Families oxfordshire March April 2018 (1)

Artwork ©: Quentin Blake. Used by arrangement with AP Watt and United Agents.

Header F R TAKE EE ME HOM E

A Curve and Rose Kingston Theatre Production

IN THIS ISSUE

WIN 5 tickets to George’s Marvellous Medicine

TICKETS FROM £10

Tue 10 to Sat 14 April BOOK NOW

for a whizzpopping Easter treat!

Issue 84 March/April 2018 familiesonline.co.uk

01865 305305

www.oxfordplayhouse.com

familiesonline.co.uk Families Oxfordshire 1

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Make reading simple

Six clear stages from first steps to independent reader

Welcome to Read with Oxford – a brand new series of home reading books to help your child read, with a simple levelling system.

S TA G E

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First steps

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Early reader

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First steps

I am starting to use letter sounds to read simple words

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4 5 6

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Growing reader

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Gaining confidence

5

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3

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Growing reader

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Gaining confidence

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TITLES

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Early reader

Clear descriptions explain each stage

AVAILABLE

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Becoming independent

2

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Every stage is matched to book bands

I am starting to read more words and longer sentences with less help

TITLES

1 2

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1 2 3

I sometimes read by myself, and I can read lots of everyday words

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Growing reader

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AVAILABLE

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TITLES

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TITLES

AVAILABLE

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Early reader

S TA G E

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I can use letter sounds to read simple words and short sentences

AVAILABLE

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Clear navigation of the reading journey—next steps are easily visible

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Gaining confidence

S TA G E

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TITLES

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Becoming independent Independent reader

I can read and enjoy a whole story by myself

AVAILABLE

S TA G E

S TA G E S TA G E

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1 2 3 4

5

Becoming independent

S TA G E

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Independent reader

I can read and understand longer chapter books by myself

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TITLES

AVAILABLE

Coming soon to all good bookshops. For more information, go to www.readwithoxford.com

Contents & Competitions

Dear Reader,

What’s in this issue?

I always think that spring is the prettiest of months after the long, dull days of winter. Leo Tolstoy wrote, ‘spring is the time of plans and projects’, so to help you plan the Easter holidays we have a packed-full issue of events in Oxfordshire over the Easter period, plus places offering Easter camps and workshops to help provide safe, secure childcare and opportunities for children to learn a new skill and make new friends. Happy Easter!

My quote of the day:“Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I remember, Involve me and I learn.”

By Benjamin Franklin

@familiesCambMag

4 News & Views 7 Baby and Pregnancy News

facebook.com/FamiliesUKOxfordshire

DON’T MISS A COPY! Receive Families Oxfordshire by post for just £9.30 for 6 issues (1 year) or £18 for 12 issues (2 years). Call or email editor@familiesOxfordshire.co.uk for a subscription form.

WIN

8 What’s on, Things to do and Places to go 11 Pre & Prep school spotlight 15 Easter Clubs and Classes

5 TICKETS TO GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE!

WIN 5 tickets (plus programme and ice-creams) for a fizz-whizzing, zinglypopping, magnificent adventure at Oxford Playhouse with George’s Marvellous Medicine on Tuesday 10 April, 6.30pm. For your chance to win tickets and wonderful extras to this magnificent adaptation of Roald Dahl’s treasured tale, simply look out for the corresponding post on Families Oxfordshire Magazine’s Facebook page @ familieseastoxfordshiremag, then LIKE it AND share the page by 2 April 2018.

EDITOR: Lisa Exell 01945 861336 editor@familiesoxfordshire.co.uk PUBLISHING ASSISTANT: Becky Lawrence admin@familiescambridgeshire.co.uk SOCIAL MEDIA: Crystal McClean DESIGN: Caroline Thompson-Heap info@cheekymonkeydesigns.net

Families Oxfordshire 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 Oxfordshire are fully protected by copyright and none of the editorial or photographic matter may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of Families Oxfordshire. Every care is taken in the preparation of this magazine, but Families Oxfordshire its distributors, the franchise company, Families Print Ltd, and LCMB Ltd cannot be held responsible for the claims of advertisers nor for the accuracy of the contents, or any consequence thereof.

familiesonline.co.uk

20,000 copies of Families Oxfordshire available through schools, nurseries, hospitals, clubs and classes, selected shops and restaurants. If you would like copies for your establishment please let us know.

Families Oxfordshire 3

News & views

TOOTH DECAY IN CHILDREN AT ALL TIME HIGH Tooth extraction as a result of tooth decay is the most common cause for hospitalisation of children under five.

NHS England chief executive Simon Stevens states that spoonfuls of added sugar, which can be found in processed foods and drinks, day-in, day-out mean serious health problems. Late last year, NHS England announced that sugary drinks will be banned from hospital shops within 2018. Furthermore, the Government is introducing a sugar tax from April 2018 on those who produce and import soft drinks with added sugar.

Dentists and doctors recommend that consumption of sugary items be strictly limited and that regular visits to the dentist as well as brushing twice a day is essential.

DenTek, an innovative oral health brand state that adopting a complete oral care routine is a vital part of maintaining healthy teeth and gums. Children’s brushing should be supervised until age seven and children should begin to floss as soon as two teeth start to touch. The company produce affordable inter-dental brushes, floss picks and tongue cleaners to remove plaque and prevent bad breath!

