Families Chiltern May/June 2024

25th May2nd June

Thames Valley Air Ambulance Celebrates 25 Years

In 1999, Thames Valley Air Ambulance first took to the skies to treat patients in critical need. Now, a quarter of a century and nearly 35,000 call outs later they are celebrating this milestone with a fun-filled family day for the whole community on the 22nd June at Penn Estate.

Amanda McLean, Chief Executive Off icer at Thames Valley Air Ambulance said: “Both the care we deliver at the scene and the support we off er long afterwards are funded solely by our community. It’s your generous donations that have allowed us to be there for these 35,000 people in their time of need.”

Their ‘Big Birthday Bash’ will include a variety of fun activities for both kids and adults to enjoy, from circus shows and workshops to special demonstrations from their crew plus plenty of delicious food and drink from local vendors. Tickets start from £4 and all proceeds go to help Thames Valley Air Ambulance continue to be there for those in most need. More information at: �� tvairambulance.org.uk/support-us/events/big-birthday-bash

Join in Walk to School Week

A generation ago, seventy percent of us walked to school – now it’s less than half. So Walk to School Week was started to encourage more kids to get out of the car and walk to school.

New pre-school opens in Beaconsfield

Walk to School Week is held from 20th to 24th May and is organised by the UK charity Living Streets to celebrate the health and wellbeing benefits of walking. Families will be encouraged to walk, cycle, scoot or ‘park and stride’ to see the big differences that can come from small steps - from healthier and happier children who arrive refreshed, fi t and ready to learn - to less congestion and fewer cars outside the school gates. Download the Family Walk to School Kit, designed to help parents, carers and children make the walk to school work for them, by visiting �� livingstreets.org. uk/walk-to-school

New Adult Learning courses starting now!

Hundreds of one-day workshops and part-time short courses including:

• Family Learning

• Health and Fitness

• Complementary therapies

• Distance Online Learning

• Apprenticeships

• Creative Arts

• Languages and many more!

‘Curl Around Pre-School’ opened on 16th April at the Church Hall, Shepherds Lane in Beaconsfield following a complete refurbishment, (formally Jack & Jills / Jolly James.) The Director, Sarah Fahey, has worked in the childcare sector for over 20 years, also running full day care settings, including Beaconsfield Childcare and a before and after-school club at St Mary’s School. This wealth of knowledge and experience will be brought to the new setting which will provide a safe, secure, fun and nurturing environment with an ambitious curriculum. The pre-school will also off er 2,3,and 4 year old funded places for children. It will be open from 8.15am-3.15pm, offering morning and afternoon options as well as all-day. For more information or to book a place, email: sarah@curlaroundpreschool.co.uk or call 07539 430166.

Enrol now for our summer term courses

01296 382403 | adultlearningbc.ac.uk

studentenquiries@buckinghamshire.gov.uk

WhatsApp campaign to ban smartphones goes viral

More than four thousand parents have joined a group committed to barring preteen children from having smartphones, as concerns grow about online safety and the harmful impact of social media on mental health.

The WhatsApp group ‘Smartphone Free Childhood’ was created by the former school friends, Clare Fernyhough and Daisy Greenwell, in response to their fears around children’s smartphone use and the ‘norm’ of giving children smart devices when they go to secondary school.

Ofcom research found that ninety one percent of children in the UK own a smartphone by age 11 and forty four percent by age 9. What they expected to be a small group of friends who help ‘empower each other’ has turned into a nationwide campaign after the group reached the 1,000-person capacity within twenty four hours. It has now been converted into a community and has over 4,500 members. More info: �� smartphonefreechildhood.co.uk

Open Farm Sunday

Open Farm Sunday on 9th June provides a unique opportunity for families to explore real working farms and learn more about the countryside.

Managed by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), this annual event allows families and individuals to witness daily farm activities, engage with passionate farmers and learn about sustainable practices.

Visitors can enjoy tractor-trailer rides, farm tours, nature trails, bug hunts and farmers’ markets. The event bridges the gap between consumers and farmers, emphasising the importance of British agriculture.

It’s an educational, community-focused day that celebrates the hard work behind our food production and off ers free access to farm experiences. There are three Open Farms in Buckinghamshire on 9th June: Lacey’s Family Farm in High Wycombe, Road Farm in Great Missenden and Waddesdon Estate. More details and times at: �� farmsunday.org

Inspire your little Michelangelo with a trip to a working artist’s studio

Bucks Art Weeks is Buckinghamshire’s largest visual arts festival and open studios event. In June each year, this 16 day not-for-profit celebration of the county’s artistic and creative talent invites everyone to visit artists, potters, glass workers, print-makers, jewellers, sculptors, photographers, textile workers and more. Around 250 artists, makers and designers open their doors and welcome the public to see their creations and watch them work. Over 40,000 people visit each year, thousands of artworks change hands and substantial amounts are generated for a whole host of charities. This year the festival runs from 8th to 23rd June and you can see more and plan your visit at: �� bucksartweeks.org.uk

Days Out Reviews

Two Oaks Pony Sanctuary

This is such a lovely little treasure hidden in Berkhamsted. Despite living close by, I had no idea it existed and what lovely work they do there! The owner was happy to share the history of the place and some terrific pony stories, such as Millie ‘the nurturer’ to all new arrivals. This was an added boon to a lovely family day in which we were able to see various ponies and read their stories as the children carefully groomed them.

The children loved the grooming, especially my youngest who needed instruction as the ponies dwarfed him. They took long turns stroking and brushing, saying hello to each pony before they headed off for bonus Easter Egg hunting.

The added activities for Easter weren’t tempered by the rain which kept coming. In fact, the children much enjoyed exploring the muddy fields and climbing trees at the back. There was even a bonus rainbow breaking through the rain, only adding to the peaceful feel of the sanctuary. We will certainly have to return sometime to support this worthwhile cause again and pick up some more eggs (of the chicken/Goose/Duck variety)!

Note: Open weekends for pony grooming. Parking is on the nearby residential roads. Sat Nav: Berkhamsted, HP4 3RJ.

Lost Jungle Mini Golf

It was a very crisp morning when we decided to brave the outdoors and have some fun. My husband, a keen golfer, had seen this course on his drive home and suggested we see if our kids would enjoy it too.

The courses amazed them both from the get-go, with two distinct sides to choose from – the Amazon course or the Congo course. Both had eye-catching themes that looked pretty exciting with giant animal sculptures, uniquely themed holes and waterfalls. The kids loved the look of the Amazon course and once assured that hole 18 for both courses was the infamous King Kong, they raced for the first hole.

It was fun, challenging and hilarious! With holes over mini waterfalls and streams, it involved much racing to scoop up an erstwhile ball. It was a few hours of good quality family time. Even our youngest did his best to putt into the holes, though at times I spotted both boys nudging the balls into the hole when they thought we weren’t looking. All-in-all, a great time out. Come summer, we will return to conquer the Congo!

Note: Bookings are not required before the day. Sat Nav: Watford-by-pass, Edgware, HA8 8DD.

By Claire Lockie Williams

Woodside Farm

My friend recommended this farm, it’s one of her ‘go to’ places and it certainly didn’t disappoint! In some respects, it’s smaller than some of the recent farms we’ve been to, but there was more than enough to keep us busy and the kids wanting more, despite arriving on opening and not leaving until close.

It has a real intimate safe feel, which as a parent is a must. We both felt confident letting the children move between the areas without needing to stay close to them at all times, which gave them a fantastic sense of independence. There were the animals to feed, including cheeky goats, plus a bonus guinea pig cuddle. The outdoor play areas are amazing, a variety of (mainly) wood and plastic frames and climbing apparatus which the kids clamoured on. The pedal carts and big jumping pillows were big hits too. There was also a mini golf course and a carousel, the latter currently being refurbed and due to open in the summer.

A tractor ride was the highlight, especially for the little ones, and the soft play was given a thorough exploration and play. I’ve passed the recommendation on to other friends and will certainly be coming back myself.

Note: Book in advance to avoid disappointment, especially during half term. Sat Nav: Slip End, LU1 4DG.

Days Out J u n i o r R e p o r t e r s

Go Ape

By Lily Kirsch

My brother, Ollie, attended a party at Go Ape last year. It looked so much fun that I really wanted to have a go myself. So I was super excited to visit and was counting down the days!

Finally, it was the day. Getting to Go Ape at Wendover Woods was easy and we parked where there was plenty of space. We headed down to the Go Ape hut where they gave us everything we need. My Mum had already filled out a special form but we still got there early to make sure we used the most of our time slot.

