TermTimes 144 Summer 2020 Issue

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the magazine for families

Issue 144 – July to September 2020

SCHOOLS

Enjoy

BEHIND THE SCENES

A STAYCATION

Visit

NENE PARK

OOKS

TREASURE TRAILS AIRFIX MODELS

THANK YOU you

to our local teachers and school support staff for their immense efforts during the pandemic

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LIFE IN LOCKDOWN u

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Covering Cambridge, Fenland, Huntingdon, Oundle, Peterborough, Spalding, South Kesteven, Wisbech and more

The essential FREE publication for you and your children

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Airfix is giving eight lucky children the chance to win one of their incredible construction models. Children have a choice between a Jaguar or Volkswagon Campervan – ideal for under eights as there’s no glue needed – and the more intricate replica R.M.S Titantic and RAF Red Arrows Gnat, equipped with glue and paint.

To enter the contest, simply specify the model you wish to win via email or our website.

Turn to page 3 for details on how to submit your entry before 1 August.

COMPETITION WINNERS Airfix – Well done Elliot, Eden, Jake, Anabelle and Owen.

Easter Rubiks puzzles – Astrid with her Rubik's Kitten, Iris with her Rubik's easter prize and Summer & Harrison with their Rubik's easter prize.

Elliott

Astrid

National Geographic sets – Jessie and Isla & Ellie.

Isla & Ellie

Iris

Jessie

The North Girl – "Thank you for giving me The North Girl. I have enjoyed reading it. It was an extraordinary read that took me on a freezing adventure that includes destiny, magic and love. Journeying on a white bear, she faces surprising challenges. It was a good book."

Look out for more competitions in this issue!

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Eden, Anabelle and Owen

rison

Summer & Har www.termtimes.ltd.uk

Jake

Davina

Greetings readers, Are we back to normal yet? As I write this letter the most suitable answer is… maybe, or at least what our ‘new normal’ will be for a while. With government guidelines changing frequently, when you read this digital issue chances are the country may be running on new rules. However, whatever happens, the last few months have been a period of time we will never forget and our condolences go out to the many who have lost loved ones.

Due to the circumstances forcing schools to limit their student intake, the Term Times team decided it’s best to publish a digital edition this term and for our print magazine to return this autumn with all students. We would like start by saying a huge thank you to everyone connected to schools for their efforts over the last few months – you are truly valued and we, as we’re sure every family does, deeply appreciate all you’ve done and continue to do for our children.

Before schools open fully, families still have the summer holidays to enjoy but what could this look like? Parks and zoos are open, National Trust and English Heritage are accepting visitors and we’re hopeful even more family destinations will be unlocking their gates soon, too. However, while we’re all going to be eager to enjoy days out after lockdown, remember to stay safe and help these businesses adhere to their new rules as they’re sure to experience a huge rush of visitors in the first few weeks of opening.

In this issue, we have some great stories and thoughts from parents, schools and companies about their different experiences of lockdown and its hidden silver-lining.

We’ve also updates from businesses opening for families this summer and loads of great competitions, including models from Airfix, Little Cooks Recipe Boxes and fabulous Where’s Wookie books (see our back page!).

We’ve been posting competitions on our Facebook page throughout lockdown, and will continue to do so, so please check us out. We’ve also be trialling out Treasure Trails, an online provider of downloadable treasure maps for your local area or daytrip destination. With clues, characters and stories, these really make a staycation or family daytrip something special.

Let us look forward to enjoying the local amenities now available, the countryside and parks, as well as the family members we hold dear. Respect, be kind, be sensible and stay safe. Life will improve and we look forward to bringing you great content in our October issue.

Birthdays Useful information

Contact us Publisher: Steven Beacham Editor: Amanda Stacey T: 01780 757731 E: steven@termtimes.ltd.uk 70 Rutland Road, Stamford, Lincolnshire PE9 1UW

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Advertise with us Term Times distributes 50,000 printed copies to parents six times a year. Through a transparent and targeted channel, your business will be seen in a title read and respected for over 20 years.

For options available, please contact the team on 01780 757731 or via steven@termtimes.ltd.uk

Amanda

Contents

Does your child have a birthday soon?

Would you like to have it announced in a forthcoming issue of Term Times?

Regulars

Just send us their name, photo, age, date of birthday and details of who it's from to: steven@termtimes.ltd.uk

Competition Entry

Alternatively, competitions will be posted on our website at www.termtimes.ltd.uk Please ask your parents’ permission before entering via the internet. All winners will be picked at random and Term Times' decision is final.

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2&20

Competition Winners

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What’s Happening in Schools?

4–7

News 14

Mentioning the competition you're entering, send your name, age, address, phone number and school name to Term Times, 70 Rutland Road, Stamford, Lincs PE9 1UW or via email to steven@termtimes.ltd.uk

01733 772095

Puzzles and Games

Thank you to all our advertisers who have supported this digital issue, please support them this summer where you can Kumon Stamford.......3 Gibbs Shoes of Ely & Spalding ..........7 IQ Plus Education Centre ...........................7 WWT Welney............... 8 Redwings Horse Sanctuary ...................9 Zebedee Shoes ............9 Nene Park ....................10 Kip McGrath Peterborough North and South .................... 11 The Fane Clinic...........15 Little Voices (Peterborough)...........15

Editorial Support the Redwings Sanctuary

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Garden Wildlife

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Zebedee Shoes

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What’s New at Nene Park

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Gibbs of Spalding Takes Big Steps

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Kids' Sewing Project

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Life in Lockdown

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A Shout-out from Littlevoices

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Our Planet

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Photography Workshop

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UK Staycations

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Competitions Win Airfix Models

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Win Treasure Trails Experience

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Win a Little Cooks Co recipe box

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Win a copy of Where’s the Wookie 3 20

Term Times/Term Times Ltd are independently published and are trading styles of 12th Man Services and Solutions Ltd. Distributed free throughout primary schools in your area. Its aims are to inform families and children of current education issues, forthcoming events, places to visit, attractions etc. Every care is taken to ensure that the information in the magazine is correct at the time of going to press. However, please check opening times/entry fees etc., before setting out on a journey. We also aim to give teachers, parents and children, the opportunity to participate in the content of Term Times. Term Times does not intend to publish any racist, sexist or political matters, nor carry out editorial or advertising that may be considered to be offensive to families. Opinions expressed by contributors/advertisers are not necessarily those of Term Times or the schools that distribute it. The publishers cannot be held responsible for any erroneous or misleading claims or comments made by any contributor/advertiser. Competition winners will have their details shared with the competition supplier for purposes of fulfilling delivery/provision of the prize. Details of the winners will sometimes be published in a subsequent issue and by entering the competition you grant Term Times permission to publish these. Our thanks go to the schools for their assistance in distributing the magazine, and for their contributions to its contents. We would also like to thank the advertisers who have supported this publication and made it possible. Please support them where you can.

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What's happening in schools?

A must-watch: Teachers explain Covid-19 Schools around the county have been finding creative ways to engage pupils and families from afar and helping parents to adjust their children to their ‘new normal’.

At Wheatfields Primary School in St Ives, teacher Mrs Baker created this video on YouTube to help explain the current circumstances to pupils and what’s happened to their school. Check it out: https://youtu.be/WS0u5_YZlW4

A day in the life of a headteacher Some parents may wonder what teachers are doing to be so busy when they don’t have a classroom full of children to teach, but if ever you were in doubt of a teacher’s dedication or their relentless work ethic, reading a day in the life of Claire Worth, headteacher of Fenstanton and Hilton Primary school, during lockdown is sure to put things into perspective.

“Each morning I wake and read emails. Every morning we receive an update from our director of education, which is extremely informative. It sets out exactly what is happening in the current climate, what conversations are happening at a government level and any guidance that we need to follow or adapt to, given the situation we are in.

