East London Primary Times September 2017 by Alison Watson

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IDE U NG O T’S A WH

for families with primary aged children

Back to School Edition Issue 54 4 Sept - 8 Oct 2017

primary times

in East London

s n o z i r o h g n i en d a o r b , s n o i at r i p s a g n i s i a r Come and visit us!

Open mornings (9 - 10am): Wed 20 September Tues 26 September Thurs 5 October Mon 9 October

Open evening (4.30 - 6.30pm):

Thurs 21 September

The Family Guide GuidetotoWhat’s What’sOnOn The Best Best Family

t ’ a s h N e w W In Awe of the Ark

Introduce your little ones to the wonderful world of George Luck with this awe inspiring Ark wooden puzzle. Have you ever wondered how all the animals in the story of Noah’s Ark fit into the Ark? The answer may lie in the confines of this puzzle. Hape’s George Luck Ark is to be enjoyed by 6-10 year olds, filled with beautifully crafted colourful animals, children can name all the animals as they piece the puzzle back together, teaching children about the magnificent animals that were saved by the ark from the flood.This stunning design is the perfect addition to any nursery. George Luck puzzles are also created using non-toxic finishes, water based paints and only the highest quality child safe materials. Recommended for 6-10 years, Hape’s George Luck Ark is available from Amazon for £39.99.

Make and Move Mega: Dinosaurs

Make and Move Mega: Dinosaurs contains ﬁve stunning dinosaur puppets to press out, slot together and play. Have fun making a T-Rex,Triceratops, Apatosaurus, Stegosaurus and Pteranodon. Each of these detailed 3D models comes with easy-to-follow assembly instructions, and with no scissors or glue. Learn more about what each dinosaur looks like and make it move and roar by pulling the levers. Available from high street bookstores and online, priced £13.

Books from the National Gallery

Colour your way through some of the amazing old master pictures from the National Gallery with Katie, the star of James Mayhew’s much-loved Katie books. Get Colouring with Katie (£4.99) is a perfect introduction to the wonderfully exciting world of art. Pick up your colouring pencils and pens and follow the ever-curious Katie round the gallery. If you’re planning a trip to the gallery, the beautifully illustrated Picture This (£5) by Paul Thurlby is the perfect companion and is a fantastic way to learn more about the masterpieces and the stories behind them. Including famous works by the great painters Rembrandt, Rubens,Velázquez, Degas and many others - the book features stunning reproductions, fascinating facts and behind-thescenes tours, as well as games and activities inspired by the art. Both books are available from the National Gallery Shop or by mail order.

Timex Peanuts Watches for Children and Children at Heart Everyone has a favourite Peanuts character, and Timex have developed four watches for children and four watches for adults who aren’t afraid to show their fun side featuring the lovable characters of Peanuts. The four children’s watches feature Snoopy alongside Woodstock. The four different designs, Woodstock, hearts, ﬂowers and space, each have easy-toread dials with minutes marked for learning and an elastic strap making it easy to ﬁt all children’s wrists. Each watch is waterproof up to 30 metres. Watches with Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus and Snoopy are also available. Each watch features the famous Timex Indiglo light (where the dial lights up when the crown is pushed in), nylon strap for casual wear, and a stainless steel case. Children’s watches start from £29.99 and adult watches are priced at £59.99. All products are available online at www.watchshop.com.

To the Ends of the Earth and Back Again

Start on a new colouring adventure that will take you to the ends of the earth and back again – Good Wives and Warriors have illustrated the longest colouring book in the world. Join them on an enchanting quest that will take you all the way from your home, around the globe, and right the way to the ends of the earth. Colour your way through a riotous world of dragons, witches, lagoons, mountains and deserts inspired by folk tales, and mystical landscapes from across the world. This beautiful scene unfolds horizontally and stretches a fantastical 17 feet (5 metres). Race against your friends to see who ﬁnishes the colouring adventure ﬁrst. To The Ends of the Earth and Back Again is available online and from selected high street retailers for £9.99.

Unicorn Poly Gliders

Hawkin’s Bazaar have released a new Trending and Topical range which includes the Unicorn Poly Glider which stands out as a treat for any child.The main body of the glider features an enchanted horse in flight, with the wings and tailfin designed with a colourful motif that matches each unicorn. Once assembled, simply throw the glider and watch it fly several metres.The gliders are also available in bird, dinosaur and fairy designs and are priced at a bargain pocket money price of 50p. For more information and to purchase a poly glider for yourself, visit www.hawkin.com

World Pizza

When Momma spots a wishing star, the ﬁrst seen in more than one hundred years, she starts to ask for world peace, but a sneeze garbles her wish, changing “peace” into “peace-ah-ah-ah… choo.” World pizza. Suddenly, yummy pies of every kind come drifting down from the sky. That’s not exactly what Momma hoped for. With humour, warmth and heart from Cece Meng, and pictures that will leave your tummy rumbling from Ellen Shi, this delicious picture book celebrates the things that truly bring us together. World Pizza is available online and from selected high street retailers for £11.99.

for families with primary aged children

Back to School Edition Issue 54 4 Sept - 8 Oct 2017

primary times

Dear Readers

in East London

Welcome to the first edition of Primary Times for the new school year. Reception families may not have seen us previously so let me explain a little about PrimaryTimes magazine. We are the only free local The Family Guide GuidetotoWhat’s What’sOnOn what’s on magazine for families of children The Best Best Family aged 4-11. We publish the magazine 7 times a year, two weeks before each school holiday with a Back to School issue in September. We have competitions and puzzle pages for children to enter and hundreds of listings so that nobody can get bored during the school holidays! We also carry useful education information, local theatre ideas and best of all, we are totally FREE... All we ask is that you mention Primary Times to our advertisers who you read about in the magazine. inghorizons ons,broaden raisingaspirati Come and visit us!

admissions@wappinghigh.org wappinghigh.org 020 3597 3670

Open mornings (9 - 10am): Wed 20 September Tues 26 September Thurs 5 October Mon 9 October

Open evening (4.30 - 6.30pm):

Thurs 21 September

We’ll be back in schools from 9 October.

Peter and the Primary Times team The Primary Times Team: Publishing Editor: Peter Watson Sales: Sarah-Jane Chapple, Clarry Frewin, Gill Pearce & Andrew Langridge Listings: Hayley Hughes & Miriam Theobald Editorial: Anna Stringer Production: Alison Watson Office Manager: Chris Blower Administrators: Claire Wood & Tina Love Proof Reader: Catherine Draisey Social Media: Rachel Benson

inside this issue.... Primary Times is now printed on recycled text paper throughout, from 100% postconsumer waste, made in Europe by a paper mill that is certified and supports responsible forestry. Recycle 0% d 10

What’s On............................. 6 Family Theatre...................... 8 Whatever the Weather........10 Choosing your New School....13 Out of School Activities..........22

As well as all our usual features this magazine concentrates on Choosing your New School - something that all Year 5 and 6 families will be thinking about now. We publish the definitive guide to open days for that all important decision. We’ve already received calls from parents asking when we’re publishing the next guide so here it is. It’s a pull out section so do make sure you keep it and check out all the schools that you are considering. Our comprehensive tables take a lot of work and are prepared a long time in advance. Please check school websites to confirm the latest open day dates.

Contents

free

IDE GU ON AT’S WH

E c ola b el P E

Our next magazine will be published on 9 October, just in time for half term. The copy deadline is 22 September

Education News..................24 Competitions.......................27 Good Work Page.................31

Primary Times in East London 7 Southbrook Mews London SE12 8LG Tel: 020 8318 0400 Email: office@primarytimes.biz Website: www.primarytimes.net Twitter: @PT_LondonSandE

Primary Times is independently published and distributed free in primary and junior schools throughout the boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest. 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. The opinions expressed in either the editorial or advertisements within this publication are not necessarily those held by the editor or publisher. While we take great care with the compilation of information within this magazine, neither the editor nor publisher will accept any liability for the accuracy of the editorial or advertising contained within the publication. We welcome listings being sent to us for inclusion in our What’s On section. Free listings are dependent on available space and we cannot guarantee to print all the listings we are sent. Please send them to listings@primarytimes.biz Primary Times would like to thank all the schools in the boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest 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. No part of this magazine, including the advertisements within it may be reproduced, in part or in whole, without the express written permission of the Publishing Editor. Primary Times is currently publishing over 2.5 million copies per issue under franchise licences throughout England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Primary Times East London is operated under franchise licence.

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

News

Film & DVD

Preview Guide Entrepreneurial School Children A Dog’s Purpose Available on DVD

This autumn bring home the pawfect family film that follows the story of one special dog as he tries to find his purpose. Based on the beloved international bestselling book,‘A Dog’s Purpose’ shares the heart-warming and uplifting story of one devoted dog who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.The film follows Bailey as he moves through several lives, being born anew into different species and sometimes even gender.As he journeys, Bailey forms an unbreakable bond with a kindred human spirit, Ethan, who he must help to make sense of the world, of identity, of life and of death. Follow Bailey and his other canine counterparts through this feel-good film with a fantastic all-star cast. If you’re a lover of animals then ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ is definitely for you. Lap up the loveable ‘A Dog’s Purpose’ which is available on Blu-ray™ and DVD now, courtesy of Entertainment One.

The Jungle Bunch Returns Based on the award winning French-American-British TV series, the Jungle Bunch are back. Maurice may look like an emperor penguin but he’s a real tiger inside. He journeyed from Antarctica to the equator because he believed he belonged there. Raised by a tigress, he’s the clumsiest Kung-Fu master ever. Maurice has a group of friends who together make The Jungle Bunch. Junior is a ﬁsh who has been aptly named due to being the adopted son of Maurice. He is usually found in a bowl under Maurice’s arm.They are joined by Miguel, an innocent, banana eating gorilla, Gilbert, a clever but often grumpy tarsier, Batricia the bat, Fred the warthog and Al and Bob, two toads with distinct personalities. Along with his friends, Maurice intends to maintain order and justice in the jungle as his mother did before him. But Igor, an evil koala, wants to destroy the jungle once and for all with the help of his army of silly baboons. The Jungle Bunch is released in UK cinemas on 15 September.

Captain Underpants Comes to DVD

Captain Underpants:The First Epic Movie, based on the worldwide sensation and bestselling book series, is coming to DVD. It boasts an A-list cast of comedy superstars headed by Kevin Hart and Ed Helms and comes from DreamWorks Animation. This raucously subversive comedy for the entire family tells the story of two overly imaginative pranksters named George and Harold. George, the writer, and Harold, the artist, spend their days creating comic books and dreaming up pranks. One day they accidentally hypnotize their school principal into thinking he’s a ridiculously enthusiastic, incredibly dim-witted superhero named Captain Underpants whose costume consists of underwear and a cape. As if this isn’t bad enough, their newest teacher is a disgraced evil scientist bent on exacting his revenge at their school. When Captain Underpants stumbles upon this villain, he must band together with George and Harold to thwart the scientist’s evil agenda. Captain Underpants:The First Epic Movie is due to be released on DVD on 12 September and is also available for digital download from iTunes and Amazon Video.

WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN WIN To be in with a chance of winning one of ﬁve Jungle Bunch Goody bags, send an email to competitions@primarytimes.biz with ‘Jungle Bunch’ as the subject by Friday 22 September. Don’t forget to include your name, age, address, school and contact telephone number. 4

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

Young people from six London schools came together at City Hall in June, complete with business plans, budgets and time schedules, to pitch Community Project ideas to a panel of judges for a chance to win up to £1,500 of funding. In this Dragon’s Den style event, teams from schools all over London each pitched for support of a social action project designed to make a difference to life in their communities. Proposed ideas included tackling knife crime, promoting social cohesion, and encouraging family fitness schemes. The finalist schools will now go on to fulfill their projects. In Barking & Dagenham, Eastbury Primary School’s ‘Do your bit, let’s get fit’ initiative will include a family fitness day to get everyone off the sofa and involved in fit and fun activities. The competition was part of the Mayor’s Fund for London’s City Pitch initiative which also included a Leadership Day for 60 pupils in each school to prepare the budding entrepreneurs for their final pitch. Find out more about the competition at www. mayorsfundforlondon.org.uk/citypitch.

Young Gardeners of the Year A green-fingered London pupil was a finalist in the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Young School Gardener of the Year 2017 competition at the awards ceremony held in July. Eleven-year-old Cody-Marie Cass from South Grove Primary School in Walthamstow competed in the 7-11 year-old age category of the national competition, which aimed to unearth the next generation of star gardeners. Cody was nominated for her dedication to her school’s garden area, ‘The Secret Garden’. Working with teachers and parents, Cody has developed a passion for growing rocket and tomatoes and regularly shows younger children how to undertake tasks. She has also developed an understanding of the links between fresh produce and cooking, creating a tasty potato curry from the garden’s produce. As part of the judging process, Cody-Marie and the other finalists created a five-minute video showcasing their passion for gardening. The film included supportive statements from teachers and fellow pupils about her love of gardening. For being crowned RHS Young School Gardener of the Year 2017, Cody will have the opportunity to spend the day working with RHS gardeners and receive tickets to an RHS event. Her school will receive a whole host of gardening equipment, vouchers and seeds to continue with their gardening project. Schools and youth organisations can sign up to RHS Campaign for School Gardening online at www.rhs.org.uk/ schoolgardening.

