Families Warwickshire Issue 37 September-October 2017

Warwickshire

IN THIS ISSUE

Clubs & Classes

Directory packed with ideas

Age 3 - Adult 01789 731 000

principal@rnsd.co.uk

www.rnsd.co.uk

Issue 37 September/October 2017

familiesonline.co.uk

Education New school year How children learn

familiesonline.co.uk

01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk Families Warwickshire 1

Issue 37 | September/October 2017 | Families Warwickshire

In this issue 2

Snippets

6

Clubs & Classes

Individual and Group Coaching Supporting parents on their personal and family journeys For more information please contact Tina

10 Education 16 Half term holiday clubs

Theatre and days out

6 Contact details Call: Claire Jones on 01926 335004 E: editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk www.familiesonline.co.uk Cover by Liittle Beanies Photograpy www.littlebeanies.co.uk Design by www.peninsula-design.co.uk All content ©2017 Families Warwickshire Families Warwickshire is a bi-monthly magazine for parents, covering Stratford-on-Avon and Warwick Districts with 21,000 copies. Towns covered include Stratford-uponAvon, Warwick, Leamington Spa and Kenilworth, plus Studley, Alcester, Bidford, Henley-in-Arden, Wellesbourne, Welford-on-Avon, Shipston-on-Stour, Southam and lots of the smaller villages in between.

Advertise with us and reach 40,000+ local parents and carers Next issue: November/December 2017 Deadline: Thursday 6th October Families Warwickshire is part of Families Print Ltd, a franchise company. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under licence. Families is a registered trademark of LCMB Ltd, Remenham House, Regatta Place, Marlow Road, Bourne End, Bucks SL8 5TD. The contents of Families Warwickshire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Warwickshire. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Warwickshire; our distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and Lifecycle Marketing cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

07932 441 450

yournewwings@gmail.com

www.yournewwings.com

New Leamington Swim Centre Swim Works is opening a brand new purposebuilt swim centre in Leamington Spa this autumn. The new family swim centre will have all the same special features as the hugely popular and successful Swim Works Rugby – a lovely warm, virtually chemical free pool, small classes and passionate teachers.

The programme will be shaped around local demand, with classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers, as well as after school classes, 121s for children and adults, and aqua fit and prenatal classes too. Swim Works Leamington is now taking bookings ready for the classes to start on Monday 9 October.

As well as teaching from their own purposebuilt pools in Leamington Spa and Rugby, Swim Works continues to hire other pools around Warwickshire, offering a range of classes in Warwick, Kenilworth, Leamington, Coventry and Rugby.

SANDRA ORAM Member of I.F.A., B.R.A., A.R.R.

Clinical Aromatherapy Clinical Reflexology Lymphatic Drainage Massage Reflexology for Fertility

07581 576 198 ar4health@iCloud.com www.essential-aromatherapy.co.uk 30 Lawson Avenue, Tiddington Stratford-upon-Avon CV37 7BT

Baby Hedge Hugs Creators of Bespoke Embroidered Baby Bedding & Nursery Decor www.babyhedgehugs.co.uk

www.swimworks.co.uk

tracy@babyhedgehugs.co.uk Tel. 0749 857 5088

Launch of online guides for parents in Warwickshire New parents and expectant parents in Warwickshire are now able to access three free online guides funded by Warwickshire County Council’s Smart Start Programme. The guides have been designed by the NHS and are part of the acclaimed ‘Solihull Approach’ programme, which supports mums, dads and carers to build positive relationships with their infants and children. The main aim of the guides is to help parents and carers to strengthen the emotional resilience and wellbeing of their infants and children – so they’re able to bounce back from life’s various challenges as they move toward adulthood.

The three online guides on offer are: • Understanding your pregnancy, labour, birth and your baby • Understanding your baby • Understanding your child www.warwickshire.gov.uk/parentguides

Based on the book by Raymond Briggs | Adapted by Pins and Needles | Published by Puffin Books | © Raymond Briggs

Make Christmas Magical at MAC

Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas Thu 30 Nov - Sat 30 Dec / 3+

LITTLE ANGEL THEATRE: ME...

Wed 15 Nov - Thu 30 Nov / 2+

macbirmingham.co.uk Registered Company no. 718349 | Registered Charity no. 528979

2 Families Warwickshire 01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk

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Snippets

Multilingual Club

Mini movies If you have young children, you’ll probably be well aware of the latest craze: YouTube videos about dolls. Warwickshire mother Zoe was inspired by her own family’s obsession with these miniature movies to create Zoe’s Tiny Tales.

Super Kidz Club is a parent-run group which meets on Mondays and Wednesdays between 2pm and 6pm at the Methodist Church Hall in Dale Street, Leamington Spa. This multicultural group of English, Spanish, French and Italian speakers has proven popular with parents looking for their children to experience different languages. Members of the group make a small contribution of £10 per month (no contract) which pays towards healthy snacks and activities, which are run by parents on a voluntary basis and include Spanish, French and Italian lessons, dance, sing-along, mindfulness, cookery and arts & crafts. You and your children are assured of a warm welcome in a fun and safe environment. For more information, see the group’s Facebook page or contact Giovanna on 07780 543976 or gioyabo@yahoo.com.

“I love that stories told with dolls have come back. It reminds me of the kind of thing I used to watch as a child. However, many of these new videos are of poor quality and the content is often inappropriate. I felt compelled to make my own, and to make them better.”

ation -motion Animrt CREATIVE Stop& day Pa ies th Bir s op sh Work

Zoe’s Tiny Tales are simple stories of friendship and fun. Parents will not only approve, they might even enjoy it themselves - and of course, it's free!

“As a mum, an actress and a qualified childcare worker, creating a YouTube channel for kids brings together all the things I love. I hope it shows in the videos themselves.” www.zoestinytales.com

mate.co.uk o.uk www.letsani @letsanimate.c

0797 3354567

Halloween at Hillers

hello

Welcome to Jungle Town!

Award winning Hillers Farm Shop Miniature Railway will be running a special Halloween event Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 October from 3pm to 8pm. There will be a BBQ, soup and mulled wine to keep the chills away and for adventurers, the Maize Maze will be open during October half term from 10.30am to 4pm with the last entry at 3.30pm.

An inspiring children’s play experience

encouraging imagination play and development!

Here’s what you can find at Hillers: * Groceries * Cheese Shop * Deli Counter * Bakery * Farmshop Kitchen * Butchers * Fish Shop * Gifts & Interiors * Garden Shop * Garden Restaurant * Bird Hide * Sand Pit * Maize Maze * Miniature Railway * Follow Hillers on Facebook & Twitter for regular updates and information.

Open at Stratford Garden Centre

Visit www.jungletown.co.uk

or call 01789 296637

www.hillers.co.uk

Whisk up Some Dough this November!

For a nation of cake lovers, it’s fair to say The Lullaby Trust have cooked up the best fundraiser yet, as the charity prepares for its ‘Bake it For Babies’ campaign. Surely the tastiest initiative, The Lullaby Trust welcomes everyone to hold a bake sale from 6-12 November to help raise some dough to save babies’ lives.

It is super easy to get involved, even a novice baker can get mixing for this great cause. Everyone who signs up will receive a free fundraising pack full of all the ingredients they need to cook up the best of bake sales.

Once the date and location is confirmed you’ll also receive a free Lullaby Trust t-shirt and cake toppers.

The Lullaby Trust funds vital research into the causes and prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, which sadly affects around 250 babies and toddlers in the UK every year. The fantastic team also supports bereaved families and raises awareness of safer sleep for babies. The Lullaby Trust has been committed to this cause for over 45 years, during which they have played an integral role in reducing the number of babies who die by 85% since 1991. The charity receives no government funding, making events like this so very important. #bakeitforbabies www.lullabytrust.org.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Action-packed childcare this

Ofsted registered EY476056

October Half Term

Lots of activities and sports to choose from

North Leamington School Leamington Spa CV32 6RD

23rd - 27th October Open from 8am - 6pm *Offer ends 5pm Friday 6th October 2017 Terms and conditions apply

We accept childcare vouchers

Fantastic early bird offer

5FOR £75 DAYS

*8am-4pm consecutive days only.

Terms and conditions apply

For more info visit aspire-sports.co.uk or call 01926 298 178

01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk Families Warwickshire 3

Snippets

What’s next for you now the children are back at school?

There comes a point where we feel it is time to move on, to change what has become ‘normal’. So many mums say that they are only doing what they are doing ‘for now, until the children are ….’. Many mums find it a challenge to move from a professional life into parenthood and then back because becoming a parent changes our values, our focus and our goals.

Learn to drive

So what do you want to do next? This is a big question which is not always easy to answer, and many of us just ignore it and carry on dealing with what is directly in front of us.

Young Driver offers driving lessons for 5-17 year olds on specially designed courses at more than 40 venues across Britain. Youngsters aged 10-17 have lessons in real, dual-control cars, with fully qualified instructors and learn the same skills as they would on the road when they have a provisional license. The scheme has also created a brand new car - the Firefly - specially designed for 5-10 year olds so the driving experience can now start at an even earlier age!

Now the children are back at school, give yourself the time and space to really think about what’s next for you. Finding your purpose and pursuing your passion while raising your family is possible. Tina Smith, certified coach and founder of Your New Wings, offers individual and group coaching, supporting parents on their personal and family journeys.

The emphasis of the lessons is very much on safety - research suggests that encouraging youngsters to learn over a longer period of time halves the likelihood of them having an accident when they do go on to pass their test. Young Driver also finds that younger children are far more receptive to safety messages than their older teen counterparts. It's quite topical as the government is currently considering changes to the driving test/learning system in a bid to cut the accident rate of new drivers. Currently one in five crashes within six months of passing their test and 400 people are killed on UK roads in accidents involving young drivers every year.

