please feel free to contact us to discuss your school’s needs.

Tel: 01432 806 222

Email: info@wyevalleymediation.co.uk

www.wyevalleymediation.co.uk

For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

R different options for the day – from choosing which special tours we run to picking which craft we create. Follow us on social media or visit us in person to vote, and see what wins! No matter which options win, everything we do will be free and family friendly. From 10.30 am – 3.30 pm there will be drop-in activities, as well as some one-off tours or trails. Exactly what we do will be decided by you, but all the options are linked to our heritage and our beautiful Cloisters. Hereford Cathedral is currently undertaking the Eastern Cloisters Project, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. For more information contact Sarah Hollingdale on 01432 374240 or sarah.hollingdale@ herefordcathedral.org

Saturday 21st September - Saturday 26th October POTTERY CLUB 4-11YEARS Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome St, Worcester WR1 1UH. 11.15am – 12.15pm and 12.30pm – 1.30pm. Takes place every Saturday from September 21st - October 26th. £54. For further information visit www. worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk

ADVANCED POTTERY FOR YOUNG POTTERS Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome St, Worcester WR1 1UH. 10am – 11am and 2.30pm – 3.30pm. Takes place every Saturday from September 21st - October 26th. £54. For further information visit www. worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk

ART CLUB FOR YOUNG PEOPLE 11-16 YEARS Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome St, Worcester WR1 1UH. 10am – 12pm. Takes place every Saturday from September 21st - October 26th. £72. For further information visit www. worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk

Sunday 22nd DONUT DASH

Norton Parish Hall, Norton, Worcester, WR5 2QB. 5k or 10k run starts at 10am. Includes medal and Krispy Kreme doughnut. 10am-12noon. Adults £14, Under 16 years £7. On the day £18/£10. appeals@strichards.org.uk  Tel: 01905 763963

Saturday 28th September – Saturday 26th October JUNIOR ART CLUB 5-7 YEARS

Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome St, Worcester WR1 1UH. 1.30pm – 2.30pm. Takes place every Saturday from September 28th - October 26th. £35. www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk

JUNIOR ART CLUB 8-11 YEARS Worcester Arts Workshop, 21 Sansome St, Worcester WR1 1UH. 2.45pm – 3.45pm. Takes place every Saturday from September 28th - October 26th. £35. www.worcesterartsworkshop.org.uk

Saturday 28th & Sunday 29th

MALVERN AUTUMN SHOW Malvern Autumn Show, in association with Westons Cider Mill, returns this September, and offers fun for all the family.Expert gardeners battle it out to see who can grow the heaviest or longest veg and be crowned the ultimate vegetable growing champion at the CANNA UK National Giant Vegetables Championship. Last year saw four world records beaten! Youngsters can explore the vintage village and the Old Tyme Fairground, or visit the World of Animals. With dog agility, floral displays and familiar faces, from Carol Klein to Mark Diacono, there is something for everyone. Drawing around 65,000 visitors over two days, foodies, farmers and families can immerse themselves in a plethora of autumnal activities. Tickets are on sale now, ranging from £6 for a child age 5-16 and £17 for an adult. Tickets brought in advance are lower priced than on the day. Buy your advance ticket. Adult (16yrs +) – £18 in advance (£22 on the day). Children – new for 2019 under 16s gain free entry to the show* Three Counties** & RHS Member – £17 in advance (£22 on the day). Group (8 people +) – £17

Primary Times Back to School 2019

in advance (£22 on the day). www.threecounties.co.uk

OCTOBER Saturday 5th

TENBURY APPLEFEST The Burgage, Tenbury Wells WR15 8BA, (Access off town centre car park). 10.00am-4.30pm, A great day out for the family. Apple displays, identification and advice. Bring your own apples to turn into juice. Music and entertainment all day. Numerous craft and trade stalls and demonstrations. Hot and cold food and drink including licensed bar and selection of ciders. Alpaca mini treks, animal encounters, facepainting, Display of classic cars, and much more. Admission adults £4.00, children under 16 free.

Thursday 10th Sunday 13th

HAY WALKING FESTIVAL Over the weekend of October 10 – 13th you are invited to visit the lush countryside and the beautiful town of independent shops, Hay on Wye. Saturday night is quiz night. teams can be sorted out on the night. Fish & Chip suppers to be delivered at the interval to anyone who orders at the start. The walks programme over Saturday & Sunday is wide and varied, long, short, hilly, flat, town, country, and a very exciting couple of walks with pack ponies. Full program available from www. haywalkingfestival.com. And do remember – “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing”.

Saturday 12th

EARDISLAND CRAFT & PRODUCE FAIR St Mary’s Church & village hall, Church Road, Eardisland, Leominster, HR6 9BP. 10am-4pm. Stalls from £12 - £15. Public £1. The 4th annual show, featuring over 50 craft stalls both in the church and within marquees in the church grounds. Delightful produce in the nearby village hall. This is an increasingly popular fair, with footfall up year on year, reaching 387 in 2018, during a named storm. Free parking on the recreation ground. Breakfast from 0900 in the village hall. BBQ at lunchtime in the church grounds. £1 admission includes a free hot drink. Tel: 01544 388 097