Chinnor Railway

By Katy Grice

When we had all the climbing gear on an instructor showed us how to safely manoeuvre across the course. Then we were ready to go! At first I decided I wanted my brother to go in front. I was a bit scared and nervous at the start but I did get used to it and started to have fun. I was worried that I’d get stuck, but the staff were there to help. After that I was enjoying myself so much that I wanted to go first!

We went around two different courses during our one hour time slot and then it was time to go on the zip wire! Weeeee! It was my absolute favourite part!

I would definitely recommend Go Ape at Wendover - it’s such an adventure!

As we entered Chinnor station, (Mummy liked the free carpark), we were greeted by a joyful station master. He was wearing a black peaked hat and a jacket with golden buttons.

We chose where to sit and we sat in carriage ‘Dean.’ It was a private carriage and it had squeaky, red-cushioned seats. There were beautifully tied back velvety curtains. I put my bags on the net racks above my head. There was a huge teddy bear sitting in the corner, I gave him a big cuddle.

Our journey from Chinnor to Princes Risborough was nearly 8 miles and took about 25 minutes. The train started so smoothly that I didn’t realise I was moving. Out of the window there were patchwork, uneven fields with fluffy sheep darting

Kew Gardens

By Andrea Murphy

I went to Kew Gardens which is a big park with lots of plants. We went at Easter time and they had a Bluey trail.

First we went to the children’s garden. They named all the different areas things that plants need to grow - air garden, earth garden, water garden and sun garden. My favourite was the air garden that had lots of giant windmills and three trampolines. I really enjoyed the climbing rope because I got to the top. In the other gardens, there were stepping stones over a river and sandpit with lots of slides.

away as the steam train went by. At Princes Risborough station, I saw the locomotive uncouple and then connect onto the carriages the other end, making them jerk and wobble the people still inside. The driver said I could climb onto the locomotive to have a look. It was very cramped!

Later, we returned to Chinnor. At Chinnor, Mummy bought me an ice cream from the shop. I bought a fridge magnet for Grandma. There was a cafe that served scorching coffee.

We went to a toy railway near the platform where you could play with trains on a track. One of the volunteers was making a whistle sound, pretending he was a train. I thought that was fun. I had an amazing time visiting the railway.

I enjoyed the Bluey trail because there were lots of fun games. The game I loved the most was musical statues because there was some really funky music. There was also a game called ‘barky boats.’ where you got a ball and you had to roll it down a special path that had boats and lily pads.

The plants that caught my eye the most were the fly traps! Some of them have teeth to eat flies, some of them are really slippery so the fly can’t get out if it falls in and some are really sticky so the fly can’t get off.

Birthday traditions

The lovely thing about birthday traditions is that they don’t have to be big and expensive to be really fun and meaningful.They’re all about creating lasting memories. Tamsin Ryan shares a few fun ideas with you:

Add decorations and leave their presents at the end of your child’s bed, while they sleep. A lovely surprise when they wake!

Write your child a letter every year for their birthday, for a lovely keepsake when they are older. Or they could write something each year for a time capsule of their letters and drawings.

Offer a ‘yes’ day, where you agree to all requests from the birthday child. You may want to have a few ‘safety’ caveats, to ensure certain requests are out of bounds.

Write little post-it notes for the birthday child and hide them round their room, the house, in their school bag and their lunchbox.

Send their birthday card in the post, even if you are all at home; it’s always fun to receive mail.

Prepare a fantastic birthday breakfast feast, such as piles of pancakes covered in fruit, syrup and cream. Or maybe just start the day the best way - with birthday cake!

Something they want, something they need, something to wear and something to read. Gifting the birthday child with these is a lovely way to celebrate a birthday in a more grounded way.

Plan a scavenger hunt around the house and garden. Set it up the evening before, and ask the birthday child to solve clues in order to hunt down their gifts. You can buy treasure hunt kits online or create your own around a special theme.

Good party etiquette

Is there such a thing?

Whether you are throwing a party for your child or sending them off to their friend’s birthday celebration, finding your way around the do’s and don’ts of children’s birthday parties has become akin to navigating a war zone. Here we tackle a few of the thorny issues that seem to crop up every year.

Who gets invited?

Your child has already been to three parties this year where the entire class was invited. But the thought of 30 small people bouncing off walls makes you break out in sweat. Remember “entire class” parties are your choice – you don’t have to give them just to keep other parents happy. The reality is that children WILL be happy with a small gathering so long as it feels special to them. Give invites to just their best friends and family and you’ll find the whole experience a whole lot easier.

Be subtle about invitations

Who is and isn’t invited to a party is guaranteed to cause playground ructions, so be tactful. Unless you’re inviting the whole class, don’t start handing invitations out as the kids are lining up to go into school; you may end up being called in by the teacher who spent the first class consoling those not on the list.

Be sure to RSVP

Planning a children’s party is stressful enough without having to chase people who haven’t replied. Replying promptly will earn you lots of gold stars with the party child’s parents, so just do it. And whatever you do, do NOT turn up on the day without RSVPing.

Check before you take siblings

Don’t assume no one will mind if a younger or older sibling tags along. When the entertainer has a strict limit on numbers and the party parents have worked out exactly how many fairy cakes they need, added extras can cause a real headache. So make sure you check beforehand.

Presents DEFINITELY required

As adults we may think that when it comes to parties, presence is better than presents. But as far as kids are concerned, it’s all about the gifts. Yes, we know the birthday girl doesn’t NEED another cheap and nasty Disney figurine that’ll last about 10 minutes, but turn up empty-handed at your peril.

Party bags – really?

All kids love to leave events with mementoes but if you really don’t fancy party bags, then why not have a piñata instead? Buy some cute but cheap paper bags, and then the children can stuff them with whatever they grabbed from the piñata themselves.

Thank-you notes?

This is obviously a personal choice but it’s a nice thing to do with your child once the chaos of their birthday has faded. Taking some quiet time to remember what gifts your child received and who came to the party can be a really fun activity and assures your child doesn’t take the whole experience for granted.

Give a contact number

Before you hotfoot it out of the door, make sure the party host has your contact number. If your child starts throwing up over their playmates and you’re incommunicado then you can bet they won’t be invited next year. And if you’re the host, make sure you get phone details from all parents or you may be stuck with overwrought Olivia for a LOT longer than you bargained for.

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Eco birthday gifts

By Tamsin Ryan

At a time when we are all trying to reduce the amount of plastic we consume, it seems toymakers and our little ones are against us every step of the way, filling our homes with plastic toys and gadgets everywhere we look. Moreover, these colourful and joyous pieces of plastic often provide precious little fun before they are pushed aside for the next in line.

When the inevitable birthday party season comes along, gifting something that is a little kinder to the planet might also provide some longer lasting fun.

Garden games are a long standing favourite gift. They are great for getting kids outside and provide the opportunity for lots of family fun. Lovely wooden games such as quoits, Jenga and skittles will provide years of fun and last a lifetime.

Books are often overlooked but can be such meaningful and enjoyable gifts. Favourite stories can be read and loved again and again and then passed onto siblings, friends or the next generation. Alternatively, a book token gives children the fun of browsing a real bookshop.

No presents! If you are having a party for your child, you may just want to ask for no presents at all, if you feel your child has more than enough. Alternatively, ask everyone to bring along a book that they’ve enjoyed reading and do a book swap, so everyone get a gift.

Preloved gifts are also a great option. As children often outgrow their toys before they really get a chance to play with them, you can find plenty of preloved toys that are like new. You save money, kids barely know the difference between new and preloved and aren’t bothered anyway. Try nearly new sales, charity shops or school fairs. If you’re short on time, rumage.com can search all your favourite marketplaces and filter by location so you can find a seller nearby.

Lasting gifts. A subscription is a gift that keeps on giving, perhaps a monthly magazine or a craft box.

Non-physical gifts. Instead of stuff, consider a fun day out or an experience that the whole family can enjoy or some dance, music or sports classes. Another idea is an annual (family) membership to a local amusement park, museum or similar, which means your gift can be enjoyed again and again throughout the year.

‘Fiver’ parties are also rising in popularity and it’s easy to see why. They reduce the pressure on parents to search for the perfect gift and also mean the birthday child can use the combined monies to buy a meaningful gift that they would really like.