On Tuesday 19 September, Tina is hosting an event – Finding Your Purpose & Pursuing Your Passion While Raising a Family – at Chase Meadow Community Centre in Warwick. For more information about this event or how Your New Wings can support you, contact Tina on 07932 441450. www.yournewwings.com

Warwick Arts Centre’s temporary theatre build begins Construction work has begun on Warwick Arts Centre’s temporary theatre - The Goose Nest. The new 280 seater auditorium will be open for nine months, from October 2017June 2018, whilst Warwick Arts Centre’s Theatre and Studio spaces are refreshed and renovated as part of the venue’s 20:20 project. The three year development will see the venue go through some major changes and improvements to the building.

Families Warwickshire went to the Young Driver Warwick ‘Supersite’ at Stoneleigh Park in August. My 9 year old thoroughly enjoyed her 20 minute Firefly lesson, manoeuvring the 2 seater electric car around the track, negotiating roundabouts and ‘3-ish’ point turns! After doing the first circuit with an instructor, she then delighted in driving me round the track and was pleased to receive her driving licence at the end.

My 11 year old excitedly took to the wheel of a Vauxhall Corsa for her first driving lesson alongside Nadhiir, her friendly and patient instructor. It’s a structured training programme which is divided into six levels. You have to complete the skills in each level before you move to the next one. They covered a lot in the half hour lesson and this was recorded in Carla’s lesson diary which she will keep and take with her when she goes again. She absolutely loved it and came out buzzing. I was really impressed with the amount she’d learnt and how easily she picked it up. Young Driver gets a big thumbs up from Families Warwickshire! www.youngdriver.com

The Goose Nest, whose name was chosen by University of Warwick students, will officially open on Saturday 7 October. Warwick Arts Centre will remain open throughout the 3 year 20:20 project and a full programme of events will continue throughout the building. The Theatre and Studio spaces will re-open in June 2018 and a second phase of redevelopment will begin in October 2018.

For further news and information, visit www.warwickartscentreco.uk/2020project 4 Families Warwickshire 01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk

Artist's impression

familiesonline.co.uk

Snippets

New play facility opening in Warwick Get great family pics on your phone Lisa from Little Beanies Photography is Families Warwickshire’s front cover photographer and shares some handy tips on how to help take better photos of your children on your camera phone. Let’s face it, many of us don’t even own a camera anymore!

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Get down to their level. You’ll capture their world so much better.

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If you have a burst feature then use it. You can get them running or jumping without missing a second. Just remember to delete the ones you don’t want.

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•

Make it an activity. Children often don’t like to pose for the camera or if they do, they get bored quickly. Ask them to do something and have some fun showing them the photos.

Buy a ‘selfie’ stick. Yes! I never thought I would but you can get one for about £10 and that way you’re always in the photos. Don’t always look at the camera and try and capture everyday life.

•

Start a ‘Project 365’ and remind yourself to take a pic every day of your family. You can post on Instagram or upload to a photobook creator.

It actually becomes quite fun as it becomes a daily routine with your kids.

Have fun capturing your family! I took the picture above of my son and I on my phone from my Project 365 - he loved the icecream idea!

Lisa from Little Beanies Photography specialises in bumps, babies and families.

For more information or to find out how your child/children could feature on a Families Warwickshire front cover, contact lisa@ littlebeanies.co.uk. www.littlebeanies.co.uk

The secret of a new hidden play gem is out!

The opening of The Children’s Play Village is just around the corner and will soon be ready to give Warwickshire families a warm welcome.

The Children’s Play Village is designed to set children’s imaginations on fire and sprinkle some magic during their imaginative and creative playtime. There are 10 wonderful areas full to the brim with play props, dressing up outfits and all things role play, ensuring that this exciting new play village will come to life with the sound of playing feet and chatter as children go about their very important play business.

To find out more and to keep in the loop about the opening which is planned for this September, take a peek inside: www.childrensplayvillage.co.uk www.facebook.com/childrensplayvillage (Editor – I popped over for a sneak preview during the summer and LOVED it! Can’t wait to go back for a play!)

Pupdate It was a big summer for Eddie. He went on his first summer holiday which was quite an adventure for him. We went camping for a long weekend to a place we’d been to before but it was our first visit with Eddie. Thistledown Farm in Gloucestershire (www.thistledown.org.uk) is a fantastic site in a stunning setting, with loads of space, woodlands to explore and fantastic walks from your tent doorstep. Eddie loved the outdoors but it took him a couple of nights to get used to sleeping in a tent - at home he sleeps downstairs while we all go up to bed. After a couple of sleep deprived nights, he settled and we (Eddie and I) both slept on the last night!

Home from camping so back to normal for Eddie’s sleeping routine but Cleavers Removals arrived first thing the next morning to pack up our house ready to move us the following! We had to keep Eddie out of the way on packing day and moving day, and spent a lot of time at our next door neighbours’ house. Although Eddie sensed there was something going on, he had someone with him all the time and coped really well – to be honest, I think he was still catching up on sleep after the camping trip! Eddie settled into the new house very quickly.

Eddie has got another new experience coming up in September. We’re going away for a family occasion and won’t be taking him with us. He’s going to stay with a couple in their home for a couple of nights. We decided that home boarding Eddie would suit him better than kennels as it will be a more familiar environment for him. I just hope he behaves himself and doesn’t get up to too much mischief as he’s due to stay with the same couple when we go away at Christmas!

By Claire Jones, Editor

familiesonline.co.uk

01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk Families Warwickshire 5

Clubs and Classes Welcome to the wonderful world of Warwickshire Music Warwickshire Music is the lead organisation for the Warwickshire Music Education Hub and as such is responsible for over £2,000,000 of funding over the next three years.

RNSD - Passionate about dancing Rutleigh Norris School of Dance aims to provide boys and girls with the opportunity to not only be the best dancer they can be but to also become confident, happy and respectful individuals.

Dance builds skills which can be applied to many disciplines, subjects and situations, such as creativity, strength, coordination, concentration, respect and courtesy.

RNSD offers RAD classical ballet, IDTA Tap and Modern with new classes in DDMIX (a full body aerobic workout, choreographed

by Darcey Bussell, based on a wide range of different dance styles with easy to follow steps). RAD's Silver Swans Adult Ballet is also available at RNSD. Lessons are taught in a professional environment, where learners can enjoy excelling whilst feeling safe and valued.

Rutleigh Norris School of Dance has been providing boys and girls with a superior quality of teaching since 1959. Classes take place in Alcester, as well as Moseley and Bourneville (south of Birmingham). www.rnsd.co.uk

This funding helps provide the very best in music education for children and young people across Warwickshire and over the last 12 years has given thousands of children access to free instrumental tuition in classes and free instrumental hire for small group lessons.

Warwickshire Music is particularly proud of its comprehensive network of music centre activities in every part of the county with nearly 100 subsidised area and county groups.

So many groups means that there is something for your child whether it is singing and dancing in exciting choirs and music theatre groups, becoming the next pop stars of the future in the ground-breaking contemporary music groups, or playing instruments in the high quality instrumental groups.

Quality is fundamental to everything Warwickshire Music does. Best teaching, best opportunities and best quality lead to making the best music and making best friends - for life. www.warwickshiremusichub.org

Robotics Saturday Club 9 September - 21 October Build and programme working robotic models in 6 x 1hr sessions 5 - 8 years & 9 - 11 years britishmo

J12 M40 .

tormuse

um.co.uk Gaydon . W arwickshire . CV35 0B J

GET SOCIA L...

6 week block: £45 per child

Want the best for your child through music?

Warwickshire Music offers: • Instrumental and vocal tuition by fully qualified teachers • Wide variety of after school music groups • Music theatre groups • Specialist groups including Suzuki strings and drum school • Performance opportunities throughout the year “Thank you very much for a great 7 years of music - tours, concerts and weekly practices with various Warwickshire Music Groups form some of my fondest memories and were certainly a wonderful opportunity” Sam - County Windband.

T: 01926 742630 music@warwickshire.gov.uk

www.warwickshiremusichub.org

6 Families Warwickshire 01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Clubs & Classes

EQUIPMENT PROVIDED

TRY TENNIS

Spanish & French Classes in Leamington Spa, Stratford, Coventry & Rugby

Music, instruments, bubbles, sensory play, dance, puppets, elements of baby massage & yoga

Book your FREE Trial Lesson mel@bilinguasing.com

07815 149877

MEMBERS FREE Non-members £3 FIRST SESSION FREE! Young person membership from just £4 per month

Family Fun Tennis Sundays 2.30pm-4.30pm

Junior Tennis for Beginners Fridays 4.30pm-5.30pm

To book a place, please email gavindhenderson@hotmail.co.uk or call Gavin on 07787 568642.

www.warwickboatclub.co.uk

www.bilinguasing.com

Enrolling now for September

The Drama Club

DANCE CLASSES Discover Stagecoach

H Southam

Stagecoach Warwick and Leamington Spa is hosting two Discovery Days where children and parents can meet the teachers and principal, join in the dance, singing and drama classes, browse through information whilst enjoying a refreshment and watch students perform. There will also be the chance to win a whole term’s scholarship in the raffle!

H Leamington

Friday 15 September, 4.30pm to 6.30pm at Warwick Gates Community Centre.

Saturday 16 September, 10am to 12pm at Trinity School, Leamington Spa.

Call Claire on 07774 518949

Fun filled, Action Packed Drama Workshops in Stratford-upon-Avon For young people aged 12 to 18 years.

Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri & Sat Fridays

H Shrewley Sundays

H Barford

ADULT CLASSES TOO!

To enquire or to book a place:

Saturdays

email:

H Cawston

The British Motor Museum is running a Robotics Club on Saturdays starting on 9 September.