DenTek range available Boots and Boots.com www.dentekuk.co.uk

There’s still time to register Wear A Hat Day!

Mum Thrilled with Confidence Boost from Perform Drama With Perform drama classes well-established in Oxfordshire, we spoke to Jessica Harrison to find out why she has been sending her children, Ellie (9) and George (6), to Perform since the age of 4.

“Ellie is a natural performer” says Jessica, “so Perform was always going to work for her.

George is a more reserved child who likes to play by himself. But, actually, George probably gets more out of Perform than Ellie! He has grown so much in confidence since attending.”

“Perform is not like a stage school. The children perform a show, but the focus is on fun games and exercises that teach them incredible life skills, like making eye contact, speaking out clearly and making conversation,” reports Jessica.

“Initially George mumbled a couple of words in the shows. Now he speaks out in a strong voice and smiles all the way through.”

“These days, we spend so much time looking at our phones. Through Perform my children now understand the importance of engaging with others – and they don’t even know they’ve learned this!”

To book a FREE TRIAL in Oxford, Abingdon, Didcot, Wallingford or Thame, visit www. perform.org.uk/try 4 Families Oxfordshire

The UK’s premier brain tumour research fundraising event takes place on Thursday 29 March. Don’t worry if you can’t make it that day, just choose another. Join in the fun as schools and families across the UK get involved to help raise funds for research into brain tumours.

It’s very easy to register online at www. wearahatday.org (it works really well on mobiles!) to receive your fundraising pack.

In the meantime, browse the other Wear A Hat Day pages for ideas and inspiration to make your event a hattastic fundraising success!

In 2017, families and schools came together alongside other organisations and communities across the UK and helped raise over £300,000 to fund vital research.

With your help that can be doubled in 2018 to £600,000, enough to keep a group of researchers funded for a year.

So please register for Wear A Hat Day 2018 today. Thank you. Together we will find a cure. www.wearahatday.org

Chinese New Year at Swire Chinese Language Centre

Primary and secondary schools from around Oxfordshire performed at Radley College in February to celebrate Chinese New Year at an event to mark the official opening of the new Swire Chinese Language Centre, Oxford (SCLCO).

Radley College and Oxford High School have put teaching of the Chinese language on the agenda for state schools across Oxfordshire and

surrounding counties. A total of nine schools in Oxfordshire and four across the South East have joined the SCLCO, which broadens the reach of Chinese teaching and allows students from all backgrounds to learn Chinese.

The SCLCO works by creating a hub at the secondary schools, with the Mandarin teacher hired to work at the hub and going into at least two local primary schools to teach Mandarin along with a Chinese Language Assistant. The programme delivers lessons in Chinese - either within the curriculum or as an extra-curricular activity. Teaching happens onsite and is supported by online resources and trips both domestically and abroad.

John Moule, Warden at Radley College, said: “It is a very exciting opportunity to pioneer a partnership between independent and maintained schools in an area of real educational and cultural interest... It is a powerful and exciting vision and we would love to hear from local schools in Oxfordshire, both primary and secondary, that would like to get involved.” www.swireclf.org familiesonline.co.uk

News & views

BECOME A STAR WITH ALL STARS CRICKET

All Stars Cricket is a brand-new initiative from the England and Wales Cricket Board aimed at providing boys and girls aged five to eight with a great first experience in cricket.

The course includes an 8-week All Stars Cricket programme held at accredited cricket clubs in Oxfordshire (1 x hour session per week) and a home-delivered pack that includes a bat, ball, activity book and personalised rucksack, cap and t-shirt. The courses will be delivered by trained volunteers who deliver game-based activities that teach basic cricket skills like catching, throwing, hitting a moving ball and social skills like team work and communication.

The course costs £40 (price may vary) and clubs will be encouraged to deliver their programmes from 11 May through to July.

For more information or to register for a summer of #BigMoments please visit allstarscricket.co.uk

YOUNG CHILDREN AT HIGH RISK FROM ACCESSING ADULT CONTENT A recent survey revealed that a 87 per cent of parents don’t restrict how much time their young children spend online. Many three-year olds are spending more than four hours a week with ‘digital babysitters’ and as such are only three seconds away from potential psychological harm, warns Kaspersky Lab. According to the survey, parents take the protection of a child’s physical security extremely seriously, but only a very small proportion restrict how much time children of this age group spend online. This rises slightly to 33 per cent for four to seven-year olds.

The average child spends 40 minutes per day watching online video content on a mobile device. Yet only 13 per cent of parents install online security on their smart phone, laptop or tablet – and 49 per cent have never reviewed the default settings to prevent the child viewing inappropriate material. Examining YouTube’s suggested videos, which sit visibly alongside clips or episodes of popular children’s television programmes such as Peppa Pig, users are just clicks away from content aimed at a more mature audience – featuring violence, guns and nudity.

Tony Neate, CEO of get Safe Online comments, “Exposure to inappropriate material can have a significant emotional impact on children so we need to help parents understand what they can do to keep their children safe when they’re online.”

