Issue 249 ISSN 1354-9553 Free!Est 1990.

T a k e a ® copy SouthWest SEPTEMBER 2015

MASSIVE CLUBS AND CLASSES FEATURE Arts & craft, ballet, music, drama, sports, etc...

Building confidence through performing arts Nurturing and developing young people's potential through dance, drama and singing. For more information The French Nursery school EDUCATION see advert on page 38 Bilingual education in SW7 and SW1 • 1-5 years FEATURE French • Spanish See our advert on page 2 School Open Day For more information please listings call on 0207 259 2151 or email: [email protected] Picture credit Shutterstock Picture

“Families® SW” – useful information for parents of 0-12 year olds in SW London. Find us online: FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Oa ery k Tr urs ee Pre-School N St. Mary’s Church, 30 St. Mary’s Road, Wimbledon, SW19 7BP. 020 8715 1115 [email protected] www.Oaktree4kids.co.uk

Oak Tree is a warm, friendly, and stimulating environment for young children to develop their social and creative skills

Current Ofsted rating ‘Outstanding’ Open from Mon-Thurs 8am to 6pm and Fridays 8am to 1pm Open 51 weeks of the year Highly qualified and experienced staff Ages 2 to 5 years Nutritional balanced cooked meals on site

Open Day Saturday 19th September 2015 9.30am to 12.30pm (no appointment necessary everyone welcome)

2 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 ContentsSeptember 2015

04-06 News & information ® • Local news SouthWest • Clubs and activities news • Competition

09 Starting school • How to cope with first day nerves 04-06 • New to school life? ® Avoid these top ten mistakes

5 01 1990-2 12-23 SCHOOL FEATURE • Local School news • Open Days listings All content ©Families SW 2015 • Healthy packed lunches FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk 12-23 Tel: 020 8696 9680 • Financial assistance with Editorial: [email protected] school fees News: [email protected] • Advice on choosing a school Adverts/artwork: [email protected] Events, diary dates, what’s on info: [email protected] Next issue: October 2015. Deadline: Early September 2015 24 Alternative Health • 'Families SW' London, established in 1990, is part of • Chiropractic for asthma Families Magazines Ltd, a franchise company. All . • Neighbourhood midwives franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families® is a registered trademark of Families Magazines Ltd, Temple House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne 24 End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of 'Families SW' 25-40 CLUBS & CLASSES are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced FEATURE in any form without prior consent of the publisher. • There are nearly 40 UK local editions with a print • Too much too soon? run of more than 700,000 copies in all, in which you Are we pushing our kids too far can advertise too. by signing them up to lots of • MOVING? Families® magazines can be be franchised in new areas. Read initial franchise clubs and classes? information on the website. • News from your local Clubs • Printed by Ridgeway Press Ltd, Pewsey, Wiltshire. • Designed by Shirley Trimmer and Classes • We take every care preparing this magazine, but the • Qualities children can gain from publishers and distributors cannot be held dance classes 25-40 responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents nor for any consequence. • Paper used to print Families is from fully-managed sustainable sources — meaning trees which are felled are continuously replaced. Inks are soya- based, which can be re-cycled. 41-46 What’s On • Diary dates & events • Theatre ADVERTISE IN OUR NEXT ISSUE: • Museums & Galleries Contact us on 020 8696 9680 • Days out Find us on Facebook & Twitter 41-46 FamiliesSW 47 Classified

September 2015 ® 3 News

Compiled by Joanna Parry Family-friendly palace This year is especially important for Hampton Court Palace as it is celebrating its 500th anniversary, with a wealth of exciting events and activities for families. Take part in an interactive ‘Time Quake’ or check out their new digital missions to help you explore the secrets of the palace. Plus, Movie Maker Mission, a film-making project for families, will encourage children of all ages to produce drawings for a film by Aardman Animations. The film aims to capture the 500-year history of Hampton Court Palace in just five minutes and will premiere at the palace in October half- term. Historic Royal Palaces has announced that Hampton Court Palace has been nominated for a Daily Telegraph Family Friendly Museum Award 2015. Nominated by the public, Hampton Court has been listed as one of the top 20 visitor attractions from around the UK. : hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/Families, : kidsinmuseums.org.uk/awards, : telegraph.co.uk/museumawards New Farmers’ Mace is ace Markets Great news for Mace Montessori Along with the West Hill School Market in Nursery School in SW8 as it has been Merton Road, the new Lavender Hill market judged outstanding by Ofsted. The school brings SW London residents food direct from was praised for its positive relationship with farmers. All farms are no more than 150 miles parents, dedicated staff providing children from London and include freshly pressed juice, with rich and varied range of resources and fruit, vegetables, organic and free range meat, for their children making excellent progress dairy, plants and flowers, handmade preserves, overall. Well worth a look if you are herbs, fish, shellfish and free range eggs. searching for a nursery! Mace Montessori Something for everyone! Market takes place (Wandsworth Road), 69 Thorparch Road every Saturday 10am-2pm, rain or shine at SW8 4RH. Shaftsbury Park Primary School, Ashbury Road, ( 7801 8608 Battersea SW11 5UW. : macemontessori.com/nursery-wandsworth-rd : lfm.org.uk/markets/lavender-hill, : lfm.org.uk/market/west-hill

Children’s centre Reading for all opens Lucky Heathmere School in The new £475k children’s centre in King Roehampton, as the charity Little George’s Park is now officially open! West Free Library has opened its first Hill in the Park offers a great range of services ‘branch’ in South West London to families, complementary to those offered at there. With books provided by the nearby children’s centre at West Hill Primary Give a Book, Heathmere’s Little School. It includes a daily programme of free Free Library will be one of several children’s and family services including drop-in across SW London in playgrounds stay and play, health advice and parenting and school gates. Plus, children support. ‘I am honoured to have opened this will be able to swap books with absolutely fantastic new centre for local families,’ one another throughout the year said Children’s Services spokesman Cllr Kathy once the network of LFLs is Tracey. ‘The new building is much bigger, installed. ‘At Heathmere Primary brighter and better and it has the space and School we are passionate about room to provide a much more comprehensive reading,’ said Deputy head teacher range of services in this part of the borough. It Ben Cooper. ‘We want to give our has its own separate outdoor play area so that children every possible opportunity to toddlers can enjoy playing and learning outside, pick up a book, open a page and get and it offers the free drop-in stay and play lost in a story. Having a Little Free Library at school where children can choose a book to keep and perhaps sessions for the under fives that local mums and return one with a recommendation, will make a huge difference.’ dads value so greatly.’ : wandsworth.gov.uk/fis : littlefreelibraryproject.org.uk : giveabook.org.uk

4 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 100% natural face oils Hmm what could be nicer than starting the day with a 100% natural, Families grows... beautifully scented face oil? Rosalena is a range of daily moisturising face oils made with carefully chosen, pure, natural plant ingredients and and grows no preservatives. Did you know Families South West is Unlike a cream, the molecules in natural plant oils are so small they celebrating its 25th anniversary this penetrate into the skin’s living cells, which lie beneath the surface of the year!? The first issue was in 1990. skin. Instead of sitting on the skin’s surface, these hydrating oils are carried along with oil-soluble vitamins and antioxidants, right to where they are needed and can work most effectively. The result: shine-free October is the 250th issue. With hydration for 100% natural skincare. According to Selfridges, “the nearly 40 magazines in the group Beauty Product for 2015 is facial oil.” We are fan of face oils and nationwide, we have great plans to absolutely love Rosalena. Just like all those plant-based super-foods that are so good for you, expand our offering even Rosalena face oils nourish your skin with intense moisture over a far more. longer period of time than a cream can, getting to the heart of the skin cells to repair, protect and nourish your skin. Watch this space for Rosalena is a cosmetic business launched by two local mothers. very exciting digital 15ml £38. : rosalena.co.uk ® offerings and generally even more

local info finding its

19 Residents get tough way to you… 90-2015 Hammersmith and Fulham Council is finally listening as residents drive forward the debate on 20mph Families South West: the speed limit proposals. Members of the public came to Hammersmith Town Hall this summer to queen of local parenting information! discuss proposals to introduce a borough-wide 20mph speed limit. The discussion marked the start of (or is the King?) a formal consultation on the speed limits in H&F, news of which has already sparked hundreds of comments on the council’s website. ‘A 20mph limit levels out your speed so you are not speeding up and slowing down, speeding up and slowing down,’ said local cyclist Ruth Mayorcas. ‘This is not about Wish us a happy anniversary on penalising drivers, we have a very significant elderly population here of over-seventies, who don’t drive : Facebook.com/FamiliesSW or have access to cars, but do need to walk to the shops safely and pleasantly.’ A great idea we think, if you care to do so! so watch this space! Lambeth Council has plans for 20mph max borough-wide to be introduced on all side roads soon too.

Local schools take Arty on the Thames childcare bridge challenge Are you looking for a new after school activity Students from eight local schools across for your child? Do Wandsworth and Lambeth are developing their private art sessions sound own designs for a new pedestrian and cycle interesting? Charlotta bridge to cross the Thames between Nine Elms Sophia is an Art Nanny and Pimlico. The schools project is inspired by who will come to your the international bridge design contest currently house and get stuck into being run by Wandsworth Council, and Year Six exciting art projects with pupils from St Georges, Chesterton and St your children, providing a Mary's schools are taking part. The winners will fun environment where be decided by a panel including council leader kids can freely express Ravi Govindia, with design professionals visiting themselves through each school to run workshops with the students creativity. Art Nanny to develop their skills and ideas. ‘This project provides the tools and has been met with extraordinary excitement and encouragement, your enthusiasm,’ said Ravi Govindia. ‘The challenge little ones do the self is firing young imaginations and I’m eager to see expressing! Charlotta Sophia also offers daycare, after school activities, birthday groups, children’s their ideas take shape on the page. Our art parties, one-on-one sessions and half term projects, all in your own home. Kids love creating and students are learning a huge amount about exploring, and it helps build confidence and communication skills too, so it is well worth a look. engineering and architecture industries and all Plus, Charlotta Sophia runs art classes for children at an art studio in SW3 on Sunday mornings. the work that goes into such a challenging Times vary, check details at project.’ : charlottas.wix.com/artnanny. : nepbridgecompetition.co.uk

Tr y this Read this Did you We love the Forever The SW19 club Living Aloe deodorant, by Nicola May £7.99 know? which is free from Pub. by Accent Press Ltd Riding in a car can aluminium salts (a toxic expose you and metal associated with a Get into the world of your children to variety of health issues). Gracie, who launched 15 times as much The deodorant is non- the SW19 club for air pollution as irritating and does not women to chat freely walking on the street. stain clothes. about usually unspoken issues of miscarriage, abortion, infertility and Start the term on the right foot: walk to Recommended by the Breast Cancer Association. IVF… light hearted and funny. school, join a walking bus, cycle, go by bus. www.yoga-forever.com/products.html Be the change you want to see.

September 2015 ® Inclusion in these pages is always FREE: send to [email protected] 5 Clubs and Classes

Get your body Award winning swimming back… If you are looking to book swimming lessons for your little ones this term, have …with a workout from CARiFIT, the first ever you looked at Chelsea Swim Spa? This luxury private hydropool in the heart of postnatal workout of its kind. After trialling Chelsea is heated to 33ºC (91ºF) with a built-in ozone system, perfect for kids’ around the UK CARiFiT is now hitting SW swimming lessons. Lessons are available for all ages on a private, semi-private or London, and it’s proving to be a big hit with local group basis with fun, energetic teachers. You can also hire the pool – perfect mums. Using a 30-minute cardio and resistance for a party! Well worth a look, we think. Chelsea Swim Spa, 2 Edith Grove, interval workout, CARiFiT sees new mums Chelsea SW10 0NW, ( 07988 431 229 : chelseaswimspa.co.uk taking part in a sensory music class wearing their baby on their front. Carefully created for mothers with babies aged 6 weeks to 6 months, the class encourages the reintroduction of exercise, as well as being an opportunity for mums to get closer to their baby whilst working out. Sounds fab! ‘CARiFiT is a wonderfully safe and well thought out reintroduction to exercise post birth,’ said Dr Eleanor Smith, GP. ‘Beyond the physical benefits it has huge positive implications to the social and emotional wellbeing of new mums and their babies.’ Classes take pace at Vern Hill Health and Fitness, 336 Battersea Park Road SW11 3BY; Slice Studios, 11 Heathman's Road SW6 4TJ; Jiva Yoga, 19A Wimbledon Bridge SW19 7NH; Grove Pilates, 15 Smiths Yard SW18 4HR; Recentre, 260 Balham High Road SW17 7AW; Fybre Get ready for the ride Fitness, 25 Northcote Road SW11 1NJ. : of your life carfit.co.uk Introducing Ride Republic, London’s hottest new indoor cycling studio. For a high intensity, low- impact, full-body workout it’s the place to go in Fulham! There is no joining fee, classes are offered on a pay as you go basis and the state of the art indoor cycling studio boasts top of the range statistical technology to push yourself to the limit. You can even set goals and track your rides on their mobile app. Ride Republic is founded by three local Fulham ladies with a vision to create a different approach to exercise - that what happens off the bike is as important as on it, from nutrition to lifestyle. So take a class in the studio, relax in Tanya’s Café with a selection of organic juices and snacks and connect with like-minded people. Ride Republic, 709 Fulham Road, SW6 : riderepublic.co.uk

Volunteer this year Child at school, time on your hands? Volunteering could make a real difference to your own life and the lives of those around you, Beat the baby bulge, get more energy but it’s important to find an activity which is right Combine exercise with being out in the fresh air and taking baby with you, feel fitter, regain your for you. You could support a victim of crime, confidence and meet other mums. Buggybells, run by award-winning Fit Pro Jamie Lloyd, is the help children read at your local school, help in a Ultimate Fitness Club for Mums who want to exercise with their little ones outdoors without the community garden etc . added cost of childcare. [email protected] Contact your local Volunteer Centre : volunteeringwandsworth.org.uk, it‘s an ideal WIN one month's fitness training program on Wandsworth Common with Buggybells. place to start your volunteering career! To enter, go to : FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk/competitions Or try : volunteersweek.org

Terms and Conditions apply. The competition closes at 9am on 5th October 2015. Have fun!