BIG APPLE HARVESTIME WEEKEND Share the Tradition of Apple Growing and Cidermaking. Celebrate English apples and cider at the Big Apple Harvestime Weekend – a real opportunity to enjoy the autumn countryside in this corner of Herefordshire in and around Much Marcle. A collection of small rural events where you can enjoy local orchards, famous for their cider fruit and excellent eating apples In this unique event, farms and orchards will open their cider mills and barns for you to visit. Nine special venues in all, each one of them different but all with one thing in common – apples! Your programme is entirely flexible – you can choose where and when to go for an afternoon, a day or a full weekend. You can simply go for a walk or to buy some apples. But you can also visit several different venues and events. Of course you can use your car to get around. But many of the venues are in walking distance of each other, and cycling is also a great way to get about. A tractor and trailer service, kindly provided by Westons Cider, will be running all weekend carrying visitors between six of the venues. The service is free but donations will be welcome. Full programme details will be available at www.bigapple. org.uk by the end of August 2019. www.bigapple.org.uk

Sunday 13th

AUTUMN FAIR AT HERGEST CROFT Take a free guided walk of the gardens to see the spectacular autumn colours of our magnificent specimen trees. You will also find exciting plants on sale from a wide range of local specialist nurseries, together with crafts and produce stalls. www.hergest.co.uk

Tuesday 22nd

HALF TERM FUN DAY AT THE WATERWORKS MUSEUM Junk-modelling, painting and family fun. Children must be accompanied by an adult.Established in 1974, the Waterworks Museum is an independent working museum concerned primarily, but not exclusively, with the story of the supply of water for public consumption from earliest habitation to the close of the 20th century. waterworksmuseum.org.uk

For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

STEP BACK IN TIME & EXPERIENCE THE THRILL OF A MEDIEVAL JOUST AT AVONCROFT MUSEUM There will be thundering hooves and all the thrills of a medieval jousting tournament at Avoncroft Museum of Historic Buildings, Bromsgrove, on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th September. Join in a weekend of medieval jollity, meet the knights, ladies, squires and their horses and be immersed in a range of activities from archery and battle re-enactments to iron-clad knights practicing their drills. The highlight will be the joust event. Watch knights and their noble steeds honour their codes of chivalry with dramatic horse mounted contests, to hone their skills and win the favour of the audience.

There will also be plenty of opportunity to stroll around the beautiful Avoncroft Museum and explore the collection of 30 rescued and restored buildings. Gates open at 10.30am and the Museum closes at 5pm. Entry to the event is at the usual Museum admission price: £11 for adults, £9.90 for seniors and £6.60 for children (under 5s are free) and a family tickets is priced at just £33. Some activities on site may have an additional charge. For more information, please visit www.avoncroft.org.uk/whats-on/

THE VALLEY EVESHAM WELCOMES NEW ADDITION TO ITS SHOPPING VILLAGE The Valley Evesham has welcomed a new addition to its shopping village with Cobbs Farms’s quirky vintage double-decker cafe bus arriving on site. The clue is in the name of this very unique café set to make a stop in beautiful surroundings at the retail destination. The café bus is precisely what it sounds like – a cosy local eatery set in a vintage doubledecker bus. The eatery on wheels will provide a novel alternative to customers of the retail destination, serving up fresh and tasty dishes made with local ingredients. Delicious breakfast, brunches, lunches, and everything in between, including a delicious range of homemade cakes and Cobbs Farm espresso coffee all can be enjoyed in this one-of-a-kind country café. Established in 2007, Cobbs is a group of multi-award-winning farm shops and cafes which has its core values based upon providing customers with flavoursome, fresh, home-grown food. Sustainability is at the heart of Cobbs’s ethos as the group keenly supports independent local and regional producers.

Primary Times Back to School 2019

Phil Maclean, Marketing Director of The Valley Evesham, said: “We are delighted to be welcoming Cobbs Farms cafébus to The Valley Evesham. It’s incredibly important to create a holistic shopping experience for our visitors and part of this approach includes having plenty of food choices. “Food is one of the leading drivers of climate change, so the demand for innovative and exciting food that also has clear provenance has increased: more and more of us want to

know where our food comes from and the farming practices of the farmers that grow and produce it. More and more people seeking out fresh, local options for produce and other farm-totable foods, The Valley Evesham is satisfying that hunger with the new addition to the site. It really is the perfect place to meet with friends and family - in between a spot of retail therapy”.

WEEKEND FUN DANCEFEST’S AT KIDDERMINSTER AUTUMN TERM MUSEUM OF CARPET Back to School doesn’t have to mean an end to the fun! Come to the Museum of Carpet where there is fun for all the family every Saturday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Try your hand at weaving and designing with our clever interactive displays and watch our volunteers spin, weave and bring yesteryear to life as they demonstrate on our original Hand Looms. At 12pm listen out for the Brintons Bull to call you to the Power Looms where volunteers will weave carpets in front of your eyes. Follow in the footsteps of children of the past and learn all about the role of

child labour in Victorian weaving sheds. Then head off around the museum on a thrilling trail hunting our very own cartoon Walter the Weaver. Rain or shine the Museum of Carpet is a great day out, so start planning your visit now.

Entry to the Museum Adults £4.50, Concessions £3.50, Children £2, Family £10 & Children under 5 free. For more information visit www.museumofcarpet.org.uk, email enquiries@museumofcarpet or call 01562 69028. Museum of Carpet, Stour Vale Mill, Kidderminster, DY10 1AZ.

Dancefest’s autumn term of classes, guest workshops and performance companies starts on Monday 16 September. There’s lots on offer for all ages across Worcestershire and Herefordshire - weekly dance classes for children that introduce contemporary technique and other dance styles, Gifted and Talented groups for young dancers who would like to develop their skills and perform, as well as Ballet and Contemporary Technique for adults. You don’t need any dance experience to join and new dancers are always welcome.

