Families North Devon & Exeter - September/October 2013

Back to SchoolClubs &

Classes

Health

The essential local magazine for parents...

Issue 9September/October 2013

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September/October 2013

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Sing and SignSarah Glover of East Devon Sing and Sign has been awarded The Best Pre-school Class in the Southern half of Devon! “I’ve been running Sing and Sign for 8 years and I still love it! Bring along your little one and enjoy the fun-filled classes, along with over 100 other babies each week, right here on your doorstep!” Sing and Sign’s programme teaches parents how to use baby sign language with their baby. This can help them to communicate before they can speak, relieving frustrations for both baby and parent. The parents learn the baby signs through music and songs whilst their children enjoy the props, puppets and musical instruments. Using Sing and Sign can encourage speech, enhance early vocabulary and build self esteem. Babies can start classes from around 6 months old. Many children stay in the Sing and Sign programme for 2 years. It’s wonderful to see them progress from tiny babies to fully fledged walking, talking toddlers who still enjoy singing and signing our songs! Stage 2

is great for extending the children’s vocabulary and increasing their confidence as the signs help us understand their first attempts at new words. We also include phonics in our classes which is not only fantastic for speech development but also gives the children a head start with reading.

Jeans for Genes Day Wear your jeans on Jeans for Genes Day on 20 September and help change lives. In aid of Genetic Disorders UK, Jeans for Genes Day aims to change the world for children with genetic disorders, so get your school together and raise money by wearing your jeans and donating £1. Individually, genetic disorders are rare but together they affect 1 in 25 children born in the UK - that’s more than 30,000 babies each year. Their associated health problems mean that genetic disorders are the biggest cause of death of children aged 14 years and under. You can help by signing up for your fundraising pack full of everything you need to know to plan your day, at www.jeansforgenesday.org.

Note from the editorHello again!

With the weather feeling increasingly Autumnal and the children back at school we take a look at the plethora of after school activities available locally and think about how to choose a new school for those moving on next September.

We also have a brilliant article on the benefits of inclusion as well as sound advice on overcoming shyness.

Our regular features on news, health, parenting and our What’s On guide should keep you busy up until our Christmas issue comes out!

All the best,

Editor and local mum

ContentsNews 2-3

Parenting 4

Health 5

Back to School 6-8

Education 9 Clubs & Classes 10-11

Overcoming Shyness 12 What’s On 13-16

Next issue: November/December 2013

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North Devon & Exeter is part of the Families ® group, established in 1990 and headed by Families South West. All franchised magazines in the group are independently owned and operated under license.

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If you have any news which our readers would like to hear about, send it to [email protected]

Compiled by Joanna Parry

Walk to School MonthBeat the traffic and get you and your kids out in the fresh air during International Walk to School Month this October. Each year, primary school children from across the UK join forces with over 40 countries worldwide to celebrate the benefits of walking to school and this October is no different, with the month-long activity encouraging pupils to walk to school at least once a week. Many parents know that walking is actually quicker and less stressful than taking the car and they value the opportunity to spend quality time with their children. It also increases air quality with fewer cars on the streets and strengthens communities, where children and parents are seen in the streets! Stop moaning about the traffic start clearing it! www.livingstreets.org.uk

New Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman, the bestselling author of the award-winning Noughts & Crosses teen series, has been crowned the Waterstones Children’s Laureate for 2013–2015. As part of her role she will call on teachers and parents to spend at least ten minutes per day sharing a book with their pupils and children in an impassioned bid to get more children reading more, as well as working to make reading ‘irresistible’ for teenagers. ‘I am honoured to have been chosen as the eighth Children’s Laureate,’ said Malorie Blackman. ‘Stories have inspired me and taught me to aspire. I hope to instil in every child I meet my love and enthusiasm for reading and stories.’

