Gloucestershire Primary Times - Back to School 20221

Family What’s On Guide

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Gloucestershire

All your family n tio events informa in one place

www.primarytimes.co.uk/gloucestershire

The facts

about children’s flu vaccination

WIN! A SET OF CALMER KIDS EARBUDS Five child and adult sets to win

Artytude £5 BOOK TOKEN DETAILS INSIDE

Why it’s so important to vaccinate kids against flu as we emerge from the pandemic Page 4 BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION FRI 3 SEP-FRI 22 OCT 2021 ISS.176

OPEN DAY COME AND SEE US AT WORK

NEWENT COMMUNITY SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM CENTRE

OPEN EVENING 6.00pm until 8.30pm Thursday 7th October 2021

Judged

‘GOOD’

by Ofsted 2018

Striving for

Excellence

If you are looking to select a school for September 2022, please come to one of our open events to discuss your options and visit our website to access our full virtual tour Mr Rhys Phillips, Acting Principal Watery Lane, Newent, Gloucestershire GL18 1QF Tel: 01531 820550 Email: admin@newent.gloucs.sch.uk | Web: www.newent.gloucs.sch.uk | Twitter: @newentschool

SCAN ME

OPEN DAYS 10.00am until 12.00 Tuesday 5th October 2021 Thursday 7th October 2021

Contents Dear Reader REGULAR 5. News 6. Theatre 8. The Family Guide 13. Corkboard 12. Advertising features 14. For the Kids 15. Classified

While there’s variants as chstill some nervousness ab ents are feelinildren return to school, m out new are back in th g a huge sense of relief thany parnormal way. Oe classroom, studying in at pupils ease that nervne organisation working an almost the track to re ousnous and ensure we hard to Gloucestershi covery from the pandemstay on ic, is the give vital advire NHS Immunisation Team ce Elsewhere, it’s about kids’ flu vaccinatio, who ns (P4). exciting events comin to see many landmark g ba ck , such as the tenham Liter Chelat pressive arra ure Festival, with its imy of activities families and ch for schools, P7). Also retu ildren (see our feature, stage schoolsrning are sports clubs, who have heldand visitor attractions, sessions over socially distanced can allow morrecent months but now ties such as kae proximity for activiindoor visits. rate, performance or tures’ featureOur ‘Autumn Advenpointers on w on P15 offers some for the next ye hat kids can si gn up to It’s so excitingar. section this is to publish a packed W bursting back sue, indicating that activihat’s On you’ve seen into action. If you visit ties are know where here, please let the orgaan event and let’s hopeyou saw it. Happy new sc niser hool year it’s an active one!

Mike (publi sher & edit or)

BOOK FIRST AND CHECK AHEAD While the worst of covid seems to be over, advance booking for events is now the norm and events listed here can still be cancelled at short notice.

Please check with the venue before travelling and see our Facebook page (below) for any changes to public advice.

FEATURES 7. CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL The highlights for schools, parents and children.

15. AUTUMN ADVENTURES Ellen White helps plan those all important out-of-school activities.

Win a set of Calmer Kids!

Flare Audio is offering five sets of Calmer Kids with a pair of Calmer for grown-ups with each prize.

I

s your child sensitive to noise? The Calmer Kids earbud for children is brilliant at filtering out unwanted noises like traffic and scraping chairs without reducing awareness of the wearer’s surroundings. According to its creator, Flare Audio, it is especially effective for kids with hearing sensitivities associated with hyperacusis and autism. Calmer is a non-electric, moulded device which sits comfortably in the child’s ear. One parent told Flare, “My son has struggled with audio overwhelm for years. The Calmer plugs disperse the sounds so he can still hear but sharp sounds aren’t so sharp!” Flare is very kindly giving away five sets of Calmer Kids earbuds to Primary Times readers, with a pair of Calmer for the grown-ups too!

For your chance to win your set of Calmer Kids and Calmer just answer the following question correctly:

SCHOOL OPEN DAYS PATE’S GRAMMAR SCHOOL OPEN DAY - THU 9 SEP THE KING’S SCHOOL WHOLE SCHOOL OPEN MORNING - SAT 2 OCT NEWENT OPEN DAY - TUE 5 OCT NEWENT OPEN EVENING - THU 7 OCT MALVERN ST JAMES GIRLS’ OPEN MORNING - SAT 9 OCT

Which colour is Calmer Kids NOT available in: a) Red b) Blue c) Beige d) Yellow Hint: visit www.flareaudio.com/collections/calmer for a clue Calmer launches in September and retails at £19.99. It will be available from Amazon or FlareAudio.com Send your replies to gloscompetitions@primarytimes.co.uk

by Friday 24 September and don’t forget to include a contact phone number and your child’s name for organising and announcing the prizes.

This magazine is great for the climate because: • Our paper comes from sustainably managed forests • The environment needs more trees to soak up CO2 • Sustainable forests for paper are a big part of the climate solution • Primary Times remains useful for at least six weeks • It is easibly recyclable after use and can be turned into new paper

Gloucestershire Primary Times Published under franchise from Primary Times Ltd by

Starfish Publishing Ltd

Editorial, design, sales and distribution: Mike Gartside Sub-editor and proof-reading: Ellen White All enquiries & competition entries:

Family What’s On Guide

37,500 COPIES FOR FAMILIES OF PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

Gloucestershire

All your family events information in one place

www.primarytimes.co.uk/g

loucestershire

01452 937123

mike.gartside@primarytimes.co.uk Facebook.com/PrimaryTimesGloucestershire twitter.com/PTGlos

The facts

about children’s flu vaccination

WIN!

A SET OF CALMER KIDS EARBUDS Five child and adult sets to win

Artytude £5 BOOK TOKEN DETAILS INSIDE

Why it’s so important to vaccinate kids against flu as we emerge from the pandemic Page 4 BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION 2 SEPTEMBER 2021 ISS.176

Primary Times is independently published and distributed free through primary schools in Gloucestershire.

It aims to inform families and children about current educational issues, forthcoming events, courses, attractions and to give teachers, pupils and parents the opportunity to participate in the magazine by adding to its contents or by joining in the competitions. It is NOT our intention to publish any racist, sexist or politically biased material whatsoever. We also undertake not to carry any advertising which we would consider to be offensive to young families or harmful to the best interests of young children. Primary Times would like to thank all the schools in Gloucestershire for their assistance in distributing the magazine and for their contributions to its contents. We would also like to thank all the advertisers who have supported this publication and therefore made it possible. Please support their endeavours when and where you can.

The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising artwork produced by our studio remains with Primary Times or with the relevant contributor. Before entering a competition in this magazine, please see our terms and conditions at primarytimes.co.uk/gloucestershire/tcs. Entry into any competition is deemed as acceptance of these conditions. Primary Times currently publishes over 2.7 million copies per issue under franchise licences throughout Britain.