6 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 We are pleased to introduce the Mother and Toddler Group and welcome Mums, Dads, Grandparents and Nannies to join us on a Thursday afternoon from 2.30 - 4.00 pm term time at St. Luke's Church Hall, SW3.

A relaxed and friendly environment where Each session children are free to explore and investigate concludes with a their surroundings, develop social skills in play, singing and rhyme session and a curiosity for learning. accompanied by Please pop along for a trial session Margo from 020 7352 8784 Blueberry Playsongs. [email protected] www.ringrosechelsea.co.uk

September 2015 ® 7 Blundells Nursery – Battersea The Old Court 194/196 Sheepcote Lane SW11 5BW Tel: 020 7924 4204 www.blundellsnursery.co.uk

Parent’s comment:

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and all your members of staff for all the wonderful work you have done with Jack. He has thoroughly enjoyed every minute of his time with you. The dynamic and enthusiastic atmosphere created cannot be found anywhere else - we look at countless other nurseries before deciding on Blundells.

Thanks to your high standards of teaching, we believe my son is more than ready to take on his next challenge. He is now well advanced in his reading and writing and his confidence goes from high to even higher!

You have helped him become a wonderful little man. Thanks again for everything and please thank all your members of staff

8 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Starting school How to cope with first day nerves New to school life? Try and (yours and theirs) avoid these top ten mistakes By Liat Hughes-Joshi By Liat Hughes-Joshi 1. Focusing on academic rather than practical skills before they start Ask reception teachers what they’d like their new charges to be proficient at and it probably won’t be about letters or numbers. What’s more important to settling in is for your child to be able to dress and undress for PE, use the loo independently and maybe recognise their name on their coat peg/ belongings.

2. Getting embroiled in school gate competitiveness Engaging with competitive parents is a lose-lose situation. If your child is ahead of theirs, they’ll hate you for it. If theirs has one up on yours, you’ll have to endure their smugness. Walk away or change the subject to something more interesting, like the weather. Relax.

Reduce the chances of wobbles at 3. Sweating the small stuff Try to not get obsessed with reading levels, who got the hardest spellings and the like. the classroom door with our As long as they’re enjoying school and learning, that’s what matters most. starting school tips. 4. Complaining to the teacher based on what your child told you Ease them into a ‘school compatible’ routine happened… Your child tells you X did Y, you march in demanding answers from the If you’ve been enjoying lazy summer holiday mornings and later teacher, only to discover that what your little one reported wasn’t actually correct. Stay nights, head towards more of a routine a few days in advance to open-minded until you find out the facts from all concerned. lessen the shock.

5. Not helping at school…or doing so for the wrong reasons Highlight the positives Volunteering in the classroom or for the Parent Teacher Association will help you make Read stories about school or recount tales of your own positive friends and feel part of the school community. You’ll understand so much more about experiences. Remind them of the toys/ activities they enjoyed at the school as well. any settling-in visits. 6. Fretting about fall-outs Pre-empt worries Reception children switch friends quicker than you can ask ‘who’s your best buddy now?’ Your child could be feeling anxious but unable to articulate their It’s completely normal and bust-ups are quickly forgotten. concerns. Ask them questions, provide reassurance and tell them it’s absolutely fine to talk to the teacher if they’re scared 7. Tackling other parents about problems between the children or sad. Even if your protective instincts kick in, don’t get involved. She probably won’t agree that her child is to blame and parental fall-outs can endure long after the kids forget. Swot up on the school run Make sure you know how long it might take to get there, where 8. Losing sight of the fact the teacher has 29 other pupils to look to park if you’ll drive and which door to pick up from, as well as after drop off, if there are several. At ‘big school’, you aren’t going to get the daily chat with staff you might be used to at nursery or with childminders. Assume ‘no news is good news’. Keep farewells short but sweet A quick hug will be more reassuring than a ten minute goodbye 9. Expecting your child to be pleased to see you at 3pm – this makes it seem a bigger deal than just a few hours apart. With so much to learn, by home time many reception kids are exhausted. Skip the after- For especially nervous little ones, it works well to provide a kiss school activities in favour of quiet time back home and go with lots of early nights during on their hand to ‘keep’ in their pocket during the day. the first term. Skip the mascara but remember a tissue 10. Not naming absolutely everything It’s normal for parents, not just kids, to feel emotional on day There’s a black hole in every single primary school into which children’s belongings fall, one. Try and hold back tears until you’re out of sight if possible never to be seen again. If you want to maximise chances of getting lost uniform, pencil so as not to worry your child. But rest assured, if they do roll, cases or shoes back, add their name to it all! you won’t be the only ones!

Liat Hughes Joshi is a parenting journalist and the author of four books including 'New Old-fashioned Parenting' and ' How to Unplug Your Child' (both published by Summersdale) and Raising Children: The Primary Years (Pearson). Picture credits Shutterstock Picture

September 2015 ® 9

Education Local Schools News

child will be reassured as we talk them through each choices beyond the classroom. There will be a Is your child bright stage of the exam day and allow them to ask greater emphasis on expertise in science and but under-achieving questions. We mark and provide feedback about languages, a greater areas that may need attention and offer revision promotion of creative at school? advice.” Sat 10 Oct 2015, 9.15am, Sat 14 Nov, opportunities in music and Wish you could afford private school? Did 9.15am and more. Located in Fulham, SW6 4LJ art, and in physical : you know many independent schools offer free yellowbirdeducation.com endeavour through sport. places? Above all, there will be a Finton House is an inclusive school, which sharper focus on provides the best possible start in life for children Lion House School personalising our provision of all abilities. If you want to have a chat to find to ensure we provide the Lion House School is a small school taking opportunities for every girl to have a platform and to out more, ring Lucy Wheeler on children from nursery to up to 7yrs. It is located ( be heard and seen as often as possible.” 8682 5757 or email her: in a charming and very spacious historic building [email protected] Change of name: the prep school now has its in south-west London and is ideally situated for own name: Streatham and Clapham Preparatory families living in Putney, Southfields, Barnes, School—formerly the Junior School of Streatham Wimbledon and Fulham. New this term: the and Clapham High School. Chelsea primary school now offers a breakfast club! Wavertree Road SW2 3SR : schs.gdst.net Gwendolen Avenue, London, SW15 6EH goes to top of the ( 8780 9446 : lionhouseschool.co.uk class Trekking for Nepal Pupils and staff at Ashburnham Community Students and staff at Sydenham High School School in Chelsea are celebrating after Ofsted New Heads of travelled 7,192km this summer – the recognised it as an outstanding school. After school approximate distance from London to Kathmandu – in a challenging 12-hour sponsored •Garden House Lower Girls’ School event to raise aid for the victims of the recent welcomes a new Headmistress this term, as devastating Nepal earthquakes. Over 450 girls Mrs Julia Adlard succeeds Mrs Wendy Challen after 38 years at the school, 33 of which as Head. Julia arrived at Garden House in 1983, teaching across the year groups before moving up to Head of Kindergarten in 2002. Also this year Garden House Boys’ School and Garden House Girls’ School welcomed a new Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Head of Computing, Guy Musson. Guy was Head of Computing and of Year 5 at The Perse Prep School in Cambridge and previously taught World Book Day 2014 at The Dragon School in Oxford. Based in Sloane Ofsted inspected the school they praised the Square, Garden House School comprises a progress that all pupils make, their outstanding Kindergarten, Pre-Prep and Prep School, behaviour and the ‘buzzing, hardworking educating boys and girls separately from the ages atmosphere’. Located at World’s End in Chelsea, of 4 to 11. the school has over twice the national average Garden House School, Turks Row SW3 : from Reception to Year 10 cycled, jogged, ran proportion of disadvantaged pupils, with over gardenhouse.co.uk and walked to Nepal on the school’s astroturf, as three quarters from ethnic minority backgrounds, well as rowed in the fitness suite, in shifts from •Northcote Lodge welcomes new a large majority of whom speak English as a 7am throughout the school day. They were Headmaster Mark Smith, currently Deputy second language. Yet Ofsted highlighted that joined from 4pm by family, friends and combined Headmaster at Caldicott, following the ‘pupils from all backgrounds make outstanding staff-student relay teams to help reach the target retirement of Mr Hansford. And at Broomwood progress,’ and were impressed at ‘the rich range of with an hour to go. Several teachers even Hall the Head of the Upper School Carole subjects in the school, and the additional activities challenged themselves to trek for the full 12 Jenkinson takes over the running of all of and experiences.’ Associate Headteacher, Bella hours! The trek helped raise awareness of the Broomwood Hall this month. Street: ‘This is a school we are all incredibly difficulties faced by the people of Nepal as well as : : proud of, and to have that recognised officially is northcotelodge.co.uk broomwood.co.uk provided aid. Interestingly, the girls gained wonderful. The cheer that the pupils gave when sponsorship in the form of items including •Mr Simon Severino, previously Headmaster we told them was deafening.’ emergency torches, dried food, cooking pans, of St Andrew’s Prep School, Eastbourne, has 17 Blantyre Street London SW10 0DT bedding, children’s clothing and water purification taken up the post of Headmaster of Alleyn’s ( 7352 5740 tablets. Well done, girls! Junior School from September 2015. He will be : ashburnhamcommunityschool.org.uk 19 Westwood Hill SE26 6BL building on the school’s ongoing success, which is ( 8557 7000 : sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net currently ranked 6th in the Sunday Times 2014 ‘Top 100 Prep Schools’ national list and is the Yellowbird highest ranking co-educational prep school in London and second in the country. For admission French school Education mock enquiries please contact the registrar. C'est la Rentrée! The new Saturday French Townley Road, London SE22 8SU exams school Et Patati Patata in Fulham is a FLAM ( 8557 1519 : [email protected] Did you know your child can do mock exam association from the French Government. They practice sessions? Yellowbird hold sessions in •Streatham and Clapham Preparatory follow the French curriculum and learn to read and English, Maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning School has also appointed a new Head this write in French. They study French literature, for 7 plus, 8 plus and 11 plus exams. They told year, Mr Thomas Mylne. Mr Mylne outlined his attend French events etc. The autumn term will be us: “Sitting a mock exam reduces exam-day nerves vision for SCHS Prep: “To deliver lessons of the starting second week of September. For 4-14 and helps your child to understand what will be highest calibre, with the opportunity for exceptional year olds. ( 07966 893674 Book on expected of them on the day of their exams. Your personal development accompanied by an array of : etpatatipatata.com

12 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Education SPOTLIGHT ON Parsons Green Prep The recent change of name has preceded some exciting additions to the facilities at Parsons Green Prep. A smart new uniform is just one indication that the school is being transformed. The playground has also recently undergone full renovation, extending the use of the already considerable outdoor area. Having so much private, secure space in Fulham is unusual in itself, but during the refurbishment the school has added a football pitch and a tennis court to augment their varied sports programme.