For thousands more ideas visit www.primarytimes.net

D&B Management are celebrating 25 years of securing jobs for their clients in TV, Film and the West End. After another successful year, D&B are now on the lookout for the potential stars of 2018. To name a few, here’s a taste of D&B’s recent success. Matt Terry ended 2016 with a bang by winning The X Factor. Will Tilston hits the screens this autumn as Christopher Robin in Fox’s feature film ‘Goodbye Christopher Robin’ starring Margot Robbie and Domhnall Gleeson. Nick James won a BAFTA Award for Best Performer for his role as Hank Zipzer in the CBBC Series. Making everyone proud each weekday evening, Jacqueline Jossa (Lauren Branning), Tilly Keeper (Louise Mitchell) and Zack Morris (Keegan Baker) are regulars in EastEnders.You can also watch Carma Hylton, currently on CBBC’s The Dumping Ground as Candi-Rose. D&B’s clients appear in films such as A Monster Calls, Bridget Jones’ Baby alongside Renee Zellweger, Ab Fab the Movie and TV shows such as The Worst Witch, The Alienist, The Child in Time with Benedict Cumberbatch, Call the Midwife, Cradle to Grave and Not Going Out. D&B are also thrilled to continuously have clients in West End Musicals and to have their clients secure over 150 TV Commercials a year. Everyone at D&B is incredibly proud of their clients, putting their success down to excellent training, support and outstanding industry contacts. Make a big step into the acting industry and see what you can achieve with D&B Management.Visit www.dandbperformingarts.co.uk/ management for more information.

Chrysalis Care

There’s a special invitation waiting for you from the UK’s leading Independent Fostering Agency. It’s back to school - the beginning of a new adventure. For many parents, it also means the beginning of a new phase. Chrysalis Care are about to celebrate twenty years of new phases, transforming the lives of children and young people across London, Kent, Essex, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire and they are inviting you to explore becoming a foster carer. With Chrysalis Care, you benefit from expert 24 hour advice, guidance, training and support and can rest assured that you are working with a pioneering fostering agency, founded by a couple who themselves fostered for fifteen years. If you have a spare room, a heart for children and young people and are ready for a new adventure, please contact Crysalis Care to speak with one of their knowledgeable staff members today on 020 8298 2800.You can also email info@ chrysaliscare.org or by visit them at www.chrysaliscarefostering.org.

Design the Primary Times Christmas Card! Every year, we at Primary Times send out thousands of Christmas cards and we’d like you to help us create the picture for this year’s card. It can be any picture you like to do with Christmas in some way.You might like to make it Father Christmas, a snowman, Rudolf with his red nose or maybe a nativity scene. You can draw or paint your picture on an A4 or A5 piece of card or paper. Our picture shows our card from last year which was designed for us by Sanuli Athauola from White Meadows Primary School. Send your entry along with your name, age, address, school and telephone number to: Christmas Card Competition, Primary Times, 7 Southbrook Mews, London, SE12 8LG or you can scan it and email your entry to competitions@primarytimes.biz with ‘Christmas Card’ as the subject by Friday 3 November. Teachers and schools are very welcome to send in a whole class’s entries in a single envelope.The winner will see their design used for the Primary Times Christmas card and will also receive fifty copies of the card with envelopes. Follow us on Twitter - @PT_LondonSandE

Fabula Festival

News

Stars of the Screen and Stage

A celebration of libraries and the arts! Join us for a weekend of fun at Redbridge Central Library Clements Road, Ilford Saturday 14 & Sunday 15 October • live theatre • storytelling • author events • writing workshops • technology workshops • arts and crafts • Monsters Ball

To find out more & to book visit www.redbridge.gov.uk/events

Win a box of books for your school Primary Times are offering schools the chance to win a selection of great books for their library. We have a whole box full of titles from super stories to fun educational books. We have several boxes of books to give away and the titles in each may differ.

To have a chance of winning a box of books just tell us the name of your favourite author. Send your answer along with your name, age, school, address and phone number to Box of Books Competition, Primary Times, 7 Southbrook Mews, London, SE12 8LG or email your answer and details to competitions@primarytimes.biz with ‘Box of Books‘ as the subject by Friday 22 September. 4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

What’s On Your family diary until October Half Term Ongoing Learn to Fish Carp Academy, Nr Brentwood, RM14 1TS Kids aged 7 upwards will learn how to fish for big carp from a qualified and licenced coach in a safe, friendly and stunningly beautiful environment. All equipment hire and bait are included in the price of just £34.99 per 3 hr session. Booking essential. For more information visit www.learntofish. co.uk

Every Mon

Storytelling Club, The Liberty Shopping Centre, Romford, RM1 3RL 10-10.30am. Enjoy a fun, free story time for children every Monday morning at Starbucks. Under 5s. For more information visit www. theliberty.co.uk

Every Tues (Term Time)

Baking Class, Little Fingers Baking, Harold Hill, RM3 8JT 9.30-10.30am. Children aged 2-5 will have lots of fun baking some delicious healthy food and sweet treats too. Charges apply. For more information and to book call 07941 416 585 or email littlefingersbaking@hotmail.com

Every Sat

Framed Film Club, Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8DS Family audiences can enjoy the latest and greatest films from all over the world, including special shorts programmes. On the last Sat of every month young audience members can explore film through all of the art forms with highquality participatory arts activities. To book visit www.barbican.org.uk

Until 9 Sep

Animal Agents, Redbridge Libraries Sign up with your local Redbridge library for this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, featuring a whole host of clever creatures ready to solve all kinds of crimes. For more information visit www. redbridge.gov.uk/libraries Until 26 Sep

In Search of Gold, Valentines Mansion, Ilford, IG1 4XA Valentines Mansion will open a new exhibition featuring local artist Eliyah Qureshi from Barkingside. In Search of Gold is portraiture

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

which gives prominence to bees, subtly crafted from gold acrylic and ink. For more information visit www.valentinesmansion.com

Until 30 Sep

Totally Thames Festival, Various Locations Totally Thames brings the river to life with a month-long season of river-related events - art, music, open days, family fun, talks, walks and boats galore. For more information and to view the full programme of events visit www. totallythames.org

The City’s Ebb and Flow, City Information Centre, St Paul’s Churchyard, EC4M 8BX (Selected dates) 11am. Go on a walking tour exploring how the Thames has shaped London. Tickets available on the day only. For more information visit www. totallythames.org

Until 8 Oct

Forest Charter 800 for All, Queen Elizabeth’s Hunting Lodge, Chingford, E4 7QH Included in this exhibition will be newly commissioned illustrations, activity sheets and a window into what people wanted to do in forests, 800 years ago. Free. No booking required. For more information visit www. cityoflondon.gov.uk

Until 20 Oct

Defend the Tower, The Tower of London, EC3N 4AB 11.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. England’s greatest medieval fortress, is under attack from all sides! You must help the heroic guards defend the mighty castle against its most dangerous enemies from 200 years of medieval conflict. For more information visit www. hrp.org.uk/tower-of-london

Our listings are prepared a long time in advance. To make sure you have the latest details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure they haven’t changed

“

I saw your event in Primary Times.... Please mention you saw the event listed in Primary Times Until 29 Oct

”

Fun at Lee Valley Park Farms, Waltham Abbey, EN9 2EF

10am-5pm. The farm has plenty of adventure activities with play areas, toboggan rides, meet the animals, a chance to become an archaeologist - discovering the ancient bones buried in the new Dino Dig area and lots more. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.lvfarms.co.uk

Until 31 Dec

The Big Barbican Adventure, Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8DS 10am. Explore the Barbican in this do-it-yourself adventure trail for families. Set off to discover the secrets of the Barbican through cryptic clue solving, drawing and games. Free. For more information visit www.barbican.org.uk

Until 25 Feb

A Lifetime in Stories, V&A Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA Michael Morpurgo: A Lifetime in Stories will look at Morpurgo’s life and writing process as well as the lives he has created for some of his remarkable characters. Free admission. For more information visit www.vam.ac.uk/moc

September Tues 5 Sep

Lee Valley Aquathlon, Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross, EN9 1AB From 6.30pm.Visit Lee Valley White Water Centre for the final instalment of this year’s Lee Valley Aquathlon series. Novices and experienced triathletes can challenge themselves in the Aquathlon events which take place within Lee Valley Regional Park. For more information and to book visit www.gowhitewater.co.uk

Wed 6 Sep

Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Victoria Park, E3 5TB 12noon-3pm. Take along your favourite teddy and a picnic and enjoy storytelling, fun games and interactive music. Ages 0-5. Book on 020 7364 7968. For more information visit www. towerhamlets.gov.uk

Fri 8 Sep

International Literacy Day, Redbridge Libraries Drop in to make yourself a bookmark or book cover to celebrate International Literacy Day. Free, just turn up. Suitable for 5 to 12 years. For times, more information and a list of participating libraries visit www. redbridge.gov.uk/libraries

Late Night Opening, RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ 9.30am-dusk. The reserve will remain open till dusk so that you can go along and soak up the tranquillity of the marsh as the day starts to fade. In the evening there will be Bat experts onsite and moths traps will be set at 9pm. For more information visit www.rspb. org.uk/rainham

Wordsearch Wizardry, Wanstead Library, E11 2RQ 3.30-4.30pm. Join in some wordsearch fun on International Literacy Day. For more information visit www.redbridge.gov.uk

Sat 9 Sep

Artists in the Gallery, Museum of London Docklands, E14 4AL 12noon, 1pm and 3pm. Take a closer look at some of the hidden treasures in the museum and discover what these items tell us about the past. Ages 5+. Free, drop in event. For more information visit www.museumoflondon.org.uk/ museum-london-docklands

Great River Race, Various Locations 11.30am-7pm. This spectacular 21.6 mile race for traditional boats up the River Thames from Millwall to Ham attracts crews from all over the globe. A great fun day out for competitors and spectators alike. Starting point: Millwall Slipway. Free. For more information visit www.totallythames.org

For lots more What’s On ideas see page 12... For thousands more ideas visit www.primarytimes.net

If you had booked this space 54,000 families could be reading all about your business Don’t delay, call Sarah-Jane today

Learn to Swim - Love to Swim

Autumn Term Swimming Lessons in Royal Docks, E16 Tower Hamlets E1 4 children per class BOOK NOW

www.lovetoswim.co.uk enquiries@lovetoswim.co.uk 020 3006 6189

Remember...Swimming is a great skill that will benefit you or your child for life!

020 8318 0400

We can provide you with a great opportunity to help transform

GOLF “FUN” @ CROWLANDS PUBLIC GOLF CENTRE WOOD LANE, DAGENHAM, ESSEX RM8 1JX (OPPOSITE CENTRAL PARK) TEL: 020 8984 7373 www.crowlandsheath.co.uk

“FREE” Bucket of Balls with This Voucher

children’s lives  You don’t have to be married  You don’t need to be employed  You don’t need a big house

SPLASH BALLS INTO OUR EXCITING “WATER” RANGE

 You do need a spare room and space in your life to help a vulnerable child to achieve As a Chrysalis Care foster carer you will receive:  24-hour professional support  Excellent remuneration  Job satisfaction  Comprehensive training  Access to a range of children’s services We are also looking for specialist foster carers who can provide a home to teenagers, a parent and child, children with disabilities and carers who are interested in remand fostering.

If you are considering becoming a foster carer, or would like to find out more about us,

please call: 020-8298 2800 or visit our website: www.chrysaliscarefostering.org

We’ve joined Instagram! #FollowUs for posts about places and events in South London, East London, Kent and Sussex!

@primarytimesse

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

Family Theatre

Underbelly Festival, Southbank Box Office: www. underbellyfestival.com Until 24 Sep

Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Dance Hall

Family Theatre Guide Broadway Barking Box Office: 020 8507 5607 30 Sep

Anyday

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch Box Office: 01708 443 333 16 Sep

Follow two friends in their funny, Papalarny the Magic bouncing daily routine, with Man breathtaking trampoline skills Papalarny will be creating and hilarious clowning, mind-blowing balloon in a brilliant and Enjoy models and unique new show the show! performing his for all the family. And don’t hilarious family forget to say magic show. You’ll Central go home with a you saw it in Library creation of your Primary own. Ages 2-8. Redbridge

Box Office: www. monstro.uk 11 Oct

Times!

Bookstory

Using song, puppetry and dynamic performance, Book Story is the latest musical show from MONSTRO Theatre, the Pioneers of the Puppet Musical. Ages 6+.

Half Moon Young People’s E1 Box Office: 020 7709 8900 www.halfmoon.org.uk 22 – 23 Sep

Butterflies

An uplifting tale of friendship, courage and how to dance in the rain, told using innovative staging, breathtaking physicality, touching humour and a specially commissioned musical score. Ages 3-7.

29 – 30 Sep Jump on board the ingenious and cleverly crafted wagon of fairytales in this spellbinding new musical play for children aged 3-8 and their families.

13 – 14 Oct A squawking adventure that follows a young bird’s frantic and funny journey towards independence, and his relationship with his fine-singing father. Ages 3-8.

Fagin’s Twist

A tale you think you know unravels and explodes. Street dance meets Victorian workhouse in this innovative take on Dickens’ much-loved tale. Ages 8+.

Redbridge Drama Centre

The Old Vic SE1 Box Office: 08448 717 628 7 Sep – 5 Oct

Tales from the Shed

Chickenshed’s vibrant, interactive show is full of colourful puppets, live songs and enchanting stories, and is perfect for young children.

15 Oct – 5 Nov

Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax

Adapted for the stage by David Greig with music and lyrics by Charlie Fink, Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax is a brilliant riot of eyepopping colour, gorgeous puppetry and infectious music to enchant adults and children alike.

Box Office: 020 8708 8803 5 Oct

The Hunting Of The Snark

The impossible voyage of an improbable crew to hunt an imaginary creature is brought magically to life in this sparkling musical comedy adventure for 4 to 94 year olds.

Stratford Circus Box Office: 020 8279 1080 19 – 30 Sep

The Hartlepool Monkey

Three

Flit, Flap & Fly

21 – 23 Sep

Celebrating 5 years of baby boogieing on London’s Southbank, join our resident dj-mumma, Monski Mouse and her Dancers for 50 minutes bopping family fun. Ages 0-5.

A boisterous crew tell this timely tale through spirited sea shanties and mischievous puppetry from Gyre & Gimble, original puppeteers on War Horse and the team behind Running Wild. Ages 10+.