“After that, if it is not a day that I am physically in our school, I will call to check in with the staff, to see if they are ok and to update them with any information they may need – safeguarding or otherwise. I will also record the attendance. We do a return every day for the Department for Education and the Local Authority, so they have a ‘live’ view of the picture across the county. I am then on call for the rest of the day.

“I am fortunate enough to have two small children at home so after speaking to my own staff I start the busy job of homeschooling.

We aim to do a bit of phonics, writing and maths each day, and a lot of the work is guided by their school. Then it’s back to my computer. I may have a video call or a piece of work that I need to get on with. I find this to be a good time to get various documents together for School Improvement.

“Every teacher at my school runs an online ‘Google Classroom’, where they set work that the children can log onto and complete each day. Children communicate with their teacher using the online classroom and some staff have held video lessons for children.

Each week we meet virtually as a team to review our work and practices, and discuss together what we need to focus on next.

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We find this so important as the world we are living in now is clearly so different to how we usually do our jobs!

“Lunchtime – this is a wonderful time to eat as a family. We don’t usually get to do this during normal term time, and I know it is something we will miss. A typical afternoon will then consist of virtual catch-ups with staff, governors, members of the Local Authority and following up on any work that comes out of this.

“As the pastoral lead I also support families who are in crisis and those that are experiencing difficulty.

The number of families needing support has risen during lockdown, which isn’t surprising but still really unfortunate. This is a really important part of my job and, now more than ever, it takes priority.

“I try to fit in the usual activities that people often don’t think is part of a heads’ day – paying bills, authorising payroll, policy amendments and, of course, communicating with and supporting staff, monitoring their workload, speaking to parents… the list goes on!

“I am very aware that life has been extremely hard for everyone, and juggling work and small children is such a challenge that many of us are dealing with. Teachers across the country have been working hard during lockdown to ensure children’s educational needs are met, families are supported and they themselves are completing professional development that they hadn’t previously been able to, as well has continuing to develop the curriculum.

Newark Hill Academy goes online Like many schools since of the end of March, the Newark Hill Academy has been delivering live lessons online using Microsoft Teams. Its success comes after receiving Microsoft Showcase School status in August 2019, which ensured they were able to launch virtual lessons with ease.

“It’s been an incredible journey live teaching with the children” says Miss Griffin, the assistant principal. “They begin each session having a catch up with their friends, showing off their pets and giving tours of rooms in their house. This invaluable time gives the children the chance to communicate and see people outside of their house; the benefits on their mental health is incredible. A child in my class told me that this chat is the only chance she has to talk to others outside of her immediate family. We then settle into the learning with ‘mute yourselves’ being the new popular term I use. I can teach freely using Microsoft Teams: I can switch my screen, do live modelling using OneNote; play clips from You Tube; demonstrate tasks on Education City etc.

During the lesson, children can write along with me on OneNote and I can switch to

“It has been a difficult time, but to me it really has shown that teachers, school staff and LA Education Leads do the jobs we do because we care. I have seen so many examples of people working tirelessly, going above and beyond to adapt, ensuring children and families are continually engaged, and that children are able to continue learning and developing regardless of their circumstances.

These are the qualities that make excellent teachers.”

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their screen to see what they are doing in real-time. It’s a virtual classroom with the same level of interaction as teaching in a building. A colleague in the school took her class on a virtual field trip by switching to her phone screen ¬– astounding! This way of learning is opening up new paths for teachers and parents to educate children, some of which will be continued long after lockdown ends. At Newark Hill Academy, we all record our live lessons so children can access them at a later time and they can re-watch parts of the lesson to secure understanding. The end of the lesson, children complete a task linked to the learning, alongside more creative activities. I have set online tasks using Microsoft Forms, Flipgrid and in OneNote.

All paper free, all easily accessible on a range of devices and all with the ability to give immediate feedback to the children,” she adds.

For those pupils who do not have access to a laptop, Learning Packs are sent from the academy to access offline.

The academy has also been sending rewards for learner following the same systems that would have happened in the academy.

Students return to William de Yaxley CE Academy After ten weeks of lockdown, William de Yaxley CE Academy has welcomed back its Year 6 students but how do they feel about their new bubbles?

“We were excited to come back to school. We felt ready for a change and were desperate to see the faces of people we had not seen in ages. None of us were worried about the socialdistancing rules, mostly because we were already used to the new normal.

“The first day back was a bit unusual and took some getting used to. We are in a bubble with seven other children and we can’t see or play with the other children who were in our class before lockdown. We are not in our usual classroom and we each have our own desk. We have to wash our hands regularly and we do not touch anything that does not belong to us. This too became the new normal and within a short time we felt comfortable with the new situation.

"What did worry us was that we might be in a bubble with children we didn’t know but the teachers had clearly thought about who we should be with, so we were pleasantly surprised when we got to school,” explains pupils from the Year 6 Smith Bubble.

“We really like being in a small group of children and we are all enjoying the structure that our day provides us with. It feels slightly more relaxed than it was back in March, but we are all enjoying the learning and the opportunity to get back to normal with school work. Our

project for the next few weeks is Australia.

We are writing Aboriginal ‘dreamings’ (stories) and painting Papunya Dot paintings to illustrate our stories. We are reading a new book called Running Wild, by Michael Morpurgo, and learning about the ecological issues that the book raises. It’s good to be back.

We all love our ‘New Normal’, concludes the Smith Bubble.

Praises for Nassington Nassington School headteacher Loraine Allen shares some wonderful thoughts on lockdown education in their village community and positive notes of praise for its parents: “There has been much in the media about how we are going to go forward, how we will return to ‘normal’, including how we will re-open schools. At the moment we do not know for certain and it is this uncertainty that can cause worry and stress.

Earlier I ‘Googled’ for quotes about uncertainty about the future. There were many online but this one by Gandhi struck a chord with me: “The future depends on what you do today.”

“Yet in our Nassington community I can see our future forming. I read parents’ emails and look at students’ photos, I see cakes (chefs in the making), models (engineers), pictures (artists), stories (authors), maths challenges (mathematicians), freshly-painted bedrooms, fences and sheds (decorators and interior designers), experiments (scientists), outdoor activities (sportsmen and women), the list goes on.

“We are all being encouraged to stay at home, to support the NHS and our keyworkers, and to save lives. Our actions now will have an impact upon the future, uncertain as it may seem. We are relying on scientists and medical knowledge and research to make sense of the future.

“It is true that our children are the future so always remember that (even on days when it doesn’t feel like it) all of the great activities you are sharing with your children at the moment will have an impact on the future. You are all doing an amazing job so please continue to share your experiences.”

"I also see the rainbows and bears, the messages and pictures left around the village, the lovely emails of support arriving in school and know that we are raising children who show empathy, love and resilience.

If you would like to see how Newark Hill Academy teaches online in more detail, please see their Showcase School section on their website: www.newarkhillacademy.org

Tales of Lockdown from South View Primary School in Crowland Pulling together as a school community to keep children’s spirits up and providing them the opportunity to learn from home has been the mission of most schools recently. South View Primary School, in Crowland, has been giving students weekly themed-lessons such as ‘Superheroes’, ‘Hocus Pocus’ and ‘Crowland: Now and Then’ and have been blown away by the inventiveness of their pupils and parents.

Each week Lloyd (Year 5) and his brother Preston (Year 2) have amazed their teachers with the exciting activities that their mother has prepared for them. For the sports themed week, the boys took part in an obstacle race that they set up in their garden. During the gardening week, the boys made fabulous caterpillars out of socks, soil and grass seed; the idea being that the grass grows through the socks, making them into a fluffy, green caterpillars.

Karolina (Year 5) has impressed her parents and teachers with her focus and motivation in completing all her home learning tasks.

“I think home learning is good because you can do your work at any time you want and you can pretend you are at school until 3 o'clock,” said Karolina.