National Poetry Day Mark this 3 October with a nationwide celebration of poetry. Poetry is for everyone, everywhere, from assemblies, bus-queues, cafes, greengrocers, hospitals and ice-rinks to waiting-rooms, yacht clubs and zoos. This year’s theme is water, with Coleridge’s great phrase ‘Water, water, everywhere’ as inspiration. Check out the website for a myriad of poems on the subject, together with ideas on how to turn the theme of water into lines of poetry. Participants this year are challenged to smuggle poetry into the most unlikely places, not just in libraries and classrooms but on fishing boats and ferries, via postcards, mobile phones and announcements on station platforms. Find out more at www.nationalpoetryday.co.uk

The Big DrawThe largest drawing festival in the world returns throughout the month of October, taking place in 20 countries across the world and offering 1400 events in the UK alone. The Big Draw connects people of all ages with museum and gallery collections and urban and rural spaces in new and enjoyable ways, offering unlimited scope for those who love to draw and those who think they can’t. Why not hold a Big Draw event in your school or local library? Get inspired and find out how to organise your own event, plus discover what events are taking place near you at www.campaignfordrawing.org/bigdraw

Roald Dahl DayMake a date with mischief and mayhem on Roald Dahl Day on 13 September. This year Roald Dahl Day celebrates all the tricksy characters that fill his books, including George and his mayhemic medicine, those foulsome Witches and Matilda and her parent-scaring tricks. After all, no birthday celebration is complete without a little bit of mischief! There are lots of ways to join in the fun: sign up for Puffin Virtually Live on 13 September to find out more about Roald Dahl and his characters, plan your costume for Dahlicious Dress Up Day on 27 September or throw your own Roald Dahl party. For ideas see www.roalddahlday.info, and help Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity raise money for seriously ill and disabled children.

Class sizes swell Department of Education figures have revealed a significant rise in the number of children in classes of more than 30 students. The number of five-to seven-year-olds taught in classes of more than 30 pupils has risen dramatically in the past year, with figures showing that over 70,000 children are taught alongside 30 other pupils in 2013, compared with around 47,000 last year and 28,000 four years ago. This has prompted claims from teachers that the government is failing to address a serious shortage of school places, with critics adding that the government’s new free schools have not always been opened in areas with the greatest need for extra places. ‘They are opening new secondary schools in areas where there are surplus places,’ said Stephen Twigg, shadow Education Secretary, ‘whilst the need for primary places couldn’t be greater.’ However, the Department of Education said, ‘Children are only permitted to join classes of 30 pupils in exceptional cases, if for instance they are in care or from military families. Classes often fall back naturally to 30 over a year or two.’ The increase is largely the result of a mini-baby boom after declining pupil numbers in the early 2000s, with the situation looking like it will only get worse, as the National Audit Office forecasts that admissions will rise by another 240,000 in September this year.

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Parenting


Keep conscious and carry on!Whatever our background or beliefs, many of us are beginning to develop an interest in living a more ‘conscious’ life ~ that is, a life based in present moment awareness, appreciation and authenticity. In this article, Neil Seligman examines what it takes to be a ‘conscious parent’ and explains why it is worth the effort!

PARENT FROM A SPACE OF AUTHENTIC HUMANITYFrom ‘ANTHEM’ by Leonard CohenRing the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack, a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in…Whatever you do as a parent, every child will come to believe these three illusions at some stage in their development:1) I am different. 2) There is something wrong with me. 3) I am alone.So we might say that the aim of parenting is not to demonstrate perfection or to protect children from encountering the illusions, but to reveal our own humanity, so that when they meet these trials they have everything they need to meet the challenge.Here are three practical suggestions to parent from a space of authentic humanity:1) Genuinely welcome failure as a rich source of learning and inspiration.2) Teach children that it is safe to experience difficult emotions (like the ‘weather of the soul’). The trick is to feel emotions fully and express them in words, movement or art. Tell your children when you feel sad or upset so that they feel comfortable doing the same. 3) Introduce the idea that pain is inevitable but suffering is optional. Pain is a neutral energy that we all must experience whereas suffering is the story about the pain eg. “I should not be in pain – poor me”.In the intimacy of authentic humanity, children feel safe to experience their own vulnerabilities and learn to deal with them beautifully as a normal part of life. The family then becomes a sanctuary of welcoming for all aspects of uncertainty, a forum of love where no matter what occurs there are always rich human resources to draw on. LET PRESENCE BE YOUR DAILY GUIDEBeing present for long periods as a parent is a truly enormous challenge. In every moment there are multiple distractions competing for attention. Being mindful of the present moment means that we bring our conscious attention fully to children when they call on our care. It means putting the phone down, listening deeply, engaging willingly and releasing ourselves fully into the now. In practicing presence we are committing to experience every situation as ‘new’ and by doing so we might surprise ourselves with fresh solutions that emerge from this space of mindful attention.Perhaps our ‘No’ will soften and we will find new ways of saying ‘Yes’. Our conversations also move more quickly out of conflict, as when we are truly present our capacity for compassion deepens.