New tiered-seating in the Hall has elevated the audience so they can see during plays and concerts. This has also elevated the stage and lighting to proper theatre status. All put together, the theatre is wonderfully atmospheric and an important addition to the facilities. When not in use the seating ingeniously slides back against the wall so the hall can be used for gymnastics and assemblies. It all adds to the feeling that performing arts are just as important to the school as their STEM and Maths+ initiatives. The school continues to innovate and lead as it did when first embedding Chess The parents association, Friends of PGP, has been active throughout the in its daily curriculum. year. Charity fundraising has helped the Food Bank and special mention must be made of one Year 5 who raised £1000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital In sport, PGP is looking to build on the bronze medal their young athletes by running. Charity events like these say a great deal about the positive won in the recent ISA Athletics Event. Team fixtures continue to be attitude of pupils, parents and staff at Parsons Green Prep. extended with more matches scheduled against ISA schools, while tennis 1 Fulham Park Road, London SW6 4LJ coaching will help develop a new range of individual skills. ( 7371 9009 : parsonsgreenprep.co.uk

Ernest Bevin College unveils new uniform Ernest Bevin College, which got an “Outstanding quality of education” from Ofsted in 2011, will see its boys wearing an updated uniform from September. It will incorporate a newly designed school logo on the blazer badge. The uniform has remained unchanged at this community school in Tooting, SW London since 1971 when the school opened after the merger of Bec Grammar and Hillcroft Comprehensive School to become first Bec-Grammar, then Ernest Bevin School (named after the Labour politician responsible for including coal mining in National Service during the Second World War and who was MP for Wandsworth Central from 1940-1950) and from 1997 Ernest Bevin College. The Phoenix, representing the new school emerging from the merger of the two former schools, remains central to the logo but has been updated and the flames are illustrated in all five tie colours which are taken by a year group on entry for the five years from Year 7 to 11. ( 8672 8582 : ernestbevin.org.uk

September 2015 ® 13 14 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 September 2015 ® 15 The OCTOBER Open Days will be published in our October issue but Education can be searched now, in our online calendar. See familiessouthwest.co.uk/whatson September School Open Days It also includes schools in neighbouring boroughs! Call to book your place now For all September and October School Open days see our searchable Events calendar familiessouthwest.co.uk/whats-on

Westminster School SW1 Northcote Lodge SW11 Ernest Bevin College SW17 13-18 Boys 16-18 Girls 14/9 booking required 8-13 Boys 17/10 10am-12pm 11-16yrs Boys 28/9, 30/9, 9/10 9-10.30am and ( 7963 1003 : westminster.org.uk ( 8682 8888 : northcotelodge.co.uk 24/9 5.30-8pm Sixth form Co-ed 24/9 5.30-8pm ( 8672 8582 : ernestbevin.london Hill House School SW1 The Dominie SW11 4-13 Co-Ed Tours every weekday morning in 6-11 Co-Ed Tours by appointment Please Finton House SW17 term time, 8.30am booking required contact the school to find out more about their 4-11 Co-Ed 8/10 6-8pm ( 7584 1331 : hillhouseschool.co.uk specialist teaching for dyslexic children ( 8682 0921 : fintonhouse.org.uk ( 7720 8783 : thedominie.co.uk St Matthew’s CE Primary School SW1 Franciscan Primary School SW17 4-11 Co-Ed Tours Monday mornings 10am, call The Thames Christian College SW11 4-11 Co-Ed 13/10 9.15am and 10.45am, 22/10 to book ( 7504 0500 : stmwschool.org.uk 11-16 Co-Ed 22/9 11am-1pm, 3/10 10am-1pm, 10.45am ( 8672 3048 7/10 11am-1pm : franciscan.ismyschool.net/franciscan/home Streatham & Clapham Prep School SW2 ( 7228 3933 : thameschristiancollege.org.uk 3-11 Girls Nursery and Prep School 3/10 10am- The Roche School SW18 12pm, 3/11 9am-10.45am Broomwood Hall Lower School SW12 2.5-11 Co-Ed 19/9 10.30am-12.30pm, 8/10 ( 8677 8400 : schs.gdst.net 4-8 Co-Ed 13/10 9-10.30am 9.30-11am, 13/11 9.30-11am ( 8682 8830 : broomwood.co.uk ( 8877 0823 : therocheschool.co.uk Gems Hampshire School SW3 3-13 Co-Ed Personalised tours on request Broomwood Hall Upper School SW12 St Anne’s CofE Primary School SW18 ( 7352 7077 : ths.westminster.sch.uk 8-13 Girls 13/10 9-11am 4-11 Co-Ed 11/11 booking required ( 8682 8830 : broomwood.co.uk ( 8874 1863 : st-annes.wandsworth.sch.uk Parkgate House School SW4 2-11 Boys and Girls 10/10 Hornsby House School SW12 Saint Cecilia's CofE School SW18 ( 7350 2452 : parkgate-school.co.uk 4-11 Co-Ed 15/10 9am 11-18 Co-Ed 14/9 9am-12pm 17/9 6.30- ( 8673 7573 : hornsbyhouse.org.uk 8.30pm Sixth Form 1/10 from 6.30pm Eaton House The Manor SW4 ( 8780 1244 : saintcecilias.london 4-13 Boys Pre-Prep and Prep 17/10 9.30am-12pm White House Prep School SW12 ( 7924 6000 : eatonhouseschools.com 4-11 Co-Ed 28/11 9.30-11.30am The Study Prep School SW19 ( 8674 9514 : whitehouse.fluencycms.co.uk 4-11 Girls One Open Morning per year, Eaton House The Manor Girls’ School SW4 usually in March, tours on Tuesday by appt 4-11 Girls 17/10 9.30am-12pm Tower House Preparatory School SW14 ( 8947 6969 : thestudyprep.co.uk ( 7924 6000 : eatonhouseschools.com 4-13 Boys 25/9 9.15am ( 8876 3323 : thsboys.org.uk Wimbledon Common Prep School SW19 Fulham Prep School SW6 4-7 Boys 14/10 9.15-10.45am 4-13 Co-Ed Pre-Prep 19/11 9.30-11am no Ibstock Place School SW15 ( 8946 1001 : wimbledoncommonprep.co.uk need to register, Prep School tours by 3-18 Co-Ed Pre-Pre and Prep 23/9 9.30am, appointment only 11/11 9.30am Senior School 16/9 5-7pm, King's College SW19 ( 7371 9911 : fulhamprep.co.uk 19/9 9am-12.30pm, 4/11 9.30-11.30am 7-18 11+ 9/9 6-7.45pm, 16+ 16/9 6-8.15pm, Sixth Form 24/9 6-8pm booking required whole school 19/9 9-12.30 Parsons Green Prep SW6 ( 8876 9991 / 020 8392 5803 ( 8255 5300 : kcs.org.uk (formerly Eridge House) : ibstockplaceschool.co.uk 4-11 Co-Ed Open Day 3/10 9.30am plus Dulwich College SE21 midweek tours in term time by appointment Lion House School SW15 Junior School 7+, 8+ and 9+ entry, 3/10 9.30am–12 ( 7371 9009 : parsonsgreenprep.co.uk 3-7 Co-Ed 3/10 10am-12 Senior School for Year 7 entry, 10/10 9.30am–12 ( 8780 9446 : lionhouseschool.co.uk ( 8693 3601 : dulwich.org.uk Kensington Prep School SW6 4-11 Girls 16/9 and 6/10 1.45pm booking required Granard Primary School SW15 Alleyns Junior School SE22 ( 7731 9300 : kensingtonprep.gdst.net 4-11 Co-Ed 23/9 and 8/10 9.30am 4-11 Co-Ed 26/9 10am-12pm, 8/10 1-1.30- booking required 3pm, 10/11 1.30-3pm Sinclair House School SW6 ( 8788 3606 : granardprimary.co.uk ( 8693 3457 : alleyns.org.uk 4-13 Co-Ed 26/9 10am-12pm ( 7736 9182 : sinclairhouseschool.co.uk Broomwood Hall Lower School SW16 Jags SE22 4-8 Co-Ed 15/10 9-10.30am Senior 11-18yrs 10/10 10am-1pm, 11+ 23/9 & St. Nicholas Preparatory School SW7 ( 8682 8830 : broomwood.co.uk 12/11 10.30-12, Prep school 4-11yrs 10/10 10am-12 Co-ed 2-11yrs 30/09 am & 15/10 am. ( 8693 1181 : jags.org.uk ( 7225 1277 : stnicholasprep.co.uk Streatham & Clapham High School SW16 11-18 Girls Senior School 26/9 10am-1pm, Sydenham High School SE26 Redcliffe School SW10 14/10 9.15am-11.30am, 6/11 9.15-11.30am 4-18 Girls Junior School 26/9 10am-1pm, 7/10 3-11 Girls 3-8 Boys Tours Tuesdays and Sixth Form 8/10 6.30-8.30pm 9.30-11am and 3/11 9.30-11am Thursdays during term time 9.30am ( 8677 8400 : schs.gdst.net High School 19/9 10am-1pm, 30/9 9.30-11am, booking required 4/11 9.30-11am, 17/11 9.30-11am ( 7352 9247 : redcliffeschool.com Bertrum House School SW17 ( 8557 7000 : sydenhamhighschool.gdst.net Nursery: 28/9 Pre-prep 24/9 Dolphin School SW11 ( 8767 4051 : bertrumhouseschool.co.uk Radnor House TW1 3-10 Co-ed Open mornings Tues & Thurs 9.15- 11-18 Co-ed 3/10 9.30am, 12 & 2.30pm, 14/11 10.30 by appointment Burntwood School SW17 9.30, 12 & 2.30pm 4-11 Co-Ed Tours most Thursdays 9.15- Girls 30/9 6pm - 8pm, 6/10 8.45am - 11.00am, ( 8090 9688 : radnorhouse.org 10.30am by appointment 8/10 8.45am - 11.00am ( 7924 3472 : dolphinschool.org.uk ( 8946 6201 : burntwoodschool.com The Children's Garden (Steiner) TW10 3-7yrs Co-ed 3/10 11am-1pm (Note: we try and research correct listings, but please check with school before setting out as things can change) : thechildrensgarden.org.uk 16 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Education

Proudly boasting… Fresh ideas for ® Online What’s On healthy packed The best family-friendly events finder! We have more events and things to do for children than anyone else! lunches Search for Search • Children's shows • by date • Museums and galleries • by age • FREE events In search of fresh inspiration • by category • across the UK for packed lunches we asked • per area some local mums for their top tips to blow away the boring cheese sandwiches and avoid www.Familiesonline.co.uk over salty foods like crisps and ready bought meals.

Events info for here and across the UK 1. A healthy option Make a potato/spanish omelet and serve slices over several days: one day with soft cheese and grated carrot or cucumber, humous etc. My child asks why he has to have the healthiest lunches in school! Add a frozen smoothie in a container, it will keep everything cool and it makes one of Tuesday his five a day. Tutors

2. Cheesy egg tarts/quiches • We coach children for state and This is an easy one for my children to help with baking; again independent school and entry tests: they can add their preferred flavouring: bacon, eggs, cheese, VR, NVR, English, Maths and interview cooked tomatoes etc. preparation. •We are also happy to offer Maths and 3. Wraps/tortilla English support for children in school, Be careful to choose a tortilla/warp made with maize/corn, and Home Education. most children eat too much wheat! Mix boiled eggs, • NEW- a dedicated Maths potatoes, any veg and cheese – place in a tortilla and cut into shapes. tutor up to A Level available for home-visits in central London 4. Homemade pizza Tuesday Tutors has placed many children in top state and private schools. It is advisable Split an English muffin and toast it, add tomato sauce, top with cheese and grill. I make my own to contact us early, as high demand may tomato sauce with carrots or red pepper then blitz it, so the vegetables are disguised. I prepare mean that your child will be placed a batch ready for a couple of days. My child doesn’t seem to mind the fact that they are cold!!. on our waiting list. 5. Homemade flapjacks Experienced tutors welcome Tel: 020 7735 8268 07906 312541 A firm favourite with children, who can bake them and add the [email protected] ingredients they like, raisins, cranberries, apricots etc. tuesdaytutors.com 6. A little extra Try cutting cheese into different shapes with a pastry cutter, draw a smiley face on a banana and for birthdays or grumpy days try a chocolate spread wrap – yummy!

Getting the balance right:- The ideal lunch should contain *Protein – Essential for building, maintaining and repairing body tissue such as bones, cartilage, ligaments, teeth and nails. *Carbohydrates –The body uses carbohydrates as the main source of energy and keeping warm. Complex carbohydrates should make up 60% of your child’s diet. *Fruit and vegetables – provide many vital minerals and vitamins as well as valuable fibre. *Drink, but the school should offer water. *Occasional treat – A wise lady once told me “a treat isn’t a treat if it’s eaten more than twice a week.”

It’s not worth being lazy, food feeds the brain. The key is to be organised and have a good routine. Baking/cooking is a good after school activity to do with an adult. It teaches so much about nutrition and all children love cooking!