Gloucestershire Primary Times

BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 3

Children’s flu vaccinations 2021 Upon returning to school in September, we all want our children to remain safe while Covid is still a part of our lives. This includes ensuring they are protected against flu. As children are what is referred to as “super spreaders”, it is important to have them vaccinated - not only to protect them, but other family members and vulnerable members of the community.

Our flu programme is massively expanding this year. For the first time we are offering the nasal flu vaccine to Reception children all the way up to Year 11 students.

Continuing safe delivery amongst Covid-19 We will be working alongside schools to deliver the vaccine in accordance with school policy, to keep everyone as safe as possible. Our Immunisation Team will be continuing personal protective equipment (PPE) practices and following NHS and Government guidelines to keep your children and themselves safe when delivering the vaccine.

We are aware that some younger children may not be used to seeing people in full PPE and could find this strange or frightening. These pictures show what our team will be wearing.

We will also be running clinics across the county for children who missed the opportunity to be vaccinated during term time. In order to book an appointment at one of our clinics, please go to our booking link here: www.ghc.nhs.uk/immsbookings or call our team on 0300 421 8140.

Is there porcine gelatine in the nasal spray?

The nasal spray contains very small amounts of porcine gelatine, which is used as a stabiliser in the vaccine. Some people may not accept the use of porcine gelatine in medical products. For these children we are also offering an injectable version of the flu vaccine. To have this version of the vaccine, parents/ carers will be required to book an appointment at one of our clinics.

What needs to be done now?

We will be sending home information packs and consent forms in your children’s book bags. Please keep an eye out for these and make sure you return them as soon as possible. If you have children in secondary school, please look out for the information packs they will be bringing home.

It is important to fill out a consent form for each child, whether you have consented to the vaccination or declined it. Failure to respond will result in further contact from the Immunisation Team to ensure you have received the offer of the flu vaccination for your child.

For more information, frequently asked questions and clinic dates and times, please visit our website at www.ghc.nhs.uk/childrensflu or visit our Twitter @TeamImms

Contact us on: 0300 421 8140

News Ladybird secrets revealed!

Ava to inspire Generation Wild

A W

hether it was a potted history of the Battle of Agincourt, the adventures of Peter and Jane, or an introduction to the letter C, Ladybird Books formed the basis of primary education for every child of a certain age in the 1970s and beyond. The expert collector behind ‘The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Book Artists’ exhibition at The Museum of Gloucester, Helen Day (pictured), has spent 20 years researching

these books and the company that published them.

This September she shares her insights about the artists and writers, and the process of creating these books in an online talk, inviting questions from viewers.

Taking place on Tue 21 Sep, it lasts about an hour and a half, and costs £5 per person.

Ffi: www.museumofgloucester. co.uk/events

Festival flies with Figaro and Flutter A s Stroud Arts Festival turns 75 years old this year, it announces two events aimed at children and families in its autumn season. The award-winning Flutter and Fly is an interactive performance for young children and their parents or carers, which tells the story of a child called Rowan, whose paper plane leads the audience through a range of “enchanting” tales and tunes, comprising well-known pieces plus originals composed by Jack Ross. Artist Eleanor Meredith adds to the interaction with her live drawing. Promises to be perfect for young children with plenty of singing, dancing, lying down on beanbags and meeting musicians with their instruments.

Meanwhile, in December, the festival presents a relaxed performance of Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro performed by The Hewletts Opera, especially aimed

at children and adults with autism spectrum conditions and learning difficulties.

Flutter and Fly Sat 23 Oct, The Sub Rooms, Stroud. £7. Performances at 11am and 1pm.

Mozart’s Marriage of Figaro, Relaxed Performance Sat 11 Dec, The Sub Rooms, Stroud, £12-£22.50, 2pm (with regular performance at 7.30pm).

JUST ONE Tree Day is held on Friday 15 October. Organised by JUST ONE Tree, an organisation dedicated to removing CO2 from the atmosphere through reforesting, the scheme invites schools to hold a non-uniform day when pupils bring £1 to pay to plant a tree. Ffi: www.justonetree.life/schools-sustainability.

new educational programme for schools launched this September sets out to inspire children from a disadvantaged background to reconnect with nature by including free trips to WWT Slimbridge in Gloucestershire as part of a wider teaching package.

WWT’s Generation Wild is expected to engage with 45,000 pupils at primary schools within travelling distance of Slimbridge by offering curriculum-based resource packs for teachers and free visits both for classes and for the families of participating pupils. For schools to take part, at least 25 per cent of their pupils must be eligible for free school meals.

Classes taking part are introduced to a character called Ava, the bird girl (pictured with puppet handler) in a digital storybook which features ospreys and wetlands – themes which can be incorporated into teaching. The class then boards a free minibus to Slimbridge, where they will meet Ava in puppet form, who they will help to fly during the visit. Pupils will be given a voucher for a free family trip on their visit and there are opportunities for following up the experience at home and school.

Places are on a first come first served basis.

Ffi: WWT Slimbridge and Generation Wild W: www.generationwild.org.uk

The Complete 11+ Programme We provide the ultimate preparation package for the 11+ Test including: • On location Mock Tests • Online preparation courses • At Home Mock Test • Informal Summer Schools • Online Revision Course • FREE Resources & Events

Cotswold Education Academy The realistic alternative to traditional school Join our ground-breaking community!

Hybrid online learning and in-person meetings.

Find out more: www.cotswoldeducationacademy.com

www.cotswoldeducation.co.uk Highly qualified, friendly staff leading a well established local learning community of children, parents and educational professionals.

Gloucestershire Primary Times

BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 5

Theatre GLOUCESTERSHIRE

BACON THEATRE

5 Beeches Rd, Cirencester GL7 1BN, barntheatre.org.uk 01285 648255 An Elephant in the Garden Wed 1-Sat 11 Sep, 7.30pm most days, Sun 2pm and 5.30pm, plus extra 2.30pm shows both Sats. £11.50-£36.50 • Critically acclaimed production of Michael Morpurgo’s tale of an extraordinary animal caught up in war, adapted by Simon Reade and performed by Alison Reid.

Sat 6 Nov, 4pm, 6pm & 8pm, £20-£38 • The six wives of Henry VIII are reinvented as a feisty, raucous pop band, retelling their stories in 21st century girl-power style.

Tweedy’s Lost Property Wed 27-Sat 30 Oct,Performances at 1.30pm (Wed, Thu & Fri), 10am & 12noon (Sat), £14-£19 • Gloucestershire’s favourite clown and slapstick legend Tweedy has to get a “proper” job. Cue anarchic fun.

What the Ladybird Heard Wed 3-Sat 6 Nov, Performances at 1.30pm (Wed, Thu, Fri), 10.30am (Thu, Fri), 10am & 12pm (Sat), £15 • Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks’ classic story about the sleuthing ladybird and two crafty robbers.

Hansel and Gretel Fri 26 Nov-Fri 31 Dec, 10am & 11.30am, £8.50 • Production company Box Tale Soup with their take on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale.