David Emm, principal security researcher at Kaspersky Lab, explains, “The good news is that having parental controls in place and reviewing the default settings per app are two very small steps that we can take.”

Kaspersky Lab’s top tips for protecting your family online Supervision – Encourage children to visit and stay on websites you’re

familiar with. If you have any concerns, look at their browsing history.

Be sure to know about any password-protected sites they may be accessing and ask them to share their login details with you.

Be open – Encourage your child to be open about what they are doing online and who they are socialising with. Promote a culture of safety within the home and talk about the possible dangers which exist.

Protect your family – Use parental controls to block access to sites you don’t want your child looking at. Review the default settings on each app that your child uses to ensure that the camera or microphone aren’t needlessly turned on. www.kaspersky.co.uk

PEPPA PIG’S MUDDY PUDDLE WALK FOR SAVE THE CHILDREN

This Spring sees the return of Peppa Pig’s Muddy Puddle Walk for Save the Children, the UK’s muddiest fundraising event for little ones.

Last year 160,000 children across the UK took part, raising an incredible £243,000 for Save the Children’s vital work, and this year the charity hopes even more people will sign-up, take part and donate.

Between 23 and 29 April 2018, nurseries, early years groups, families and children up and down the country are being encouraged to take part in a Muddy Puddle Walk.

Organising a Muddy Puddle Walk is a great familiesonline.co.uk

way for little ones to explore the world around them. Whether they splash in puddles at the park or in indoor ones (!), their Muddy Puddle Walk will be a fun adventure. Families could also help walkers get sponsored for their walk,

ask for a donation to take part or even bake Muddy Puddle cupcakes to sell on the day.

The money raised will help Save the Children’s work to transform the lives of vulnerable children in the UK and around the world.

Sign up now at MuddyPuddleWalk.org for your free Muddy Puddle Walk Fundraising Pack full of fun Peppa Pig inspired activities to help you get started - with tips for great walks indoors and out, fundraising ideas, fun activities to get your walkers ready for the big day and at the end of the walk, there’s a free Peppa Pig sticker reward for every child.

Families Oxfordshire 5

Race Ahead with reading!

Through-the-post library of reading scheme books for 4 to 9 year olds.

3rd

1st 2nd

“A POCKET-SIZED DELIGHT” THE TIMES

atgtickets.com/oxford* 0844 871 3020* *Booking fee applies. Calls cost up to 7p per minute, plus your phone company’s access charge.

21 – 22 Apr 2018

Book now ballet.org.uk/myfirstballet Illustration: Mark Ruffle

My First Swan Lake_87mmx130_Oxfordshire Families Mag.indd 1

1/26/2018 4:24:48 PM

Book rental for young readers. www.readingchest.co.uk

Baby news

Talking to Mums Truly is the Breast Support A recent survey completed by over 1,400 mums, found that 50% of those questioned believe the most helpful breastfeeding advice and support

they received came from local breastfeeding support groups as well as family and friends, ranking significantly higher than all other channels including midwives and GPs, parenting books and websites.

The results show just how valuable speaking to other mums can be and coincide with leading breastfeeding brand, Medela’s announcement that The Big Breastfeeding Cafe will return for the third year on Tuesday 15 May. Medela is encouraging mums across the UK to come together to host their very own cafes in the comfort of home, local coffee shop, or other local space in order to celebrate and chat all things breastfeeding, share experiences and support each other over a cuppa and a treat.

Mums taking part in The Big Breastfeeding Café 2018 will receive a complete package of everything they need to host a Breastfeeding Café, including expert advice from Medela’s in-house Lactation Consultant, posters, invitations, surprise treats and some all-important tea and biscuits!

To sign up, mums simply need to pop an email to medelamums@gmail.com

Love Moo Mummy & Baby Countdown Kit This Mother’s day treat mum-to-be with the award-winning, ultimate goody-box to help mums prepare for their bundle of joy. The luxurious Mummy & Baby countdown kit gift box, created by British brand Love Boo, includes nine heavenlyscented products to pamper both mum and baby, making it the ideal new mum and baby shower present.

The kit includes five gifts for mum: Miracle Oil, Splendidly Soothing Bath Soak, Silky Soft Body Wash, Soft & Creamy Body Smoother and Perineum Oil. Gifts for the new arrival include: Very Gentle Top To Toe Wash, Kind & Creamy Baby Lotion, Soft & Splashy Bubbles and Soothing Bottom Butter! £60 Available exclusively from John Lewis www.loveboo.com

ay er’s D Moth DAY N

SU H MARC 11TH

Monkey Music Oxford E: oxford@monkeymusic.co.uk T: 01235 519806

familiesonline.co.uk

SLEEP AND PLAY WITH BABYHUB The new SleepSpace from BabyHub is a multifunctional safe space that can be used as travel cot, play area, insectfree zone and tepee for babies from birth to 36 months. Weighing just 6kg and simple to use, SleepSpace can be opened and closed with one hand (so even while holding baby). And its innovative pyramid design provides style and structure SleepSpace is the world’s first travel cot to feature a safe-to-use mosquito net cover. The elasticated fitted net, secured at floor level, is safe and roomy meaning it’s suitable for even standing babies. With barriers and locks on all four sides, the advanced design offers a secure structure for baby to sleep and play.

