IN THIS ISSUE Local clubs and classes State and Independent School Open Days!

Issue 116 September 2017 familiesonline.co.uk WATFORD BUSHEY RICKMANSWORTH M1 M25 NORTHWOOD HAREFIELD KINGSBURY HARROW WEST RUISLIP HENDON ICKENHAM DOLLIS HILL SUDBURY PARK NORTHOLT BRONDESBURY PARK WEMBLEY UXBRIDGE A40 QUEENS PARK WILLESDEN KILBURN

Welcome to the IN THIS ISSUE:

September issue! 2 Families News

5 Mummy On The Edge

CONTACT US: www.facebook.com/ 10 School Open Days FamiliesNWLondon Families North West 16 Clubs and Classes Magazine @FamiliesNWLon 26 What’s On Circulation 30,000+ copies every issue. 30 Childrens Theatre Editors: Published seven times a year. For families Heather Waddington from birth to twelve. and Janine Mergler P.O. Box 2378, Watford WD18 1RF UPCOMING ISSUES: T: 01923 237 004 October 2017 - Education and Schools Deadline: 10th Sept 2017 E: [email protected] Cover image: Nov/Dec 2017 - Seasonal Celebrations depositphotos.com Deadline: 10th Oct 2017 www.FamiliesNWLondon.co.uk Send in your news, stories and advertising bookings to the details left. Feature images used under license from depositphotos.com. Other images have been supplied by Where is Families North West London? independent sources.

Families North West London Magazine is distributed bi-monthly throughout north west London. An area bordered by the A40 to the south, by the A5/M1 to the east and out towards the M25 in the north and west. You can collect a copy FREE from scores of outlets: schools, nurseries, play groups, clubs and classes, sports centres, children’s libraries, family doctors and baby clinics, theatres, your local council offices and children’s shops. If you would like to stock copies to give to parents, please let us know. Distributed to over 30,000 families!

Local charity benefits from NEWS cash boost from regional builder Herts Inclusive Theatre in Watford, which provides Local school is finalist in specialist arts and theatre sessions for disabled children, national diversity awards young adults and adults, Mulberry House school NW2 has been applauded for providing an applied to Persimmon Homes inspirational learning environment and has been nominated from North London to become one 22,000 entrants to become a finalist for this year’s National Diversity of its monthly Community Awards. Champions. The builder chooses two groups per month to receive The Mulberry House a donation through the popular School was founded scheme. in 1989 with the aim of developing a love The charity received £1,000 of learning within to spend on much-needed each child and the equipment, including a rainbow 2017 ISI inspection wave parachute, three disability highlighted the friendly cameras, a sensory resource kit, coloured wristbands to school’s commitment aid emotion work, six ear defenders and three magnetic drawing to both children’s boards to aid communication. academic Caroline Stevens, artistic director at Herts Inclusive Theatre, said: achievements as “This donation will make a tremendous difference and we cannot well as personal thank Persimmon Homes enough. development by “The equipment will be used in our weekly sessions and during awarding them with ‘excellent’ across all areas. holiday activities. Having access to items such as these will enable Daily activities across the school promote respect for all cultures, faiths our workshop leaders to improve the sessions they offer, enabling and lifestyles, with events such as Africa day and Indian cultural week. them to engage with the most disabled and disadvantaged The school nurtures community understanding and acceptance of our participants within the activities, including those with behavioural, differences. speech and language difficulties. Winners of the NDA will be announced on Friday, September 8th at the Visit www.hit-theatre.org.uk and www.persimmonhomes.com/ Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool. charity for further information on the charity or the grant www.NationalDiversityAwards.co.uk opportunities.

Families North West London Magazine is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families North West London Magazine are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families North West London Magazine. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the franchise company, Families Print Ltd and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

2 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk NEWS

Local dance-school pupil on tour with English National Ballet The van Niekerk of Dance was established in 2001 and many hundreds of students have very successfully gained their Royal Academy of Dance ballet exams, as well as appear in the school dance shows. Former students have gone on to full time vocational schools such as Tring Park, Central School of Ballet, Kiev State Opera , Ballet West, YDA, Millennium and Performers. Former student Betsy Colindale Primary School Smith, pictured, is shortly to dance on tour with the English National Ballet. Brings Colour To The RAF For further information on ballet classes from age 3 upwards please Museum! contact Suzanne at [email protected] The RAF Museum in Hendon is currently undergoing a multi-million- pound transformation supported by National Lottery players through Get your half-term the Heritage Lottery Fund to celebrate and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the RAF next year. camps planned early! The Museum is open to the public whilst re-landscaping and building Perform’s Wizard of Oz themed dance, drama work are active on site, so to brighten the place up, local schoolchildren and singing courses for 4-7s Inspire your from Colindale Primary School have designed a multi-coloured banner child’s imagination this October half-term that celebrates the aviation heritage of the area. The banner will be on with one of Perform’s unique holiday courses. display around the Museum as building works continue. On these one and three-day courses, the Colindale Primary School is an official partner in the Museum’s RAF children will enter a world of musical fantasy Centenary Programme which will in 2018 welcome visitors to a new as they re-enact the much-loved story of the Wizard of Oz. Join the green heart of the community, reflecting the historic RAF Hendon adventure on the Yellow Brick Road with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the airfield. New, innovative galleries will explore the first 100 years of the Lion and the Tin Man as they set out to find the Wizard. Your child will RAF, its roles today and entice visitors to imagine its future contribution delight in discovering the Ruby Slippers and exploring the magical and technology. Plus, a new digital sharing project will promote world of Oz with our friendly team of singers, dancers and actors. conversation with a global audience and help connect people to the Dates: Monday 23rd October, 10am - 3pm; Venues: St Lukes Hall – HA5 RAF story, sharing information onsite and online. Contact: T: 020 7255 9120 / [email protected] www.perform. org.uk/holidays To find out more, visit www.perform.org.uk/holidays www.rafmuseum.org

familiesonline.co.uk Families North West London 3 NEWS

John Lyon pupils help combat Holiday Hunger by donating 538 kilos of food to the Harrow Foodbank 100 Ukuleles donated to Holiday Hunger is a growing problem in the hospitalised children in the UK for many children. When School kitchens UK... with more to follow! close for the long summer holiday many children who are eligible for free school Ukulele Kids Club UK has recently reached a milestone of donating meals are left hungry. John Lyon pupils wanted to do something 100 ukuleles to hospitalised children around the UK. to help alleviate this issue in the last few weeks of the Summer Including ukuleles donated through funds raised by generous term. Pupils worked together to support those in need in Harrow online donors and also actual ukuleles that have been sent into the by ‘paying’ for the privilege of wearing their own clothes with food #UASAmnesty campaign. donations to the Harrow Food bank. More than 538 kilos of food With eleven hospitals having already received ukuleles and several was donated to the Harrow Food Bank by the children! more in the pipeline, the Ukulele Kids Club UK continues to grow from Mrs Plummer, Senior Teacher, said “This is an excellent initiative as strength to strength, spreading the message that “Music Heals” in pupils from across the School community learnt about the reality of hospitals from Bristol to Glasgow and many in between. holiday hunger and worked together to help those in greater need” Recent research has highlighted the many medical benefits, that , Harrow has a richly deserved reputation can be gained as part of structured music therapy. From aiding with for providing an excellent all-round education that combines high depression and anxiety to decreasing recovery times following serious academic standards with excellence in Sport and the Arts. At JLS medical procedures, music and musical instruments can have a hugely every pupil matters. @JohnLyonHarrow beneficial impact. www.johnlyon.org; www.harrow.foodbank.org.uk To find out more about how the Ukulele Kids Club UK functions visit the website at uk.theukc.org

Register for Wear A Hat Day 2018 and start planning your event! Wear A Hat Day is the UK’s premier brain tumour research fundraising event. It takes place on Thursday 29th March 2018. March is also UK Brain Tumour Awareness Month. Schools and families across the country get involved to help raise funds for research into brain tumours’. Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer… yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease. Families are being left devastated by this dreadful disease. This is unacceptable! Brain Tumour Research is the only national charity in the UK that is purely dedicated to raising funds for continuous and sustainable scientific research into brain tumours. Taking part can be as simple as putting on a hat and donating on the day, but most families like to create entertaining fundraising events. Many schools for example have inventive hat competitions, parades and fashion shows and raise hundreds if not thousands of pounds. On average, organisations raise £250, with small ones £50 and some raising more than £2,000! Whatever target you set yourselves aim to smash it!! More information, event ideas and fundraising tips can be found online: www.wearahatday.org. Register now on www.wearahatday.org and start planning your hattastic fundraising event. Your fundraising pack will be sent out in early 2018 and will include leaflets, posters, balloons, wristbands and badges to help promote your event and smash your fundraising target!

4 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk Mummy on the Edge

Angelina falls on way to Kegon Falls during her Japanese pilgrimage.

had just visited a misty, hilltop shrine at the top of what felt like 5 thousand steps in Nikko, a world heritage site in Japan full of Shinto Shrines and Buddhist Temples. While making my descent, I thought about Iall the times over the past fifteen years I had instructed Midi-Me to slow down and be careful (in between school mornings where I shouted, “Hurry UP!!”) K, my life-enhancing niece (everyone should have one) studying, hanging The ancient steps connecting the hill-top out, earning her Duke of Edinburgh shrine were hewn out of stone, very steep Bronze Award, and learning to cook. and seemingly never ending. The last thing K is “She Who Bakes” in our family I wanted to happen merely 3 days into an (checkout @bakes.by.k on insta) epic once-in-a-lifetime trip, was to take a and it is she who deserves much tumble down and break my face and body. of the credit for Midi-Me’s growing Especially as the following week we would kitchenthusiasm! When I stepped from be mixing with Mr A’s work people in Tokyo. the taxi into the house I was greeted As an image of myself wearing a posh frock, by the nasal equivalent of a hug scabby nose and chipped-toothed smile from the delicious aroma of a roast came to mind (“how LOVELY to meet you!”) dinner. Upon her cousin K’s advice, I shooed it away and trod carefully, steadily Midi-Me had watched a YouTube video and slowly downwards, reaching the bottom showing how to butterfly and roast a triumphantly in one piece and without whole chicken! This she served up with incident. Next stop that day was Kegon Falls. roasted potatoes, a sautéed squash/ You can guess what happened next. The carrot medley AND home-made gravy. clue’s in the name. I still needed the actual non-nasal hug You see I think I’ve developed something with arms and this was supplemented of a habit. The only explanation I can come by sympathetic oohs and aahs when I up with is that when I go on holiday without Midi-Me my sub- told her about my latest injury. And followed by hilarity when I told conscious feels so guilty for having a wonderful time without her her I was running for the wrong bus… that it helpfully gets my limbs to sabotage my body to make up If, like me, you are struggling to rationalise the many senseless for it. It’s all about balance, you see: Yin, yang; pleasure, pain. Or events of the last couple of months to a five, 15 or 45 year old it rather, lack of balance. Last year it was slipping in the bathtub might help to seek out the advice of Mr Rodgers: “Look for the resulting in broken ribs in Venice. Christmas was a back injury in helpers.” You can google the rest of the quote. It’s worth it. India. This spring, bashed body achieved by falling flat on my face while running for a bus that was supposed to take me to see one of the top three most picturesque waterfalls in the region. One minute I was running in my bed-shoes aka my Skechers GoWalks. Listen to Angelina’s popular chat show Dessert Island The next I was lying prostrate on the pavement, in deference to Discs on live on www.thepulsehr.uk Thursdays at 10am the Shinto deities whom I must have deeply insulted in some way. or catch up at www.mixcloud.com/angelina-melwani Before I blacked out. Then the ambulance turned up and I woke *facebook.com/angelinamelwani * twitter @appleina up and used all the powers gained during 13 years of Sing and * mynotesfromtheedge.blogspot.com *Instagram @ mynotesfromtheedge Sign baby-signing teaching to convince the wonderful Japanese paramedics that I didn’t need the hospital. And thankfully I succeeded in order to hobble to Kegon Falls on the next bus. Japan was a trip of breathtaking experiences and sights which I will never forget. After two and a half weeks away, I had gained an understanding of another culture (-not to mention a few pounds of sushi and rice). But it is especially hard to be so far away from your kids and home when it feels like the world has gone mad and terrible things are happening in your country in your absence. When the news broke about the awful goings on at the concert in Manchester I, like everyone else, was heartbroken and just wanted to squeeze my Midi-Me tightly. Of course the self-sabotage was wildly over the top and completely unnecessary. I needn’t have worried about Midi-Me’s wellbeing while I was away. She was having a great old time with

familiesonline.co.uk Families North West London 5 Education

advertorial Explore Learning helping children of all abilities succeed in secondary!

eptember brings with it a new class writing CVs. It’s the perfect course to help or even a move to a different school your child to fearlessly take on the challenge for your child. For some, this is a very of secondary school. Alongside this course Sexciting time; at Explore Learning we’ll help you navigate the process of we hear our students chatting away about selecting a new school. We’re confident you moving to ‘big school’ and planning trips to won’t be disappointed so why not book your buy new uniforms and stationery. For others, free trial today? get your first choice of school, you can find you can see they are a little more anxious. out about your options. Keep an open mind Even those that are very confident ask Explore Learning’s secondary - and try not to show any concerns you have questions about what it will be like when they about a school to your child. move schools. How will they be able to tackle top tips! the new, harder work? It’s important to talk Keep them organized! Get your child to Talk to families who already go there and to children about what they are excited about check their timetable each night and pack arrange a visit to the school if you’ve not as well as what they are concerned about. Let everything they need for the next day - one already been. You may find the school is the them know that it is ok to be worried about less thing for them to worry about. perfect place for your child. You can put your change, but it’s also good to take on a new child’s name on the waiting list for the school Their new teacher will have had information challenge and confront your fears by trying you want to go to. This is no guarantee, but about your child from their previous teacher, new things. not everyone takes up the place they have however if there is something you feel is been offered so you may get a place through At Explore Learning, we offer a course important that the teacher knows about your the waiting list. tailored to children in Year 6 to Year 9 called child, do drop them a letter/e-mail or ask for Succeed in Secondary which is specifically a quick chat. Take the pressure off 11 plus exams. The designed to help your family with the exam is important, but don’t let your desire Moving schools or class can result in transition. We support children with the for your child to pass put extra pressure on your child missing their friends. Ask them skills they need to excel in secondary school them. Reassure your child that the exam is a questions about new people they have met including debating, essay writing, delivering chance to show off what they do know and to encourage them to make new friends. presentations, persuasive language, analysing if they can’t do something that is ok. Tell Arrange to meet up with their old class mates and many more. Students get to grips with them whatever the outcome you are proud of outside of school so they can still see them. these skills though a whole range of topics them. Removing stress as much as possible including real life skills like budgeting and It’s really important to remember that if don’t will allow your child to perform at their best.