Children will be able to improve their knowledge of robotics and coding by building and programming working models over a 6 week period of exciting workshops. Suitable for 5 to 11 year olds, children can enjoy a fantastic Saturday Club where they will consolidate and improve their knowledge while having fun and making new friends.

The Saturday Club will run from 9 September to 21 October, 10.30am-11.30am for 5 to 8 year olds and 11.45am-12.45am for 9 to 11 year olds. The cost for the 6 x 1 hour sessions is £45 per child and includes free entry to the Museum for one accompanying adult.

For full details and to book your place visit www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk

Warwickshire familiesonline.co.uk

thedramaclub@yahoo.co.uk

telephone:

Mondays and Fridays

07804848674

thedramaclub.org.uk

claire@loveballet.co.uk www.loveballet.co.uk setas£5 ss te io r n*

www.stagecoach.co.uk/warwick www.stagecoach.co.uk/leamingtonspa

Robotics Saturday Club

Try a free taster session

NEW Family Swim Centre in Leamington

BOOK NOW! *Offer subject to availability. T&C’s apply.

Swim Works, Queensway, Leamington Spa, CV31 3LU www.swimworks.co.uk • hello-leamington@swimworks.co.uk

G i v ey o urb a b y t h eb e s ts t a r t !

Multi-sensory music classes for babies, toddlers & pre-schoolers C al lR ac h el : 0 7 4 6 9 1 86 0 4 2

Ballet, tap, modern & street dance classes

Classes available from 21/2 years Free trial & sibling discounts IDTA & RAD exams taken annually Biannual show Classes in Claverdon, Call 07791 852891 Wootton Wawen & Studley

www.krystlejaynedanceacademy.co.uk

Promote your club or class and reach over 40,000 Warwickshire parents. Call Claire on 01926 335004 or email editor@ familieswarwickshire.co.uk

rh y t h mt ime .ne t / rt 2 2 8

DANCE WITH DASH

• Quality dance classes in Shipston-on-Stour and Moreton-in-Marsh • From 18 months to adults • Ballet Tap Modern and Jazz • British Ballet Organization (BBO) syllabus • Pre-School Melody Bear class

T: 07970 742256 www.dancewithdash.co.uk

01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk Families Warwickshire 7

Clubs & Classes

Clubs & Classes Directory SPORTS Athletics

Leamington Athletics Academy Track/field for ages 8+.

Ages 6-7 Apr-Oct only.

T: 07904 644568 E: info@leamingtonathletics.co.uk www.leamingtonathletics.co.uk Stratford Athletics Club Track and field training from age 8.

E: joburnsuaac@gmail.com www.stratfordac.co.uk (click on Juniors)

Badminton

Alveston Juniors Badminton Club Junior badminton classes in Stratford and Leamington for ages 8-18.

T: 07947 026959 E: alvestonjuniors@aol.com www.alvestonjuniors.co.uk Wacky Racquets “Badminfun” Innovative concept introducing badminton to beginners aged 6-11.

T: 07947 026959 E: wackyracquets@aol.com www.wackyracquets.co.uk

Cricket

Kenilworth Cricket Club www.kenilworthcricketclub.co.uk Stratford-upon-Avon Cricket Club www.stratfordcricketclub.com Leamington Cricket Club www.leamingtoncricket.co.uk Warwick Cricket Club www.warwickcricketclub.co.uk

Football Clubs

Warwick Juniors FC www.warwickjuniorsfc.co.uk Alcester Town Football Club www.alcestertown.co.uk Leamington Juniors www.leamingtonjuniors.co.uk Leamington Hibernian Football Club www.leamingtonhibs.com Stratford Town Colts www.stratfordtownfc.co.uk

British Tang Soo Do Federation Children and family martial arts classes in Warwickshire.

T: 07766 947932 E: info@family-martial-arts-classes. co.uk www.family-martial-arts-classes. co.uk Shotokan Karate Classes for Tiny Tigers, Junior Tigers and Seniors in Leamington Spa. T: 07814 494595 E: info@centralwarwickkarate.co.uk www.centralwarwickkarate.co.uk

Turtle Tots Fun and progressive swimming classes for babies and toddlers.

T: 07473 160765 E: holly.wyer@turtletots.com www.turtletots.com Bunkers Hill Swimming lessons for all ages in Welford-on-Avon.

T: 01789 751016 E: carol@bunkershillswimming.co.uk www.bunkershillswimming.co.uk

Tennis

Wado Ryu Karate Classes in Warwick and Kenilworth.

For ages 6+.

T: 01789 470725 www.wwska.co.uk USKO Karate Karate club in Stratford-upon-Avon and Henley-in-Arden.

T: 01386 831695 (Stratford) T: 01564 792278 (Henley) www.usko-karate.co.uk Martial Arts Stratford Upon Avon Karate classes in Tiddington and Alveston.

T: 0800 6899 345 www.martialartsstratforduponavon. ewfma.com

Rugby

ScrumKids Non-contact rugby themed sessions for ages 2 to 7.

T: 07969 738960 E: sam@scrumkids.co.uk www.scrumkids.co.uk

Swimming

Warwick Boat Club Family friendly club which focuses on Fun Tennis for all ages. We run junior tennis for beginners on Fridays, coaching sessions for all ages on Saturday mornings, family fun sessions on Sunday afternoons and cardio tennis on Saturdays and Wednesdays for over 16s.

T: Gavin on 07787 568642 E: tennis.manager@ warwickboatclub.co.uk www.warwickboatclub.co.uk

Inspire2Coach Tennis coaching for all ages in a number of locations.

T: 07952 770882 E: mel@inspire2coach.co.uk www.inspire2coach.co.uk

THE ARTS Dance

Gymnastics

Leamington and Warwick Gymnastics Club For boys and girls of all ages and abilities.

T: 07795 516367 E: dave@thegymnasticsclub.co.uk www.thegymnasticsclub.co.uk Salto Gymnastics Club Classes in Alcester from age 4.

T: 07968 031775 E: saltogymnasticsclub@gmail.com www.saltogymnasticsclub.co.uk JNB Gymnastics Academy For all ages from toddlers to teens.

Near Stratford.

T: 07776 373471 E: jnbgymnasticsacademy@outlook. com www.jnbgymnasticsacademy.com

Martial Arts

Central Korean Martial Arts (CKMA) Family karate classes. 1st week free.

Beginners welcome. 3yrs+.

T: 07817 712536 E: info@ckma.net www.ckma.net South Leamington TKD Club Taekwon-Do club in Leamington Spa. For ages 4+.

T: 07971 002858 E: gavin.mcateer@yahoo.co.uk www.leamingtonspatkd.co.uk

Swim Works Swim Works is a family-run business with centres in Rugby (open now) and Leamington Spa (open Autumn 2017). We offer classes for all ages and abilities: babies (8 weeks +), preschool, after-school, aqua tums, aqua fit, 1-2-1s, swim analysis. Warm, virtually chemical free pool and highly qualified, friendly teachers.

T: 01788 568503 E: info@swimworks.co.uk www.swimworks.co.uk Broom Swim School Family run business offers classes for all ages and abilities.

T: 01789 772249 E: broomswimschool@hotmail.co.uk www.facebook.com/ broomswimschool/ Everyone Active Swimming lessons for children from 4 months old in Kenilworth, Leamington Spa, Shipston, Southam, Stratford, Studley and Warwick. www.everyoneactive.com

8 Families Warwickshire 01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk

Rutleigh Norris School of Dance Ballet training in Alcester, Bournville and Moseley. RAD Classical Ballet, IDTA Tap and Modern with new classes in DDMIX, a full body aerobic workout based on a wide range of different dance styles with easy to follow steps.

Choreographed by Darcey Bussell (16+)! Plus RAD's Silver Swans Adult Ballet.

T: 01789 731000 E: principal@rnsd.co.uk www.rnsd.co.uk

Motionhouse Leamington Spa: Energetic, fun dance classes for 8-18 year olds.

T: 01926 887052 E: info@motionhouse.co.uk www.motionhouse.co.uk

LoveBallet Dance Company LoveBallet is a leading inspirational dance school in Warwickshire. We are dedicated to every pupil, for those wishing to dance for fun, or to train for a career in dance. You will be taught by ex-pro dancers who are fully qualified experienced teachers. Come along for a free trial.

T: 07921 853773 E: lorraine@loveballet.co.uk www.loveballet.co.uk

Krystle Jayne’s Dance Academy Krystle Jayne's Dance Academy is a fun and friendly dance school, providing quality dance tuition in ballet, tap, modern and street dance. All students take Royal Academy of Dance examinations and have many performance opportunities. Classes are held in Claverdon and Wootten Wawen.

We offer sibling, multiple class discounts and a FREE trial!

T: Krystle on 07791 852891 E: krystlejaynedance@gmail.com www.krystlejaynedanceacademy.co.uk

Dance with Dash Quality dance classes from 18 months to adult at The Townsend Hall, Shipston-on-Stour and the WI Hall, Moreton-in-Marsh. Pre-School Melody Bear® classes introducing the young to dance, leading to British Ballet Organization syllabus classes in Ballet, Tap, Modern and Jazz. Regular exam sessions with outstanding results, 100% pass rate and bi annual shows.

T: Sarah Dash on 07970 742256 E: sarah@dancewithdash.co.uk www.dancewithdash.co.uk

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Clubs & Classes Performing Arts

The Nikki Jay Academy of Dance IDTA school with family feel.

Established 20yrs. Fun classes.

Maintaining a high level of work in a safe & experienced environment.

Ballet (From 2yrs), Tap, Street, Gymnastic Dance, Adult Ballet, Tap & Dance Fit! 100% pass rate & shows! Free trials & parking, Radford Semele Primary School L/Spa. T: 07958 643005 E: office@njadance.co.uk www.njadance.co.uk

The Drama Club Enrolling now for September 2017.

