Families Oxfordshire March April 2026 Easter issue 2026
Spring is full of promise as we welcome the first signs of life after a long, cold winter. It won’t be long before we can all enjoy the simple pleasures of spring: blossom on the trees, the warmth of the sun, fresh cut grass, newborn lambs and lots of family time over the Easter holidays.
2026 is the UK’s National Year of Reading, what better way to inspire a love of reading than listening to a favourite author at this year’s Oxford Literary Festival which is returning this spring with a host of brilliant writers and unmissable conversations with lots of (mostly free) events for families and children. We’ve done the hard work for you and selected plenty of things to see and do in our regular ‘What’s On’ pages. Happy Easter!
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Wise words! Focus more on who your child is than what your child does. Remember, you’re growing a person, not fixing a problem.
L.R. Knost
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AN ANNUAL FAMILY PALACE AND PLAY PASS (2 ADULTS, 2 CHILDREN) WORTH £165
Mark your calendars: Blenheim Palace, the must-visit Cotswolds destination for all ages and interests, has unveiled its highly anticipated programme of exhibitions, events and activities for 2026. From world-class art and history to music, food, outdoor adventure and family fun, no two visits to Britain’s Greatest Palace will be the same. Highlights early in the year include the immersive exhibition Blueprints of Power celebrating architect Sir John Vanbrugh (open until 10th April), Easter adventures, and a spectacular medieval Jousting Tournament over the May bank holiday. To enter, please visit our Facebook page @familiesoxfordshiremag where you will find the terms and conditions
What's in this issue?
4. News & Views
6. What's On
9. How to teach children to love solutions
10. Educating for the age of AI
11. Are we rushing our children?
13. School spotlights
16. Meet the head
18. Clubs & Classes
EDITOR: Lisa Exell 01945 861336 editor@familiesOxfordshire.co.uk
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HITTING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES FOR YOUNG CHORISTERS
In spite of increasingly challenging times for many choir schools across the UK, Christ Church Cathedral School in central Oxford has just held its most successful chorister recruitment event in several years.
With 2026 being the 500th anniversary of the Cathedral Choir, which was founded by Henry VIII, we were thrilled to welcome 24 families, with some travelling from Birmingham and London, enabling boys aged 6-9 to experience the life of a Cathedral Chorister.
As well as the adult singers, the choir includes 20 young boys aged 8-13, all of whom board in the school, alongside over 100-day pupils. The choir has a busy schedule of live radio performances and world tours, around the regular Cathedral services, not forgetting the enriching school curriculum to ensure well-rounded boys.
With an afternoon of singing workshops and team-building craft activities, the experience day culminated with the visitors participating in the Evensong service, watched by their friends and family as well as the regular congregation.
Following the event, boys will be invited back for individual voice trials, and those with the most potential will have the life-changing opportunity to become one of the young singers in the world-famous choir.
British Science Week –Curiosity: what’s your question?
British Science Week 2026 is set to run from 6 to 15 March, bringing together schools, community groups, and science enthusiasts across the UK for a nationwide celebration of science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM). Organised by the British Science Association, the annual event offers a packed programme of activities, experiments, and events aimed at sparking curiosity and excitement about science among people of all ages.
This year’s theme “Curiosity: what’s your question?” puts participants at the centre, encouraging everyone—especially children— to ask the questions they’re most curious about and to discover how they might find answers. The event celebrates curiosity as the driving force behind all scientific discovery, highlighting that it’s not just essential to science, but also to understanding and improving our everyday lives.
To find a local event or download a free activity pack, visit www.britishscienceweek.org
KIDS EAT FREE AT PREZZO
Parents are busier than ever, between packed schedules, hungry kids, and rising bills, family meals out can feel more stressful than relaxing. That’s why Prezzo is jumping in to help families with the launch of its brand new Prezzo Italian Kids Club.
From just £1.99 a month (£19.99 a year), up to three children can enjoy a free three-course meal every time an adult orders a full-priced main, all year round. This is the UK’s first family dining subscription, designed to take the pressure off parents. No more scrambling for deals or worrying about the cost of eating out. Download the Prezzo’s app to subscribe.
National Year of Reading 2026: Inspiring Every Child to Love Books
Footballer Leah Williamson and bestselling author Richard Osman are supporting the National Year of Reading 2026, launched by the National Literacy Trust to inspire children across the UK to “go all in” on reading. The campaign addresses the decline in reading for pleasure, with only one in three children now enjoying books.
Throughout the year, the initiative will feature author visits, book giveaways, and reading challenges, focusing especially on children in communities with limited access to books. Schools and libraries are encouraged to create welcoming spaces, while families are supported to make reading a daily habit.
Williamson, Osman, and other ambassadors aim to show that books can be exciting and relevant for every child. By encouraging a love of stories early on, the National Year of Reading hopes to build children’s literacy skills, confidence, and future opportunities.
More info: literacytrust.org.uk
GREAT BRITISH SPRING CLEAN
The next Great British Spring Clean, organised by Keep Britain Tidy, is scheduled for 6 to 22 March 2026. This annual campaign encourages individuals, schools, businesses, and community groups across the UK to act against litter by volunteering to clean up their local areas.
Participants can pledge to pick up as much litter as they can, either solo, with family and friends, or as part of larger community events. The campaign emphasises the positive impact even small actions can have on the environment and local pride. In previous years, hundreds of thousands of volunteers have collected millions of bags of rubbish, highlighting both the scale of the litter problem and the power of collective effort. More info: www.keepbritaintidy.org
Major Overhaul in UK Employment Law Boosts Rights for Parents
The UK’s Employment Rights Act is now law, marking the biggest overhaul of workplace protections in decades. For the first time, new parents will gain day-one rights to paternity leave, unpaid parental leave, sick pay, and bereavement leave, including for early pregnancy loss. The Act strengthens legal protections for women during pregnancy and extends safeguards after maternity leave, aiming to close gaps that have pushed many mothers out of work.