For more birthday tips, read Tamsin’s blog at www.icecreamandjelly.com or check out her Instagram page @icecreamandjelly_uk

Handmade and upcycled presents add a really personal touch. You can make something bespoke that will be unique to the lucky recipient. Previously I’ve upcycled a scooter and a guitar for my daughter, which have been loved and adored.

Whatever gift you decide to go with, by consciously avoiding new plastic and making sustainable choices, your biggest gift will be to the planet - and thus the future of the birthday child. What more could they ask for?

Childrens

parties from £8.95 per head

Broadening your child’s vocabulary

By Jemma Z Smith

Vocabulary development is often something that parents mention when they approach a tuition company. Unfortunately, this area of learning does not have a ‘quick fix’ solution. Vocabulary acquirement, retention and application takes a long time.

Children need to be exposed to new vocabulary several times in several different contexts in order to fully absorb it and use it in their own writing and speaking, recognise it in a range of uses and be able to adapt it (for example, adding prefixes and suffixes) when questioned in a test environment.

Vocabulary is a vital aspect of primary education, especially for pupils preparing for entrance exams. A rich vocabulary not only enhances language skills but also serves as a key tool for academic success.

Understanding words in various contexts is fundamental for primary pupils. It allows them to grasp the meanings and usage of words, which helps to improve their comprehension skills.

Additionally, a strong vocabulary assists in spelling tasks, making children more aware of homophones and homographs, thus avoiding common pitfalls in their writing, particularly in time pressured test conditions. For example, in some verbal reasoning papers, children may be presented with a choice of synonyms to match together: wind, reign, meander. In this example, wind (verb) and

Categories of vocabulary

Vocabulary can be categorised into three tiers. It’s useful to be aware that vocabulary absorption may happen at different levels, depending on how often the child has been exposed to the new word and what tier it comes under. Here are some examples and how to help.

Tier 1 vocabulary consists of basic, everyday words that children typically acquire naturally through daily interactions. Reading aloud to children and engaging in conversations expose them to these fundamental words. Examples include: warm, dog, cereal.

Tier 2 words are more sophisticated and are often encountered in written language. Reading independently exposes children to this level of vocabulary, helping them grasp nuanced meanings and enhancing their ability to express themselves more eloquently. Examples include: contradict, precede, commotion.

Entrance exams often assess Tier 3 vocabulary, which includes subject-specific or technical terms. Encouraging children to explore a variety of texts, including academic materials related to their interests, helps them build a specialised vocabulary crucial for exam success.

meander are synonyms but the child may read it as windthe noun - due to its position next to a word that sounds like another type of weather but is spelt differently. Having a broad vocabulary proves invaluable when preparing for entrance exams as it enables children to infer meanings and understand the overall message of a text without constantly referring to a dictionary, which although a useful skill, can break the flow of reading.

Encouraging reading for pleasure is a powerful strategy to improve and develop children’s vocabulary. Parents should emphasise the importance of reading anything and everything, from storybooks to comic books, menus during meals and signs while out and about. Such diverse reading opportunities expose children to varied language structures and expressions, contributing significantly to the expansion of their vocabulary banks. If you can convince them to read some of the classic works of Dickens and perhaps some JRR Tolkien, that is great but all reading material can be useful.

Jemma Z Smith is Director of The Education Hotel. For further advice, visit �� educationhotel.co.uk

Reading with your child

Reading to your child and encouraging independent reading both play important roles in shaping vocabulary and overall academic success.

When parents read to their children, they introduce them to a rich and varied language, using texts that they may not yet have the ability themselves to read; but they can still enjoy the entertainment factor and absorb the rich vocabulary used.

Children love to feel involved in what the ‘grown ups’ are doing and this can be true quality time shared. The shared experience fosters a love for stories and language, laying the groundwork for a lifelong appreciation of reading.

Encouraging children to ask questions about what they have heard, searching for similarities between other authors’ work or other characters who may be similar, again broadens their vocabulary and helps them to consider how vocabulary can be used in different contexts for a different impact.

This could also be an opportunity to use audiobooks and age-appropriate podcasts, perhaps on the way to and from school, before bedtime and at the weekends.

Developing skills for good school performance

By Gail Hugman

Many parents worry about their children underachieving or not reaching the expected level by the time they leave primary school or sit 11+ exams but there is good news. By developing your child’s skills it may be easier to improve their performance than you might think.

Research has shown that to be our most effective as learners, we need to develop a specific set of skills known as executive function skills.

Don’t be put off by the name! You have all these skills. Some of you will be brilliant at them, others less so but you will not be a stranger to them.

We are all born with the potential to develop these skills over time but they are not specifically taught as part of the curriculum in school, even though they are critical for effective learning and for everything we do in life.

Where do you start? Self-control, focus and attention, organisation, memory (especially working memory), planning, time management, critical thinking, task initiation, perseverance and flexibility can all be taught.

As a basic minimum, when children go to school, they need to be able to control themselves, concentrate and listen. If any of these skills are weak, it is likely to be flagged up in the child’s school report.

Being able to boil an egg does not mean you can produce a gourmet meal! Likewise, being able to ‘sit up straight, look at the teacher and fold your arms,’ do not alone make you a good listener. Each skill - gourmet cooking AND listening - is a complex series of things we need to co-ordinate to accomplish a result.

By understanding the skills as a process, we can break down everything that needs to happen. For example, to be a good listener, we need to be able to stop what we’re doing, focus and make eye contact. This last may not be easy for children

who are overwhelmed by eye contact, so use discretion. Proper listening also involves cognitive skills: to concentrate, wait, reflect, make connections with reference, take in and sort information and finally, to respond appropriately.

Can your child stop what they’re doing when they’re asked? If not, work on it for a week and tell them that’s the target. Take each part of the process and focus on it until they get it.

Stages to encourage skill development

Define what your child is aiming to achieve; Explain the benefits of growing that skill to your child; Explain the downside of not having the skill in life; Create opportunities for your child to get feedback on how they’re doing with it; Congratulate small successes! The feedback you give your child helps their brain to get it right and consolidate it.

Support your child’s independence by focusing on developing their core skills as they progress through primary school. Find ways to work together with your child to use everyday life for working on the growing skills.

Plan homework; Time activities; Organise spelling; and Practise self-control.

Gail Hugman is proprietor of Lessons Alive (�� lessonsalive. com) and author of A Short and Simple Book for the Why’s, 100 Things to Learn before you’re 10, plus the soon to be published Making the Pennies Drop, which shows parents exactly how to teach key skills to their children.

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Supporting your child’s memory retention

By Erin Miller

Does your child struggle to remember things they have learnt at school? Cognitive science can help us to understand how our children’s brains work and how they will learn best.

In order to remember, we need to store information in our long-term memory. Around thirty years ago, Australian psychologist John Sweller published a paper which has significantly advanced our understanding of how information passes from the working memory into the long-term memory. The theory that came from his work is called Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) and it is worth having a basic understanding of the theory, so that we can support our children when they are struggling to remember information they learn.

When a child first learns new information, it is held in their working memory. The working memory is limited and if it is overloaded, it becomes very difficult to transfer that information into the long-term memory.

Sweller estimated that only five to nine items can be held in the working memory at any one time. Interestingly, it is thought that the long-term memory is unlimited in its capacity. So, to give your child the best chances of success in both formal exams and in being creative, we must help them to shift information into their long-term memories. Once information is stored there, it can be retrieved when it is needed and has therefore been learnt.

Start by removing the technical distractions

Working memory is proof of our limited attention span. Our children are surrounded by modern technology which can overload their brains. Webpages and apps with lots of functions, images and options are likely to overload cognitive capability; research has shown us that simpler designs work better when it comes to memory.

Therefore, when you’re focusing on getting your child to remember something, try to eliminate distractions This starts with removing technology. A mini whiteboard at home can be helpful in presenting just one piece of information at a time.

Where technology is necessary for the learning task, ensure only the relevant window is open. When messages or notifications are popping up, this takes up space in your child’s working memory. Multi-tasking is a myth when it comes to learning and remembering new information.

Ultimately, when your child is struggling to understand or remember something, one of the most helpful things you can do is to remove technology and start working on paper.

The golden rule is to not overload a child’s working memory. A teaching method called ‘chunking’ is now helping children to retain information for longer. Chunking involves breaking down information into smaller (bitesize) chunks. By focusing on just one idea at a time, children are able to digest and recall the information.

Whilst this may sound simple and even obvious, breaking down information into chunks can be tricky, as they often need to be even smaller than you might imagine. For example, in answering a question about history, consider how many bits of micro information that your child will need. Try to keep information in the five to nine range.