6 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk Education

High performance for all

By Wendy Berliner ith the children back to school, or just starting school, you could be forgiven for thinking you are handing them over to the professionals and your job is just to make Wsure they get enough good food, rest and enjoyment so that they flourish in class. Perhaps you think your teaching job is limited to hearing the little ones read while you make sure the bigger ones do their homework. But it’s more than that. What parents do at home educationally can make the difference between whether their children succeed at school or not. The latest research from education and neuroscience proves how malleable the brain is, how learning potential can grow, how IQ isn’t fixed – it can go up if you invest in it, and it can probably go down if you don’t. The truth is that with the right support at home, the vast majority of children could deliver performance at school more commonly associated with the gifted and talented. There’s room for a lot more at the top of the class. In our new book Great Minds and How to Grow Them, Professor Deborah Eyre, a lifetime specialist in advanced learning, and myself, an education journalist who has taken a special interest in why some children from similar backgrounds do badly at school whilst others don’t, have looked at the research in detail and come up with guidance any parent can use at home, fitting it seamlessly and easily into normal daily life. What follows are five top ideas you can use at home. Great Minds and How to Grow Them by Wendy Berliner and Deborah Eyre. They come from Deborah’s High Performance Learning system which is being introduced in schools in the UK and abroad and is detailed for For a 20% discount and free delivery of parents in Great Minds and How to Grow Them. the book use webcode: GMGT230 on www.routledge.com Reader offer open till 31 December 2017. How to create a high performing child

1. Cultivate confidence and resilience – if a child thinks they can, they keep trying. It’s the ones that think they can’t who fall behind – the ones who say ‘I’m rubbish at this’. Don’t sort everything out for them – and that includes tying their shoelaces as much as it does doing their homework. And model the behaviour – don’t give up too easily on things in your life. Key words: How could you do this? Have you done anything similar before? What did you do then? ‘I know you can. I know it’s hard to do now but I know you can learn how to do this in time if you work at it.’

2. Develop critical or logical thinking: The ability to deduct, hypothesise, reason and seek evidence is probably the characteristic most associated with academic success. Keywords: ‘Why do you think. . . (bread goes mouldy, babies cry, leaves fall when autumn comes, people disagree about climate change?)’ ‘I wonder if that happened because of this?’ ‘How could I find out the truth about that?’

3. Encourage them to monitor their progress – very important to the high performer is knowing how they are doing, knowing they are on track with their homework for example, knowing they need to put more effort into improving certain things. Key words: ‘What do you need to be able to do this? How can you check you’re on track? How can you tell whether you are doing it right?

4. Encourage open mindedness – being open to new ideas is the hallmark of an advanced learner. Start with being open minded yourself so you model what it’s like to be receptive of ideas that differ from your own. Keywords: ‘That’s different to us, isn’t that interesting?’ ‘I never thought of it like that, but that is such a good approach.’

5. Practice – it’s the only way to get good at something. Make sure it is regular, deliberate and planned, working towards achievable incremental goals and you practise what you can’t do until you can do it well. Key words: ‘You are really good at that now, what’s the next step up from (playing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star on your recorder, writing a story of 100 words/ swimming a width of the pool?)’

familiesonline.co.uk Families North West London 7 Education Your school shoe fitting guide

Measuring your child’s feet the foot only and it should have sufficient cushioning so that the foot is supported Because your child’s feet will continue to comfortably when your little one runs or grow in fits and starts, it’s important to have skips. them measured by a trained, professional shoe fitter in a shoe shop every eight weeks- Shoe material should be breathable and water 12 weeks (once per term). The fitter will resistant. If your child’s feet sweat and can’t measure your child’s feet from the tip of their breathe, smelly feet and fungal infections can longest toe to the back of their heel and result. across the widest part of the foot. From these Shoe styles to avoid measurements, the correct size and fitting of shoe can be determined. • Rubber clogs don’t provide enough heel support What to look for when choosing • Ballet pumps and plimsolls are usually school shoes flat and flimsy so they don’t give enough There are many important things that you support to the feet should look for when choosing school • Trainers are a much better choice for kids shoes for your kids. A firm heel cup is very as they can provide plenty of support as important. The heel supports the foot and well as being comfortable and breathable. needs to be held in a straight position. If the • Ugg boots or similar should only be used heel leans to one side or the other, pain and hen it comes to buying school as slippers as they don’t provide enough postural problems could arise. Try pressing shoes for your children, the support Wimportance of making the right gently on the sides of the heel - if it sinks choice of footwear can’t be overstressed. in easily, the shoe is not providing sufficient • Overly heavy shoes should be avoided as Poorly fitting shoes can cause painful support. they can put too much strain on growing feet and can encourage clawing and problems, which your children could carry The shoe should have a strap, Velcro or laces clenching of the toes. with them into later life. In fact, your child’s to prevent the shoe from slipping forward and feet will continue to grow and develop until scrunching your child’s toes. Ill-fitting shoes It’s really important that you choose well- they reach their teens, so getting it right that crush the toes can lead to permanent fitting shoes for your kids, not just for their now is vital. problems like clawed or hammer toes. The comfort now, but for their future foot shoe sole should be flexible at the ball of health too.

8 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk Education

Facing The 11+ Journey

t’s probably not news to you, but if your Year 5 child is likely to sit any entrance exams for selective state schools, it’s time to think seriously about 11+ preparations. IAs a first step, have your child academically assessed at this point. This will allow you to find out if they are capable of succeeding amidst the fierce and constantly increasing competition for 11+ places, and indeed whether they are likely to cope in a highly academic selective senior school. To succeed, your child needs to be taught and practise both the 11+ curriculum and the exam techniques and strategies needed to optimise results. Standard primary school lessons will not provide adequate preparation. One-to-one tutoring, tutor groups and holiday workshops can all dramatically boost a child’s knowledge and their confidence to face the exams, but unless they would be suited to a highly academic school, it makes no sense to push them into one. Consider carefully whether the selective route is right for your child, then give them all the support they need.

JK Educate are experts in preparing children for the 11+ exams for state selective and independent schools and offer academic assessments for all children, including suitability for the 11+. If you would like more information, contact JK Educate on 020 3488 0754 or via jkeducate.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk Families North West London 9 Education State School Open Days

Looking ahead… Getting ready to choose a secondary school

s a parent or carer, you want reassurance that your ✓✓Do some research on the schools before you visit: inspection child will thrive, be inspired, challenged and love reports, league tables (use with caution), website and local learning throughout their years in secondary school knowledge and selecting the right school fit for his/her is the best way to ensure this. Education is far more than academic achievement so it is A important to look for evidence of all the other opportunities, But how do you and your child know which school is the right clubs, activities and trips that will enrich your child’s ‘fit’ out of all the state and independent choices out there? educational experience and enable them to develop valuable Make use of the number of Open Day/Evening events that life skills. And if you are considering schools where 11+ schools host over the next couple of months, and/or make an assessments are required, make sure you find out about appointment to visit if the school offers personal tours. application deadlines and processes well in advance - late ✓✓You will get a more realistic impression from speaking applications are rarely considered. to pupils, looking at displays of work, reading teacher’s comments and seeing lessons in progress ✓✓As the pupils tour you around the school, they will tell you everything and answer your questions on good (and less “But how do you and your good) aspects of the school, and talk to you about their future aspirations. Watch how the pupils engage with the staff and, child know which school if you can’t imagine your child at the school, then that is not the right one to nurture and educate your child. You know is the right ‘fit’ out of all your own child well and your questions can focus on how the curriculum, extra-curricular activities and ethos will benefit the state and independent him/her. ✓✓Listen to the Head’s speech about their vision for the school choices out there?” and talk to the staff

Open Event listings for state schools in our local area

Please check school websites to confirm in advance of visiting advertised open days. Listings are subject to change. Independent school listings start on page 13

Schools in ‘HA’ Postcode

Alperton Community School Wembley HA0 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Wed 27 Sep. 020 8902 2038 www..brent.sch.uk

Wembley High Technology College Wembley HA0 Boys and Girls Open Day: TBC. 020 8385 4800 11-19 yrs www.whtc.co.uk

Harrow High School Harrow HA1 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC. [email protected] www.hhsweb.org

The Jubilee Academy Harrow HA1 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Morning: TBC. 0203 096 1221 www.thejubileeacademy.org.uk Harrow HA2 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Tue 12 Sep. 020 8422 4675 www.rooksheath.harrow.sch.uk

Whitmore High School Harrow HA2 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC. 020 8864 7688 www.whitmore.harrow.sch.uk Claremont High School Harrow HA3 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC 020 8204 4442 www.claremont-high.org.uk Harrow HA3 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Tue 2 May, Tue 13 Jun – 9.15 & 10.15am. 01923 www.hatchend.harrow.sch.uk 681103

10 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk Education State School Open Days

JFS Harrow HA3 Boys and Girls 11-19 yrs www.jfs.brent.sch.uk Open Day: Tue 26 Sep, 4.15-8pm. 020 8206 3100

The Sacred Heart Language College Harrow HA3 Girls 11-16 yrs Open Day: TBC. 020 8863 9922 www.tshlc.harrow.sch.uk Salvatorian Roman Catholic College Harrow HA3 Boys 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC. 020 8863 2706 www.salvatoriancollege.com Bishop Ramsey Church of School Ruislip HA4 Boys and Girls Open Day: TBC. 01895 639227 11-18 yrs www.bishopramsey.hillingdon.sch.uk Ruislip HA4 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Wed 27 Sep, 5.30-8pm. 020 8845 6266 www.queensmeadschool.org.uk Ruislip HA4 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Thu 5 Oct, 5-8pm. 01895 464064 www.ruisliphigh.com Pinner HA5 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Thu 21 Sep. 020 8429 0005 www.haydonschool.com Pinner HA5 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Tue 26 Sep, 9am & 1.30pm. 020 8863 0877 www.nowerhill.org.uk Northwood School Northwood HA6 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Mon 9 Oct, 5.30-8.30pm.01923 836363 www.northwoodschool.org.uk Open Day: Thu 14 Sep, 6.30-9pm; Fri 15 Sep, 10am-12pm; Sat Stanmore HA7 Girls 11-18 yrs 16 & Sat 23 Sep, 9am-12pm; Mon 18-Fri 22 Sep, 9am-12pm. 020 www.bentleywood.harrow.sch.uk 8954 3623 Park High School Stanmore HA7 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC 020 8952 2803 www.parkhighstanmore.org.uk Edgware HA8 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Wed 27 Sep 5- 8pm; Mon 2 & Tue 3 Oct 9.15- www.canons.harrow.sch.uk 10.30am – (appt only). 020 8951 5780. Ark Elvin Academy Wembley HA9 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC. 020 8902 6362 www.arkelvinacademy.org Michaela Community School Wembley HA9 Boys and Girls 11-19 yrs Open Day: [email protected] www.mcsbrent.co.uk

Schools in ‘NW’ Postcode

The Crest Academy London NW2 Boys and Girls 11-19 yrs Open Day: TBC. 020 8452 4842 www.thecrestacademy.org Hampstead School London NW2 Boys and Girls 11-19 yrs Open Day: Tue 19 & Tue 26 Sep, Tue 3, Tue 10 & Tue 17 Oct, all www.hampsteadschool.org.uk 9am; Thu 21 Sep, 5.30pm. 020 7794 8133 Menorah High School for Girls London NW2 Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC. 020 8208 0500 www.menorahhigh.org Whitefield School London NW2 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Wed 27 Sep, 4.30-8pm. 0208 455 4114 www.whitefield.barnet.sch.uk Marylebone Boys’ School London NW6 Boys 11-18 yrs Open Day: Mon 2 Oct 9-11am; Thu 5 Oct 5.30-7.30pm; Wed 11 www.maryleboneschool.org Oct 9-11am. [email protected] St Augustine’s CofE High School London NW6 Boys and Girls 11-18 Open Day: TBC. 0207 328 3434 yrs www.staugustineshigh.org Kingsbury High School Kingsbury NW9 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC 020 8206 3000 www.kingsburyhigh.org.uk St James’ Catholic High School Colindale NW9 Boys and Girls 11-18 Open Day: TBC. 020 8358 2800 yrs www.st-james.barnet.sch.uk Capital City Academy London NW10 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Wed 27 Sep, Thu 12 Oct, Tue 17 Oct, all 9.15 - 11am; www.capitalcityacademy.org Wed 4 Oct 5.30 - 7.30pm. 020 8838 8700 Convent of Jesus and Mary Language College London NW10 Girls Open Day: TBC. 020 8965 2986 11-18 yrs www.cjmlc.co.uk Newham Catholic College London NW10 Boys and Girls 11-19 yrs Open Day: TBC. 020 8965 2986 www.ncc.brent.sch.uk Northolt High School Northolt UB5 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC. 020 8864 8544 www.northolthigh.org.uk

William Perkin CofE High School Greenford UB6 Boys and Girls 11-18 Open Day: TBC. 020 8832 8950 yrs www.williamperkin.org.uk