The extra padded mat allows for a comfortable sleep for baby.

When no longer needed as a travel cot, SleepSpace can be transformed in to a play-teepee.

The teepee cover (optional) can be

decorated with washable fabric pens!

This truly portable space is ideal for use in the home, out and about and for family holidays abroad, and it comes with its own sleek carry bag. Available in Pebble, Kiwi, Tangerine and Ruby. £179 www.babyhubshop.com

Please mention Families Oxfordshire Magazine.

Families Oxfordshire 7

W hat’s Ocens to

CADBURY EASTER EGG HUNT WHERE: Greys Court, Henley-on-Thames WHEN: 30 March – 2 April

pla Things to do, be had go and fun to ages in for kids of all

Ox fords h ire

Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

Pick up an Easter trail from Visitor Reception and have a go at following the clues to get a chocolate treat at the

end. Discover more about spring nature at Greys Court. £3 www.nationaltrust.org.uk

LEAF

WHERE: Fairytale Farm, Chipping

Warm and playful new piece for

WHEN: 21-23 March & 18-20 April

WHEN: 30 March – 2 April

the seasons. At the end of the

interact with and learn from nature.

onto the stage to play among the

and craft on this wild and wonderful

under 3s, inspired by nature and

leaves. £8 www.oxfordplayhouse.com

nature reserve. Booking essential. £5 www.bbowt.org.uk

A Right Royal Adventure WHERE: Pitt Rivers Museum

WHEN: 17 – 25 March

Wonderful talks and workshops

WHERE: Milton Keynes WHEN: March & April Offering 100+ interconnected trampolines. With Dodgeball Court, Slam Dunk Area, Foam Pit, Touch Walls, Gladiator Pits and Tumble Tracks! From £4.99/hr www.bouncegb.com

With Giant Rabbit Burrow, where

visitors can meet the Easter Bunny and receive a full size Easter egg.

Plus Easter Egg Hunt and other fun activities. £3.50 per child plus usual farm admission www.fairytalefarm.co.uk

WHEN: 24 March: 13.00-16.00

Easter Weekend

from the time of the English Civil

Woodstock

version of the painting, with

The Pleasure Gardens will transform

Blind. www.prm.ox.ac.uk

lots of interactive experiences,

The Sagas of Noggin the Nog

to enjoy. With Giant Egg Hunt

Discover a special Oxford painting

WHERE: Blenheim Palace,

War and help create a tactile

WHEN: 30 March – 2 April

Oxfordshire Association for the

into an Easter wonderland with

family-friendly activities and shows

WHEN: 24 March

Challenge.

From £7.40 Child www.blenheimpalace.com

live music, this playful retelling of

Glisten

of theatre for adults and children

WHEN: 31 March

WHERE: North Wall Arts Centre Featuring silly Vikings, puppets and

WHERE: The Oxford Playhouse An interactive performance for

Horrowitz, Nick Ostler and Mark

alike. 5+. £6 www.thenorthwall.com

essential.

Big Easter Bunny Hunt

journey exploring reflective

include Lauren Child, Cressida Cowell, Judith Kerr, Anthony

Huckerby and many more. Booking www.oxfordliteraryfestival.org

WHERE: Waterperry Gardens,

Days Out with Thomas

WHEN: 24 March-15 April

WHERE: Didcot Railway WHEN: 17-18 March

Meet Thomas and his friends. Enjoy rides all day and as often as you

wish. Thomas the Tank Engine is

running on his Branch Line and his friends are running on the Main Line. Adult £14; Child £11

www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk

LAMBING WEEKENDS

gardens. Find all

Fre

the clues to claim a

special Easter prize. £2 per child plus adult entry www. waterperrygardens. co.uk

www.earthtrust.org.uk

e!

Easter Trail WHERE: Museum of The

History of Science

WHEN: 1-23 April

Challenge yourself to the

museum’s Easter Trail. Help

yourself from the Entrance Gallery.

7+. FREE www.mhs.ox.ac.uk

Easter Trail Follow the clues around the Gardens

Drop-in.

materials with evocative yet laid-

the ornamental

Meet lambs, piglets, goats and more. available.

grown-ups. A gentle and immersive

Join the hunt around

WHERE: Stonor, Henley-on-Thames

Craft activities and refreshments

babies 0 to 18 months and their

back music.

Adult £6 + one child FREE www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Near Wheatley

WHERE: Earth Trust, Little Wittenham WHEN: 17-18 & 24-25 March

8 Families Oxfordshire

Norton

these classic stories is a fun piece

with artists and authors. Guests

Bounce Trampoline Park

An opportunity for pre-schoolers to Outdoor nature play, games, stories

WHERE: Venues across Oxford

WHERE: Pegasus Theatre WHEN: 15 March Fun, engaging interactive puppet session for parents and toddlers exploring different ‘worlds’ and the characters therein. Booking essential. £5 www.pegasustheatre.org.uk

Environmental Education Centre

performance, children are invited

Oxford Literary Festival Play The World: Brilliant Birds

Easter Weekend Event

WHERE: Sutton Courtenay

WHEN: 17 March

WHERE: Burford WHEN: March & April, Open daily from 10am Get eye-to-eye with Giraffe, walk with lemurs or watch Rhinos graze on the Manor House lawns.