We have recently moved towards a wider opening of the school, where we have children from Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 joining our key worker pupils, which means half of our pupils are now learning in school and half are learning from home.

“Whilst these have been strange and uncertain times for our South View family, it’s been breath-taking to see so many of our families engaging fully in what we have been providing, in terms of educational activities.

During the week of the V.E. Day celebrations, Zach and his family had the wonderful idea of burying a time capsule for future generations to discover how we lived in these times and what it was like to be a child in 2020.

As a school, we’ve been determined to ensure that the children at home aren’t disadvantaged in terms of learning by remaining at home, so have planned a temporary sevenweek curriculum for all children.

Zach remarked: “I really enjoyed making our own history that day to commemorate VE Day and it will be exciting to dig up the time capsule in about fifty years to remember how we celebrated.”

My staff have been amazing through all of this, and their regular communication with our families, via email or telephone, has really been integral to keeping everyone’s spirits up,” said headteacher Mrs Tomlins.

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What's happening in schools?

The Pupils of Thomas Deacon Education Trust

Year 3 pupils from Thomas Deacon Academy Juniors made sea creatures to celebrate World Ocean Day!

At Thomas Deacon Education Trust, we have been so proud of the way our colleagues and families have supported each other and adapted to continue providing a high-quality education for our pupils. Here are some highlights of the ways our academies have kept connected with each other and helped their communities despite the distance:

Photo: Adrianna, Thomas Deacon Academy Juniors

EYFS pupils at Warboys Primary Academy made staff cry when they sent them a collection of pictures turned into a video, spreading a heartfelt message of love and warmth!

Year 3 pupils at Gladstone Primary Academy created their own puppet theatres to develop storytelling skills and create stories for their families.

Photo: Leandro and Nedas, Gladstone Primary Academy

Photo: Screenshot from the video, Warboys Primary Academy

Pupils from Upwood Primary Academy made their own artwork in the style of Andy Goldsworthy. They used natural materials, such as stones, feathers and leaves for their creations.

Pupils from Welbourne Primary Academy created beautiful rainbow artwork to keep everyone smiling and thank the NHS for looking after everyone during this crisis!

Photo: Charlie’s flowering meadow, Upwood Primary Academy

Photo: Fabian, Welbourne Primary Academy

Message from Glapthorn headteacher “Glapthorn CE Primary and Polebrook CE Primary opened their doors to EYFS Year 1 and Year 6 at the beginning of June with balloons and welcome signs. It was wonderful for them to catch up with friends after a long period at home! After such a successful start, the schools are now looking at ways to welcome back the other year groups.

Readers' lockdown projects Kerem (age 9), Emre (age 7) and Taylan (age 4) turned an unused area of the garden into a vegetable patch to learn where food comes from and new growing skills. Plus their reminder for passersby to stay safe.

"During lockdown the children and teachers have been keeping in touch online, and it has been amazing to see how well they have supported each other and kept smiling through difficult times.

"Teachers put together a dance video to cheer everyone up (see the school websites https://www. glapthornprimaryschool.co.uk, https:// www.polebrook.northants.sch.uk/) and the children have sent in pictures of all the exciting things they have been doing at home – making, creating, building, baking and, most importantly, having lots of fun!

"I am very proud to lead such a caring, innovative and resilient staff team, and we have all been overwhelmed with the support and gratitude from parents at this difficult time,” says Lou Coulthard Executive Head of Glapthorn CE Primary.

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Poster designed and sent in

by Jimmy to Peterborough hospital. It was a special poster from Jimmy to also say thank you for looking after him in December when he went in for an emergency operation.

Camping out in lockdown.

Charles and Bethany.

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Sofia (age 5) with one of the many posters she coloured in to thank keyworkers.

Two little piggies went a-blogging Two porcine pupils at Brington C of E Primary School, in Huntingdonshire, have been surfing the net to keep in touch with their friends.

Peppa and George loved greeting pupils who visited their cosy enclosure every day but lockdown meant their fans had to stay at home. The porkie pair were not deterred, though: they took to the school's blog to keep in touch with their pals.

"Peppa and George are so popular with everyone and I know that the children have really been missing them,” says headteacher Mark Farrell.

"Every child at Brington has a blog, which they use to keep in touch with staff, ask questions about work and share their achievements. Then Peppa and George got their trotters typing and started blogging too. They’ve even inspired a passion for porkie poetry in school, with pupils taking up their pig pens and composing odes to the pair," revealed Mr Farrell.

Peppa and George came to the school as piglets at the start of the spring term as part of Hawks Class's topic on farming.

They moved into a purpose-built enclosure, paid for by donations to the school, and are staying for several months before returning to their home farm.

"We are really looking forward to getting back to school and seeing how they have grown while we've been away," says Rob, from Year 5. www.brington.org George (pink) and Peppa (brown) are keeping a look out for their friends at Brington CofE Primary School

Ayscoughfee Hall School children return Children in Kindergarten, Reception, Year 1 and 6 returned to Ayscoughfee Hall School in June and is preparing to have the rest of the school back soon. The school has stayed open for keyworker children, while all other students have been busy working from home. The teachers provided a combination of online lessons and Seesaw Learning. Staff and children quickly adapted to a new way of learning and managed to keep the curriculum going with the children sharing lots of photographs and work with the teachers, including lovely rainbow images to put in the school’s windows.

Staff worked hard over the half-term to ensure it was a safe and happy return to school. They welcomed the children back under government guidelines. The children all have their own boxes of toys, an iPad, work and PE equipment and know just to touch their own items. The headteacher Mrs Ogden says: “It has been lovely to have the sound of children’s laughter and chat back in the school. Everyone has been brilliant; the children have really adapted well and are amazingly good at being responsible for distancing. They still even manage to

play football, with different rules, no one is allowed to touch the ball and they have to keep 2m apart – the children have made it work!” Parents have also felt the return has been positive, with a Reception parent commenting: “Thank you all so much for the supreme amount of effort you have made to create such a lovely environment for the children in a really strange time. I was questioning whether or not I’d done the right thing sending my child back, but these last two days he’s the happiest he’s been in ten weeks”, whilst a Year 6 parent remarked “My child has come home happy, contented and glad to be back at school whilst equipped to be able to deal with social distancing and adapting to a different type of school day. The support that AHS has given my children over the past few months in terms of their continuing education and wellbeing is excellent and this has provided stability during these challenging times.”

Staff are looking forward to having the rest of the school back as soon as they can. The school does currently have some spaces and is able to do socially-distanced tours after 3.30pm.

For more information, email egibson@ahs.me.uk or visit www.ahs.me.uk

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What is in your garden?

Photo Credit: Elephant Hawkmoth

by Kim Tarsey

Lockdown has meant many of us lucky enough to have gardens have been exploring local wildlife.

What have you found?

Dragonflies – These masters of the skies have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. There are over 50 species of dragonfly and damselfly in the UK. They can be found in a range of habitats, but all need water to complete their lifecycle.

Bees – You might be familiar with the humble bumblebee, but there are 100 times more species of solitary bee (250 species).

Moths – Alongside almost 60 species of butterfly, moths at 2,500 UK species are an incredibly important groups of pollinating insects, as well as providing a food source for bats and birds. Of the 800 macro moth species, many are not brown, but actually highly coloured, patterned and shaped.

Snails – Not all insects like a dry summer. Snails and slugs are normally hard to find out in the open, but after periods of wet weather they can suddenly appear in larger numbers. Most slugs live underground where conditions are moist, whilst snails tend to adopt a nocturnal lifestyle.

For more details visit www.wwt.org.uk/welney

Healthy h ves During lockdown Redwings Horse Sanctuary has continued to provide essential care to their rescued residents. Foot care is an important part of looking after a horse, find out why here Did you know horses need to have their hooves trimmed every four to six weeks to keep their feet healthy? The team at Redwings Horse Sanctuary cares for 1,500 rescued horses and donkeys across the UK – that’s 6,000 feet to look after! It’s just one of the many services the centres deliver to its residents to help provide the care and protection they need. Talita Arantes, the farm manager at one of Redwings’ sites in Norfolk, tell us about the hard work that goes into making sure all the horses receive their foot trims.

