Children First

Westminster

childrenfirst Your magazine to find out more about children’s and young people’s services

Win children’s theatre tickets What’s on this half term 10 ways to save money

Issue 19, October 2013

Your recycling guide Your mixed recycling collection is weekly Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Order your free recycling bags or container from your housing manager or caretaker, or contact us.

Put all your recyclable items together into your recycling bag or container.

Leave it out on your recycling collection day or put it in your nearest mixed recycling bin which may be in your building.

You can recycle:

Tip: Flatten your cardboard boxes and add to your mixed recycling

Contact us • to order free recycling bags or a container • to find your rubbish and recycling collection days and times • to find your nearest on-street micro recycling centre

Visit: westminster.gov.uk/recycling Call: 020 7641 2000 Email: recycling@westminster.gov.uk If you have a housing manager or caretaker please ask them for details of your rubbish and recycling services.

Dear Parent or Carer, We’re now half way into the first term of a new school year.

All parents want their children to go to the best school possible and ensuring that our schools are the best is a top priority for the council.

I think that Westminster has some of the best schools in the country. This is proven by the fact that all of our secondary schools are rated as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’; attendance in our secondary schools is the highest in the country and Westminster primary schools are joint top nationally for progress in writing and maths at Key Stage 2. We have also seen an outstanding performance by pupils in A-levels and GCSEs recently.

However we also recognise that how well our students do in exams is not the only measure of a successful school. Many young people leave school feeling daunted about what to do next; further education is not the right path for everyone and often young people lack the skills they need to succeed in the workplace.

Westminster is addressing this issue through a new scheme for schools to help ensure that young people are better prepared to find their first job.

The ‘employability passport’ aims to not just teach pupils transferrable skills but also inspire them to pursue their goals. It is currently being piloted in one of our schools and has been very well received by the children who have taken part. On the back of this success, we’ll be rolling it out to other schools across the city in the coming months. I am confident we will see some very positive results from this scheme.

Contents 5

Getting young people started in business

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10 ways the council can help you save money

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Keeping your child’s teeth healthy

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Make a smart restart

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What on this half term

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Offers, discounts and competitions

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Develop your parenting skills

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Success for schools

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Training for a career in sport

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Passport to employment Councillor Danny Chalkley Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

If you know someone who would like to sign up to receive Children First, please ask them to send their address details to childrenfirst@westminster.gov.uk Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

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The latest news from around Westminster

NEW

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Advice services available

Tick. Tock. Test.

The clocks go back on 27th October 2013. When you change your clocks the Fire Kills campaign is urging you to test your smoke alarm. This simple task could save your life. Find more information at gov.uk/firekills

New market opens in north Westminster

• Welfare benefits, including Working Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits • Debt

The new Maida Hill Place market opened on 6th October with stalls selling street food, flowers and plants, fruit and veg, fashion, household goods and more. The market is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 5pm. Coming soon on Sundays there will be a new flower and plant market.

If you have ideas about stalls you’d like to see at the market email us at maidahillmarketmanagement@ westminster.gov.uk For local updates email register@maidahillmarket.gov.uk

Applying for primary and secondary school places in 2014 The deadline to apply for secondary school places in 2014 is 31st October 2013. The deadline to apply for primary school places in 2014 is 15th January 2014. You can apply online at westminster.gov.uk/admissions 4

From September 2013, all advice services will be run by the Citizens Advice Bureau, providing residents with even easier access to independent expert advice on a number of areas including:

• Employment advice • Housing • Managing and borrowing money • Finance and income information • Advice specific to priority care groups Find out more about advice services offered to residents by visiting westminstercab.org.uk or calling 08444 771 611.

Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

Getting young people started in business The Start Up Loans Company is a government-backed programme that helps young people bring business ideas to fruition with the help of low-cost loans and the support of business mentors. Aiming to create 25,000 businesses in the next three years, there is a budget of £117.5million to loan to new start ups.

Jermaine Hagan, 23 lives in Lisson Green and secured a loan to set up his business Revision App – revisionapp.co.uk.