Ultimately, CLT has helped educators to design learning to support the way that children’s brains work. This is, of course, largely the job of your child’s teacher. However, when parents understand and arm themselves with this knowledge, they can use it to support their child’s learning at home and help them flourish at school.

Erin Miller is a teacher with a keen interest in how research can be used in the classroom to improve learning.

Heatherton Preparatory School in Amersham is one of the six schools in the Berkhamsted Schools Group. The school’s modest student population ensures children are comfortable and can get to know the entire pupil and staff population on a personal level. Here are some comments from their parents.

“All the girls and teachers know each other and that creates a closeknit environment”. Parents value Heatherton’s family-like community, claiming it helped their child to know their peers in older and younger year groups. A parent said, “older girls often help and play with the younger ones, which can get lost in larger schools.”

“Pastoral care is at the heart of all Heatherton do,” one parent praised. Each child is assigned a Form Tutor who not only monitors their academic progress, but also their personal, emotional, and social development, which is why parents applaud the positive impact Heatherton has had on their daughter’s well-being. “The pastoral care is wonderful, and my daughter looks forward to school, she comes out smiling every day.”

Heatherton’s individualised care and support for every child even extends into the classroom. With an average ratio of one teacher/ teaching assistant to every ten pupils in a classroom and lessons that are adapted to the needs of each

child, parents are impressed by the personalised academic support their child receives.

“By virtue of being a small school, I feel that all the staff have a good understanding of the pupils.” Another parent said, “Heatherton offers stretch tasks to those more academically able whilst supporting others to achieve their best.”

This individualised support both inside and outside the classroom means Heatherton girls can reach their full academic potential, without compromising their wellbeing at school. Academically, parents love that Heatherton offers a broad and rich curriculum that challenges the girls to ‘aim high’ and strive for their best academic results. “The school fosters a love of learning and instils ‘aiming high’ as one of the school values. In my opinion, a happy child will learn to their full potential and that is very much the ethos at Heatherton.” Another parent said, “the teachers inspire and motivate the girls to learn to their full potential academically and this is supported pastorally too, to ensure that each child’s wellbeing is at the heart of all that they do.”

The school’s high academic attainment has led to an enviable record of academic success and most girls move on to their preferred choice of Senior School each year, with Heatherton’s average Transfer Test (11+) pass rate over the past ten years being approximately double that of the county average.

Heatherton parents emphasise that their daughters benefit from being part of the wider Berkhamsted Schools Group. One parent said, “pupils have access to the most incredible facilities offsite via Berkhamsted”. Another Heatherton parent stated, “The school uses the Haresfoot Outdoor Education facilities, swimming pool and sports fields at Berkhamsted School sites,

so the facilities of a larger school are available.”

Parents also love the opportunities to become a part of their child’s personal development and extracurricular pursuits.“There are regular music performances for the parents which enables the girls to build their confidence and perform in front of an audience.”

It’s not the facilities themselves but the opportunities they offer for pupils to get out of their comfort zone and develop personally, socially and emotionally that parents appreciate most. From a myriad of extracurricular sports, music lessons, and drama performances, an education at Heatherton engages the mind, body and spirit. One parent told us: “There are so many opportunities for the children to challenge themselves like music performances, competitions, homework, projects, sports events and school trip.”

A parent whose child struggled with the transition from her previous school to Heatherton commended the school’s ability to provide holistic opportunities for her daughter to grow in confidence, “I am most delighted about the growth in my daughter’s self-belief, she is doing things that push her outside of her comfort zone in the classroom and outside of the classroom.”

Would parents recommend Heatherton? “Heatherton is a truly fantastic school that teaches children to be confident, kind, and to respect one another. The teaching is first class and every single staff member is warm, engaging and wants the absolute best for the girls. Sending my daughter four years ago was the best decision I could have ever made, and I would recommend Heatherton to anyone that will listen!”

Clubs, Classes & Activities

Tiska Karate

Weekend classes and Summer Workshops held at Dr Challoner’s High school.

18 sports a year and weekly team building. Ideal for ages 4 -16.

Book your place today! Join today at: �� multisports.co.uk

At TISKA Karate, children and adults alike learn the essentials of etiquette, respect, self discipline, self awareness, confidence, fitness, and self-defence.

Photograph of their youngest Black belt, 8 year old Tyler Yamamoto. Contact: office@tiska.com for further details of your 1 month free trial.

Supernova Cheerleading Kids Swimming Lessons Total Tutoring Multisports

Quality tuition from professional teachers.

11+: English, maths, VR and NVR. Small group and bespoke 1:1 lessons.

�� totaltutoring.co.uk

E: total.tutoring.plus@gmail.com

☎ 07391 966667

TOTAL TUTORING

Cheerleading and Dance sessions for all ages (5+) and all abilities. Their aim is to teach new skills in a positive, family environment and, most importantly, have fun!

Training is on Monday and Wednesday evenings in High Wycombe.

IG: @supernovacheer

Contact: info@supernovacheer.co.uk

Trapdoor Performing Arts

Acting classes with West End actors and TV professionals. Musical theatre and dance classes also on Saturdays. Act, dance and sing in separate classes for pre-school, infants, juniors and teens across all disciplines.

Celebrating 100% pass rate in LAMDA and IDTA examinations year-on-year.

☎ 01494 876487

�� trapdoordrama.com

Seriously FUN Swimming Schools offer children's swim classes in: Amersham Aylesbury, Gerrards Cross, Wycombe, Maidenhead and Slough. Only 6 per class, £58 per month and 50% off your initial payment with code: DISCOUNT50.

Book your swim lessons online at: �� seriouslyfun.com

Swimming

Learning to swim

Learning to swim

Learning to swim is the only physical activity which can save your life.

In recognition of this, all schools must provide swimming lessons in Key Stage 1 or 2 (ages 5 to 11), as a statutory sport within the Physical Education (PE) curriculum.

In particular, pupils should be taught to perform safe self-rescue in different water-based situations; swim competently, confidently and proficiently over a distance of AT LEAST 25 metres and use a range of strokes effectively, for example, front crawl, backstroke and breaststroke.

However, Swim England recommends that your child doesn’t give up on regular private swimming lessons once they start swimming with school as these are crucial to their continued development and ultimately safety. The aim of school swimming and water safety lessons during PE are to teach your child to be safe in and around water, with the emphasis on water safety.

At private lessons, your child will be taught more in-depth skills and techniques than they will at school. Regular private lessons progress way past the minimum national curriculum requirements and your child continues their aquatic education towards an active and healthy future.

What will my child learn during school swimming?

As well as learning to swim the basic strokes, your child will learn how to be safe around different water environments eg beaches, lakes, canals. Your child will be taught how the skills they learn in their swimming lessons can be used in an emergency situation.

Packing a swimming kit

Swimwear. Check school guidelines on the swimwear permitted.

Towels. Two can be good!

Swimming cap. Keeps long hair out of the face and reduces ‘drag’ to make swimming easier.

Goggles. Ideally pupils need to experience swimming without goggles; if your child falls into a lake they won’t have goggles and may panic. If you think your child needs to wear goggles, discuss with their school.

Toiletries. Pack shampoo, conditioner, shower gel etc to wash off pool chemicals.

Hairbrush/Comb. Hair clips/bands are useful if swimming without a cap.

Jewellery. This should ideally be removed for safety. Water. In a pool, children won’t notice how much they sweat. Give them a water bottle, remind them to keep it poolside and take regular sips.

Snack. Depending on school rules, a small snack like a banana for after their lesson will help replace energy.

Your role

As a parent, guardian or carer you play a vital role in encouraging your child to swim and learn about water safety, survival and lifesaving. You can help your child grow their water confidence through enjoying fun family swimming sessions together and also talking about water safety know-how.

Make sure your child has everything they need to take part in their swimming lessons and also find out what their current attainment level is and what they should be achieving.

If you are in a Parent Teacher Association (PTA)

You have an important role to play. Children who don’t learn to swim at school often never learn at all. In your regular meetings, you can encourage and support your school to sign up to the Charter and take swimming and water safety seriously, as well as making sure it stays on the agenda.