CENTRE YOUR PARENTING IN THE ENERGY OF WELCOMING‘I see you, I love you, you are welcome here’.The most important thing you can do for any child is to welcome their unique nature fully such that their essential self comes forward, safely nurtured in unconditional love beyond expectation. In order to do this we must control our natural desire to ‘shape’ the child.Shaping is an opposing energy to welcoming as when we shape another, we fix them in our mind as our judgment. The outcome of shaping is the limiting of potential as it causes the child to experience a conditional aspect to love. We might say to the child – you are going to be a doctor, or a tennis player, you will go to this type of school, you will be this type of person. Shaping is never positive for the child and is entirely unnecessary as a fully welcomed child will willingly communicate their authentic desires and preferences and seek your loving guidance.A welcoming parent therefore promotes self-sufficiency, stability and authentic development in the child. SPEAK THE LANGUAGE OF DISAPPROVAL NOT SHAMEWhen a child does something that we consider to be wrong or inappropriate it is vital that we show disapproval for the behaviour rather than shaming the child for who they are. Language is crucial here:There is a world of difference between saying: 1) I am extremely disappointed with you and 2) I am extremely disappointed with your behaviour.It is of course crucial that we guide children with clear boundaries of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, yet when we need to express disapproval we must learn to do so without breaking relationship and without withdrawing unconditional love. Disapproval for actions should not be expressed as commentary on the essential nature of the child which would be shaming the child as fundamentally flawed. Shame language creates insecurity, unworthiness and feels like wholesale rejection.Alternatively, disapproval in relation to behaviour allows the child to engage with you about what went wrong and what the consequences should be for the behaviour whilst all the time being safely held in the context of a relationship based in unconditional love.Remember also to speak to your own feelings around your child’s behaviour and to call forward the behaviour that you would like to see. Life Coach, Jacquie Stebbings offers us this great example from family life:“Joely playfully hit me yesterday. She did it a few times and I brought in an “I” statement (about my feelings of being hit) - I said: I don’t like being hit, Joely. Then I offered to her what I do like: I like to be hugged though. She then

transformed her hitting to giving me a hug.Often children are wanting our attention, they want the focus to be on them - I get this. Hitting is certainly a way for Joely to get my attention. Giving her an alternative behaviour is helping her to expand her perspective (and resourcefulness) on how to draw people to attend to her.” KEEP LEARNING – BEING A GREAT PARENT MEANS BEING A GREAT STUDENTYour children look to you for guidance, strength and care. They are absorbing your actions, your emotions and learning how to be, how to respond, how to behave. For you to fulfill this, the ultimate of leadership roles as best you can, focusing on your own personal development, wellbeing and learning is vital. So make time for the yoga, persevere with the meditation and read books that take you beyond your current knowledge and awareness. Anything which expands your ability to stay present, to reveal your humanity, to remain stable in the face of vulnerability will serve you and your family well. FURTHER READINGChristopher McCurry: Parenting Your Anxious Child with Mindfulness and AcceptanceDaniel Siegel: The Whole-Brain Child - Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture You Child’s Developing MindEckhart Tolle: A New Earth – Awakening to your Life’s PurposeByron Katie: Loving What Is: Four Questions That Can Change Your LifeBrene Brown: The Gifts of Imperfection Neil Seligman is a former barrister and Director at The Conscious Professional Ltd. Neil is a Life Coach, Reiki Master and Meditation Teacher www.theconsciousprofessional.com

Five soulful insights for conscious parenting

Health


Doctor SueFebrile ConvulsionsDid you know that 3% of children will have a febrile convulsion (or seizure) due to a temperature between the ages of 6 months and 6 years?

Do you know why they occur and what you should do if your child has one?

It can be very alarming to see your child having a fit (convulsion or seizure) but try to stay calm. Your child is unlikely to come to any harm or have any long-term problem.

What causes it?Any illness that gives a child a temperature (fever) can cause a convulsion in a susceptible child. It is often a viral infection that will need no medical treatment.

What does it look like?Your child may look hot and flushed. The eyes may roll back. He/she may seem dazed and then unconscious. The body may go stiff and then twitch or shake. It is unusual for it to last more than 5 minutes (It may seem longer!) The child may be

sleepy after but usually much better within an hour when the temperature settles. It is unlikely to occur again during the same illness.