He said: “I already had an idea for my business when my mum saw an article about the Start Up Loans Company in the Guardian.

“Before I got in touch with them I was trying to set up my business, but I had to work full time to fund it as I had no formal financing. Start Up Loans Company loaned me £11,500 and put me in touch with a business mentor who helped me with all of the business planning and testing I needed to do.

“I launched my business – Revision App – because I saw a gap in the market and now it is used regularly by 700,000 people and is the leading mobile education provider. We help kids to learn on their mobile phones by using a combination of learning

Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

science and interesting visual and video content created by teachers to help users increase their grades by an average of 20%.

“Start Up Loans Company have been great – really supportive and dealing direct with them has been brilliant. I meet so many kids who have business ideas, but they just don’t know what opportunities are out there to help them make their idea a reality, which is exactly what Start Up Loans Company does.”

If you are aged 18-30 and have a business idea, you can find more information about Start Up Loans Company at startuploans.co.uk

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10 ways to save money The current financial climate is tough on everyone and it can be especially tough on families. To help you make your money go further, here’s a roundup of some of the services and advice you can get through the council and other organisations:

Westminster offers a low cost high quality play service and free supervised play. To find your nearest play service and supervised play visit westminster.gov.uk/playservice

There are a range of energy grants available for people on benefits and a low income.

These include emergency repairs and decent homes grant if your home is poorly insulated.

The council also runs a periodic Energy Switching Scheme which may help you to save on your fuel bills. To find out more visit: westminster.gov.uk/energy

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If you work and pay for childcare you may be able to get up to 70% off childcare costs with extra tax credits.

Visit gov.uk/childcare-tax-credits You may be able to receive help from your employer such as childcare vouchers, contracted childcare and workplace nurseries. Speak to your employer to find out.

If you are studying, your college may provide Discretionary Learner Support. Visit gov.uk/discretionary-learner-support, or you may be entitled to a childcare grant, visit gov.uk/childcare-grant

Get excellent discounts at our leisure centres including free swimming.

These are for people aged under 19 and over 60 and anyone with a disability or seeking employment. Apply now at westminster.gov.uk/activecard

Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

If you need help because of an emergency or a crisis, you may be entitled to a Local Support Payment. You may also qualify if you need help to remain or settle in the community. The payments are not given to you as cash. They are good quality, second hand furniture, white goods (for example, refrigerators or washing machines) or store vouchers for specific goods. You must be claiming a qualifying benefit or about to claim one to qualify. To find out more visit rbkc.gov.uk/adviceandbenefits/ localsupportpayments

Exchange your unwanted clothes, shoes and accessories for a new wardrobe at little cost to you and the environment.

Visit: swishing.co.uk

Choose from blockbusters, latest hits and old clasics.

You can also download free e-audiobooks and e-magazines. Visit westminster.gov.uk/lending

Westminster residents can gain access to exclusive offers and discounts with a City Save card. You can also sign up for fortnightly offers and discounts, which are available to everyone. To find out more and to apply for your City Save Card visit westminster.gov.uk/Citysave

If you are pregnant or have children under 4 years and receive certain benefits, you could qualify for Healthy Start vouchers to help buy basic healthy foods and free vitamins. Find out if you qualify at healthystart.nhs.uk

Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

You can pick up a range of free items on freecycling websites. These are all usable secondhand items that can range from furniture to computers to white goods.

All items must be in working order. Check out freecycle. org or ilovefreegle.org

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Keeping your child’s teeth healthy You may have heard people talking about ‘fluoride varnish’ but wondered what it is and where you can get it.

Fluoride varnish is a concentrated fluoride gel which is painted onto children’s teeth by a dental professional. There is strong evidence that it reduces tooth decay in children (both in preventing the development and progression of caries), which we know affects many children in Westminster.

The Department of Health recommends that every child aged three and over receives fluoride varnish at least twice a year. Fluoride varnish does not replace tooth brushing with fluoride toothpaste but is an additional preventative measure, which should be used in combination with brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and controlling the amount and frequency of sugary food and drink your children consume.