For further information, visit: �� swimming.org

Smoby Flower Market Creations

Kit Giveaway

A shear delight for visitors to Odds Farm Park this May half term Competitions

There’s a woolly welcome in store for visitors to Odds Farm Park, near Beaconsfield, this May half term (25 May – 2 June).  The rare breeds farm is hosting a Half Term Hoedown where visitors can look forward to sheep shearing demonstrations, welly-wanging competitions, arts and crafts, and the chance to Do-Si-Do with Farmer Oddsocks and his family in the interactive country dancing sessions. There will also be the opportunity to meet all the new spring babies who’ve arrived on the farm including lambs, kid goats and piglets. Louise Winslow, assistant general manager, says: “Sheep shearing is a key event in the farming calendar. We have over 140 sheep on site with shearing taking place everyday of the half term holiday.” In addition, there is also plenty of weather-proof fun in the indoor soft play barn, while outside there is the outdoor adventure play, Marmalade’s Mini Golf course, Tractor and Trailer ride, H2 Odds water play area and Marmalade’s Mini Rovers.   �� oddsfarm.co.uk

WIN a Family Day Ticket to Odds Farm Park

Odds Farm Park are offering one lucky reader a family day pass (2 adults and 2 children) to visit the children’s activity farm.

To be in with a chance of winning this fabulous family prize worth over £75, simply answer the following question:

What is the name of the farmer who will be appearing at Odds Farm Park this May half term?

Please email your answer and town to: competitions@familieschiltern. co.uk The closing date for entry is Friday 24th May.

Design and construct flowers with Smoby Flower Market Creations Petals can be re-used plus refill packs available Includes flower press and flower parts

Ages 3+

Worth £39.99

Book Giveaway

Keep your little ones entertained with our exciting book giveaway - perfect for keeping children busy while they learn and practice key skills.

Prize Includes:

Little Hands Picture Matching: Farm and Under the Sea

Let your child’s imagination soar as they complete farm and undersea scenes with stickers.

Mix & Match Tracing: Animals

Children can unleash their creativity by creating new imaginary animals

Magic Transfers: Unicorns

Watch as your child’s eyes light up with delight as they decorate six magical scenes

Who’s Next? Guess Who!

A delightful game of hide-and-seek!

How to Enter:

To win the ultimate boredom buster for your little one, simply tell us the main themes of the books:

a) Fairies b) Unicorns & animals c) Puppies.

Email your answer by Tuesday 4th June to: competitions@familieschiltern.co.uk

Prioritising YOU after having a baby

By Emma and Louisa from The Midwife House.

Type this title into Google and what do you think you’ll find? Self-care and eating guides or emotional wellness tips? No, the search leads you to equipment lists, antenatal care and a collection of tasks and jobs to achieve. The ‘you’ part as an individual is missing.

Is it any wonder that 94% of the 3,500 women recently surveyed by the mum’s group ‘Peanut’ said they ‘expected to put themselves last.’

Preparation when becoming a parent rarely includes planning time for you - the adult.

You may ponder, ‘does it matter, after all they’re only small once?’ And only you can answer this, but for us as midwives and mums the answer is easy – 100% it matters!

The intensity of keeping the needs of your new humans met 24/7 is more than a full-time job. Taking time out takes planning. As a parent, to allocate such time means taking a deliberate decision to prioritise self-care. For each of us it looks different – a haircut, food with friends, an exercise class but none of it is possible without planning.

Dedicate time and energy to your wellness is maintenance work and always necessary. On a flight, adults are told to put oxygen masks on themselves before helping children. The rationale being, you’re able to look after others better, if you’re looked after first.

Then comes mum/parenting guilt that most of us have. This guilt isn’t there because you are doing something wrong - it’s the parenting comparisons, it’s feeling bad for doing something for yourself, even if it’s only a shower. When you feel this remember the ‘oxygen mask’ analogy. Your needs

must be met for you to have the capacity to meet the needs of others. When you have self-directed time and attention, your baby benefits from a calmer and happier parent.

Ok - so how do you do it? Let’s cover the basics: take time to regularly eat well, keep hydrated with the right fluids, rest before exhaustion makes you stop, exercise and be honest when you need support and extra help.

Next personalise ‘how you fill your cup.’ Maybe start small and read two pages of a book instead of folding washing or maybe go big and arrange baby care so you’re able to run a route you love. The point is doing something to intentionally prioritise you.

Other ideas could be:

• Deliberately talking kindly to yourself about yourself.

• Reviewing your social media – is it full of images of perfect babies who haven’t had exploding poos? How do the images make you feel? Choose your 2am scrolling time carefully and ease some self-given parenting pressures. Look for the small wins!

• Say out loud what’s bothering you! The little things can build to big things if ignored and talking can help. The priority is being heard and feeling listened to.

• Parenthood can be lonely, and it’s okay to need to connect with other adults. Find them at postnatal groups, a coffee morning, or head to the library. Interaction is a support opportunity, and it’s alright to need it.

Whatever you try doing, remember the aim is to be a priority If trying to do some of these things seem too hard – try a different way. A daily affirmation to stay focused such as ‘I am doing my best and my best is good enough’ can encourage a positive mindset. Also recognise you are gold to your baby! YOU are special to them. Opting in and out (as a lot of us do) to self-care may limit its potential. Consistency is key to see the hidden bonuses of self-care such as noticing the little wins. Deciding to put time and energy aside for you, often means it becomes easier and more natural to do. When your whole life changes with the arrival of a new baby, self-care moments are never more important.

After all, to be prioritised means YOU really do matter!

Emma and Louisa can be found at The Midwife House Antenatal & Postnatal Workshops, Services & Groups. Check out their website �� themidwifehouse.co.uk for more information.

Handling toddler sleep challenges

By Heidi Skudder

After the baby months of feeding, getting to grips with naps and developing a routine and then finally moving onto solids, you’d think that the first year would be the hardest when it comes to sleep right!?

Wrong! Toddlers are notorious for their sleep challenges and whilst you may have had a baby who napped well and slept through the night, it is not unusual for this all to change in their second year and beyond – welcome to toddlerhood!

Sleep for toddlers is complex. It’s not just about making sure they are well fed and awake for long enough during the day, but also whether they’ve had enough of your attention to not crave it at night as well. Cue multiple visits to your bedroom once they can get out of their bed!

Nightmares

For many toddlers, imagination kicks in from around the age of two. This can bring genuine fears of the dark, monsters or anything else their little brain has convinced them is scary. This makes dropping off to sleep difficult and they may wake and need your support during the night to settle down again.

Reading comforting books together, favourite teddies or dolls and limiting TV exposure can be really useful, as can keeping a warm red or orange night light on for them.

Bedtime resistance

Another key stage in a toddler’s development arrives as they start to realise that they do, in fact, possess the language and control to be able to delay going to bed. ‘One more story, two more songs, I want milk, I need a wee’ have been commonly heard by many a toddler parent!

Whilst this is a phase and happens to the vast majority of parents, it is important to consider sticking to your boundaries during this period so that bedtime doesn’t start to become a two hour process. We speak to many parents who feel that they have lost control and that their toddler now dictates everything about their bedtime routine.

Co-sleeping

And then of course, there is the idea that maybe they

Night terrors

Common in times of change or after bouts of illness, night terrors usually occur in the earlier half of the night. Your child will appear to be but is not ACTUALLY awake. They may talk, scream, thrash around, have their eyes closed or be fixated on a point in the room.

Keep the area safe and ensure they don’t hurt themselves but try not to purposefully wake them up. The night terror will pass and they won’t remember it in the morning.

just want to be close to you. Sleeping in the same bed is considered normal in many cultures. The number of parents who are happy with this arrangement in the UK varies. Whilst some are very pro co-sleeping, others prefer separate beds and the prospect of a better night’s sleep. When it comes to night time sleeping arrangements, it is the best approach for your family that counts.

The common theme around sleep for both for babies and toddlers is consistency and some parents struggle with this. Whether you help your toddler fall asleep or ask them to settle to sleep on their own, it is the consistency of whatever approach you take that helps sleep along.

Doing different things, at different times of night, can be really confusing for a toddler and this can lead to multiple night wakes and confusion. Your best bet? Choose one approach to sleep and stick with it. Then the whole family will get a better night’s sleep.

Heidi Skudder is a Sleep Expert and founder of Positively Parenthood (�� positivelyparenthood.com) She is also a regular speaker at The Baby Show (�� thebabyshow.co.uk) taking place in London in March and October, Birmingham in May and Manchester in June.

Book Club

This month at Families, Rachel Bailey talks to Abi Elphinstone about her brand-new series that launches with Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons.

Your new character Ember Spark was inspired by someone close to home, can you tell us where the idea for the character came from?