September 2015 ® 17 Open Mornings for Prospective Parents & Girls •Senior School 11-18yrs Sat 10 Oct (11+ and 16+) 10am-1pm •Additional Open Mornings for 11+ only Wed 23 Sept & Thurs 12 Nov 10.30-12 noon •Prep School 4-11yrs Sat 10 Oct 10am-12 noon

Please visit us at www.jags.org.uk James Allen’s Girls’ School 144 East Dulwich Grove, London SE22 8TE Tel: 020 8693 1181 No need to book

18 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Education

Financial Advice on choosing a school Open days, results and whether assistance with co-educational is a good option school fees By Helen Dorfman, principal of Burntwood School It might surprise you to know that around a Choosing a new school for our children can be a daunting third of privately educated pupils receive some experience. Every year I meet many parents who are touring kind of financial assistance with school fees. around the open events laid on by schools. The parents I Most independent schools offer scholarships meet are interested to understand the ethos and vision of the and bursaries and if you’re considering a school and to know that their daughter will be cared for, private education it's well worth doing some supported and encouraged to achieve her very best. homework to see if your child is entitled to an award. All schools set their own policies for I always suggest that it is important to trust one’s own scholarships and bursaries. Details can usually judgement about a school along with a careful analysis of the be found on school websites or you can ask breadth of curriculum on offer, whether the school has a the school's Bursar or Admissions Officer for good record with regard to examination success and where more details. progression for the youngsters to quality Universities and Art Schools is the norm. So what's the difference A substantial 6th form is important, as these can offer a wider range of subjects and more flexibility of subject choice for the young person. Whether the school has a good record of between a scholarship and retention for year 11 to 12 and then from year 12 to 13, is also important, along with a bursary? consideration of the “value added”. That is, how much progress the young person makes once s/he joins the school. Bursaries Some independent schools provide bursaries, which A good school will also provide a wide range of sporting and extra curricular activities as well as are grants from the school, or a benefactor, to help excellent dance, drama and music teaching. pay school fees. These are almost always means tested. Bursaries require pupils to meet and It is important that every child is treated as an individual and that the school works in partnership maintain very high standards and are usually subject with the parents to encourage the very best from the young person. At Burntwood, my staff and to an examination and an interview. Bursaries give I work hard to deliver on these commitments. access to private school education to children whose families would not normally be able to afford Single sex or co-ed? an independent school. In some cases full bursaries We also believe that, for the young women who can include grants for uniform and other school come here, a single sex environment between the related costs. ages of 11 and 16 gives the girls the opportunity to develop and mature with self-confidence. We Scholarships encourage our young women to be articulate, A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a pupil thoughtful individuals who are able to express their to help with education or boarding. Scholarships are opinions whilst also being able to listen to and awarded on various criteria, usually reflecting the consider the views of others. In my career I have values and purposes of the donor or founder of the worked in mixed schools, a boys’ school and various award. They vary in amount, from child to child girls’ schools. It is my view that girls benefit greatly and school to school and can differ from a small from a single sex education where they are free to discount to quite a considerable percentage of the develop and mature without the pressures of the presence of boys. Of course, this is not fees being deducted. Examples of scholarships are: necessarily the best choice for every young women and we always recommend visiting a variety specific academic subjects, sport, music, art, of styles of schools in order to compare and contrast and be secure that the school selected will choristers and all-rounders, to name just a few, but best meet the needs of the young person. will be dependent on the individual school. Many independent day and boarding schools also offer A final piece of advice is to try to visit the school during an ordinary day, it is in this way that you discounts to Armed Forces families. can feel the atmosphere of the school and judge whether there is a vibrant learning environment where people work together harmoniously and productively. To search for schools offering scholarships and bursaries use the advanced search at www.isbi.com to Whatever your choice of school, we wish you every success in supporting your child through this create a shortlist and compare schools side-by-side. important transition.

September 2015 ® 19 20 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 September 2015 ® 21 22 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Education

Newton Horrid Henry v. Dennis the Prep Menace at STREAM Newton Prep is thrilled to be the only London prep Book Festival school invited to Following the success of last year’s STREAM contribute to The History South London Book Festival for Children, of Parliament Trust’s new Streatham & Clapham High School will be publication The Story of holding STREAM2015 on Saturday 7 November. Parliament: Celebrating Horrid Henry author Francesca Simon will join 750 years of parliament actor and author Steven Butler with his latest in Britain. This gorgeous Diary of Dennis the Menace for a hilarious coffee-table book was launched at a party session for younger readers. Older audiences can for 300 VIPs at enjoy the multi-talented Natalie Haynes, writer Westminster Abbey in June. (non-fiction: The Ancient Guide to Modern Life, Parliament-themed latest novel: Amber Fury), critic (Saturday Review) and broadcaster, artworks from Newton classicist and a former stand-up comic. On a day packed full of exciting Prep pupils - and those of sessions with authors, activities and events, workshops, panels and other schools featured – competitions, there is something for every reader from nursery-age through were displayed in the to Young Adults. A huge hit at the summer Festival circuit, Laura Dockrill Chapter House of the performance poet, author/illustrator and short story writer, described by Abbey, where they were The Independent as ‘A poet for the iPod generation’ is joined at admired by Parliament STREAM2015 by author James Dawson who chaired a fantastic YA teen Trust chairman Lord issues session last year. Laura grew up locally in Brixton and attended The Cormack. In a double-page Brit School of Performing Arts in Croydon. spread in the book, Newton was described as a STREAM2015 takes “liberating environment that place at Streatham & instils confidence in Clapham High School children”. and is FREE and open to ( 7720 4091 all. It is advisable to : newtonprepschool.co.uk book to avoid disappointment. Further information and booking on Dulwich College : STREAM2015.co.uk • ISI Report: The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) inspected Dulwich in 2014. Dulwich College, Dulwich College Junior School and DUCKS have been awarded ‘Excellent’ in every category, ‘Exceptional’ for 'the quality of pupils’ achievements and learning' for the senior school - the only category for which this grading can be given - and ‘Outstanding’ for the EYFS (Kindergarten, Nursery and Reception). • The Laboratory, Phase 1 of the new £21m+ Science building opened at the beginning of the Summer Term. Phase 1 provided 18 laboratories and the James Caird Hall, which will act as a permanent exhibition space. The second phase of The Laboratory is currently under construction and will be ready for use in summer 2016. • Rugby World Cup 2015! As one of the approved team bases the College will host both the Australian and Romanian teams during training in September and October. A range of events are planned with both teams that will involve pupils and the wider community. ( 8693 3601 : dulwich.org.uk Thames Christian College’s musical triumph In summer term Thames Christian College performed Crazy for You, the new Gershwin musical, at the historic venue of The Clapham Grand. This high energy comedy was accompanied by a nine piece orchestra. The show provided a high level of challenge for Thames pupils who are strong in performing arts, with big dance numbers, staged cowboy fights and a hilarious case of mistaken identity!

Oscar, in Year 10, who played the lead role of Bobby Child, comments: “It is amazing to have this opportunity so young. It has really helped to grow my confidence as I now know that I can achieve far more than I ever imagined. I will not forget this experience.” ( 7228 3933 or visit : thameschristiancollege.org.uk

September 2015 ® 23 Alternative Health

Did you know chiropractors can help relieve asthma? Or that giving birth with confidence and without fear in a relaxed environment can lead to an easier birth, happier babies who then grow up to become confident people? Nor did we. I hope you’ll enjoy reading these lovely case studies.

Q: What was ailment or condition treated? A: Asthma. I was 2 years old, in and out of A&E and getting worse. My parents took me to see a Chiropractor and it changed my life. By removing the interference in my spine and nervous system my body was able to function normally again and the Asthma healed. I’m now a Chiropractor with a focus on helping the community to be healthy naturally.

Q: What therapy was used and how long for? A: Gentle specific Chiropractic spinal adjustments to remove interference and restore normal communication between the brain and body.

Q: Patient feedback: A: I’ve cared for many families, all report greater health and vitality. It “works” for everyone because everyone benefits with a healthier spine and nervous system to control their body.

•Tooting Chiropractic Centre Dr Luke Brady, Doctor or Chiropractic, RMIT, Melbourne Australia. 13 years. ( 8767 6718 [email protected] : tootingchiropractic.co.uk

Giving birth should be your “greatest achievement not“ your greatest fear Jane Weideman

Q: What was condition treated? A: Joanne* was expecting her first baby and had booked with Tina at Neighbourhood Midwives for continuity of care. She was unsure where she wanted to have her baby but knew she would have Tina with her wherever she eventually chose to be. When labour started she progressed really well, felt relaxed and safe in her own space and so Q: Patient feedback: decided to stay at home. When second stage (actually giving birth) started A:“I was beginning to think that the baby would never come, I was getting though, things seemed to slow down and after a while Jo said she was really tired and feeling a bit despondent. Tina had talked about these ideas in tired and it felt as if the baby was ‘stuck’. During the birth talk at 36 pregnancy and because I knew her and felt so confident in her I was happy to weeks, Tina had talked through some of the different strategies they try it. The hip lift felt odd but it worked, it just seemed to open me up to could use to keep labour progressing and so now suggested one of them make space for the baby, it was amazing what a difference it made.” – known as the hip lift or hip squeeze.

Q: What therapy was used and how long for? •Neighbourhood Midwives A: To perform the hip lift the woman lies on her side and the midwife Tina Perridge, qualified midwife for 17 years. tucks one hand under her ischael tuberosities, (sit bones) and places the ( 8874 6624 [email protected] other hand on the back of the wing of her hip. With each contraction the : neighbourhoodmidwives.org.uk midwife gently lifts the sit bone as she presses the hip forward, thus rocking the hip to open the pelvic outlet. This increases the space for the baby, relieves pressure and it is not painful. Within 20 minutes the baby * Name has been changed. was ready to be born.

24 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE

Too much, Check our online Directory for a HUGE choice of clubs & classes. See too soon? familiessouthwest.co.uk to read it. Are we pushing our kids by signing them up to lots of clubs and classes–or are we offering them valuable advantages?

By Sally J. Hall

Most parents agree, children need to be stimulated and to have plenty going on to develop new skills and self confidence. Parents are only too aware of the value of after-school clubs to achieve that.

But with a vast range on offer, it can be tempting to sign them up for a different activity every evening. Piano on Monday, gymnastic Tuesday, maths Wednesday – and so it goes on, with more over the weekend.

Of course we might not all be able to offer our child such a packed schedule – finances alone might make this impossible – but there’s no doubt that a couple of well-chosen activities can be great for giving your child an insight into areas that the school curriculum can’t cover.

What age is best to start classes? Early years: Very young children get very tired so if they attend nursery, you’ll need to keep additional activities to a minimum. For excess energy, a good run in the park is great for letting off steam. An art, singing or baby ballet- Children must be allowed to day dream and allow their imagination to do its own thing © taramara78 type class with the emphasis on play would be great too. Junior school: As dreaded tests loom, add an Senior school: It’s easier to add activities as educational class if your child is struggling with energy and independence increases. As more Infant school: Add a low-key activity to look one subject. Extra maths or reading tuition can exams come up, be flexible about allowing them forward to. Singing, music making, dancing, make all the difference to confidence. Hopefully to miss or drop activities, but try and keep at simple sports and swimming are all great choices they’ll keep on practicing their least a physical activity to blow the cobwebs and for little ones. ballet/instrument/sports as well. increase their energy levels. Cont p.26

September 2015 ® 25 Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE

So what classes are on offer?

Mini Mozart? Every child has the potential to be a musical genius but be wary of pushing a child into playing from p.25 an instrument if they are not too keen. From seven years, a 30 or 45 minute class is plenty, with ten minutes of daily practice. This can increase slowly.

Fitness Fanatic Sports and dance are great for fitness and flexibility and the chance to play with teams from other areas – though for younger kids, avoid classes that are too aggressive or pressurised. Be prepared for many hours spent track, field or pool-side if your child loves sports. Many children spend too long on academic work, sports develops resilience and appetite for life.