EVERYMAN THEATRE

PARABOLA ARTS CENTRE

Dean Close School, Hatherley Rd, Cheltenham GL51 6EP, www.bacontheatre.co.uk 01242 258002 Animal Antics Sat 6 Nov, 2pm, 2pm. £14 (£12) • The Animal Guyz bring the stage to life with puppetry and animal effects, music and laughter designed to entertain and educate.

BARN THEATRE

Regent St, Cheltenham GL50 1HQ, www.everymantheatre.org. uk 01242 572573 Six The Musical Mon 25 Oct-

Parabola Rd, Cheltenham GL50 3AA, www.cheltenhamfestivals. com/literature/whats-on/grid 01242 707484

James Mayhew: Once Upon A Tune Sun 17 Oct, 2pm • Once Upon a Tune brings you six wonderful stories from many lands - all of which inspired great music. Accompanied by a band of live musicians, author and illustrator James Mayhew brings classical music to life in this unique event with storytelling and live illustration. Cheltenham Literature Festival event.

THE ROSES THEATRE

Sun Street, Tewkesbury, GL20 5NX, www.rosestheatre.org 01684 295074 Tarzanna Mon 25 Oct, 2.30pm & 4.30pm £14- £12 • A playful aerial theatre show for all the family.

THE SUB ROOMS

George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE, thesubrooms.co.uk 01453 796880 Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids Sun 17-Mon 18 Oct, 2pm • World record-breaking beatboxer SK Shlomo makes mad music with his mouth.

Become one of this sonic superhero’s sidekicks in a world of funny sounds, brilliant noises and cool music, whether you’re aged 1 or 101!

Flutter & Fly Sat 23 Oct, 11am & 1pm • As part of its 75th anniversary celebrations, Stroud Arts Festival has invited music group Sinfonia Viva to work its musical magic with two inter-

Tarzanna, The Roses Theatre, Tewkesbury, Mon 25 Oct active concerts for young children and families. This tells the story of Rowan and a paper plane through a mixture of wellknown tunes and original pieces

by Jack Ross, and live drawings

by Eleanor Meredith.

Roald Dahl & The Imagination Seekers Wed 27 Oct, 2pm • A show inspired by the works of Roald Dahl in which only an ancient organisation can prevent Dahl’s words from disappearing, not only from books but children’s minds too. The audience must help save them!

Marriage of Figaro: Relaxed Performance Sat 11 Dec, 2pm, free (but book first at stroudartsfestival.org) • Hewletts Opera invites children and adults with autism, learning difficulties or whose other needs make it difficult to access live music to enjoy Mozart’s opera in a less formal environment.

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6 BACK TO SCHOOL 2021

Primary Times Gloucestershire

Please phone or email:

01452 380808

office@edwardjennerschool.org www.edwardjennerschool.org.uk

44 London Road, Gloucester GL1 3NZ

Advertising feature

villains

From to heroes

The return of the Cheltenham Literature Festival offers reading fun for children and a wealth of resources for schools

A

fter an 18-month period like no other what a relief it is for Cheltenham Literature Festival, complete with its full family and schools programmes, to return this October with a live programme. Launching with the theme “Read the World” it offers the chance to see so many of our favourite authors and television personalities up close.

Comedian Lenny Henry will be there talking about his first book for children, while “dragon trainer” Cressida Cowell, ‘Tom Gates’ creator Liz Pichon and ‘Tracey Beaker’’s Jacqueline Wilson will all be there. Joining the stellar line up, ‘War Horse’ icon Michael Morpurgo introduces his first new novel for two years.

The festival explores themes from the light-hearted to the

serious, with guest programmers from the children’s magazine ‘The Week Junior’ planning discussions including “Who is the vilest villain of them all?” and “How small actions can change the world”. Meanwhile sports presenter Clare Balding demonstrates how to develop resilience with a clue in the title of her new book, ‘Fall Off, Get Back On, Keep Going’.

CBeebies presenter Maddie Moate will share mind-boggling facts about the stuff we use every day; Lucy Letherland will tell all about the most iconic animals and impressive landscapes across the globe; and award-winning author Nicola Davies will divulge fun facts about biology.

There are workshops

Jacqueline Wilson (main image), Michael Morpurgo (top) and David Baddeil are just some of the authors taking part in Cheltenham Literature Festival aplenty for all ages and stages with Jennifer Killick helping find ideas for scary stories, Mary Richards encouraging interactive nature-journalising and Neill Cameron bringing comic books to life. Andy Jones shows how to write serious stories, Helen Stephens demonstrates drawing with twigs and Freya Hartas enlists the audience’s help to create a woodland scene, while the team at The Week Junior divulge their journalist tips.

Little ones will be in for a treat with events from the nation’s favourite PE teacher Joe Wicks, the award-winning illustrator and designer Dapo Adeola, performance poet and author Joseph Coelho and illustrator Fiona Lumbers appearing.

The 72-year-old event has

become a vital resource for teachers and primary school children over the years, with one unnamed teacher commenting, “I have been bringing children to the Cheltenham Literature Festival for at least a decade. It is such a brilliant event for children to see and meet authors, inspiring them in their own writing. It is always well organised, with the children at the heart of it all.”

One pupil added, “I’ve had the best day and I loved the workshop and the book signing was awesome.”

The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival runs from Fri 8 to Sun 17 October. W: www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature

Independent Day School Girls & Boys 3-18 Years

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Gloucestershire Primary Times

BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 7

The Family Guide SEPTEMBER UNTIL SUN 26 SEP THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE LADYBIRD BOOK ARTISTS The Museum of Gloucester, Brunswick Rd, Gloucester GL1 1HP, www. museumofgloucester.co.uk/exhibitions • Uncover the story of the talented artists who illustrated Ladybird books for more than 30 years. An unparalleled collection of books, original artwork and artefacts show how the numerous Ladybird illustrators played such an enormous role in the extraordinary success of the company in the 20th century. 10am-5pm.

UNTIL SUN 26 SEP LADYBIRD EVENTS: LOST LADYBIRD BOOK TRAIL The Museum of Gloucester, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1HP, https://www.museumofgloucester. co.uk/events/ladybird-events-lostladybird-book-trail • Find the 25 lost books in the museum’s amazing collections. 10am-5pm/11am4pm Sun. Trail sheet donation welcome.

UNTIL SUN 26 SEP LADYBIRD EVENTS: BOOK COVER BINGO The Museum of Gloucester, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1HP, https://www.museumofgloucester.co.uk/events/ladybird-events-book-cover-bingo • Find the matching vintage book covers on the Ladybird book walls. 10am-5pm/11am-4pm Sun, standard admission prices plus £2 per person.

UNTIL SUN 17 OCT THE KINGFISHER TRAIL The Cotswolds, Winchcombe to nr.

Would you like your event listed in this guide?