The legislation also tackles insecure employment, ending exploitative zero-hours contracts by introducing guaranteed hours, pay for cancelled shifts, and more predictable schedules. These changes promise greater stability and security for families balancing work and childcare.
Most reforms will take effect from 2026 to 2027. Campaigners hail the Act as a historic milestone for parents’ rights but emphasize that further steps are needed to eliminate workplace discrimination and achieve true equality for all working families.
Teachers to be trained to spot misogyny
Teachers in England are set to receive additional training to help them identify and address misogyny in schools, under new government plans aimed at reducing violence against women and girls. The initiative will equip teachers to spot early signs of misogynistic attitudes among boys and intervene before such views escalate.
Enhanced Search Tool for Families with Complex Medical Needs
Launched
WellChild has relaunched its digital platform In Your Area following significant investment and extensive collaboration with parents and carers of children with complex medical needs. The platform helps families find relevant local services and support through a simple postcode search.
The strategy, part of broader efforts to halve violence against women within a decade, also includes education for students about consent, healthy relationships, and challenging harmful gender stereotypes. A new helpline will be launched to support teenagers worried about abuse in their relationships.
Polling cited by ministers shows one in six boys aged 13-15 hold positive views of Andrew Tate, a self-proclaimed misogynist influencer. Ministers say these measures will help protect girls and prevent boys from being drawn into harmful ideologies online. The government hopes early intervention in schools will stop misogyny before it leads to future abuse (The Guardian).
World Autism Acceptance Month 2026
World Autism Acceptance
Month will be observed throughout April 2026, focusing on increasing understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of autistic people.
Organised by charities like the National Autistic Society and supported by schools, businesses, and communities, the annual campaign aims to move beyond awareness and promote genuine acceptance of neurodiversity in all aspects of life.
This year’s activities will include educational events, social media campaigns, and fundraising to support autism-friendly initiatives and resources. Many organisations will share stories and experiences from autistic people and their families, challenging stereotypes and highlighting the diversity and strengths within the autism community. Schools and workplaces are encouraged to participate by hosting assemblies, workshops, or “Autism Acceptance” days.
The campaign also advocates for better support and opportunities for autistic individuals, aiming to tackle barriers in education, employment, and public life. For resources and ways to get involved, visit the National Autistic Society’s website.
To find out how to get involved, visit www. autism.org.uk.
The improved platform addresses parent feedback that finding appropriate support can feel overwhelming and time-consuming alongside caring responsibilities. It also supports healthcare professionals who signpost families to local services but may lack access to up-to-date, area-specific information needed to match families with suitable support.
ADHD drugs in children don’t work the way we thought
A new study from Washington University School of Medicine challenges long-held beliefs about how ADHD medications like Ritalin and Adderall work.
Traditionally thought to directly enhance brain regions responsible for attention, the research found that these stimulants primarily activate brain systems tied to reward and wakefulness, rather than attention networks. Using brain imaging data from nearly 5,800 children, the study showed that stimulants make tasks feel more rewarding and help children feel more alert, which indirectly helps them focus.
The study found that children with ADHD who took stimulants and were sleep deprived performed better on cognitive tests and had higher school grades than those who did not take medication. However, the researchers warn that masking the effects of poor sleep with stimulants could have long-term consequences, and they urge clinicians to consider sleep quality when evaluating and treating ADHD.
More info: www.sciencedaily.com
What’s On
Things to do, places to go and fun to be had for
kids of all ages in
Oxfordshire
Adventure Play with Pip and Posy
WHEN: Open daily, 10.15am – 3.15pm
WHERE: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
Join Pip and Posy in the hidden world of Adventure Play! Mini explorers of all ages create their own exciting stories. Explore the amazing network of tunnels, bridges, cargo nets and hidden chambers. Entry permitted in conjunction with an Annual Pass or a Palace & Play pass. www.blenheimpalace.com
Daffodil Season
WHEN: 1 March – 30 April
WHERE: Waterperry Gardens, Near Wheatley
You will see a stunning meadow of 10,000 daffodils this spring at Waterperry Gardens. Go along to see their amazing sea of yellows, oranges and creams. www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
Mika and the Polar Bear
WHEN: 14 March, 11.00am & 2.00pm
WHERE: The North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford
This is a vibrant new dancetheatre production, celebrating resilience, friendship and courage. Featuring original music, digital animation and magical puppetry. Tickets: Adult £12; Child £8. Ages 4-11. www.thenorthwall.com
Mothering Sunday
50% off
WHEN: 15 March
WHERE: Waterperry Gardens, Near Wheatley
This Mother’s Day, all Mum’s receive 50% off their garden entrance fee. See the beautiful displays of snowdrops and daffodils around the 20 acres of Gardens. www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
The Tale of the Loneliest Whale
WHEN: 21 March
WHERE: Oxford Playhouse
Audiences are invited to a magical, interactive Hoglets Theatre production featuring beautiful puppets, original songs, playful sea creatures and audience participation, celebrating friendship, individuality and selfdiscovery beneath the waves. Tickets £11.50/£9.50. Age 4+ www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Oxford Literary Festival
WHEN: 21- 29 March
WHERE: Various locations across central Oxford
This year’s children’s festival events include inspiring and imaginative sessions with authors of much-loved literature including Michael Morpurgo, Hugh Bonneville, Adam Kay, Henry Paker and many others. Explore a variety of genres in interactive, creative and fun activities. Age 4+ www.oxfordliteraryfestival.org
Fooled You!
WHEN: 28 March, 10.00am11.30pm, 12.30pm-2.00pm or 3.00pm-4.30pm
WHERE: Science Oxford Centre, Headington
Celebrate April Fools’ Day by discovering the science behind classic pranks. Through demos and hands-on experiments, participants explore illusions, invisible ink, secret codes, magnetic tricks and gravitydefying surprises. £15 per club ticket. Ages 5 – 9. www.scienceoxford.com
Big Easter Bunny Hunt
WHEN: 28 March – 19 April
WHERE: Waterperry Gardens, Near Wheatley
Families are invited to hop around the Gardens this Easter, searching for dropped eggs. A fun, familyfriendly seasonal adventure together. Price: £4.75 per child; normal entry fee for adults. www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
Hands-on History!