They’re holding free auditions for their youth dance companies in Hereford on Monday 16 September and in Worcester and Tenbury on Thursday 19 September. As well as developing contemporary technique and choreography skills, the companies give young dancers lots of opportunities to perform throughout the year - in theatres as well as unusual, outdoor spaces - and to work with guest choreographers and dance artists. Find out more at dancefest.co.uk

DRESSAGE AT THE SVR ALL-NEW SANTA SPECIALS

SUCCESS she watched her brother have riding lessons every week and on her 4th birthday, she was old enough to start lessons at Stourport Riding Centre. At the age of six, Annabelle had her own pony, Puk.

The Severn Valley Railway has refreshed its famous Santa experiences, offering passengers a magical steam train ride through the Severn Valley - with Santa on board. For the first time in years, services will also depart from Bridgnorth, bringing the much-loved station in on the festivities. There are two ALL-NEW Santa Specials options on offer. Passengers can enjoy reserved seats and tasty treats on the Premium Santa Special or, for those who’d rather not reserve a table or compartment, Standard Santa Specials are perfect. Services steam in every weekend from November 30th to December 22nd, plus December 23rd and 24th.

Passengers can settle into their comfy, decorated carriage for a ride to Highley and back with Santa, who’ll visit every family, giving gifts to each child and posing for festive photos. Those on board the Premium Santa Special will receive a hot drink and a sweet treat to enjoy as they steam along, as well as a gift for the Christmas tree. Standard Santa Specials tickets start from £20 each. For Premium Santa Specials, tables of up to four are from £110 and private compartments for up to six from £175. For information and bookings, see www.svr.co.uk/santa

Annabelle Wesley from Winterfold School in Chaddesley Corbett and her pony Puk have had a great 2019, competing in eighteen competitions so far, with several wins and runner up placings. The pair have competed in six competitions, achieving four wins, 2nd and 4th place, with Annabelle’s best score to date of 72.18 percent in one of the dressage tests, qualifying for the Blue Chip Dressage Championships in the autumn.

Annabelle has dressage lessons most mornings before school, taught by her grandad, Trevor Dickens, who has event horses based with Piggy French. His top horse Vanir Kamira won this year’s Badminton horse trials 2019 and Piggy is Annabelle’s role model.

The nine year old’s love of horses started at a very young age. From the age of three, For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

CONGRATULATIONS

ANONYMOUS DONOR

FREDDIE SLATER SAVES THE DAY! An anonymous donor has come to the rescue of the Dear Zoo live on stage! touring production. The hit children’s show which saw the final leg of its Spring tour cancelled at the end of April due to the theft of its heavily branded tour bus (pictured) and its contents, will be back in UK theatres from 4 September.

This follows Freddie’s success at the Winter Cup Championships where he won the European Mini X30 (age 9-12).

Show producers, Norwell Lapley Productions, are thrilled to announce that the autumn tour will now go ahead and where possible the cancelled shows have been rebooked. Thousands of families with young children were disappointed on 27 April 2019 when the Dear Zoo live on stage! tour was brought to an abrupt halt following the theft of the tour bus and its contents in Peterborough. Despite a nationwide search by the Police and producers of the show, the tour bus and its contents have still not been recovered which has meant a total rebuild of the production at great cost.

Next stop for Freddie is France for his final race in the European Mini

With its future in jeopardy, the combination of insurance

Congratulations to Bromsgrove Prep School pupil Freddie Slater who has been crowned Junior Champion at the SKUSA ProTour SuperKart Championships (Junior X30 US – age 12-16) in Indianapolis. At the age of ten, the talented young driver had been racing in a category for older children under a waiver and turned eleven in the final round. The trophies are due to be presented in Las Vegas.

X30 Championships, which he is currently leading. To be USA and European Champion in the same year would be pretty special. Following his success in America last week, Freddie commented “I enjoyed the challenge of racing the more powerful karts on the very different American circuits and I’m proud to be able to run Number 1 on my kart for future races in the USA.”

and the generosity of one individual, has enabled the company to cover most of the financial losses incurred as a result of the theft. A new set is currently being built and Dear Zoo live on stage! will be delighting audiences once again this autumn.

Discussing the Dear Zoo situation, Chris Davis of Norwell Lapley Productions said “we are really delighted that we are now able to go ahead and put Dear Zoo out on the road again thanks to a very generous anonymous donation. Support for the show has been amazing and the sympathetic response from the public has been quite overwhelming. We had confirmed some tour dates for the autumn, but they were in doubt as we were not sure if we would be able to cover costs following the disastrous theft of the Dear Zoo live on stage! tour bus.” Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased via theatre websites. www.dearzooandfriends.com

WANDS AT THE READY! THE SVR’S WIZARD EXPRESS RETURNS THIS AUTUMN There’ll be magic in the air at the Severn Valley Railway this Autumn as the popular Wizards Express steams in once again. Following its hugely-successful debut last summer, the service will be making a much-anticipated return, from October 26th to November 3rd. Young witches and wizards are invited to get dressed to impress and head to the Railway for a magical Journey to Wizard School. After collecting their wax-sealed Wizard School invitation at Kidderminster or Bridgnorth, families can board their steam train for a thrilling journey through the enchanted Severn Valley. Magic wands and tasty treats from the trolley await on board, where magicians will perform spell-binding tricks along the way. On arrival at Highley, the school prefects will greet families and escort new students to

Primary Times Back to School 2019

Wizard School to meet Professor Grindle and his Scholars. They will give a guided tour of Wizard School and lead three workshops: Butterscotch Witches Brew, Spell Casting and Team Games with the Lost Sock Pixies.