Email: glos@ primarytimes. co.uk Deadline for our Back to School edition: MON 13 SEP 8 BACK TO SCHOOL 2021

BOOK FIRST AND CHECK IN ADVANCE

While Covid restrictions are thankfully now over, events can still be cancelled or postponed at short notice. Most events must now be booked in advance and we advise double checking with organisers and venues before travelling. Please follow the latest public advice and see Facebook. com/PrimaryTimesGloucestershire for updates.

Bibury, via Wotton-under-Edge, https://www.kingfishertrail.org/ • Walking trail featuring 21 kingfisher sculptures.

UNTIL THU 31 DEC REGGIE THE RAPTOR’S TRAIL THROUGH TIME The Museum of Gloucester, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1HP, https://www.museumofgloucester. co.uk/events/reggie-the-raptortrail • Explore the museum with the “roarsome” family-fun ‘Reggie the Raptor’s Trail Through Time’. 10am-5pm/11am-4pm Sun. Trail sheet donation welcome.

SAT 4-SUN 19 SEP GLOUCESTER HISTORY FESTIVAL Venues throughout Gloucester, www.gloucesterhistoryfestival. co.uk • A programme of events, open days and tours showcasing and celebrating Gloucester’s rich history. Venues taking part include Gloucester Furniture Exhibition Centre, Sula Lightship, The Fleece, Mariners’ Church, The Museum of Gloucester, Gloucester Cathedral, Beatrix Potter Museum, The Folk of Gloucester and many other historic institutions.

SUN 5 SEP A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A TUDOR SCHOOL Discover DeCrypt, Southgate Street, Gloucester GL1 1TP, www. gloucesterhistoryfestival.co.uk • Imagine speaking Latin in class!

Gloucester History Festival asks, what did children learn at a Tudor school? Ages 8 to 12. Children accompanied by an adult. 3pm.

MON 6-FRI 17 SEP ROMAN STONE DISCOVERIES - LEARNING SESSIONS FOR SCHOOLS Museum of Gloucester and Discover DeCrypt, Southgate Street, Gloucester, GL1 1TP, www. museumofgloucester.co.uk/ events • Fascinating educational learning sessions for families and schools as part of Gloucester History Festival. Become an ar-

Primary Times Gloucestershire

They’re all queuing for the Roman Soldier Tour, The Museum of Gloucester, Sat 11 Sep

chaeologist for a day at DeCrypt and see if you can work out the mystery of the Roman stones; find out about Roman Gods and Goddesses and daily worship in Roman Gloucester. To book a session contact Jessica Gordon on jessicagordon@discoverdecrypt. org.uk.

WED 8 SEP PASSPORT TO THE PAST: THE WORST JOURNEY IN THE WORLD Online, www.gloucestershire.gov. uk/archives/gloucestershire-archives-events • Gloucestershire Archives presents this free interactive session for 6 to 13 year olds to learn about Edward Wilson, a young doctor who joined an expedition to the Antarctic in 1910 and never returned. Find out what it takes to become a modern explorer, and draw animals, like Wilson himself did.

FRI 10-SUN 12 SEP FIVE VALLEYS FOOD FESTIVAL Five Valleys Centre, Five Valleys Shopping Centre, www.Fivevalleysstroud.co.uk • Live food demos and samples throughout the market with live music on both days. Lots of fun acitivies for children and there’s even the chance to win a luxury hamper.

FRI 10-SUN 12 SEP HERITAGE OPEN DAY Llanthony Secunda Priory, Gloucester GL2 5FA, https:// llanthonysecunda.org/events • Discover the remarkable history of this abbey, founded as a refuge for Wales-based monks who suffered attacks from the local population in the 12th century.

Check website for full event details.

SAT 11 SEP HEROES 20 FESTIVAL Gloucester All Blues RFC, Castle Meads Way, Gloucester GL1 2JQ, https://www.eventbrite. com/e/heros-20-thank-you-music-festival-for-nhs-and-fr-tickets-110024161228 • Music festival to thank NHS workers for their sacrifices during the coronavirus pandemic. Two thousand free tickets go to NHS and frontline workers. Hosted by Marc DJ Sparky Johnson. 12 noon-10pm, £20 (adult)/£10 (ages 11-16)/ free (under-11s). Gloucestershire Council also holds fostering drop-in sessions for those interested in fostering a child.

SAT 11 SEP ST PETER’S CHURCH FETE St Peter’s Church, Gloucester Street, Winchcombe, GL54 5LU, https://www.winchcombe.co.uk/ st-peters-church-fete/ • This real village fete returns with the theme of “together again”. Lots of activities for children and adults to enjoy. 12.30-6pm.

SAT 11 SEP BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS The Museum of Gloucester, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1HP, https://www.museumofgloucester. co.uk/events/behind-the-scenestours • An insightful and unique tour of the museum galleries and storage areas with the museum’s Collections Team. Highlights from the collection include dinosaur fossils, one of Richard III’s swords and forgotten Roman remains.

2-3pm, free/donations as part of Heritage Open Day. SAT 11 SEP BIRDING FOR BEGINNERS WWT Slimbridge, WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Bowditch, Slimbridge GL2 7BT, www.wwt. org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge • Get to grips with bird identification with the help of one of the centre’s experienced reserve wardens. 8-10.30am, £18 per person.

SAT 11 SEP ROMAN SOLDIER TOUR The Museum of Gloucester, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1HP, https://www.museumofgloucester. co.uk/events/roman-soldier-tour • A Heritage Open Day Event!

Join auxiliary Roman soldier Lu-

Frampton Country Fair, Sun 12 Sep

Tell them you saw it here! cius for a fascinating visit underground to the Eastgate chamber to see how and why the original city walls were built and what happened to them through the centuries. 2.15pm & 3.15pm, free, donations welcome.

SAT 11-SUN 26 SEP POTATO PATCH Cotswold Farm Park, Guiting Power, Cheltenham GL54 5FL, www. cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk • Grab some tools and get digging at the potato patch! Whether your little farmers enjoy mashed, boiled or baked potatoes, they’ll be in for a treat with this year’s delicious variety of Picasso and Melody potatoes! This year’s spud-tacular harvest raises awareness of the North Cotswold Food Bank, which supports local people who can’t afford or access food. Entry to the patch is included in your Farm Park admission. Buy tickets online in advance. Check website for times.

SUN 12 SEP FRAMPTON COUNTRY FAIR Frampton Court Estate, Frampton on Severn, Gloucestershire GL2 7HS, framptoncountryfair. co.uk/ • A traditional country fair showcasing all that is good about the Gloucestershire countryside, with main ring attractions such as classic tractors, Shetland pony displays, dog events, children’s

entertainers and countryside crafts. 9am-6pm. £3-£10.25.

Gloucestershire Council also holds fostering drop-in sessions.

WED 15 SEP HOLMLEIGH PARK HIGH SCHOOL OPEN EVENING Holmleigh Park High School, Windsor Drive, Tuffley GL4 0AT, www.hphigh.co.uk • Discover the facilities at this ambitious academy.

6.30-8.30pm.