Watch the Penguins being fed (11am & 3pm daily), explore the large adventure playground with treehouses, or take a ride on Bella the Train (from April onwards).

Adult £16, Child (3-16 years) £10 and 0-2 years FREE www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk

Nature Tots- Didcot

WHERE: The Oxford Playhouse

WHEN: 24 March-15 April

and Wonder Woods to win a prize, and then spend time jumping,

splashing, climbing and swinging in Wonder Woods.

Adult £6.50; Child £8.50 www.stonor.com

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Fun Spring into Science

WHERE: The Old Museum, Oxford Museum WHEN: 5 April Learn about the water-cycle and create raining clouds, then design beautiful spring flowers and butterflies using a special science trick to create their colours. 4 – 9 yrs. Pre-book. £7 www.scienceoxford.com

GET GROWING! WHERE: Oxford Botanic Garden

One Small Step

WHEN: 4 April: 10.00 & 11.30

Can you plant a seed upside down? This family workshop is a mixture of guided tour, hands-on activity, with a little gardening thrown in as well!

Booking essential. £10 www.scienceoxford.com

e!

Fre

Eggstraordinary Easter Trail

Spring Chickens WHERE: Ashmolean Museum

WHERE: Pitt Rivers Museum

WHEN: 4 & 5 April

WHEN: 31 March – 15 April

activities and to search for chickens

egg-hunter’s trail through the

Just drop in. All family events are

& Museum of Natural History

Go along for feathery craft

All welcome to follow the eggciting

hiding around the museum.

museums.

FREE www.prm.ox.ac.uk

free, with a suggested donation of

£1 per child. www.ashmolean.org

WHERE: The Story Museum

WHEN: 3 – 13 April: 11.00 & 14.30

Easter Adventures with Elys Dolan and Mr Bunny

A new instalment inspired by

WHERE: The Story Museum

Philippa Pearce’s classic book,

WHEN: 5 April: 14.00

Tom’s Midnight Garden. A lovely

Join leading children’s book

way for families to create stories

author and illustrator Elys Dolan

together. Book place on arrival.

FREE with museum entry www.storymuseum.org.uk

for a storytelling session and

Midnight Story Quest

Family Open Afternoon

Tractor Ted Bouncy Castle

WHERE: Farmer Gow’s, nr Faringdon WHEN: 6 & 11 April Children can bounce inside Tractor Ted! Plus cute lambs to bottle feed, wriggly piglets to tickle, fluffy chicks & turkey poults to handle; lots of farmy fun.

Adult £9; Child £8 www.farmergows.co.uk

hands-on workshop.

Ages 2+. £7/£5 www.storymuseum.org.uk 01865 807600

Night Safari

WHERE: Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum

WHEN: 4 & 11 April: 14.00-16.00

Take the kids along to this family-

friendly museum and get them to indulge in some spring-inspired craft. For age 3-9 yrs. Drop-in. £2 per child www.sofo.org.uk/whats-on/

WHERE: The Oxford Playhouse WHEN: 5-8 & 11-15 April An inventive, funny and surprisingly moving action-packed show that crams 50 years of history into 60 minutes! Age 7+. £9 www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Please mention Families Oxfordshire when booking

George’s Marvellous Medicine WHERE: The Oxford Playhouse WHEN: 10 – 14 April

Lively and imaginative stage

adaptation; bursting with growing

grannies, feathery farm animals and bags of frothbuggling family fun.

From £10 www.oxfordplayhouse.com

Read and Draw with Korky Paul WHERE: The Story Museum WHEN: 11 April: 14.00

Join the fabulous illustrator Korky Paul with Winnie the Witch and

Wilbur for a fun family event with plenty of audience participation!

Ages 5+. £7/£5 www.storymusum.org.uk 01865 807600

Tom Thumb WHERE: The Oxford Playhouse WHEN: 21 April

Performed entirely on and under

a kitchen table, this wee wonder of

a show is full of magic with feathery spinning birds, a flying house and a portable forest. 3+. £8 www.oxfordplayhouse.com

FARINGDON ROTARY CLUB DUCK RACE Fre

e!

WHERE: River Ock, Phoebe Woods

WHEN: 29 April:

WHERE: Wallingford Castle Meadows WHEN: 10 April Explore the nature reserve at night; see, hear and trap wildlife (and set free again). Use bat detectors and delight in moths!

Adult £8; Child £4 www.earthtrust.org.uk

14.00

Support local

Rotary Club with

their annual duck

race. All proceeds donated to the

Club’s chosen charities.

Ducks cost £1 www.faringdonrotaryclub.co.uk

Early Man Model-Making Workshops

world of story! ce to step into this

Last chan

WHERE: The Story Museum

WHEN: 13 April: 11.00, 13.00 & 15.00

Our exhibitions will be closing from 8 July whilst we embark on our exciting redevelopment.

Celebrating the release of the latest Aardman

animation, learn from the experts how to make

your own famous Aardman characters.