19 – 21 Oct

1001 Fireflies

All alone and feeling powerless Peta sets sail on an epic adventure rescue mission including a hungry polar bear, luminous fish and a worrying lack of sandwiches. Ages 2-8.

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

Greenwich Theatre Box Office: 020 8858 7755 24 Sep

The Hunting of the Snark

Side-splittingly funny, joyful, fast-paced and bursting with a soundtrack of witty songs by an award-winning songwriter, The Hunting of the Snark is a tour de force that‘ll delight, excite and entertain.

1 Oct

The Sandman

A contemporary ballet inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen tale of Ole Lukøje and features an original score by composer Tim Mountain. Ages 7+.

23 Oct

The Three Musketeers

Chaos, mayhem and stupidity reign supreme as children’s comedy trio the Three Half Pints swish their swords, buff their boots and flourish their feathers in their most ridiculous adventure yet. Ages 5+.

Unicorn SE1 Box Office: 020 7645 0560 24 Sep – 12 Nov

Laika

A moving sci-fi adventure, inventively and beautifully told using puppetry, movement and music. Ages 6-12.

1 Oct – 5 Nov

Beowulf

An exciting, adventurous and atmospheric new interpretation of the longest surviving epic poem in Old English, performed with live music. Ages 8-13.

Nativity! The Musical Your favourite festive film is now a major new musical adapted for the stage by Debbie Isitt, the creator of the much-loved films. Every child in every school has one Christmas wish, to star in a Nativity, and at St Bernadette’s School they’re attempting to mount a musical version! Only trouble is teacher Mr Maddens has promised that a Hollywood producer is coming to see the show to turn it into a film. Join him, his teaching assistant the crazy Mr Poppy, hilarious children and a whole lot of sparkle and shine as they struggle to make everyone’s Christmas wish come true. Feel-good, funny and full of yuletide joy, Nativity! The Musical features all of the favourite sing-a-long hits from the films including Sparkle and Shine and a whole host of new songs filled with the spirit of Christmas. It’s the perfect feel-good comedy for all the family. Nativity! The Musical is on at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith from 13 - 17 December. Tickets are available from the Box Office on 08442 494 300. For more information, visit www.nativitythemusical.com

13 – 17 DEC 0844 249 4300 eventimapollo.com | eventim.co.uk

Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.

ANTI-LICE The efficacy of nature

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The Puressentiel® Anti-Lice Lotion with tested efficacy* to naturally get rid of lice, larvae and nits, even the most resistant ones. Tough on lice, gentle on hair and on the environment, this 100% natural lotion combines vegetable oils which suffocate the lice, larvae and nits with essential oils to soothe irritated scalps.

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2017_08 ANTI-POUX_PUB PRIMARY TIMES SEPT_UK v2 OK.indd Follow us on Twitter - @PT_LondonSandE

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

01/08/2017 17:55

Whatever the Weather!

Fun Days Out with the Family

Slide and Glide at Lee Valley Ice Centre

If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly activity then Lee Valley Ice Centre’s skating sessions are a great way to spend a few hours together. Anyone can have a go in the daily sessions and even little ones can build their confidence with skate aids (for under 5s). New toddler courses bring a fun and active learning environment onto the ice which helps develop agility, balance and co-ordination. For those who want to develop their skating skills, Learn to Skate courses will help perfect techniques while making friends. Courses are available as six week term time courses or as shorter

school holiday courses – all offering great coaching at fantastic prices. If that’s not enough to get your kids on the ice, try some birthday party fun. Let kids lace up their skates and take to the ice for fun games with their very own party host followed by skating and a party meal. Public skating sessions start from £6 for juniors and £10 for adults including skate hire. Skate aids are an additional hire fee of £5. Find out more about session times, courses and parties at www. visitleevalley.org.uk or call 03000 030 624.

Picture This at National Gallery

If you’re planning a trip to the National Gallery, the beautifully illustrated Picture This (£5) by Paul Thurlby is the perfect companion and is a fantastic way to learn more about the masterpieces and the stories behind them. Including famous works by the great painters - Rembrandt, Rubens,Velázquez, Degas and many others - the book features stunning reproductions, fascinating facts and behind-the-scenes tours, as well as games and activities inspired by the art.

Ice skating at Lee Valley Ice Centre

Learn to Skate courses | Skating sessions Disco sessions | Birthday parties Book today

visitleevalley.org.uk/iceskating

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

Open House Junior

Inspiring the next generation of Londoners about the great buildings of the city, the Open House Junior programme, running on the 16 and 17 September, is full of fun architectural activities and exploration trails for children and their families. The free event is located at various Open House venues across London such as City Hall and Paddington central, hosting a range of activities across the weekend. Highlights of the event include the City of a Thousand Architects at City Hall where children can plan, design and build a future London skyline from the heights of London’s Living Room. The new Paddington Central festival hub has plenty to engage little minds from the City of Bridges, where children can construct a gigantic city of bridges, to fan favourite On Your Marks, Get Set, Go, LEGO!, a competition to build the biggest LEGO superstructure. Over the weekend, many other Open House buildings will also be hosting drop-in activities and exploration trails for children and their families across London. The Open House events will be taking place all over London and all events are free to attend. For more information, visit www. GRUFFALO primary times ad.aw.pdf 1 15/08/2017 15:08 openhouselondon.org.uk.

Falconry Displays and Ferret Racing at Countryside Live

Entertain the whole family at Countryside Live. This family friendly event is filled with activities, shows and stalls to keep you all busy. Discover the fascinating world of the countryside through arena displays, arts and crafts, demonstrations and more. Learn how to survive in the wild with bushcraft skills, find out how sheep get sheared, explore new ways to keep the family active in the keep fit zone and enjoy a delicious lunch from one of the many food stalls including mouthwatering cakes from the East End Women’s Institute.You’ll also be able to buy produce to take home with you from other foodie exhibitors. If that’s not enough, keep the kids busy with willow weaving, and craft activities where they can make their own bird feeder, sculptures or even a smoothie. Countryside Live is held at Leyton Marsh on Saturday 30 September and Sunday 1 October and is free for children (under

Whatever the Weather!

16). Adults cost £5 or £7 for a two day pass. Book online and save 10%. For more information visit www.visitleevalley.org.uk.

You can also colour your way through some of the amazing old master pictures from the National Gallery with Katie, the star of James Mayhew’s much-loved Katie books. Get Colouring with Katie (£4.99) is a perfect introduction to the wonderfully exciting world of art. Pick up your colouring pencils and pens and follow the ever-curious Katie round the gallery. Both books are available from the National Gallery Shop or by mail order so you can get yours in time for your trip. For more information visit www.nationalgallery.org.uk.

Countryside Live 30 September – 1 October Leyton Marsh

Arena displays | Animal encounters | Arts & crafts Town and country combine with an ideal day out for explorers and wildlife lovers – perfect for all the family. Book online and save 10%

visitleevalley.org.uk/countrysidelive Leyton Marsh, Lea Bridge Road, Leyton E10 7QL

Gruffalos, Dragons & other Creatures

Adults £5 U16 go

FREE!

CMY

Call us on 020 8536 5555 or visit us at discover.org.uk 383 – 387 High Street, Stratford, London, E15 4QZ © Discover Children’s Story Centre 2016 Registered Charity Number 1070468

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

What’s On

More What’s On

Your family diary until October Half Term

September Storytelling Walks, Langthorne Park, Leytonstone, E11 4YG 10-11am. Take part in a free, fun storytelling walk led by performer and theatre maker Danusia Samal. For more information visit www. walthamforest.gov.uk

Summer Reading Challenge Awards Ceremony, Dagenham Library, RM10 9QS 2-4pm. Enjoy an afternoon of celebrations and magic with Darren the magician. Children that have completed the Summer Reading Challenge can collect their certificates and medals at the awards ceremony. Free, drop in event. For more information visit www.lbbd.gov.uk

Kids Birdwatching Club, RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ 10am-12.30pm. Join in on these special days held once a month to explore the reserve through the seasons, watching and learning about the birds that live and visit there. For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk/rainham

Roald Dahl Day, Redbridge Libraries Go along to celebrate Roald Dahl Day and his creations with a themed craft event. Free, just turn up. Suitable for 4 to 12 years. For times, more information and a list of participating libraries visit www. redbridge.gov.uk/libraries

Sat 9 – Sun 10 Sep

Classic Boat Festival, St. Katharine Docks, E1W 1LA 12noon-6pm. Join the 9th annual Classic Boat Festival for your chance to climb on board over 40 vintage sailing and motor yachts not usually open to the public. Free. For more information visit www.totallythames.org

Sun 10 Sep

Hackney One Carnival, Various Locations Join in as the procession dances its way along Queensbridge Road, Richmond Road, Mare Street, Amhurst Road and Dalston Lane between 1.30-5pm. There will also be entertainment in Hackney Town Hall Square and Gillett Square during the day. For more information visit www.hackney. gov.uk

Annual Closure, Thames Barrier, Woolwich, SE18 5NJ Go along to see the Thames Barrier in action at this annual test

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

closure.You can also build your very own barrier model and see if you can complete the giant jigsaw. For times and more information visit www.gov.uk/guidance/thethames-barrier

Red and Green Rover, Epping Ongar Railway This year’s bus event, centred on North Weald station and evoking the spirit of Red and Green Bus Rovers, will not just feature vintage buses from the era but will also provide opportunities to ride on many of these buses. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.eorailway.co.uk

Best of Music Fest, Valentines Mansion Gardens, Ilford, IG1 4XA 11am-3.30pm. A feast of musical pleasures will be provided by many high quality musicians and singers from in and around Redbridge, mixing folk and jazz, soft rock and classical, pop and country, and everything around and in-between. Free. For more information visit www.redbridge.gov.uk

Mini Fair, RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ 9.30am-5pm. Stallholders around the Visitor Centre will have lots of fabulous handmade creations such as cards, jewellery, textiles, photography and art. Keep the kids happy with children’s crafts while you browse. Free. For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk/ rainham

Wed 13 Sep

The Secret Life of John Wesley, John Wesley’s House, EC1Y 1AU 11am-3pm. Find out how people lived in 18th century London by speaking to the re-enactors inside the house. There will be baking down in the kitchen for you to taste and you can also learn how people made handmade lace. Free admission. For more information visit www.wesleysheritage.org.uk

Our listings are prepared a long time in advance. To make sure you have the latest details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure they haven’t changed

“

I saw your event in Primary Times.... Please mention you saw the event listed in Primary Times Thurs 14 Sep

”

Sinbad the Sailor, William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow, E17 4PP

10-11.30am and 1-2.30pm. Join in on an adventure across the seas as you recreate and make a seafaring tale of Sinbad the Sailor. Under 5s. For more information and to book visit www.wmgallery.org.uk

Fri 15 Sep

Toy Story, Haven House Children’s Hospice, Woodford Green, IG8 9LB From 6pm. Join in this family night movie special to re-live the classic adventures of Buzz Lightyear and Woody. Before the film starts at 7.30pm, there will be family fun, a BBQ and pre-film entertainment. For more information and to book visit www.havenhouse.org.uk

Exotic Animal Encounter, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch, RM12 6DF 7pm. Join Essex Wildlife Trust and the Kent Owl Academy for a talk and the chance to meet some exotic animals. Charges apply. Booking essential on 01708 520 364. For more information visit www.essexwt.org.uk

Sat 16 Sep

Family Activities, Tower Bridge Exhibition, SE1 2UP 10.30am-4pm. Join in some fun, hands-on family activities at Tower Bridge. Admission charges apply. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.towerbridge. org.uk

Thames Sailing Barge Parade, Various Locations From 12noon. The Thames Sailing Barges will lock out of West India Dock and head up river towards Tower Bridge. There they will create an amazing sight at midday as Tower Bridge will lift, almost fully, and the barges parade into the Pool of London. For more information visit www. totallythames.org

Wildfood Walk, Victoria Park, E3 5TB 1.30-3.30pm. Join Ken Greenway from Friends of Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park on an interactive walk to learn about and forage for seasonal wild food. See, taste, smell, collect and eat. Book on 020 7364 7968. For more information visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

ThamesFest, The Rivergate Centre, Barking, IG11 0FJ 11am-5pm. The festival brings an exciting range of outdoor arts to the borough, including performances from the Royal Opera House, international street theatre, a dance piece inspired by mythical water creatures, workshops, immersive walking experiences and much more. For more information visit www. totallythames.org

Storytelling Walks, Lloyd Park, E17 4PP 10-11am. Take part in a free, fun storytelling walk led by Amy Mason, previous writer in residence at Walthamstow Library. For more information visit www. walthamforest.gov.uk

Films in the Forest, Gilwell Park, Chingford, E4 7QW Nothing beats watching your favourite movie in the great outdoors. Movies and show times: 12noon Trolls (U), 2.30pm Zootropolis (PG) and 9pm Grease (PG). BBQ available all day. For more information and to book visit www. towntocountry.co.uk

Mammal Morning, The Grange Farm Centre, Chigwell, IG7 6DP 7.30am. Join in for a close encounter with some of the small mammals found on the reserve. Including small mammal trapping, track identification and owl pellet dissection, all followed by a hot breakfast. Ages 7+. Booking essential on 01992 564 224. For more information visit www. essexwt.org.uk

Go Wild Family Club, East Ham Nature Reserve, E6 6HN 12noon-2.30pm. Learn all about the different seasons, how the plants and trees grow throughout the year and see what the animals and minibeasts are up to. Meet at the visitor centre. Free. No need to book. For more information visit www.activenewham. org.uk

Bow Beasties, Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park, E3 4PX 10.30am-12.30pm. Experience the magic of woodlands and wildlife with seasonal, outdoor, nature activities and games for children and families. Ages 3-12. Meet at the Soanes Centre. For more information visit www.fothcp.org

Open House London, Rainham Hall, Havering, RM13 9YN 11am-4pm. Open House London is a celebration of the capital’s architecture, enabling free public access to amazing places like Rainham Hall. For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ rainham-hall

For lots more What’s On ideas see page 26...