“The farrier (who does the foot trims) visits the Sanctuary on Thursdays but we start preparation on a Monday. We put together a list of horses who need to see the farrier that week and, as horses love to be with their friends, we pair up all the horses with a buddy to make the experience nicer for them,” she explains.

“By Wednesday, we’re looking at the weather forecast. As well as foot trims, some of our horses wear special shoes that involve glue being applied to their hooves. If their feet are wet, the glue won’t stick! If it looks like it’s going to rain overnight, we bring all the horses who wear shoes into our stables so their feet will be dry in the morning.

“On Thursday, my team starts work at 7.30am preparing hay nets and feed buckets to distract the horses while the farrier works. At 8am we slowly walk the pairs of horses down from their fields to the sanctuary’s forge. During their trims, they get to enjoy a tasty treat and plenty of relaxing scratches from us before we walk them back to their fields to be reunited with the rest of their friends.

“In one day, the farrier can see about 14 horses. It’s a very long day but worthwhile to make sure all our rescued horses receive the vital care they need,” Talita concludes.

If you’d like to find out more about Redwings Horse Sanctuary, head to: www.redwings.org.uk 8

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Talita and Fleetwood

STAY ALERT ol o h c s o t Back

measures

After a few growth spurts during lockdown, new school shoes for September will likely be on parents' radars. Thankfully expert fitters, Zebedee Shoes, are here to help Not only will parents be wanting a quality fitting service and expert advice, but they will be looking for businesses that are providing such a service safely in light of Covid-19. Thankfully, Zebedee Shoes on Oundle Road in Peterborough is up and running with new measures in place to ensure they continue to provide your children with the accurate, high-quality fittings that they did before lockdown whilst maintaining social distancing.

Being committed to the safety of its staff, customers and families, Zebedee Shoes is operating an appointment-only service for the foreseeable future.

It avoids the need for lengthy queues and parents having to keep children entertained while they wait. Staff will be using PPE, sanitiser sprays for customers and there will be screens in place to limit contact.

To make an appointment or to request any information send a message directly through Facebook www.facebook.com/ZebedeeShoes/

Zebedee Shoes have been supplying families for over 10 years, and here are some of the reasons why our store stands out from the crowd

We work closely with podiatrists who excel in their trained field should we need them and Liz, the owner, is a VTCT-qualified reflexologist and has also passed through examination with the Society of Shoefitters.

We are running by appointment only for the foreseeable future to ensure fitting is conducted safely and effectively.

Please call us or message via our Facebook page to arrange.

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9

Summer 2020 at Nene Park Whilst the world has changed considerably during the past few months, nature and green open spaces have provided a constant and essential source of happiness to us all This summer, although life will be different at Nene Park as we all adhere to Government guidance and new safety measures, they are still able to provide visitors a place to enjoy the outdoors and experience thriving nature and wildlife.

Whilst the usual schedule of events will not be offered this year, there is still plenty of fun to be had in the Park! Here are the top five things to do at Nene Park this summer: Explore the Park: Woodlands, meadows, lakes, the River Nene and miles of paths and trails make Nene Park a lovely place to walk and explore nature. Don’t forget to visit the Boardwalks in Bluebell Woods, a fantastic recent addition to the Park. Download the latest children’s trail sheet from our website (www.nenepark.org.uk/visit-us/things-to-do/ childrens-trails-and-activity-resources) and hunt for the questions and answers around Ferry Meadows.

Pay and Play activities at Nene Outdoors: Nene Outdoors Watersports and Activity Centre is operating full pay and play activities from 1 July. Enjoy pedalos, canoes, kayaks, stand up paddleboards, row boats and dinghies on Gunwade Lake or hire a bike to explore the wider Park. Booking in advance is required online at https://neneparktrust.cloudvenue. co.uk or by phone 01733 234 193.

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Picnics: There are plenty of scenic spots and shady areas for picnics in the Park, please be kind and ensure all rubbish is placed in the bins provided or even better, take it home with you!

Discovery packs for budding explorers: Containing everything a budding explorer needs to discover all about the wildlife and environment at Ferry Meadows. Suitable for children of all ages, the packs are available to purchase from the Visitor Centre & Gift Shop for ÂŁ7.99.

Bird watch: Birds love Nene Park just as much as people do and there are so many places and ways to see them. Visit www.nenepark.org.uk/visit-us/thingsto-do/bird-watch to find out where our bird hides are hidden, see how many different birds you can spot using the viewing platform at Heron Meadow or simply feed the ducks on the lakes! Pop into the Visitor Centre & Gift shop for duck food, donations welcome!

As the lockdown is relaxed further throughout the summer, we may be able to put on some additional activities in the Park so please keep an eye on the website and social media channels for news and updates, as they happen.

For nature based activities to enjoy at home, explore the downloadable resources for children. From exciting scavenger hunts and spotter sheets to arts and craft projects, all designed by the Nene Park Education Team: www.nenepark.org.uk/visit-us/things-to-do/ childrens-trails-and-activity-resources To ensure the safety of all visitors, staff and volunteers, please follow the social distancing guidelines (pictured above) during your visit to Nene Park.

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Learn with Kip McGrath Centre manager Becky Thomas offers a helping hand for parents wanting to bridge the education gap with personalised learning No one has been left untouched by Covid-19.

Whether you've been confined to your home for weeks, lost loved ones or been ill yourself, the conversation around coronavirus has been about protecting the vulnerable. However, one important consequence that I feel has not been discussed enough is the collateral damage to our children’s education.

Every child in the UK has had their learning and social interactions disrupted, SATs have been cancelled and there’s ambiguity around September’s 11-Plus exams, after so much hard work and preparation. Many parents have felt the pressure of home-educating, only made harder by evolved teaching techniques and their own work commitments. Home-schooling is challenging at the best of times, but even seasoned professionals acknowledge how much more difficult the recent circumstances made it due to the lack of freedom to roam during free time.

In our opinion, every parent needs a huge pat on the back for the fantastic work they have been doing and continue to do to steady the ship, but there is a helping hand if you and your children need it. The Kip McGrath Education Centres – Peterborough North and Peterborough South – boast a fantastic team of ten qualified teachers ready to pick up teaching English and math to your children remotely.

A family-based company, run by myself and my mum, the centre director Gill Terry, Kip McGrath prides itself on delivering personalised learning solutions for children of all ages and abilities.

Throughout the pandemic, we have continued to

support our students with online lessons using our bespoke service and website and welcome new students to our cohorts. This same fantastic service will continue throughout August in our summer school, with lessons delivered online and in-centre. Our flexible summer school lets you book as many or as few lessons as you like. Due to the current pandemic, we are offering a one-time discount of 10% on block bookings of four lessons.

Having missed out on months of learning, the summer holidays are a great opportunity to bridge the gap in preparation for the September's school opening and to aid them in getting back on track.

For a free assessment, book online at kipmcgrath.co.uk/peterborough-north

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Never out of step Shoe-fitters Gibbs of Spalding has weathered many of society’s storms in the last century and predicts new school shoes to be in short supply As more than a century-old family business, Gibbs of Spalding has survived and thrived beyond two world wars, through depressions and recessions, and now Covid-19. Once again, this Spalding-based company – established in 1908 – has adapted to a changing world to continue providing its customers with its expert advice and quality service. Although its qualified fitters will be measuring and fitting customers whilst wearing protective visors, this is not expected to inhibit them helping parents to equip their children with properly fitted shoes for the start of September’s term.