Mastermind If one subject is a struggle, one-to-one tuition can Club Petit Pierrot pay dividends and if your child wants to study a particular subject later on, it can be invaluable. What do clubs and classes offer They are all Picassos! your child? Children are born bursting with incredible • A chance to mix with children from other creativity, but school work, TV and now all too schools and areas; this will widen your soon, smart phones, take the place of drawing, child’s social circle playing, constructing lego, that kind of thing. • A chance to take part in artistic, musical Children Learning to Succeed Allow children to spend time doing what it seems and sporting activities not offered at school is not very much, like doodling, listening to • A potential career music, spending time outdoors, they will connect • Teamwork skills with their inner creativity and imagination, which • Increases confidence and the ability to mix will take them much further. • The ability to develop persistence and patience. Maths, Mini Thespian Kids thrive in acting and singing classes and may But – play is important too English, go on to theatre school. Invaluable for those who Educational Psychologist Peter Gray wrote in the 11+ Preparation need to build confidence and the ability to Independent that we should allow our children express themselves. more time for playing. He believes that more time in the classroom and less at play can be Alternatives detrimental, because kids miss out on life skills Vicky Barnett that can only be learned through play. “Judgment, For every kind of child, there’s an activity to suit, wisdom and creative ability …come from life BA, MSc, PGCE so check the clubs and classes section on experiences,” he says. “For children, those www.FamiliesSouthwest.co.uk to see what’s near 020 8876 2553 experiences are embedded in play.” And it’s you. From archery to zoology, you’ll find free, so it’s a win win situation! www.firstclasslearning.co.uk something they love. •Sally J. Hall is a writer and editor who has written for all the main parenting titles as well as The Independent and The Mail. She is author of Eco Baby and contributing author to Watch My baby Grow (Dorling Kindersley)

Throughout South West London Mummy & Me Ballet, Baby Ballet, Tiny Tap, Mini Movers Hip Hop, Didi Drama & Singing

16 months - 5 years

07801 886101 [email protected] www.thepetiteperformers.com

26 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE News from your local Clubs and Classes

professionals, teacher/musician. BE.Dance Maximum 12 children in each BE.Dance offers classes for tots to session. £17 joining fee includes 25 teens teaching commercial dance songs CD, £10 per session. styles. Their funky choreography to AMAZING: Bilingual Beats was the freshest tunes motivates, selected as one of the three winners encourages and inspires everyone of the "most promising start-ups of who joins. Weekday classes for ages 2015 in the UK". The price was a 4+ years at Fybre Fitness Hub, mentoring session with Sir Richard Northcote Road and the Wandle Branson where they could talk to Centre. Saturday School at him about the biggest challenge Blue Wave Swim Alderbrook Primary School, Balham they're facing right now with their offer Music and Movement classes overhead passes this term with business. Well done and good luck! lovely, large, easy grip balls, while They will be offering fun Parent & for ages 18 months-3 years and : bilingualbeats.com lyrical, tap and musical theatre tennis balls and bean bags are ideal Toddler classes (1-3 year olds and 2- classes for ages 5+ years. to swing their tick tock arms with 4 year olds) with many varied multi- to do an underarm throw. “A t sensory activities. They will also be ( 07545 697352 : bedance.co.uk Buggyfit The best way to Catch-a-balls we encourage everyone offering a drop-off after-school class get back into to enjoy their success so we ensure for 4 to 6 year olds, where the Blue Wave shape after your that all the children have targets that children will learn and flourish in a Swim new arrival. challenge them but are also truly 100% French environment Whatever your achievable so everyone can clap and with a comprehensive syllabus A finalist for ‘Best Business in SW19’ postnatal stage they have a workout including fun language games and award in 2015. The private and that will suit your needs instructed exercises, songs, dances, theatre, group lessons are popular with by a post natal expert. From initial role-play, cooking, puppets. families both locally and further recuperation in your 6 weeks Classes in Chelsea, Putney, Notting afield. Children can join from 4 through to tough times of getting Hill and St John's Wood. Also months upwards. There are no age back into your jeans. private French tuition at home. Free limits and children don’t need to Classes are on Wandsworth, Tooting trial lesson. leave their lessons because of their Common and Wandsworth Park ( 7385 5565 age or advancement in their (Putney). Text Eliza 07779 271655 : clubpetitpierrot.co.uk swimming skills. Monday and Friday : elizadoalot.com/pages/Buggyftit classes at Burntwood school (SW17) and Saturdays in Wimbledon En Pointe (SW19). ( 8090 1415 En Pointe is an established dance : bluewaveswim.co.uk school that has been running classes in Chelsea (and other parts of West Bilingual London and Surrey) for several years. They follow the Royal Beats Catch-a-balls sessions for children Academy of Dance syllabus for from 18 months old are physical, Ballet classes, and also teach Street Children learn a foreign language exciting and fun. This class is all (French/Spanish) and music at the Dance and ISTD Tap. Classes are about getting children enthusiastic also available in-house in schools same time. 30mins sessions for about movement, catching and and nurseries. ( 07898 3338158 babies and children up to 5 years throwing. Your first session is free Catch-A-Balls : enpointedance.co.uk old, full of activities, very fun and so you and your child can go along dynamic! They always use musicians to find out all about it. Children will cheer. Meanwhile everyone will be in all their sessions who are be practicing their chest and trying out some catching, whether Et Patati stationary or on the move, with balloons and scarves.” This really Patata fun encourages children to combine French skills without realising it. ( 8398 3034 : catch-a-balls.co.uk lessons After school lessons and a French Club Petit immersion programme led by an experienced, native French certified Pierrot Primary Teacher (Ecole française) Club Petit Pierrot opened in 1993 for 2-5 year olds. 100% French and this year they are opening more Club- 100% French Fun. of their unique, innovative Children explore the sounds, "immersion method" French classes flavours, customs, culture through at a beautiful, newly refurbished stories, songs and workshops. Each venue: The Hut, Alpha Place in year your child will acquire a new Chelsea. The venue is wonderfully grade: Foundation, Intermediate, located just off King's Road and near Advanced, Confirmed. St Luke's Church playground where ( 07966 893674 the children can play before or after : etpatatipatata.com

Billingual Beats the lesson. Cont p.28

September 2015 ® 27 Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE

a great introduction to sport and helps to develop agility, co- Monkey Music ordination and boost confidence. These award winning music classes They run midweek and weekend from 3 months to 4 years have an classes across Balham, Clapham & enviable reputation as a ‘must do’ Wandsworth. activity! Specialist, age specific music ( 8675 1155 : littlekickers.co.uk classes offer weekly fun and giggles as the children are mesmerized by original songs, specialist percussion Mini-engineers instruments, dance, movement, puppets, props and lots of bubbles! ( 8699 0977 : monkeymusic.co.uk Perform Child development is at the heart of En Pointe everything Perform do. Their September 2014, running two weekly drama, dance and singing Funky Moves classes per week, which are now classes are designed to boost your Mini-engineers Funky Moves are coming to Chelsea fully subscribed. Emmanuelle and child's confidence, improve their from p.27 and Notting Hill! Get ready to dust Deborah will be expanding their Children from 5 to 11years will concentration and give them a off those dancing shoes as they French school in the 2015 autumn design and build LEGO creative outlet to make friends and bring their popular, funky street term with an intensive bilingual constructions: using gears to have fun. Launching in Sept in dance style to two new locations on class, a pre-school class and at some gearboxes, ratchets, axles and Balham classes for Special Needs Saturday mornings. With numerous point a class for adults or Les pulleys to firing catapults; they’ll too. 4-12yrs. ( 7255 9120 age groups ranging from 4–12 years, Grands Choux! investigate what makes a car go fast, : perform.org.uk your little groovers will grow in ( 07980 266 817 how to build a robot or solve confidence, skill and creativity with : lespetitschoux.org.uk challenges set by the team! On Small Sports their young, fresh approach to Saturdays at Imperial College, South dance classes. Visit the website for A child’s early years are the best Let’s Act Kensington. Great for parties too. time to set them on the right track, more details and to sign your child ( 07715 093 132 up for their first class absolutely Let’s Act classes are designed to that is why Small Sports offer : mini-engineers.co.uk FREE! train young actors who are serious exciting multi-sport activity sessions ( 07810 431101 about the performing arts industry. : funkymovesdance.com They work on all elements of acting Emmanuelle Koeb and Deborah and musical theatre training, including work for TV auditions, plays and musicals. All their productions take place in real theatres. They also offer boutique training for young actors in their Koby came up with the idea of a baby and junior classes. French school in Southfields when ( 07738681925 they realised there was nowhere : letsactdramaclasses.com local to send their bilingual kids. With Emmanuelle being a qualified Little Kickers French teacher and Deborah’s The fun filled Little Kickers classes background in management, they introduce football skills to children decided to start Les Petits Choux in from 18 months to 7 years old. It’s Funky Moves Chelsea

28 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE

latest spectacular show “Il etait une Studio Film fois la mer”, La Sylvaine celebrates School its 37th year in London. Many congratulations! Join Studio Film School and make : lasylvaine.co.uk your own movies each Saturday in Balham or Chelsea! Unleash your creative imagination, increase in confidence and make friends in a fun and friendly environment as you explore all aspects of filmmaking including camera work, editing, crewing, acting and editing. Courses available for ages 4 – 18 years. Book Come and sit by the giggle tree at your place for this September by Wobble Farm where your babies calling ( 7101 9329, or e-mail and children can become bendy, Let’s Act [email protected] giggly clever and strong. New to : studiofilmschool.co.uk for children aged 2-11 to promote Stagecoach Clapham, the fun and innovative their motor, social and educational yoga classes are three-in-one and development. Convenient for you They offer top quality classes in include storytelling music and and great for kids. Free trial session. street dance, acting and singing. La Sylvaine movement helping your child to ( 07738 924293 : smallsports.co.uk 4yrs - 18yrs and all abilities develop flexibility, enhance (beginners to advanced). Whether Ballet School creativity, support development and you want to build confidence, learn The La Sylvaine history is a beautiful increase wellbeing. Song skills, perform professionally or just family story. It was founded in ( 07415225650 to have fun, Stagecoach remains a Academy Fontainebleau in 1947 by Jeanne : tattybumpkin.com/clapham firm favourite. Excellent One of the leading singing and performance opportunities and songwriting clubs for 8-16 year olds brilliant confidence activities! Try Time and a perfect outlet for creative and LAMDA acting exams also offered. musical kids, developing vital skills Kids Rugby (Battersea 020 8946 2986 for achieving at school and beyond. When parents hear 'rugby' they (Fulham 0845 202 5727 Plus holiday workshops, birthday often expect tackling and rough (Merton Park & Tooting 8942 3502 parties and Young Songwriter stuff. Try Time rugby play sessions (Putney 0845 265 7050 competition. Hammersmith, are absolutely not about this. They (Wimbledon 020 8946 3400 Chelsea, Fulham, Notting Hill & take all the best parts of rugby : stagecoach.co.uk La Sylvaine Ballet School Chiswick. (hand and foot eye co-ordination, ( 7710 023743 agility, team work, discipline) and Lamaison, in 1974, her daughter : songacademy.co.uk put them into games and activities Martine Lamaison, started a branch that will move them forward in Bordeaux. In 1979 her other physically and mentally… whilst daughter, Blandine Lamaison, Coding is cool having loads of fun. From 2 years opened a school in London. “Our Coding, and the rise in awareness old to 7 years old. Free trial. schools have a tradition of ( of computational thinking, has choreographed productions. These 01252 794150 : become the big thing for children. are more than simple end-of-year trytimekidsrugby.com Experimenting with technology, recitals designed to amuse and having fun, and discovering how motivate the students.”With their

things work are all key to expanding Cont p.30 The Southfields School of Ballet a child's confidence both in themselves, and their ability to learn. The Southfields

Spark4Kids is a computer coding School of Ballet club offering children's courses in Congratulations to all the lovely coding, games design and touch- pupils for passing their Royal typing. Beginners are welcome, as Academy of Dance Examinations are more experienced participants with flying colours and to the looking to extend their knowledge. students accepted onto prestigious Advanced programming is also Ballet associate programmes to available for older children. further their talent. They have Spark4Kids meet on Saturday and spaces for keen dancers from 2.5 Sunday mornings in Dulwich, with years of age. Contact the school to holiday workshops to enjoy as well. arrange a free trial class. ( 8090 1444 : spark4kids.com ( 07977 975408/01342 811 539 : schoolofballet.org.uk West Wimbledon Dance Academy