I thought I’d seen my fair share of wildness over the years – I’ve ridden with the Kazakh Eagle Hunters in Mongolia and been a whisker away from orcas in the Arctic, but then, in 2022, I gave birth to my daughter. She has flame-red, untameable hair (there was a brush once but she hurled it off a cliff). She naps in the dog basket instead of her cot because the puppy is the only member of the family who doesn’t tell her what to do. She hates baths but loves swimming in the icecold North Sea. She eats sand. There was only one thing to be done with her, I thought: write her into a story. So, along came Ember Spark: a feisty, flame-haired, animal-loving girl who discovers a cave full of fantastical creatures on the east coast of Scotland and becomes an Apprentice Vet to Magical Beasts.

You recently relocated back to Scotland, where this story is also set, what pre-empted the move and what are you and your family enjoying about being there?

My husband and I both grew up in Scotland and the landscape there –with its silver birch forests, icy lochs and purple hills – instilled in us an indestructible sense of wonder at wild places. We lived in London for fifteen

years, but we always knew we’d return to Scotland. Covid sped up our move as we had our second child in lockdown and felt a yearning to be living in the countryside again – both in terms of having outdoor space for our kids to play but also having the wild on our doorstep to re-ignite our sense of wonder. My kids are loving swimming in the sea, pretending to be Bear Grylls in The Jungle Beyond (the wood outside our garden gate) and climbing fiendishly tall trees.

Ember and Arno become unlikely friends when they are both tasked with helping a series of magical creatures. Does every good hero need a sidekick?

Sidekicks enable a hero’s inner growth. I included Arno as an Apprentice Vet to Magical Beasts because I wanted to write a story about the magic that happens when two children find themselves on an adventure together. It’s a magic that says to each child: it’s worth being curious, taking risks and going the extra mile for your friends. As Ember discovers, when life moves in a difficult direction, it’s curiosity, courage and friendship that draw you out of the darkness. So, as much as the story is about the thrill of adventures in the wild, it’s also about friendship and selfdiscovery. Without Arno, Ember would never have learnt that ‘adventures are a hundred times better when shared.’

What creatures can we expect Ember and Arno to help next?

The second book, Ember Spark & The Frost Phoenix, comes out in October and opens with a magical beast hurtling through the window of Ember’s kitchen. It’s a frost phoenix, one of the rarest and wildest of magical beasts and it’s come to fetch Ember and Arno for their biggest adventure yet. One that involves krakens and neverwhales (whales that spout diamonds from their blowholes).

As a busy working mum, how do you like to spend your down time with your family?

We love visiting our local bookshop, Night Owl Books in East Linton. The children’s section has house martin nests in the eaves and tons of comics, which my two boys adore. I also love climbing mountains with my kids; they adore reaching the summit of North Berwick Law, because a fibreglass replica of a whale’s jawbone sits on top and sometimes, we glimpse wild ponies slinking round the side of the hill. Exploring caves down on the beach prompted me to write about a secret cave in Ember Spark & The Thunder of Dragons. And I love reading to my kids - my three-year-old recently burst into my bedroom at 6am and said: ‘Hello. I’ve finished all of my dreams. Let’s read a book!’

With the summer holidays just around the corner, what would be your ideal day out – long walk in the countryside or sightseeing in the city?

Long walk in the countryside. My kids have forgotten how to behave in a city. When we take them into Edinburgh, they crawl under buses, lie down on zebra crossings and lick shop windows. We’re on safer ground in the countryside – so long as I remember snacks for the walk. Without them, a twenty-minute jaunt through the woods can feel like ascending Everest with three extremely stubborn sloths.

Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons publishes on May 9th priced £7.99.

For your chance to win a copy, all you have to do is answer the question below and email your answer to: competitions@familieschiltern.co.uk

What’s the name of the first book in Abi’s new series?

A Ember Spark and the Thunder of Dragons

B Ember Spark and the Frost Phoenix

C Sparky and the Dragons

Closing date for entries is 4th June 2024 ��

READER OFFER

Teeth Whitening by "Boutique" Special Offer in May and June: hygiene + airflow + whitening only £375*

Dental Excellence are always striving to find ways to bring happier smiles to their patients. The clinic offers home-based whitening treatments prescribed by dental professionals only ensuring both success and safety.

To book, call 01494 876128 and quote ‘Families Offer.’

* Boutique reader offer is £105 off their standard rate.

May

Thursday 2 May

CHILDREN’S AUDITIONS

Norman Bragg Studio, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. Child auditions for Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity’s performance of Charlie & the Chocolate Factory. For registration & details, fnhospice.org.uk

Saturday 4 May

CRAFT DAY

Stowe House, Buckingham. Wildlife friendly craft day. 11am-3pm. See website for admission pricing, nationaltrust.org.uk

TREETOP ADVENTURES

GoApe Wendover Woods, Wendover.

Somewhere for children to challenge themselves, experiencing a new level of excitement. With zip wires, high rope crossings and treetop thrills. See website for available dates and booking, goape.co.uk

Saturday 4 – Monday 6 May

JOUSTING TOURNAMENT

Blenheim Palace, Oxford.

Step back in time and embrace the thrill of the joust. For timings and tickets, blenheimpalace.com

WINGRAVE SCARECROW FESTIVAL

Wingrave, Aylesbury.

Enjoy a lovely walk and cast sight on an exciting scarecrow trail using the theme of ‘children’s books.’ £2 maps are at Wingrave Sports and Social Club. See website for timings and parking details: wingrave.school

Sunday 5 – Monday 6 May

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton. Ride Thomas and Percy, meet Sir Topham Hatt and visit the Railway Museum. 10.30am-5pm. Pre-booking advised, bucksrailcentre.org

MAY DAY MERRIMENT

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles.

Experience dancing and music Elizabethan-style. 10am-5pm. Pre-booking advised, discount online, under 4s FREE. coam.org.uk

HERITAGE PARK OPEN DAY

Pitstone Green Museum, Leighton Buzzard.

Step back and explore a time before the digital age, where hard graft mixed with a slower pace of life. 10.30am-4.30pm. Also on 27th May and 9th June. Tickets on the door. pitstonemuseum.co.uk

THE BUCKS COUNTRY SHOW

Penn Street, Beaconsfield. Discounted tickets online. Under 5s FREE. buckscountryshow.co.uk

Tuesday 7 May

FAMILIES GO WILD

Black Park, Stoke Poges. Family sessions for forest school for 1-10yrs. Tues and Fri term time. See website: countryparks.buckscc.gov.uk

Thursday 9 May

DISCOVER DUCKS

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. Special monthly themed pre-school

session for under 5s, includes story, crafts and activities. 10am-12pm. Also on 23rd May, 13th and 27th June. Visit website for pricing. discoverbucksmuseum.org

Friday 10 May

TMH FEEDING CLUB

The Beech House, Beaconsfield. A group supporting ALL feeding choices run by THM Midwives. Mondays, term time only. themidwifehouse.co.uk

Saturday 11 May

SPRING OPEN GARDENS

Lindengate Charity, Wendover. Explore the nature reserve, gardens and enjoy nature-based activities. 1-4pm. Adults £10, Children £5, includes cake and drink. lindengate.org.uk

SUITCASE STORIES: CINDEROCKER

The Story Museum, Oxford. Join Emma Boor as she unpacks puppet fun based on a different story

11-12pm. 2+yrs. Tickets £9. Also on 15th June. storymuseum.org.uk

THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED A FLY

Elgiva Theatre, Chesham. Songs, nonsense rhymes and fun! 3-8yrs. 2.30pm. Tickets £14. elgiva.com

Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 May

HISTORY FESTIVAL

Milton Keynes Museum, Milton Keynes. Learn about key moments in British history, with reenactments and shows. miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

Sunday 12 May

FAMILY FUN DAY

Haddenham Village Hall, Haddenham. Fun family day with lots of activities such as biscuit decorating, arts and crafts and the chance to hold an owl. 12-4pm. fantasiaevents.weebly.com

Sunday 12 May (Cont’)

MEGA PLAY PARK/MEGA TOTS

Buckingham Cricket Club, Buckingham. Up to 12 Inflatable activities. 10am-5pm. SEN session 9-10am. discoverbuckingham.uk

Monday 13 May

MINI MONDAY

Iver Environment Centre, Iver. Play in the mud garden and explore the flowers. Suitable for 2-5yrs. 10am-12pm. Tickets £6.50. Also 3rd and 17th June. iverenvironmentcentre.org

TODDLER SAFARI

Whipsnade Zoo, Dunstable. Mini adventures in the Zoo for toddlers. 11am, term time only. FREE with zoo admission. See website, whipsnadezoo.org

Thursday 16 May

HOME EDUCATION DAY

Bekonscot Model Village, Beaconsfield. Tackling Communities (Geography) as the topic of choice, ticket includes admission to the village. Tickets £7.40, under 2s FREE. See website for details and booking, bekonscot.co.uk

Friday 17 May

TINY TALK

Wycombe Museum, High Wycombe. Stories, crafts and museum fun. 1010.45am. Children £3.50, Adults free. Also on 7th and 21st June. To book tickets: wycombemuseum.org.uk

Saturday 18 May

HENRY ALLEN NURSERY SPRING FAYRE

Henry Allen Nursery, Amersham. Spring family fun with games, stalls, ice cream and more. 12.30-2.30pm, free. henryallen.bucks.sch.uk

OPEN GARDENS

Hospice of St Francis, Berkhamsted. Enjoy open gardens, plants and cake. from 10am, drop-in, free. stfrancis.org.uk

Saturday 18 – Sunday 19 May

BIG DOGGIE DO

Cheddington Village Hall, Leighton Buzzard.