The Uxbridge UB9 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Mon 3 Oct, 10-11.30am. 01895 827961 www.theharefieldacademy.org

Schools in ‘WD’ Postcode

Rickmansworth School Rickmansworth WD3 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Thu 28 Sep, 5.30-9pm. 01923 773296 www.rickmansworth.herts.sch.uk

continued on page 12 v

familiesonline.co.uk Families North West London 11 Education State School Open Days

v continued from page 11

St Clement Danes School Rickmansworth WD3 Boys and Girls 11-18 Open Day: Sat 7 Oct. [email protected]. yrs www.stclementdanes.org.uk uk

St Joan of Arc Catholic School Rickmansworth WD3 Boys and Girls Open Day: Thu 5 Oct, 6-9pm; Fri 6 Oct, 9-11.30am. 01923 11-18 yrs www.joa.herts.sch.uk 773881

The Reach Free School Watford WD18 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC. 01923 224764 www.reachfreeschool.co.uk

Watford for Boys Watford WD18 Boys 11-18 yrs Open Day: Sat 30 Sep, 9am-12pm. 01923 208900 www.watfordboys.org

Watford Grammar School for Girls Watford WD18 Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Mon 9 Oct, 6-9pm. 01923 223403 www.watfordgrammarschoolforgirls.org.uk

Westfield Academy Watford WD18 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC. 01923 231560 www.westfield.herts.sch.uk

Bushey Meads School Bushey WD23 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC. 020 8950 3000 www.busheymeads.org.uk

The Bushey Academy Bushey WD23 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC. 020 8950 9502 www.thebusheyacademy.org

Queen’s School Bushey WD23 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC 01923 224465 www.queens.herts.sch.uk

The Watford UTC Watford WD24 Boys and Girls 14-19 yrs Open Day: Sat 16 Sep & Sat 18 Nov, 10am-12pm; Thu 12 www.watfordutc.org Oct,4.30-6pm. 01923 905240

Francis Combe Academy Watford WD25 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: TBC. 01923 672964 www.franciscombeacademy.org

Parmiter’s School Watford WD25 Boys and Girls 11-18 yrs Open Day: Tue 3 Oct, 4-8.30pm. 01923 671424 www.parmiters.herts.sch.uk

St Michael’s Catholic High School Watford WD25 Boys and Girls 11-18 Open Day: TBC. admissions@stmichaelscatholichighschool. yrs www.stmichaelscatholichighschool.co.uk co.uk

12 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk Education Independent School Open Days

Please check school websites to confirm in advance of visiting advertised open days. Listings are subject to change.

Aldenham School Elstree WD6 Boys and Girls 3-18 yrs (Boarding/ Open Day: Sat 7 Oct, 10am-12.30pm. Prep School 01923 Day) [email protected] 851664. Senior School 01923 858122 Alpha Preparatory School Harrow HA1 Boys and Girls 3-11 yrs. Open Day: By appointment 0208 427 1471 www.alpha.harrow.sch.uk Bales College Kensal Town W10 Boys and Girls 11+ Open Day: By appointment 020 8960 5899 to register www.balescollege.co.uk Buxlow Preparatory and Nursery School Wembley HA9 7QJ Open Morning: By appointment. 020 89043615 Boys and Girls 0 - 11yrs (Day) www.buxlowschool.org.uk Buckingham College Preparatory School Pinner HA5 Boys School Open Day: Wed 11 Oct, 9am-12pm. 020 8866 2737. 4-11 years www.buckprep.org Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School Elstree WD6 Open Day: Sat 7 Oct, 1-4pm (Prep & Sen Sch). Sat 4 Nov, Boys 5-18 yrs. www.habsboys.org.uk 9.30am-1.30pm (Pre-Prep). 020 8266 1700 Open Day: Jun Sch Open Day: Sat 7 Oct, 10am-12.30pm; Sen Sch Open Day: Sat 7 Oct, 2-5pm. Jun Sch in Action: Tue 26 Haberdashers’ Aske’s Girls’ School Elstree WD6 Sep; Wed 11 Oct; Tue 7 Nov, all 9.15am. Sen Sch in Action: Fri Girls 4-18 yrs. www.habsgirls.org.uk 29 Sep; Wed 4 Oct; Wed 8 Nov, all 9.30am. 020 8266 2302 email [email protected] School Watford WD25, Boys and Girls 6 months – Open Day: By appointment. 01923 681103 11 years. www.highelmsmanorschool.com

The John Lyon School HA2. Boys 11-18 yrs. Open Day: Sat 23 Sep, 9.30am-12.30pm. 020 8515 9400 www.johnlyon.org

Krishna Avanti Primary School Edgware HA8. Boys and Girls 3-11 yrs. Open Day: By appointment. 020 8381 3344 www.avanti.org.uk/kapsharrow Mariposa Primary School (opening Sept 2018) Harrow HA1 Boys and Open Day: By appointment. Girls 4-11 yrs www.mariposaprimaryschool.org.uk [email protected] Open Day: Prep: Fri 6 Oct, 9.45am-12pm (Y1-Y8) Sen Sch: Sat Merchant Taylor’s Prep Rickmansworth WD3 Boys 4-13. Northwood 23 Sep, 10am-12.30pm. 01923 825648 (Prep) 01923 845514 HA6 Boys 11-18yrs www.mtpn.org.uk www.mtsn.org.uk (Senior) North London Collegiate School Edgware HA8 Girls 4-18yrs. Open Day: Jun Sch: Sat 23 Sep, 10am-12.30pm. Jun Sch 020 www.nlcs.org.uk 8952 1276, Sen Sch 020 8951 6481/6468. Open Day: Sat 7 Oct, 9.30am-1.30pm (Whole School); Tue 10 Northwood College Northwood HA6. Girls 3-18 yrs. Oct, Fri 2 Feb, Wed 2 May, 9.30-11am (Early Yrs & Jun Sch); www.northwoodcollege.gdst.net Wed 11 Oct, Fri 23 Feb, Thu 3 May, 9.30-11am (Sen Sch) 01923 825446. Orley Farm Harrow-on-the-Hill HA1 Boys and Girls 4-13yr Open Day: Sat 7 Oct, 10am. 020 8869 7634/7600 www.orleyfarm.harrow.sch.uk Quainton Hall School Harrow, HA1. Boys 2.5-13yrs, Girls 2.5-11 yrs. Open Day: Sat 23 Sep, 10am-12.30pm. admin@quaintonhall. www.quaintonhall.org.uk org.uk 020 8861 8861 Reddiford School Pinner HA5 Boys and Girls 2yrs 9months – 11 yrs. Open Day: By appointment. 020 8866 0660 www.reddiford.co.uk

Roxeth Mead School HA2 Boys & Girls 3-7yrs. www.roxethmead.com Open Day: By appointment. 020 8422 2092

The Royal Masonic School for Girls Rickmansworth WD3 – Ruspini House Pre School (boys and girls aged 2-4) Cadogan House Pre-Prep Open Day: Sun 8 Oct, 2-5pm. 01923 725354 and Prep Department (girls aged 4-11), Senior School (girls aged 11-18) Saint Jérôme CofE Bilingual School Harrow HA1 Boys and Girls 4-11 Open Day: Tue 10 Oct, Thu 9 Nov, Tue 5 Dec, all 9.30-10.30am. yrs www.stjeromebilingual.org 020 7932 1178 Stanborough School Watford WD25 Boys and Girls 4-18yrs. Open Day: By appointment 01923 673268 Boarding/Day. www.spsch.org St Christopher’s School, Wembley HA9 8HE Boys & Girls 4 – 11 years Open Day: By appointment 020 8902 5069 (day) [email protected] St John’s CofE Primary School (opening Sept 2016) Watford WD17 Open Day: By appointment. 01923 255 017 Boys and Girls 4-11 yrs www.stjohnswatford.co.uk St Helen’s School Northwood HA6. Girls, 3-18 yrs. www.sthelens. Open Day: Sat 23 Sep, 9am-1pm; Wed 1 & Thu 2 Nov, 9.30am- london 12pm (whole sch) 01923 843230 St Hilda’s Preparatory School for Girls Bushey WD23 3-11yrs. Open Day: Sat 7 Oct, 9.30am-12pm. 0208 950 1751 www.sthildasbushey.co.uk St John’s School Northwood HA6 Boys aged 3-13. Open Day: Wed 11 Oct, 9.15am. 020 8866 0067 www.st-johns.org.uk St. Margaret’s School Bushey WD23 Girls 4-18 yrs Open Day: Sat 23 Sep, Thu 12 Oct, Fri 17 Nov, Tue 20 Feb, all (boarding/day) www.stmargaretsbushey.org.uk 9.15-11.15am. 020 8901 0872 St. Martin’s School Northwood HA6. Boys 3-13 yrs Open Day: Fri 15 & Sat 16 Sep, both 10am-12pm. 01923 825 www.stmartins.org.uk 740 St Nicholas Prep School and Nursery, Kingsbury NW9 8PN 3mths – 11 Open Day: Fri 29 Sep, Fri 27 Oct, both 9.30am-12pm. 020 yrs. www.stnicholasschool.org.uk; www.stnicholasnursery.org.uk 8205 7153 Open Day: Thu 5 Oct, 9.30-11.30am (Nursery-yr 2); Sat 7 Oct, York House Rickmansworth WD3. Boys and Girls 3-13 yrs Sat 10 Mar, Sat 19 May, all 9.30am-12pm (Nursery-yr 8). 01923 www.york-house.com 772 395

familiesonline.co.uk Families North West London 13 Education

Making the transition to secondary school How much to Help and How Much to Let Go

arental anxiety is normal at the time your child moves from If your child will walk to school or travel independently on public primary to secondary school. During the primary school transport, practice the new journey Start by travelling together but years, it is fairly easy to support your child at school. You without interaction. Then move to simply following behind your child. Pwill probably know their teacher, other members of staff and Finally, let him do it alone and meet him there. Travel at busy times. parents, as well as being familiar with school policies and routines. Allow your child to make mistakes and find solutions. This equips him Losing the control this familiarity offers is as daunting for parents as it with the skills to handle the unexpected, like bus detours and road is for children and you may wonder how best to continue to support closures. your child effectively. Attending secondary school IS a big leap up for a child – the children After the transition: are older and bigger and it is challenging for children to get used to Be There. Make sure a parent or trusted carer is available before and moving from classroom to classroom for different specialist lessons after school, to provide food, notice if your child comes in late, listen to in a building which is usually much larger than primary school. They their successes and concerns and be aware of subtle changes in mood; will be treated by teachers and staff as much more independent someone to empathise and with whom to discuss problems. Watch individuals, expected to remember more complex school routines, and listen, help if asked but don’t take over. Become an Enabler rather and given less assistance managing them. There are also a lot of new than a Fixer. names and faces to get to know. Support the development of friendships. Mixing socially and Never fear though – your child may be much more prepared for establishing secure friendships is of great importance to older children this than you expect and your anxieties may be eased by adopting and they need to do this whilst still young enough to turn to you for strategies that help with the transition. support when they make mistakes. It’s appropriate for this age group Here are some tips and tools which should help you prepare to have access to a basic mobile phone and computer to communicate for and manage the early months: with friends but the dangers of social networking should be discussed and boundaries agreed. Before the transition: Support organisation and routines. Create “To Do” lists or Shield your child from your anxiety. They can make this transition. “Timetables” for the fridge, agree places to keep bags, kit, and books. Critically, they need to know that you believe in them and in their Label uniform and valuables. Establish routines so they can get to ability to deal with difficulties and challenges. school punctually. Don’t expect too much too soon, many won’t crack this for years! Understand what homework they have and know when it has been completed and handed in. Agree a routine that will help your child to complete and hand in all homework on time, without devoting too much time to one piece and little or nothing to others. However, remember it is their homework not yours; help, encourage, motivate but accept their best. Schedule time to relax. Your child will be exhausted by the effort of holding it all together. Tears are likely over the most trivial things and they may regress and demand more care. Trust that they can cope and make sure there is time for sleep, friends, homework, more sleep, watching TV, playing computer games and yet more sleep! By Linda Stone

ROXETH MEAD SCHOOL ESTABLISHED 1859 Independent school for boys and girls between 3 years and 7+

◆◆ Small classes ◆◆ Dedicated staff ◆◆ Excellent academic record ◆◆ Caring and supportive atmosphere ◆◆ Happy, considerate and confident children Vacancies sometimes available for 5 and 6 year olds. Contact the Headteacher Tel: 020 8422 2092 E-mail: [email protected] www.roxethmead.com Buckholt House, 25 Middle Road, Harrow HA2 0HW

14 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk Education

familiesonline.co.uk Families North West London 15 Local Clubs and Classes

A Parent’s Guide to Clubs and Classes

lubs and classes are a great way to Scouting UK continue your child’s development, The Scouting is a great way to keep restless as well as allow them to have fun, young minds and bodies active as they learn Cget exercise, socialise with others, about and participate in a huge variety of and take part in activities they might not different activities. As well as learning skills, have the chance to at home. There are a it’s also a great way to get your child to huge range of different clubs and classes on exercise and work with others. offer, and while they may be better suited for some children better than others, all of Music them are designed to be fun and useful for Music classes will help your child to develop developing vital skills for your children. their artistic talents by exploring how to Here are just a few of the clubs and create music and learning an instrument. As classes on offer, and some of the well as the joys of music, it’s also a great way to learn other related abilities - like patience, benefits they can bring. Take a look at discipline, and social and physical skills. the list to find out which ones are best suited for your little one. Baby and Toddler Physical Sensory Classes Drama Great for very young children, this class allows Drama is always hugely popular with children you to explore a multi-sensory environment and really helps younger people release their with your child, with organised activities in creative thoughts and let their imagination place for you to enjoy as well as the freedom run wild. Always fun and engaging, it’s also a to explore. In the play area, your child can great way to help children develop their own benefit from physical activity, learn to make sense of self, confidence and self-esteem - friends with others, and have plenty of fun even shy children love taking part. It can also while doing so. be a great way to develop an interest in other forms of art. Martial arts Martial arts are a great way to help develop Girlguiding UK confidence in children, as well as learning Joining a division of the Girlguides is a values like discipline and patience. Teaching great way to get your child to experience responsible self-defence helps to benefit the outdoors and engage and socialise with children enormously, and it’s a great and fun others. Studies have shown that scouting way to get exercise too. For more information about clubs organisations help children with their mental Whichever class you choose, all of the above and classes, check out the wealth of health in later life, and with the huge range have great benefits for all kinds of children. local listings in the following feature of activities on offer in Guiding, and great As well as being open and beneficial, they’re and find even more online fun ways to learn, you’ll be sure to get your all designed to be as fun as possible and to @ www.familiesonline.co.uk children off to a good start. get children active and working with each other.