September 2015 ® 29 Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE

Vacani School West of Dance Wimbledon The Vacani School of Dance (Clapham, Colliers Wood & East Dance Sheen) offers classes in Ballet, Academy Modern Dance and Tap Dancing for The Academy’s fifth anniversary children aged 2 ½ years and sees the school flourishing with upwards. more than 300 pupils from ages 2½ They now offer street dance/hip hop Youngstars to 18+. The principal, Caroline classes for boys & girls. Baby Youngstars classes and holiday Barrett, who trained and taught at Ballet’s teacher Zoe Elliot, who camps offer an all- inclusive and the Royal Ballet School, and her specialises in Street Dance, Hip Hop non-competitive environment with colleagues, have a reputation for and Tap Dancing will be coming to every game, drill and exercise is outstanding teaching and excellent teach at Vacani from September. designed to improve coordination, exam results. In the last year pupils The children LOVED their trial class awareness, motor skills and above have performed shows with with Zoe when she came to teach in all teamwork. Ages 3-7 years. extracts from Alice in Wonderland, June – they all went away having Various locations. Swan Lake, Top Hat, and other learnt a whole routine to Uptown ( 0845 222 1313 popular ballets and shows. Funk. Even the adults watching were : young-stars.co.uk Caroline on ( 07956 606 648 moving and grooving on their chairs. Vacani dance : westwimbledondanceacademy.co.uk. ( 01483 722 733 : vacani.com Outdoor and Albert & Friends woodcraft experiences Instant Circus! First Hand Experiences offer a Grow-Make-Eat club every week during the term time at their Learn to walk on stilts, balance on a Paddock behind All Saint's Church Hall, Fulham. This is a 2 hour session from 10-12pm where children tightrope or spin a plate! From hanging will grow and tend to vegetables. Also holiday camps, sleep away and parties. upside down on a trapeze to riding a : firsthandexperiences.co.uk unicycle anything can happen at Albert Join in practical conservation work, community gardens and food growing work where you live. & Friends Instant Circus! Build Groundwork is active in most London boroughs, with projects including a community film in about confidence, learn new physical skills, the river Wandle, an energy garden, grow and eat gardens, urban woodland projects etc. develop teamwork and communication ( 7922 1230 through fun circus activities, games and : groundwork.org.uk/london performing. Every second Sunday of the month join a cleanup on the River Wandle. 13th Sept Ravensbury Park 11am to 3pm. 11th Oct Wandsworth. : wandletrust.org Tooting Woodcraft Folk is a place for children and young people to come along and make friends. Everyone is welcome. Games, discussions, badges, laughter, environmental activities with trips, camps and challenges. : tootingwoodcraftfolk.btck.co.uk Join the Scouts. Every year Scouts help 450,000 6-25-year-olds in the UK enjoy new adventures with fun and challenging activities, experience the outdoors, interact with and help others, gain confidence and have the opportunity to reach their full potential. Adult volunteers always in high demand! Find a club near you : scouts.org.uk

FooFoo FunClub FooFoo FunClub is a bespoke programme for women Albert & Friends in all life phases wishing to improve their pelvic floor, Instant Circus! core strength and overall well-being. No one area of the body exists in isolation and so ultimately the aim “The classes are fantastic, challenging, great has always got to be a unification of body into one fun, brilliantly lead and thought-out with optimally functioning whole. Diastasis and mild urinary inspiring leaders.” incontinence usually go hand in hand especially in the early post natal period. This class focuses on pelvic “The fact that my only-just-turned-3 year old health, nutrition and lifestyle plan that get results. felt confident enough to get up in front of a Term starts September 10th, 8pm at St James Hall, Ousley Road, SW12 8EW. Text Eliza crowd of older children and parents and ( 07779271655 : foofoofunbox.com perform on the ball and tightrope is a testament to how confidence building this class is. My daughter is often shy and scared of failing but here she is encouraged and celebrated. Thank you Albert & Friends.”

Family classes for 18 months to 7yrs. Youth classes for 7 to 16yrs. Hammersmith & Fulham. Birthday Parties also available. ( 8237 1170 : albertandfriendsinstantcircus.co.uk

30 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE Love your arts Qualities children & crafts? We love the Sew and Craft Superstore in Balham, you’ll find everything from material, can gain from dance knitting wool, paper, card, paint, utensils for baking, sticking and gluing etc. They are brilliant with tips and advice. Balham High Rd SW17. ( 8767 4724 classes The Craft House offer creative and sewing classes and workshops. SW14. : thecrafthouseuk.com Over recent years, dance has become increasingly popular as an The Work and Play Craft Store is a treasure trove of 'sustainable' materials for arts, crafts and after school activity, particularly with the popularity of television reuse projects. You may be inspired to become a programmes like ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, ‘Got To Dance’ and member or volunteer or donate materials. Tours ‘Britain’s Got Talent’. In fact, it has become so prevalent, that and workshops, see website. Hazelhurst Estate, 13 Blackshaw Road, London SW17 0DA this year the BBC have launched ‘Young Dancer 2015’, an award ( 8682 4216 : workandplayscrapstore.org.uk that showcases the best of young British talent, across a broad spectrum of dance disciplines including ballet, contemporary, hip Sew Over It hop and South Asian dance. Sew Over It is a friendly sewing hub in London, with two branches pressure is on. Their one-hour dance class each in Clapham and Islington. They So what is it that week, simply enables them to forget about their teach everyone from beginners to workload for a short time, focus their energy on advanced. Start with a cushion cover our children will the movements and enjoy dancing with their and work your way up to making your own friends, then returning to their studies feeling clothes. Skirts, dresses, coats, there’ll be no gain from joining refreshed. stopping you once you start. an after school If you’re eager to get your sew on the go, start with their Intro to Sewing class and get 20% off dance class? A creative with code SEWSOUTHWEST Dance is a form of exercise, with students gaining expression 78 Landor Road, Clapham, London, SW9 9PH strength, stamina, balance and flexibility as a The younger students were also asked why they [email protected] result of their weekly sessions, as well as enjoyed their classes and responded by saying ( 7326 0376 : sewoverit.co.uk improving their rhythm and coordination. they loved how dance lets them express themselves, be creative and feel ‘free’. My Kid Atelier is a brand new art, drama, However dance offers much more than this and music and activity studio in Fulham. Ideal for develops skills that they birthday Parties they also have an amazing art will then carry with them studio which is designed and based on the Reggio through life. Dance Emilia approach allowing children to work, explore teaches discipline, and and create with a variety of mediums such as wire, shows that through hard clay, paint, recycled materials etc. Free trial classes. work and dedication you Why not try a mummy ‘n’ me art&play class? are able to reach your : mykidatelier.co.uk goals. Lavender Leonardos is a children’s art school running after school, weekend and holiday The main thing that workshops for children aged 5+. Lavender Hill, dancers young and old SW11 can gain form learning to : lavenderleonardos.com dance, is confidence. Fielders in Wimbledon stock wool felting, Good dance teachers will ribbons, great for framing, a great Arts & Craft nurture their students, range. Weaving and knitting looms. encouraging them and Wimbledon Hill Rd. helping them become the : fielders.co.uk best they can be. It No time to shop and prepare for your art should not matter Be.Dance sessions? Little Letters sell ready made arts & whether the student has When asked about performing in dance shows, craft packs, posted to you! All you need to do is sit a natural ability for dance, or if they just do it as a the children loved being part of a team, working and get going. form of exercise each week. Dance should together to produce a choreographed routine : littlelettercompany.co.uk inspire and motivate, ultimately boosting and giving each other the courage to get up on children’s self-esteem. stage and perform for an audience. These young people usually make lifelong friends with like- An outlet for stress minded people in the dance studio, all having a blast and a boogie together and most importantly and exam pressure having fun! South West London’s dance school BE.Dance recently had casting director Leanne Flinn attend By attending regular dance classes, children will their BE.Teens class (Leanne is behind the recent not only be entertained and motivated, they will “This Girl Can” campaign for Sport England). be inspired! As Rhee Gold, the dance industry’s When asking the girls what they got out of their first motivational speaker has said ‘Dance inspires dance lessons, many replied that the classes confidence. Confidence inspires courage. provided an outlet for stress at a time in their life Courage inspires success’. when their school work is taking over and exam ( 07545 697352 : bedance.co.uk

September 2015 ® 31 Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE DANCE

32 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 DANCE Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE COOKERY TUITION

September 2015 ® 33 Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE CREATIVE CLASSES DANCE TUITION

34 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 CREATIVE CLASSES Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE

Ofsted Registered We accept Childcare Vouchers

September 2015 ® 35 Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE SPORT & EXERCISE

36 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE SPORT & EXERCISE

September 2015 ® 37 Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE DRAMA SPORT & EXERCISE

Nurturing and developing young people's potential through dance, drama and singing. Fo r 4-18 year olds, after school, at weekends and holiday workshops.

Stagecoach Schools enrolling now Battersea 020 8946 2986 Fulham 0845 202 5727 Merton Park & Tooting 020 8942 3502 Putney 0845 265 7050 Wimbledon 020 8946 3400 www.stagecoach.co.uk

38 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 MUSIC Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE Chelsea Quavers

Saturday Music Clubs for Children (4-12) Kensington | Chelsea 07899 678 655 www.chelseaquavers.com

For more local Clubs and Classes visit our Online Directories Go to FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk/Directory LANGUAGES

®

September 2015 ® 39 Clubs and Classes SPECIAL FEATURE MUSIC

SONG ACADEMY W, SW, C The leading Singing & Songwriting club for 8-16 year olds Hammersmith, Chelsea, Fulham, Notting Hill & Chiswick

Plus holiday workshops, birthday parties & Young Songwriter competition. Perfect outlet for creative & musical kids, and we develop vital skills for achieving at school & beyond. [email protected] 07710 023743 www.songacademy.co.uk

Colour your world...

with our fun packed, group keyboard tuition! Small group classes, perfect for 4-11 year old beginners Read, write & play music to first grade Term classes & holiday courses Herne Hill, East Dulwich, Forest Hill (new!), Brixton To find out more, check for new centres & book a trial: 0800 107 7949 www.funkymonkey.info

40 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Families ‘top five’ this month The summer holidays are out of the way and perhaps it is time for some more sedentary occupations! Here are some of our favourite family shows for September:

The 2 The Chelsea Theatre 1 Chickenshed 7 World's End Place, Kings Road SW10 0DR : chelseatheatre.org.uk Theatre 29-31 October Chase Side, Southgate The Magic Word In a secret, magical forest N14 4PE lives a beautiful Forest Queen. In the : chickenshed.org.uk summer the forest is warm and the Queen 7-24 October loves dancing in the dappled sunlight. But in Tw o Over the course the winter she becomes cold and hungry, of a single evening in a and it’s time to watch out! After their typical local pub, sell-out shows of The Princess & The prepare to become Frog, Let’s All Dance are delighted to be intimately acquainted back with their second gorgeous, with your less than classical ballet. 1.30pm and 3.30pm, £10/£8. genial hosts, and the colourful characters who regularly pull up a stool. Written in 1989 by multi award-winning and internationally acclaimed dramatist Jim Cartwright (The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Road) Two features 3 14 diverse characters portrayed by just two actors. Chickenshed’s The Colour House Theatre adaptation of this stunningly fresh and relevant piece plays on Watermill Way SW19 2RD Cartwright’s renowned use of language and humour, and : colourhousetheatre.co.uk emphasises the urgent physical style of this brilliant two-hander. 5 September – 8 November Ages 12+, £12/£8 concs. The Wizard of Oz Join the Colour House Theatre over the rainbow in Oz, as you travel with Dorothy along the Yellow Brick Road all the way to the Emerald City. With the Wicked Witch of the West hot on her trail, Dorothy will need all the help she can get from her new found friends! 2pm and 4pm, £10/£12. Basil Brush 4 New Wimbledon Theatre 5 The Polka The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 1QG Theatre : atgtickets.com/venues/new-wimbledon-theatre 240 The Broadway, Wimbledon 27 September SW19 1SB Sing-a-Long-a Frozen Don’t miss this full screening of : polkatheatre.com Disney’s Frozen with lyrics on screen to help you sing 24 September – 4 October along. The film is introduced by a live host who will What to do when you find a dinosaur The bone-shaking show where history comes guide you through this interactive screening, warm up alive. In 1824 eccentric scientist William Buckland discovered a bone from a creature no your singing voices and teach you some dance moves, one had ever heard of. He named it the Megalosaurus, and he was desperate to tell the with the help of the Singalonga Princesses. Includes a world. Join him on a pre-historic dinosaur journey with humour, music and plenty of free prop bag! From £16.90. audience participation. Age 4-8, £13.50/£10.

September 2015 ® 41 There's no room to list more here, but use our unique What’s On local searchable What’s On calendar on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk We took every care in preparing NCT Kensington and these entries but sometimes events are cancelled or times Chelsea meet up changed. Please double check Gambado Chelsea, 7 Townmead Road event with the organiser to SW6 2PY avoid disappointment. : nct.org.uk/branches/kensington- chelsea Every Wednesday in September Diary A great opportunity to meet other mums with babies under 1. 9.30- Dates 11am, £1, show your NCT card to get in.