Lewis Maddox, the SVR’s events co-ordinator, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming the Wizard Express back to our tracks and are looking forward to more magical mayhem with Professor Grindle and his Wizard School scholars.”

To round-off the experience, successful witches and wizards can pick up their graduation certificates from the banquet table. There’ll be plenty of magical photo opportunities throughout the day, so visitors are advised to bring their cameras.

For those who dare to be scared, the SVR’s much-loved Ghost Trains will be taking people for a thrilling night-time ride out into the dark, with plenty of ghosts, ghouls and things that go bump in the night plus a goody bag for children. Services steam into Kidderminster on October 26th, 30th and 31st.

Passengers can also use their ticket to travel up and down the line during the day. Tickets must be booked in advance. Wizard Express services depart from Kidderminster at 10am and 2pm or from Bridgnorth at 11.50am. Tickets are £60 for a table of two, £120 for a table of four or £180 for a compartment of six.

For Wizard Express information and bookings see www.svr.co.uk/wizardexpress or for general event information and bookings see www.svr.co.uk or call 01562 757900. For more news and events, see the Severn Valley Railway Official Site or Families pages on Facebook.

DOUGHNUT DASH

FOR ST RICHARD’S HOSPICE will be providing vegan and gluten free options for advance bookings, please advise when registering. Participants are asked to pledge to raise £20 or more for St Richard’s. To book visit www.strichards.org. uk/doughnut-dash Taking part has never tasted so good, says St Richard’s Hospice, who are holding the charity’s first ever Doughnut Dash this month.

The Doughnut Dash is kindly sponsored by Pulse Events and supported by Norton Parish Hall.

Finishers in the 5k or 10k event on Sunday, 22nd September, will be treated to a delicious glazed ring Krispy Kreme doughnut and a doughnut medal.

St Richard’s Hospice cares for adults with a serious progressive illness, improving their quality of life from diagnosis, during treatment and to their last days. It also supports their loved ones.

Participants can run, jog or walk the course which is set in Norton Village, Worcester, and surrounding areas and raising funds for the Worcestershire hospice. St Richard’s Fundraiser Jayne Sargeant said, “We’ve already had a fantastic response to the Doughnut Dash, with hundreds tempted by a tasty treat at the end!

Each year the hospice team supports more than 3,300 patients, family members and bereaved people in Worcestershire. St Richard’s is an independent charity and relies on donations and gifts in Wills for the majority of its income with 22% funded by the NHS.

Entry for adults is £14; under 16 years, £7 in advance. On the day registrations 9.00am until 9.45am will be adults £18 and under 16 years, £10.

The hospice is also raising funds for the Build 2020 Appeal and is part way through developing a bigger hospice, enabling more patients and families to be cared for in Worcestershire. The total cost for expanding and redeveloping the existing building in Wildwood Drive, Worcester, is £5.3m.

The course is unsuitable for pushchairs and under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult. St Richard’s

For more information about St Richard’s Hospice visit www.strichards.org.uk

The event starts at 10am from Norton Parish Hall, Wadborough Road, LIttleworth, Norton WR5 2QB.

BACK TO SCHOOL

AT ARTRIX THIS SEPTEMBER As the children head back to school this September, why not join them by signing up for a new course or workshop at Artrix Arts Centre? Try something completely new, or perfect an existing skill or hobby with an exciting range of groups, including some brand new classes. New for Autumn 2019 is Calligraphy & Brushstrokes, weekly from 16 September. Learn how to write beautifully in the style of modern calligraphy and unlock your creativity to develop your own personal script. It is a fantastic skill to learn and a relaxing way to spend your time. You will be provided with and shown how to use dip pen and ink and provided with your own starter kit. Other adult courses on offer include Gentle Chance To Dance, Songstars Showchoir, Beginners and Intermediate Ballet, Belly Dancing, Pilates, Dancefit, Silver Singers, Tai Chi, Drawing and Speaking In Public. Artrix will also be welcoming back Theo’s Comedy Skool for another term of laughs from 23 September. Learn the art of stand-up comedy and perform in front of a live audience at the end of the course. Local performing arts coach Theo Theobald has guided countless new comedians to the stage! Artrix also offers a wide variety of workshops for young people including all new StressBox for primary aged children, from 18 September. Stressbox is a new wellness workshop determined

to alleviate stress with music, movement and meditation for young people coping with busy lives.

Liam Joe Blackwood, founder and course leader of Stressbox said; “I’m really pleased to bring the brand new Stressbox course to Artrix. My aim is to bring mindfulness into performance, helping young performers with body language and mindset coaching, inspiring them to gain confidence and diminish anxiety in an energetic and fun week course.” Artrix’s new Theatre Explorers Workshop is an opportunity for young people aged 14 – 19 to collaborate, discuss and develop theatre techniques, projects and ideas, leading to a performance in the Artrix Studio at the end of each term. Running weekly on Monday evenings, Theatre Explorers will be led by Artrix associate artist, Naomi Coleman. Other groups for children and young people include Little Song Stars and Songstars Juniors, Artrix Youth Theatre and Rhythm Time. Run by experienced practitioners, Artrix’s programme of workshops offer an introduction to exciting new skills and can enable participants to expand their existing talents and knowledge. For further information on our course programme, or to book a place please contact Box Office on 01527 577330 or visit www.artrix. co.uk/whats-on/workshops/

FESTIVAL OF WINTER WALKS 2019 More and more of us are facing the impact of stress, overworking and the demands of everyday life. For example, in a 2018 poll by YouGov for the Mental Health Foundation, 74% of UK adults reported having been so stressed at some point over the last year they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. For many people, lack of exercise, being stuck indoors due to desk-bound jobs or being disconnected from green spaces can be big factors. Such feelings often come into sharper focus during the festive season, when staying on top of all the preparations, and pressures to party and be sociable can also pile in and stress us out.