WHEN: 31 March & Sat 11 April, 11.00am - 3.00pm, drop in WHERE: Museum of Oxford MOX volunteers will help you touch, feel and handle museum objects ranging from Saxon finds to Fisher-Price phones! You’ll also get to learn about the stories behind the objects and what they can tell us about our city’s amazing past. Price: Included in museum entry www.museumofoxford.org
Easter Eggstravaganza
WHEN: 3 –6 April
WHERE: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
Families can enjoy a spring celebration packed with Easterthemed fun. Have some outdoor adventures, seasonal discoveries and interactive activities, from spotting signs of spring in the gardens to playing freely outdoors. www.blenheimpalace.com
SPRING SEEDS
WHEN: 4 April, 10.00am11.30pm, 12.30pm - 2.00pm or 3.00pm - 4.30pm
WHERE: Science Oxford Centre, Headington
Botanical explorers investigate the hidden world of seeds while celebrating spring. Through hands-on workshops and outdoor discovery, participants explore plant lifecycles, signs of the season, and plant seeds to grow at home. £15 per club ticket Ages 5 – 9. www.scienceoxford.com
Let yourself be inspired by the Painted Wall, MOX’s Tudor treasure, and create your own design! An opportunity to appreciate the beautiful flower motifs of this historical piece of art and respond to it using natural paint colours. Price: £3 www.museumofoxford.org
Sensory-Friendly Family Days
WHEN: 4 April, 10.00am-12.00pm, 12.30pm-2.30pm or 3.00pm5.00pm
WHERE: Science Oxford Centre, Headington
The Science Oxford Centre hosts a thoughtfully designed day for families with additional needs. Visitors explore hands-on exhibits, creative experiments, and outdoor nature trails across meadows, woodland and ponds. £8.50 fee. Age 3+ www.scienceoxford.com
No-bake Snacks Family Workshop
WHEN: 7 April, 2.00pm – 3.00pm, 3.45pm – 4.45pm
WHERE: Museum of Oxford
A playful hands-on workshop inviting families to make tasty, nutritious snacks using simple ingredients and learn how to reduce food waste. Remember to bring your Tupperware to take away your treats! Sessions led by Replenish. Price: £1.50 www.museumofoxford.org
TALES FROM ACORN WOOD
WHEN: 9 –10 April
WHERE: Oxford Playhouse
Children can join Fox, Rabbit, Pig and friends on a playful Acorn Wood adventure, filled with songs, puppetry and surprises, making this charming live show a perfect Easter holiday treat. Tickets: £19.50/ £17.50. Age 2 – 6. www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Family Dance Party in Cutteslowe
WHEN: 11 April, 10.30am & 1pm
WHERE: Cutteslowe, Oxford
A special Family Dance Party celebrates spring with a lively daytime disco. Families enjoy music, movement games, bubbles, balloons, sensory play and face painting, with DJs spinning party favourites for all ages. Cost: pay-what-you-feel. Age 0 - 5 www.thenorthwall.com
Hickory Dickory
Dock
WHEN: 25 April, 11.00am, 1.00pm & 3.00pm WHERE: Oxford Playhouse
Pond Dipping: Newt Day
WHEN: 25 April, 10.00am11.30pm, 12.30pm-2.00pm or 3.00pm-4.30pm
WHERE: Science Oxford Centre, Headington
Jousting Tournament
WHEN: 2 – 4 May
WHERE: Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
The Jousting Tournament returns this May Bank holiday, transporting visitors to chivalry’s age with gallant knights, dazzling costumes, dramatic storytelling, and thrilling action, offering unforgettable, family-friendly excitement for history lovers. www.blenheimpalace.com
The Family Folk Show
WHEN: 9 May, 11.30am & 2.00pm
WHERE: The North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford Award-winning folk duo Megson blend their infectious mix of heavenly vocals and lush harmonies into a gentle, entertaining concert specially for younger children. Adult: £12; Child: £8; Under 2s go free. Age 3 – 8. www.thenorthwall.com
LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
WHEN: Tue 7 – Wed 8 April
WHERE: Oxford Playhouse
Families are invited to follow Little Red on a journey, discovering kindness, friendship and adventure through colourful costumes, lively characters, storytelling, and the wonder of live ballet, music and theatre. Tickets from £15. Age 3+ www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Audiences are invited to a playful, slapstick puppet production featuring glove puppets, lively characters, comic mishaps and a magnificent clock, all building towards the muchloved song everyone awaits. www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Celebrate National Newt Day by pond-dipping and grass sweeping, discovering aquatic ecosystems. With expert guidance, identify pond creatures, explore life cycles, and investigate food chains using magnifiers and microscopes. £15 per club ticket. Ages 5 – 9. www.scienceoxford.com
Flyaway Katie
WHEN: 18 April, 11.00am & 2.00pm
WHERE: The North Wall Arts Centre, Oxford
Flyaway Katie is a colourful, imaginative performance based on Polly Dunbar’s book, with music by Tom Gray. Through puppetry, movement and surprise, it celebrates imagination and emotional transformation. Tickets: Adult, £12; Child, £8; Under 2s go free. Age 2 – 7. www.thenorthwall.com
Families Education
How stories teach children to love solutions
We’ve trained children to love the chaos in stories, not the calm that follows. When I once asked a Year 2 class their favourite part of a story, every hand shot up for the problem: Goldilocks breaking chairs, the wolf blowing houses down. ‘The solution’s the boring bit,’ one girl said. But real growth, in stories and in life, begins when we start solving things. Those ‘what next?’ moments can teach resilience, creativity and confidence. Solutions give them tools they can carry into maths, friendships and everyday decisions.