SAT 18 SEP DISCOVERY SESSIONS The Museum of Gloucester, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1HP, https://www.museumofgloucester. co.uk/events/discovery-sessions • Enjoy a friendly chat with museum experts on fascinating historical topics relevant to the collections. The museum holds around 750,000 objects, and this is a great opportunity to discover some of the less well-known items in storage. 1.30-3.30pm, free, donations welcome.

TUE 21 SEP IN CONVERSATION WITH HELEN DAY: VIRTUAL TALK Online but hosted by The Museum of Gloucester, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1HP, https://www. museumofgloucester.co.uk/events • Join Ladybird expert and curator of ‘The Wonderful World of the Ladybird Book Artists’ exhibition Helen Day, as she talks candidly about her fabulous collection of “golden era” Ladybird books and artwork and how she came about to have such an extensive collection. 7-8.30pm,

£5 per person. Please note this is an online talk.

SAT 25 SEP WORKING MUM’S WALK AND SEED COLLECTING Robinswood Hill, Reservoir Rd, Gloucester GL4 6SX, www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/events • Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust event for busy mums. 11am-3pm.

OCTOBER SAT 2 OCT THE KING’S SCHOOL WHOLE SCHOOL OPEN MORNING The King’s School, Pitt St, Gloucester GL1 2BG, https://www.thekingsschool.co.uk/ • This highly respected independent school throws open its doors to parents of prospective pupils. 9am-12.30pm TUE 5 OCT NEWENT COMMUNITY SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM CENTRE OPEN DAY Newent Community School, Watery Lane, Newent, Gloucestershire, GL18 1QF, www.newent.gloucs.sch. uk • Find out what this Ofsted rated ‘Good’ school can offer your child.

10am-12pm.

the last 70 years. Design a board game and vote for your favourite toy. 4pm.

THU 7 OCT NEWENT COMMUNITY SCHOOL & SIXTH FORM CENTRE OPEN DAY & EVENING Newent Community School, Watery Lane, Newent, Gloucestershire, GL18 1QF, www.newent.gloucs.sch. uk • Find out what this Ofsted rated ‘Good’ school can offer your child.

10am-12pm (daytime), 6.30pm-8pm (evening).

FRI 8-SUN 17 OCT CHELTENHAM LITERATURE FESTIVAL (CLF) Venues throughout Cheltenham, , www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/ literature/about-the-festival/ • Cheltenham’s leading literature event, which puts the town in the national literary spotlight every year, returns as a fully live event with the theme ‘Read the World’. It hosts about 65 talks and workshops for schools and families with young Dig your own potatoes, Cotswold Farm Park, Sat 11-Sun 26 Sep

WED 6 OCT PASSPORT TO THE PAST: THE BEST TOY IN THE WORLD Online, www.gloucestershire.gov. uk/archives/gloucestershire-archives-events • Gloucester History Festival invites children aged 6 to 13 to explore toys and games from

8–17 October 2021 cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature #cheltlitfest

Family shows and workshops with writers, poets, illustrators and performers Including David Baddiel, Rob Biddulph, Chris Haughton, Lenny Henry, Holly Jackson, Maddie Moate, Ben Miller, Liz Pichon, Nadia Shireen and The Week Junior team Loads of free drop-in activities too!

Illustration by Anuska Allepuz

Gloucestershire Primary Times

BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 9

children, of which a selection are listed below and marked (CLF). See also our abbreviated highlights panel on these pages and feature on Page 7. For its dedicated primary schools programme of resources and events visit: cheltenhamfestivals.formstack.com/forms/ literature_for_schools_2021_primary_booking_form

Gates with plenty of fun, games, music, shoes with gadgets, snacks and doodling, so bring pen and paper. 10:15am.

SAT 9 OCT THE WEEK JUNIOR DEBATE: WHO’S THE VILEST VILLAIN? (CLF) Inkpot Auditorium, Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1UZ, www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/ literature/whats-on/grid • Maz Evans (Vi Spy), MG Leonard (Adventures on Trains) and Katherine Woodfine (Taylor & Rose) decide who’s the wickedest fictional children’s villain of them all. 2.30pm.

SAT 9 OCT BEHIND THE SCENES TOURS The Museum of Gloucester, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 1HP, https://www.museumofgloucester. co.uk/events/behind-the-scenestours • Tour the museum’s galleries and storage areas with the Collections Team. Highlights include dinosaur fossils, Richard III’s sword and Roman remains.

2-3pm, £10 per person.

SAT 9 OCT LIZ PICHON: TOM GATES (CLF) The Garden Theatre, Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1UZ, www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/ literature/whats-on/grid • Liz Pichon celebrates 10 years of Tom

SAT 9 OCT CLARE BALDING: FALL OFF, GET BACK ON, KEEP GOING (CLF) Parabola Arts Centre, Parabola Rd, Cheltenham GL50 3AA, www. cheltenhamfestivals.com/literature/whats-on/grid • BBC sports presenter Clare Balding’s new book for children is a handbook about resilience. Clare shares warm, funny and reassuring personal insights into what it means to make mistakes and be unafraid of failure. 4pm.

SAT 9 OCT MALVERN ST JAMES GIRLS’ SCHOOL OPEN MORNING Malvern St James Girls’ School, 15 Avenue Road, Great Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3BA, https://www.malvernstjames. co.uk/ • Find out what this prestigious girls’ school can offer your daughter. 10am.

SAT 9-SUN 10 OCT DOG SWIM Sandford Parks Lido, Keynsham Rd GL53 7PU, www.sandfordparkslido.org.uk • Let your canine family members take a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool before it closes for the season.

SUN 10 OCT CRESSIDA COWELL: READING IS MAGIC (CLF) The Garden Theatre, Montpellier

More Cheltenham Lit Fest highlights SAT 9 OCT Grow: Secrets Of Our DNA 12pm, Parabola Arts Centre Atlas Of Adventures 11.30am, The Hive Ben Miller 12:30pm Inkpot Auditorium Nadia Shireen: ‘Grimwood’ 2pm, Parabola Arts Centre SUN 10 OCT Joshua Seigal: ‘Yapping Away!’