What should you do?Don’t panic. Keep calm

Note the time the convulsion startedMake sure your child cannot injure him/herself by knocking in to something or falling off a bed or chairIf possible lie your child on his/her side with their head in line with body. Hold gently in position.

Do not put anything in child’s mouth and do not shake him/her.When convulsion stops, cool child by removing bedclothes and clothing. When your child has recovered enough to be able to swallow, give a drink and paracetamol or ibuprofen. Stay with your child.

Call 999 if your child is still jerking or twitching after 5 minutes.

Call a doctor urgently if:• Child does not improve quickly when short convulsion is

over• A second convulsion starts soon after the first one• child is having difficulty breathing• Child was not fully conscious before convulsion or 1 hour

after• You think your child could have pneumonia or meningitis

In all cases, see a doctor as soon as possible after convulsion

PreventionThere may be nothing parents can do to prevent this happening, but always keep your child cool when he/she has a temperature.• Keep him/her lightly dressed• Give Paracetamol or Ibuprofen• Give lots of cool drinks

Advice from Sue - a GP for over 30 years, now retired. She has two grown up daughters and four grandchildren.

4 in 20 cases

may last longer, recur in the same

illness or take longer for the child to fully

recover.

In 1 in 20 cases

the convulsion may last more

than 30 minutes.

You just have to ask Do you ask questions?Or do you just accept everything? Most of us grow up without ever questioning our conditioning. We assume that our lives and all that are in it are there because it’s normal.Our conditioning comes through, amongst other things, what our parents tell us, what goes on in school or at work, what society shows us and let’s not forget the power of TV! So we get to adulthood thinking that everything is as it should be. But what if it isn’t? How would it be if we started to question what we accept as a given and normal state? Think how our life could change!I mean after all, maybe what’s good for the neighbour doesn’t necessarily have to mean that it’s good for you, but you don’t know if you don’t ask.So how about it? How about looking at certain aspects of your life and asking yourself if they are really what you want. Oh, and before you start freaking out, I’m not asking you to throw in the towel and get rid of everything in one go; start one small step at a time. For instance:

• When you’re eating your breakfast, ask yourself if that’s really what you want, or if you just eat it because you’ve always eaten it.

• Same thing with your tea. Is that the tea you really like, or just the one you’re used to?

• When you do routine jobs, ask yourself if you like doing them that way, or is it maybe time to see if they can’t be done in another way which is more pleasing or satisfying.

• When you go to work, are you taking the fastest, most logical route, or the one you find more enjoyable?

• Are you doing some things because that’s the way your parents did them and you’re unquestioningly repeating the pattern?

• Do you buy that brand because you like it or because you’ve been told it’s great / what you want / the best?

See what I’m getting at? Some of the things we do we don’t question and they can impact how we feel. It is so easy to make little changes that can immediately add to your happiness and pleasure levels. You just have to ask: is this good for me, is this really what I fancy?

Imagine how your life will be when you start to fill it with events and moments that are truly enjoyable, genuinely what you want… We are moving to a new town with our children of 5 and 7. The 5 year old is not too worried about it, but the 7 year old is becoming very anxious about the new school, having to meet new people and getting to grips with a new environment. He is also really unhappy about leaving his old friends, some of whom he has known since he was born. I’m not quite sure how to go about helping him to settle in when we get there.

Moving is one of the most stressful events in a life, and it’s not less important just because we’re younger. In fact children are probably more nervous about it because they have no idea what it represents and their security can feel as though it is being taken away from them.

It is important to get both children to talk about what the move means to them and how they feel about leaving their friends behind and having to go to a new school when they get there. Do not minimise anything that they say because if they bring it up it’s important to them even though to a grown up it might appear a really small problem.

Organise with some of their friends that you should exchange letters and pictures, especially during the settling in period so that they don’t feel abandoned by all their old ties. For those of you who can, get Skype up on the computer and have them chat to their old friends.

Also remind them that moving is a great way to meet yet more people and make some new friends. Don’t worry if it takes them a few days before their classmates names start cropping up, let it come naturally and then suggest having a couple of over so they can get to know each other better. www.inspiredlivingandpsychotherapy.comIf you would like your questions answered for free (in full confidence), then please write to Amanda at [email protected] more on this article and others on relationships and personal development seewww.familiesonline.co.uk/loveactually For more motivational and life-changing advice subscribe to Amanda’s free monthly newsletter http://tinyurl.com/Inspiredivingnews

Back to School


Which Secondary school is right for my child?By Joanna Moorhead

Joanna Moorhead on the 20 things you need to know when choosing ‘big school’

Make your own mind up. It’s amazing how many parents never even look round a

school because of what they’ve heard. A school that doesn’t suit another family could be just right for yours.