Ages 8-12. £8/£6 www.storymuseum.org.uk 01865 807600

Look out for our travelling Pumpkin and visit our Story Café from Summer 2018.

Pembroke St, Oxford OX1 1BP

www.storymuseum.org.uk 01865 807600 Registered charity 1107809

familiesonline.co.uk

Families Oxfordshire 9

Catholic independent day and boarding school for boys and girls aged 2 to 13

“The quality of the pupils’ achievements and learning is excellent” ISI Inspection Report

Goring Heath, South Oxfordshire, RG8 7SF tel: 0118 984 4511 email: office@oratoryprep.co.uk website: www.oratoryprep.co.uk

OPEN G IN MORN sic & with Mu ent Movem

NurserySchool Open Morning

Wednesday 21 March 09:30am-11:30am

Nursery School - 47 Reading Rd, Cholsey, Wallingford OX10 9HW

We encourage parents to book their Open Morning attendance.

Go to: www.cranfordhouse.net/openmorning

Families_CranfordHouse_Nursery_87x130mm_MAR_AW.indd 1

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Families Education

Moulsford Prep School Moulsford Prep School has a recently restructured curriculum and new activities programme. After extensive consultation with senior school Heads, Moulsford’s new curriculum focuses on preparing boys for their next schools and ensuring they have robust life-skills. Intellectual agility, critical analysis, creativity, collaboration, exploration and enquiry are all strongly encouraged.

Teaching is specifically designed to get the best out of boys, with practical and outdoor learning and opportunities to develop resilience. High expectations are set in terms of

manners and discipline, with clear boundaries.

Competitive sport is vital. Full advantage is taken of the sports facilities, with teams and coaching to suit all levels.

Moulsford aims to help boys find their individual strengths and talents, not only in the classroom but also on the sports field, in the performing and creative arts and as considerate and well-mannered citizens.

To attend an Open Day, or arrange to visit, email pa.registrar@moulsford.com or call 01491 651438. www.moulsford.com

Oratory Prep Set in 65 acres of Oxfordshire countryside, there are plenty of outdoor activities on offer at the Oratory Prep School and as Spring is arriving we’re gearing up for ‘Pond Dipping’ and ‘Bushcraft’ camps alongside our Forest School initiative. The Good Schools Guide commended the multi-sensory approach to learning in the Pre-Prep which includes lots of work outdoors and exploring the fields and ponds. With bugs, frogs and grubs galore Pond Dipping is always a firm favourite with the children in every year group!

The Oratory Prep School is a school where children are both nurtured and achieve highly.

Our Good Schools Guide review describes the Oratory Prep as a ‘vibrant, welcoming community’, a reputation of which we are understandably proud.

To arrange a visit and see what the Oratory Prep has to offer your son or daughter, please email admissions@oratoryprep.co.uk. We look forward to welcoming you. www.oratory.co.uk

Cranford House Cranford House EYFS takes flight!

Cranford House could offer your child, you

Boys and girls from Nursery, Reception and Year 1 recently enjoyed the chance to get

are warmly invited to attend our upcoming Whole School Open Week 23-27 April.

up close to an amazing collection of hawks,

No appointment needed but if you would

falcons and owls as they were treated to a visit by a Birds of Prey centre. Whilst learning all sorts of facts about feathers, feeding and flight, the children also had an impressive

like to book a time slot, please email admissions@cranfordhouse.net. www.cranfordhouse.net

selection of their own questions to ask about these magnificent birds.

If you are interested in discovering what

Cokethorpe Junior School Slimey Science! It is not every day you get to make slime but the budding chemists at Cokethorpe Junior School recently enjoyed a practical lesson exploring the science behind the goo!

Children in Year 5 studied how chemical reactions can change the state of certain substances and with the theory mastered, it was on to the practical experiments. By carefully combining three ingredients, and with the addition of some green food colouring to complete the full slime-effect, the children observed and recorded the results. Finally

familiesonline.co.uk

there was the opportunity for some hands-on investigating to establish the limits of their very own flubber!

Using the science laboratories is just one example of how children in the Junior School benefit from access to the onsite Senior School facilities. Accessing these facilities allows for specialist learning opportunities that enrich the curriculum and support the academic transition to the Senior School.

Open Morning, 17 March www.cokethorpe.org.uk Families Oxfordshire 11

TMPS Families Magazine March 87x130mm MP-2203.qxp_Layout 1 29/01/2018

ABINGDON PREP SCHOOL

Phasing in full co-education from September 2018

OPEN MORNING

Wednesday 2 May 9:30am

Highest possible grade of ‘excellent’ in all areas from our recent ISI inspection Ask abou

Please join us at one of our next Open Mornings:

to Abingd on School

9.30am - 11.30am

t our

Transfer Process

“Exceptional

- pupils’ achievement, both inside and outside the classroom. ISI Inspection

” abingdon.org.uk/prep

Thursday 15 March 2018 Wednesday 9 May 2018

Tour the school and meet our new Headmaster, Alastair Thomas.

We look forward to meeting you.