4pm, Parabola Arts Centre The End Of The Pier Show 1.30pm, Parabola Arts Centre How To Be Happy 2.30pm, Inkpot Auditorium TUE 12 OCT The CLiPPA Poetry Show 10am, Free Digital Event. No ticket required SAT 16 OCT Steven Lenton 11.30am, The Hive The Week Junior LIVE 2.30pm, Inkpot Auditorium SUN 17 OCT Guinness World Records 2022 10am, Parabola Arts Centre The Magical World Of Harry Potter 12 noon, Parabola Arts Centre Change Your World 2.15pm, Inkpot www.cheltenhamfestivals.com /literature/

Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1UZ, www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/ literature/whats-on/grid • Meet Blue Peter Book Award winning author and Waterstones Children’s Laureate, Cressida Cowell, creator of the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ books and ‘The Wizards of Once’ series. Her top tips on writing and passion for reading make an unmissable event for young dragons, wizards, readers and writers! 12.15pm

SAT 16 OCT TONGUE FU FOR KIDS (CLF) Parabola Arts Centre, Parabola Rd, Cheltenham GL50 3AA, www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/ literature/whats-on/grid • This hit spoken word and music show has blazed a trail at venues and festivals such as the Royal Albert Hall, Roundhouse, and Camp Bestival with its stories of skateboarding mermaids, battle rapping parrots and WooHoo Island, with sand of crushed diamonds. 4.30pm SAT 16 OCT JACQUELINE WILSON: THE PRIMROSE RAILWAY CHILDREN (CLF) The Garden Theatre, Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1UZ, www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/ literature/whats-on/grid • Famous for Tracy Beaker and Hetty Feather, Jacqueline Wilson talks with fellow author Phil Earle about her much-loved characters and about her brand-new book, P13 ‘The Primrose Railway Children’ – a re-imagining of the E Nesbit

Support children’s GROWTH and DEVELOPMENT

The TASTY, EASY way to get vitamins into little people 10 BACK TO SCHOOL 2021

Primary Times Gloucestershire

Helping Kids Shine

Advertising feature

Skills for the stage and for life

Stagecoach Performing Arts Gloucester offers fun, confidencebuilding classes for children aged 4 to 18, where students learn skills for the stage and for life.

It teaches dance, singing and drama with dedicated, professional teachers who are all highly knowledgeable about their subject and enthusiastic about working with the students to create magic!

Classes are focused on teamwork, trust and support from both teachers and fellow students, inspiring and encouraging self-confidence in a non-competitive space. Students celebrate one another’s successes and encourage each other to be the best they can in an enthusiastically supportive environment. This way of teaching means you’ll see huge leaps in each student from early on as they are given the courage to try new things and explore new skills.

While dance, singing and drama are its key focuses, Stagecoach teaches so much more than just that!

Its Autumn Term starts on Sat 18 and Sun 19 September at Ribston Hall High School, Gloucester, with classes across Saturdays and Sundays for 4 to 18 year olds. It offers two week trials to new students, to test the school out and see what Stagecoach is all about. You’ll find more about how to enrol on a trial for as little as £25 on Stagecoach Gloucester’s website. The school is Ofsted registered and able to accept childcare vouchers and tax-free payments.

Stagecoach Gloucester can’t wait to welcome your child to its team very soon!

Ffi: Stagecoach Gloucester W: www.stagecoach.co.uk/gloucester

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Finding confidence through karate Making friends and bringing communities together through the practice of karate is the main focus of Samurai Martial Arts (SMA). This year the club celebrates 20 years of teaching karate to the communities of Gloucester, Cheltenham and surrounding areas. By combining Japanese etiquette and discipline with the British sense of fair play SMA has helped many of its members achieve their personal goals.

In June 2001, SMA founder Brian Jarvis opened clubs at Sir Thomas Rich’s High School, Gloucester, and at St. Benedict’s High School, Cheltenham. Although St. Benedict’s closed, its karate club still thrives at Springbank Community Resource Centre, Cheltenham, where it has operated for the past 10 years. Elsewhere, SMA has opened clubs in Kingsway and Quedgeley, Gloucester, and in Tewkesbury and Ross on Wye. During this time, the club has taught thousands of students of all ages, many of whom achieved black belt and beyond, attending national and international competitions and securing English and British titles. The school has sent teams to Mexico, Canada and Japan, securing medals and creating life-long friendships all over the world.

The club provides age-appropriate classes to children of all ages, teens and adults. Through long term practice it sees shy and timid pupils grow in self-confidence as their technical ability and skill levels improve. Class members begin to understand their own strengths and weaknesses through regular training and healthy competition, and are better able to handle their nerves both in and outside the dojo, or training hall.

Free trial classes are available at all SMA venues.

FFI: Samurai Martial Arts T: 07971 584901 W: www.samurai-martialarts.co.uk

Gloucestershire Primary Times

BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 11

Advertising feature

Advertising feature

Enriching education since 1541

The best possible start for your daughter

For parents seeking a forward-thinking, pupil-centred, inspirational education for their child, a visit to The King’s School in Gloucester is a must.

King’s is a leading independent day Anne Haas, head of junior scho school with just over ol, with her pupils 650 pupils, girls and boys, aged 3 to 18.

The inspiring cathedral setting is unequalled, giving a special sense of identity.

While its history and surroundings are inspiring, King’s provides something even more valuable – a genuine love of learning. It does this by offering stimulating and engaging lessons in small classes and by encouraging children to pursue their personal interests; the range of co-curricular activities in sport, music and performing and creative arts is varied and truly enriching.

The school celebrates individual talent and excellence, but pupils of all ages have a strong sense of community and soon become supportive team members. This blend of personal achievement and team spirit is one of the defining qualities of King’s.

As any family knows, growing-up can be challenging so pastoral care is a high priority at King’s. Working in close partnership with parents, the school creates a secure environment where children of all abilities can thrive and be happy.

You can read much more about the school on its website, but if you are new to King’s there is nothing better than seeing the school in action and experience this unique environment for yourself. Visitors to King’s next Open Morning on Saturday 2 October will receive a warm welcome. Please preregister via the website.

Malvern St James Girls’ School passionately believes its Prep school provides the best possible start for your daughter. By building solid foundations to last a lifetime, the school starts each child on their own personalised learning journey. Its staff are highly committed, dedicating time and care to ensure your daughter feels safe, confident and happy from her very first day.

Pre-Prep at Malvern St James spans the three years from Reception to Year 2 and Prep spans the four years from Year 3 to Year 6. The building also houses the Senior School which enables the youngest girls to benefit from all the outstanding learning facilities on offer. The excellent specialist subject teachers from the Senior School also teach in Prep.

The school believes in developing the life skills of the girls from their very first day there, always mindful of the years ahead of them beyond school and the need to prepare them for the wider world.

The beautiful campus is in Malvern, Worcestershire, and school minibuses operate with multiple collection points around Gloucestershire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Wraparound care is also available.

To find out more, register to visit the school at its next open morning on Saturday 9 October.

Ffi: The King’s School W: www.thekingsschool.co.uk E: admissions@thekingsschool.co.uk T: 01452 337337

Ffi: Malvern St James Girls’ School W: malvernstjames.co.uk/visit.

Our inspiration is you

Malvern St James is a leading Independent Day and Boarding School for girls aged 4-18 in Malvern, offering exceptional academic, sport, music, drama and equestrian provision. A variety of scholarships and bursaries are available.

School minibus routes cover the local area and flexi, weekly or full boarding is available.

Be anything, achieve everything 12 BACK TO SCHOOL 2021

Primary Times Gloucestershire

REGISTER FOR OUR NEXT OPEN MORNING SATURDAY 9 OCTOBER MALVERNSTJAMES.CO.UK/VISIT

d r a o b Cork Sea and sound

Although the historic SS Great Britain in Bristol will never sail again, a new installation brings the ocean back to the historic steamship this September. The ship, housed in the dry dock where it was built, is already surrounded at water level by laminated glass to simulate the sea, and this project adds to the effect by projecting the sights and sounds of the undersea world onto the ship’s bow and dockside.