High quality, affordable, drama workshops delivered in a fun, safe and stimulating environment for children between the ages of 7 and 18. The Drama Club is run by industry professionals with an extensive knowledge of theatre and performance, and a passion for young people’s theatre.

T: Sarah on 07804 848674 E: thedramaclub@yahoo.co.uk www.thedramaclub.org.uk

Hannah Clare School of Dance Ballet, Tap, Modern and Street in Warwick, Leamington and Tiddington.

T: 07596 253232 E: hannah@hcschoolofdance.co.uk www.hannahclareschoolofdance. co.uk

Tap n Groove Contemporary, Creative Dance Making, Tap Dance, Jazz and Improvisation.

T: 07966 168043 E: mary@tapngroove.co.uk www.tapngroove.co.uk Intadance Ballet, ballroom, tap, freestyle and more. All ages. In Kineton.

T: 01926 640452 E: info@intadance.co.uk www.intadance.co.uk Jaykays Dance Company Ballet, tap, modern jazz, street dance, freestyle, musical theatre, gymnastics.

T: 07738 954258 E: enquiries@jaykaysdancecompany. co.uk www.jaykaysdancecompany.co.uk Whiteman Dance Academy Ballet, tap, streetdance, modern, gymnastics and musical theatre in Kenilworth.

T: 07721 579174 E: sharyn.hastings@me.com www.thewhitemandanceacademy. com Warwick School of Dance Ballet, tap, modern, jazz and GCSE dance for ages 3+.

T: 07779 589569 E: warwickschoolofdance@gmail. com www.warwickschoolofdance.co.uk

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Warwickshire Music High quality music education in schools and centres throughout Warwickshire. Musical instrument tuition includes guitars, strings, wind, brass and percussion.

Opportunities to be part of an orchestra and other ensembles.

Performance opportunities.

Singing lessons, choir and musical theatre also available. All abilities welcome.

T: 01926 742630 E: music@warwickshire.gov.uk www.warwickshiremusichub.org

BilinguaSing BilinguaSing run French and Spanish classes for babies and young children in Leamington, Rugby, Stratford and Coventry, and use music, singing, dance and sensory props to introduce your child to a second language. Free trial class.

T: Mel on 07815 149877 E: mel@bilinguasing.com www.bilinguasing.com

Warwickshire Young Voices Award winning music sessions for children aged 4-16.

T: 01327 310054 E: wyvoices@gmail.com www.warwickshireyoungvoices.org

Sparkle Performing Arts Classes for girls and boys from four to eighteen.

T: 0845 017 0825 E: sparkleperformers@gmail.com Daniels Dance Academy Ballet, tap, gymnastic dance, freestyle, drama and musical theatre. Kenilworth.

T: 024 7667 8677 E: vickidda7@aol.com www.danielsdancingacademy.co.uk

Music

Stagecoach Leamington Spa and Warwick It's great to 'try before you buy!' so at Stagecoach Leamington Spa and Warwick we are offering children aged 4-18yrs the chance to do just that! At our Discovery Days you can meet the teachers, see students perform and take part in 20 minutes of dance, drama and singing to see if our classes are for you.

T: 01926 702725 E: leamingtonspa@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/ leamington www.stagecoach.co.uk/warwick PQA Warwick & Stratford-uponAvon Performing arts fun on Saturdays for ages 4-18.

T: 07791 703665 E: Debbie@pqacademy.com www.pqacademy.com The Academy of Performing Arts Saturday morning classes in Henleyin-Arden for ages 5-17.

T: 01234 742440 E: a.p.a@live.com www.theacademyofperformingarts. com Stagecoach Kenilworth Build confidence, make friends and have creative courage for life.

T: 07450 220280 E: kenilworth@stagecoach.co.uk www.stagecoach.co.uk/kenilworth Playbox Theatre Classes in theatre, circus, film, backstage and Shakespeare. All ages.

T: 01926 419555 E: info@playboxtheatre.com www.playboxtheatre.com

AC Academy Friendly and fun after-school choir in Warwick. Ages 7+.

T: 07587 700740 E: lbree@armonico.org.uk www.armonico.org.uk/ac-academy Stratford Music Centre Music, dance and drama tuition/ groups plus SMC Rock School.

T: 01789 416605 E: info@stratfordmusiccentre.org.uk www.stratfordmusiccentre.org.uk

Art

Art Group Studios Kids Club Weekly painting classes for ages 4-14 in Leamington Spa. T: 07812 608221 E: jessica@art-group-studios.co.uk www.art-group-studios.co.uk

BABIES AND PRESCHOOL

Rhythm Time Rhythm Time provides awardwinning, multi-sensory, fun and educational music classes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers. Rhythm Time are passionate about music and the developmental benefits it has for young children. Classes are fun, progressive and age appropriate.

Classes operate in Leamington, Kenilworth and Stratford.

Facebook at Rhythm Time Mid Warwickshire.

T: 07469 186042 E: rachelrtime@gmail.com www.rhythmtime.net/rt38 Baby Sensory A magical world of sensory learning, wonder, exploration, & extraordinary delights!

T: 07989 502712 E: warwickshire@babysensory.co.uk www.babysensory.com

Calypso Kids A musical adventure with percussion instruments, singing and storytelling, T: 07890 399162 E: hello@calypsokids.co.uk www.calypsokids.co.uk

Monkey Music Award-winning classes across South Warwickshire.

T: 01789 720289 E: stratforduponavon@monkeymusic. co.uk www.monkeymusic.co.uk

Sing and Sign Baby Sign Relaxed, fun classes with music and play. From birth to 2.

T: 07907351645 E: judemeaney@singandsign.co.uk www.singandsign.com

Dandy Development Baby sign, music and sensory fun for babies and toddlers.

T: 07890 241301 E: nikki.sayers@hotmail.co.uk www.dandydevelopment.co.uk

Teddy-cation A fun, interactive pre-school class 2.5-4 yrs. Free taster session.

T: 07720 446453 E: becky@teddy-cation.co.uk http://facebook.com/teddy-cation

Gymboree Warwick & Leamington Spa Award-winning classes for newborn to 5 years.

T: 07881 892686 E: warwick@gymboree-uk.com www.gymboree-uk.com/warwick

Twirling Toddlers Dance and movement for babies and toddlers from 9 months.

T: 07552 770774 E: info@twirlingtoddlers.co.uk www.twirlingtoddlers.co.uk

01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk Families Warwickshire 9

Education

How children learn new things Every parent anticipates and remembers their little one’s first steps. All those baby milestones - rolling, sitting up, waving, crawling, talking - are eagerly aided and encouraged. But what happens when your child gets a little bit older?

New school year Many children sail through the transition into a new class at the start of each school year, but for others it can be an anxious time. Here are a few tips to help you support your child through this transition.

Acknowledge feelings It’s important that your child feels listened to, so rather than saying ‘Don’t worry, it will be fine,’ let them know that you understand - ‘It’s a bit worrying when you have to get used to a new teacher isn’t it?’

Don’t feed their anxiety That said, there is a fine line between sympathising with your child and ‘feeding’ their worry. Stay upbeat, if you are feeling anxious too, try not to let it show.

Normalise Tell your child that they are not alone, lots of other children will be a bit nervous as well, nerves are perfectly normal.

Be prepared Talk through any worries that your child may have and make sure that they know what to do in certain situations. If your child keeps asking questions, don’t always answer yourself but get them to tell you the answer - ‘What did we say you would do if you forgot your PE kit?’ Get them to imagine themselves solving this problem.

Talk to the school Make sure the new teacher knows about it if your child is particularly anxious, and keep in touch with them in the early days of the new term.

And finally…

Give your child time to settle. You may find they regress in their behaviour at home during this settling in time, but if they feel secure and loved at home coping with new challenges will be gradually get easier.

By Jane Rogers – The Cambridge Parent Coach.

Find Jane’s books ‘How to encourage good behaviour so you can enjoy your children’ and ‘How to use positive discipline to improve your child’s behaviour’ on Amazon.

Follow The Cambridge Parent Coach on Facebook.

“We talk about specific windows for learning some of those early skills, but every age is a window of opportunity for engaging children, showing an interest, exposing them to a wide variety of experiences,” says consultant clinical psychologist Emma Citron, who specialises in children and adolescents. “The approaches might change but children don’t stop needing that input once they reach school age.”

resources and space to work things out for themselves, with support there when it is wanted - not by being micromanaged by a so-called tiger parent!

The science bit So what’s going on in there? Learning any new skill means building connections between brain cells called neural pathways.

Like branches on a tree - and fed by the information around them in numerous different ways - more advanced skills stem from the fundamentals already in place.

Not everyone learns in the same way, so the neural pathways for mastering the same skills can take different routes, but the more they are used, the stronger they get. Similarly, circuits that aren’t used will weaken until eventually they no longer exist.

Fail together Those neural pathways strengthen with use so practice really does make perfect.

As beneficial as passing on your tips for the skills you do have and letting children see what can be achieved is showing that you’re not afraid to fail - and keep trying - when it’s something you can’t do. Make sure there are activities in the mix that are new to you too and if your child is sometimes the faster learner, they will gain confidence from that boost.

“I don’t want to” The brain circuits for the most critical activities, such as breathing, are already developed at birth. Those for the next wave of core skills - moving, eating and communicating - happen instinctively within roughly the same time frame for all babies because they are at some level essential for survival.

When it comes to later skills, whether it’s swimming, riding a bike, playing chess or singing, there is no inherent drive to learn so the motivation has to come from elsewhere.

Where that is will depend on each child’s own personality, abilities, confidence and interests, friends and support, access, and understanding of benefits in the longer term.