See more events in our online Parson's Green What’s On calendar Farmers’ Market New Kings School, New King's Road French Coffee SW6 4LY : facebook.com/pages/Parsons- Morning/Cocktail Green-Farmers-Market Contact Teresa at Every Sunday in September info@leclubtricolore or Find treats from local pie-maker James (Little Jack Horners) and ( 7924 4649 / 07889 967003 Every Wednesday morning in rare-breed poultry farmer James Evans of Pastures Farm. 10am-2pm. September Get together ‘between the Commons’ for coffee and to speak The London Wetlands French for an hour. Lively Centre Radio Times Festival discussions on a topic (articles are Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes distributed in advance) and a great SW13 9WT Royal Opera House (upstairs studio), opportunity to practise your French. : wwt.org.uk Wimbledon SW19 1LT : Every Monday night Cocktail Every Thursday in September WC2E 9DD roh.org.uk Every Thursday in September, evening, an opportunity to practice Family Bat Walks. See these Every Sunday in September 10am–12pm Breastfeeding and improve your French. Great amazing flying mammals and their Family Sundays. A regular event Drop-in. crowd. astonishing aerial acrobatics. Learn for families to explore the Royal more about them with a talk by one Opera House, its artists and the Upbeat Fun Morning Pop up cinema world of opera and ballet. Packed of the Wetlands Centre’s bat New Kings School, New Kings Road, Nomad Cinema experts before heading out to the full of creative and practical activities for all the family including Parsons Green. To book a free place : whereisthenomad.com reserve. Ages 8+, starts at sunset, informal performances from Royal contact Max Throughout September £10, price includes admission into [email protected] the centre for the bat walk only. Ballet dancers, plus interactive Nomad Cinema returns with a full ( 07816 901396 pop-up programme across London’s singing and dance activities. 12–4pm, £5 adults, £3 children. : upbeatmusiccourses.co.uk great outdoor venues. This year Dulwich Picture Saturday 19th September there are more secluded squares Calling all Rockstars of the and cemeteries, more parks and Gallery NCT Wimbledon & SE21 7AD : future! Come along and Play secret gardens, and more Wandsworth drums electric guitars, sing and unforgettable movie memories to dulwichpicturegallery.org.uk •The Old Frizzle, Wimbledon. dance, join in with the games and be made. Includes Fulham Palace, First and last Sunday in : nct.org.uk/branches/Wimbledon win prizes. (Reception-Year 3) Hyde Park Lido and Brompton September Every other Wednesday in 10.00-11.30 FREE Cemetery. See website for full Family Sundays. Enjoy being September, 2pm onwards Upbeat New Talent schedule. creative together in these drop-in Artplay sessions, making everything Coffee, Me and Baby. Come along Audition day from bunting to block prints. and meet new and expectant mums New Kings School, New Kings Road, 2.10pm and 3.10pm, no booking in the area over a relaxing cup of Parsons Green necessary, free for families with a coffee. Saturday 19th September Gallery ticket or £3 per child. •Gooseberry Bush Café For the older children to try out for

345 is proud to be entering its 32nd year as an independent nursery school where 'children become independent, inquisitive and motivated in a rich and vibrant environment' (Ofsted).

An exceptionally warm welcome and a very large outdoor space awaits every child. We also have Music, Sport and Spanish plus Playball, Relax Kids and Ballet in afternoon clubs.

Please do visit us to capture some of the children's excitement in learning.

Contact: Annabel Dixon [email protected] www.345 nurseryschool.co.uk 020 8870 8441 Fitzhugh Grove, Trinity Road, London SW18 3NH

42 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 What’s On one of Upbeat music bands or just Putney Embankment or just need an excuse for a well- workshops, talks, exhibits and have a free taster session on guitars deserved cup of coffee. screenings. Family sessions include and drums. Art and Craft Market •At Tried and True Cafe, Upper David Walliams discussing his (Year 4-Year 12) 12.00-2.30 The Embankment, Putney (Between Richmond Road popular children’s books, Shaun the the Thai Square Restaurant and SW15 6SP. Sheep creators Aardman hosting a It’s Knockout Thames Place) 9 and 23 September10.30am– gameshow : facebook.com/artonputney 12.30pm embankment Putney new mums' group. The Wimbledon Rugby Football Club, 6 September, 4 October [email protected] SW20 OET An exciting market showcasing a For info call Louisa on ( 8254 2467 range of arts and crafts such as Mum2Mum Market Register online at paintings, sculpture and Nearly New Sale : straphaels.org.uk photography, wood carvings and 26th September furniture from established and Ricards Lodge High School, Lake Road, A non stop gameshow fun day. emerging artists. 10am–4pm. Wimbledon SW19 7HB Registration is £300 for a team of 10. : mum2mummarket.co.uk Tooting Foodival 12 September, 17 October series of modeling workshops Buy or sell quality baby and kids where you can learn to make your Various locations, SW London goods at this pop-up indoor market. very own Shaun or Morph : tootingfoodival.blogspot.co.uk 43 stalls under one roof with characters, Julia Donaldson and Axel 12-13 September thousands of kids bargains at a Scheffler of children’s books Foodival is Transition Town Tooting's fraction of the high street price. Gruffalo and Stick Man, leading a annual food festival, celebrating Admission £2, kids free, 2-4pm. fun-packed story-telling session, and everything that's good about locally Little Princess creator Tony Ross grown food. Foodival aims to show Sky Ride conducting a ‘How to illustrate’ how it's possible to grow local, eat masterclass. Tickets from local, be sustainable and have fun Across SW London www.radiotimesfestival.com while doing it! FREE : goskyride.com 13, 20 September, 11 October First Aid for Life The popular programme of guided NCT Nearly New Sale bike rides is back! Enjoy organized Broomwood Methodist Church, Kyrle Balham and Westminster rides of varying distances and Road SW11 : firstaidforlife.org.uk difficulties taking in local landmarks : nct.org.uk/clapham 9, 19 September, 2, 10, 14 Lavender Hill market and hidden gems. 26 September October Includes: A fantastic place to search out The Emergency Course. A 3-hour 13 September – Wandsworth bargains or off-load all that baby course covering care of the Discipline without City Streets and Park Life, gear you no longer need. 9.30am- unconscious baby and child as well rewards and 13 September – Battersea Park, 12pm. For bookings contact as most commonly occurring 20 September – Southwark City [email protected]. punishments injuries and illnesses such as Streets and Park Life, St Elthelburgas, 78 Bishopsgate, choking, bleeding, breaks, bleeds, 11 October – Wandsworth – Fulham Palace London, EC2N 4AG burns, head injury and febrile Richmond Park. Ages vary, SW6 6EA : fulhampalace.org : flourishingchildhood.com convulsions. 9.30am-12.30pm, register at : goskyride.com Every Monday in September 26 and 27th September £60/£65. FREE The Palace Explorers. For Basics of democratic discipline children aged 2-4. £3 per child, and Advanced workshop bringing NCT Putney & The Green at which includes a drink and healthy democratic discipline into practice. Fulham Hampton Court snack. Booking essential, Based on current research in child •The Cafe at the Cottage, Fulham 10.30am-12pm. development, Aware Parenting Palace Football Club, Stevenage Road 10, 11, 18 September questions most traditional SW6 6HH East Molesey, Surrey KT8 9AU Outdoor Cinema. Including The assumptions about raising children, : : hrp.org.uk Graduate, Gravity, The Grand and proposes a new approach that nctpregnancyandbabycare.com 9 and 23 September : radiotimesfestival.com Budapest Hotel. 7.45pm (gates can significantly improve 10am–12pm 24-27 September open at 6.30pm), tickets from relationships within a family. Fulham FC coffee morning. Join Radio Times Festival. Join in this £8.90, book at 9:30am-4pm. Debs if you’re new to the area, exciting event celebrating the best : wegottickets.com/nomadcinema. starting to get out with your baby of TV, radio and literature with 13, 15 and 27 September Cont p.44

Our skilled staff prepare children aged 2­5 years for their next school and start them on a journey of life­long learning.

Incorporating art, cooking, music, sport, drama and all aspects of the Early Years Curriculum. Please arrange a visit to see the learning and excitement in action. www.oaktreenurseryschool.com Ramsden Hall, 21 Ramsden Road, SW12 8QX Tel: 020 8166 5932

September 2015 ® 43 There's no room to list more here, but use our unique What’s On local searchable What’s On calendar on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk

Monthly Historical Tours. with Michael Giacchino’s classic 13 September score played live on stage by the Wandsworth Museum at Museum Drop-in. Try on period Royal Philharmonic Concert from p 43 Viking costume, handle artefacts and Orchestra. £19.84-£38.20, a limited Battersea Arts Centre learn about the history of Fulham number of reduced price tickets BAC, Lavender Hill Palace. Free, no booking necessary, available for under-16s, kids under 4 SW11 5TN 2pm-3.30pm. go free with a paying adult. Book : bac.org.uk 16 September now! ( 7223 2223 Fulham Palace Ghost Tour. 20 September Bush Theatre Following Wandsworth Open House London 2015. 7 Uxbridge Road W12 8LJ FREE Museum’s move to : bushtheatre.co.uk Battersea Arts 28-30 October Centre earlier this Funky Moves Dance Storystock 2015. A festival of year, it’s the storytelling for children aged 3-11 Pop-Up Workshops perfect time to and their families, with new : funkymovesdance.com/london- check out this ® Children's Laureate Chris Riddell workshops fantastic new hub (Ottoline and the Orange Cat, Goth September dates TBC of culture in the LOVES! Girl) as the headline guest. With live Pop Up Workshop. Come and heart of SW London. The museum has joined BAC at literature shows and talks from learn from the pros! 2.5 hours of their home in Battersea’s Grade II listed former town Judith Kerr, Philip Reeve, Tamara amazing street dance, hall, in an exciting new project bringing local heritage to life McFarlane and more, plus choreography, performances and and inviting local people to share the rich political and social history of workshops including creative creativity from the Funky Moves the Borough. coding, creative writing, animation Team. 2.30-5pm, ages 5-12, venue Wandsworth Museum continues its learning programmes, exhibitions and comic drawing, poetry and TBC. and events celebrating the history of Wandsworth, and it’s a great place letter-writing. to discover more about the history of the borough and the fascinating Mud Larking by the story of Wandsworth and its ‘villages’. The museum also looks after Thames Wandsworth Council’s collection of 11,000 historic local artefacts, with DAYS OUT the core of the collection a huge array of household and workplace Millennium Bridge, Bankside SE1 9TG items, furniture and appliances from between 1850 and 1950. 11 October 11am See more events in our online They also have a great programme of events and storytime for little Dig around for ancient treasures on What’s On calendar ones, plus loads of free family activities and workshops. Keep an eye this muddy outing to the banks of on their website to see how the full programme at their new home is the river Thames. An archeaologist unfolding. will tell stories of the area's previous Brixton Windmill inhabitants and help identify any Windmill Gardens, end of Blenheim Chelsea Physic man who built Cutty Sark, Nannie, mysterious goods that get pulled Gardens the ship’s figurehead, or the ship’s out from the depths. Once they're SW2 5EU Garden cook, James Robson, who all have all trawled out children will be given : brixtonwindmill.org 66 Royal Hospital Road SW3 4HS an extraordinary story to tell. hot chocolate and mud pies to Every weekend in September : chelseaphysicgarden.co.uk Suitable for ages 3+ warm up with. The event is free but Windmill Tours. Visit the 'two mills 20 September and 11 October 5-6 September places must be reserved by in one' and hear the intriguing story Drop-in Family Activities. An Family Fun Weekend: Sailor contacting natasha.ascott@ of the Ashby family. You will see the assortment of drop-in activities for Games. Play out a sailor’s life in muddypuddles.com FREE original wind-powered machinery families. Free on entry to the your very own board game. Create and find out how it was once used garden (£6.60 for children and the rules and then throw the dice to Ratatouille Live in to make stone ground flour. £9.90 for adults). start your sailing adventures. All Concert Booking required. ages, 11.30am and 2pm Cutty Sark Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore On Blackheath Ealing Half Marathon SW7 2AP SE10 9NF : royalalberthall.com Festival : rmg.co.uk/cuttysark Lammas Park, Ealing 28 October Blackheath Common, Shooters Hill Every weekend in September W13 9QD : Experience the unforgettable thrill Road SE3 0UA Cutty Sark Characters. Come ealinghalfmarathon.com 27 September of a live orchestral performance : onblackheath.com aboard to hear Cutty Sark’s while watching one of the most 12-13 September incredible stories brought to life by Includes Ealing Mini Mile. Races acclaimed and popular family films Two days of music, food and festival characters from the ship’s past. for adults start at 9am and the mini of the past decade. Ratatouille Live adventure for all, run in conjunction Meet Captain Woodget, the ship’s mile runners start at 9.15am. in Concert receives its UK premiere with John Lewis. most daring master, Jock Willis, the

Dawmouse Montessori Nursery School “To assist a child we must provide him with an environment which will able him to develop freely” Maria Montessori

Celebrating 20 years of excellence in Montessori teaching Come and visit one of our two Dawmouse Montessori Nursery Schools in Fulham and discover why we have enjoyed such a long period of success teaching children from 2yrs to 5yrs in their early years education.