FLIP THE SCRIPT
What if the solution was the most exciting part? Kids love the drama of ‘uh-oh’ but it’s time they saw the ‘what next?’ as just as fun, with problem-solving an adventure in itself. Encourage children to pause mid-story and predict solutions. Their often wild, funny or clever ideas are exactly what trains flexible thinking.
A SPARK FROM EDWARD DE BONO
Researching Edward de Bono, the father of ‘lateral thinking,’ taught me that adults often fall into fixed patterns. But five-yearolds? They’re natural innovators. When de Bono asked children to improve a broken wheelbarrow, their wild ideas outshone those of CEOs and engineers. The youngest thinkers are our boldest problem-solvers, if we let them remain that way. Curiosity and play aren’t distractions from learning; they’re the engine behind original solutions. Thinking sideways strengthens their ability to approach problems with confidence and creativity.
STORYTIME EXPERIMENT: LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD
Pause the story right before the woodcutter saves the day and ask: ‘What else could Red Riding Hood do?’ You’ll get chaos - poison apples and superheroes - but then, something magical: ‘She could trick the wolf!’ or “She could turn him vegetarian!’ Suddenly, your child isn’t just reading a story, they’re rewriting it with imagination.
By Sarah Tucker
BREAKING THE PARENT LOOP
Many children inherit their parents’ patterns, fear of failure, perfectionism, even ‘I’m just not good at maths’. Storytelling lets children imagine new family scripts. It’s a gentle way of saying: you can rewrite more than just fairy tales. By modelling curiosity instead of frustration, parents show that every problem has more than one path forward. The earlier children experience this freedom, the sooner they internalise a growth mindset that will help them both in school and life.
SOLUTIONS CLASSROOM: SMALL WINS
It doesn’t have to be a grand plot twist. Even small, everyday problems offer opportunities for children to exercise lateral thinking. When a child figures out a new way to organise their desk, solve a tricky arithmetic problem or negotiate roles in a group activity, celebrate it. These micro-moments of problem-solving build confidence and encourage risk-taking. By valuing these ‘little victories,’ we signal that solutions are as exciting as the preceding dramas. Over time, children begin to approach challenges with curiosity rather than fear.
TRY THIS AT HOME:
Lateral thinking doesn’t need worksheets. Ask:
‘What’s another way to see this?’
‘What would the villain say?’
‘Can you invent three solutions, even silly ones?’
At first it feels like play - but play is the training ground for flexible thinking. Before long, your child sees every problem as an invitation, not a wall.
MAKING MISTAKES A PLAYGROUND
Children often fear getting it wrong, so they stick to what’s ‘safe.’ Stories can help them see mistakes as invitations rather than punishments. Pause a tale when a character errs and ask: ‘How could this be fixed differently?’ Encourage three or four possibilities, even absurd ones. Soon, pupils learn that failure isn’t final - it’s a springboard for creativity. Turning errors into play fosters resilient, imaginative and willing problem-solvers, able to tackle challenges both in and outside the classroom.
A QUIET REVOLUTION IN STORYTIME
Stories can be mischievous, funny and deeply thoughtful all at once. Beneath the laughter lies a quiet mission: to teach children that solving problems can be joyful, creative and brave. Every resolution plants a seed of agency, showing that change begins with thought, not luck. When stories honour effort over rescue, children learn to trust their own ideas. If they grow up loving solutions as much as stories, they’ll out-think us all. And wouldn’t that be rather wonderful?
Sarah Tucker is the author of Size Six, Size Seven and Size Eight (Cambridge Children’s Press), a trilogy of playful, illustrated chapter books helping children think creatively about problem-solving and Love Laterally (Aurora Metro), the biography of Edward de Bono. For further details, visit
Families Education
Educating for the age of AI
By Issy Butson
Most people familiar with the AI space will tell you something that’s hard to hear and equally hard to believe - AI will likely replace a very significant amount of global entry level white-collar jobs within the next five years. In the scale of our children’s lives, that’s effectively tomorrow.
As parents, we need to get our heads round the fact that the jobs that will be replaced will not be just low skilled jobs on factory lines, at cash registers or repetitive manual work. We must also recognise that our education system is designed to train children for the world we have been used to - in other words, to teach them things that, now, technology has also mastered.
PREPARING CHILDREN FOR THIS FUTURE
Companies are already losing faith in education pipelines that aren’t producing adaptable, job-ready people. In their place, there is a rise in skill-based hiring and project portfolios that actually show what a person can do. The future won’t care about qualifications. It will care whether you can think, build, solve problems, adapt and contribute in ways that a machine can’t.
Within the next ten years, the gap between what children are being trained for and what they’ll actually face in adulthood will just become too big to ignore.
So how do we guide children in a world that’s no longer structured around graduations, qualifications, employment, performance reviews, entry level roles and corporate ladders?
WHAT DO WE BUILD INSTEAD?
There is a tendency for our current education system to unintentionally stifle the qualities our children will most need in future – originality, independent thinking, risk taking and deep knowledge, rather than the broad, shallow knowledge needed to pass exams.
We need to get serious about a different kind of preparation for adult life. One that accepts, fully, that the future will not reward people for what they memorised but for what they can build, navigate, initiate and solve.
Here are five real-world capabilities which form a much more deliberate and demanding kind of education.
SELF-MANAGEMENT AND PERSONAL AGENCY
In a world where job structures and set working hours are far less prevalent, your child will need to know how to manage themselvesnot just their time, but their energy, attention, output and emotion. These are skills most adults were never taught. Your child should start learning them now.
DEEP WORK AND INDEPENDENT PROBLEM-SOLVING
Surface-level knowledge is everywhere. What matters is the ability to go deep - to focus
without distraction, to stay with complexity and to work through problems that don’t have obvious answers.