If this sounds like you, or someone you know, then here’s the ideal festive uplift gift – the Festival Of Winter Walks, which will run from 20 December 2019 to 5 January 2020. It’s organised by the Ramblers, the charity which helps everyone, everywhere, enjoy walking and protects the places we all love to walk. Ramblers groups across the UK will offer a warm welcome on hundreds of free festive walks. No matter where you live, and whether or not you’ve

walked before, they’ll offer the chance to enjoy the wonderful winter landscape in good company; to relax, unwind and stress-bust, and to make new friends at a time of year when many people can feel anxious, stressed or isolated.

There will be fun winter-themed walks that the little ones will love; leisurely strolls under five miles for people new to walking; and longer walks for those that want more of a challenge. For those of you who may be short on time or want a gentler stroll, there will be Ramblers’ health walks. TOP TIPS FOR GETTING INTO WALKING Don’t worry if you’re not a seasoned walker, the Ramblers’ Festival Of Winter Walks includes lots of short group walks to get you started. Enjoy connecting with winter scenery and sounds. Have a mindful walk; slow down from the everyday rush and really take in your surroundings – the whistling wind, or starlings migrating to the UK for winter. Why not take some photos on your phone, and share them with us – use #winterwalks and don’t forget to tag us @RamblersGB

Take a flask of warming tea, coffee or festive, hot spiced apple juice with you. Cinnamon sticks, ginger and ‘mulling’ sachets are readily available from most supermarkets. For younger walkers: challenge them to find an interesting stick and become a wizard with a staff. Or find the crunchiest winter leaf, or gather pinecones, which they could paint back at home. There are lots more ideas for winter walking fun in our special Festival of Winter Walks guide: ramblers.org.uk/foww (and we can send more general ‘do’s and don’ts’). If you enjoy joining a Festival Of Winter Walks event, why not join your nearest Ramblers group on their next walk? We have 484 walking groups across the UK, including a growing number for young walkers. You can find your nearest Ramblers group online at www.ramblers.org.uk

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Primary Times Back to School 2019

SCHOOL OPEN EVENTS

For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

SCHOOL OPEN EVENTS

A DIFFERENT APPROACH TO LEARNING AT BREDON SCHOOL

Bredon School is an independent day and boarding school with CReSTeD accredited specialist support for dyslexia, dyspraxia and other specific learning needs. Situated between Upton upon Severn and Tewkesbury and set within in 84 acres of beautiful countryside, Bredon offers a wide-ranging academic and vocational curriculum for boys and girls aged 7-18. Bredon supports children to achieve their potential in a caring, nurturing environment. Everyone, from the youngest pupil to the School’s most experienced teacher, is there because the world is an exciting place and they want to find out more about it. Every day the School makes the most of its beautiful rural setting; from feeding the sheep on the school farm, to learning in the four acre forest school, carrying out science experiments, and using the school grounds as inspiration for art and photography projects.

This practical approach to learning runs through everything the School does. Class sizes are small (8-12 pupils), teaching is fun, creative and engaging, with lessons taught in ‘chunks’ and with dyslexia in mind; all staff make sure that every child is helped to learn to their best ability. The School’s inspiring location, wide-ranging curriculum and vast outdoor environment enables all pupils to find an area in which to shine; whether that is on the school farm, within the forest school, excelling at playing a musical instrument, out on the sports fields or by taking part in outdoor education activities. The opportunities are endless. And it works! In figures published by the Department for Education in January 2019, Bredon was ranked number one out of 4434 schools and colleges in England for ‘value added’ (16-18 years). Bredon was also crowned ‘Independent School of the Year’ at this year’s Worcestershire Education Awards. To attend an Open Morning or arrange a personal visit, please email admissions@bredonschool. co.uk or call 01684 293156. www.bredonschool.org n

Primary Times Back to School 2019

SCHOOL OPEN EVENTS

BELIEVE, ACHIEVE

SUCCEED Earl Mortimer College & Sixth Form Centre continues to go from strength to strength in all areas of school life. As the new Principal of the College, I can confirm that we have very high expectations of all our students. From the moment they join us, students are encouraged to achieve and they do. The College operates on the principles of “Believe, Achieve, Succeed”. We believe in aspiration, setting goals in the short term and having dreams to follow in the long term. We believe in achievement, working towards those goals and making them become a reality. We also believe in success, whether that is through gaining academic qualifications or through contributions to the school and wider community. We are determined to provide your children with outstanding outcomes, valuable opportunities to learn and importantly, a happy experience of education. As a parent, you can be sure that at Earl Mortimer College we want every student to enjoy their learning and to reach their potential in an environment that will offer both support and challenge. You are most welcome to visit the College for our Open Evening and open days to experience all that we have to offer. Alison Banner, Principal n

FAIRFIELD HIGH SCHOOL Peterchurch, Hereford HR2 0SG Tel: 01981 550231 Email: admin@fairfield.hereford.sch.uk Website: www.fairfield.hereford.sch.uk

An “Outstanding” school set in the Golden Valley, consistently one of the best performing non-selective state schools in England

OPEN DAYS

Tuesday 24th & Wednesday 25th September Thursday 3rd & Friday 4th October 2019 Prospective parents/carers are invited to visit the school whilst it is in session to experience our unique atmosphere and wide range of opportunities. Tours of the school will take place each day at 9am, 11.15am and 2.00pm.