Listen to your child’s feelings as well as your own. Choosing his or her

primary was down to just you and your partner; but your 10 or 11-year-old deserves a say.

Use open days wisely. If you can, go to a daytime visit (especially to a school

that seems a strong contender) because you’ll see it in working mode.

Nothing advertises a school like its pupils. Do they seem happy? Are they polite? If you have time, hang around in

the area at home time. Are they well-behaved?

How about the staff – do they seem happy and fulfilled working there? Take opportunities to chat to them.

Listen to your instincts. If a school doesn’t feel right, move on. You don’t

have to explain yourself or your reasons for doing so to anyone else (although you do, of course, need to discuss it with your child if your instincts are different).

Don’t get bogged down in the detail: what you’re aiming

to get is a sense of the school. Does it feel happy, productive, calm? Is there a sense of order and caring? These things matter more than the nitty-gritty.

Think about your child’s talents and interests and ponder carefully whether they’ll be catered for. But think too about what the school offers that might

be harder to pick up at home. We’re a family of journalists, where literacy is easier for us as parents; so I’m glad my girls went to a school that specialised in maths and science, even though these weren’t their strongest subjects.

Pay attention to what’s on the walls – and not just the artwork. What are

children being warned about, or encouraged to do? Are there any school visits being advertised? What clubs seem to be thriving?

Look at the school’s league tables, but don’t pin everything

on them. Read the Ofsted report too and pay particular attention to how the school has done over time. If it’s had a dip, are there signs of improvement or suggestions that it could turn round?

Where do pupils go on to from this school? You want

to see at least some youngsters doing well academically and aiming for good courses at top universities.

Go to the head teacher’s talk and take your notebook. This is an important

part of the event: not only do you need to pick up on the head’s attitude and values and what matters most to him or her, but you also need to pay special attention to anything that’s said about the entrance criteria. Understanding that is the crucial next stage.

If you like a school, do your homework about whether your child fits its entrance requirements. However much you love the school,

and however much you think your child would thrive there, you’ll only get a place if you fulfil the criteria. Read the school’s entrance policy through very, very carefully. If you don’t fulfil the requirements, could you change something so you do? If not, move on: there’s no point in wasting a choice or railing against something you can’t change.

You’re bound to talk to other parents, and you want to talk to other parents, but don’t get pulled along by their

tide. Do your own research and develop your own views: knowledge is power.

Keep telling yourself (because it’s true!) that there is no perfect school. Every school has strengths and weaknesses.

There’s more than one school that can be right for your child.

When the time comes to fill in the forms, allow yourself lots of time and do it extremely carefully. There may be supplementary forms, and there may

be complicated arrangements for giving them in (especially if you’re applying to faith schools). If you find it all too confusing, talk to your child’s primary teacher or primary head, or call the education department at your local authority.

Have a plan of action for what you’ll do if you don’t get the school you’re hoping for. Just having that plan will make you feel

more relaxed.

Remember that there’s a lot of movement in the first few weeks after places are allocated, and many children get in from

waiting lists.

Don’t underestimate how much hard work an appeal can be, or how emotionally draining. That’s not to say

don’t do it: just be prepared.

Remember that, at the end of the day, parents make more difference to a child’s future than a school does.

Even if your child doesn’t get into your first choice of school (and one in seven didn’t last year) your attitude to that could be a much bigger factor in what happens next for your child than the school itself. Have confidence, first and foremost, in your child. And believe that, together, you will work things out if and when you come up against problems.