As a member of the Society of Shoe Fitters, a trained shoe fitter will check the shoes and advise the customer on whether the child needs a new pair but, as a member of The Society of Shoe Fitters, will not sell you a pair of shoes unless required. Whilst it’s usually advisable to purchase school shoes as early as possible, Gibb’s owner Kate Gibbs urges parents not to delay this year due to production being affected by the pandemic. She predicts that by the last few weeks of the school holidays some popular styles will be in short supply. “We already eagerly await new styles such as Rex Pace Kids for junior boys, Etch Bright for girls or Scala Step and Aubrie Craft for those returning to senior school,” he says. For those who visit Gibbs mid-week (Tues – Thurs), they can expect double loyalty stamps. All contact surfaces will be cleaned with antibacterial wipes between customers, too.

Sacrewell opens up Sacrewell Farm in Thornhaugh, Peterborough, is now open to the public at weekends

Five tips for healthy feet and well-fitted shoes  Have your children regularly fitted by a qualified shoe fitter.

The farm attraction has a pre-booked ticketing system in place, with limited visitor numbers available for a morning or an afternoon session. Whilst the indoor play area is not yet accessible, there will be three exciting and interactive walking trails for visitors to enjoy, each themed around the site’s history, heritage and rare breed farm animals. Sacrewell Farm is part of the William Scott Abbott Trust, an agricultural education charity with food and farming at its core.

 Buy footwear made of leather or other natural materials.  Make time mid-week to purchase footwear, especially if your child is hard to fit. Saturdays are busy!  Monitor your child’s sock drawer and discard those that are misshapen, outgrown and check toe seams of socks for casting-off knots.  Keep feet clean and toe nails trimmed

www.sacrewell.org.uk

See the back to school offer on page 7. www.gibbsshoes.co.uk

BUILD

a decorative door hanger

Natalie Lumb, owner of Peterborough Sewing School, shows you how to make a door hanger, with some hidden learning too!

YOU WILL NEED: • Coloured card • Scissors • A rubber (play clay also works) • A pointed object like a skewer or pencil • Thread, like wool or string are perfect This quick project is great fun and not too messy either! Children will also be using their maths skills when thinking about symmetry and size and developing their fine motor skills while cutting, sewing and knotting. You could make a few and give them to friends as a gift, adding a hidden message by writing a word on each face, such as: You make me smile!, Have a great day! or You’re the best!

 Fold your shapes in half.

To make them more eco-friendly, you could cut your shapes from used greetings cards.

 Make two further holes along that line, halfway

Please ensure all children are supervised when using pointed or sharp objects.

 Younger children may need help here: Line the two shapes up on top of each other and place them on top of something soft, like a rubber.

 Taking care whilst using your pointed object, pierce a hole in the middle of your folded line. The rubber is there so that the point has something soft to push into.

 Next, on one side of your shape, poke the end of

between the middle hole and the top and bottom edges of your shape.

 Cut a piece of thread four times the length of your

 Tie the ends of your thread together, this

decoration (if you made something 5cm tall you will need 20cm of thread).

Instructions

end of the thread through the bottom hole (you may need your pointed object to help).

symmetrical shape: hearts, stars and circles are great for this. They need to be 5cm tall or bigger.

thread through the middle hole so it comes out the other side, then pull it through until all the loose thread has created a stitch. Repeat this for the end of the thread on the other side of your shape, then you will have sewn a stitch on both sides. the thread through the top hole and pull it all the way through. Then turn over the shape and repeat with the other thread end. You have now sewn your shapes together!

We’d love to see your creations; share your masterpieces and tag Term Times family magazine on facebook or @termtimesmag on Instagram.

 Cut out two pieces of coloured card into the same

 On one side of your shape, poke one end of your

 Make sure your shapes are lined up, then poke the

 Pull the thread until your shape is halfway along it and you have the same length of thread on both sides.

creates your hanging loop. To tie, line up the threads together and make a loop, then pass the ends through the loop and pull gently, to form a knot.

 Lastly, crease the sides of your shapes a little along the fold lines to create a 3D effect and hang up your masterpiece!

Natalie is the person behind Peterborough Sewing School, which offers beginners sewing courses and pop-up special events for both adults and children.

If you want to learn to use a sewing machine you can find details of upcoming courses and contact Natalie at: www.Facebook.com/PeterboroughSewingSchool 12

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LIFEin

A look behind and a look ahead

LOCKDOWN

Journalist, and mother of two, Caroline Schmidt explores the golden moments of lockdown and resources that parents plan to use to survive the summer

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‘We’re all in this together’, or so we’ve been told, but whilst the increased unity and kindness that’s spread through communities as a result of Covid-19 certainly supports this positive note from Boris Johnson, let’s be honest, we’re not in it together. We’ve all been dealing with the same crisis but our experiences have been very different. For some key worker children, they’ve been in school this entire time – even during

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half-terms; for single parents, until recently they may have been juggling work with home-schooling solo; but most two-parent families are having to find a way to thrive with a full-house, full-time work and homeschooling – that’s not to mention the economic gulfs between us, with some families weathering job losses, furloughs and reduced hours. It’s not been easy, that’s a certainty, but within all the doom and gloom there’s

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Our golden moment is being able to have dinner together every night, talking about our days and what we are missing or looking forward to the most. My husband would usually be home too late for us to ever have dinner together in the week, but now we make a point of having it together every day.

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Hannah, NHS worker, St Neots

The sense of community, charity and goodwill will stay with us – we’ve certainly learnt who our friends and good neighbours are. Whether its surprise gifts delivered through Amazon, handwritten letters from friends, care packages, fresh eggs from back-yard chickens or bags of shopping, there has been been more demonstrations of kindness and friendship in the last few months than we perhaps see in a year.

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I’ve learnt my child listens much better to teachers than me and that I’m a better teacher than I thought I would be. That she’s much happier at home, despite loving school and having lots of friends, and that there are some days when I wish I could drink by 10am!

Even though it’s been incredibly hard to juggle work and teaching my kids, I’ve really valued the time we’ve had. My eldest was a very reluctant writer and this time of oneon-one learning has helped his confidence exponentially, strengthened his character, his love of learning and brought the whole family much closer together.

&Recover

Discover  YouTube

Whether it’s Cosmic Kids Yoga or Joe Wicks’ exercise sessions, The Dr Binocs Show or Mr. DeMaio’s hilarious science lessons, Mrs Suther’s phonics classes or learning how to draw their favourite characters, streaming YouTube seems to be a huge help for all parents.

 Online subscriptions and apps Twinkl, Phonics Play, White Rose, Vooks, Osmo, Top Marks, Reading Eggs and Nessy they’ve all been repeatedly pegged as invaluable resources for different age groups and learning difficulties. Twinkl is fantastic for downloading non-screen-based

Mark, teacher, Peterborough

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I’ve learnt I need to play an active part in my child’s education.

Teachers are amazing but the responsibility for teaching our children shouldn’t solely fall on them. Even after lockdown, I’m going to make a point of exploring topics and planning educational day trips, teaching them more life skills and expanding their minds. Before lockdown, I admit, I took a backseat to education by paying for after-school clubs and relying on teachers to raise my children so I could keep our weekends for relaxation, but I know now that I can do better for them as I have a better understanding of how they learn.

Ellie, mum, Buckden

Lindsey, project manager, Stamford

been some glorious moments. Times of sheer joy and gratitude to have this precious time with our family, to press the pause-button and have time getting to know our children better, time to find creative solutions, to share life’s wisdoms and skills that get overlooked in a busy curriculum. These are what we’re calling the ‘Golden Moments of Lockdown’ and that’s what we hope we all hold on to once this is all said and done.

Dannielle, Papworth Everard

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With many summer activity clubs cancelled, I asked a group of parents for their top-five, sanitysaving resources that they discovered in lockdown and will continue to use this summer

curriculum activities designed to expand topics across subjects. For adults who miss the gym, Results Wellness Lifestyle is one online-based workout resource that’s got people hooked – me included!