Unlike fluoride toothpaste, fluoride varnish cannot be bought and used at home; it can only be applied by a dentist, dental therapist or trained dental nurse. It is available free of charge from NHS Dentists – just ask the dentist next time you visit.

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Ways to keep children’s teeth healthy • Start brushing children’s teeth as soon as they come through • Help with children’s toothbrushing until they are at least seven years old • Brush teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste – last thing at night and on one other occasion – and spit out the toothpaste after brushing but do not rinse with water • Reduce the frequency and amount of sugary foods and drinks consumed and limit to meal times • Take your child to the dentist for a check-up at least once a year, or more regularly as recommended by your dentist and ask them for prevention advice including fluoride varnish Remember – dental care is FREE for children aged under 18 years, from NHS dental practices.

Make a healthy change for you and your family The new school year is a great time to make a healthy change for you and your family. Sign up to Smart Restart and you’ll get loads of fun ideas, free stuff and support in making healthy choices.

Why not sign up to one (or all) of the five Smart Restart choices to start building a healthy lifestyle for you and your family.

You can choose to: • Stretch your legs – swap regular car or bus journeys for walking, scooting or cycling • 10-minute moves – help your kids reach a goal of 60 active minutes a day by building in extra 10 minute activities into their daily routine • Screen-time switch – tempt kids away from their computer and phone screens with smart restart’s ideas for fun, active games

Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

• Beat the treats – swap unhealthy treats for tasty, healthier alternatives • Super lunches – help your kids to keep going through the school day with ideas for quick and tasty pack lunches Choose your change and get help with the free app, texts and emails.

Making just one of these small changes can really help your kids to be healthier and happier – so what are you waiting for, sign up now!

For more information on Smart Restart and to sign up, visit the Change4life website nhs.uk/change4life

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Winter activities

for children and young people

All Week Puppet Storytime Puppets tell the story of the ordinary and famous people who made the London Underground Time: 11am and 2pm Age: 3-7 Venue: London Transport Museum, Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 7BB Cost: Free for children under 16. Adult admission is £15 (£11.50 with a City Save Card.)

Tickets allow unlimited entry for a whole year.

Sunday 27th October Help create a supersize flag for HQS Wellington Time: 11am-1pm, 2-4pm Age: 5+ Venue: Temple Stairs, Victoria Embankment, WCR2 2PN Cost: Free 07984 976 950 Themed family walk and talk at The National Gallery Time: 12.30-1.30pm Age: All Venue: The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN Cost: Free 020 7747 2865

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There are plenty of fun things to do in Westminster this half-term Serpentine Gallery Family Day Time: 12 noon-5pm Age: All Venue: The Serpentine Gallery, Kensington Gardens, W2 3XA Cost: Free 020 7402 6075

Monday to Friday Play Projects Time: 8.30am-6pm Age: 4-11 Venue: Sussex Street Play Project, 3-13 Sussex Street, SW1V 4RZ Bayswater Play Project, Shrewsbury Road, W2 5PW Wilberforce Play Project, Wilberforce Primary School, Beethoven Street (entrance on Kilburn Lane), W10 4LB Cost: Free

020 7641 1183/1107 Multi-sensory and soft play Time: 9am-6pm Age: 0-5 Venue: Moberly Sports and Education Centre, Kilburn Lane, W10 4AH Cost: Free

020 7641 4807

EDUTAIN multi sports and arts programme Time: 10am-3pm Age: 8-13 Venue: Academy Sport, Churchill Gardens Youth Centre and St. Andrews’ Youth Club Cost: £1 per day

Monday 28th October Waterbabies Time: 12 noon-1pm Age: 0-3 Venue: Queen Mother Sports Centre, 223 Vauxhall Bridge Road, SW1V 1EL Cost: Free 020 7630 5522 Songs and rhymes for under 5s Time: 10.15-11.30am Age: 0-5 Venue: Charing Cross Library, 4 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0HF Cost: Free Multi-sports activities Time: 5-7pm Age: 14-19 Venue: Moreton Street Pitch Cost: Free

Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

Drop in stay and play Time: 11am-3pm Age: 0-5 Venue: Learning Gallery, The National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN Cost: Free 020 7747 2865

Tuesday 29th October 18th Century Toy Workshop Time: 11am Age: 5-11 Venue: Benjamin Franklin House, 36 Craven Street, WC2N 5NF Cost: Children free, Adults ÂŁ5

Wednesday 30th October Slacklining Time: 4.30-6pm Age: 11-19 Venue: Moberly Sports and Education Centre, Kilburn Lane, W10 4AH Cost: Free 020 7641 4807

Thursday 31st October Nintendo Wii Come play Nintendo Wii games and challenge your friends.

Time: 3.30-5.20pm Venue: Paddington Library, Clifford Hall, Porchester Road, London W2 5DU Cost: Free

Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

Friday 1st November Parkour and freerunning (15 spaces) Time: 5-6.30pm Age: 8-19 Venue: Queen Mother Sports Centre, 223 Vauxhall Bridge Road, SW1V 1EL Cost: Free

020 7630 5522

For the latest updates visit westminster.gov.uk/ inthecity or call the Family Information Service on 020 7641 7929.

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Offers and discounts for Westminster residents

How to claim: Show your Westminster City Save card. Advanced booking required. Book online using code: WESRES20 or call 0844 2471 007 quoting WESRES20.

Venue: Meeting point is outside Cafe Nero, London Bridge Station (near to platform 13) 0844 2471 007 Britmovietours.co.uk

20% off entry at The London Dungeon Offer: The London Dungeon invites you to a unique feast of fun with history’s horrible bits. Live actors, a ride and special effects transport you back to those black, bleak times.

How to claim: Claim a voucher via westminster.gov.uk/citysave/families.

Present your voucher with your City Save card at the London Dungeon.

Venue: County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7PB 0871 423 2240 the-dungeons.co.uk/london

2 for 1 on a Dr Who walking tour Offer: Experience a 2 ½ hour walking tour in London. See the Earth Prison, 10 Downing Street, where the Cyberman invaded Earth, sites from series seven and more.

50% off Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Offer: With over 700 authentic artefacts, exhibits and astonishing interactive experiences spanning across six floors, Ripley’s Believe It or Not! London celebrates the weird, wonderful and bizarre in all its forms.

How to claim: Present your Westminster City Save card upon arrival Venue: 1 London Pavilion, Piccadilly Circus, London, W1 0DA 020 3238 0022 ripleyslondon.com

Don’t have a City Save card? Don’t miss out – sign up today!

Enjoy fantastic offers and great savings on Westminster’s leading attractions with our resident discount. To apply, register online at Westminster.gov.uk/citysave or call 020 7641 600 (Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm. Sign up to our e-newsletter and get offers straight to your inbox.

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Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

Competitions

20% off tuition and revision classes with StarBright Tuition Offer: StarBright Tuition offers a range of subjects delivered by qualified teachers. With 95% of their GCSE maths, science and English students getting grades A*-C, it’s a great way to give your child’s learning a boost.

How to claim: Mention you are a City Save member upon booking and bring your City Save card to your first class.

Venue: Pimlico Academy, Lupus Street, SW1V 3AT 020 3318 3079 starbrighttuition.com

The Gruffalo Roll up for a lively musical retelling of Children’s Laureate Julia Donaldson’s classic tale The Gruffalo. Voted the nation’s number one bedtime story by BBC Radio 2 listeners, the stage version of The Gruffalo has been performed to over a million people worldwide.

Horrible Histories BARMY BRITAIN – PART TWO! See all the gruesome action in this new production. Can you beat battling Boudicca? Has William Wallace met his match? All will be revealed in this journey through British history with all the nasty bits left in!

How to enter For a chance to win one of these prizes email childrenfirst@westminster.gov.uk stating HORRIBLE HISTORIES or GRUFFALO along with your home address and telephone number. You can also send a postal entry to: Children First competition, Westminster City Hall, 18th Floor, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP. Competition closes 30th November 2013.