Paediatric First Aid Courses

Sun 24 Sept, Sat 4 Nov, Sat 2 Dec - Harrow on the Hill Suitable for Ofsted Registration. Includes some home study. Certificate valid for 3 years Cost = £85 Contact Margaret at [email protected] or on 07814 191 395 for bookings Other dates available

16 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk Local Clubs and Classes

PARTIES LEGO® Engineering Clubs, Parties And Workshops. E2 Young Engineers programmes inspire young people to be innovative critical thinkers and problem solvers by exploring aspects of engineering and science building working models using our custom made kits. Programmes available for ages 4 – 99! Build self-confidence, resilience and creativity through play! www.young-engineers.co.uk Central and West London:  07522 602 122  [email protected] Hertfordshire & :  07454 363 766 [email protected]  07565 195 895  [email protected] Perform Parties - Based around a colourful theme, Perform’s energetic party leaders use a magical mix of songs, games and laughter to create fun-filled, action-packed parties. Call 0207 255 9120 or visit performparties.co.uk Silly Millie the Clown - parties for 3 - 9 year olds. Funny magic show, puppet’s, party games, silly songs & balloon animals. 020 7823 8329 or 07939 239 397 www.sillymillietheclown.co.uk The Windmill Studio Centre (HA4) Fun for kids, hassle-free for parents, birthday parties at The Windmill Studio Centre, Ruislip Manor, for 1-10 years boys & girls include invitations, party Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools leader & assistant(s), freshly prepared food, decorations, music, lights, games, dancing, props and prizes. Optional extras - adult refreshments, face-painting and party bags. Lots of themes from Princesses and Super Heroes to Monsters, Trolls, Makers and Mad traditional yoga asanas (postures) adapted for water, water 10.30am-11.15am and will be a multi-sensory session, totally in Hatters! Modern & clean venue.  01895 624755 relaxations and positive life building experiences for women, French, with many fun and varied activities including songs, rhymes,  [email protected] www.thewindmillstudio.com mothers and mothers to be. music, arts & crafts, dances and movement, language games, There are AquaBellies - Aquanatal yoga for pregnancy, AquaMamas, and puppets…all great fun! There will also be new fun French post natal and AquaBelles aqua yoga classes suitable for all women. after-school classes on Weds for 4 to 6 yr olds and 6 to 8 yr olds NEW YogaBelles: yoga designed for a unique women’s body.  in St Anthony’s School for Girls, Hampstead (NW11). Multi-sensory CLASSES FOR GROWN-UPS 07840 904887 sessions with arts & crafts and music & movement also take place in Adult Art Classes in Stanmore (HA7) Drawing, painting and mixed  [email protected] www.yogabellies.co.uk/members/anjli St Mark’s Church Hall, St John’s Wood/Maida Vale (NW8) on Thurs, Fri media art classes for adults. Weekday morning studio sessions in a and Sat.  020 7385 5565  [email protected] www. relaxed, supportive environment.  020 8954 2897 or 07500 006 First Aid clubpetitpierrot.co.uk 099  [email protected] MCS Training (HA1, HA5) Paediatric First Aid Course. Accepted for full Gujarati Masti Maja classes by Sansaar (HA5) Fun and interactive Capital Connection Chorus - female A capella harmony (HA4) Calling and voluntary Ofsted Registration. Certificate valid for 3 yrs. Gujarati music, song and dance classes for 3 to 6 year olds in North women who love to sing! Particularly need lower range voices at  Margaret 07814 191 395  [email protected] London, to help your child speak Gujarati confidently. Saturday present. Perfect way to meet new friends and sing with a great group morning at 9am and 10am at St Lawrence Church in , Pinner. of women. Every Wednesday night 7.45pm to 10.30pm at Ruislip  www.sansaar.org Community Centre.  www.capitalconnection.org.uk LANGUAGES AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT Little Stars Baby Club (HA9) A fun and friendly baby club where Eggless Cake Delights (HA) offer eggless baking, cake decorating new mums with babies from birth to sitting can relax and meet and dessert classes for kids & adults in Harrow. Classes are held Baby Lab (WC1E) Have fun for free with your baby making discoveries about brain development at the Centre for Brain & new friends whilst babies play and explore with a range of lovely in small groups in hands on and Demo format, during weekdays, sensory toys. Every Friday 9:30-11:15am at Powell Suites @ Chalkhill weekends and during term holidays in a friendly environment.  Cognitive Development. Birkbeck College, Malet St, London. Travel expenses refunded. 020 7631 6258 www.cbcd.bbk.ac.uk Community Centre, The Welford Centre, 113 Chalkhill Road, Wembley 07737847405 or [email protected].   Park HA9 9FX. £2.00  www.egglesscakedelights.com Chinmaya UK (HA) Do you want your children to connect to their  0208 385 1836  [email protected] The Veggie Kitchen (HA7) Pure vegetarian cookery courses in Indian culture through stories, games and celebration of festivals? Stanmore. Specialising in Indian cuisines, as well as Thai, Chinese Go along to Bal Vihar classes to explore culture and values in an Portuguese for Children (NW6) Every Saturday, from 10am to 12pm, and many more, students learn to cook nutritious and delicious engaging, positive environment. Every Sunday in Harrow and the International Gospel Church on Belsize Road will be open for vegetarian meals in a friendly and homely environment. Group and Hendon for children aged 5-17. [email protected] www. children from 4 to 12 years of Brazilian-English parents to enrol.  Lessons will include how to read and write and Brazilian culture, one-to-one hands on courses.  0208 204 1906 chinmayauk.org  07812 146428  www.veggiekitchen.co.uk including music. Lessons run from September and February 2016 and are free.  [email protected] Yogabellies Aquabellies (various) Beautiful water based yoga Club Petit Pierrot (NW3/8/11) French Parent & Toddler group for 2-4 year olds in Hampstead at the JW3 Centre (NW3). Mon from classes for women throughout their lives. The sessions incorporate continued on page 18 v

Ruislip, Northwood/Oxhey, Pinner, Harrow (HA2), Harrow on the Hill and Watford call: 0208 123 9346 email: [email protected] Harrow (HA3), North Wembley and Bushey call: 0208 422 0676 email: [email protected]

familiesonline.co.uk Families North West London 17 Local Clubs and Classes

Diddi Dance Harrow & North Hillingdon (various) At diddi dance we enhance children’s endless energy and enthusiasm through funky, full of fun sessions that build confidence, co-ordination and creativity. Classes in Pinner,Ruislip & Stanmore with new ones opening soon. To book a FREE TRIAL contact tejal.patel@ diddidance.com Mini Maniacs (Various) Multi award nominated classes that are filled with music, dance and exploration – plus plenty of excitement. Focusing on a range of engaging activities, the classes take you up tempo then down tempo, leaving parent and child feeling like they’ve been on a tummy tickling roller coaster!  Contact hilda@ mini-maniacs.com or visit www.mini-maniacs.com

Monkey Music (Various) Award-winning Monkey Music introduces babies and young children to music in a way they understand and enjoy - and is brilliant fun for children and adults too! The unique four-stage curriculum, written by classically trained musicians, ensures that classes are a “good fit” for pre-schoolers. Parents across the UK have voted it as “Best National Toddler Development Activity” and “Best National Pre-school Development Activity”. Age guides are as follows: Rock’n’ Roll from 3m, Heigh Ho from 1yr, Jiggety Jig from 2rs, Ding Dong 3- 5yrs. Classes are open 6 days a week, at venues in Uxbridge, Eastcote, Northwood, Harrow and Stanmore. Everyone Active 020 8427 6595 www.monkeymusic.com

Sign Language the Party Room available for all occasions. You can even relax and have a snack in the restaurant while your little ones are playing. SPORTS AND EXERCISE Sing and Sign (Various) Fun classes combining the benefits of baby  0208 427 8847  [email protected] www.rumble- signing with music to develop language, memory and attention tumble.com Better leisure centres (various) We exist to make community skills. Babies 6-30 months. Bushey, Rickmansworth, Stanmore and The Windmill Studio Centre (HA4) An exciting activity centre that services and spaces better for everyone. That means providing Harrow.  www.singandsign.com has just about everything to offer for all ages from babies to adults. access to quality community leisure and fitness facilities - and  01895 624755  www.thewindmillstudio.com more - at a price everyone can afford. SAVE! £10 off a junior lesson or course booking before 31st October 2017  www.better.org.uk/ ACTIVITY CENTRES families MUSIC & MOVEMENT Capoeira Academy UK (HA) Classes in Stanmore providing Aspire National Training Centre, Kidz Zone activities (HA7) Wide outstanding and fun classes for children aged 4+years. A unique range of activities available from 6mths to 12yrs.  020 8954 5759 Beat Building Vibrant & energising music classes using African blend of martial arts, dance, acrobatics and music; capoeira develops  [email protected]. Wood Lane, Stanmore, HA7 4AP drums and funky percussion. Great songs and games get the skills for life with inspiring and nurturing teachers.  07841342874 Gambado Watford (WD25) Giant play-frame, dodgems, climbing imagination glowing & introduce the concepts of beats, rhythmic  [email protected] www.capoeiracademyuk.com wall, and parties.  01923 892140  www.gambado.com patterns, time keeping & also encourage sharing, taking turns and Enjoy-a-Ball classes (Various) Sports coaching for 3-9 yr olds in a JAMtots (HA4) An Interactive daytime activity centre for parents listening. A wonderful introduction to music and rhythm, beat fun, positive and non-competitive environment. Ten ball sports for with babies and toddlers. All pay as you go with a variety of Building is brilliantly fun!  07721 623 171  info@beatbuilding. the perfect introduction to sport. Physi-ball classes - Ball skills and sessions that include Parent & Toddler Groups, Musical Tots, Gym Tots co.uk www.beatbuilding.co.uk www.facebook.com/beatbuilding core skills for toddlers aged 18mths to 3 yrs. Classes run in Mill HIll, and one off events plus special visits from Jimmy the JAMtots Bear. Colourstrings (various) Music Kindergartens for babies, toddler, and Finchley, Golders Green and Muswell Hill. Call 08452 26 26 94 to book  01895 624755  thewindmillstudio.com children up to 6 years old with small, age-related classes. Classes are a trial session. Enjoy-a-Ball parties are for super-active 3 - 9 year Rumble Tumble Harrow (HA1) Harrow’s only indoor supervised soft enjoyable and inspire learning, developing inner hearing and core olds. They are full of high energy games loved by boys and girls play children’s play group. Why not take advantage of the Drop & music skills. New class starting in Hendon in Jan 2017.  020 8444 alike!  08452 26 26 94 Shop facility and have a stress free shop, or book a special event in 9435  www.nlcolourstrings.co.uk  www.enjoy-a-ball.com [email protected]

18 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk Local Clubs and Classes

Everyone Active (various)

Why should your child learn to swim? Swimming is lots of fun for people of all ages and also provides loads of health benefits which can help to keep you and your children healthy and happy at the same time. What’s more, swimming is the only sport which can save your child’s life. Drowning is still one of the most common causes of accidental death in children, so being able to swim is an essential life-saving skill. To find out more about learning to swim at your local leisure centre visit www.everyoneactive.com. Harrow Junior Hockey Club (HA1) run sessions for children aged 4- 16 years on Sunday mornings and Tuesday evenings at The John Massage & Yoga Field End Flyers Saturday Morning Community Cycle Club (HA5) Lyon School Playing Fields, , Harrow, Middlesex HA1 3NA. Positiv-Life Fitness (various) Specialise in Small group Personal Saturday in Term Time, Field End Rd for ages 5–11 yrs. Join the Everyone welcome please contact us for more information training Pregnancy Pilates, Mum & Baby Yoga & Postnatal Pilates, friendly team of British Cycling Coaches at 9.45am, and learn fun  [email protected] Baby Massage & Fitness for Mums for those in & near Eastcote, skills, race on the amazing fully enclosed Cycle Track, make new Little Kickers (Various) Enabling children aged 18mths up to their 7th Ruislip, Harrow, Pinner, Northwood, Uxbridge, & Maida Vale West friends and enjoy a whole morning of fun till 12.30 - (refreshment birthday to develop their coordination, balance and agility through London. [email protected] 07974 062 973 break half way through). All you need is your own bike, helmet, football activity classes Mill Hill, Swiss Cottage, Hampstead, Golders  www.positivlifefitness.com gloves and water bottle and a shower proof jacket. Green, Muswell Hill, Friern Barnet  020 8201 1084  jlevene@ www.facebook.com/positivlifefitness > Twitter @PositivLifeFit  Tracey [email protected] littlekickers.co.uk. Ruislip, Northwood/Oxhey, Pinner, Harrow (HA2), Harrow on the Hill and Watford  0208 123 9346 YogaBugs (various) A magical, fun and interactive story-style  [email protected] or Harrow (HA3) Bushey and North adventures for children where they learn yoga techniques. Yoga Wembley  0208 422 0676  [email protected] www. improves flexibility, posture and concentration and also helps in littlekickers.co.uk relaxation. Fun and engaging classes for children from walking to 12 Rugbytots - the UK’s first rugby based play programme for 2-7 year years of age.  Contact details: 08458997168. deepti@yogabugs. olds. Focusing on developing your child’s motor skills and confidence com. www.yogabugs.com with fun-filled programmes aimed at improving general ball skills, balance, agility and coordination. Currently classes in Watford, YogaBelliesKidz Family yoga (HA & WD) Share the mental and Rickmansworth, Bushey and Stanmore.  For more information physical benefits of yoga...peace of mind, relaxation and increases contact [email protected] body strength and flexibility! SportsKids Academy (WD3 & HA3) Multi-sports Activities for children. YogaBellies Mum and Baby yoga: Monday afternoons (birth to 10 All students are taught in small groups of similar age and ability. Mini months) academy ages 4-6 years (an hour and a half) Main Academy 6-16 YogaBellies Little Angels pre-school yoga (18 months to 4 years): years (3 hours). (Previously known as SportsCoach.) Held at JFS The Sat mornings, Bushey Mall Kenton and Rickmansworth Masonic School Rickmansworth YogaBelliesKidz family yoga (children 4-12 years): Sat & Sun  01923255099  [email protected] mornings, Bushey www.sportskidsacademy.co.uk NEW: YogaBelles Mum and Daughter (13-16 years): Weekday evening, White Crane Karate School (HA8) Karate classes for ages 4 years and Bushey above held in Edgware, East Finchley, Finchley Central , Stanmore and Harrow Weald. Adult classes in Barnet.  Sheena 0787 550 1674   07840 904887  [email protected]; www.yogabellies. [email protected] www.karatewhitecrane.co.uk co.uk/members/anjli Y Active (HA2) New Harrow classes booking now for children and adults at the YMCA. A beautiful studio with free parking and a play garden. Baby, Ballet, Gym, Soft Play and Classes from £4.40.  020 8832 1576  [email protected] www. ymcawestlondon.org continued on page 20 v