A paws-itively amazing weekend celebrating our 4-legged friends, with dog shows and dock diving. 12-5pm. theparkstrust.com/events/big-doggie-do

PONY GROOMING

Two Oaks Pony Sanctuary, Berkhamsted.

Pony grooming, chickens, pigs, and eggs for sale. Open weekends, drop-in, see website for times: twooaksponysanctuary.wixsite.com

Sunday 19 May

BUBBLE RUSH

Gadebridge Park, Hemel Hempstead. Run, walk, toddle a bubble bonanza course for charity. Adults £18.50, child £13, under 2yrs £4. stfrancis.org.uk

CHILTERN HILLS RALLY

Weedon Park, Aylesbury. Fun family day with classic car show, dog show and much more. 10am-5pm. Adults £10, 12-16yrs £5, Under 12s FREE. chilternhillsrally.org.uk

OPEN DAY AND PLANT FAIR

Ashridge House, Berkhampsted. Raising money for the National Garden Scheme.

Adults £7.50, kids FREE. ashridgehouse.org.uk

Monday 20 May

COMMUNITY EXPLORERS

Iver Environment Centre, Iver. Explore the site and relax with a cuppa. FREE session. Also 10th and 24th June. iverenvironmentcentre.org

Thursday 23 May – Monday 3 June

GIFFORDS CIRCUS

Blenheim Palace, Oxford.

See the circus! For tickets and timings, blenheimpalace.com

Friday 24 May

TOTS GO WILD

Black Park, Stoke Poges. Forest school fun and adventures for 1-5yrs. 10-11.30am. See Website for June term details, countryparks.buckscc.gov.uk

Half Term

Saturday 25 May

COMEDY CLUB FOR KIDS

Norman Bragg Theatre, Exchange Street, Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. Kid friendly stand up and comedy sketches. 2.30pm. 6+yrs. See website, atgtickets.com

SPRING INTO SUMMER

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. Play outdoor games, learn historic May day traditions and more. 10am-4pm. £3 per child, drop in. discoverbucksmuseum.org

STORYTIME WITH MAMA G

The Story Museum, Oxford. Elmer day with Mama G. Tickets from £2.50. Multiple showings. storymuseum.org.uk

Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 May

ROMAN GLADIATORS

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles.

Watch Roman Gladiators battle in fierce combat! 10am-5pm. Pre-booking advised, discount online, under 4s FREE. coam.org.uk

Saturday 25 – Monday 27 May

CHESHAM FRINGE FESTIVAL

Chesham, multiple venues. Over 100 acts in over ten venues across Chesham with talents of the arts, music, theatre and comedy. visitchesham.org.uk

ESCAPE FROM THE AVIARY

Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury. Easter family fun with the newly Birds of Prey, Carousels and workshops. FREE entry to house and grounds for kids. nationaltrust.org.uk

FOOD FESTIVAL

Blenheim Palace, Oxford. 10th year anniversary of the popular food festival!

For tickets, blenheimpalace.com

Saturday 25 May – Friday 31 June

MINI MYTHS

Hughenden Manor, High Wycombe. Embark on an enchanting journey. 10am-4pm. See website for admission prices. nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden

Saturday 25 May – Sunday 2 June

ROALD DAHL STORYTELLING

Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. Enjoy storytelling from Fantastic Mr Fox or Danny the Champion of the World. FREE with Museum entry. roalddahlmuseum.org

Saturday 25 May – Friday 7 June

HALF-TERM HOEDOWN

Odds Farm, Wooburn Common. Welly wrangling, sheep shearing, cowboy crafts and more! oddsfarm.co.uk

Sunday 26 May

FARMERS CRAFT MARKET AND FUN DAY

Cheddington Village Hall. Fun family day combining a farmer’s market with activities such as slime making and crazy golf. 11am-3pm. Also on 30th June. fantasiaevents.weebly.com

KEY STAGE RAVERS

Magnolia Park, High Wycombe. Outside rave festival for little and big kids. 1-6pm, pre-book online. keystageravers.co.uk

MY YEAR WALKS

Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. Explore the places that Inspired Roald Dahl. Walk through the woods enjoying readings of ‘My Year’. 6+yrs. 11.30am and 2pm. £4pp plus Museum entry. Also on 23rd June. See website: roalddahlmuseum.org

PARTY IN THE PARK

Queen Elizabeth II Playing fields, Stoke Mandeville. Party and picnic, rides, live music, attractions and more. stokemandevilleparishcouncil.org.uk

SENDSATIONAL MORNING

Tring Natural History Museum, A special SEN relaxed session. 10am-12pm. FREE. Booking essential. nhm.ac.uk/tring

Monday 27 May

CHENIES DOG SHOW

Chenies Manor House, Rickmansworth. Family day out including our four legged friends, drop-in, registration at 1pm. cheniesmanorhouse.co.uk/events

DRAGON ADVENTURE

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton.

Calling all brave adventurers, come embrace, adore and engage dragons! Pre-booking advised, bucksrailcentre.org

LEGO BUILDERS CLUB

The Story Museum, Oxford. 11am and 2.30pm. 5+yrs. Tickets from £17.50. storymuseum.org.uk

OLAF FALAFELS SUPER STUPID SHOW

Elgiva Theatre, Chesham. An hour of kids comedy as part of the Chesham Fringe Festival. 1pm. Book tickets online, from £11.20. elgiva.com

SEEDS, SEEDS EVERYWHERE

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. Celebrate bee day by making a wildflower seed-bomb from recycled paper. 3+yrs. 10am-12pm and 1-3pm. £3.50 per participant. discoverbucksmuseum.org

Monday 27 – Friday 31 May

DINO TAKEOVER

Wellington Country Park

Walk on the wild side with dinosaurs at Welly Park. 9.30am-4.30pm. See website for tickets, pre-book online: wellingtoncountrypark.co.uk

Monday 27 May – Saturday 1 June

D-DAY 80

Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes. Engaging family activities around D-Day and Bletchley Park’s role in it. For tickets: bletchleypark.org.uk

Tuesday 28 May

BUCKS BACK IN TIME: THE ROMANS

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. Get hands-on with crafts and activities all centered around the Romans. 4+yrs. 10am-12pm and 1-3pm, £3.50. discoverbucksmuseum.org

DIDDLY DANNY POTS

Roald Dahl Museum,Great Missenden. Discover how Danny’s dad managed to hide 120 pheasants, craft your own clay pot and enjoy the mess. 5yrs+. Multiple times.

£4pp in addition to Museum entry. roalddahlmuseum.org

STORYTIME

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street.

Immerse young children in the magic of storytelling. 10.30am. Under 5yrs. Tickets £8, (1 child, 1 adult). Also on 26th June. Book online: atgtickets.com

TERRIFIC TUESDAY

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles. Themed family crafts and clay modeling. 10am-5pm.