Create the right environment Remember how involved you were when your baby was trying to balance blocks in a tower or put together their first jigsaw pieces? “A young child needs to be in a caring, stimulated environment, where you are making eye contact, playing, giving your attention and time, and being patient,” Emma points out. The same applies when that child is attempting to master a new skill a few years down the line.

“If it’s all seeming like a chore, something’s gone wrong. Your primary goal has to be raising well-balanced individuals who want to engage with the world with curiosity and fun.”

Be the best model Children will still learn, whether you want them to or not, by copying you. Of course it’s more subtle than the baby mirroring your actions, and the circle of people they will emulate in some way gets larger as they get older, taking in teachers, friends, public figures and others, but your own influences through your attitude and behaviours remains absolutely pivotal (whatever your independent pre-teen might like you to believe!).

“Do practise what you preach.

It’s a very easy thing to say but one that many don’t actually do,” Emma warns. Don’t say you can’t without trying, don’t fall back on the same automatic excuses, don’t go in with a negative mindset or be overly self-critical. Most importantly, embrace and share a positive, open-minded, approach to everyday life. Imbue your children with curiosity and passion by showing the same to them. Everything else stems from this.”

By Anna Wright

As parents we learn pretty quickly not to introduce anything new or challenging if it’s nap or feeding time. “That hasn’t changed.

If your child has switched off because they’re tired, overloaded, working hard at school all day and being shunted from A to B to C after school, they’re not going to be ripe for learning much of anything.”

Have fun!

Compare your time in the classroom with your children’s now, particularly at primary school, and we all recognise that professional teaching methods have changed dramatically. “Gone are the days when you’d expect children to just ingest information,” Emma states. “It’s not all a top-down process. We know that most children learn best by being given the

10 Families Warwickshire 01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk

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Education

Princethorpe really nurtured my hockey career from pupil to international player, and if I make Tokyo, I know that support goes with me me.

James Simpson - Old Princethorpian and England Under 21s hockey player.

Our Entrance Examinations are moving!

2018 Admission for Years 7 to 10 Saturday 11 November 2017, 9.30am to 3.30pm

Find out what Princethorpe can do for you, come along to our Open Afternoon on Sunday 24 September from 2.00pm to 5.00pm For information call 01926 634201 or visit princethorpe.co.uk

Princethorpe College

An independent school for 11-18 year olds Registered Charity Number 1087124

Open Morning 23 September 2017, 9.30am - 12.30pm www.bablake.com

Warwickshire Advertise with us and reach over 40,000 Warwickshire parents.

Call Claire on 01926 335004

Ingenia Education Preparing a child for the 11 Plus test is a daunting experience for any parent. How do you identify their strengths and weaknesses? How can you measure their progress as they prepare? Is it worth investing in a tutor?

Ingenia Education is a Warwickshire-based company that was founded with the aim of making things easier for parents who want to give their child the best chance of success. We have built our reputation locally on high-quality tuition, and now we are pleased to be launching our range of downloadable practice papers. This service has been designed to help both children and parents with the 11 Plus test without the hassle and costs associated with booking a mock test at an exam centre.

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With a choice of professionally written papers, and with a marker’s report from a local teacher and experienced tutor, you can easily see exactly which areas of the test need most attention. It’s a great way to measure your child’s progress as they prepare for the exam, and it can be done at your convenience in the comfort of your own home.

Contact Ingenia Education for more information or if you have any questions. www.ingenia-education.co.uk/11plus

01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk Families Warwickshire 11

Education

Magical memories, Learning for life

British Motor Museum launches new Schools Programme The British Motor Museum has launched its new Schools Programme for the 2017/18 academic year. Building on its successful 2016/17 programme, the Museum offers a range of workshops covering key curriculum subjects, along with the opportunity to explore the extensive collection of British motor vehicles during an exciting day of active learning.

The Museum is also pleased to announce that the Travel Support Fund, aimed at helping schools with the cost of coach transport, will continue. Made possible by support from Arts Council England, this fund offers up to £300 towards the cost of coach travel for schools visiting the Museum.

Popular new workshops for 2017/18 include History Detectives (KS2) and Engineering Apprentices (KS2 & KS3). History Detectives targets the KS2 History & Science curriculum with an exciting challenge to find a stolen trophy. Pupils will become a detective and learn about crime solving techniques from the Victorians to the present day.

Under the guidance of a ‘Police Officer’, pupils will handle objects from the collection, take their fingerprints, break codes to solve clues and question suspects during their visit.

Open Morning 30 September at 10.30am Co-educational Boarding and Day Preparatory School, near Rugby

www.biltongrange.co.uk

New religious education syllabus agreed for Warwickshire schools Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet has approved the implementation of a new Agreed Syllabus for Religious Education (RE) in Warwickshire schools from September 2017.

It aims to teach school children about the six major faiths (Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism) as well as non-religious life stances.

Engineering Apprentices tackles the STEM curriculum for KS2 & KS3.

Pupils will explore the history of racing and use their engineering skills to build a Jaguar D-type remote control racing car from the chassis up. The step by step workshop encourages team work and thinking skills while expanding technology, engineering and mathematics knowledge and skills.

Primary, secondary and special school teachers from across Warwickshire and Coventry met at one of three events in July for the official launch of, and training on, the new Syllabus.

The launch events in Warwickshire were formally opened by Councillor Colin Hayfield, Portfolio Holder for Education and Learning.

Running alongside the standard workshops, the Museum offers a series of Curriculum Weeks. The first of these in the new academic year is WWI History Week which runs from 25-29 September and is aimed at KS2 to KS4. Commemorating the centenary of WW1, it offers pupils an exciting day of immersive learning with role play activities and object handling. Children will join Tommy in the Trenches, visit the Casualty Clearing Station and meet a member of the Tank Corps. There is also a fantastic opportunity to explore the replica Mark IV Tank on loan from The Tank Museum and used in the hit movie ‘War Horse’. The cost is £12.50 per pupil.

Cllr Hayfield said: “RE is relevant to every pupil and citizen of Coventry and Warwickshire, it helps pupils to become literate and articulate about religions and beliefs, helping young people understand more about the faith of people they meet and to be thoughtful members of society.”

“This syllabus provides teachers with new and innovative ideas to enable our children and young people to access challenging and thought-provoking Religious Education. This will enable children to explore their own beliefs, values and traditions as well as those from other backgrounds.”

Caroline Reid, Education Officer at the British Motor Museum said “Our new Schools Programme offers a great range of opportunities for learning outside the classroom. The workshops are designed to be fun, engaging as well as educational and enable pupils to explore in more depth particular themes that they are learning about in school.”

Schools play a significant role in supporting the community cohesion agenda and promoting British values through the delivery of effective RE. This syllabus supports pupils to explore matters of faith, non-religious views, spirituality, community and peace and reconciliation.

For more information about the 2017/18 Schools Programme or to request a brochure please email education@britishmotormuseum. co.uk or call 01926 927827 or visit www.britishmotormuseum. co.uk/learning/schools

The syllabus and support materials are the result of the dedication and hard work of the members of the Standing Advisory Council on Religious Education (SACRE), which is a body made up of people who represent all the major faiths in Warwickshire, teachers and the RE Today team.

12 Families Warwickshire 01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

Education Awarded “Outstanding” ISI - 2015 An Independent Day School and Nursery for boys aged 3-7 and girls aged 3-11

Open Morning Early Years & KS1 Children aged 3-7 years Saturday 30 September 2017 10am-12 noon Independent co-educational day school for children aged 3-11 years

Open Morning For further information, or to book a tour with the Headmaster, please call 01789 293795 or email office@croftschool.co.uk

www.croftschool.co.uk Alveston Hill, Loxley Road, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 7RL

1 OCTOBER – 20 NOVEMBER

Saturday 30 September 9.30am – 12noon

At Work

Tuesday 7 November 1.30pm – 3.00pm

Warwick Preparatory School, Bridge Field Banbury Road, Warwick CV34 6PL admissions@warwickprep.com | 01926 491545 www.warwickprep.com Warwick Preparatory School is part of the Warwick Independent Schools Foundation, together with King’s High School and Warwick School, providing high quality education for boys and girls aged 3-18.

KUMON MATHS AND ENGLISH STUDY CENTRES

The two-week Free Trial offer is available between 1 October and 20 November

Book now!

Coventry East Leamington Spa

02476 413374 01926 676424

Rugby Warwick

01788 486005 01926 679228

Find out more by coming along to our event on Friday 27 October at the Lower Precinct Shopping Area.

We’ll be there from 9am - 7pm.

Terms and conditions apply. Fees vary. Participating study centres only.

Please refer to your local study centre. Subject to availability.