familiesonline.co.uk Families North West London 19 Local Clubs and Classes

v continued from page 19 Swimmimg JAM2000 Performing Arts and Agency Perform (various) weekly drama, dance and singing classes. (HA4) is an explosive and dynamic Perform is a unique children’s drama Aqua Style (WD23/HA6) teaches children, babies and adults to swim performing arts school where students without aids in small groups, or One to One. Good facilities and plenty school that has a special emphasis on of parking. They run Intensive ‘Fast Track’ Courses during School learn to perform in dance and drama child development. Perform uses a Holidays and weekly ‘Term Time’ courses.  www.aquaswim.org and enjoy amazing opportunities to mix of drama, dance and singing to  07925954144. appear in spectacular shows and special bring out every child’s full potential. Aqua Vie Swimming based on effortless swimming and true water events including TV and film. Classes for boys and girls from 2.5 years to adults are taught by word-class instructors in Run by highly experienced confidence. Fun classes for babies & Children from 6wks+ to all actor-teachers, in small groups, Perform classes focus ages including Adults. New Tues, Wed & Sunday morning classes in an air conditioned, mirrored dance studio complete with Bushey WD23. Tel 01923 245 772 www.aqua-vie.com or email office@ sprung floor amid the clean and modern surroundings of on developing the 4 Cs: Confidence, Communication, aqua-vie.com The Windmill Studio Centre 106 - 106A Pembroke Road, Coordination, and Concentration. The perform curriculum ensures plenty of fun, using a mix of energetic games, Aweswim (various) Aweswim offers courses for people of all ages and Ruislip Manor, Middlesex, HA4 8NW. Classes include Urban abilities, ranging from parent and baby groups through to adults. Jazz Fusion - an exciting fusion of dance styles including catchy songs and funky dances. All class materials are  www.aweswim.co.uk  01923 537070 Hip Hop, Street, Jazz and Musical Theatre; Tap dancing and written by Perform, with apps, CDs and videos that the Push & Glide Swimming School (WD18, WD23, HA6) Push & Glide drama - acting for stage, TV & film. children can play at home to keep the magic alive. Each Swimming School provide extremely high standards of swimming To book a trial session call on 01895 624755 or email term sees a brand new theme to keep imaginations instruction, they pride themselves on their friendly, dynamic [email protected] buzzing. teaching environment. They provide fully qualified instructors This autumn, 4-7s will be venturing Under the Sea on a who are committed to maintaining and improving an excellent Jigsaw Performing Arts Schools (Various) A new school year is here, which means that children across London and the Home Counties colourful aquatic adventure while 7-12s will be working quality of teaching along with low ratio swimming lessons in a safe rocktastic fairytale adaptation, Cinderella Rocks. environment for children aged 3.5 years plus. All abilities are catered are taking to the stage as Jigsaw begins an exciting new term of for, from gaining water confidence through to competition training, drama, singing and dance classes; the perfect activity to escape the Perform offer no-obligation FREE trial sessions for following the ASA progressive scheme awards. cold, wet October weekends.Performing arts classes are an excellent newcomers. way to build confidence and social skills and are lots of fun. For more  07749554405  www.pushandglide.co.uk Visit www.perform.org.uk/try to book a FREE class today. Splashtime Swim School (various) Swimming lessons, Holiday clubs information or to book a two-week trial, visit www.jigsaw-arts. and After school club held at Quainton Hall School. Swimming lessons co.uk or call 020 8447 4530. Saturday 2nd September - Sunday 17th December 2017 also held at Merchant Taylors School and Uxendon Manor Primary Italia Conti Ruislip (HA5) Performing Arts School for students 2yrs Venues in NW London and Hillingdon School.  Splashtime Swim School to adult, at Haydon School in Eastcote. ISTD Ballet, Tap and Modern,  07903126486 Children’s Activities 07794078452 Street dance, Break Dance, Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Singing, LAMDA, Contact: T: 020 7255 9120 / [email protected] acting, Gymnastics, Lyrical and much more! Shows twice a year at www.perform.org.uk/try Harrow Arts Centre. Call or email for a Free Trial  20 8838 8747 [email protected] www.italiacontiruislip.co.uk THEATRE AND PERFORMING ARTS Sharpe Academy of Theatre Arts (HA1, HA4, HA7, WD3) Performance Nichola Rees Youth Academy – NYRA (WD) An acting and performing Beverley School of Performing Arts (HA8) After school & Saturday based theatre school with venues based in Harrow, Rickmansworth, arts academy based in Watford, for young people aged 4-18 years. Ruislip and Stanmore where children aged 3-21 attend weekly classes classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Street, Singing & Drama for boys Weekly workshops on Thursdays and Saturdays, and an annual and girls aged 3-18years. ISTD and LAMDA examinations to advanced in preparation for full scale Musical Theatre productions. performance.  07702 965 851  [email protected]  01923 437693  www.SharpeAcademy.co.uk level.  07974 750 224  www.beverleydance.co.uk. www.nrya.co.uk

The Van Niekerk Academy of Dance • Ballet classes for boys & girls aged 3-18 • Outstanding Royal Academy of Dance examinations results • Established 14 years in Stanmore • Successful places at Royal Ballet School, Tring Park, Central School of Ballet, London Senior/Junior Ballet, London Studio Centre, Ballet West • Numerous cups/medallists – British Federation of Festivals • Contemporary/Jazz classes Classes are held in the Stanmore and and Bushey Area Suzanne Van Niekerk (RAD Qualified Teacher) www.activetime.co.uk T: 020 8950 2457 www.vanniekerkacademyofdance.co.uk “Develop poise, technique and expression through dance”

20 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk Local Clubs and Classes

Stagecoach (Various) Training in three disciplines: drama, dance and singing. Great for building confidence, making new friends and beginning to hone talent and enthusiasm for performing, or being coaxed out of their shell by having fun!  Harrow 020 3504 0100 Harrow on the Hill & Sudbury Hill 01923 248 294 Stanmore & Harrow Weald 020 3504 2154 Watford 01727 768 738 Queen’s Park 020 7723 5861 Northwood 01442 263 599  www.stagecoach.co.uk Wordworks Studio (HA5) Individual and group classes in Speech, Drama and Communication Skills for children 3-18yrs.  [email protected] Dance Futunity UK Academy of Sport and Dance (UB8) Purpose built facility in Uxbridge City Centre. Classes for children ages 2 all the way through to adults. Hip Hop, Street Dance, Gymnastics, Free Running, Breakdancing, Ballet (RAD), Tap (ISTD), Contemporary, Cheerleading, Pole Fitness, and Children’s Parties. Classes range from beginners to advanced/competitive levels. Three fully equipped studios available for hire, at very competitive rates. Futunity UK also supply dance (all genres) and gymnastics teachers into schools to run after/ before school extra curricular sessions, and PE and PPA cover lessons. 01895 251224  [email protected] www.futunityuk.com Lorna Clark School of Dance (Various) Established for over 40 years, training students from 3-18 yrs - Ballet, Tap, Modern, Classical Greek ARTS AND CRAFTS Instep School of Ballet (HA/WD) Trains students of all ages and and National. Royal Academy of Dance Examinations are taken in Art Classes for Kids (and Adults) in Stanmore (HA7) Drawing, abilities in ballet, tap, pointe and performance. The school offers Ballet from Primary to Advanced Level and ISTD exams in all other painting and mixed media art classes for children and adults. examinations with the Royal Academy of Dance (ballet) and the Genre to the same standard. All classes held in / On-going, small groups Monday–Thursday afternoons and Saturday Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (tap), and all teachers are Eastcote. Book a free No Obligation Lesson with this advert. mornings in Term Time for children from Year 1 up. Weekday morning fully qualified and registered with the RAD and ISTD. They produce a  0208 8662105 or 01923 285380. studio sessions for adults in a relaxed, supportive environment.  summer show each year. Classes in Harrow, and Bushey.  www.lornaclarkschoolofdance.co.uk 020 8954 2897 or 07500 006 099  [email protected]  07814 793 772  [email protected] RISE Studios (WD) Dance and Performing Arts Schools in Watford and www.instepschoolofballet.co.uk Rickmansworth. Classes in ballet, modern, tap, street dance, hip-hop, Art and Craft Club (HA5) Term time, Mon 4.30-5.30, Sat 10-11am or 11-12pm at Harrow Arts Centre. New activities introduced every term; Karan’s Bollywood Masterclass (Various) Learn a fusion of Bollywood, drama, singing, LAMDA and Performing Arts.  01923 218626  www.rise-studios.com drawing, painting, printmaking, collage, sewing, fabric printing and Bhangra, Hip-Hop and Salsa at our weekly classes. Open to Toddlers, much more! For 5-11yr olds. Materials provided. Qualified teachers. Children & Adults the courses are Fun, Motivating and KBM offers The Van Niekerk Academy of Dance (HA7) Ballet classes to develop  07946 055 422  [email protected] many performance opportunities. All dance levels welcome. Contact poise, technique and expression through dance, for boys and girls our friendly team for your class registration. aged 3-16 years with Royal Academy of Dance examinations  0208 423 9543/07944 457 984  www.kspark.co.uk  020 8950 2457  www vanniekerkacademyofdance.co.uk continued on page 22 v

familiesonline.co.uk Families North West London 21 Local Clubs and Classes

Stitch Club (HA5) Stitch and Sketch Club for children and teens. Start with simple hand sewing then developing sewing machine and design techniques to design and create your own items. Saturday Sketch Club develops looking and drawing skills and confidence. Also parties and one-off workshops. Adults’ weekly Dressmaking sessions and occaisional Beginners workshops. W: stitch.club E: [email protected] The Veggie Kitchen (HA7) offers pure vegetarian cookery courses in Stanmore. Specialising in Indian cuisines, as well as Thai, Chinese and many more, students will learn to cook nutritious and delicious vegetarian meals in a friendly and homely environment. Offer group and one-to-one hands on courses.  0208 204 1906  www.veggiekitchen.co.uk AFTER SCHOOL CLUB/EDUCATION SUPPORT 1Point4Teacher (HA) Do you have a child in KS1 and KS2? Would you like to improve on their end of year report? Does your child need more of a challenge? Then give 1Point4Teacher a try today. Lessons from a qualified primary school teacher, with a class ratio of 1 adult to 4 children. We offer English tuition on Mondays and Tuesdays, covering reading comprehension and SPAG (spellings, punctuation and grammar) with math lessons taking place on a Wednesday. We are located in Harrow, 5 minutes from Kenton Library. For further information visit www.1Point4Teacher.co.uk or email the Head Tutor Mrs Edwin on [email protected]

Brownies and Guides (Various) Rainbow, Brownie and Guide Units exist across the area which provide fun activities for girls aged from 5 onwards. v continued from page 21  www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested or  Peggy Brand 020 8205 7597 Artzania Art and Craft Activity Club (HA) A new and exciting Arts and Crafts activity club for children ages 1-11 Champs Learning (HA1) A very structured tuition course for English, Maths, Science and 11+ exams. Courses yrs open during term time and holidays. They offer and Mother Toddler Group art club (aged 1-4 yrs) and an run at .  020 3004 9007 www.champslearning.co.uk After-school/ Holiday Club (ages 5-11yrs) Contact to book your place:  Keshma 07419343105  keshma. [email protected]

BLANK CANVAS ART CLUB (HA4) Do your kids love Art? Then welcome to the club - my classes are full of them! Join these fun classes where I teach art techniques to 5+, 7+ and 11-18 year olds. Weekly term time classes & holiday workshops, with public or small group private options available in Ruislip Manor & Eastcote. With special member’s benefits, sibling discounts & special events there’s never been a better time to book. Book now & let them develop a love of Art that will last a lifetime! Contact Suzi (E) [email protected], (M) 07773 819 603 www.Facebook.com/BlankCanvasArtClub

Luchi and Ota (HA8) Sewing classes and course for kids and adults. Also hold one-off drop-in sessions and sewing and craft parties.  020 8958 7714  [email protected] www.luchiandota.com Messmakers! (HA5) A gentle and fun introduction to creative arts for the very young and their families, with lots of mess and none of the tidying up! Exploring different materials and textures each week. Ages under 5, come dressed for mess!  0208 416 8989  www.harrowarts.com/family