Terms and conditions: Prize is valid for a family of four for a minimum of one adult and one child. Horrible Histories prize is valid for all performances excluding school holidays until 29th November 2013. Gruffalo prize is valid for all performances from 20th November to 19th December 2013.

Prize is as stated and cannot be transferred or exchanged.

No cash alternative with be offered.

Offer subject to availability.

Westminster Children First, Issue 19

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Develop your parenting skills Bringing up children is likely to be one of the most difficult jobs any of us ever do. As many as 75% of all parents and carers say there are times when they would welcome help and advice when it comes to being a parent.

Westminster City Council offers a number of free parenting courses throughout the year.

Kathrin and Robert Harris have two young daughters aged 3 years and 17 months.

They took part in the Positive Parenting Programme (Triple P) which focuses on good communications and strong relationships.

Kathrin says: “I was attending the drop in for parents and toddlers at the Westbourne Children Centre and became aware of it when we saw other parents attending the Triple P program.

“We needed help with general obedience from Isabella. It was hard to get her to do what we asked. We also found it frustrating trying to stop Isabella from being quite rough with her younger sister.

“The programme involved attending eight two hour sessions once a week. It gave us a chance to put into practice what we had learned and to come back and share our thoughts and experiences.

“There were some things we got immediately and felt inspired, some took effort to go back to the book and review strategies.

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“As a result of the programme we have more patience with our children. Being present and giving them attention comes more effortlessly. Instead of saying don’t do that, we focus on the positive and tell them what we want them to do. When necessary our methods of disciplining Isabella have become more constructive and productive.

“We have already recommended the program to a few friends as well as parents of Isabella’s nursery friends.”

You can find out more about the free parenting courses and hear from other parents who have taken the course on our website: westminster.gov.uk/parenting

“Instead of saying don’t do that, we focus on the positive and tell them what we want them to do.”

Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

Helping you manage family life Parents and Partners is a free course that helps parents work positively together in managing family life. It’s different to other parenting courses because it looks at relationships across the family, not just at parenting skills. For example, the relationship between the parents, the parent-child relationships and family patterns across generations.

The course involves 16 two-hour group sessions with other parents. To join you must be a parent over the age of 18 and with at least one child under 11 living in Westminster.

Groups take place across the city in children’s centres, schools and community centres close to you. Both parents must attend together even if you are no longer together as a couple. Childcare is also available if needed.

To find out more email: parentsaspartners@familyaction.org.uk or call 020 7380 1973

Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

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Success for schools It’s been a good year for Westminster schools.

Westminster students excel in reading, writing and mathematics Westminster students are among the best in the country in mathematics and writing for Key Stage 1 and 2 in 2013. Results from the Department for Education show that Westminster City Council is joint top nationally for progress between Key Stage 1 and 2 in mathematics and writing, and joint second nationally for progress in reading.

The overall percentage of children achieving expected level 4 in reading, writing and mathematics also improved by 3% from 77% to 80%, a rate of improvement higher than the national improvement from 75% to 76%.

A number of schools across the city achieved results well above this national average, including St Vincent’s (96%), Soho Parish (95%), and George Eliot Primary (94%).

These results follow Westminster’s outstanding performance by pupils in A-levels and GCSEs recently.

Westminster wins healthy schools awards Five schools in Westminster have been awarded for their efforts to improve the health and wellbeing of their school children.

The winning schools are Edward Wilson Primary, King Solomon Academy Primary, Robinsfield Infant School, St Stephen’s CE Primary and QEII Jubilee School.

To qualify for the award, schools were required to teach children healthy eating habits and improve awareness of emotional

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health and wellbeing through PSHE lessons, include a healthier menu on school dinners and encourage the children to take part in more physical activity. Launched in October 2012 the main aim of the Healthy Schools Partnership is to support and encourage schools to develop and deepen their focus on health and wellbeing which will support the attainment, achievement and happiness of both their pupils, staff and wider school communities.

Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

Training for a career in sport Westminster offers a number of apprenticeship schemes to help people of all ages develop their talent and the practical skills and qualifications they need now and in the future.