 Online classes From Carol Vorderman’s free lessons to Stagecoach at Home for dance and theatre enthusiasts, as well as the varied supply of BBC Bitesize daily sessons and games, online classrooms are great for building on things you’re learning together and introducing them to new topics of interest.

 Video chats and social media Whether it be catching up with friends and family, using grandparents as virtual teachers or scheduling your weekly quiz or murder

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mystery night-in, the likes of FaceTime, Skype and especially Zoom have been invaluable for adults and children alike. Pinterest for easy craft ideas and Facebook groups such as ‘Lockdown activities for kids’ and ‘Family Lockdown Tips & Ideas’, have also been a source for much-needed off-screen inspiration.

 Reading and audiobooks With many schools no longer sending books home and libraries only just reopening, it’s not stopped avid readers and creative minds. myON helps to specify books to ages and interests, while Amazon audiobooks and Alexa Storytime are proving a hit with reluctant readers. Libraries are also offering thousands of eBooks and eAudio books to borrow but many families are rediscovering physical encyclopedias and re-reading old favourites.

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LATEST NEWS SCRUBS TO SAVE LIVES

Across the UK people have been sewing scrubs to help the NHS: tops, trousers and hats normally worn by surgeons. With Covid-19 being so contagious, all members of hospital staff have needed to wear them so they could get changed more often and not risk contaminating their own clothes. This rapid rise in demand couldn’t be met by the usual sources as they are generally imported from other countries and the fabric used for scrubs was also hard to find. These limitations bore the idea of using duvet covers instead as there is a lot of fabric in your bedding, so if you see doctors and nurses wearing your favourite characters you know why!

Around 50,000 people around the UK got involved in making scrubs for keyworkers and care homes.

The local ‘scrub hub’, called the Butterfly Legacy Project, had sewists from Market Deeping to Huntingdon helping. Between them they sewed 6,500 scrubs, 3,500 bags, 1,500 hats and they are still making more. More than 2000 free face masks have also been made on behalf of the Big Community Sew. Companies, such as Plush Addict in Peterborough, and the Rotary Club have donated items and raised money to buy materials, thread and elastic. All the extra scrubs, once no longer needed for Covid-19, will be sent to Potters Village in Uganda, a medical centre that rescues and cares for children. If you want to find out a little more or want to help, find the Butterfly Legacy Project on facebook: www.facebook.com/ groups/910501709410748/

KUMON SHOWS THE WAY Now is the perfect time to progress your child’s learning with Kumon. One of the aims of the Kumon programme is to help children to become selflearners and Kumon classes are specifically designed around their needs and abilities. The careful assessment of new students set them on a path to developing a ‘can-do’ attitude through a mixture of class and at-home study. Students progress through their worksheets at a pace they can cope with, repeating and reviewing work to ensure they master each step. Parents are provided with an answer book so that any errors can be quickly corrected for instant feedback. Kumon is an ideal programme to start whilst children are unable to attend school as it continues throughout the year, keeping brains actively learning. www.kumon.co.uk/stamford

NEW MEASURES FOR THE FANE CLINIC

spent the week putting new measures in place and contacting our patients about our reopening on 18 May,” he adds. These measures include moving the reception service upstairs to limit immediate contact with the public, limiting practitioners to two and staggering appointments so that there’s no crossover of patients. This provides enough time between patients to thoroughly clean.

Patients will be asked to wait in their cars until their appointment time when each practitioner will come and fetch them when they’re ready.

Before the start of each clinic, the team take their temperatures and that of patients using a point-andshoot thermometer before they enter the building.

Anybody with a raised temperature (37.3 limit) will unfortunately not be admitted.

All practitioners will be wearing masks when in contact with each other and a patient, as well as gloves, and you’ll find copious amounts of hand sanitiser available in the clinic for a safe visit. www.thefaneclinic.co.uk

As the country went into lockdown on 23 March, Peterborough foot care specialists The Fane Clinic felt compelled to close due to the vulnerability, age and medical history of some of its patients.

However, their work didn’t stop. Every day of their eight-week closure staff would ring the patients they’d normally see on a six-to-eight-week Foot Care cycle – many of whom were vulnerable, alone and elderly – to see if they needed anything such as shopping, medication or gardening help.

RUMBLE LIVE ACTION GAMING CELEBRATES AWARD WIN AND REOPENS TO THE PUBLIC

“For me, having spent 20 years building a business it was one of the most difficult things I have ever had to do, not knowing if or when we would reopen,” explains the owner, Ady Woolley.

The Cambridgeshire Prestige Awards recognise small and medium-sized businesses that have proven to be the best in their market over the past year. The judging panel base their decision upon areas such as service excellence, innovative practices, value and consistency in performance.

“When Boris announced easing of measures on 10 May, we returned to work the following day and 14

The judges remarked on Rumble Live Action Gaming’s innovative approach to live gaming, allowing players to complete missions in a real-world environment. They described the live action gaming arenas as perfect for players of all skill levels aged eight and above, meaning that Rumble provides the ideal opportunity for children and grandparents alike to enjoy an adventure.

Rumble Live Action Gaming, an adventure activity at Grafham Water near Huntingdon, has won ‘Best Outdoor Activity Company of the Year’ at the Cambridgeshire Prestige Awards. The business also reopened to the public on Saturday 13 June, following weeks of closure due to lockdown.

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Image taken before social distancing measures Rumble Live will initially operate on Saturdays and Sundays but the owners are continually reviewing the situation and will add more sessions on weekdays over the next few weeks. The number of contenders per session has been temporarily reduced to accommodate social distancing, so people are urged to book online to avoid disappointment. All equipment will be fully sanitised between sessions.

For more information or to make a booking, visit the website: www.rumblelive.co.uk

SHOUT-OUT from

s Giving kid

their

e giving them Bring more joy and silliness to your children during a time of uncertainty confidencby the consistency of a fun, weekly online drama and singing lesson withba Little ck! Voices

Images/Video taken before social distancing measures

Stop and think for a moment: How are you doing? How are your children doing?

With the current situation, the mental health and welfare of our children is more important than ever. Their lives have been turned upside down, everything that was familiar to them has completely changed. After weeks of lockdown, some children can go to school (albeit in a very different way), but their siblings cannot, they can’t see their friends properly or interact socially in a normal way, they can’t hug Granny and Grandad, they can’t go to their favourite indoor play area. The whole family is at home on top of one another much more than normal!

It’s tough.

What can we do to alleviate their worries and make them feel a little bit better? We know that social interaction is very important. Mixing with like-minded friends and enjoying a favourite activity is great for mental wellbeing. Singing as a group has also been proven to be good for the mind, releasing happy hormones and boosting morale. Enjoying a bit of regular fun and silliness to take their minds off things and provide an escape is paramount.

Children need a regular routine more than ever, too, and with all usual after-school clubs closed and parents having to provide the entertainment as well as learning – it’s all very stressful. So here at Little Voices we have

Come and PETERBOROUGH

join in

the fun!

moved all of our regular weekly drama and singing games (kids need to have fun to ease the tension), silly lessons online to ease the pressure and give our pupils songs, a look at scripts such as Annie, The Wizard of Oz some sense of normality. Lessons continued for our and Oliver for example, even linking this to emotions children without a break – one week we were in and feelings if anyone needs to talk. It’s amazing to classrooms, the next week their lessons were online, see their faces light up when they see each other on DramaParents & singing in Stanground, Werrington & Orton keeping the continuity. havelessons voiced how screen each week. These weekly lessons are giving important it hast:been their to continue to children a positive focus, a goal to achieve and a | e: julie@littlevoices.org.uk 07801for 953 643children www.littlevoices.org.uk see their friends, interact and have fun every week. In chance to interact with like-minded children – plus it our online lessons you can expect some crazy drama takes the pressure off parents for a while too.