REAL-WORLD SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Instead of ticking boxes, help your child build tangible, functional skills. Not just academic ones - practical, creative, technical and interpersonal. The kind that lead to useful output, adaptability and confidence. A lot of those skills won’t actually be needed for employment but all the good stuff they develop internally while building them will absolutely serve them well.
RELATIONSHIP-BUILDING AND COLLABORATION
The most resilient people in the future will be the ones who know how to find their people, build things together and communicate across difference.
IDENTITY DEVELOPMENT AND DIRECTIONFINDING
In a world of almost infinite choice and no fixed paths, children are going to need a strong sense of who they are, what they care about and how to move toward it. That kind
of direction doesn’t come from outside. It gets built, internally, over time. Make sure they develop that deep, strong sense.
A child raised this way will build the muscles they’ll actually need in this changing world:
• Motivation without any external pressure.
• Adaptability when things change, because they will, over and over again
• Confidence to try things they’ve never done before.
• Patience to get good at something hard. I believe we’re approaching one of the most fascinating periods of human history. But that we are woefully unprepared. So this is a call to parents who want to give their children a real head start. A call to step into this big unknown space and spend the next decade helping their children develop the resilience, confidence, adaptability and purpose that will serve them well regardless of where all this goes.
Issy Butson is the parent, home educator, blogger and podcaster Stark Raving Dad, as well as Head of Go To Market for a software company. To listen to Issy’s full podcast episode What every parent MUST know about the AI Generation, visit www. starkravingdadblog.com/what-every-parentmust-know-about-the-ai-generation/
MEET THE HEAD
Adam Mallins, Chandlings Prep School
Chandlings School is set within 60 acres of idyllic countryside, yet only five miles from Oxford, Chandlings champions childhood by promoting curiosity, endeavour and adventure. This leading day school for boys and girls aged 2 to 11 combines exceptional academic standards with a strong commitment to wellbeing and personal growth.
Amongst its many bright classrooms, students enjoy dedicated spaces for Science, Art, Music, Design, and Food Technology, which ensures they can pursue their interests and talents. Beyond the classroom, the sprawling grounds include sports fields, a golf course, equestrian facilities, and a low-ropes course set in the magical bluebell wood.
Outdoor Learning is woven throughout the curriculum, offering pupils the freedom to explore, create, and connect with nature.
“Education should be joyful,” says Adam. “We want children to come to school excited to feel known, valued, and inspired. Chandlings is a place where they can flourish and follow their own dreams as they prepare for their next adventure at leading senior schools”.
1. Who inspired you to become a teacher and later a Headteacher?
My father was a teacher for over 40 years and my grandfather was a Head, so I grew up around people who gave their all to the education system. I also absolutely loved school as a pupil so the school environment was where I knew I felt at home and where I might want to eventually work.
2. How do you think a Headteacher of a school can make a real difference to an individual student?
Heads set the tone, the culture and the feel of a school so they directly impact the type of environment in which a pupil experiences childhood. For me though, it is about noticing; noticing the successes, the struggles and interacting with every child as often as possible. I would love every pupil to remember me as present, fun, supportive and fair.
3. What advice would you give to parents looking at private education for the first time?
Research is so important as all good independent schools offer similar offerings; small class sizes, excellent academic outcomes, wonderful pastoral care, and co-curricular offerings that rival an Olympic programme. Parents should go and see as many schools as possible
to validate this and get a feeling for a school, just like when stepping through the front door of a potential new house. The most important criteria for selection has to be “is this school the right fit for my child?”
4. Chandlings Prep School is a co-ed school. Why should we choose co-ed over a same sex school?
A family’s choice of school should be based on aspects such as the school’s ethos, its values, the quality of the teaching or strength of its pastoral care. That being said, our commitment to coeducation reflects our belief that girls and boys benefit from learning together and from one another. Since our establishment in 1994, Chandlings has been a coeducational school with equal opportunity for boys and girls and we proudly continue this tradition.
5. You started out in television production with the BBC - are there any skills or experiences from that time that you find useful in leading a school?
I am so grateful that I had a career in TV before teaching because I travelled around the world, honed my communications skills and gained valuable leadership experience from overseeing big budgets to directing large shoots under extreme time pressures. I definitely learnt how to stay calm when things don’t quite go to plan.
6. What is your real-life superpower?
Being able to not take life too seriously.
7. Relaxing holiday or active holiday?
In my younger days I would have gone active every time but I’ve slowly learnt to be comfortable with lying on the beach or next to a pool reading a book. So I definitely enjoy relaxing holidays these days.
To arrange a visit of Chandlings Prep and Meet the Head in person contact Head of Admissions - Catriona Pitt on 01865 730771 or visit one of the upcoming open days: March 13th or 8th May. www.chandlings.org.uk
Wednesday
Friday
Christ Church Cathedral School, Oxford
Founded by Henry VIII, Christ Church Cathedral School (CCCS) is a hidden gem in central Oxford, for boys aged 3-13 and girls aged 3-7. Included among our pupils are the distinctive Christ Church Cathedral Choristers, who can be seen crossing the road in their Wolsey caps and capes.
Housed in 16th Century buildings steeped in history, it’s a special place, where children’s happiness and development are at the heart of everything. Starting in our Montessoristyle Nursery, our pupils develop a love of learning that covers not just academics, but an exceptional musical environment, as well as sport, art and drama.
We pride ourselves on preparing our pupils for a range of future schools, with many achieving academic and music awards. As a small school, CCCS is renowned for its family-oriented approach and close co-operation between parents and staff. Contact us to register for an Open Event or request an individual tour.
Web: www.cccs.org.uk
Contact: Lisa Johnson, registrar@cccs.org.uk
Tel: 01865 242561
Open Date: 12 March and 13 May
Open Day 12 March 13 May
The Manor Prep School
The Manor Prep School in Abingdon is an exceptional independent co-educational day school that welcomes boys and girls aged 2-11. The Manor offers a happy and varied learning experience in a down-to-earth setting with superb, purpose-built facilities. The School encourages all children to adopt a ‘have a go’ attitude and to embrace different lessons, activities and experiences with an open mind. We believe that happy, enthused children will get the most out of their learning and our outstanding academic results demonstrate this; in 2025, 30% of our Year 6 children were offered a Senior School
Scholarship or Award. Find out more by visiting www.manorprep.org, where you can book to attend one of our next open events or arrange a private visit to see how every child is challenged, cherished and inspired to reach their potential.