Please contact the school to reserve a place on the tour of your choice.

“Students receive an outstanding education at Fairfield High School. This includes their personal development as well as their academic achievement” Ofsted

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SCHOOL OPEN EVENTS

NUNNERY WOOD HIGH SCHOOL When you are looking for the best school for your child, their happiness and ability to thrive will be foremost in your mind. With absolute conviction, as Headteacher, I can recommend Nunnery Wood High School as a place of opportunity, growth and enjoyment. Last year, Ofsted confirmed this too, identifying, “an ethos in which pupils are encouraged to strive for their best, succeed academically, develop their talents and become responsible citizens. The personal development of pupils is excellent.” In our most recent survey, 99% of our parents would recommend Nunnery to others.

Out of a set of outstanding examination results this Summer, including 25% of all GCSE grades awarded being either A or A*, our “value added” progress score puts us amongst the top few schools in the country. In other words, whatever your child’s starting point, they will achieve more with us! A MESSAGE FROM STEPHEN POWELL, HEADTEACHER Transition to secondary school is an important event for both the student and their family. We invest time and care in this process to ensure that it is as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. Year 6 students will meet their future Head of Year 7 several times, both in their primary school and at

Nunnery. In addition to this, we offer two full induction days in the Summer term so that students can take the September start in their stride.

Visitors to Nunnery High School are invariably impressed by our outstanding site and facilities. The fact that several Worcestershire schools, including some from the independent sector, use out superb running stadium and all weather pitches speaks volumes. In addition to huge playing fields and athletics facilities, student use a sports centre and gymnasium. Likewise, in the Arts, students are taught in a stateof-the-art theatre, dance studio and suite of music rooms – all part of a recent, £3 million development. Over the next 18 months, a further £2.2 million investment will see Science and Visual Art areas becoming stunning learning environments with cutting edge research and exhibition spaces. In short, a superb site that is about to grow into something even more special. Outstanding teaching underpins everything, of course, and at Nunnery, students are expected to show the “old fashioned” expectations of high levels of politeness and hard-work at all times. There is also a sense of fun and open-mindedness about new ways to learn together. We expect and achieve high levels of smartness and conduct, enabling

“...an ethos in which pupils are encouraged to strive for their best, succeed academically and develop their talents...” Ofsted

Primary Times Back to School 2019

every student to learn in calm and orderly environment. As a consequence, results are superb with a “value-added” score of 1029 (the progress student make with us from their starting point compared to other schools in the country) putting Nunnery alongside the top few schools in the country. English and Maths results are considerably above national averages and our Progress 8 score of 0.33 – the government’s main performance indicator – means that we are amongst the highest achieving schools in the country. This cannot come simply from exam drilling of course, and is proof of the precision and dedication with which students are taught and nurtured from their first day in Year 7, whatever their needs or capabilities. Finally, schools are so much more than just results. I believe that the range of activities, clubs, sports and trips that the school offers is second to none. Added to this, through our student parliament, student leadership team and enrichment programme, students have wide opportunities to get engaged in school life and to understand themselves better.

Please look at our website and perhaps read copies of our school publication “Nunnery News”, available online, to get more of a “feel” for our superb school. n

OPEN MORNING Thursday 3rd October 2019

OPEN EVENING Wednesday 2nd September 2019 7pm - All welcome

Tours start at 9am & 11:15am

SCHOOL OPEN EVENTS

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SCHOOL OPEN EVENTS

MOOR PARK

SCHOOL An outstanding school in an outstanding setting. Moor Park has recently been awarded the highest grade in every category following its ISI school inspection. If you are looking for an excellent prep school education in the fullest sense of the word, Moor Park is more than just a school, it is a community of people working together to provide exceptional outcomes for children in the widest possible sense. It was highlighted in the ISI report that Moor Park pupils ‘display high levels of resilience, self-discipline, independence and self-confidence’ and that the ‘pupils are typically articulate and extremely confident when speaking to others’ as well as ‘Listening comes easily to the pupils: they want to learn, not just from their teachers but from each other; and in assemblies the stillness of their concentration as they listen to members of staff or other pupils is palpable’. Situated in Shropshire just south of Ludlow, Moor Park is an independent prep school set in 85 acres of beautiful countryside achieving excellent academic results, with children progressing to a wide range of senior schools throughout the UK. n

Primary Times Back to School 2019

SCHOOL OPEN EVENTS

QUEEN ELIZABETH HIGH SCHOOL

SUPPORT. BELIEVE. ACHIEVE. Choosing a secondary school is never an easy decision. Parents and carers have to constantly consider location, transport, extra-curricular provision, safety, siblings and friendship groups, school performance Ofsted and many other factors. Perhaps in the eyes of most the main thing we all want from our children when attending school is that they are happy, this then leads to them being settled and getting the most from their experience over a five year period that in truth is over very quickly. One thing perhaps not at the forefront of our thoughts when selecting a secondary school though is the question of where the progression routes are following that time. Will your child be university

bound following college and A Levels, or will they follow a route that allows them to explore other avenues and careers as many do? At Queen Elizabeth High School we cater for all students in our small rural school of 330 students. Many of our students aspire and work towards solid qualifications that will place them in a strong college pursuing A Levels before ultimately deciding to go to university, and yet many progress to Vocational courses at college or indeed apprenticeships where they can develop practical skills that will put them on a career path that is right for them. With our recent Vocational Studies Centre build, Queen Elizabeth can now provide for students with an interest in motor vehicles, construction, home maintenance or animal

care. These facilities are hard to find within secondary schools and Queen Elizabeth leads the way within North Herefordshire and the Worcestershire borders.