22 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk Local Clubs and Classes

Click IT! Computer lessons for Children (HA2) Fun, exciting and educational weekly computer lessons for children aged 2-5. Classes held at nursery schools all over North West London. Have fun learning with technology: mouse and keyboard skills and devices including graphic tablets, trackpads and digital microscopes. Every lesson is designed to complement the EYFS curriculum. Free trials available.  020 8434 7111.  www.clickit-kids.co.uk. [email protected]. DiscoG Coding Boot Camp (various) Weekly Coding Programme teaches Primary and Secondary School children the basics of coding. Using the Python Programming Language and the Raspberry Pi 3 your child will create fun and engaging gadgets that spring to life with lights and sensors, and prototyping devices that will ‘amaze and inspire’. Tailored courses written to support the National Curriculum for GCSE and A Levels. Adult courses are also available.  Gerard on 07767 300940  [email protected] www.discogcodingacademy.com Elisa’s Tutorial School (HA8) Experienced private tutor in Edgware. Programmes for children from 2.5-16 yrs. If your child needs a little extra help, in English maths verbal and non-verbal 4+ 7+ and 11+ preparing for entrance exams or you just want to give them every advantage, Elisa can help. 99% success rate.  020 8958 1192 07956868119  www.childrensstories.net www.kidslearnfast.co.uk Excel Academy (HA3) Experienced tuition in preparation for SATs, 11+, 13+, GCSEs, AS & A2 levels. Small group sizes, all aspects of the National Curriculum covered.  www.excelacademy.org.uk Explore Learning centres provide maths and English tuition to 5-14 year olds of all abilities. Visit their website to find your nearest centre or call to book a free trial class! www.explorelearning.co.uk. Field End Flyers Saturday Morning Community Cycle Club (HA5) Every Saturday in Term Time adjacent to Field End Junior School, Field End Road, Eastcote, Middx HA4, for all children aged 5 – 11 years. Join the friendly team of British Cycling Coaches at 9.15am prompt, and learn fun skills, race on the amazing fully enclosed Cycle Track, make new friends (for both children and parents) and enjoy a whole morning of fun till 11.30 - (refreshment break half way through). All you need is your own bike, helmet, gloves and water bottle and a shower proof jacket.  Contact Tracey at [email protected] First Class Learning (Various) Structured yet flexible programme, designed for children studying the UK National Curriculum. Tailored to a child’s learning needs & style. Find out more about this structured approach to learning, by contacting one of your local Centre managers.  www.firstclasslearning.co.uk Fleet Tutors (Various) Professional one to one tutoring. Fleet Tutors has been matching the right tutor High Fliers (HA4 & WD7) 11+ tuition for Independent and Grammar school entrance. Run by highly to the education needs of students across the UK since 1977. Tutors are subject specialists who tailor the experienced and qualified prep school teachers offering a unique and tailored tutoring service. 07949 teaching and learning experience to relieve any subject specific anxieties and help build your child’s 297070/07534 020868  [email protected] www.high-fliers.org.uk confidence so they achieve a successful outcome. 0333 920 2545. www.fleet-tutors.co.uk Holidaytime After school club is part of Activetime Children’s Activities limited (HA1) Pick’s up from four The Harrow Woodcraft Folk (HA) Elfin group for children, 6 to 9 year olds are reopening their group after local school’s at the end of the school day, then take the children back to the club for a snack and the daily the Summer holidays on Tuesday 6th September in Central Harrow. Parents wishing to join their children activity. They are open Monday- Friday 3pm-6pm  Nicole 07794078452  [email protected] should contact the District Secretary; John Woolf:  020 8428 2409 or  e-mail: [email protected]. www.activetime.co.uk uk For more information regarding Harrow Woodcraft Folk visit their web site: www.harrowwoodcraftfolk. btck.co.uk/HowtoJoin continued on page 24 v

familiesonline.co.uk Families North West London 23 Local Clubs and Classes

(free parking on site) Visit the website or call  07478 878672 to book a FREE TRIAL  www.mastermindtuition.com [email protected] Math’scool Award-winning Maths Tuition plus out-of-lesson homework support.  0333 12 33 445  www.mathscool.com The Northwood Speech and Language Therapy Practice (HA6) An independent service covering a range of children’s communication difficulties. 01923 824 074  www.northwoodpractice.co.uk Number Works ‘n’ Words (Eastcote) After school Maths and English tuition classes which target identified needs to improve achievement levels. They set goals for your child, monitor progress and provide regular progress reports. Cater for all levels from Reception to Year 11.  www.numberworksnwords.co.uk Pinner Tuition Centre (Pinner) After school and Sat tuition for Reception to Year 11 by fully qualified teachers. Tuition in Maths, Reading, Spelling, Writing, SATS, 11+ and GCSE. FREE ASSESSMENT. Ofsted Registered.  www.pinnertuitioncentre.co.uk The Play Shelter After School Club at Malorees Infant & Junior Schools (NW6) - 3.30pm to 6pm term time. Play schemes available out of term-time.  0207 407 6744.  [email protected] www. theplayshelter.co.uk The Rainbow Club (various) Specialise in preparing for 3+, 4+ and 5+ entrance exams. 07850 045 471  [email protected] Raviv Practice London (UB5) Catch up reading course for children on the SEN register. Reading courses are flexible with home based learning (via computer) monitored daily.  Usha Patel on 07766 837 616  [email protected] (registered therapist) Simple Studies (NW4) Offer expert English and Maths tuition for continued from page 23 4-16 year olds at their cosy centre in Hendon. They specialise in 11+ v entrance exams. Quote ‘Familiesmagazine’ and get 10% off your first lesson! Integratedbrain - Improve Co-ordination for learning! (UB5) also run popular Summer and Winter Schools during holidays. 2  07793 498195  www.simplestudies.co.uk Activities to help those with poor co-ordination, dyspraxia, dyslexia hours spent per subject, including English, Maths, Learning to Read or fine motor difficulties. Small groups of 4/5 children working to and Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning. All programmes are for ages Susan Daughtrey Education (SDE) SW Herts courses are based on develop better all-round motor integration.  Usha Patel 07766 3.5 to 11 and the success rate is 90% for helping pupils prepare to sit more than 25 years experience preparing students for 11+ tests. 837 616  [email protected] www.integratedbrain.co.uk entrance exams, including 4+, 5+, 7+ and 11+. Childcare vouchers All courses have been personally written by Susan Daughtrey accepted.  01992 651 300 M.Ed, author of the market leading verbal reasoning Technique JKEducate Educational Consultancy and Tutoring (various) Tutoring,  www.leadersarereaders.co.uk and Practice series. Every year since 1987, over 90 per cent. of the Assessments, Consultancy for children 5-18yrs. 7+, 11+, GCSE, A Levels, students on the courses have achieved success.  020 7683 0734 SEN, EFL.  020 3488 0754  www.jkeducate.co.uk Little Big Leaders Ltd (HA7) 2 courses for the price of 1 in Maths and  www.sdeuk.org/swherts English or Maths and Reading. Lessons take place on a Saturday at, Knowledge Above Standard (HA7) Maths, English, Verbal and non- Edgware, Rickmansworth or Bushey call now 020 3637 6266 Stanmore Tutor Stanmore Tutor prepares students thoroughly for verbal reasoning, 7+, 11+ 13+ exam preparation.  07985 588 085  www.littlebigleaders.com. the top selective schools ensuring that they reach their maximum  www.knowledgeabovestandard.co.uk potential for that all important place.  020 3538 2437 The London Tutors (Various) Specialises in providing 11 Plus Kumon (various) Unique maths and English study programmes classroom based learning, to yr 4 and 5 students. Prepare students Type IT! - Touch Typing Lessons for Children (HA2) Learn to touch which support children by building and developing a solid to sit exams for Grammar and private schools.  For a call back type! Weekly lessons and intensive holiday courses for children from foundation in their literacy and/or numeracy skills. email your name and number to [email protected] age 8-18. Highly recommended for children with dyslexia. Classes  www.kumon.co.uk are held at their office in Harrow on the Hill, HA2 0JT. Free trials Mastermind Tuition (HA) Specialise in 11+, Maths, English, Verbal available. Adult classes also available.  020 8434 7111. Leaders are Readers (HA5 & N21) Offer specialist experience and & Non-verbal reasoning (including CEM-style) and Grammar &  www.typeitforkids.co.uk. [email protected]. accelerated learning in their award winning Saturday School, and Independent school preparation. Classes in Harrow & Northwood

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SportsKids - Multi-Sports Academy Sports Activities for 4 to 16 year olds Tel: 01923 255099 E: [email protected]

Sportscoach are celebrating 10 years by expanding and rebranding to SportsKids Academy American Football - Dodgeball - Handball - Basketball Tag Rugby - Softball - Gaelic Football - Rounders - Athletics Kwik Cricket - Gymnastics - Tennis - Climbing Wall - Fencing Lacrosse - Netball - Volleyball - Archery - Martial Arts - Kin Ball Football - Badminton - Tri Golf - Uni-Hoc

We are located in Harrow and Rickmansworth www.sportskidsacademy.co.uk

24 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk Local Clubs and Classes

SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPIST An independent service covering a range of Children’s communication difficulties. Contact THE NORTHWOOD PRACTICE MRCSLT, HPC Call 01923 824074

familiesonline.co.uk Families North West London 25 What’s On listings for What’s On all the family Compiled by Anna Blackshaw To promote your local event, coffee morning, nearly new sale, parenting courses or community group in the next What’s On listing (October 2017) send your entry by 10 Sept 2017 Email [email protected]. Listings in this section are FREE for most non-commercial ventures. Please check details of the events before setting off in case anything has changed since going to print.

www.FamiliesOnline for all our local weekly regular events. It’s updated every day!

Big Fish Little Fish

Sat 9 Sep - Lots for Tots Sale Watford (WD25) available. At Watford Central Library CreatorSpace from 10am-1pm. September An indoor table top sale for people that want to sell their second- Drop in with donation. hand baby, toddler and children’s items, and those that want to buy 0300 123 4049 www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/libraries Fri 1 – Sun 24 Sep - Potato Shindig (AL4) This them. Visitors can browse each sellers table and pick out exactly year, visitors to Willows Activity Farm can turn their picked potatoes what they need, paying the seller direct. At Francis Combe Academy Sat 9 Sep - Dino Snores for Kids (SW7) See what into artistic prints! The Willows Potato Patch is open to all: with from 10-11.45am. really happens at the Natural History Museum once the doors spades at the ready, little ones can dig up and harvest their very [email protected] www.lotsfortotssale.co.uk have closed and the lights are out. Explore the corridors as night own Picasso potatoes. Every child gets to take a bag-full of potatoes descends, join a torch-lit trail in the Dinosaurs gallery, watch an home to try out some delicious Willows recipes. Children of all Sat 9 Sep - Introduction to Embroidery (WD17) amazing live show by the scientists and snuggle down at midnight ages can also get creative at Willows with the aptly named Picasso Your chance to try hand embroidery or ask all those embroidery among some of nature’s greatest characters. The next morning, spuds, as they create their own messy masterpiece using potato related questions you always wanted to ask and try. Suitable for there’s just time for one more activity before the doors open to the prints. adults or families, digital sewing & embroidery machine will be public and it’s business as usual. 0870 129 9718 www.willowsactivityfarm.com www.nhm.ac.uk

Tue 5 - Sat 9 Sep - Movie Nights (NW1) As the sun Sat 9 Sep - Sun 26 Nov - Visualising “The sets at ZSL London Zoo this September it’s movie time. For ages 18+ Water-Babies” (HA5) The Autumn 2017 Special Exhibition only the gates are opening for five nights of adventure films. Start at the Heath Robinson Museum focuses on illustrations created off the evening with a twilight tour to find out what the animals for the classic Victorian novel “The Water-Babies”. Written by get up to in the afterglow before taking a trip back in time to the the Reverend Charles Kingsley for his son, this extraordinary Mesozoic Era to meet some very old friends in the zoo’s newest fable first appeared as a monthly serial in Macmillan’s Magazine exhibit. Once safely returned to the 21st Century, grab food, drink between 1862-3 before being published as an illustrated book in and a sweet spot beneath the stars and settle down to enjoy your 1863. William Heath Robinson provided the beautiful illustrations adventure. for the 1915 edition. The collection includes 45 illustrations for “The www.zsl.org Water-Babies” including two very fine water-colours. These will be exhibited together with examples of the best work by other Sat 9th Sep - Pinner Village Show (HA5) The illustrators inspired by Kingsley’s book. show is family friendly and allows local charities and good causes to www.heathrobinsonmuseum.org promote themselves to the local community. There will be various types of entertainment including a children’s fair ground that has Sun 10 Sep - Heritage Open Day (WD18) Go along a bouncy castle, miniature railway and lots of other activities to to Cassiobury Park to find out about the archaeology and history of keep youngsters of all ages happy! At Memorial Park in Pinner from the Swiss Cottage that used to be in the grounds. See a display of 11.30am-5pm. finds by the archaeologists and join in craft activities in the Hub and www.rotary-ribi.org maybe go on a guided walk with local expert Laurie Elvin. A free drop in event - no need to book, 1-3pm. Sat 9 Sep – Big Sports Day (WD18) Go along to The 01923 727072 [email protected] Parade in Watford between 11am & 5pm for a fun filled day of free sports, fitness and general health based activities to try out and Sun 10 Sep - Harefield Hospital Fun Run & experience. Family Day (UB9) Dust off your trainers and get ready for an www.watfordbigevents.co.uk Willows Farm action-packed day at the 36th annual Harefield Charity Fun Run & Family Day at Harefield Hospital. Run, jog or walk the 5km course,