To learn more about us just visit our new web site at www.dawmouse.co.uk or email [email protected] www.dawmouse.co.uk Tel: 020 83989294

Passionate about teaching and learning

44 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Please send info for consideration to: [email protected] What’s On Golden Hinde Lyric Hammersmith 3-4 October DRAMA Thumbelina. There was once a girl SE1 9DG Lyric Square, Kings Street W6 0QL so small she could float on a lily pad : : goldenhinde.com See more events in our online lyric.co.uk and ride on the back of a 26 September 12 September What’s On calendar dragonfly… Follow Hans Christian Family Overnight Experience. Pinocchio. A retelling of the classic Andersen’s extraordinary tale of a Dress as a Tudor sailor and become tale with puppetry, illusion and The Ambassadors girl no bigger than a thumb and her a member of the crew. After specially composed music. For ages adventures with a frog, mouse, learning the ship’s rules, you will be Theatre 4-9 mole and swallow who help her on trained in navigation, barber surgery 19 September West Street WC2H 9ND her journey. Age 3-5, £12/£9. and gunning, before bedding down Puss in Boots. A host of puppets, 7-11 October : theambassadorstheatre.co.uk to sleep amongst the weapons on a working windmill and an avalanche Hurricane Boy. A charming show the Gun Deck. A Tudor style dinner Tuesdays, Wednesdays and of fruit and nuts on an incredible Fridays from 25 September combining physical storytelling and and continental breakfast is sloping stage. Ages 4-7 live music. Age 5-11, £13.50/£10. provided. For age 6+ Wuthering Heights. Emily 26 September Brontë’s classic tale of love, loss and My Pet Monster and Me. Puppet Theatre Barge HMS Belfast revenge is stunningly re-imagined by Adventures on the farm with Sophie by the National Youth Theatre. A Little Venice, Blomfield Road SE1 2JH and her new friend George, the beloved classic adapted for today’s most lovable monster in the land. W9 2PF : iwm.org.uk audiences, it’s not to be missed! With magical songs, enchanting : puppetbarge.com 5-6 September. Times and dates vary as this 4, 5, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27 Tattoo T-Shirts: Davy Jones’s music and exquisite puppetry. Ages production is in rep, prices vary. 3-7 September Locker. Design your own t-shirt Fowl Play. A farmyard adventure in inspired by traditional navy tattoos, The Barbican Theatre which a foal is born causing much learn about their history and why as Lyric Theatre Barbican Centre, Silk Street excitement among the animals and a sailor you wouldn’t want to be Shaftesbury Avenue WC1 leading to an unexpected turn of EC2Y 8DS : visiting Davy Jones’s Locker in a gruffalolive.com events. Age 3+, 2.30pm, £10/£8.50 hurry! Drop-in, all ages, : barbican.org.uk To 6 September 11am–12.30pm and 2–4pm To 31 October The Gruffalo. Tall Stories’ The Royal Albert Hall Hamlet. It is finally here! The much production roars into the West End. Royal Observatory anticipated production of The must see family show for lovers Kensington Gore SW7 2AP Shakespeare’s great tragedy with of the timeless story. : royalalberthall.com Greenwick Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role. 12 September SE10 9NF New Wimbledon Proms in the Park Join in the Last : The Cambridge Night of the Proms celebrations in rmg.co.uk Theatre 26 September Theatre Hyde Park, hosted by Proms in the Sunday Space Explorers. Drop- The Broadway, Wimbledon SW19 Park stalwart Sir Terry Wogan. in family workshops, where one of Seven Dials, 32-34 Earlham Street 1QG 5.15pm, From £41.25. the astronomers will show you how WC2H 9HU : atgtickets.com/venues/new- to make a star finder to identify : uk.matildathemusical.com wimbledon-theatre Sadler's Wells Throughout September stars and constellations in the night 21-26 September Rosebery Avenue EC1R Matilda The Musical. Inspired by sky all year round. Every half hour Jesus Christ Superstar. Tim Rice : sadlerswells.com the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, 12-3.30pm, for age 5+ and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock 8-12 September Matilda revels in the anarchy of opera tells the story of the last English National Ballet — childhood, the power of imagination The Great Cockcrow seven days in the life of Jesus Lest We Forget. and the inspiring story of a girl who through an extraordinary, A poignant reflection on World War Railway dares to change her destiny. groundbreaking score. From 1, Lest We Forget features three Hardwick Lane, Lyne, Chertsey, Surrey The Chickenshed £23.65. works expressing the experiences KT16 0AD of those who fought the war, and : cockcrow.co.uk try also Theatre Palace Theatre those who stayed behind. From : flmr.org and W1D 5AY £12. : mizensrailway.co.uk Chase Side, Southgate N14 4PE : : nimaxtheatres.com/palace-theatre 13 September chickenshed.org.uk Until 6 September Southbank Centre Gala Day. Miniature train rides for 4 October The Three Little Pigs. A musical ages 2+. 1.30-5pm, single ride Family Fun Day. Their annual Belvedere Road SE1 8PX twist on the retelling of this classic : adult £4, child £3.50, family (of 4) autumn fundraiser is now bigger and southbankcentre.co.uk fairytale. Discover how the three £12. better as the whole family is 5 and 6 September little porkers become world- Every Sunday in September encouraged to come and get Discover Indonesia Festival. renowned celebrity superstars Running Day. Miniature train rides involved at the new Family Fun Day! Family activities include a gamelan when forced to leave the warmth of for ages 2+. 1.30-5pm, single ride FREE (percussion orchestra) taster for their mother's overcrowded sty. adult £4, child £3.50, family (of 4) ages 6+, an interactive workshop Age 3+ £12. The Colour House and puppetry demonstration for all Theatre ages and a Javanese dance The Polka Theatre workshop. Watermill Way SW19 2RD 240 The Broadway, 6, 13, 20 and 27 September : colourhousetheatre.co.uk Wimbledon SW19 1SB Monski Mouse’s Baby Disco Every Saturday from 6 : polkatheatre.com Dance Hall. A toddler friendly September 25-27 September disco hosted by Monski Mouse for Little Folk with Albo. Claytime. Create a world of under 5s and their parents, 3pm Popular Wimbledon fabulous forms, amazing animals and 16 September folksinger Al Clogston morphing monsters. Each Groove Baby Presents Randolph performs a series of performance of Claytime is totally Matthews. Grown-up concerts Saturday morning concerts unique, with characters and stories your baby can groove to, featuring for kids. Albo will present coming directly from the young improvisation and stories. For a mixture of folk songs, audience. Be prepared to get your babies and toddlers. American camp songs, hands dirty – this is interactive traditional children’s songs, theatre at its most messy and sing-alongs and original engaging. Age 3-6, £12/£9. songs for kids 10.30am, £5. Cont p.46

September 2015 ® 45 There's no room to list more here, but use our unique What’s On local searchable What’s On calendar on FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk MUSEUMS Natural History London Transport Churchill War Rooms Museum Museum King Charles Street SW1A from p.45 : iwm.org.uk Cromwell Road SW7 5BD Covent Garden WC2E 7BB AND The Churchill War Rooms were : nhm.ac.uk : ltmuseum.co.uk originally the Cabinet War Rooms, 18 September Admission free for under 17s, £16 created in 1938 as underground GALLERIES Dino Snores. Discover what really adults. Tickets are valid for 12 storage areas for the Office of happens at the Museum when the months' unlimited admission. Works Building in Whitehall. They See more events in our online staff and visitors have gone home. All aboard In the museum's were soon converted to house the Ages 7–11, 7pm, ends 9.50am the exciting new playzone, children can What’s On calendar central core of government and to following day. £60/£54 members. get into the driver's seat of a real become a temporary military Throughout September bus, repair a mini Tube train and Bank of England information centre serving the Coral Reefs: Secret Cities of the play in the 'Lost Property' office. Bartholomew Lane EC2R 8AH Prime Minister and the Chiefs of Sea. Plunge into spectacular Ages 0-7 years. : bankofengland.co.uk/museum Staff of the air, naval and land forces. seascapes and explore the richness The Family Station Pick up a coin 19 and 20 September Visitors can hear the first-hand of life beneath the waves at the bag and choose some activities to Open House London Weekend. personal accounts of those who Museum’s exciting new exhibition do as you explore the museum. Enjoy 30-minute guided tours to worked in the Cabinet War Rooms on coral reefs. £12.60/£6.30. Open weekends and school parts of the Bank not generally during the war. Learn what life and Every Saturday in September holidays, suitable for families with 3- accessible to the public. No booking conditions were like underground Nature Live: Natural Histories. 12 year-olds. required, but early arrival is advised. and experiencing the authenticity Meet the curators and researchers and emotional resonance of walking who are part of the BBC Radio 4 The Foundling Firepower Royal through the corridors where series, Natural Histories, telling the Museum Churchill made history. Open Artillery Museum stories of 25 extraordinary 9.30am-6pm, admission free for specimens from the Museum’s Camden Town WC1N 1AZ Royal Arsenal, Woolwich SE18 6ST under 16s, £15.95 adults. collections that have managed to get : foundlingmuseum.org.uk : firepower.org.uk Admission free for under 16s, £8.25 Throughout September under the skin of human society and adults. Showcasing a decade's National Portrait In Their Own Words. A new change the way we see the world. research into the Hospital's archive, exhibition about the Great War, 12.30pm. Gallery the introductory gallery takes bringing to life artillerymen of FREE St Martin's Place WC2H 0HE visitors on an emotional journey different nations through extracts : npg.org.uk through the history of London's first from their diaries, letters home and V&A Museum of On the third Sunday of every month home for children who would photographs. Families are invited to drop-in with Childhood otherwise have been abandoned. children aged 3+ to take part in Cambridge Heath Road E2 9PA New displays of favourite objects Imperial War Museum portrait-related events. : museumofchildhood.org.uk offer visitors greater access and Lambeth Road SE1 6HZ Throughout September depth of information, while V&A Museum : iwm.org.uk The Alice Look. Get a whole new previously unseen items shed new Every Sunday in September view of Lewis Carroll’s heroine in light on the Foundling Hospital SW7 2RL : vam.ac.uk/families Object Conversations. Explore this display marking the 150th story. Families During any visit, families objects from the collections and feel anniversary of Alice’s Adventures in Until 4 October can pick up a trail from the the weight of a shrapnel piece from Wonderland. Foundlings at war The effect of Information Desk and explore the the First World War. Drop-in, free, FREE the Napoleonic Wars on the museum through puzzles, drawing all ages, 11am–12.30pm and 2–4pm. Foundling Hospital is explored and observation. Suitable for 7-12 6, 13 and 27 September Horniman Museum through the stories of two young year-olds. There are also hundreds Creative Response. Art activities of exciting hands-on exhibits Forest Hill SE23 foundlings who served at sea: one at based on themes featured in their the Battle of Trafalgar, the other containing plenty to touch and try : horniman.ac.uk atrium and galleries. Drop-in, free, out. Museum open 10am-5.45pm Until 1 November alongside Nelson aboard the HMS all ages, 11am–12.30pm and 2–4pm. daily, admission free. Plantastic Explore the wonderful Victory. Saturdays. Pick up a back pack world of plants on a massive scale. The Museum Of London and explore the museum with From giant seeds and exploding fantastic jigsaws, stories, puzzles and London Wall EC2Y 5HN cucumbers to sun-seeking flowers games. 10.30am-5pm. : museumoflondon.org.uk and a huge crawl-through root Every Sunday in September system. £3.85 per child Museum Explored. Join one of the Museum's Hosts and explore the London Dungeon galleries through fun, hands-on County Hall SE1 7PB activities. 12-2pm. : thedungeons.com/london The National Gallery 10-30 September Outbreak 350! To mark the 350th Trafalgar Square WC2N 5DN anniversary of the Great Plague of : nationalgallery.org.uk 1665, the London Dungeon is Every Wednesday in September preparing for its own outbreak of Welcome Wednesdays. Bring the disease that claimed 20% of the paintings to life through interactive capital's population. 1000 years of music, storytelling, art, and messy London's murky past await visitors, play activities especially designed for with murderous characters from little walkers and their grown-ups. Jack the Ripper to Guy Fawkes and Suitable for sitting babies up to Sweeney Todd, plus plenty of edge- toddlers, 10.30am, 11.30am & 1pm. of-the-seat surprises and two Every Sunday in September thrilling rides. Magic Carpet Storytelling. For Admission on the door £20.50 children aged 2-5. Fly away on the children, reduced for online pre- magic carpet, coming to land in bookings. front of a different painting each day. 10.30-11am and 11.30am–12pm.

46 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680 Classified Proudly boasting... ELOCUTION Reliable Handyman • Garden maintenance Public Speaking and building work Speech & Drama (fences, patios, sheds, etc..) ® Individual Tuition • Jobs around the house Clare Price. LGSM, ALAM (carpentry, painting, fitting SouthWest (020) 7735 3156 furniture, etc…) [email protected] • Upcycling furniture and Shabby Chic items available Online £30/hour. Call Brian: 0774 513 6424 directory HEALTH

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September 2015 ® 47 48 FamiliesSouthWest.co.uk Tel: 020 8696 9680