Created by design studio Limbic Cinema, the spectacle treats visitors to scenes of icebergs, jellyfish shoals and dolphins passing the boat as it cuts through the water. The sounds of nature are accompanied by a poem by Saili Katebe. The installation, runs until Sun 19 Sep. Ffi: SS Great Britain W: www. ssgreatbritain.org

Advertising features

Free 11+ Support!

Applying for grammar school can cause confusion and anxiety. How best can we prepare our child for the 11+ Test to give them the skills to approach the test with confidence?

Cotswold Education provides the complete 11+ preparation programme including an assessment test, 11+ mock tests and a range of courses and revision sessions to develop your child’s ability to understand and solve grammar school test questions.

Their learning community of educators, parents and children meets regularly to discuss areas of concern, such as ‘Is tuition necessary?’ and ‘How has lockdown affected 11+ preparation?’.

Membership is free, open to all and offers exclusive discounts and support services.

Cotswold Education is a well-established local business run by highly qualified and experienced educators who have been through the grammar school application many times with their own families.

Ffi: Cotswold Education W: www. cotswoldeducation. co.uk T: 07976 218062 E: cotswoldeducationuk@ gmail.com.

TFG continued From P10

classic ‘The Railway Children’, set in the present day. 10.15am

SAT 16 OCT DAVID BADDIEL: (THE BOY WHO GOT) ACCIDENTALLY FAMOUS (CLF) The Garden Theatre, Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1UZ, www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/ literature/whats-on/grid • Comedian David Baddiel previews his new blockbuster, featuring the unexceptional Billy Smith, whose life is turned upside down with laugh-out-loud results. 12.15pm.

SUN 17 OCT MADDIE MOATE: STUFF (CLF) Inkpot Auditorium, Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1UZ, www.cheltenhamfestivals. com/literature/whats-on/grid • CBeebies presenter Maddie Moate’s fun-filled event about how people across history have made, used and re-used stuff.

12.15pm.

SUN 17 OCT LENNY HENRY: THE BOY WITH WINGS (CLF) The Garden Theatre, Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1UZ, www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/ literature/whats-on/grid • Comedian and author Lenny Henry chats to host Nadia Shireen about his first, action-packed adventure story ‘The Boy With

Wings’. Twelve-year-old Tunde’s life is turned upside down when, playing football, he leaps for the ball and stays airborne on an enormous pair of wings. He discovers new found powers and a secret past and finds out just how an average kid can become an extraordinary hero. 10am

SUN 17 OCT MICHAEL MORPURGO WITH GEORGE BUTLER (CLF) Inkpot Auditorium, Montpellier Gardens, Cheltenham, GL50 1UZ, www.cheltenhamfestivals.com/ literature/whats-on/grid • Master storyteller Michael Morpurgo introduces his new novel ‘When Fishes Flew, featuring unsung heroes of World War Two. 10am.

THU 21 OCT BIRDING FOR BEGINNERS WWT Slimbridge, WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre, Bowditch, Slimbridge GL2 7BT, www.wwt. org.uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge • Get to grips with bird identification with the help of one of the centre’s experienced reserve wardens. 8-10.30am, £18 per person.

MON 23 & THU 28 OCT CREEPY OCTOBER HALF TERM FUN Robinswood Hill, Reservoir Rd, Gloucester GL4 6SX, www. gloucestershirewildlifetrust. co.uk/events • Get up close and personal with some of the park’s slimiest and squirmiest inhabitants. Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust event. 11am-3pm

Parents’ and teachers’ new s, education an d contacts

Spuds-u-pick It’s pumpkin and potato picking time over at Cotswold Farm Park It’s the perfect time of year to wrap up warm, throw on your wellies and get muddy at Cotswold Farm Park.

This autumn sees the return of its ever-popular harvest events, the potato, and pumpkin patches.

Roll up your sleeves to join the hunt for Spudzilla! Then pick up a plump pumpkin ready for spooky crafts and pies.

Located near Cheltenham, Cotswold Farm Park is a popular attraction where you can meet rare breed animals, take in views on the wildlife walk and tuck into our delicious menu at The Ox Shed restaurant onsite.

The potato patch is open from Sat 11 to Sun 26 Sep and the pumpkin patch opens at October half term.

Visits to the pumpkin and potato patch are included in the price of Farm Park tickets.

Ffi and to book in advance: Cotswold Farm Park W: cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk

Advertising feature

Support and high achievement at Newent Community School Newent Community School and Sixth Form Centre is a caring and supportive 11 to 18 mixed comprehensive serving Newent, surrounding villages and, thanks to excellent transport links, Gloucester City, the Forest of Dean and Herefordshire. The school operates dedicated bus services for students living in Gloucester and the Forest of Dean.

It is a high achieving school at the very heart of its community with a strong tradition of academic success within a positive and caring learning environment based upon mutual trust and respect.

It continues to be a ‘Good’ school, confirmed by Ofsted following their visit in March 2018, offering a high quality of education. Its recent observations recognised that Newent Community School’s students are making strong progress in the majority of subjects. In addition it was rightly observed that the students feel - and are - safe, in school.

This is achieved by the school’s culture of care and vigilance.

The report is a real vindication of the school’s drive to develop confident, well informed and caring young adults who have self-belief and fully participate in their local, national and international communities.

Newent provides a wealth of additional opportunities for students to achieve these aims.

Its next open days are on Tue 5 and Thu Newent principal Rhys 7 October and Phillips with pupils the school looks forward to welcoming parents and prospective pupils to see it in action, take a tour around the facilities and discuss options with Senior Leaders. (See also The Family Guide for more open event details.)

Ffi: Newent Community School and Sixth Form Centre Open Events Tue 5 & Thu 7 Oct W: newent.gloucs.sch.uk Gloucestershire Primary Times

BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 13

eFor the kidsf THEBUZZWORD

Artytude!

PAINT A PICTURE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A

£5 BOOK TOKEN Nelly

Tulsi

Well done to both our winners of the Summer art competition about ‘My favourite thing to do on summer holiday’, who win a £5 book token. Tulsi, aged 5, from Sunlands Kindergarten in Stroud painted a picture of her paddling in a stream. She looks like she’s having such fun! And Nelly, 8, from Charlton Kings Junior School, Cheltenham, has painted an amazing picture of her camping under the stars in a modern art style, with strong shapes and splashes of paint.