26 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk What’s On

Science Uncovered 2017 - Natural History Museum or there is also a shorter 2km fun run for children and families Sat 16 Sep - London Viva! Vegan Festival amazing things The Strings Club offer, to try out new instruments to get involved in. After the fun run, join in the family fun day (HA9) Everything you ever wanted to know about going, being or and to inspire your child’s love of music, all for free! Children can packed with entertainment for both young and old. Soak up the staying vegan will be available at the London Viva! Vegan Festival. try their hand at a range of different instruments and take part in atmosphere and enjoy the pop-up arts and craft stalls, vintage cars This festival is organised by vegan charity Viva! and entry is just £5 two free 20-minute lessons of their choice before ending with a and food carts. There will be face painting, tug of war, a bouncy (under 16s free). A whole range of delicious food tastings and all grand concert. castle and inflatables for the children. the advice you could ever want on changing your diet or improving www.thestringsclub.org/hampstead www.rbhcharity.org your health is available for no additional cost. This festival is a celebration of the vegan lifestyle and the delicious food it can offer. Sat 16 – Sun 17 Sep - Manor Farm’s Open Sun 10 Sep - An Afternoon with Michael At The Drum At Wembley, Brent Civic Centre, from 11am-6pm. History Weekend (HA4) Enjoy free access to buildings Morpurgo (WD3) Join Chorleywood Bookshop for an www.viva.org.uk/wembley across the Manor Farm site, as part of the Open House London afternoon with bestselling children’s author Michael Morpurgo and weekend. Bringing more of the site’s history to life, this year’s receive a signed copy of his new book ‘Toto’, a perfect, collectible Sat 16 Sep - The Nutkins Walk About and weekend will also feature: A Norman Settlement on the Motte with gift for all children (and children at heart). Balloon Modelling (UB8) Ready for some autumnal fun? Living History Tent, Archery and Combat Demonstrations; Historical in Chorleywood at 3pm. Look out for Mr & Mrs Squirrel Nutkins in the Intu Shopping Centre at Dance Performances and Workshops covering dance from Medieval www.chilternbookshops.co.uk the Chimes. They will be helping to launch Hillingdon’s CultureBite to Tudor times; Children’s Activities with crafts and storytelling festival and there will also be some fun balloon modelling. events; The Hillingdon Autumn Fruit and Vegetable Show in the Sun 10 Sep - Klezmer in the Park (NW1) Go along www.intu.co.uk/uxbridge Great Barn; A Pop-Up Cinema showing historic film footage of the to the bandstand in Regents Park for the JMI’s annual Klezmer area. This is a free event - just turn up on the day! extravaganza! There’ll be arts and crafts, music and kosher food! Sat 16 Sep - Mystery of The Golden Teapot www.hillingdontheatres.uk For ages 2+. (UB8) Wave goodbye to the Summer Reading Challenge and hello www.jw3.org.uk to Culture Bite at Professor Biblio Indexia’s special birthday tea party! The professor’s prize golden teapot has gone missing! Can Sun 10th Sep - Family Workshop: Family you help solve the mystery at this interactive, family-friendly event? Photographs (NW1) Drop in parent/carer and child At Uxbridge Library and Learning Centre from 6.30-8pm. photography workshops at the Jewish Museum. Learn how to [email protected] compose and capture natural portraits of your child in a fun pop- up photo studio. This session is run by professional photographer Sat 16 Sep - Swim Safe at the Serpentine (W2) Madeleine Waller. Suitable for ages 0-5 years. Advanced booking Swim Safe offers free outdoor swimming and water safety sessions essential. for children aged 7-14. During the hour-long session, children 020 7284 7384 [email protected] www. learn how to stay safe when swimming outdoors, which is often jewishmuseum.org.uk more challenging than swimming in a pool. Children must be able to swim 25m unaided. Swim Safe sessions are run by qualified Fri 15 Sep - Battle of Britain at Night (NW7) Go swimming teachers and lifeguards, supported by a team of trained to the RAF Museum for a fantastic evening of vintage fun. Treat your volunteers. www. ears to the vintage sound of Tricity Vogue and the All Girl Swing swimsafe.org.uk Band and why not pick up a few swing moves and get your feet tapping with Swing Patrol. Peer inside the iconic aircraft including Sat 16 Sep - Cloud 9 Festival (NW1) This year’s the Spitfire Mk.1 and hear the stories of the pilots who flew them. Cloud 9 Festival will have a heritage theme - celebrating 40 years The evening will be packed with activities! Ages 18+. of arts, architecture and community life in Euston and King’s Cross. www.rafmuseum.org.uk Interactive art installations will invite festival visitors to share stories about where they live and play games; free arts and crafts Sat 16 Sep - Bubble Rush Harrow (HA3) Get workshops will run throughout the event and are suitable for together with friends, family and colleagues to support St Luke’s families and children of all ages; there will also be a performance Hospice in their very first Bubble Rush at Kenton Recreation Ground. stage which will include dance and music from local community Four Bubble Stations will be positioned around the course and as groups and local organisations will provide a range of interactive Visualising The Water Babies you pass through each station you’ll be immersed in a rainbow of stalls. From 11am-4pm at Cumberland Market. colourful frothy bubbly fun! This family friendly event is open to all www.facebook.com/Cloud9Camden ages and abilities and is suitable for groups, individuals and keen runners alike. Sat 16 Sep - Discovery Day (NW3) The Strings www.stlukes-hospice.org Club’s very special, award-winning Discovery Days in Hampstead continued on page 28 v provide an opportunity for you and your child to see and hear the

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v continued from page 27

Sat 16 – Sun 17 Sep - Open House (SW3) Discover how the new National Army Museum was designed and built at this weekend of talks and tours as part of the Open House London festival of architecture. These include Designing the new National Army Museum, Installing the new National Army Museum, Architect tours and Build your own museum. www.nam.ac.uk

Sun 17 Sep - Watford Colosseum Family Fun Open Day (WD18) Watford Colosseum are throwing open their doors and inviting you to explore behind the scenes. With backstage tours; sound, lighting & pyrotechnic displays; children’s arts & crafts activities, including biscuit decorating; a rare opportunity to listen to the Compton Organ being performed live; competitions and a whole host of other activities taking place throughout the afternoon, there’s guaranteed to be something for everyone. The Family Fun Day is free, but pre-booking is advisable. 12 - 4pm. www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Sun 17 Sep - Summer Fun in Park (HA5) Following the success of last year’s event, Friends of Roxbourne Park are holding another Summer Fun Day and Fun Dog Show near the pavilion on Cannon Lane. There will be a funfair, stalls, fun dog show, races, music, and lots to do and see. www.forp2016.org Fun Palaces at artsdepot Sun 17 Sep – Bat Walk at Rickmansworth Aquadrome (WD3) A free guided walk with Park Rangers to discover these magical creatures of the night in their natural Sat 23 Sep - Push it for the Peace 2017 Sat 23 – Sun 24 Sep - Fenton House and habitat. Booking required. (WD18) Back at Cassiobury Park, Watford with a choice of a 5k or Garden: Apple Weekend 2017 (NW3) Go along 01923 776611 [email protected] 10k route, this year’s event will see loads of brand new obstacles. for the annual celebration of all things apple in Fenton’s beguiling On the route you’ll have to take on the obstacles in four distinct walled gardens and 300-year-old orchard. Taste old English Sun 17 Sep - ZSL London Zoo Stampede zones: The Inflatable Zone, The Foam Zone, The Water Zone and The varieties of apples and juice from the trees. Sit back and relax with (NW1) The popular Stampede 10k is back for 2017, and whether Military Zone (1Ok route only). Each will be jam packed with loads a beverage or two, from delicious fresh juices and teas, to cider you’re looking for a new challenge or want to add something of great obstacles - some will be fun, some will be hard, some will and cocktails. There will be all the usual favourites, including local different to your Sunday morning run, this provides you with get you muddy and some will get you very, very wet! Yes it’s going produce, hot food, cake stalls, and the kids’ activities like badge the perfect opportunity to walk, run or jog, as well as visit your to be a challenge but it’s also going to be great fun with the usual making, apple juicing and giant lawn games. Booking Not Needed. favourite animals as a post workout reward. The registration fee team spirit and camaraderie. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fenton-house-and-garden includes entry into the Zoo after the event has taken place, a www.peacehospicecare.org.uk commemorative medal for all finishers and a friendly team to Sat 23 – Sun 24 Sep - Treasures from the support you along the way. Sat 23 Sep - Doctor Who Extravaganza! (UB8) Thames (E14) Go along to this free family-friendly weekend www.zsl.org A special, family-friendly, interactive, sci-fi super event taking of workshops, crafts and performances celebrating the River place between 6.30pm and 9pm in the Uxbridge Library. There will Thames at the Museum of London Docklands. Featuring ‘Liquid Sun 17 Sep - Silk River Storytelling aboard be Doctor Who authors, Doctor Who crafts, Doctor Who talks, and History’ a performance by Gestalt Arts exploring the story of London Cutty Sark (SE10) Silk River explores the unique relationship Doctor Who books. through five objects found on its shores, as well as river-themed between London and Kolkata (Calcutta) through an artistic exchange www.hillingdon.gov.uk performances devised by local young people. For ages: 5+ project joining communities along the Thames Estuary with those www.museumoflondon.org.uk/museum-london-docklands by India’s Hooghly River. A week of performative walks will take Sat 23 Sep - Poetry Remix (NW1) Experiment with place across the River Thames, with Greenwich hosting the walkers word-play in this workshop inspired by the British Library’s Sound Sun 24 Sep - Feel Good Look Good in aid of on 17th September. Go aboard the Cutty Sark as they pass the ship Archive. Explore shape, pattern and type to create your own poetry, Michael Sobell Hospice (WD3) Book yourself in for a with their beautiful parade of banners and join the storyteller to and then have fun playing with different ways of performing and spot of pampering and ‘me’ time, with a range of complementary find out how Greenwich and the ship inspired some of the artistic recording your work. Drop in between 10.30am & 12pm, suitable for therapies and beauty treatments available to buy on the day from designs. 10.30am to view the banners and 11.30am, 12.30pm and ages 5 – 11. fully qualified therapists. Light refreshments will be available and 1.30pm for the storytelling. www.bl.uk there’ll be stalls selling lots of goodies. So, why not plan a leisurely www.rmg.co.uk mother and daughter Sunday, or even a father and son day? Sat 23 - Sun 24 Sep - Meet the Working 10am-5pm at the Lecture Hall at Michael Sobell Hospice, free entry Sun 17 Sep - Behind the Scenes Tour (E2) This Heavy Horses at Chiltern Open Air Museum (pay for treatments only). tour will provide a behind the scenes look at the V&A Museum of (HP8) A must for all horse lovers! The resident heavy horses www.michaelsobellhospice.co.uk Childhood with Archivist Gary Haines. Visitors will see some of the Joshua, Samuel and Harvey will be joined by members of museum highlights and learn about its history within East London, the Hertfordshire Heavy Horse Association and their horses to Sun 24 Sep - Big Fish Little Fish: Family Rave followed by a rare look at the Stores. Booking recommended. Free, demonstrate the role of heavy horses on traditional farms in the (WD18) Award winning, bonkers family fun with Big Fish Little Ages 10+. past. Fish family rave at Watford Colosseum! World class DJs on the www.vam.ac.uk/moc www.coam.org.uk decks playing classic club tracks with bubbles, glow sticks, glitter, crafts, play, club visuals, giant balloons, legendary parachute dance, licensed bar and so much more! Go and join the fun at this “Pirate” themed event - fancy dress encouraged. www.watfordcolosseum.co.uk

Sun 24 Sep - Grow your Own: Watford (WD18) Meet in the community project garden in Cassiobury Park (near the Cha Cafe) from 2-3pm. Take along something made from your own produce to share, and learn about composting and what to do in the garden in autumn. There will also be time to ask any general gardening questions. Grow your Own - Watford is a community based project to encourage people to grow organic or semi organic in their back garden or in pots in their apartments. Free, but you need to book your place. [email protected] or call 01923 727072

Wed 27 Sep – Sat 7 Oct - St Albans Food & Drink Festival 2017 (AL1) Enjoy fun, food and festival feasting on St Peter’s Street where there will be a Chefs Theatre and the Pop Up Village Green. A wide variety of top quality ingredients will be showcased from cheese to fruit and meat products to ice cream. All produce is from local and regional suppliers, meaning great quality and fair trade. The perfect way to spend time as a ZSL Stampede family and with friends! www.facebook.com/StAlbansFoodandDrinkFestival