We would encourage you to attend one of our open events during September, or to give us a call and arrange a visit so that you can see for yourself why more and more students are looking to attend Queen Elizabeth High School, we believe you will be pleasantly surprised by what we have to offer. n Mr M Farmer Headteacher

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SCHOOL OPEN EVENTS

WEOBLEY HIGH SCHOOL:

TRULY EXCEPTIONAL! Over the past few years Weobley High School has received recognition both locally and nationally.

By focussing on the wellbeing and happiness of its pupils along with high-quality and engaging teaching, the school has continued to improve rapidly and is now one of the most popular and successful schools in the region. Successive inspections have commented on the outstanding behaviour of the children and the unique and exceptional climate for learning which has resulted inevitably in some very impressive academic outcomes. Nevertheless the school’s success is built on much more than just GCSE results. Pupils are encouraged to embrace a ‘can do’ culture and to take advantage of the plethora of opportunities available to them. As well as trips, both locally and abroad, there is a huge selection of teams and clubs. Popular

additions include a Photography Club, a Trampolining Club, an Equestrian Team and a Glee Club; as well as opportunities to take part and compete in a truly impressive range of sports teams for all age groups.

Creativity is also nurtured through extra-curricular drama, music and dance activities as well as associated GCSE courses in these areas. This leads to a steady flow of concerts and performances as well as the hugely successful biennial Weobley musical which can involve up to 200 pupils! All this takes place in this small, friendly school of just 500 pupils in the heart of the beautiful Herefordshire countryside. It is no surprise that Weobley now attracts pupils from over 20 primary schools across the county and new intakes are becoming increasingly oversubscribed. If you are considering Weobley for your child, please contact us on 01544 318159 to arrange a personal tour. n

Weobley High School is a small, successful secondary school situated in the beautiful Herefordshire countryside. There is an absolute focus on high-quality teaching and learning ensuring that every child achieves their potential. It is widely recognised for its unique and child-centred ethos which led to high praise in in our most recent OFSTED report: “The school is a happy and calm environment where pupils work exceptionally well together” “Pupils enjoy coming to school, they are confident and feel safe” “Pupils’ personal development and welfare is outstanding” “Pupils have many opportunities to develop their interests and talents through extra-curricular activities” “The behaviour of pupils is outstanding... Respect and courtesy are the norm”

You are warmly invited to attend our annual Open Day and Evening on Wednesday 25th September 2019. Please contact the school for further details.

Tel. 01544 318159 Email: admin@weobleyhigh.hereford.sch.uk www.weobleyhigh.co.uk d

WHAT’S ON IN YOUR AREA? From Theatre shows and attractions to classes and family days out you’ll find even more at: www.primarytimes.co.uk 26

Primary Times Back to School 2019

SCHOOL OPEN EVENTS

Thursday 26th September 2019 10amâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;12.30pm

Interested? email teachingschool@southbromsgrove.worcs.sch.uk to register

For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk

e r t a e Th S W O H S ’S N E R D L I H C FAMILY &

The courtyard Tel: 01432 340555

ALICE IN WONDERLAND Saturday 21 September 2019. Barking Dog presents an exciting adaptation of one of the most famous books ever – Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland. It features all the popular Alice characters portrayed by a cast of two talented actors. Expect brand-new catchy sing-along songs composed especially with children in mind, fabulous puppets and lots of surprises. From the time Alice falls down the rabbit hole to the hilarious and curious ending, everyone, even the adults, will be spellbound. A great children’s show suitable for families and particularly for children aged 5-9. Courtyard Family Saturdays Pre-activity: Make the Queen of Hearts’ red card guards. £7.50.

BALLOON MODELLING Saturday 28 September. Join Juggle Puppet, Hereford based entertainment company, for a fun balloon modelling workshop. You will learn how to confidently blow up modelling balloons and some basic twists and techniques, from which you will be able to experiment and make anything you want! Free pre-activity from 10:30am: TBC. Suitable for ages

7+, Parents/guardians are welcome to join in the fun but will need to purchase a ticket. £6

SEA LEGS PUPPET THEATRE PRESENT: LITTLE BO PEEP Saturday 5th October. Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and doesn’t know where to find them. Her friend Little Boy Blue is doing his best to help find the woolly runaways but he keeps falling asleep. Sing along to your favourite nursery rhymes; Ten Green Bottles, Hickory Dickory Dock, The Grand Old Duke of York and many, many more. Watch them come to life before your eyes in Sea Legs Puppet Theatre’s fabulous Tenth Anniversary show. Featuring magnificent puppets, fantastic scenery and of course lots of music and singing in a show especially created for children ages 2 – 7. Courtyard Family Saturdays Pre-activity: Make Little Bo Peep’s sheep, PLUS, meet the puppets after the show! Tickets £7.50

evesham arts Tel: 01386 446944

SISTER ACT THE MUSICAL Thursday 10th - Sunday 13th October. The West End hit musical performed by Evesham’s Phoenix Theatre Group. The feel-amazing musical comedy