Forest School Stay and Play, Wednesday 25 March, 9:30am – 11:00am Web: www.manorprep.org
Contact: admissions@manorprep.org
Tel: 01235 858458
Open Date: 8 May, 10:00am – 12:00pm
Open Day 8 May
Cranford School
Cranford is a leading co-educational independent day school for boys and girls aged 3-18 years. An established fully co-educational school, pupils thrive where the attention to each individual pupil and their teaching and learning needs is second to none. With an excellent reputation for providing pupils with a balanced, all-round education, Cranford also supplies a warmly nurturing environment. Set in rural South Oxfordshire in the heart of Moulsford village, the small class sizes, close community and committed staff ensure each pupil is ably supported and challenged to achieve their full potential. The school was rated as ‘Excellent’ in all categories in its latest ISI Inspection. With a new Sixth Form Centre,
the school offers 20+ A-level subject choices and an extensive co-curricular programme. At Cranford, the aim is to encourage pupils to achieve their full potential, becoming motivated, confident and happy individuals, recognising the importance of respect and support for others, but ready to seize life’s opportunities.
Web: www.cranfordschool.co.uk
Contact: Mrs French, Director of Admissions, admissions@cranfordschool.co.uk
Tel: 01491 651 218
Open Date: Whole School Open week 9 - 13 March (9:00am-3pm)
Open Day 9-13 March
REATEYOUR FUTURE
d’Overbroeck’s Oxford d’Overbroeck’s is Oxford’s leading coeducational day and boarding school for students aged 11-18, offering a dynamic and supportive environment where individuality is celebrated.
At d’Overbroeck’s, we focus on more than just academic excellence — we help students discover their passions, build confidence, and develop a true sense of purpose. Our students thrive because they’re happy, engaged, and doing what they love. This supportive atmosphere leads to outstanding academic results and prepares them for life at top universities and beyond.
Our dedicated teachers foster meaningful partnerships with students, built on trust
and mutual respect. Through personalised learning and encouragement, students become independent thinkers — curious, motivated, and ready to embrace their futures.
Join a school where each student’s unique path is celebrated, and success is defined not just by grades, but by confidence, creativity, and ambition.
Web: www.doverbeocks.com
Contact: registrar@doverbroecks.com
Tel: 01865 688600
Open Date: 12 March 4 - 6pm and 7 May 6 - 8pm
Oxford High School GDST
Oxford High School GDST is a dynamic, forward looking school for girls aged 4–19, offering a seamless journey from its award winning Prep School through to Sixth Form. With entry points at Reception, Year 3, Year 5, Year 6 and key stages at Years 7, 9 and 12, families can join when the moment feels right, with occasional places available elsewhere.
Starting early at Oxford High Prep really does make a difference. Its unique curriculum builds confidence, boosts academic progress and nurtures independence, helping girls become curious, capable learners who aren’t afraid to shine. Specialist teaching in Music, Art, PE, Science and Mandarin from Key
Stage 1 stretches thinking and sparks new passions.
A comprehensive transport network including a popular minibus service from Year 3 supports busy family life. With the best GCSE results in Oxfordshire and outstanding A level outcomes, Oxford High proves what confident, independent girls can achieve within a supportive all girls environment.
Web: oxfordhigh.gdst.net
Contact: Kate Wood, Admissions Officer admissions@oxf.gdst.net
Pre-Prep School: 01865 558279
Prep School: 01865 515647
Prep & Pre-Prep Open Morning: 7 May
Chandlings Prep School
Set within 60 acres of idyllic countryside, yet only five miles from Oxford, Chandlings champions childhood by promoting curiosity, endeavour and adventure. This leading day school for boys and girls aged 2 to 11 combines exceptional academic standards with a strong commitment to wellbeing and personal growth.
Amongst its many bright classrooms, students enjoy dedicated spaces for Science, Art, Music, Design, and Food Technology, which ensures they can pursue their interests and talents. Beyond the classroom, the sprawling grounds include sports fields, a golf course, equestrian facilities, and a low-ropes course set in the magical bluebell wood. Outdoor Learning is woven
throughout the curriculum, offering pupils the freedom to explore, create, and connect with nature.
“Education should be joyful,” says Adam, headteacher. “We want children to come to school excited to feel known, valued, and inspired. Chandlings is a place where they can flourish and follow their own dreams as they prepare for their next adventure at leading senior schools”.
Web: www.chandlingspst.org
Contact: Catriona Pitt, Head of Admissions, office@chandlings.org.uk
Telephone: 01865 730771
Open Date: Whole School 13 March, 8 May
Family Days every Saturday
Science Oxford Centre
Exploration Zone
Woodland & Explorer Backpacks
Visitor café & picnic tables
Live Lab in March, Water Lab from April
Book tickets: scienceoxford.com
Watch their maths confidence bloom this term
Support your child to spring into the new term and schedule a free assessment at Mathnasium of North Oxford today and watch your child’s maths skills grow!
Are we rushing children into the rat race?
As soon as a child reaches primary school, the race is on. From SATs at age 7 to weekly spelling tests and end-of-primary exams at age 11, the system is structured for one purpose: measure, compare and sort. The stakes are presented as high from the start - and parents feel it.
This pressure can spill into family life. Many parents now choose extracurricular activities for their children with an eye on the future rather than the present. Enrol them in golf, one day it might help them network in business. Teach them Mandarin, a future asset in the global market. Pick piano over drums because it looks impressive on a university application. On the surface, it is strategic. But is it really about the child’s passions and needs or about shaping them into the adult we imagine?