Choosing your New School with

A Pull Out and Keep Feature The Primary Times 2017 Choosing your New School feature – the definitive guide to open days for that all important decision.

SIR JOHN CASS

RED COAT SCHOOL

Stepney Way, London E1 0RH • www.sjcr.net

AAN N OOUTSTANDINGSCHOOL U T S T A N D I N G S C H O O L IN I N THE T H EHEART H E A R TOFOLONDON’S F L O N D O N ’EAST S E A SEND T END

Choosing your New School

Extra-curricular Activities

Not all learning takes place in the classroom, and it’s often in after school clubs that your child discovers something they are passionate for and may even want to pursue as a career. Extra-curricular clubs also open your child up to new friendship groups as well as potentially being beneficial to their mainstream education.

7. Discipline

We all respond to discipline in different ways. Some thrive under supervision and strict rules whereas others find this limiting and hard to work under. Make sure to find out what disciplinary structures are in place at each school and determine which would work most effectively with your child.

The end of the summer holidays marks the beginning of the latest adventure in your child’s life – choosing a secondary school. This task doesn’t have to be a chore however. You and your child can work together to find the perfect place for them to learn, explore and grow. Here is a list of Primary Times’ top ten tips for choosing a school. 1.

Make a List

Even if you think you know which school you want to send your child to, it’s important to visit a few just in case, even if it’s just to reaffirm your original choice. Even the best schools can suit some children more than others. Once you have a list of schools in your area, check to make sure each one is logistically possible – does your child meet the entry requirements? Will they be able to travel there easily?

Open Days

League Tables and Ofsted

Grades and Statistics

Obviously it’s a good idea to visit all the schools you’re thinking of sending your child to. Pay special attention to the environment – you know your child better than anyone so you know best what working atmosphere is most effective for them. Chat to students as well as teachers. It’s good to know that the people teaching want to be there, but if you want a more honest perception of the school you’re more likely to get it from the students. One of the most important things to look for is whether they’re happy – a happy child inevitably means a better education. With all the statistics floating around about schools, it’s hard to know which to trust. Ultimately these reports aren’t everything, especially as their conclusions are usually based on a few days in a school, but they are all still worth looking at. There is a great resource on the government’s performance information website (head to www.gov.co.uk) which gives a detailed and clear analysis of schools in your area. Of course it’s important to look at the grades the school has been achieving, remember to look at the overall statistics as opposed to just the ones from recent history. Final exam results may depend more on the calibre of the original than anything else but tables which purport to show ‘added value’ also have their drawbacks. Each school year can fluctuate significantly depending on the mix of students, so just because results have gone up/down in the last couple of years, it doesn’t mean the overall standard of teaching has. Look at the general pattern of results and compare these to others in the area.

Word of Mouth

Chat to other parents and locals about the different schools. They may know things (both good and bad) which the schools themselves may not have mentioned. It’s always good to hear from other parents what they wish they had/hadn’t done in hindsight and which questions they wish they’d asked. 14

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

Equal Opportunities

Where are their friends going?

10.

Where will your child be happiest?

If your child needs SEN support or struggles in a certain area, what structures are in place to aid them and to make sure they don’t fall behind? Although this shouldn’t dramatically affect your choice, it is worth taking into consideration. If your child finds making friends difficult then you don’t want to make moving schools harder with the added aspect of socialising. However this could also be a good opportunity for your child to boost their social skills, so it’s worth chatting it through to decide what is best. When going to open days or evenings make sure to note your child’s initial reaction and how this changes over the course of the event. Ultimately if your child is happy then that’s the best outcome, and hopefully that will be reflected in their results as well. Above all remember not to worry – despite what the media may say, the standard of our secondary schools is still very high and in many cases getting higher. You are simply picking the best environment to unlock your child’s potential.

Forest School

Forest School is a school like no other, a city school set within 50 acres of grounds, surrounded by Epping Forest and is London’s only diamond structure school. From the age of 4, boys and girls are taught together in the PrePreparatory School. Pupils then experience single-sex teaching from age 7 to 16, before joining co-educational classes in the Sixth Form. Unlike in single-sex schools, boys and girls can spend time together during breaks and after school using the same social areas and engaging in coeducational co-curricular activities. A diamond structure school offers all the academic benefits of single-sex teaching with all the social benefits of a co-educational school – the best of all worlds. Pupils are continually challenged by a broad curriculum which promotes academic excellence. They are encouraged to discover their own potential and abilities and to become well-informed, knowledgeable and confident life-long learners. The happy, inclusive atmosphere at Forest is a result of the success of the school’s approach, as is the high proportion of pupils who go on to study at leading universities. Forest School believe that pupils who involve themselves in the co-curriculum often excel not only academically but also personally. To encourage pupils to keep trying new things they have developed The Forest Portfolio – a journal of a pupil’s co-curricular achievements from Year 7 through to Sixth Form. With a wide range of exciting co-curricular opportunities for all, there is never an excuse to be bored! Forest School is widely known for its outstanding pastoral care and House system. Housemasters and Housemistresses offer ongoing support and expert guidance in academic, pastoral and co-curricular areas. Small tutor groups enable staff to target age-appropriate support to boys and girls and they welcome regular communication with parents and appreciate the importance of a positive and trusting relationship between school, pupils and parents. Forest School is committed to attracting the ablest and most talented pupils and offers academic and non-academic scholarships at 11+, 13+ and 16+. Pupils who are awarded scholarships may also qualify for bursarial assistance. For more information, visit www.forest.org.uk.

Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s only diamond structure school with single-sex teaching in a co-educational environment for girls and boys aged 4-18. We are a city school with 50 acres of grounds where north east London meets Epping Forest.

Choosing your New School

Forest School

The Open Day will be held on Saturday 23 September 2017 from 8.30am-1.30pm. The Sixth Form Open Evening will take place on Monday 25 September 2017 from 5.00pm-8.00pm.

www.forest.org.uk admissions@forest.org.uk 020 8520 1744 E17 3PY Follow us on Twitter - @PT_LondonSandE

4 Sept - 8 Oct â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;17

Choosing your New School

Making the Step: Primary to Secondary School

At the moment your child is the oldest in the school, but from next September they will suddenly seem so small again. Making that move from primary to secondary school can feel like a giant leap. Education expert and teacher, Dr Stephen Curran, has some helpful tips for parents to get their child through this challenging change.

Be understanding Listen to your child’s apprehensions and help reassure them. If you child has an older sibling or cousin, get them to have a quick chat about what to expect from secondary school. Hearing about the many interesting and exciting aspects of school life will give your child a positive outlook.

Join teams and clubs Encourage your child to take part in the school’s extracurricular activities. Joining school clubs can help build friendships and confidence.

Organisation is key To relieve the stress of the school-run get everything together the night before – materials, books, uniform. Set times for homework to create a structured day and help your child keep up at school. Building a sense of routine at school and home will make your child’s transition from primary to secondary school as smooth as possible.

E m e r s o n A

P a r k

S P E C I A L I S T

S P O R T S

Norlington School

Norlington has long been acknowledged as a high performing school being featured regularly in the top 5% of schools nationally and recognised on three occasions by the Minister of State for Schools for being in the top 100 schools for student academic progress. Not only do Norlington students flourish academically, they also participate enthusiastically in the many extracurricular opportunities which has led to significant success in borough, county and nationwide sporting and academic competitions. This year has seen outstanding success in diverse areas. Norlington thrived in the Big Innovation Challenge where students were presented with the ‘College People Choice Award’ by Prince Andrew at St James Palace after developing a Neighbourhood app concept that updates details of local events for residents. The London wide ‘Count me in’ Maths competition was won by six students against stiff competition. The Year 8 cricket team also won the London Schools’ Championship, beating Alleyn’s Independent School in the Semi Final and City of London in the Final, winning by 10 wickets. Norlington students took the opportunity to represent Essex Cricket on a tour of Spain, promoting cricket to local schools. The school was visited by two cricket greats. The first was Graham Gooch who presented the school with the ‘David and Grace Sheppard award’ which celebrates schools promoting physical, social and emotional development through cricket. This was followed by a visit by the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers who came to speak to the students about his time playing and leading the West Indies Cricket team.

A c a d e m y

C O L L E G E

Raising aspirations, broadening horizons Enterprise and Innovation Specialism

OPEN EVENING Thursday, 14th September 2017 Doors open 5.30pm Head Teacher’s address 5.45pm, 6.30pm and 7.15pm Emerson Park Academy is an oversubscribed and successful specialist sports college situated in the pleasant surroundings of the Ingrebourne Valley. We are a fully inclusive, aspirational and community focussed school.We look forward to showing you around our academy and we will be proud and delighted to welcome you.

Extended school day Strong Art and Music Department Good personal and cultural development

“It’s a dream come true for a school, you should really visit.” - Majid, Year 7

Come for a visit Open morning: 9-10am Wed 20 September Tues 26 September Thurs 5 October Mon 9 October Open evening: 4.30-6.30pm Thurs 21 September

Head Teacher: Mr S McGuinness Wych Elm Road, Hornchurch, RM11 3AD 01708 475 285 www.emersonparkacademy.org

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

02035973670 admissions@wappinghigh.org www.wappinghigh.org

Sir John Cass Red Coat School

Sir John Cass Red Coat School is an Ofsted rated outstanding school in the heart of London’s East End. A co-educational, Church of England and multi-faith school, leading in education for students extending from Years 7 to 11, with the Sir John Cass Sixth Form College focused on post 16 learning. Students at SJCR School make outstanding progress in their learning and examination results and these continue to improve each year. Students’ achievements have been consistently above national average. Indeed they have been well above the national average for the last three years in subjects including English and Mathematics. Pupils’ outstanding outcomes in Key Stages 3 and 4 are directly attributable to the excellent quality of teaching, learning and assessment and progress tracking in the school. In addition, teaching and learning is supported by dedicated staff who provide extra academic and pastoral support to help enhance confidence and progress in students. Students are encouraged to participate in extra-curricular activities with a wide range of options available to them. Some of the most popular include The Equality Group, Debate Club and various music, language and sports clubs. This enables students to enhance their skills which will benefit them outside of the school environment.

Financial Support at Bancroft’s School

Have you ever thought about an independent education for your child, but have been frightened by the fees? At Bancroft’s in Woodford Green they are able to help with school fees for bright children whose family circumstances mean that a Bancroft’s education might otherwise be beyond their reach. Every year, children benefit from means tested scholarships. These provide significant financial help to less well-off families. Such awards are given to children joining Bancroft’s into Year 3 and into Year 7 based on their performance in the entrance tests, interview and their family’s need. Bancroft’s also offer Academic and Music

Scholarships at 11+ and 16+ to talented children regardless of their family’s income. Bancroft’s School, established in 1737, is a fully co-educational, independent day school for children aged from 7 to 18 yrs. Bancroft’s have a fantastic history of academic success in GCSE and A Level and pupils of all ages enjoy varied sporting and co-curricular programmes.

Choosing your New School

Mr Hernandez, Principal of Norlington School told Primary Times, “Norlington is a unique school where the family ethos is the foundation upon which students can go on to achieve great things. Staff and students work tirelessly to realise the school’s aim - to become the number one boys’ school in the country. Our boys deserve it. As the school vision states clearly, Norlington is committed to ensuring every student is ready to take up the challenges and realise the opportunities of the 21st century.”

Bancroft’s have Open Days coming up in the autumn term, so do visit them. You will have the chance to view the fantastic facilities and to talk about the financial support which Bancroft’s may be able to offer your child. Please see the website, www.bancrofts.org, for more information.

Bancroft’s School 611-627 High Road Woodford Green Essex IG8 0RF

A Tradition of Excel lence

7+ OPEN MORNING 2017 For entry September 2018 Saturday 14 October at 10 am to 12 noon Generous Academic, Means Tested and Music Scholarships Available Independent HMC day school Fully co-educational • Ages 7 to 18 • Founded 1737 Tel: 020 8506 6774 • www.bancrofts.org

We ask visitors to arrive by 10am for the Head’s introductory talk. Please note there is limited parking on the School site

SIR JOHN CASS

RED COAT SCHOOL Open Mornings throughout September and October 2017 Book your place at www.sjcr.net

OPEN EVENING Monday 2nd October 2017, 5-7pm

AN OUTSTANDING SCHOOL IN THE HEART OF LONDON’S EAST END Follow us on Twitter - @PT_LondonSandE

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

For thousands more ideas visit www.primarytimes.net

St Marys Lane, RM14 3HS

Settle Road, RM3 9XR

Wych Elm Road, RM11 3AD

Brentwood Road, RM1 2RR

Brackendale Gardens, RM14 3UX

Marlborough Gardens, RM14 1SF

Mayflower Road, RM16 6SA

Lambs Lane South, RM13 9XD

Pettits Lane, RM1 4EH

Cotswold Road, RM3 0TS

Upper Brentwood Road, RM2 6HJ

St Marys Lane, RM14 2RQ

Suttons Lane, RM12 6RT

London Road, RM7 9NX

Coopers Company and Coborn School, The

Drapers Academy

Emerson Park Academy

Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls, The

Gaynes School Language College

Hall Mead School

Harris Academy Chafford Hundred

Harris Academy Rainham

Marshalls Park School

Redden Court School

Royal Liberty School, The

Sacred Heart of Mary Girls’ School

Sanders School, The

St Edwards C of E School

01708 730 462

01708 443 068

01708 222 660

01708 776 105

01708 342 293

01708 724 134

01708 552 811

01375 484 842

01708 225 684

01708 502 900

01708 447 368

01708 475 285

01708 371 331

01708 250 500

01708 452 332

01708 630 002

01708 730 244

01708 441 537

01708 434600

020 8270 4333

020 8270 4200

020 8270 6981

020 8270 6222

020 8724 8219

020 3597 6666

020 8507 4500

020 8270 4567

020 8270 4400

020 8270 4100

www.steds.org.uk

www.sandersschool.org.uk

www.mary.havering.sch.uk

www.royalliberty.co.uk

www.reddencourt.org

www.marshallspark.havering.sch.uk

www.harrisrainham.org.uk

www.harrischaffordhundred.org.uk

www.hallmeadschool.com

www.gaynes.havering.sch.uk

www.fbaok.co.uk

www.emersonparkacademy.org

www.drapersacademy.com

www.cooperscoborn.org.uk

www.campion.havering.sch.uk

www.brittons.havering.sch.uk

www.bowerpark.havering.sch.uk

www.thealbany.biz

See school for details

Open Eve 28 Sept 6-9pm. Open Morn 14 Oct 10am-1pm.