Contact Mrs Karen Copson 01235 858462 admissions@manorprep.org Follow us on twitter @ManorPrep www.manorprep.org The Manor Prep School Faringdon Road, Abingdon, OX13 6LN

Open Morning Saturday 19 May 2018 10.00am – 12.30pm

g for

rchin actively sea

CE

EXCELLEN

For talented boys we have Funded Places that can be worth up to 100% of the fees at 11+, 13+ or for Sixth Form. Radley is a top boys’ boarding school near Oxford.

01235 543174

www.radley.org.uk/funded-places

Rye St Antony is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3-18 yrs (and boys aged 3-11 yrs). Rye St Antony pupils are enabled to reach their full academic potential by having access to first class teaching and extra-curricular opportunities that develop them as individuals.

01865 762802 Pullen’s Lane, Oxford OX3 0BY Sat Nav postcode for parking, Franklin Road entrance OX3 7SA. enquiries@ryestantony.co.uk | www.ryestantony.co.uk

Judged to be

Excellent

in all areas by the Inde pendent Schools Insp ectorate (ISI) Feb 20 17

Families Education

Abingdon Prep School

Abingdon Prep and Abingdon School together make up the Abingdon Foundation. While the Prep and Senior Schools enjoy distinct identities there is strong collaboration between the two schools. Pupils are taught a broad and challenging curriculum alongside an expansive and exciting extra-curricular programme. Pupils at Abingdon Prep, for whom Abingdon School is appropriate, receive an offer of a place for Year 9 at Abingdon School at the end of Year 5 at Abingdon Prep. The offer is based on the continuous assessment of each pupil and is conditional

on the pupil maintaining his profile of achievement in Years 6 to 8 at Abingdon Prep.

For these boys there are no entrance exams to the Senior School.

We welcome visitors at any time, please contact Jane Herold our Admissions Manager: admissions.manager@ abingdonprep.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1865 392303 www.abingdon.org.uk / prep. Abingdon Prep’s next Open Morning is on Wednesday 2 May at 9:30am

The Manor Preparatory School Situated in Abingdon, The Manor Preparatory School is a thriving, happy school. The Manor currently welcomes girls 2 – 11 and boys 2 – 7.

The Governors have recently announced that from September 2018 The Manor will extend its co-educational provision into Year 3. Boys will then be able to progress through the school to the end of Year 6 alongside the girls, keeping families together.

The Manor is delighted to announce the arrival of Alastair Thomas as Headmaster.

Alastair joins us, along with his family, after the retirement of Piers Heyworth.

Following a recent ISI Inspection, The

Manor received the highest possible grade of ‘excellent’ in all areas. The Manor has a wonderfully happy, creative atmosphere. The exceptionally caring and invigorating tone of the school ensures that children really do beam with happiness: they are delightfully selfconfident and articulate.

Visit www.manorprep.org or contact Mrs Karen Copson, Director of Admissions and Communications on 01235 858462 or admissions@manorprep.org

Oxford High School Oxford High welcomes girls to Junior School in all year groups, although key entry points are Reception and Year Three. Our Early Years Foundation Stage team are specialists in early childhood education and how girls learn and develop.

We pride ourselves on knowing your daughter as an individual and see our role as enthusing her with a passion for learning via a play-based curriculum. Of course that also includes the key building-blocks of phonics and mathematics, but also discovering Mandarin and Science, with French taught from Year Two.

Our girls become proficient life-long learners through our connected curriculum and are encouraged to explore and share their own interests.

If you and your daughter would like to know more about Oxford High Junior School, do come and join us at our Junior School Stay and Play on 15 March or call our admissions team to arrange a tour. www.oxfordhigh.gdst.net/ junior-school 01865 559888

Rye St Antony Rye St Antony is an independent day and boarding school for girls aged 3-18 years (and boys aged 3-11). Rye St Antony pupils reach their full academic potential by having access to first class teaching and extracurricular opportunities that develop them as individuals.

In the pre-prep and prep years, every day is an adventure through which children can find joy in learning and the joy of living. That is central to our philosophy at Rye St Antony’s School. Conveniently, Rye St Antony is part of the Oxford Schools Bus Partnership (OSBP.

familiesonline.co.uk

net) which provides ten bus routes to and from the school.

Judged ‘Excellent’ in all areas by the ISI (2017), our next Open Morning will be Saturday 19 May 2018, 10.00-12.30 and we will display a range of activities across the school. Staff and pupils will be on hand to answer any questions you might have. Email enquiries@ryestantony.co.uk www.ryestantony.co.uk 01865 762802

Families Oxfordshire 13

Easter Clubs & Classes Supercamps WHERE: Radley College & Summer Fields School

WHEN: Easter Activity Camps

Fami l

FAVO ies URIT E!

3 – 13 April

Multi-activity camps for 4-12

PERFORM weekly drama, dance and singing classes

es Famili ITE! R FAVOU

year-olds. Check venue for specific

details. As well as taking part in the fun-packed programme, children

are cared for by fully qualified and

enthusiastic staff to give children a

Didcot, Wallingford, Thame

great experience on camp. £39/day or £179/week www.supercamps.co.uk 01235 467300

ALL STARS CRICKET

A unique mix of drama, dance

Active Camps

Cricket programme held at accredited cricket clubs in Oxfordshire

WHERE: Oxford, Abingdon, Confidence building fun for 4-12s. and singing specially formulated to bring out every child’s true

potential. Classes are kept small to ensure lots of individual attention.