28 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk What’s On

Silk River Storytelling 4 © National Maritime Museum

Wed 27 Sep - Sat 21 Oct - Elton John’s Glasses Chiltern Open Air museum. Discover wool and textile-related Sat 7 Oct – Northwood Craft Market (HA6) Community Open Day (WD17) Go along to this activities with expert volunteers, solve your knitting conundrums, There will be many beautiful crafts for sale, all handmade by local community open day in conjunction with the autumn production and see a variety of knitting, crocheting, making pompom animals craftspeople, as well as hands-on crafts for children, a plant Stall, Elton John’s Glasses at Watford Palace Theatre. The day will and wet felting. Suitable for all ages and levels, from beginners to teas, coffees and delicious homemade cakes. At the Methodist feature back stage tours and a display of objects from Watford in experienced knitters! Church Hall in Northwood from 10am-2pm. 1984 including items from the FA cup final. They are also actively www.coam.org.uk www.northwoodcraftmarket.co.uk collecting for Watford Museum and University of Hertfordshire Heritage Hub and interested in objects, photos, clothing and October Sat 7 Oct - Fun Palaces at artsdepot (N12) memorabilia which tells us what happened in Watford 1984. Take The annual, free, worldwide celebration of arts, science and culture your objects to either be digitally recorded or potentially donated to Sun 1 Oct - Animated Romans (EC2Y) Explore returns for its fourth year. artsdepot will join 150+ Fun Palaces the museum collection. Admission is free! expected to pop up across the UK and globally in arts centres, www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk Roman London in a very modern way at this free digital animation workshop at the Museum of London. Gladiators, imposing armies, swimming pools, theatres, universities, back gardens, castles, luxurious baths and straight roads… what comes to mind when you libraries, woodlands and more - and you’re invited. 11am-3pm. Fri 29 Sep - Science Uncovered 2017 (SW7) Dive www.artsdepot.co.uk into the ocean with the scientists at the Natural History Museum, think of the Romans? Discover what daily life was like in the city and discover how marine researchers see the sea. Part of European 2000 years ago at this interactive animation workshop in the Roman London gallery. This is a drop-in workshop, so stop by anytime Sun 8 Oct - Michael Sobell Hospice 40th Researchers’ Night, this annual festival of science is free and offers Anniversary Walk (WD3) Walk and help raise vital funds you the chance to chat to scientists and uncover cutting-edge between 12.30-1.30pm, 2-3pm, 3.30-4.30pm. Minimum age 7+. www.museumoflondon.org.uk for the hospice during Hospice Care Week and in its very special research. See hundreds of behind-the-scenes specimens and take 40th Anniversary year. Join in a 3 or 12 mile walk which will take part in talks, tours and special events linked to marine science. Fri 6 Oct - Jail & Bail in aid of Michael Sobell you through the beautiful countryside around Moor Park, Harefield, Everything is free to attend, but spaces will be limited for some Hospice (WD3) Join ‘Jail & Bail’, a once-in-a-lifetime Rickmansworth and The Grand Union Canal. Dogs and children activities. Tickets for special activities will be available on the night experience, in partnership with Ruislip Police Station and get welcome too! Registration at 8.15am Walk starts at 9am, starts and on a first-come, first-served basis. locked up to help raise vital funds for the Hospice in its 40th year ends at Michael Sobell Hospice. www.nhm.ac.uk during Hospice Care Week. Upstanding members of the community www.michaelsobellhospice.co.uk will be: arrested & handcuffed, taken away in a police van, finger Sat 30 Sep – September Fayre (WD24) Go to Christ printed, DNA tested and locked in a police cell. The only way to be Church on St Albans Road from 11am to 3pm and get a head start let out of jail is to raise £500 in sponsorship money for the charity. on the Christmas shopping. Entry is free on the day. Refreshments Participants will be allowed mobile phones in the police cell for available. All proceeds will be used to support the families outreach those last-ditch calls to friends and family for extra funds! project, Lift Off! 020 3826 2362 [email protected] www. www.liftoff.org.uk michaelsobellhospice.co.uk

Sat 30 Sep - Songs from the Wizard of Oz - Sat 7 Oct - Lots for Tots Sale Rickmansworth KLOS Musical Theatre will perform songs and more! (UB8) (WD3) An indoor table top sale for people that want to sell their from their forthcoming show between 11-11.45am at Uxbridge second-hand baby, toddler and children’s items, and those that Library. want to buy them. Visitors can browse each sellers table and pick [email protected] to book out exactly what they need, paying the seller direct. The sale takes Sat 30 Sep – Sun 1 Oct - Wild about Wool place at from 10-11.30am. www.lotsfortotssale.co.uk (HP8) Have a go at different types of traditional knitting at

For many more local events and diary dates for the whole family visit www.FamiliesOnline.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk Families North West London 29 What’s On

Compiled by Anna Blackshaw What’s On in Children’s Theatre We aim to be as accurate as possible, but these listings are compiled several weeks beforehand and may be subject to change. Please check before setting out.

Don’t Dribble On The Dragon

Artsdepot Sun 24 Sep - Your Toys This show is made by your orchestra, where might you start? Perhaps a lightning bolt toys. Grownups and children alike, bring your own toy to the of sound to grab everyone’s attention… or an upbeat dance 5 Nether Street, North Finchley, N12 theatre to join in this gigantic adventure. Slot Machine Theatre that gets your toes tapping… or a beautiful tune that gets 020 8369 5454 www.artsdepot.co.uk bring your real toys to life on stage using their unique style of stuck in the listener’s head? The options are endless, but with Sun 17 Sep - Three Billy Goats Gruff & puppetry, original live music and quirky humour. A monstrous Poulenc’s action-packed Sinfonietta, Southbank Sinfonia’s Other Furry Tails The Storyteller is on the run from force rules the land. Only the bravest can defeat it. But the musicians will help you explore some of the tools used to make those three-headed monsters, trying to bring you the most challenge is perilous - will everyone survive? On this epic brilliant music. In the concert, specially-made videos provide fantastic tales from the Magic Land of Three. Are you really journey, we’re all in danger, and only the toys can save us - an up-close insight to the music being played. Afterwards, you sure what happened to the wolf and those three little pigs? your toys.Ages 5-9 yrs can ask the musicians all your questions and try out an array of What about Goldilocks? Why was she walking in those woods? instruments. Ages 5 – 11 yrs And as for the three Billy Goats Gruff, how did they really Cadogan Hall deal with that troll? All will be revealed in this beautiful show 5 Sloane Terrace, London SW1X Chickenshed using puppets and props. It’s full of fun and laughter and has an exciting gypsy soundtrack that you won’t be able to stop 020 7730 4500 www.cadoganhall.com Chase Side Southgate N14. singing long after the show has finished. Ages 3+ Sat 23 Sep - Southbank Sinfonia Family 020 8292 9222 www.chickenshed.org.uk Concert If you were creating a piece of music for an Fri 8 Sep – Fri 20 Oct - Planet Play: Autumn 2017 Welcome to Planet Play our magical world of sensory learning, wonder and exploration, for babies and toddlers aged 0-3 years. These 45 minute sessions will encourage young children to develop and explore the world around them through song, music, movement and a truly sensory experience. So go along every Friday morning for musical fun and games, learn lots of new songs, play with puppets, dance and enjoy time with your little one. Every Friday at 10am. Fri 8 Sep – Sat 28 Oct - Tales from the Shed Tales from the Shed are vibrant, interactive theatre shows that are perfect for young children. They are informal, lively and amazingly engaging as the performers and audience share the same space - children are always encouraged to make a lot of noise and to make the story happen. Every week will be different stories featuring the same much loved characters – from Can-Can the beautiful bird to laid back Lion Down and The Thing That Goes Blurgh! Shows on Fridays, Saturdays and Tue 24, Wed 25, Thu 26 & Fri 27 Oct. Ages 0-6yrs

Little Angel Theatre 14 Dagmar Passage, Cross St, N1 020 7226 1787 www.littleangeltheatre.com Sat 2 Sep – Sun 5 Nov - Wow! Said The Owl Explore the wonderful world of colours with a curious little owl, who is determined to stay awake and see what daylight brings. From the warm, pink glow of dawn through to a day filled with the bright colours of green leaves, blue sky, white clouds and, finally, a stunning rainbow – ‘WOW!’ But

30 Families North West London familiesonline.co.uk What’s On despite the beauty of the daytime world, the little owl decides that the night-time stars are the most beautiful of all. WOW! Said the Owl is brought to life through a blend of beautiful storytelling, puppetry and music and will delight and excite very young audiences. Ages 2 – 5 yrs Sat 16 – Sun 17 Sep - Me… The world is a very big place, especially for a tiny baby penguin who is just finding his feet. The shimmering stars and glistening snow spin around our little hero, while the mountains tower high and the wind rushes to and fro. And although baby penguin may be small his family know he’s the biggest thing of all. This early year’s favourite is a lovely and touching story about a parent and their love for their child by much loved children’s author Emma Dodd. Ages 2-5 years Thu 21 Sep – Sat 4 Nov - Zeraffa Giraffa Across the plains of Africa where grass grows tall and acacias taste sweet. A young giraffe is sent as a gift from the Pasha of Egypt to the King of France, but Paris is very far away… With a boy called Atir to help Zeraffa find her way, the pair sail up the Nile past pyramids, sphinxes and temples and out across the stormy sea to a country where everything is different. No one has seen an animal like Zeraffa before. Can Zeraffa and Atir find a way to make this new place home? Based on the book by award-winning children’s author Dianne Hofmeyr, Zeraffa Giraffa is inspired by the astonishing true tale of a real giraffe and is told using beautiful hand-made puppets and an original musical score. Ages 4-8 yrs Fri 22 – Sun 24 Sep - Rusty Nails and Other Heroes An award-winning cross-over between theatre, The Radlett Centre Unicorn Theatre visual art and animation. A wordless poetic performance in 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett, WD7 147 Tooley Street, SE1. which worthless finds, picked up from street corners and 01923 859291 www.radlettcentre.co.uk 020 7645 0560 www.unicorntheatre.com rescued from the gutter change into actors. Two performers Laika, the slide old cardboard under a camera and on a large screen a Fri 8 Sep - Showstopper! The Improvised Sun 24 Sep – Sun 12 Nov - Laika space dog: the first living creature to orbit earth. That was in desert appears. A rusty saw plays the sea. Maple seeds become Musical Spontaneous musical comedy at its finest - direct 1957. Today it’s 2057, and Sami lives with his mum. She’s an gentle birds and old working gloves an endless swamp. from the West End! With ten years as an Edinburgh Fringe astronaut and she understands that there could be a better Omnipresent is the enchanting soundtrack that pulls the viewer must-see phenomenon, a BBC Radio 4 series, a critically future out in space. But Sami’s life is down here. So now they into the story. It’s a charger for your imagination; so don’t acclaimed West End run and now an Olivier Award to their must face the prospect of letting go, saying goodbye and – forget to take it with you! Sat 23rd & Sun 24th for ages 6-12 yrs; name, The Showstoppers have delighted audiences across the just like Laika – head off into the unknown. A moving sci-fi Fri 22nd, Sat 23rd & Sun 24th for ages 10-adult globe with their ingenious blend of comedy, musical theatre and spontaneity. So whether you fancy Sondheim on a ski lift or adventure, inventively and beautifully told using puppetry, Wed 27 Sep – Sun 1 Oct - Bookstory Book Cole Porter in Poundland - you suggest it and the Showstoppers movement and music. Ages 6-12 yrs Story. It’s a story, about some books. In a library. But these will sing it! are no ordinary books and this is no ordinary library. It’s Brian’s Watford Palace Theatre library: a wonderful, magical place where the books like to Sat 9 Sep - Don’t Dribble On The Dragon Clarendon Road, Watford WD17 flutter their pages and let their shelves go… Then one day 01923 225 671 www.watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk Brian changes and the library goes…quiet. What’s going on? Tom is a toddler with a cool older brother, a secret dragon… The books had better stiffen their spines: to get to the bottom and a dribbling problem that just won’t stop! When Tom’s Sat 16 – Sun 17 Sep - Stick Man Touching, funny of this mystery they may have to check themselves out… In endless drooling threatens to tear the brothers’ friendship and utterly original, Scamp Theatre’s delightful adaptation of this celebration of books, reading and libraries, the pioneers of apart can their dragon’s amazing magic help them put it back Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s STICK MAN is coming back the puppet musical MONSTRO Theatre and their band talented together again or will it only end up making things worse? to Watford Palace Theatre! What starts off as a morning jog performers use songs, puppetry and dynamic performance to Based on the fabulous new book by Steven Lee and with becomes quite the misadventure for Stick Man: a dog wants tell the story of the story in the digital age. Ages 6 – adult. magic designed by the legendary Paul Daniels, this spectacular to play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with him, and he musical adventure about growing up and the importance of even ends up on a fire! How will Stick Man ever get back to the family is the perfect feel good show for big hearted adults and family tree? This award-winning production, from the teams Lyric Theatre loving little ones alike. behind Tiddler and other Terrific Tales and The Scarecrows’ Shaftesbury Avenue, London, W1D 7ES Wedding, features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves. Ages 3 0844 482 9674 www.nimaxtheatres.com Sat 23 Sep - The Sooty Show Izzy wizzy let’s get Until Sun 10 Sep - What the Ladybird Heard busy! Sooty is back in a brand-new show with guaranteed Winston Churchill Theatre Two crafty robbers, one tiny ladybird, and a whole farmyard giggles for the whole family! Direct from CITV, Sooty, Sweep of fun! Hefty Hugh and Lanky Len have a cunning plan to steal and Soo head into town accompanied by TV’s Richard Cadell. Pinn Way Ruislip HA4 01895 250615 the farmer’s fine prize cow. But they reckon without the tiniest, Mr Slater has put Richard in charge of running the show but www.hillingdontheatres.uk quietest creature of all: The Ladybird has a plan of her own! nothing is going to plan! Sooty’s magic tricks turn very messy Wed 20 – Sat 23 Sep - Hillingdon Musical Join the woolly sheep, the hairy hog, the fat red hen and the and Sweep’s escapology act has him all tied up. Maybe Soo Society presents Oklahoma! Hillingdon dainty dog in this glittering stage adaptation of Julia Donaldson and her tap dancing will save the day? Expect magic, music Musical Society are proud to present the original Rogers and & Lydia Monks’ colourful farmyard adventure. With live music, and mayhem with buckets full of audience participation. A Hammerstein musical Oklahoma! Based on a play by Lynn Riggs puppetry, plenty of audience participation and lots of laughs! spectacular treat for Sooty fans old and new - plus a chance to called Green Grow the Lilacs, which was written back in 1931, meet Sooty and Richard after the show! Ages 3+ Oklahoma! is full to the brim with memorable songs including; Oh What A Beautiful Mornin’!, I Cain’t Say No and People Will Puppet Theatre Barge Say We’re In Love.

Little Venice W9 (During the summer the Barge is at Richmond, TW10) 020 7249 6876 www.puppetbarge.com Until Sun 1 Oct – The Hare and the Tortoise and Other Tales from Aesop For many more local events Aesop’s Fables is an exciting collection of tales, all told with wood-carved marionettes, culminating in the evergreen classic and diary dates for the The Hare and the Tortoise. Other stories feature storms to be weathered, ferocious lions to be overcome, and a group of whole family visit daredevil mice who plot to hoodwink the cat. As ever with Aesop, there are always a few morals to take away.Ages 3+ www.FamiliesOnline.co.uk

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