Open Eve 3 Oct 5.30-8.30pm. Head talk 7.30pm.

Open Eve 21 Sept 5.30-9.30pm.

Open Eve 28 Sept 5.30-9.30pm.

Open Eve 4 Oct 6pm.

Open Eve 3 Oct 5.30-8.30pm. Prinicipal talks 6pm & 7.30pm.

Open Eve 28 Sept 5-8pm. Open Morn 26-28 Sept by appt only.

Open Eve 5 Oct at 6pm.

Open Eve 27 Sept 6-9pm.

Open Eve 19 Sept 5.45-9pm. Head talk 6pm & 7pm.

Open Eve 14 Sept at 5.30pm. Head talk 5.45pm, 6.30pm and 7.15pm.

Open Eve 26 Sept 6-8.30pm.

Open Eve 13 Sept 4-8pm.

See school for details

Open Morn 8 Oct. Book daytime tours for w/c 10 Oct .

Open Day 30 Sept.

See school for details

Open Eve 21 Sept 4.30-7.30pm. Head talks 4.45pm and 6.15pm.

Date/Time of Open Days

HAVERING Website www.abbscross.net

Open Eve 5 Oct 5-7pm.

Open Morn 27 & 28 Sept.

Open Eve 28 Sept 6-9pm. Head talk 6.30pm.

Open Eve 13 Sept 7-9pm.

Open Eve 14 Sept 6-9pm.

See school for details

Open Morn 3 Oct 9.15-10.45am. Open Eve 27 Nov 5-8pm. Booking essential.

See school for details

Open Eve 26 Sept 4.30-7.30pm. Open Morn 28 Sept 9.30am-12.30pm.

Open Eve 30 Sept 5-7.30pm. Open Morn 2 Oct 8.45-10.15am (Longbridge Rd site)

Open Eve 11 Oct 5.30-8pm.

Date/Time of Open Days

www.thewarrenschool.net

www.sydneyrussellschool.com

www.robertclack.co.uk

www.secondary.riversidecampus.com

www.jorichardson.org.uk

www.greatfieldsschool.com

www.goresbrookschool.org.uk

www.eastbury.bardaglea.org.uk

www.eastbrookschool.co.uk

www.dp.bardaglea.org.uk

www.barkingabbeyschool.co.uk

www.allsaintsschool.co.uk

Dates correct at time of going to press. Contact the school to confirm details

Wingletye Lane, RM11 3BX

Campion School, The

Whalebone Lane North, RM6 6SB

Warren School, The

Ford Lane, RM13 7BB

Parsloes Avenue, RM9 5QT

Sydney Russell School, The

Havering Road, RM1 4YY

Gosfield Road, RM8 1JU

Robert Clack School of Science

Brittons Academy Trust, The

Riverside Campus, Renwick Rd, IG11 0FU

Riverside School

Bower Park Academy

Castle Green, Gale Street, RM9 4UN

Jo Richardson Community School

Broadstone Road, RM12 4AJ

The Shaftesburys, IG11 7JA

Greatfields School (Gascoigne Prim Annexe)

Albany School, The

Tel

Ripple Road, RM9 6XW

Goresbrook School

Address

Hulse Avenue, IG11 9UW

Eastbury Community School

Abbs Cross Lane, RM12 4YB

Dagenham Road, RM10 7UR

Eastbrook School

Name

School Road, RM10 9QH

Dagenham Park C of E School

Abbs Cross Academy and Arts College

020 8270 4500

Sandringham Road, IG11 9AG

Barking Abbey School

020 8270 4242

Address

Terling Road, Wood Lane, RM8 1JT

Name

All Saints Catholic School

BARKING AND DAGENHAM Tel Website

East London Open Day Directory 2017

Choosing your New School

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

Address

Roman Road, E6 3SQ

Cheering Lane, E20 1BD

Oban Close, E13 8SJ

Pretonia Road, E16 4NP

Forest Lane, E7 9BB

Kingsford Way, E6 5JG

Sussex Road, E6 2PS

St Mary’s Road, E13 9AE

Browning Road, E12 6ET

Rymill Street, E16 2JF

Balaam Street, E13 8AA

Plashet Grove, E6 1DG

Barking Road, E16 4DD

Prince Regent Lane, E16 3HS

Deanery Road, E15 4LP

Pitchford Street, E15 4RZ

St George’s Road, E7 8HU

Boleyn Road, E7 9QD

Upton Lane, E7 9PR

High Road, IG8 0RF

Woodford Bridge Road, IG4 5LP

Caterham Avenue, IG5 0QW

Christie Gardens, RM6 4RS

Harbourer Road, IG6 3TN

Fremantle Road, IG6 2JB

1 Cricklefield Place, 1G1 1FY

Forest Road, IG6 3HB

Loxford Lane, IG1 2UT

Pedley Road, RM8 1XE

Oaks Lane, IG2 7PQ

Aldborough Road South, IG3 8EU

Ley Street, IG2 7BT

Sydney Road, IG8 0TB

Morland Road, IG1 4JU

Cranbrook Road, IG2 6HX

Redbridge Lane West, E11 2JZ

St Barnabas Road, IG8 7DQ

High Road, IG8 9LA

Glengall Road, IG8 0BZ

Name

Brampton Manor Academy

Chobham Academy

Cumberland School, The

Eastlea Community School

Forest Gate Community School

Kingsford Community School

Langdon Academy

Lister Community School

Little Ilford School

Oasis Academy Silvertown

Plaistow Jamia Islamia School

Plashet School

Rokeby School

Royal Docks Community School,The

Sarah Bonnell School

School 21

St Angela’s Ursuline School

St Bonaventure’s Catholic School

Stratford School Academy

Bancroft’s School

Beal High School

Caterham High School

Chadwell Heath Academy

Forest Academy, The

Ilford County High School

Isaac Newton Academy

Kantor King Solomon High School

Loxford School Trust

Mayfield School

Oaks Park High School

Palmer Catholic Academy, The

Seven Kings High School

Trinity Catholic High School

Ursuline Academy Ilford, The

Valentines High School

Wanstead High School

Woodbridge High School

Woodford County High School

Woodford Green Preparatory Sch

http://fc.tchs.uk.net

www.sevenkings.school

www.tpc.academy

www.oakspark.co.uk

www.mayfieldschool.net

www.loxford.net

www.kshsonline.com

www.isaacnewtonacademy.org

www.ichs.org.uk

www.theforestacademy.org

www.chadwellacademy.org.uk

www.ecaterham.net

www.bealhighschool.org.uk

www.bancrofts.org

www.wgprep.co.uk

woodford.redbridge.sch.uk

www.woodbridgehigh.co.uk

www.wansteadhigh.co.uk

www.valentines-sch.org.uk

www.uai.org.uk

See school for details

Open Day 9-13 Oct 9.30am

Open Eve 5 Oct 6-7pm.

See school for details

Open Eve 11 Oct 4.30-7pm. Open Morn 12 Sept & 13 Oct 9-10am.

Open Day 18 Sept & 2 Oct 10am-2.30pm & 4-6.30pm.

Open Morn 7 Oct 10am-12 noon.

See school for details

Open Morn 26 Sept 8-11am. Principal talk 9am.

Open Eve 1 Nov 4-6.30pm.

See school for details

Open Eve 27 Sept

Open Eve 12 Oct 4.30-7.30pm. Open Morn 18 & 19 Oct 9-10.20am.

See school for details

Open Eve 10 Oct 4.30-6.30pm.

Open Eve 12 Oct

Open Eve 20 Sept 4-7pm.

Open Eve 28 Sept 5-7.30pm.

Open Afternoon 10 Nov. Open Morn 3 Feb 2018.

Open Event happened in June.

Open Eve 21 Sept 6-9pm. Tours 25-29 Sept, book via school from 6 Sept.

Open Eve 28 Sept 6-8pm. Open Morn 2-13 Oct 9am-10am.

Open Eve 21 Sept 6.30pm.

Open Eve 27 Sept 6-8pm. Open Afternoon 18 Oct 2-3pm.

See school for details

Open Eve 27 Sept 6-8pm. Open Morn 4 & 11 Oct 9.30-10.30am & 18 Oct 2.15-3.15pm.

Open Eve 4 Oct at 7pm.

Open Eve 5 Oct 5.30-8.30pm

Open Eve 28 Sept 6.45pm. Open Morn 29 Sept 9-10.30am.

See school for details

Open Morn 11 & 19 Oct 8am-12noon.

Open Eve 3 Oct 6-8pm, Principal talk 6pm & 7pm. Open Morn 5, 6 & 9 Oct 9am.

See school for details

Open Eve 19 Sept 5-8pm. Head talk 5.30pm.

See school for details

Open Eve 26 Sept 4.30-6.30pm.

Open Morn 14 Oct 10am-12noon.

REDBRIDGE

www.stratford.newham.sch.uk

www.stbons.org

www.stangelas-ursuline.co.uk

www.school21.org

www.sarahbonnellonline.co.uk

royaldocks.newham.sch.uk

www.rokeby.newham.sch.uk

www.plashet.newham.sch.uk

www.pjischool.co.uk

oasisacademysilvertown.org

www.littleilford.newham.sch.uk

www.lister.newham.sch.uk

www.langdon.newham.sch.uk

www.kingsfordschool.org.uk

forestgate.newham.sch.uk

www.eastlea.newham.sch.uk

www.cumberland.org.uk

www.chobhamacademy.org.uk

www.bramptonmanor.org

Website

Dates correct at time of going to press. Contact the school to confirm details

020 8504 5045

020 8504 0611

020 8504 9618

020 8989 2791

020 8554 3608

020 8554 1995

020 8504 8946

020 8554 8935

020 8590 3808

020 8590 2245

020 8590 5211

020 8514 4666

020 8498 1300

020 8911 6666

020 8551 6496

020 8500 4266

020 8252 5151

020 8551 4321

020 8551 4954

020 8506 6774

020 8471 2415

020 8472 3844

020 8472 6022

020 8262 2121

020 8534 6791

020 7540 2700

020 7540 5620

020 8471 2418

020 8472 7001

020 7059 2500

020 8478 8024

020 8471 3311

020 8471 2411

020 7476 4700

020 8534 8666

020 7540 0400

020 7474 0231

020 3747 6060

020 7540 0500

Tel

NEWHAM Date/Time of Open Days

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

Gosset Street, E2 6NW

352 Commercial Road, E1 0LB

44 Twelvetrees Crescent, E3 3QW

25-33 Bow Road, E3 2AE

100 Manchester Road, E14 3DW

Bright Street, E14 0RZ

Aneurin Bevan Hse, Commercial Rd, E1 1RD

Portman Place, E2 0PX

Richard Street, E1 2JP

Old Bethnal Green Road, E2 6PR

Approach Road, E2 9LY

Stepney Way, E1 0RH

St Pauls Way, E3 4FT

Ben Jonson Road, E1 4SD

31 Brady Street, E1 5DJ

153 Commercial Road, E1 2DA

Terling Close, E11 3NT

Nevin Drive, E4 7LT

Connaught Road, E11 4AB

Blackhorse Lane, E17 5SD

Snaresbrook, E17 3PY

Siddeley Road, E17 4EY

Farmer Road, E10 5DN

Normanton Park, E4 6ES

Handsworth Avenue, E4 9PJ

Shernhall Street, E17 3EA

Markhouse Road, E17 8DN

Seymour Road, E10 7LX

Colworth Road, E11 1JD

Norlington Road, E10 6JZ

Rushcroft Road, E4 8SG

Billet Road, E17 5DP

Church Hill, E17 9RZ

Clifton Avenue, E17 6HL

Green Spring Academy

Bishop Challoner Boys’ School

Bishop Challoner Girls’ School

Bow School

Central Foundation Girls’ School

George Green’s School

Langdon Park School

London Enterprise Academy

Morpeth School

Mulberry School for Girls

Oaklands School

Raine’s Foundation School

Sir John Cass Foundation & Red Coat School

St Paul’s Way Trust School

Stepney Green Maths & Computing College

Swanlea School

Wapping High

Buxton School

Chingford Foundation School

Connaught School for Girls

Eden Girls’ School

Forest School, The

Frederick Bremer Secondary School

George Mitchell School

Heathcote School and Science College

Highams Park School

Holy Family Catholic College

Kelmscott School

Lammas School and Sixth Form

Leytonstone School

Norlington School for Boys

Rushcroft Foundation School

Walthamstow Academy

Walthamstow School for Girls

Willowfield Humanities College

www.wappinghigh.org

www.swanlea.co.uk

stepneygreen.towerhamlets.sch.uk

www.spwt.net

www.sjcr.net

www.rainesfoundation.org.uk

www.oaklands.towerhamlets.sch.uk

www.mulberry.towerhamlets.sch.uk

www.morpeth.towerhamlets.sch.uk

www.londonenterpriseacademy.org

www.langdonparkschool.co.uk

www.georgegreens.com

www.central.towerhamlets.sch.uk

www.bow-school.org.uk

www.bishopchallonerfederation. towerhamlets.sch.uk

www.gsacademyshoreditch.org.uk

020 8527 4065

020 8509 9446

020 8527 3750

020 8531 9231

020 8539 3055

020 8988 7432

020 8988 5860

020 8521 2115

020 8520 0482

020 8527 4051

020 8498 5110

020 8539 6198

020 8498 3340

020 8520 1744

020 8523 1810

020 8539 3029

020 8529 1853

020 8534 3563

www.willowfield.waltham.sch.uk

www.wsfg.waltham.sch.uk

www.walthamstow-academy.org

www.rushcroftfoundation.org

www.norlington.net

www.leytonstoneschool.org

www.lammas.waltham.sch.uk

www.kelmscott.waltham.sch.uk

www.holyfamily.waltham.sch.uk

www.highamsparkschool.co.uk

www.heathcoteschool.com

www.georgemitchellschool.co.uk

www.bremer.org.uk

www.forest.org.uk

www.edengirlswalthamforest.com

www.connaught-school.co.uk

www.chingfordfoundation.org

www.buxtonschool.org.uk

WALTHAM FOREST

020 3597 3670

020 7375 3267

020 7790 6361

020 7987 1883

020 7790 6712

020 8981 1231

020 7613 1014

020 7790 6327

020 8981 0921

020 7426 0746

020 7987 4811

020 7987 6032

020 8981 1131

020 8980 0118

020 7791 9500

020 7920 7900

Tel

Choosing your New School

See school for details

Open Day 16 Sept 10-1pm. Open Eve 12 Oct 6-8.30pm.