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01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk Families Warwickshire 13

Education

Independent Schools Contact Details and Open Days Arnold Lodge Leamington Spa (Ages 4-18) T: 01926 778050 E: info@arnoldlodge.com www.arnoldlodge.com Sat 7 Oct, 10am-12.30pm: Open Morning The Kingsley School Leamington Spa (Ages 3-18) T: 01926 421368 E: registrar@kingsleyschool.co.uk www.thekingsleyschool.com Fri 29 Sept, 4.30pm- 7.30pm: Senior School Open Evening Bilton Grange Rugby (Ages 4-13) T: 01788 810217 E: admissions@biltongrange.co.uk www.biltongrange.co.uk Sat 30 Sept, 10.30am: Open Morning

PREP AND JUNIOR SCHOOLS Bablake Pre Prep Coventry T: 024 7622 1677 E: bablakepreprep@bablakejs.co.uk Bablake Junior School Coventry T: 024 7627 1260 E: jhmsec@bablakejs.co.uk www.bablakejuniorschool.co.uk Sat 23 Sept, 9.30am-12.30am: Open Morning Crackley Hall School and Little Crackers Nursery Kenilworth T: 01926 514444 E: post@crackleyhall.co.uk www.crackleyhall.co.uk Thurs 5 Oct, 10am-3pm: Open Day The Croft Preparatory School Stratford-upon-Avon T: 01789 293795 E: office@croftschool.co.uk www.croftschool.co.uk Sat 30 Sept, 10am-12noon: Early Years & KS1 Open Morning Henley Montessori Primary and Merrydays Montessori Nursery Henley-in-Arden T: 01564 792427 E: helen.everley@henleymontessori.co.uk www.henleymontessori.co.uk King Henry VIII Prep School Coventry T: 024 7627 1307 E: admissions@khps.co.uk www.khviii.co.uk Fri 29 Sept: Open House Sat 30 Sept, 9.30am-12.30pm: Open Morning Stratford Preparatory School Stratford-upon-Avon T: 01789 297993 E: secretary@stratfordprep.co.uk www.stratfordprep.co.uk Sat 23 Sept, 10am-12.30pm: Open Morning Warwick Preparatory School Warwick T: 01926 491545 E: admissions@warwickprep.com www.warwickprep.com Sat 30 Sept, 9.30am-12noon: Open Morning Tues 7 Nov, 1.30pm-3pm: At Work Afternoon Warwick School Warwick T: 01926 776400 E: enquiries@warwickschool.org www.warwickschool.org Sat 16 Sept, 9.30am-12noon: Open Morning Tues 7 Nov, 1.30pm-3pm: At Work Afternoon

SENIOR SCHOOLS Bablake Senior School Coventry T: 024 7627 1200 E: info@bablake.coventry.sch.uk www.bablake.com Sat 23 Sept, 9.30am-12.30am: Open Morning King Henry VIII Senior School Coventry T: 024 7627 1111 E: admissions@khviii.net www.khviii.co.uk Fri 29 Sept: Open House Sat 30 Sept, 9.30am-12.30pm: Open Morning King’s High Warwick T: 01926 494485 E: enquiries@kingshighwarwick.co.uk www.kingshighwarwick.co.uk Fri 22 Sept, 4.30pm-7.30pm: Open Evening Princethorpe College Rugby T: 01926 634201 E: admissions@princethorpe.co.uk www.princethorpe.co.uk Sun 24 Sept, 2pm-5pm: Open Afternoon Warwick School Warwick T: 01926 776400 E: enquiries@warwickschool.org www.warwickschool.org Sat 16 Sept, 9.30am-12noon: Open Morning Tues 10 Oct, 2pm-3.45pm: At Work Afternoon 14 Families Warwickshire 01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk

Let’s explore Explore Learning!

Lisa Fincken’s 11 year old son John has been going to the Explore Learning centre at Sainsbury’s in Leamington Spa since October 2015. We asked Lisa a few questions to find out more about their experience at Explore.

Why did you decide to join Explore?

John wasn’t been challenged at school so I decided to enroll him on their 11 Plus course to give him something different to do other than his school work.

How has Explore helped/what impact has Explore had?

John now has more confidence in working through problems he is given and has developed a greater depth of knowledge of skills and techniques.

Explore has helped him to persevere and not give up.

Who would you recommend Explore to?

Any child of any age would benefit from the teaching at Explore. The programme works to each child’s level of understanding and ability, finishing one part before progressing to the next, so you have confidence that your child is 100% ready to move on.

What advice would you give to other parents thinking about bringing their children to Explore?

Give it a go! It’s fun, the tutors are young and enthusiastic, the system is very child friendly and the atmosphere is relaxed yet professional.

Can you tell me what you think makes Explore Learning a unique tutoring service?

Each child has a unique computer programme created for them, it works through the curriculum and reinforces the learning being done at school so that anything missed or not 100% understood is picked up and practiced until it’s mastered. The centre is open evenings, weekends and during the school holidays so it’s very convenient What kind of child do you think Explore Learning is for?

Explore has lots of different classes – 11 Plus, creative writing, succeed in secondary and more - as well as reinforcing maths and English being taught in schools, so it will suit anyone.

How do Explore tutors support your child in their sessions?

Each tutor has up to 6 pupils, with individual programmes, at one time so even though the children are sat next to each other, they will all be working at different levels. Tutors go over any problems if the child is stuck, offer EducationInvestor different examples and explain how to Awards 2016 solve the problem.

What does your child enjoy about their sessions at Explore Learning?

John enjoys the games that the tutors play with the children during the sessions and the 15 minute wind down after the session. He also likes the reward system - children are given lizard cards each session which they use to buy items from the prize cabinet. They can save them up for larger items or spend them each time.

How has Explore worked with you as a family/supported you as a family?

Explore has given me a greater understanding of how the school system works and the impact that missing just one lesson can have on a child. Children learn at different rates and being stuck on one area of learning can have a greater impact on the next stage. I have regular meetings where I am told how John is doing with his individual programme and what he will be doing next.

How has Explore supported what your child is working on at school?

Once, when John was struggling with some maths homework, I took the homework in. His tutor worked through it with him, explained where he went wrong and re-wrote some revised questions so he could practice. The tutors are very encouraging and there are usually lots of cheers and high fives in the centre when someone gets it right after struggling with a problem.

Visit your nearest Explore Learning centre at Sainsbury’s, Leamington Spa or call 030 3003 4006 and book your free trial. www.explorelearning.co.uk

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Education

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ARNOLD LODGE

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arnoldlodge.com 15-17 Kenilworth Rd, Leamington Spa,Warwickshire CV32 5TW

“Happy childre

email: info@arnoldlodge.com

01926 778 050

email: info@arnoldlodge.com

15-17 Kenilworth Rd, Leamington“Happy Spa,Warwickshire arnoldlodge.com 15-17 Kenilworth Rd, Leamington Spa,Warwickshire CV32 5TW childrenCV32 learn5TW best”

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Scholarships and bursaries available Independent boys’ school (7-18 years) For details and a prospectus please contact: 01926 776414 ∣ enquiries@warwickschool.org www.warwickschool.org

“Happy children learn best”

01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk Families Warwickshire 15

What's on

October Half Term Holiday Camps, Classes & Workshops

Family shows

Aspire Active Camps North Leamington School, Leamington Spa

Warwick Box Office: 01926 776438 www.bridgehousetheatre.co.uk

Mon 23-Fri 27 Oct, 10am-4pm (extended care available) Multi Sports Academy offers a huge range of sports, physical activities and alternative activities. Gym Beatz Academy, an exciting programme for children who want to participate in gymnastics sessions regardless of skill or experience. Children aged 4 are eligible for half day Multi Sports Academy only.

Early Bird Offer – 5 days for £75 – book by 5pm, Friday 6 October.

T: 01926 298178

www.aspire-sports.co.uk

Half Term Tennis Camp Warwick Boat Club, Warwick

Mon 16-Thurs 19 Oct, 9am-2pm Runs Monday to Thursday. Suitable for all levels. For ages 7-15. £25 a day. £90 a week for members, £110 for non-members.

T: Gavin Henderson 07787 568642

www.warwickboatclub.co.uk/ tennis Let’s Animate Fargo Village, Coventry

Come and get animated this half term with Let’s Animate. Whether it’s a family workshop, animation course or an animation club, Let’s Animate will have everyone animating! To find out more and to book please visit https://letsanimate. yapsody.com.

T: 0797 3354567

www.letsanimate.co.uk

October Action Warwick School, Warwick

Mon 16-Fri 27 Oct, 9am-4.30pm (extended care available) Fun holiday club for 4 to 12 year olds.

Great choice of activities.

T: 01926 735473

www.warwickschool.org/octoberaction-2017 Fit for Sport Stratford Leisure Centre, Stratford-upon-Avon

Mon 23-Fri 27 Oct, 9.30am-4.30pm (extended day available) A wide range of fun multi sports and activities. For ages 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12.

T: 0845 456 3233

www.fitforsport.co.uk/activitycamps Activate Sports Warwick School, Warwick

Tues 24-Thurs 26 Oct, 9.30am-4.30pm (extended day available) Netball fever. Netball coaching course for girls aged 7 to 16 of any ability.

T: 01785 711572

www.activatesport.co.uk

Playbox Theatre Warwick

Mon 23-Fri 27 Oct Fun holiday theatre workshops at The Dream Factory. From Harry Potter’s World to The BFG. For ages 3-6, 5-11 and 7-12.

T: 01926 419555

www.playboxtheatre.com Kings Camps Bablake School, Coventry

Tues 24-Thurs 26 Oct An action packed 3 day programme with fun activities and challenges, designed to encourage communication & team work.

For ages 5-14.

T: 024 7714 0719

www.kingscamps.org

Coolsportz Warwick Tennis Club (opp racecourse), Warwick

Mon 23-Fri 27 Oct Fun multi-sports activities for ages 4-15. Full and half days, extended care available. Childcare vouchers accepted.

10% discount for early booking.

T: 07912 664426

www.coolsportz.co.uk

Bridge House Theatre

Goblin’s Peter and the Wolf Sat 14 Oct This is Peter and the Wolf as you’ve never seen it before. With amazing music created live with a variety of instruments and objects, including real musical vegetables! For ages 4+.

Stratford ArtsHouse

Stratford-upon-Avon Box Office: 01789 207100 www.stratfordartshouse.co.uk The Snow Queen Thurs 2-Sat 4 Nov The ArtsHouse Drama Club brings you an exciting new adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale. A thrilling theatrical adventure, suitable for the whole family.

The Belgrade Theatre Coventry Box Office: 024 7655 3055 www.belgrade.co.uk

The Railway Children Mon 11-Sat 16 Sept Complete with beautiful period costumes and ingenious designs, this classic novel is brought thrillingly to life and promises an uplifting theatrical experience, packed with intrigue, adventure, joy and jubilation.