Like thousands of teenagers across the country, 18-yearold Elysia Barrick was facing some tough decisions as she approached the end of her school career.

After studying for her A Levels at St Marylebone School in Westminster, Elysia knew that she was interested in a career in sport but was less certain of how to go about it.

A PE teacher who Elysia had spoken to about life after St Marylebone told her that Westminster City Council’s sports unit was looking for young people to work as Apprentice Sports Development Officers.

She needed little encouragement to apply.

“As soon as I found out about the apprenticeships I knew I wanted to apply for it straight away. Part of the application involved demonstrating your understanding of the council’s strategy on how to get more

Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

people to get involved in sport” – something that struck a particular chord.

Following a successful application, Elysia took up the role in September. She is based at Paddington Recreation Ground along with the council’s two other Apprentice Sports Development Officers, and helps to organise sessions for low participation groups including young girls and the disabled. Part of the apprenticeship also involves studying for an NVQ qualification in Sports Development, which Elysia hopes will help her pursue her career after the apprenticeship comes to an end.

“The apprenticeship is really varied – one day a week I go to a primary school in Westminster and help with the lessons there. I’m so happy to be spending the year doing something I actually care about.”

For information about our apprenticeship scheme visit westminster.gov.uk/findingwork To find out more apprenticeships in the council’s sports unit, visit westminster.gov.uk/sportvte

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Pupils from St Augustine’s School

A passport to work St Augustine’s School is the first to trial a new programme introduced by the council’s education service which aims to help prepare youngsters for the world of work.

The Employability Passport programme, which is designed to complement traditional forms of learning, is part of a wider drive to reduce the number of school leavers who do not go into education, employment or training. Over the past year, students in Years 6, 7 and 8 have taken part in workshops and projects to help them start developing skills that will make them attractive to employers.

One project involved a group of five Year 7 pupils who were tasked with the challenge of devising their own business idea to benefit the local community. Within a two-week period, the group created a T-shirt emblazoned with their own design to 18

raise money for a Westminster charity.

The students chose The Screen Community which trains underprivileged young people in the arts of television and film. They were supported by mentors from a local business who helped them realise the project before pitching it to a panel of judges.

Abdel Ydri, who oversees the programme, said he was struck by how the children responded to the feedback they were given.

“The beautiful thing was seeing how the relationship between the business advisers and students developed. This project has given them the confidence that will set them in good stead when they come to apply for interviews.”

Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

Students at the school also spent a day in the company of an international athlete, who encouraged them to set their sights high and work together to achieve their goals. The Year 8 students were visited by Team GB hockey player Chloe Rogers, taking part in physical activities which required them to work in a team.

schools across Westminster, Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington & Chelsea. Eventually children who take part in the programme will be given an employability passport – a document which will demonstrate to employers that they have the experience to flourish in a working environment.

One student who participated in the ‘Aspiring Minds’ event said: “We all encouraged each other and depended on each other to make sure the team did as well as it could. It made me want to pursue my goal and not give up until I am really good at it.”

Abdel Ydri, who also led a workshop on work-related learning as part of St Augustine’s trial, says that employers now expect students to have developed transferable skills beyond those they learn in the classroom.

Now all the children who took part wear a band on their wrists inscribed with something they are determined to achieve as a reminder that nothing is out of reach.

Following the success of the trial, the scheme is due to be piloted in five other

“By the time our students reach Year 10, they have the skills that will allow them to thrive in the world of work. But it is about more than that. We have the opportunity to inspire them.”

There’s another way to apply for benefits and pay your Council Tax

Our new online service lets you find information, make council tax payments, and apply for benefits online. www.westminster.gov.uk/savetime

Westminster Children First, Issue 19, October 2013

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Make sure they know where and how to cross.

• Find the safer places to cross.

Learn to recognise Zebra, Pelican and Puffin crossings.

• Even when the green man is lit it may not be safe to cross so look and listen for traffic.

Only cross if traffic has or will stop at the crossing.

Take care, don’t listen to music or check your phone when crossing the road.