See school for details

Open Eve 9 Oct 6-8.30pm.

See school for details

Open Eve 18 Oct 5-8pm. Open Morn tbc

See school for details

Open Eve 5 Oct 5.30-8pm. OpenWeek 9-13 Oct 9.30-10.30am or 11.15am-12.10pm. Booking ess.

Open Eve 28 Sept 6pm.

Open Eve 13 Oct 5.30-8.30pm.

Open Eve 19 Oct 6pm.

Open Eve 10 Oct 5.30-8pm.

Open Eve 4 Oct 5.30-8pm.

Open Day 23 Sept 8.30-1.30pm.

Open Day 18 Oct.

Open Eve 28 Sept 6-8.30pm.

Open Eve 4 Oct 6-8.30pm.

Open Eve 5 Oct 6-8.30pm.

Open Morn 20, 26 Sept, 5, 9 Oct 9-10am. Open Eve 21 Sept 4.30-6.30pm.

Open Morn 25, 29 Sept, 2, 9 Oct. Open Eve 11 Oct.

See school for details

Open Eve 2 Oct 5-7pm. Open Morn 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28 Sept, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19 Oct. Book place via website.

Open Morn 11-15, 22, 26, 29 Sept, 3, 6 Oct 9.15-10.30am. Open Eve 20 Sept 5-7pm. Open Day Sat 16 Sept starts 10am prompt.

See school for details

Open Morn 13, 19, 21 Sept, 3, 6 & 9 Oct. Open Eve 27 Sept.

See school for details

Open Eve 27 Sept 5-7pm. Open Morn 25-29 Sept 9-10.30am.

Open Days 18, 20, 21 Sept 9.30-10.30am. Open Eve 19 Sept 4-7pm.

See school for details

Open Eve 21 Sept 4.30-7.30pm. Open Morn 3-4 Oct 9am

Open Eve 21 Sept 4.30-7.30pm. Open Morn 26 & 27 Sept 9am

Open Morn 19-21 & 26-28 Sept 10am. Open Eve 26 Sept 4pm

Dates correct at time of going to press. Contact the school to confirm details

Address

Name

TOWER HAMLETS Website

Magic Wordsearch

W K Y H O U D I N I

I H I R A B B I E W

Z F T L W V F P C A

A S W K L D Z B A N

R C P E O U R U R D

D F A E Y B S W D P

N M W B L C W I Z A

H A T S W L Z H O M

M A G I C I A N G N

O S O R C E R Y J S

Can you find the following words in the wordsearch - Wand, Hat, Houdini, Card, Magician, Wizard, Illusion, Spell, Sorcery

Spot the Five Differences

What do you call a magician on a plane? A flying sorcerer!

Answers

Find your way:

Magnificent Magicians

Spot the Difference

lown’s

In Picture B there are two stars on the top hat, it says MagicA, there’s a second set of playing cards, the spade and club have been swapped, the girl’s hair has changed colour

Katie

Did you hear about the magical tractor? It turned into a field!

Did you hear about the angry magician? He pulled his hare out!

Draw a picture of the most wacky magician your imagination can think of! Send it to us to have a chance of winning a Primary Times Tee Shirt AND seeing your prize winning entry published in the next Primary Times! Categories: ages 4-7 and 8-11 Name: Age: Address:

Postcode: School:

Send your entry together with this completed form to: Annie's Competition, Primary Times, 7 Southbrook Mews, London, SE12 8LG Closing date: 22 September 2017. Good Luck!

Try and find your way to Mr.Rabbit without waking him up!

ing Back to School o G Personalised Beano Pencil Cases

Going back to school doesn’t have to be a chore for your child. Believe it or not, it can be fun when you pick the right back to school gifts for your child so they’ll be excited to show all their friends. Get your child kitted out and motivated for school with their very own Personalised Comic Strip Beano Pencil Case, with multiple characters to choose from, like Dennis the Menace, naughty Gnasher or mischievous Minnie. For that and other personalised products, visit www.ijustloveit.co.uk.

Lunch Punch

Designed to make sandwiches more fun for children, the Lunch Punch will easily cut through two slices of bread and the filling while keeping the sandwiches light, fluffy and most importantly appealing to your children. The Lunch Punch is dishwasher safe and BPA, Phthalate, PVC and Lead free and is made from FDA certified food-grade plastic which, along with the packaging, is recyclable. Each Lunch Punch pack comes with 4 cutters, all designed to cut as close to the crust as possible ensuring minimum waste but making sandwiches that kids will love. Lunch Punch is available online for £12. For more information visit www.eatwell-uk.co.uk.

Zip and Zoe City Backpacks for Kids

Out of Schoo

Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School

Whether your child wants to increase in self-confidence or dreams of being an actor, the award-winning Anna Fiorentini Theatre & Film School offers an exciting part-time timetable of drama, film, singing and dance, taught by leading industry professionals at branches in Hackney, Docklands and Greenwich. Set up in 2001, the school has an established track record of cultivating excellence, with many students gaining professional TV, film and West End work through the AF Agency. The school is just as proud of their students that have improved academic results because of an increased desire to learn and greater self-esteem. As well as training for 3-4 hours per week, students are encouraged to have fun by taking part in Fiorentini’s Got Talent, joining the Anna Fiorentini Performance Troupe (which tours hospitals and various events), taking LAMDA exams and participating in the annual showcase. As part of the school’s inclusive ethos, children from families that may struggle with fees can apply to the Fiorentini Foundation for

Book for our Free taster days in Sept

Available in a choice of great designs, the lightweight Zip and Zoe City Backpacks come complete with a Zip character keyring and adjustable lightly padded straps that can be clipped together whilst being worn. Inside each bag is a coordinated lining with space to write your child’s name, plus a large pocket on the front helps them keep everything organised for school, sports activities or days out.The backpack also has a handy and durable water bottle pocket on the side of the bag which perfectly fits the optional matching water bottles in which are also available.The City Backpack is machine washable and is suitable for children from 3 years and up. All the products are available from specialist online bag boutique HappyBags as well as other online retailers and selected high street stores. Prices start from £19.95. For more information visit www.happybags.co.uk. 22

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

ol Activities funding. Adults can join in the fun too! Stage and the City offers adult performing arts classes, with profits going to the Fiorentini Foundation, providing bursaries for the children.

To book an obligation-free taster day in September contact hello@ annafiorentini.com. For more information, visit www.annafiorentini. com or www.stageandthecity.com.

Awards at Jigsaw Performing Arts

Nicola Lander, Owner/Founder of Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools has been shortlisted in the SME Growth category for the second year running in the Forward Ladies National Awards sponsored by HSBC. Nicola told Primary Times, “I am delighted to be shortlisted for the Forward Ladies SME Growth Award this year. I really enjoyed being a part of the awards ceremony last year; it was a really inspiring day with some great speakers and I can’t wait to go to this year’s event.” With over 1,000 nominations this year, to be shortlisted for an award is an enormous achievement. Nicola and the

For more information on Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools’ weekend drama, singing and dance classes for students aged 3-18, visit www. jigsaw-arts.co.uk or call 020 8447 4530 and book a two week trial for the autumn term today.

Deborah Day Theatre School Trust

Do you have a child that is vibrant, full of energy, can’t keep still, or sings and dances all the time? If your child is a theatre lover, or a shy youngster looking to make new friends, but money is holding you back, look no further than the Deborah Day Theatre School Trust. With scholarships on offer to new and existing pupils from September, this is great opportunity to benefit from a Theatre School with a 35-year track record of success. Every student at Deborah Day Theatre School enjoys a professional standard of training, as well as classes to suit everyone – from the aspiring stage star to pupils who are simply hoping to gain confidence and be part of something. The scholarship audition will consist of a dance class, singing class and drama class. Each child will need to prepare a poem or monologue, a song (with or without backing track) and, if applying for dance, a solo dance, genre of your choice. All places are means tested and a requirement for the scholarship scheme is that you have a sense of commitment to the project; you must be prepared to attend classes on a weekly basis. The scholarship will be withdrawn after non-attendance on a regular basis. The auditions will take place on Saturday 9 September at 10am at Stratford Academy School. Call 020 8502 6866 or email info@ddtst. com to register and receive an audition application form.

Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools

SCHOOL IN:

Ilford ✴ ✴ ✴

3–18 years

TWO WEEK TRIAL AVAILABLE. BOOK NOW!

020 8447 4530 www.jigsaw-arts.co.uk Follow us on Twitter - @PT_LondonSandE

Out of School Activities

team now look ahead to September’s Regional Final when the winner of the London & the South region will be announced.

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

invertebrates play within the food chain. In the autumn term there will be a competition to accompany the Mission: Invertebrate sessions. The competition invites schools to design their dream invertebrate habitat in their school grounds and the winning school will have aspects of their design created. If you would like to make a booking or to sign up to the competition, visit www.royalparks.org.uk/get-involved/missioninvertebrate.

Start the Year Right with Summit Tuition

Education News

Charlton School Launches Recipe Book of Lessons

Unique recipes for learning are contained in a new ‘cook book’ published by local primary school, Charlton Manor. ‘Now We’re Cooking’ outlines innovative lesson plans which use food and cooking to engage and motivate pupils in subject areas across the curriculum. Charlton Manor Head Teacher Tim Baker wrote the book with Katherine Tate, an education and nutritional consultant known as the Food Teacher, and teaching specialist Marie Reynolds. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has even given it the thumbs up by writing the foreword. The book includes four detailed lesson plans for each year group covering subject areas in English, maths, science, art and design, geography and history. The book is packed full with ideas, suggestions and activities to use food as a learning resource in your classrooms. ‘Now We’re Cooking’ costs £20 + £2 P&P and is available to order now by emailing acoulstock@charltonmanor.greenwich.sch.uk.

Summit Tuition will support your child in the key areas that will best prepare them for the new academic year ahead. Their small, friendly team of qualified and experienced teachers believe that happy children are the best learners. The staff aim to build confidence and raise self-esteem alongside raising academic abilities.Your child will feel at ease in a friendly, positive and nurturing atmosphere in which they feel both welcome and valued. Detailed on-going assessments enable staff to pinpoint the areas of weakness that may be hindering your child’s progress at school so that their tuition is focused and effective. Every lesson is tailored to your child’s individual learning needs. A lesson will be planned specifically for them every week. The small groups of 1 teacher to 5 pupils ensure that your child has a good balance of one to one attention and time to develop those essential independent study skills within a very supportive learning environment.

Discover the Hidden World of Invertebrates

London schools are being invited to join Mission: Invertebrate to discover the hidden wonders of the invertebrate world. Mapped to the National Curriculum, The Royal Parks has developed a schedule of inspirational free sessions for children from Key Stage 1 upwards. Taking place across all eight Royal Parks, the sessions are led by a team of experienced Environmental Educators and have been devised with The Royal Parks’ education partners. With a focus on what an invertebrate is and their form and function, the interactive sessions are tailored to each age group and will take place in the autumn term. The sessions will centre around three topics. The first topic is pollination in which pupils will find out about the role of pollinators in the ecosystem. Then students will learn about the role of detritivores in the process of decay by getting their hands dirty and looking closely at the invertebrate species in the park. Finally, students will explore the parks and participate in activities that will reveal the crucial roles 24

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

Education News

Teachers use a wide range of carefully selected resources that are up to date and reflect the changing requirements of the new Primary and Secondary curriculum. They regularly give quality feedback to parents so they can be involved in their child’s learning journey. Call 020 8472 0465 to book your free assessment and find out how Summit Tuition can help your child’s future success.

Woodford Green Prep School

Established in 1932 as a Christian, co-educational school, Woodford Green Prep School are proud to have been entrusted with delivering a first class education for generations of pupils. They are a forward-thinking, diverse and inclusive community and their approach is to enable children to learn with enthusiasm and flair. Woodford Green want to ensure that each child’s curiosity and love of learning is harnessed, nurtured and developed, so that they are inspired and prepared for their life-long journey of discovery. They promote politeness, hard work, curiosity, creativity and independence. They want every child to do their very best and so are dedicated to ensuring all are given the necessary support and challenge. The school crest is a reminder that they are there to ignite a passion for learning and to ‘let each flame burn brighter.’ For further information please visit www.wgprep.co.uk.