The Tiger Who Came To Tea Mon 11-Sat 16 Sept The tea-guzzling tiger is back on the road in this delightful family show, packed with oodles of magic, singa-long songs and clumsy chaos. For ages 3+.

Around the World in 80 Days Tue 24-Thurs 26 Oct Join Phileas Fogg and his loyal valet as they voyage from the misty alleys of Victorian London to the exotic subcontinent and the Wild West in a race against the clock. For ages 8+.

Dinosaur World Thurs 26-Sat 28 Oct Experience the dangers and delights of Dinosaur World in this interactive new show. Meet a host of impressive creatures on this entertaining and mind-expanding Jurassic adventure.

For ages 3+.

Jack and the Beanstalk Thurs 26 & Fri 27 Oct A show for the over 3’s (and their giants) with something for everyone – enormous shoes, tiny houses, showers of silver and gold and a big, leafy explosion!

Crafty’s Creepy Castle Sat 4 Nov Come in your scariest Hallowe’en costume and join the singalong adventure to find Crafty’s hidden treasure! For ages 2-7.

Leamington Spa Box Office: 01926 334418 www.royalspacentreandtownhall. co.uk

Warwick Arts Centre

Coventry Box Office: 024 7652 4524 www.warwickartscentre.co.uk Library Lion Sat 7 Oct This beautiful story takes place in the local library. With songs, laughter, lots of joining in, and maybe even a big furry hug. But NO ROARING! For ages 3+.

Your Toys Tues 24 & Weds 25 Oct This show is made by your toys.

Grownups and children alike, bring your own toy to the theatre to join in this gigantic adventure. For ages 5-9 and their grownups.

Royal Spa Centre

Step Up To The Mic Sun 1 Oct A spectacular celebration of songs from musicals past and present. A variety show full of entertainment for all ages.

Comedy Club 4 Kids Sat 14 Oct Cracking entertainment for everyone over six years old.

Stick Man Mon 16 Oct This award-winning production features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves. For ages 3+.

The Sooty Show Sun 29 Oct TV's Sooty and friends are back with guaranteed giggles for all the family - plus a chance to meet Sooty and Richard after the show!

September and October Days Out Here are some ideas for fantastic days out this autumn.

British Motor Museum Gaydon Sat 30 Sept & Sun 1 Oct British Military Weekend Discover Britain in wartime. An impressive collection of British Military vehicles, living history re-enactments and a special WW1 history display. Includes a fun family trail with activities along the way.

Sat 7 & Sun 8 Oct Great Electric Train Show A great day out for all the family with over 25 model railway layouts and 30 traders on display. Visitors will also have access to the main museum.

Mon 23-Fri 27 Oct Half Term Family Fun Enjoy Family Arts Festival week.

Come and draw, paint, stick and colour with our art based workshops running Monday to Friday. Don’t miss our brand new interactive trail.

Sun 29 Oct Large Model Aircraft Show at British Motor Museum This popular family event offers visitors the chance to see 100's of models ‘up close and personal’ without the restriction of the flight line fencing at public shows.

T: 01926 641188 www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk Warwick Castle Warwick Jaw-dropping history, magic, myth and adventure! Get lost in time in the Horrible Histories Adventure Maze. A great day out for the whole family T: 0871 265 2000 www.warwick-castle.com

16 Families Warwickshire 01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk

Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall Stratford-upon-Avon Discover where William Shakespeare was educated and inspired to become the world’s greatest playwright. Explore the very building where he learnt to read, write and first enjoyed professional theatre.

Lots of fun for the family including dressing up Tudor-style, Tudor games, Medieval wall paintings and brush up your Latin with our Tudor School Master!

T: 01789 203170 www.shakespearesschoolroom.org Coventry Transport Museum Coventry Coventry Transport Museum houses the largest publicly owned collection of British vehicles in the world, and tells the fascinating story of Coventry and its people through the rise and fall of its biggest industry. This huge museum offers a whole FREE day out of fun and discovery for visitors of all ages.

T: 024 7623 4270 www.transport-museum.com Stratford Butterfly Farm Stratford-upon-Avon Whatever the weather a visit this autumn to the Butterfly Farm is a unique and spectacular day out.

Walk amongst some of the world’s most beautiful and colourful butterflies in a unique rainforest environment with splashing waterfalls and fish-filled pools. You may even see a butterfly hatch from its pupa in the Emerging Cage!

During half term 21-29 Oct, children and adults can get close to some of the amazing creatures that live at the Butterfly Farm with our popular ‘Meet the Minibeast’ handling sessions. These take place twice daily with the Education Team in the Discovery Zone. Visitors will be able to hold a variety of stick insects, African land snails, giant millipedes, hermit crabs and even Madagascan cockroaches!

T: 01789 299288 www.butterflyfarm.co.uk Ragley Hall Alcester Enjoy a fun family day out at Ragley Hall, Park & Gardens. Children of all ages will be entertained for hours with the adventure playground, 3D maze, boating on Ragley Lake and gardens to explore. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds.

Sat 9 Sept Firework Champions Watch the Ragley skyline illuminate with 4 spectacular firework displays.

Three of the UK’s best firework companies will be firing against each other to win the title of Firework Champion.

Sat 28 Oct Halloween Fireworks Festival A night full of action, lights and frights. Fantastic firework displays, music, fun fair, face painter and a fancy dress competition.

T: 01789 762090 www.ragley.co.uk

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What's on

HALLOWEEN AT THE CASTLE

Half-term Family Fun 23 - 27 October

Terrible Tudors Sat 21 – Sun 29 October, 11am – 4pm

Family Arts Festival - come and draw, paint, stick and colour with our art based family workshops.

Fright Nights* Thu 26 – Sat 28 October, 6pm – 10pm Halloween Tours* Tue 31 October Children’s Tour (5+) 6pm Adult Tours (16+) 7pm & 8pm

Family tours & trails Themed craft activities Outdoor play & picnic area

See website for dates and full details.

£39 FAMIL Y TICKET

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* Booking essential: 0370 333 1183

Kenilworth, Warwickshire CV8 ING

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Buy 1 day get 12 months free* * See website for full terms and conditions

NCG KATIE BArrIE & Nature Inspired Gift Shop

The UK’s Largest Tropical Butterfly Paradise!

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The booking deadline for the Christmas issue of Families Warwickshire is 6th October.

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4-5 Henley Street, Stratford Upon Avon, CV37 6PT www.theMADmuseum.co.uk

Open all Year ENGLISH HErITAGE, BrANd & dESIGN TEAM, THE ENGINE HOuSE, FIrEFLY AVENuE, SWINdON SN2 2EH • TELEPHONE 01 Butterflies • Birds • Iguanas Leafcutter Ants • The Ancient Maya and so much more….

2017 Country Parks ad winter.pdf

01789 269356

Please check website for the latest news, events & last entry times Swan’s Nest Lane, Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire, CV37 7LS

Tel. 01789 299288

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Quote ‘Families Warwickshire’ and get 10% discount!

28/06/2017 12:20 www.butterflyfarm.co.uk

There is still plenty to enjoy.

Get out and about theGet blues! active walking, cycling or running.

Take the kids to one of the adventure this winter play areas, or to feed the birds. Or Don’t let the colder weather give you

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simply enjoy the scenery and a hot drink or snack in the cafe.

Open daily 10.00am to 5.00pm (last admission 4.30pm)

www.warwickshire.gov.uk/parks

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Search for Kingsbury Water Park or Ryton Pools Country Park follow us on Twitter @countryparks

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01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk Families Warwickshire 17

What's On Hillers Nr Alcester Farm shop restaurant, shopping and lots to keep children entertained and happy, including a sandpit play area and a display garden with a bird hide. The miniature railway will also run on Sat & Sun 9, 10, 23 & 24 Sept and 7, 8, 21 &22 Oct, 11m-4pm, weather permitting. Special Halloween train on Mon 30 & Tues 31 Oct, 2pm-8pm.

T: 01789 772771 www.hillers.co.uk Redwings Horse Sanctuary Oxhill Open every Fri, Sat, Sun and Mon, 10am to 4pm Home to almost 90 rescued horses, ponies and donkeys. Meet residents large and small from Shire to Shetland. Café and gift shop, plus the opportunity to adopt a horse.

Entry and parking are free and dogs on leads are welcome.

T: 0870 040 0033 www.redwings.org.uk/visiting Kenilworth Castle Kenilworth Sat 21-Sun 29 Oct, 11am-4pm Terrible Tudors Enjoy a feast of frightening fun this Halloween. Little horrors will be scared silly by terrifying Tudor tales, and enjoy getting hands-on with creepy crafts and spectacularly spooky activities.

Thurs 26-Sat 28 Oct Halloween Fright Nights An eerie after-hours evening. Meet spine-tingling storytellers and discover tales of ghostly apparitions, dastardly deeds, and ghoulish goings-on. It is recommended that children aged 5-10 years attend between 6pm and 7pm.

Tues 31 Oct Halloween Tours An eerie evening tour. Get up close and personal with Kenilworth's wicked past. Child Tour for ages 5 and over. Adult Tours for ages 16 and over.

T: 01926 852078 www.english-heritage.org.uk/ kenilworthcastle Ryton Pools Country Park Bubbenhall Every Wednesday, in holidays and term time, 10am-11.30am Toddler Trundle A weekly event for the tiniest of tiddlers! £2.50 per toddler.

Sat 21-Sun 29 Oct Halloween Spooky Trail Follow the trail around the park, complete your trail sheet and collect your prize. Fun for all the family. £2 per trail sheet. Collect from Visitor Centre.