Primary Times Back to School 2019

based on the hit 1992 film that has audiences jumping to their feet! Featuring original music by TONY and 8-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (‘Newsies’, ‘Beauty and the Beast’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’), this uplifting musical is brought to you by Phoenix Theatre Group. Filled with powerful gospel music, 70s disco songs, outrageous dancing, a live band and a truly moving story, Sister Act will leave audiences breathless! Tickets £13

malvern theatre Tel: 0845 287 2146

DEAR ZOO Tuesday 8th & Wednesday 9th October. Show Times: Tuesday 8th at 1.30pm & 4.30pm, Wednesday 9th at 10.30am & 1.30pm. After a successful debut tour, Dear Zoo the timeless children’s classic book returns to the stage in 2019! Rod Campbell’s best-selling lift the flap book has delighted generations of young readers since it was first published in 1982. And has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. This production will delight all those who have read the book (both young and old) as it unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction. Join us at Malvern Theatres to see what the zoo has sent: the perfect pet – in the end! £15.50, Family of 4 £56. School groups £11

(bookable through the box office on 01684 892277). Members discounts apply. Prices include 12% booking fee.

norbury theatre Tel: 01905 770154

CHILDREN’S THEATRE GRANNY’S ATTIC BY MICHAEL KING Saturday 21st September. The Norbury Players present an amateur production. A short play performed by adults especially for children aged 3 years plus. They make a fun birthday treat! 2:30pm. Tickets £2.00.

ANNIE Thursday 17th - Sunday 20th & Thursday 24th Saturday 26th October. The Norbury Players present an amateur production presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe). All authorised performance materials are also supplied by MTI Europe www.mtishows.co.uk. Book by Thomas Meehan Music by Charles Strouse Lyrics by Martin Charnin. Based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray, Annie has become a worldwide phenomenon and was the winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. The beloved book and score by Tony Award winners, Thomas Meehan, Charles Strouse and

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Martin Charnin, features some of the greatest musical theatre hits ever written, including ‘Tomorrow’. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. She is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of a New York City Orphanage that is run by the cruel, embittered Miss Hannigan. With the help of the other girls in the Orphanage, Annie escapes to the wondrous world of NYC. Tickets from £13.

Number 8 Tel: 01386 555488

NUMBER 8 YOUTH THEATRE Weekly Wednesdays, 11 September - 4 December (no class 30 Oct, 12 wk term). Juniors (age 7 – 11) 4.15 – 5.45pm, £54. Seniors (age 12+) 6.00 – 7.30pm, £66. Led by professional theatre practitioner Jenny Northam, these popular

junior and senior classes are ideal for young people interested in theatre. Weekly sessions offer budding actors the opportunity to develop their acting skills and learn stagecraft techniques in a fun, friendly atmosphere, and are a great way to make new friends.

palace theatre Tel: 01527 65203

FAMILY FUN MAGIC SHOW Saturday 26th October. Professor Pepperpot returns to The Palace Studio this Autumn and brings you yet another Fun Filled Fantastical Show. Professor Pepperpot’s Family Fun Show is a mixture of Magic - Balloons and Slapstick fun that will be enjoyed by everyone, no matter what your age. Performing to 1000’s of children each and every year, the Professor’s Children’s Parties are the talk of the neighbourhood. “All the children were talking about you at school on Monday saying how

Primary Times Back to School 2019

funny you were” is just one of the many positive comments the Professor has received this year. The Professor has performed in front of Kings and Queens and several other Cambridge Colleges and his reputation as the “Other Mr Tumble” is something he is learning to live with. If you, or your child, has never seen Professor Pepperpot at a School Show or even at a friend’s party, now is your chance to witness the “Best Childrens’ Entertainer on the Planet” according to little Jess. Tickets from £6.50

worcester live Tel: 01905 611427

STAC PRESENTS CHILDREN’S THEATRE CAPTAIN CRAB’S TREASURE BY KATE CHESTER-LAMB (AMATEUR HIRER) Location: Swan Theatre. Date: Saturday 5th October. Time: 10.30 & 11.45am. Join

in the fun, songs and audience participation in popular plays for two-to-nine-year-olds. Can Jack and his mother defend Captain Crab’s treasure and try to keep it safe from a pirate called Short John Gold? And what is Mr Friday doing on their island? This is the first play in the new season of STAC Children’s Theatre. An October, November and January season ticket can be purchased for £6 (a saving of £1.50) up until 4th October. Price: £2.50 (Groups of 10 or more £2.25 per ticket, Under 2s free).

We take great care to ensure all this information is correct at the time of going to press. However, we would advise parents to phone and check details prior to making a long trip... or promise!

DANCEFEST’S AUTUMN TERM Dancefest’s autumn term of classes, guest workshops and performance companies starts on Monday 16 September.

Crescents Ballet School Principal: Ms Jane Chance L.R.A.D., A.I.S.T.D. (M.D.)

Weekly dance classes for children, Gifted and Talented groups for young dancers who would like to develop their skills and perform, as well as Ballet and Contemporary Technique for adults. dancefest.co.uk

Come and join the fun

With nearly 100 classes a week, for tots to adults, we’ve got you covered! We offer ballet, tap, modern, commercial, street, lyrical, contemporary, acro and pointe work to name a few! Multiple class and sibling discounts also offered. Classes in Worcester & Droitwich

Enrol now and see where dancing stars are created... For more information call 07971 902 952 or 01905 724614

www.crescentsballetschool.co.uk For great days out listings, visit www.primarytimes.co.uk