EducationInvestor

Awards 2016

Open Events 7+ Afternoon Friday 10th November 2017 Talk and tour of school in action

Open Morning Saturday 3rd February 2018 Please register interest at www.wgprep.co.uk Bursaries Available

WOODFORD GREEN PREPARATORY SCHOOL EST 1932

Independent Co-educational Day School

www.wgprep.co.uk Tel: 0208 504 5045 Email: admissions@wgprep.co.uk Glengall Road - Woodford Green - Essex - IG8 0BZ 4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

What’s On

More What’s On

Your family diary until October Half Term

September The Emperor’s New Clothes Story Play, Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT 10am. Celebrated Essex storyteller Mike Dodsworth brings popular stories to life – creatively animating the worlds and characters of much-loved tales with lots of imagination and fun. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.queens-theatre.co.uk

British Slalom Open and White Water Weekender, Lee Valley White Water Centre, EN9 1AB From 9am. Watch our Olympic heroes competing back on home water for the first time since the Rio games. The weekend also incorporates a festival of paddle sport that’s free to spectators with a lot of have-a-go activities. For more information visit www. visitleevalley.org.uk

Sat 16 – Sun 17 Sep

Historical and Military Weekend, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch, RM12 6DF 10am-4pm. Join the Park Ranger Mick Greenslade as he walks you through 100 years of history. Step back in time and view artefacts and relics from the former RAF Hornchurch Airfield. Meet with local historians back at the centre. Book on 01708 520 364. www. essexwt.org.uk

Our listings are prepared a long time in advance. To make sure you have the latest details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure they haven’t changed

My Encyclopedia of Very Important Animals A very important person needs a very important book. ‘My Encyclopedia of Very Important Animals’, the follow up to the hugely successful ‘My Encyclopedia of Very Important Things’ published in 2016, is the perfect answer for the inquisitive animal lover in your life. For ages 4 upwards, this chatty, informative book combines beautiful photography with charming illustrations and guides curious kids on an enjoyable, educational journey of discovery through the animal kingdom. Facts and images from birds and frogs to sharks and dogs will feed a child’s imagination and quench their thirst for knowledge, whilst also supporting the KS1 National Curriculum. With a bound ribbon to keep track of where your child has reached on their journey, the book is split into four sections an introduction to animals, fun facts about unusual creatures, animal behaviour and more wonders from the animal world. A durable, hardback cover means that this handy guide will last no matter how much exploring your child does. My Encyclopedia of Very Important Animals is bursting with all sorts of knowledge and loads of important animal facts to set young minds alight. The book will be released on 7 September and is available online and from selected high street retailers for £14.99. 26

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

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I saw your event in Primary Times.... Please mention you saw the event listed in Primary Times

Sun 17 Sep

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Behind the Scenes Tour, V&A Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA

12noon and 2pm. Get a behind the scenes tour with Archivist Gary Haines. See some of the museum highlights and learn about its history within East London, followed by a rare look at the Stores. Ages 10+. For more information and to book visit www.vam.ac.uk/moc

Opera in a Day, LSO St Luke’s, EC1V 9NG 10am-5pm. Spend the day exploring the legend of Faust and join in behind-the-scenes activities looking at what goes in to making an opera. Ages 8+. For more information and to book visit www.lso.co.uk

Sculpture Trail, River Lee Country Park, Cheshunt, EN8 9AJ 10.30am-12.30pm. Another walk to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, with a scenic stroll to explore the River Lee Country Park. Discover a series of sculptures dotted around the area along the way. Free. Meet at Pindar car park. For more information visit www. visitleevalley.org.uk

London Open House, Valentines Mansion, Ilford, IG1 4XA 11am-3pm.Valentines Mansion will take part in the annual national celebrations of buildings and architecture. Free entry. No need to book, just drop in. For more information visit www. valentinesmansion.com

Wanstead Festival, Christchurch Green, E11 2RQ 11am-6pm. The annual festival is delivered by Vision RCL on behalf of Redbridge Council and features live music, culture and a range of family entertainment combined with sporting activities. For more information visit www.redbridge. gov.uk

Meet Artist Eliyah Qureshi, Valentines Mansion, Ilford, IG1 4XA 12noon-2pm. This meet the Artist event will give visitors a chance to see a live session of Eliyah Qureshi completing a work of art. Suitable

for all ages. Free, no need to book. For more information visit www. valentinesmansion.com

The Wildlife Walk, RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ 1pm. Enjoy a wonderful wildlife walk around the marshes. What wildlife will you encounter today? For more information call 01708 899 840 or visit www.rspb.org.uk/ rainham

Guided Tour, Copped Hall, Epping, CM16 5HS Gates open at 10am with last entry at 11am. The tour will cover the whole of the gardens, a large part of the mansion, the cellars and the stables. Delicious tea, coffee and homemade cakes and biscuits will be available in the Racquets Court. For more information visit www. coppedhalltrust.org.uk

Tues 19 Sep

Learn to Draw with Eliyah Qureshi, Valentines Mansion, Ilford, IG1 4XA 4-5pm. Children will be taught how to use basic art tools such as black ink pens, gold brush pens and glue sticks to create their own self-portraits and pictures of bees. Each child will learn to mimic Eliyahs style of art, and take their ‘In Search of Gold’ art pieces home. Ages 5+. For more information and to book visit www.valentinesmansion.com

Sat 23 Sep

Storytelling Walks, Coronation Gardens, Leyton, E10 5NG 10am. Take part in a free, fun storytelling walk led by Nick Cassenbaum of local theatre company Slap Haddock Theatre. For more information visit www. walthamforest.gov.uk

Merlins Bird Watching Club, Ingrebourne Valley Visitor Centre, Hornchurch, RM12 6DF 10am-12noon. Join Brenda the birdwatching guide to spot, observe and identify the bird life of Hornchurch Country Park. Suitable for ages 8+. Charges apply. Book on 01708 520 364. For more information visit www.essexwt. org.uk

Liquid History, Museum of London Docklands, E14 4AL Opera, physical theatre and carnival collide in this brand new production that tells the story of London and the ebb and flow of its people through five found objects from the River Thames and from the Museum of London Docklands. Ages 7+. Free. For more information visit www. totallythames.org

For lots more What’s On ideas see page 28...

Win a Jungle Bunch Goodie Bag Based on the award winning French-American-British TV series, the Jungle Bunch are back in their new film ‘The Jungle Bunch Returns’. Maurice may look like an emperor penguin but he’s a real tiger inside. He journeyed from Antarctica to the equator because he believed he belonged there. Raised by a tigress, he’s the clumsiest Kung-Fu master ever. Maurice has a group of friends - Junior the fish, Miguel the gorilla, Gilbert the grumpy tarsier, Batricia the bat, Fred the warthog and Al and Bob, both toads, who together make The Jungle Bunch. Maurice and his friends intend to maintain order and justice in the jungle as Maurice’s mother did before him. But Igor, an evil koala, wants to destroy the jungle once and for all with the help of his army of silly baboons. The Jungle Bunch is released in UK cinemas on 15 September.

For your chance to win one of five Jungle Bunch goodie bags, tell us where Maurice the emperor penguin originally came from. See below for details on how to enter.

Win a Very Special Prize...

Competitions

Competitions A Dog with Nice Ears is a new Charlie and Lola book from Waterstones’ Children’s Laureate Lauren Child, celebrating the universal longing for pets with Lauren’s trademark humour and originality. Charlie and Lola books are hugely loved by children, parents and grandparents the world over. This new Charlie and Lola picture book features dogs of all shapes and sizes, but while Charlie and Lola mull over, dream and imagine various options, it becomes clear that the qualities of Lola’s ideal pooch seem oddly like those of a…rabbit! A Dog with Nice Ears featuring Charlie and Lola is published on 28 September.

We have five copies of A Dog with Nice Ears, signed by Lauren Child, for Primary Times readers to win. For your chance to win one, tell us what kind of animal Lola’s ideal pooch seems oddly like. See below for details of how to enter.

A Robot is for Life, Not Just for Christmas The future of technology is looking robotic, and it’s good to be ahead of the game. UBTECH Robotic’s Jimu Robot is one step closer to beating that game and successfully sculpting a brighter future. This spectacular robot helps parents out at home and teaches children useful life skills like coding. The kit contains 201 snap-together, interlocking parts to create a unique, life-like character. Through building the robot at home, children’s school work is greatly helped in a fun and motivating way which also improves children’s STEM skills.Your child will be inspired both scientiﬁcally and creatively whilst having a fun project to work on. The kits are an easy and engaging way for children and parents to learn together and once the robot is built, it can be connected to Apple’s Swift Playgrounds, a free educational coding app for iPads that offers exciting new ways to code your robot. The UBTECH Robotic Jimu Robot MeeBot Kit is available exclusively on the Apple website for £109.95. For more information visit www.jimurobots.com.

Times has one UBTECH F F B U I L D B G P Primary Robotic Jimu Robot to give away G X G D V B K N D R to one lucky Primary Times reader. be in with a chance of winning, K S T O B E E M S T To all you need to do is complete the I V T S H T A D U M word search. Then ﬁll out the form T B O L L R M M G A with your details and send it to the address at the foot of the page. S G B P G N I D O C Robot • Coding • MeeBot H D O O H J N B K H Machine • Science • Maths T S R Z J C B D H I Program • Jimu • Kit • Build A P B M F H P S R N M D N S C I E N C E Name.......................................................................................................................... Address .................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................................... Age ............................................................................................................................. School .......................................................................................................................

To enter any of the competitions send your answer along with your name, age, school, address and phone number to Primary Times, 7 Southbrook Mews, London, SE12 8LG. Don’t forget to include the name of the competition. Alternatively email your answer and details to competitions@primarytimes.biz with the competion name as the subject by Friday 22 September. If you are entering more than one competition you can put all entries in the same envelope. Follow us on Twitter - @PT_LondonSandE

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

What’s On

More What’s On

Your family diary until October Half Term

September Mini Maestro Family Concert, St Martin in the Fields, WC2N 4JJ 4.30pm. Go on an exciting journey with London Musical Arts Ensemble through spring and summer from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, with barking dogs, chattering birds, raging storms and all the glories of nature. For more information and to book visit www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org

Sat 23 – Sun 24 Sep

Autumn Diesel Gala, Epping Ongar Railway This is the second of the ever popular Diesel Galas, where the home fleet, along with some interesting visiting locomotives, come out to be put through their paces over some of the most challenging gradients in preservation. For more information and to buy tickets visit www. eorailway.co.uk

Farm Fest, Lee Valley Park Farms, Waltham Abbey, EN9 2EF 10am-5pm. An extra special weekend of farmyard games and fun is planned, with face painting, live music and a visit from a dinosaur called Pete - a realistic 4 metre long animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex. For more information and to book visit www.lvfarms.co.uk

so there will be interest for all car enthusiasts and, in fact, anyone who likes beautiful cars. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.royalgunpowdermills.com

Family Drawing Event with Eliyah Qureshi, Valentines Mansion, Ilford, IG1 4XA 12noon-1pm. A chance for families to enjoy art together. Adults and children will both be able to use basic art tools to create their own ‘In Search Of Gold’ style portraits. Charges apply. For more information and to book visit www.valentinesmansion.com

Families Workshop, Rich Mix, E1 6LA Pre-registered workshop at 10.30am, open workshop at 12noon. Unlock your creative thinking using story-telling and illustration techniques in a fun family workshop to coincide with the Bold- Graphic design from India exhibition. For more information and to book visit www.richmix.org.uk

Thurs 28 Sep

Activities will take place throughout the day, with a packed programme of workshops, demonstrations and entertainment. There will also be a whole host of stalls showcasing locally produced food and drink at the festival. For more information visit www. queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk

Southern Alfa Romeo Day, Royal Gunpowder Mills, Waltham Abbey, EN9 1JX The Alfa Romeo Owners Club will be holding its Southern Alfa Day today. There will be some pre-war classic cars, the latest models and everything in between on display,

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

The Jasmine Sneeze with Nadine Kaadan, Discover, Stratford, E15 4QZ 2pm. Join Nadine Kaadan, awardwinning Syrian illustrator and author, in a storytime and art workshop that sheds a welcome light onto Syria’s long and proud cultural heritage. Event followed by a book signing. For more information and to book visit www.discover.org.uk

Family Farm Club, Stepney City Farm, E1 3DG (Also 28 Oct) 1-4pm. Free drop in activities for children and accompanying adults. Nature and gardening activities, arts and crafts, sensory play for the little ones. For more information visit www. stepneycityfarm.org

Tutti Frutti, William Morris Gallery, Walthamstow, E17 4PP

1-2.30pm. Explore the natural world with Forest School inspired outdoor activities for preschoolers and their carers. For more information and to book visit www.visitleevalley.org.uk

1-4pm. Enjoy a multi-sensory fruity experience inspired by Morris’s fantastical tree in his Fruit wallpaper. Includes drawing and soap-making. Free, drop-in event for families with children of all ages. For more information visit www. wmgallery.org.uk

Guided Walk, RSPB Rainham Marshes Nature Reserve, Purfleet, RM19 1SZ

Make Your Mark on Vicky Park, Victoria Park, E3 5TB

The Harvest Stomp, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Stratford, E20 2ST

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interactive stations, if you are an American Football fan this is not to be missed. For more information visit www.regentstreetonline.com

Lee Valley Bug Club, Waltham Abbey Gardens, EN9 1XQ

Sun 24 Sep

11am-1pm. Join the Community Park Rangers to help carry out some practical conservation in the park. Meet at the Outdoor Classroom. For more information visit www.towerhamlets.gov.uk

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I saw your event in Primary Times.... Please mention you saw the event listed in Primary Times

Sat 30 Sep

NFL, Regent Street Back by popular demand NFL returns for another blockbuster traffic-free event. Featuring appearances from star players and

Our listings are prepared a long time in advance. To make sure you have the latest details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure they haven’t changed

9.30am. Led by Roy Woodward of Buteo Wildlife for the East London Birders Forum (ELBF), this walk is a chance to thoroughly investigate this flagship reserve within sight of the centre of London. Book by emailing david.hutley@ntlworld. com at least 2 weeks prior to the event. For more information visit www.rspb.org.uk/rainham

Sat 30 Sep – Sun 1 Oct Countryside Live 2017, Walthamstow and Leyton Marshes, E10 7QL

This family friendly event brings the countryside into London and has something for all ages and all interests. Whether you are into wildlife, bushcraft, countryside, keeping fit and being safe outdoors or arts and crafts this event has something for you. To buy tickets visit www.visitleevalley.org.uk

October Sun 1 Oct

Learn to Lindy Hop!, Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT 4-5pm. Learn to Lindy Hop, the granddaddy of all the swing dances, with the UK’s number one jitterbug, Simon Selmon of Swingdance UK. Ages 8-12. For more information and to book visit www.queens-theatre. co.uk

Sunday Open House, The Ragged School Museum, E3 4RR 2-5pm. Step through the door and explore the history of the East End.You can also attend a lesson in the Victorian Classroom and experience what it was like to go to school in Victorian times. For more information visit www. raggedschoolmuseum.org.uk

Grandparents’ Day, Lee Valley Park Farms, Waltham Abbey, EN9 2EF 10am-5pm. Treat your wonderful Grandparents to a jam-packed day of family fun activities. Learn about the farm animals, explore outdoor activities and take a break in the café with a bite to eat. Grandparents go free. For more information visit www.visitleevalley. org.uk

Sun 1 – Tues 31 Oct

The Big Draw Festival 2017, Various Locations The Big Draw Festival is for anyone who loves to draw, as well as those who think they can’t. It’s an opportunity to join a global community in celebration of the universal language of drawing. This year’s theme is ‘Living Lines’. For more information and to find an event near you visit www. thebigdraw.org

The People’s Revolt, Tower of London, EC3N 4AB (Selected dates) 6pm, 6.30pm, 7pm, 7.25pm and 7.50pm. Infiltrate the Tower of London after hours with the People’s Revolt, an immersive, interactive experience from ground-breaking theatre company differencEngine in collaboration with Historic Royal Palaces. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.hrp.org.uk/towerof-london

Wed 4 – Sun 15 Oct BFI London Film Festival, Various Locations

The Festival sees hundreds of new UK and international films screened at more than fifteen locations in the UK’s leading, and most prestigious, film event. For

For lots more What’s On ideas see page 30...