Sat 21 Oct, 5pm-8pm Wild Autumn Evening Join the Rangers for an evening of nocturnal campfire fun! Campfire baked potato (bring your own filling), melted marshmallows then tracking and stalking games in the dark.

Family event. Adult £10, Conc £5.

Mon 23 Oct, 11am-12.30pm Spooky Masks Have a go at making a 3D spooky mask ready for Halloween. For ages 3+. £3.50 per child. Booking essential.

Tues 24 Oct, 11am-12.30pm Willow Wizard and Witch Wands Imagine having a wand like a wizard to get you out of all sorts of tricky situations! Find a magical stick and the rangers will help you turn it into something really special and magical. For ages 3+. £3.50 per child.

Booking essential.

Weds 25 Oct, 10.30am-12.30pm Felted Spooky Scene Workshop Learn felt making with Ursula Westood. Create a spooky scene.

All resources and materials supplied.

Visit www.ursulawestwood.com for more information. Adult £20, Child £10, Adult & Child £25. Booking essential.

Weds 25 Oct, 11am-12.30pm Spooky Campfire and Dens Have fun discovering how to design and build your own woodland shelter.

For ages 3+. £4 per child. Booking essential.

Sat 28 Oct, 6.30pm-8.30pm Halloween Fright Night A spooky evening of Halloween fun, games and treats! Halloween treats and hot food available. For ages 3+. £10 per child, £2 per adult. Booking essential.

Sun 29 Oct, 10am-2pm Halloween: The Little Trot of Horrors Join in with the spooky story of Halloween. This event is designed for younger children or those who may find the fright night a little scary in the dark. For ages 3+. £5 per child.

Booking essential.

T: 024 7630 5592 http://countryparks.warwickshire. gov.uk Brandon Marsh Nature Reserve Coventry Brandon Marsh runs regular Nature Tots sessions for pre-school children, Wildlife Watch after school clubs, plus activity sessions during school holidays, including crafts, den building and pond dipping. Learn about different animals and have lots of fun!

Sat 28 Oct, 4pm-6pm Halloween Fun & Pumpkin Carving Join us for an evening of spooky fun and have a go at carving your own pumpkin. Embark on our bat trail and take home some Halloween goodies. £6 per child, includes a pumpkin, drink and goody bag!

T: 024 7630 2912 www.warwickshirewildlifetrust. org.uk Hatton Adventure World Nr Warwick Weekends from 9 Sept-15 Oct Potato and Sweetcorn Shindig An annual favourite, pick up a bag of potatoes and sweetcorn and rustle up something delicious for tea.

Subject to crop availability.

Sat 21-Sun 29 Oct Pumpkin Week Hatton will once again be awash with ghosts, ghouls, cobwebs… and pumpkins! Pick your own pumpkin, brave our Halloween Marquee and create a wonderful carving.

T: 01926 843411 www.hattonworld.com/adventureworld Herbert Art Gallery Coventry Regular art and activity sessions for pre-schoolers, as well as sensory play days with SEN sessions.

Until Sun 24 Sept, 10am-4pm Fearsome Craftsmen: Discover The Artistry Of The Viking World Learn more about the Vikings in our unique family friendly Viking settlement. See real examples of Viking crafts including intricate metalwork, and a replica 15ft fishing boat. FREE. Mon 23 Oct, 10.30am-12pm & 1pm2.30pm Over 7s Workshop: Picasso Pottery Painting Learn how to create colourful prints

18 Families Warwickshire 01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk

and patterns by hand on ceramic.

Design your own abstract plate inspired by our Picasso exhibition and see how to transform an 8 inch ceramic plate into a work of art! Your finished plate will be fired giving it a lasting and quality look. For ages 7-16.

Book online, £12.50 T: 024 7623 7521 www.theherbert.org Compton Verney Nr Warwick A great day out for all the family whatever the weather. A beautiful Georgian Mansion set amongst 120 acres of walks and nature trails, there’s lots of activities and special events to enjoy all year round. Let little ones loose in the woodland adventure playground, explore the galleries with an ‘art explorer’ backpack or take part in a range of craft activities during the school holidays.

T: 01926 645500 www.comptonverney.org.uk Royal Shakespeare Company Stratford-upon-Avon The RSC welcomes families and offers lots of fun things to do for all ages of children and their parents, the whole year round.

Mon 23-Thurs 26 Oct October half term workshops and activities Alongside our drop in activities, exhibitions and events, you can take part in workshops, using approaches straight from our rehearsal rooms.

T: 0844 800 1110 www.rsc.org.uk Swan Theatre Stratford-upon-Avon The Play’s the Thing Family-friendly exhibition for families and children aged 7+. Take a magical journey through 100 years of theatre-making in Stratfordupon-Avon. Immersive, hands on and engaging. www.rsc.org.uk/theplaysthething Mary Arden’s Farm Wilmcote Enjoy a fantastic family day out where you will experience the sights, sounds and smells of a working Tudor farm.

Sat 23 & Sun 24 Sept Apple Days Apple themed games and cooking displays, dancing and demonstrations. Experience the hustle and bustle of a 16th century market. Meet Tudor characters and try your hand at traditional rural crafts. Puppet shows, pig racing, face painting, Morris dancing and more!

T: 01789 204016 www.shakespeare.org.uk The MAD Museum Stratford-upon-Avon The MAD Museum houses an impressive collection of eccentric and ingenious creations. A fun place to visit for all the family.

T: 01789 269356 www.themadmuseum.co.uk Hill Close Gardens Warwick Sun 15 Oct, 11am-5pm Apple Day and Country Fair Harvest Festival displays, local craft stalls, children’s workshops and more.

Thurs 26 Oct, 10.30am-12noon Half Term Family Workshop Discover the colours of autumn in the Gardens. £4 per child.

T: 01926 493339 www.hillclosegardens.com

The National Trust Visit a local National Trust property for family fun this autumn. Trails, play areas, outdoor and indoor fun plus many special events throughout the year.

Sat 21 Oct-Sun 29 Oct Family Fun Days – Hallowe’en Spooky outdoor trails with take home activities.

Sat 28 Oct Spooky Felt Scenes at Charlecote Park Get creative this Halloween. Ursula will teach you how to make fun, hand-felted pictures, including dramatic skies, bats, pumpkins and funny monsters. Great fun for children and there'll be treats included too! www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/ warwickshire Foundry Wood Leamington Spa An urban community woodland in the heart of Leamington Spa and Warwick, offering visitors a unique and enjoyable experience and the opportunity to learn about woodland habitats, wildlife conservation, traditional woodland crafts, and broader environmental issues.

Regular Forest School sessions, storytelling, creative workshops and lots of special events.

Sat 28 Oct, 2pm-6pm Halloween Event Annual Halloween Party in the woodland. Halloween-themed crafts and entertainment for all ages, food around the campfire www.foundrywood.co.uk

Don’t miss!

Sat 9 & Sun 10 Sept Leamington Food & Drink Festival Now in its TENTH year, FREE to attend and featuring an exciting action packed programme over the two days. Live entertainment, Kids’ Cookery School and lots more. www.leamingtonfoodfestival.co.uk Sat 23 & Sun 24 Sept Stratford Food Festival With over 100 stalls plus demonstrations from town centre chefs and producers at The Waterside Cookery Theatre, workshops and hands-on classes. The Taste and Ale Trails will again give visitors the chance to try tasty treats from around 20 restaurants, cafés, bars and pubs. www.stratforward.co.uk/events/ stratford-town-centre-foodfestival Sat 7 Oct Fun Palaces Join the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust on Henley Street for a day of free hands-on activities for all ages.

Street science, upcycling, stage combat, storytelling and a jelly baby catapult are all waiting to be discovered, explored and shared!

Free, hands-on fun for people of all ages.

Promote your event to over 40,000 Warwickshire parents.

Call Claire on 01926 335004 or email editor@ familieswarwickshire.co.uk

familiesonline.co.uk

What's on

Monday 23 – Saturday 28 October Engineering, science, art, history and more this half term.

Two free entry museums + one Roman Fort + low cost activities = a half term full of fun.

*FREE OF CHARGE

OPEN DAILY 8.30AM - 5.30PM 5.00PM Sundays

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Eye-popping exhibitions little ones will love Regular Forest School and Tiny Tuesdays Adventure playground and parkland trails Half-term workshops and drop-in activities

Compton Verney ART GALLERY AND PARK Warwickshire, CV35 9HZ

DunningtonHeath HeathFarm Farm• •Alcester Alcester• B49 • B49 5PD Dunnington 5PD Tel: 01789 01789772771 772771• •www.hillers.co.uk www.hillers.co.uk Tel:

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01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk Families Warwickshire 19

Half term JULES VERNE

Around the World in 80 Days adapted by Laura Eason

TURTLE KEY ARTS & SLOT MACHINE THEATRE

Your Toys Tue 24 & Wed 25 Oct Ages 5 – 9

Tue 24 – Thu 26 Oct Direct from the West End!

Age 8+

for families free aCtiVities Mon 23 - Fri 27 Oct

Creative Week in the Mead Gallery STAMP IT!

LYNGO THEATRE COMPANY

Jack and the Beanstalk Thu 26 & Fri 27 Oct Age 3+ To find out more visit warwickartscentre.co.uk

Image: Andrew Billington

The region’s biggest arts and entertainment venue with restaurant, bars, café, gallery and FREE parking after 6pm and weekends Warwick Arts Centre @warwickarts warwickarts

Box Office 024 7652 4524 warwickartscentre.co.uk

Warwick Arts Centre The University of Warwick Coventry CV4 7AL

£5 entry per person for grandparents and grandchildren when visiting together.

All Things Wild Nature Centre Station Road, Honeybourne, Near Evesham, Worcestershire. WR11 7QZ

20 Families Warwickshire 01926 335004 editor@familieswarwickshire.co.uk

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