The irony is that research suggests real growth comes when activities build on a child’s own interests and strengths. A shy child might gain confidence in theatre; a physically restless one might thrive in sport. When choices are made for a ‘future CV,’ we risk missing the chance to nurture who our children actually are right now.
Even inside the classroom, not everything we do is supported by evidence. Spelling tests are a weekly fixture in many schools but UK research shows they do little to improve long-term spelling ability. Yet we persist, perhaps because they are easy to mark, easy to compare and they produce numbers as a result.
Even by Year 2, children age 7 are made to sit in silence during SATs tests, with teachers encouraged to cover up supportive displays on the walls and the children being told their performance matters. It is hard to imagine a more developmentally inappropriate environment. We know from child development research that learning thrives in calm, connected and supportive spaces. But the education system and increasingly, our parenting, is geared towards speed, productivity and measurable output.
REPLACING SPELLING TESTS
Research shows weekly spelling tests do little to help children retain spellings long-term.
Instead of rote memorisation, schools could focus instead on active teaching strategies: embedding new words into engaging writing projects, playing word games and exploring patterns and meanings.
Spelling can be taught in context, noticing tricky words in shared reading, using them in stories and revisiting them over time. This approach turns spelling into a skill children use naturally, rather than a performance they prepare for and quickly forget.
By Dr Sasha Hall
This is the contradiction at the heart of modern education. We say ‘it’s the process, not the product’ that matters. We know deep learning comes from exploration, mistakes and reflection. Yet the moment the assessment measures the product, a grade or a score, this principal is sidelined. Children learn quickly that the goal is to get it right, not to understand it deeply.
Parents are not immune to this mindset. In a culture where school league tables and social media updates make other people’s children’s achievements visible, it is tempting to feel behind if your own child is not ‘achieving’ in the same way. Productivity becomes a proxy for worth: theirs and ours.
We cannot change the national curriculum overnight. But we can decide whether we let it dictate every aspect of our child’s life. That means questioning whether an activity is for their benefit or our peace of mind. It means resisting the urge to overload evenings and weekends with the development of ‘useful’ skills at the expense of rest, play and family connection.
A childhood crammed with targets and timetables might produce impressive portfolios but it risks producing stressed, disconnected and risk-averse young adults. The true measure of education should be more than test results, it should be the ability to think, to connect and to adapt. Because a child’s school experience should not be a training ground for university or the job market. It is a crucial, unrepeatable stage of life in its own right and we owe it to our children not to rush them through it.
Dr Sasha Hall is an HCPC-registered Senior Educational and Child Psychologist and founder of Hall & Co Educational Psychology Services (www.hallandcoeps.co.uk).
GETTING EXTRACURRICULAR RIGHT
Choosing an activity for your child is only the first step, the real value comes from how engaged they are. Do they talk about the activity afterwards, practise at home or look forward to going?
If they seem anxious, withdrawn or bored, the activity may be the wrong fit. Trial periods and taster sessions avoid long-term commitments. Encourage them to set their own small goals, such as mastering a skill or performing in a show, to boost confidence and ownership over the activity.
What’s On
Things to do this Spring - drama, music & sport something for everyone in
Oxfordshire
Art Classes
WHEN: Daily
WHERE: art-K, Oxford art-K’s Children’s Art Course helps them explore 2D and 3D mediums to cover a wide range of techniques. Participants will do clay tile projects, watercolours, inks and much more.
www.art-k.co.uk
Chinnor RFC Rugby Skills Camps
WHEN: Weekly
WHERE: Chinnor Rugby Club, Thame
Weekly classes include: Junior Rugby, U6-18 Wednesdays and Sundays; Touch Rugby, all welcome on Fridays, 7.00pm – 8.30pm; Walking Rugby, all welcome on Fridays 7.00pm –8.00pm; SEND Rugby, Sundays 10.00am – 11.00am. www.chinnor-rfc.com
HIP HOP DANCE CLASSES
WHEN: Every Wednesday until 25 March
WHERE: Pegasus Theatre, Oxford Master some fresh moves in the exciting world of Hip Hop with dance company
Body Politic. Learn choreography, develop your technique and create your own moves. For ages 8 – 11 and 11 – 15. www.pegasustheatre.org.uk
Comic Club
WHEN: Sat 28 March, 11.00am – 12.30pm
WHERE: The Woodshed, The Story Museum, Oxford A chance for children to develop their comic making skills. Neill Cameron, a remarkable comic artist, will be on hand to offer helpful advice and tips. £13 per person. Age 8 - 10. www.storymuseum.org.uk
Drama Classes
WHEN: Every Tuesday for 5 - 8 years 4.00pm – 5.00pm, and 8 – 11 years 5.30pm –7.00pm (until 24 March)
WHERE: Pegasus Theatre, Oxford Kids enjoy exploring and devising scripts, storytelling and character building. See them gain confidence in public speaking, collaborating with others and making new friends in a supportive, creative environment. www.pegasustheatre.org.uk
Elmsbrook Pop-up Session
WHEN: Sat 14 March, 12.00pm – 2.00pm; Fri 10 April, 9.30am -11.30am
WHERE: Elmsbrook Forest School, Bicester
This session will have themed activities for the children (and their grown-ups) to enjoy. Prebooking is essential at £5 per child (no ticket necessary for adults). Any age welcome. www.muddyfeettraining.co.uk
Gymnastics Classes
WHEN: Ongoing
WHERE: Carterton Gymnastics Club CIC, Carterton Oxfordshire Carterton offers the opportunity for children to reach their full gymnastic potential. As your child progresses they can earn certificates and have a chance to compete in championships and events. www.cartertongym.co.uk
Gymnastics Classes
WHEN: Daily
WHERE: NOX GymClub, Witney Classes offered for different ages and abilities. Classes include Parent and toddler Group, Stay and Play, Young Beginners, Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced, Additional Needs Club, Parkour/Freestyle, Tumbling and more.