If you’d like the chance to win a £5 book token, enter the next Artytude competition on the subject:

ACROSS 1. A merry-go-round (8) 5. A limb you walk with (3) 7. The ocean at the North Pole(6) 8. A huge giant and Greek mythological god (5) 9. A word describing the tide going out (3) 10. To put up with (6) 11. Past tense of to eat (3) 14. A dent caused by the impact of a large object, especially on a moon or a planet (6) 16. What you might call a senior officer or, in the past, your teacher (3) 17. A simple word meaning extremely (4) 19. Jealous (7) 21. Not very clever (6) 22. Female pigs (4) DOWN 1. Both a type of bird and a large building machine (5)

2. Autumn month (7) 3. A bag traditionally made of coarse cloth (4) 4. The language of the ancient Romans (5) 5. The main ingredient of salad (plural) (8) 6. Run, run, run as fast as you can! What is nursery rhyme character you can’t catch made of? (11) 9 A common abbreviation meaning “and all that sort of stuff” (3) 12. Very hungry (past tense) (7) 13. These flow into the sea (6) 15. Helicopter blades (6) 18. A sharp cry of pain, often from a dog (4) 20. A cutting tool (3).

TOO HARD? Why not ask a grown-up for ideas? Children under 7 will find the yellow clues easier.

The joke’s on us Q: Why are lift jokes so good?

A: Because they work on so many levels COMP WINNERS Birdland & Agent Stilton Congratulations to:

Ellie Duffy of St Catherine’s Primary, who wins a family ticket to Birdland for being the first correct answer chosen, identifying the colour most associated with flamingoes: c) pink.

And to James Gasher, 9, of Charlton Kings Junior, who solved Agent Stilton’s code: “We know you love puzzles so we will send you an Amazon voucher if you crack this and are picked out first.”

14 BACK TO SCHOOL 2021

Primary Times Gloucestershire

MEETING UP WITH MY SCHOOL FRIENDS AGAIN Send your entry to: Artytude, Starfish Publishing, The Create Centre, Smeaton Road, Bristol, BS1 6XN or as a high resolution image to gloscompetitions@primarytimes.co.uk

by Monday 13 September with the subject Artytude.

Don’t forget to include your name, age, school and home address so we can send you the prize. See primarytimes.co.uk/gloucestershire/tcs for competition terms and conditions.

Number crunching

1

3 4

1

2

Answers published on our Facebook page, @PrimaryTimesGloucestershire, about three weeks @PrimaryTimesGloucestershire after publication.

How to play this mini-sudoko: fill the empty boxes with a number from 1 to 4. Each box, each row and each column contains all four numbers but the same number cannot appear twice in the same box, row or column.

Feature

Autumn

Adventures As children start back at school, exploring their sport and extra-curricular options for the year ahead is also a must, says Ellen White

W

hile the ‘new normal’ is a more cautious version of the pre-pandemic world, Gloucestershire’s visitor attractions, stage and sports facilities are opening their doors again, expanding availability despite the covid measures many still observe. Children need exercise outside their school lives, be it sport, drama or simply a visit to the local woodland or country house and there’s plenty out there for them to get excited about. With advance booking now the norm for most activities, now is the time to plan for the year ahead.

• A visit to WWT Slimbridge is always a unique experience whatever the season and there’s plenty of wildlife to enjoy in autumn.

Expect to spot migrating birds like waders and osprey, redwings, white-fronted geese, dragonflies, barn owls and much more. Have a go at birdwatching in the South Lake Discovery Hide or splash to your heart’s content at Welly Boot Land. WWT Slimbridge Newgrounds Ln, Gloucester GL2 7BT, 01453 891900, www.wwt.org. uk/wetland-centres/slimbridge/ • There’s no need to book a visit to the Dean Heritage Centre you can simply turn up and get stuck in. The bundles of family fun on offer include interactive displays, The Gruffalo Trail, woodland playground and the indoor craft hut - perfect for a rainy day.

Dean Heritage Centre, Camp Mill, Soudley, Forest of Dean GL14 2UB, 01594 822170, www.deanheritagecentre.com/ • Autumn is a great time to visit Westonbirt Arboretum when the trees turn stunning shades of

Westonbirt - famed for its beauty in autumn

Do the kids enjoy a kickabout?

Why not enrol them in a football club ?

red, orange and gold.

Activities include the Gruffalo Spotters trail, outdoor play trail, woodland adventure playground and the Tots and Twigs forest school for preschool children.

Visits must be booked in advance.

Westonbirt Arboretum Westonbirt, Tetbury GL8 8QS, 0300 067 4890, www.forestryengland.uk/ westonbirt-the-national-arboretum • On arriving at Berkeley Castle this autumn, pick up a Jester Explorer Sheet and discover some fascinating historical facts about this ancient 12th century fortress. Berkeley runs regular events during school holidays too, including plenty of spooky fun this Halloween. Expect gruesome games, spooky storytelling and appearances from some famous historical figures. Berkeley Castle Berkeley GL13 9PJ, 01453 810303, www.berkeley-castle. com/ • Why not kick off autumn with friendly and welcoming karate classes from Samurai Martial Arts? Sessions are available for the whole family, from preschoolers, through to kids, teens and adults. Children can learn key skills in coordination, balance and social-interaction while developing confidence, control and discipline in a safe and structured environment. Samurai Martial Arts, 07971 584901, www.samurai-martialarts.co.uk • Stagecoach Gloucester is now accepting new students for

the autumn term 2021, so book a two week trial to see what it’s all about. Make new friends, develop confidence and learn key skills in music, dancing and

drama. There’s the chance to perform publicly at least twice a year, plus further opportunities to perform in the local community and even, possibly, in London’s West End. Stagecoach Gloucester, Ribston Hall High School, Stroud Rd, Gloucester GL1 5LE, 07861 696978, www.stagecoach.co.uk/ gloucester • If you want to be the next Harry Kane, Steph Haughton or Marcus Rashford, you have to start somewhere. Luke Norman Sports allows children to develop their football skills with 1-2-1 and small group coaching. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved across Gloucestershire, including holiday courses, school sports sessions or private coaching. Luke Norman Sports lukenormansports1@ gmail.com, 07799 053754, www. lukenormansports.co.uk

Classifieds CRAFTS Get spotted!

Paint -aPot

For all your dancewear needs •Ballet •Tap •Modern • Home delivery service •Jazz • Gymnastics •Paint your own ceramics • www.colourdancewear.co.uk Gifts •Decopatch • Parties and events • • 07814 391050 • • 01453 766910 • www.paint-a-pot.co.uk

To advertise TUITION here call Mike on LONGLEVENS TUITION 01452 937123

Learn online with Lizzie!

Primary Maths and English booster lessons.

11 Plus preparation.

Specialised help for children with dyslexia.

Places are limited, so sign up now for the autumn.

Contact: Lizzie Manley (NNEB, BSc (Hons) PGCE) on

01452 387228 Gloucestershire Primary Times

BACK TO SCHOOL 2021 15

Ne r v o us a b o u t t h e ch a lle nge s ah e ad?

Pack some fun and confidence into your child’s school bag with

Free trial karate classes Venues in Gloucester - Cheltenham Tewkesbury - Ross-on-wye Call or text 07971 584901