We really hope that we will be back in regular classrooms soon, but in the meantime check out our virtual lessons! Fancy joining us?

Get in touch! (julie@littlevoices.org.uk / 07801 953643) and see what we have in store here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BdA_GkMLPU

s Giving kid

their

confidence back! ”Keeping Your Kids’ Feet Healthy and Happy...”

Signs your child may have a foot problem...

Your child complains of pain in their feet or legs Your child’s arches may appear flattened or their feet turn inwards or outwards Your child cannot keep up with their peers Your child withdraws from activities they usually enjoy Your child often trips or falls

We provide a FREE initial assessment for children with no need for a GP referral

Appointments: 01733 571555 | www.thefaneclinic.co.uk The Old Farmhouse, Paston Ridings, Peterborough PE4 7XB

Come and PETERBOROUGH

join in

the fun!

Drama & singing lessons in Stanground, Werrington & Orton t: 07801 953 643 | e: julie@littlevoices.org.uk www.littlevoices.org.uk

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15

Our planet: Beyond the pandemic Peterborough Environment City Trust explores the silver-lining we all should focus on in the coming wake of Covid-19

Can you remember New Year’s Day 2020 – the excitement of looking ahead in anticipation for spring and planning what you wanted to achieve in the year ahead? Few people could have predicted how much our world would be turned upside down.

The events of spring 2020 have caused an unprecedented time of anxiety, which we can only hope never to experience again, but it has also brought communities together and highlighted wonderful acts of kindness.

We are all rediscovering the simpler things in life. We have felt the wonder of watching the seasons unfold in our gardens. We have enjoyed seeing flowers burst into bloom, listened to the daily bird song, and made the most of family activities. And we will never again take for granted watching children play with friends or different generations socialising together.

This ever-changing world we are facing is new to everyone. A poll carried out during lockdown in the UK found that 85% of people wanted to see some of the personal or social changes they had experienced continue afterwards. We have seen that a new way of doing things is not just possible, but sometimes preferable.

Coronavirus has revealed how fragile our systems and ways of life can be. The speed at which the virus has spread across the globe has been hastened by the way in which we live and consume. And the health of our planet has direct consequences for our health too.

Now is the time to pave a new way of living, which will see us taking the steps needed to protect our planet. Here are just some things we will not want to lose: • Pollution has reduced – Cleaner air is one of the biggest positive effects of the lockdown. The combination of factories being closed and less traffic on the roads, has seen pollution fall globally.

• Shift in food habits – Shopping restrictions and limited availability of some food products has led to an increase in home cooking and more seasonal, local shopping, plus discovering new uses for leftovers.

• More mindful consumer behaviour – Not being able to physically visit stores and having less choice has meant we have had to be more mindful about our purchases.

• Thriving wildlife – Lockdowns across the world appear to have had a number of positive effects on the environment, with wildlife reclaiming its space and venturing into areas they would normally avoid because of people.

• Increased appreciation of nature – People have been eager to connect with the natural world after so much time inside.

• Rediscovery of local environment – Our changing exercise habits have led many of us to discover local beauty spots on our doorstep.

• Increase in sustainable travel – Remote working has led to a reduction in cars on the road and an increase in people cycling and walking.

• Increase in community cohesion – The overwhelming response to the call for volunteers from the NHS shows we are a nation willing to support each other. We have been brought closer to our neighbours with the weekly ‘clap for carers’ and social distancing street parties has increased the feeling of community.

• Creating sustainable places Once the spread of Coronavirus starts to slow, the world will not simply return to normal, it will be forever changed. We will need to focus on initiatives to make our communities more resilient, such as tackling pollution, looking at renewable energy, changing our food systems and the materials we use.

“During this very difficult time schools have been closed, normal family routines have been disrupted and people are having to adjust to a new way of doing things,” explains PECT’s Environmental Education Lead Heidi LatronicoFerris. “We want to bring families together to enjoy, appreciate and protect their time together. By doing so it can have a positive effect on physical and mental health and ultimately our natural environment as well.”

The sustainability charity PECT has created a series of free downloadable activities and resources for families, called ‘Nature’s School’ to enhance children’s understanding of the world around them and to enable them to use and value their natural outdoor space more than ever before.

To access the resources, simply visit www.pect.org.uk/projects/natures-school/ or find PECT on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also sign up to the PECT newsletter on the website to discover more ways you can help the environment from home.

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Creative challenge: A photo project

This workshop was conducted before lockdown and socialdistancing measures began

Contributing editor to Digital SLR Photography magazine, Caroline Schmidt, explains why and how you should teach your children the basics of photography early In this age of visual media, when imagery is more powerful and popular than ever, teaching photography to children is more important than you might realise. Photography helps them to refine their eye for detail as well as to ‘see’ the bigger picture, it exposes them to the joys of capturing family memories and experiences – not just a selfie – allows them to express themselves when their dexterity may let them down. It teaches them to slowdown and absorb what’s happening around them.

to travel with their camera, or just to explore new viewpoints of everyday life.

It’s a great way to stir creativity even in the most technologically-minded child, too. While they may opt for a touchscreen over a paint brush most days, some children are eager to understand the mechanics of a camera. Others may not care about how a shutter works, but instead want to explore the creative effects of picture-taking – either way, you don’t need a fancy camera to sow the seed.

Here I tasked a group of KS1 children with taking photographs around a theme: one chose a nature study, looking at trees and their details; the other two chose to focus on their friends.

They explored different viewpoint, backgrounds and camera settings, compositions, the effect of timing and how to work with natural light (see below for how to do this). Once they had a set of images they were happy with, it was time to print and visit the craft table. I let their creativity take the lead when it came to presenting their pictures and they came up with brilliant ideas: a photo book, a rock and wire photo holder and to decorate their own picture frames with LEGO and stickers. Why not give it a go…

For KS1 and KS2 children, giving them a project like this one encourages them to experiment and to learn how to manage the most basic of cameras. As they get older and more familiar with the process, you can develop their skills by challenging them to style their own photo shoots,

Eventually you can step them up from a compact camera to a compact system camera, bridge camera or, for the real enthusiast, an entry-level Digital SLR. With each new level of camera comes a new set of skills to master, a new level of image quality they can enjoy and even more room for creativity.

The Big Project

Caroline runs one-to-one and group photography workshops for children and adults to learn the basics and master photography. T: 07703 274 439 | www.carolineannphotography.co.uk

Top teaching tips for parents  EXPOSURE Set their camera to Full Auto Mode or a Scene mode such as Portrait, Landscape or Macro (if the camera has one and depending on what they’re photographing).

With older children who want to learn how to use a camera properly, you’ll want to show them how to use semi-automatic modes such as Av, but that’s a whole different tutorial.

resulting in a blurry picture. Make a point of showing them how to keep their hands steady and to keep the composition the same in the frame until they hear the shutter re-open.

 LIGHTING Help them get the best results from their images by choosing to do the challenge on an overcast day when there’s lots of open shade and no hard sunlight to make  FOCUSING As the camera takes care of the photography challenging. If there is a sun, show settings in Auto mode, you’ll just need to teach them how positioning their friend in shade means a much better image than directly lit by the children how to focus the camera, lighting the sun. With compact cameras, if you backlight and composition. Focusing is usually done by a person chances are they’ll become silhouetted half-pressing the shutter button, waiting for the autofocus beep and then following through. or stand them side-on to the sun and they’ll have horrible shadows across their face. Shade is Most children understand this, but move their hands before they’re full depressed the shutter, nearly always best for beginners.

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 COMPOSITION Most children point and shoot; they don’t think about moving their feet and camera closer to the person to fill the frame or to find different vantage points, they stick to eye-level and central compositions with the camera horizontal. Encourage them to experiment, to try new viewpoints, to change the orientation of the camera and to carefully consider what’s in the background of their pictures to avoid trees and poles popping out of people’s heads.  TIMING Photographing friends is a great way to practise their timing for action shots too and to control their cropping. Have them slow down and think about what’s happening and the best moment to focus and press the shutter if they want to freeze the action, capture a smile or not crop a head off.