Pre-booking advised, discount online, under 4s FREE. coam.org.uk

Tuesday 28 – Wednesday 29 May

DISCOVER AND MAKE

Wycombe Museum, High Wycombe. 4-11yrs. Various time slots. Children £4, Adults free. To book tickets, wycombemuseum.org.uk

Wednesday 29 May

BISCUIT DAY

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. Celebrate National Biscuit Day. 3+yrs. 10am-12pm and 1-3pm. £3.50 per participant. discoverbucksmuseum.org

FANTASTIC CLAY FEST

Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden. Fantastic Mr Fox and clay. 5yrs+. Multiple times. £4pp in addition to Museum entry. roalddahlmuseum.org

PLANT SALE

Iver Environment Centre, Iver. 10am-2pm.Also 1st June. iverenvironmentcentre.org

Wednesday 29 May – Sunday 2 June

CELESTIAL SOUND CLOUD

Waddesdon Manor, Aylesbury. 11am-4pm. FREE entry to house and grounds for kids. See website, nationaltrust.org.uk

Thursday 30 May

BIOBLITZ

Tring Natural History Museum. Outside family friendly activities like pond dipping. 10am-3pm. FREE. nhm.ac.uk/tring

LETS GET CREATIVE

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. Make your very own collage to take home. Age 3+ (younger children welcome). 10am-12pm and 1-3pm. £3 per participant. discoverbucksmuseum.org

Thursday 30 – Friday 31 May

CONSTRUCT A CARAVAN

Roald Dahl Museum, Great Missenden.

Junk modeling at its best. 5yrs+. Multiple times. £4pp in addition to Museum entry. roalddahlmuseum.org

Friday 31 May

NATURE PUPPETS

Discover Bucks Museum, Aylesbury. Create your very own nature-inspired, moveable puppet. 10am-12pm and 1-3pm. Age 4+. £4.50 per child. discoverbucksmuseum.org

Terrific Tuesday family fun on

June

Saturday 1 June

WYCOMBE JAZZ FESTIVAL

Wycombe Arts Centre, Desborough Rd.

Featuring a diverse line up of emerging and established artists from Bucks and beyond. 2-11pm. Buy tickets online: wycombeartscentre.com/events/ wjf-2024

MUSICAL THEATRE MASTERCLASS

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre, Exchange Street.

Develop singing, dancing and acting skills. 10am-1pm. 5-11yrs. See website, atgtickets.com

ST LEONARDS VILLAGE FETE

Parish Hall Playing fields, Hawridge and Chorlesbury.

Traditional family fete with a fun packed afternoon. stleonardsparishhall.uk

Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 June

NAPOLEONIC LIVING HISTORY WEEKEND

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles.

See musket, cavalry and artillery displays. 10am-5pm.

Pre-booking advised, discount online, under 4s FREE. coam.org.uk

Sunday 2 June

CRAFT FAIR

St Thomas’ Church, Beaconsfield. Handmade gifts and crafts. 11am-3pm. beaconsfieldteam.church

Thursday 6 June

TMH BIRTH WORKSHOP

The Beech House, Amersham. What’s it really like? 12.30-2.30pm. themidwifehouse.co.uk

Friday 7 – Sunday 9 June

CHARLIE COOK’S FAVOURITE BOOK

Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe. Puppetry and enchanting songs. Multiple showings, see website: wycombeswan.co.uk

Saturday 8 June

GARDEN OPEN DAY

Thames Valley Adventure Playground, Taplow, nr Maidenhead.

Facilities for all people and families with a special need. 2-6pm. £2.50pp, under 1s FREE. tvap.co.uk

SCHOOLS OF CHESHAM CARNIVAL

Chesham, Buckinghamshire. Fabulous community carnival in aid of all of Chesham’s school, amazing floats with ‘toys and games theme’, plus rides, activities and much more in the park after! 10am-5pm. visitchesham.org.uk

Saturday 8 – Sunday 9 June

FARM FUN

Orchard View Farm, Little Meadle. Arts, crafts and animals. FREE to visit. Also 12th-16th, 19th-23rd June. orchardviewfarm.co.uk

FUSED GLASS WORKSHOPS

Manor Farm, Rowsham. Workshops for all the family. 6+yrs. £10pp. Also 12th 13th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 22nd and 23rd June. manorfarmfusedglass.co.uk

THE LITTLE WELLY GOES WILD!

Culden Faw Meadows, Henley-on-Thames

Obstacles, mud pits and climbing walls. 9am-4.30pm. See for tickets, thelittlewelly.co.uk

VICTORIAN WEEKEND

Milton Keynes Museum, Milton Keynes. Explore Victorian life. 10.30am-4.30pm. miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk

Saturday 8 – Sunday 23 June

BUCKS ART WEEKS

Multiple Buckinghamshire locations. Pop up exhibitions and open studios all over Bucks. See website for details. bucksartweeks.org.uk

Sunday 9 June

GREEN FESTIVAL

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles.

Eco weekend! Learn about our gardens, saving water and all things green. 10am-5pm. Pre-booking advised, u4s FREE. coam.org.uk

MEET BLUEY

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton.

Come and meet everyone’s favourite Blue Heeler. Pre-booking advised, bucksrailcentre.org

OPEN FARM SUNDAY

Lacey’s Family Farm in High Wycombe (10am-4pm, £5pp);Road Farm, Great Missenden, (12.30-4.30) and Waddesdon Estate, (11am-4pm). See website for details: farmsunday.org

Thursday 13 June

BUCKS GOAT CENTRE

Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. Open farm allowing animal interaction and feeding. SEN club, Fox Cubs, which runs Thurs term-time. For information, thebucksgoatcentre.website

Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 June

FANTASTIC AND FABULOUS 1940’s Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes. bletchleypark.org.uk

FATHERS DAY CRAFTING

Hughenden, High Wycombe. Crafting workshop. 11am-1pm. nationaltrust.org.uk

FIREMAN SAM

Wycombe Swan, High Wycombe. 12pm and 3.30pm showings, see website for ticket prices. wycombeswan.co.uk

Sunday 16 June – Fathers Day

RIDGEWAY RUN

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, Quainton.

The 40th anniversary of the historic Ridgeway run, with unlimited steam train rides as a bonus.

bucksrailcentre.org

Thursday 20 June

TMH POST BIRTH WORKSHOP

The Beech House, Amersham.

A little more support for the road ahead. 12.30-2.30pm. themidwifehouse.co.uk

Saturday 22 June

BIG BIRTHDAY BASH

Penn Estate, Buckinghamshire.

Celebrate 25 years of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance. Circus skills, workshops, demonstrations and more! 11am-5pm. Tickets start from £4. tvairambulance.org.uk

MINI MIDNIGHT WALK

Walk with colours and flashing lights, raising funds for the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity. Mini walk for Children in the evening, Adult walk and virtual walk. See, stfrancis.org.uk

TACTILE EXPLORERS

Tring Natural History Museum, Tring. A special event for blind and partially sighted children and their families. FREE, 11am-12pm, booking essential. nhm.ac.uk/tring

Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 June

MEDIEVAL JOUSTING

Chiltern Open Air Museum, Chalfont St Giles. Watch medieval jousting, skills at arms and combat. Pre-booking advised, discount online, under 4s FREE. coam.org.uk

Sunday 23 June

FIREMAN SAM

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre. 12pm and 3.30pm showings. See website, atgtickets.com

Wednesday 26 June

TMH FEEDING WORKSHOP

The Beech House, Beaconsfield. Boobs, bottles and you- top tips for the feeding road ahead. 12.30-2.30pm. themidwifehouse.co.uk

Saturday 29 June

ALL HANDS ON DECK

Iver Environment Centre, Iver. Groundwork and gardening volunteer day. 14yrs+, 10am-2.30, book online: iverenvironmentcentre.org

Sunday 30 June

AUTO MOTO FESTIVAL

Chesham, Buckinghamshire. See some amazing cars and motorcycles in the town and park. 10am-4pm. FREE. visitchesham.org.uk

SUMMER FUN DAY

Woodrow High House, Amersham. Fun family day with activities and stalls. 11am-3pm, woodrowhighhouse.org

22-23 June- Medieval Jousting at Chiltern Open Air Museum

Indulge in the excitement of a behind-the-scenes guided tour at the prestigious Red Bull Racing Factory, where you’ll uncover the secrets and innovations driving success on the track.

Immerse yourself in the heartpounding action of F1 races with our exclusive Live Race Screenings, where every roar of the engines and every nail-biting turn will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Join in an experience that transcends the ordinary and promises memories that will last a lifetime. Book your ticket now and let the adrenalinefueled adventure begin!

Our Thorpians have gone on to be leaders, entrepreneurs, scholars, athletes and artists, to name but a few. Whatever the future holds for our students aged 4 to 16, we support, challenge and empower each unique individual to explore their passions, develop their talents and fulfil their ambitions.

Your future awaits at Thorpe House School…

Whole School Open Morning:

Tuesday 7th May 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Scan the QR code to find out more and book your place.