www.noxgymnastics.com
Masterbuilders Club: The Golden Egg Escapade
WHEN & WHERE: Mon 30 March, 9.30 – 11.30, Sonning Common Village Hall; Thurs 2 April, 9.30 – 11.30, Madley Park Hall, Witney; Weds 8 April, 9.30 – 11.30, Badgemore Primary School, Henley; Thurs 9 April, Reading Town Hall, 11.30 – 1.30; Fri 10 April, 2.30 – 4.30, The Heights Primary, Caversham There’s been a break-in before Bricksville Museum’s Grand Opening! The Golden Egg is stolen! Master Builders are needed to solve the crime in an Easter-themed LEGO workshop full of springtime fun. Age 5+. www.masterbuildersclub.co.uk
WHERE: Mathnasium Learning Centres, Summertown, North Oxford
By producing a tailor-structured learning plan for each student according to his/her knowledge and skill level, the Mathnasium Method can help children in Years 2 – 12 better understand maths and leap ahead. Try the FREE maths skills assessment/trial session. Phone: 01865 236886 www.mathnasium.com/uk/ maths-centres/northoxford
NW Inventors:
Make a Musical
WHEN: 30 March - 1 April, 9.00am – 12.00pm
WHERE: The North Wall, Oxford Have fun exploring different ways of making music and devising theatrical stories. Work together as a team to combine your new skills and create an original miniproduction! Participants must book for the full three days. Full bursary places available. Cost: £60 for three half-days. Age 8 – 11 years. www.thenorthwall.com
Musical opportunities on offer including 1-to-1 guitar, bass and drum lessons, Kids’ Guitar Club, Teens’ Guitar Club, Band Buddies and Band Sessions. www.oxfordshiremusicschool. co.uk
Oxfordshire Tennis
WHEN: Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
WHERE: Goring Tennis Club, Cranford School and St Andrew’s in Berkshire Sessions are designed to enable children to develop skills at their own pace. The Monday AfterSchool Tennis Club provides a fun session for children of Years 1 – 6. www.oxfordshiretennis.co.uk
Piano Lessons
WHEN: Daily
WHERE: Central Oxford
Christine Hartzler Woodruff is a qualified Level 2 Suzuki piano teacher. She is a member of the British Suzuki Music Association, where she is a Level 3 teacher trainee, and the European Piano Teachers Association. She is DBS certified and has Safeguarding training. For more information email Christine at hello@ jerichosuzuki.co.uk www.jerichosuzuki.co.uk
Razzamataz Oxford
WHEN: Saturdays
WHERE: Barton Park Primary School, Oxford
Razzamataz is Oxford’s inclusive, recently relaunched, performing arts school, offering vibrant weekend training for children. Your child will meet new friends, improve their physical and mental health and gain confidence and so many other life skills. Free taster sessions available! Age 4–18. www.razzamataz.co.uk
Bright Sparks Easter Science Camps
WHEN & WHERE: 30 March, West Oxford; 31 March, Didcot; 1 April, Woodstock; 2 April, Wantage; 7 April, East Oxford; 7 April, Headington; 8 April, Witney; 9 April, Bicester; 10 April, Abingdon. Each day will be jam-packed full of science tricks, messy experiments, fun games and science crafts. Provisional dates supplied above. See the website for further details. Age 5 - 11 years.
www.brightsparksevents.co.uk
Elite Holiday Camps
WHEN: Easter Holidays
WHERE: Botley Primary School; Rose Hill Primary School, Oxford; Larkmead School, Abingdon Elite Camps provide a range of sports and activities designed to keep your child entertained. Daily sessions will help children stay active and learning new skills.
www.eliteyouthsports.co.uk
Saturday Hoops Football
HOLIDAY CAMPS
Ignite Sport’s Holiday Camp
WHEN: School holidays
WHERE: Oxford City FC ground, Marston
Ignite Sports offer a fun, safe and energy packed school holiday camp. Activities include FootballFrenzy, Art Smash, Game Tech, Girls Only Game Tech, Dance Fusion, Girls Only Football, Sparks, Multisport Camp, Hoops Football, and more. Age 4 – 16. www.ignitesportuk.com
Oxfordshire Tennis Camps
WHEN: Mon 30 MarchFri 10 April
WHERE: Oxfordshire Tennis, Goring Tennis Club, GoringOn-Thames; Cranford School, Moulsford, St Andrew’s Prep School, Reading Oxfordshire Tennis Camps provide children with a tennis experience they will love. Children learn new skills and develop their game in a fun and secure environment. £20.00+ per half day. Age 4 – 14. www.oxfordshiretennis.co.uk
WHEN: Saturdays 9am to 10am, term time only
WHERE: Oxford City FC ground, Marston
Suitable from beginner upwards, these sessions are fun, active and perfect as an introduction to football or for those wanting some extra training each week. For boys and girls aged 4 – 8. Pre booking essential! www.ignitesportuk.com
THE OXFORD BOAT ADVENTURE: SPRING HOLIDAY CAMPS
WHERE: Queenford Farm Holiday Camps
WHEN: Mon 30 March – Weds 1 April. Ages 4 - 7 years and 7 - 13 years, Wed 8 - Fri 10 April, Ages 4 - 7 years and 7 - 13 years. These spring camps offer children outdoor adventure across lakes and woodland, with playful activities that build confidence, encourage exploration and create memorable days in nature. Team missions will require shared responsibility and good communication. A mix of handson land and water-based pursuits designed to challenge and inspire. www.theoxfordboatadventure. co.uk
Wildcat Girls Football with Ignite Sport
WHEN: Saturdays 9am to 10am, term time only
WHERE: Oxford City FC ground, Marston
Suitable from beginner upwards, these sessions are fun, active and perfect as an introduction to football or for those wanting some extra training each week. £4 a session. For girls aged 5 - 11 years. Pre booking essential! www.ignitesportuk.com