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Re-discover the great outdoors with

TREASURE TRAILS

Step outside for a world of fun and adventure this summer Solve the clues and uncover the secrets with one of more than 1,200 self-guided adventure trails across the UK. With themes including Treasure Hunts, Spy Missions and Murder Mysteries, Treasure Trails provide the perfect solution to responsible, social-distancing entertainment.

“Getting outside into the fresh air is incredibly important for wellness and mental health, especially in these uncertain times,” says Aaron Hutchens, general manager of Treasure Trails.

“Our ethos at Treasure Trails has always been to encourage people to ditch the screens and

WIN

explore the wonderful places on their doorstep. A Treasure Trail is a fun and challenging joint activity with the benefit of discovering something completely new about a destination – even if it’s near home.

“It’s also a really effective way to fit in some exercise, get some much-needed vitamin D and flex those little grey cells,” he adds.

Lasting around two hours, each trail has a specific theme and makes use of well-known local landmarks, signs, statues, monuments, images, engravings or any other unique or eye-catching feature to create an exciting adventure.

From remote locations to wide-open spaces, there are hundreds of Treasure Trails to choose from across the country, whether you’re budding buccaneers, mini Miss Marples or undercover secret agents.

your first

Treasure Trail booklets cost £9.99 (plus P&P if required), are suitable for up to five people and designed to appeal to all ages. Trails are also available to buy online and download to print at home, and therefore can remain completely contactless.

TREASURE TRAIL To have a chance of winning a Treasure Trail pack, visit their website and choose from their extensive list of destinations and trail themes.

Email us your choice (turn to page 3 for details of how, before 1 Aug 2020) and you could be one of five lucky families to win.

To find out more, visit: www.treasuretrails.co.uk

Little Cooks Co Subscription Month by month: £12.99 incl postage 3 months: renews after 3 months: £35.99 incl postage 6 months: renews after 6 months: £59.99 incl postage

What’s cookin’?

Win a kids’ activity pack!

Multi-award-winning Little Cooks Co is giving away two of its fun, hassle-free cooking kits for kids The summer holidays, under normal circumstances, is a lot of fun – making the most of the summer sun, meeting up with friends and family, visiting new attractions and experiencing different things Whilst this year might be a bit different, sometimes the best days are those when you stay put and create your own activities at home. After all, going out every day can add up and be tiring!

So, if you’re looking for an extra-special activity then look no further than Little 18

Cooks Co, the UK’s first healthy-cooking kit for kids. Fun, educational, affordable and creates lasting memories for all involved.

Little Cooks Co is a monthly subscriptionbased recipe kit that’s delivered through the letterbox, direct to kids, in a neat 100% recyclable box with compostable packaging.

The box is packed with all the natural and healthy dry ingredients of that month’s delicious and nutritious recipe for kids to bake in the home.

12 months: renews after 12 months: £99.99 incl postage All options can be cancelled anytime.

Kits come complete with all of the dry, organic ingredients perfectly measured to make each recipe and also include a small activity or craft for children to enjoy while making their yummy bake.

Each recipe is fun and easy to make and has been designed by a registered nutritionist, so is free from all refined sugar and processed ingredients.

For more information visit www.littlecooksco.co.uk

T WO TO WIN

To win a chance to try a Little Cooks Co box, tell us what’s in the box: A) Processed, refined sugary treats B) Organic, dried, tasty ingredients and crafts C) Complicated recipes Turn to page 3 for details on where to send you answers to enter before 1 August.

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stay safe & enjoy a great

British Getaway

by Steve Dunne, CEO Digital Drums

this summer

A staycation could be just the ticket for a fantastic holiday this year. Find out what’s on offer...

After what may have seemed an interminable amount of time in various degrees of lockdown for us all these past few months, the summer is finally here and, like a big brown bear emerging from months in hibernation, the UK travel industry is slowly starting to stretch and rejuvenate itself.

Slowly, but surely, European destinations are reopening their doors to tourists; hotels and resorts are drawing back the blinds and refilling the swimming pools, while airlines are starting up their flight schedules from the UK again.

However, these developments, for parents with families of young children are not without their challenges. Are overseas holidays safe yet? Will travel insurance policies cover Covid-19-related issues? What will happen about social distancing abroad? And what will be the standards one should expect around hygiene in a foreign country? Perhaps, as many travel experts are now saying, the answer could be in a ‘staycation’.

Many famous travel brands are now reshaping their product offerings to focus on UK holidays, where travel insurance issues, differing international Covid-19 strategies and regulations are not present and you are close enough to home to avoid any potential travel difficulties.

Kuoni, one of the UK’s leading long-haul tour operators recently announced that it would, for the first time in its 100-year-plus history

offer domestic holidays to cater for a surge in demand for staycations this year and next. The company has reported a renewed interest in holidays closer to home from its customers, so is swapping island hopping in the Indian Ocean for trips to Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland. Other operators, such as Haven, have announced a wide raft of new products and policies to meet the concerns and demands of parents with young families wishing to holiday, while being mindful of Covid-19 challenges.

One such offer by the holiday-park operator is an accommodation-only “no-frills” offer called ‘Haven Hideaway’ with access to park facilities, beaches and takeaway food outlets.

Haven believes the option, which will be available from July and across the 2020 summer season, will enable holidaymakers to take domestic holidays when its sites re-open, while still adhering to government Covid-19 social-distancing rules. The number of people in restaurants, pools and play areas are likely to be limited, but guests will be able to order takeaway food on their phone, which they can collect at an allocated time.

Another big operator, Bourne Leisure, owners of Butlin’s holiday parks, say it will be increasing the frequency of family shows and mealtimes to give its guests more space and to adhere safely to social-distancing requirements.

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Caravan and camping parks, too, offer a great holiday with social distancing at its heart. In a recent report, caravan and camping holidays were deemed the “safest” way to holiday in current times due to it being in an outdoor environment and easier to isolate from other people. According to the National Caravan Council, caravans and motorhomes are positioned five to six-metres apart, which means they are perfect for social distancing.

It’s not just tour operators and holiday parks that are ensuring a Covid-19 social-distancing strategy, though, attractions are too. English Heritage has sent staff armed with tape measures to every one of its 420 castles, old houses and ancient monuments to arrange safe social-distancing for visitors. The National Trust has also opened its spaces, but on a pre-booking basis to control visitor numbers.

And if you need any more convincing that staycations could be the answer to this year’s getaway, here’s something else to consider.

Staycation holidays are good not just for your family but also the economy, which will get a much-needed boost as Brits spend at home and explore parts of the country they haven't seen before.

So as you can see, there is still a great opportunity for a summer family holiday in 2020 and, for this year anyway, it may be best to enjoy a great British getaway!

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N

Star Wars: Where’s the Wookiee 3?

By Lucasfilm RRP £9.99 Published by Egmont Publishing For nine to 12-year olds A must-have activity book for Star Wars fans. Scoop up a copy of the latest edition of the award-winning Where’s the Wookiee? series – Star Wars: Where’s the Wookiee 3? – by simply answering this question: In this picture, what colour is Luke Skywalker's lightsabre? Email us your answer and you’ll be entered to win this superb search and find book.

E O

A must have for Star Wars fans of all ages.

In this third instalment of the bestselling series, Chewie can be found on the worlds from The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi and Solo, plus old favourites from the original trilogy. Visit the forests of Endor, join the battle at Maz's Castle and sneak on board the Death Star.

Chewbacca is back for another search and find adventure! Featuring new locations to explore and characters to find as you resume your hunt for the hairy hero! Includes ten new scenes to enjoy, plus bonus story content and fun Wookiee facts.

Star Wars: Where's the Wookiee 3?

Search and Find Activity Book

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