An Interview with Lauren Child Primary Times have been talking to Lauren Child, the new Waterstones’ Children’s Laureate. A writer and illustrator, she is best known for the Charlie and Lola, Clarice Bean and Ruby Redfort series. She has received numerous awards and was given an MBE in 2010 for her services to literature. Her latest book in the Charlie and Lola series, ‘A Dog With Nice Ears’, is due to be released on 28 September.

nine years old, and as soon as I finished it, I read it all over again. Another is Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking. I loved her because she was a child like no other. She was a girl and she was funny and there weren’t enough books about funny girls in those days. She’s very courageous and doesn’t really care what people think about her in the best possible way. She doesn’t worry about what she’s wearing and doing and she is able to be herself.

How does it feel to be the new Waterstones’ Children’s Laureate?

When you were growing up did you feel you could be yourself like Pippi Longstocking?

It is a great honour but it’s also a great responsibility. It feels slightly unreal too, partly because my career began almost 20 years ago, exactly the time Quentin Blake was the first Children’s Laureate. Quentin was a huge influence on my becoming an illustrator. I loved his illustrations really before I knew who he was as a person. There was the Grimble and the illustrations from Betsy Byers 18th Emergency, my favourite book as a child. And I remember watching him on television back in the days when the BBC had a programme called Jackanory. It was so wonderful to see live drawing as the story was told, and in fact Quentin Blake was the first illustrator I realised was an actual real person. It was so different in those days.You didn’t have the same chance to meet authors and illustrators as you do now.

What do you plan to do as Laureate?

I’m interested in championing children’s creativity and I want to encourage children to spend a little of their time looking, listening and making things because they’re driven to create. I’ll be starting a blog soon called ‘Staring Into Space’ where I’m going to hopefully help inspire that. I also want to champion reading and drawing for pleasure and to elevate children’s book illustration to the level of other art forms. I think illustration is seen as something less than fine art, and writing for children as slightly less than writing for adults. I think we can be a little bit patronising about it. That’s a shame, because we know that literature is life-changing for children and the first art we really get up close to is in books. That’s where we begin with reading and storytelling. We do children a disservice if we can’t see and celebrate its power. I also want to talk about diversity, as inclusivity is really important to me. There aren’t enough books written by and about people of all kinds of backgrounds and culture. It’s important because if as a child you don’t see yourself on the front cover of a book then how do you feel part of society?

Which books, authors and illustrators are your main inspirations? I have so many. When I was a child I loved The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I remember reading it when I was about

No. I was terrible at being myself. I was very self conscious and worried about what people were thinking - am I wearing the right thing, am I saying the right thing? All of my characters in my books now are at least moving in the direction of being themselves.

How important do you think it is for children to daydream and stare out of the window?

I think it’s vital.You can’t come up with anything without a certain amount of boredom, because boredom is the beginning of invention. Solving problems and letting your mind wander and find the edges of something. It’s how you get to an inspired place and become creative. When I get really stuck in my own work now, I go out and look around at things. I go to the cinema, an art gallery, I put on the radio, I tune into people’s conversations.You hear these amazing things. And when I hear or see something interesting I write it down.You end up with notebooks full of interesting things.

What are you working on now?

I’m writing a chapter book for younger readers, for around six to nine-year-olds. It’s very, very illustrated because I missed drawing so much when I was writing my Ruby Redfort series. So - lots of drawings. My new Charlie and Lola book A Dog With Nice Ears is coming out in the Autumn. It was inspired by looking at all the dogs in the park near our home with my daughter and imagining what kind of dog we would like to have.

Do you have any advice for children that are starting to write?

My advice would be to write what you enjoy.You need to write about something that interests you. It might be something funny that you see out of the window or something that you’ve imagined or about your family.You’ve got to enjoy what you’re writing or you won’t be able to carry on.You’ve got to let things develop, listen, and watch how people talk and interact. Dig deep into your own memory and try and tap into how things feel.

Lauren Child’s latest book in the Charlie and Lola series, ‘A Dog With Nice Ears’, is published by Orchard Books on 28 September and will be available from high street bookstores and online at a recommended priced of £12.99.

What’s On

More What’s On

Your family diary until October Half Term

October more information and to view the full programme of events visit www.bfi.org.uk/lff

Fri 6 – Sun 8 Oct

The Cake and Bake Show, ExCeL London, E16 1XL 10am-5pm. Stock your shelves with the latest baking equipment from top exhibitors, be wowed by the spectacular Cake Competition and exquisite display tables, and enjoy lots of yummy treats for your taste buds. For more information and to book visit www.excel.london

Sat 7 Oct

Too Young for What?, Barbican Centre, EC2Y 8DS A day of free activity, stretching from the lo-fi to the high-tech, inspired by the exhibition of American artist Jean-Michel Basquiat. There will be lots for children and families to do. Free. For more information visit www. barbican.org.uk

Fun Palaces, Half Moon Young People’s Theatre, E1 0ND 10am-4pm. Join in the fun at the pop-up Fun Palace throughout the building and garden, celebrating arts, culture and science with a lively collection of events organised for the local community by the local community. Free. For more information visit www.halfmoon. org.uk

Fun Palaces, Bromley by Bow Centre, Tower Hamlets, E3 3BT 10am-5.30pm. Go along to the Bromley by Bow Centre’s first ever fun palace and get involved in a variety of different hands-on activities for young and old alike. For more information visit www. funpalaces.co.uk

Explosive Crafts, Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT 10am. Build, make and decorate in these hands-on, fun packed creative craft workshops for children and their parents led by professional crafter Gemma Compton. Ages 5-7. For more information and to buy tickets visit www.queens-theatre. co.uk

Sat 7 – Sun 8 Oct Fun Palaces, Various Locations

Fun Palaces are made by local people for their own communities, bringing together arts and sciences, crafts, tech and digital, free and fun, linked by the Fun Palace network – Everyone an Artist, Everyone a Scientist. To view the full programme of events visit www.funpalaces.co.uk

Sun 8 Oct

Anniversary Celebration, Rainham Hall, Havering, RM13 9YN 11am-4pm. Help to celebrate Rainham Hall’s second anniversary since opening fully to the public, with plenty of activities and merriment. Community Gardens are free to enter. Normal admission applies to Rainham Hall. For more information visit www. nationaltrust.org.uk/rainham-hall

Wed 11 Oct

Thurs 12 Oct

Music of War Horse, V&A Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA 6.30-8pm. Enjoy an evening of live music and readings from the National Theatre’s award-winning stage adaptation of War Horse, with folk musician Ben Murray, in front of the original Joey puppet. Ages 8+. For more information and to book visit www.vam.ac.uk/ moc

Havering Fun Palace, Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, RM11 1QT The theatre’s doors will be wide open for the whole community to experience the joy and excitement of art and science. There will be activities for the whole family, live music, backstage tours, community led topical discussion and much more. For more information visit www.funpalaces.co.uk

4 Sept - 8 Oct ‘17

Our listings are prepared a long time in advance. To make sure you have the latest details do contact the event nearer the time to make sure they haven’t changed

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”

Fri 13 – Sun 15 Oct

RNLI Fish Supper Campaign, Nationwide

RNLI Fish Supper is an annual fundraising event to support our lifeboat crews across the UK and Ireland, who often have to leave loved ones at the dinner table to save lives at sea. To find out how you can get involved visit www.rnli.org

Sat 14 Oct

Africa on the Square, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN 12noon-6pm.You can expect another fantastic line-up of entertainment including live music, dancing and a talent show. Plus an African market, food stalls, fashion show and lots of fun stuff for kids. For more information visit www. london.gov.uk

Wed 18 Oct

The World of War Horse, V&A Museum of Childhood, Bethnal Green, E2 9PA 6.30-7.30pm. Join Archivist Gary Haines for an illustrated talk inspired by the Museum’s records and the writing of Michael Morpurgo. Explore the experience of being a child from 1914-18, looking at the bombing of Upper North Street School, playing at war and being the child of a veteran. To book visit www.vam.ac.uk/moc

Sat 14 – Sun 15 Oct

Fabula Festival, Redbridge Central Library, Ilford, IG1 1EA Join in a weekend of fun at the library with live theatre, storytelling, author events, writing workshops, arts and crafts, a Monsters Ball and lots more. For more information and to book visit www.redbridge.gov.uk/ events

Sun 15 Oct

Diwali Festival, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN 1-7pm. Celebrate the 16th anniversary Diwali Festival, with its lively music and dance stage line up alongside an authentic street food market, craft and community stalls plus dance, yoga, henna art and much more. For more information visit www.london.gov.uk

Circus Themed Family Rave, Museum of London Docklands, E14 4AL 2pm. The Museum of London Docklands and Big Fish Little Fish have teamed up again to bring you another award winning family rave this autumn, this time with a circus theme. For more information and to book visit www.bigfishlittlefishevents. co.uk

Artisan Food and Drink Fair, Valentines Mansion, Ilford, IG1 4XA 10am-4pm. Tantalise your taste buds at this very special artisan food and drink fair. Free entry. For more information visit www. valentinesmansion.com

Sat 21 Oct – Sep 2018

A World Inside a Book, Discover, Stratford, E15 4QZ Take a trip into the brilliant 3-D technicolour world of the best loved children’s author, Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, with the UK’s first immersive exhibition of their wonderful work. For more information and to book visit www.discover.org.uk

Sat 28 – Sun 29 Oct

Halloween, Epping Ongar Railway Dare you ride The Ghost Train to ‘North Weird’ Station where spooky goings on and Halloween fun will be found? There will be a free family ticket for the best dressed family on each day. Charges apply. For more information and to book visit www.eorailway.co.uk

Our next copy deadline is

22 September 2017. If you have something you would like us to try and publicise (space permitting) please email it to

listings@ primarytimes.biz

Good Work Page

Lamisa Rahman Tyra aged 5

Pranavi Lutukurthy aged 8

Reggie Goodwin won an annual pass to competitions in our July Bumper Summer magazine. won who e peopl ing follow the to ions atulat Congr her school. Aleezeh Khan, Tirian Prentice, Alice Edinburgh Primary School won a set of books for Blackberry Farm. Amerie-Jasmin Remy-Aidoo from Family Passes were won by Alastair Weller, park Cyclo Captain Underpants Goody Bags. Roberts, Sean Gribben and Phoebe O'Malley all won Harding, Reece Benfield, Evalyn Oliver Salter, Wilson Beatty, Harsharan Kaur Pahal, Alfie Heath & Rosie Langford, Sophie Johnson, Jessica Jacob Cook, a Raem & Jasmine Pain, Amara and Emma Harris. AniMalcolm books were won by Roberts, Ollie Melton, Abdullah Riaz, Julia hine Josep ws, If you would like to see Andre Geary James Sitko, a Jessic Wasp, s to Millbrook Summer Adventures. ticket won tt Drewe Daisy a. your work displayed Hondebrink and Florie Nalep Edwards, Scarlett & Zach Costas, Xander Paws in the Park winners were Lily Partridge, Tracey here then just send us a and y Rowle tte Charlo l, , Luke & Tabitha Turvil Crockford, Holly McDade, Riley Mooney, Oliver Crellin to s ticket won drawing, poem, riddles, Clark Grace man. Merry Adam Bethany Venn. Our Lollies Book Awards winner was n for the younger age etitio comp ng jokes or short story and drawi 's Annie won 5 aged Tyra an Loxwood Joust. Lamisa Rahm and Pranavi Lutukurthy aged 8 won it adesh Bangl in village we'll do our very best to a to visit her of ng drawi her group with enjoy the artwork on this page. and rs winne our include it. Send it to: all to done Well . group older for the

Good Work Page Primary Times 7 Southbrook Mews London SE12 8LG

Thank you to Sheng for his colourful racing car scene, Fatima Khemache for her beautiful village and polluting city drawing, Bhavya for her cute country picture and Niladri Kar for his frightening group of dinosaurs We love seeing your work so do please keep sending it to us.