Summer term commences late April. No-obligation FREE trial sessions. 020 7255 9120 enquiries@perform.org.uk www.perform.org.uk/try

WHERE: Oxford High

WHEN: 29 March – 13 April

All children (3-14 yrs) have the opportunity to participate in

sports, arts & crafts, and icebreaker games to encourage all areas of development and to bond with

other children and staff; plus talent shows, dancing, cooking, and off-

WHEN: 16 April: Start Summer

site trips! £21/half-day £39/day £170/week www.active-camps.com 01865 594325

Award winning music classes

Holiday Club

Monkey Music Oxford WHERE: Oxford, Abingdon, Thame Term

for kids 3 months to 4 years.

Educational and fun four-stage

curricula designed to nurture a

lifetime love of music. Weekly term time sessions.

Book a FREE trial class. www.monkeymusic.co.uk 01235 519 806

The Oxford and Cambridge Singing School WHERE: Worcester College, Oxford

WHEN: 12-13 April: 9.30 – 15.30

For children aged 7 -13 who love to

sing. A unique opportunity to learn and perform classical music with

a dedicated team of singers and

voice coaches. £100.00 www.oxbridgesingingschool.co.uk

Better Holiday Club

WHEN: Monday to Thursday WHERE: Thame Leisure Centre OFSTED registered (accept childcare vouchers). Swimming, Basketball, Cricket, Gymnastics, Trampolining, Bouncy Castle, Football, Go-Karts, Table Tennis, Craft, Treasure Hunt, Street Dance, Archery and Racquet Sports. Full and part days. £19.70/half day; £31.50/day www.better.org.uk 01844 215607

Holiday Sports Camp

WHERE: Wantage Leisure Centre Qualified staff will keep the kids entertained with a variety of sports and leisure activities, while giving you peace of mind that they’re in safe hands. Swimming, team sports, badminton, arts and crafts and much more. £15/half day; £25/day 01235 766201 www.better.org.uk

WHERE: Oxfordshire

For children aged five to eight. The course includes an 8 week All Stars (1 x hour session per week) and a home-delivered pack that includes a bat, ball, activity book and personalised rucksack, cap and t-shirt.

Approx £40. www.allstarscricket.co.uk

Andrew Flintoff Cricket Academy

WHERE: Bloxham School, Banbury WHEN: 9-13 April

For boys and girls 5-16 years

old. All levels welcome. Freddie Juniors (5-7) establishes the

fundamentals of cricket and sport in general. Freddie Seniors (8-16) enjoy learning new skills in all cricketing disciplines. £44/day £185/week www.activatecamps.co.uk/ venues/bloxham-school

Bright Sparks Holiday Science Camps WHERE: Various Locations Oxfordshire

Designed to entertain primary

school-aged children, they can

experiment for themselves, take part in science challenges and

investigate how things work. Jam

packed with science tricks, messy experiments, fun games and

science crafts. £28/day 01865 522 775 www.brightsparksscience.co.uk

If booking any courses, please mention Families Oxfordshire Magazine.

Oxford Brookes Climbing Centre Camp Adventure WHERE: Bicester Leisure Centre

For children 5 ½ -11 to learn new

skills, make new friends and have great fun in a safe environment!

They can play football, basketball and hockey, and even try street

dancing and swimming. Arts and crafts, team games and dressing up! 01869 253 914 www.leisurecentre.com

WHERE: School Holiday Specials WHEN: Tuesdays and Thursdays 14.30-16.00 For 5+. Cost includes entry and supervision. Climbing experience of bouldering and bottom-roped climbing run by the experienced instructor team. From £6.50 Places can be booked on 01865 48 4373. www.brookes.ac.uk/brookessport/facilities/climbing/courses

WHERE: Whitehorse Leisure

STAGECOACH PERFORMING ARTS

Perfect for getting your kids

WHERE: Venues across Oxfordshire

Centre, Abingdon

WHEN: Easter Workshops & Summer term

active. Keep them entertained

Easter Club ‘Time Hop Party Workshop’ (£150) 9-13

with a variety of sports and leisure

April at Kidlington venue plus one-day workshops at

activities. Children can try a new

Faringdon ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’ (4-6 yrs) &

sport, make new friends, and have a lot of fun. Full days only 8.15am17.45pm for school years 1-6.

01235 540 700 www.better.org.uk familiesonline.co.uk

‘Billy Elliot’ West End (6-18 yrs) on 12 April (£36 and

es Famili

£49.50 respectively). Summer term, weekly classes resume 21 or 28 April.

RITE! Two week trial from £25.

FAVOU

www.stagecoach.co.uk 0800 915 0199 Families Oxfordshire 15

Join us at our Open Morning Saturday 17 March 2017 9.30am - 12.00pm

HMC and IAPS Independent Day School for boys and girls aged 4-18. www.cokethorpe.org.uk

Visit Oxford High Junior School Junior School Stay and Play

Thursday 15 March 2018 Visit www.ohsvisit.org.uk