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images - © Jacek Chabraszewski - Fotalia.com

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Back to School


The best possible start at a new schoolHow do you prepare your child for his or first day at a new school? It’s all about finding the fun, says Joanna Moorhead The summer before my eldest daughter started at primary school, a rather wonderful thing happened. We were having work done on our house, and by chance a friend mentioned that a friend of hers was looking for a housesitter. It suited us perfectly to move out of our home for a few months, to escape the builders’ dust, so we did just that. And our temporary home, as it happened, was next door to the primary school at which Rosie would start in September. We moved in May, so from then until the end of July she and I would watch, each morning, as the children walked and ran and scootered past our door, in their grey and purple uniforms. They looked happy and excited; they were meeting their friends, having fun. The street would then go quiet until about 10.30am when we’d hear them again in the playground; and then again after lunch, until at 3.30pm they’d all stream out again, and head back home with their mummies and the occasional daddy. I’m sure I talked to Rosie about what it would be like in reception class, and I’m sure I taught her to open her lunchbox and get her own shoes on and off and all the other things you’re advised to do before your child’s first day at school; but the truth is that nothing prepared her for school as much as those weeks of simply living next door to it. The experience normalised what was going to be a huge change in her life: it showed her, better than any words from me could, that school was where children went when they were old enough. Watching those happy-looking kids skipping past our door, hearing them calling to their friends and generally picking up a sense that school was fun and exciting, was the best possible way of introducing her to her new life.

In time my three younger daughters followed their big sister to that same school, and they – like Rosie – all took it in their stride. They, of course, were well-used to the primary by then: unlike Rosie, they would be there every morning and every afternoon, dropping off or collecting a big sister or sisters. They would pick up on the excitement and happiness of school by osmosis, seeing their sisters and their friends as they bounced up alongside their buggy – and they’d be drinking it all in. This, it seems to me, is the number one best way to get your child ready for primary school: as much as you can, show rather than tell. Try to be around the school sometimes as the children arrive or as they’re leaving for home; if you have friends with children already there, ask to go along with them sometimes for the drop-off or the pick-up. Give your child every opportunity you can to imbibe the sense that school is an exciting and interesting place to be. Every child, and every parent, gets a bit nervous before their child starts at a new school. Even after 17 years of being a parent with children in school, I’m feeling a bit worried about my youngest daughter’s move to secondary school in September. The fact that I’ve done school starts many, many times before doesn’t alter the fact that this is a first for Catriona, and because it’s a first for Catriona it’s a first for me too. But what I now know is how important it is for me to be confident, and to be positive, about the move. Of course I have mixed feelings: of course I’m a bit worried about how she’ll cope in new surroundings, about whether

she’ll find it easy to make new friends, about whether she’ll like the school food and about whether she’ll settle down to the work. And when she wants to talk about those fears – because, of course, she has them too and it’s important not to deny our children’s feelings – I do. But I always remember to talk to her as well about how exciting this new start is going to be: because every

beginning is a bit scary and involves risks - but our lives move on and grow and become whole because we embrace them and we’re brave about them. Children worry when we worry, and they’re confident when we’re confident. So if you’ve got a child starting school this autumn, the number one thing to do is find the confidence in yourself: empathise with your child, but empathise with the fact that her world is opening up and becoming more exciting as well as with the fact that there will be wobbles. Try not to worry too much about the problems: believe in your own, and believe in your child’s, ability to deal with these as they come along. Don’t even, for a minute, bother about things like maths and English and reading: no, honestly, I mean it. Those things are for further down the line: all you have to think about, this September, is delivering a child to school with a song in his or her heart. Do that, and everything else will be easy.

‘I am pleased with my child’s progress and all aspects of QE.’

‘The staff are very helpful and make the atmosphere at QE a friendly place to be.’

‘The students are excellent ambassadors for the College’

Parent comments from 2011-2012

Western Road and Barnfield, Crediton

01363 773401

www.queenelizabeths.devon.sch.uk

images - © kolett - Fotalia.com

Back to School


The National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) and the charity Family Action have launched a joint Ready to Learn Every Day campaign aimed at helping parents to support their children’s learning. Families magazine talked to NAHT President, Bernadette Hunter, about the campaign and why their advice is relevant to all parents.

Research shows that children are best placed to succeed in school when parents are actively involved in their education. But that is not all about helping out when they get stuck with homework. In fact, preparing children to be ready for learning can be far more basic – like making sure they know how to take turns and to listen; that they go to bed on time; have breakfast before going to school, and turn up on time, having remembered their pencil case, PE kit and homework. The first NAHT and Family Action Ready to Learn Every Day guide covers these sorts of issues: bedtimes, family routines, organisation, behaviour, communicating with your child and spending time with them. Common sense – yes. Obvious ….? Well, yes, but deceptively so. You don’t have to dig very deep to realise that the advice is relevant for all parents. Modern life is certainly hectic. With many of us working long hours, and constantly pressed for time, even those with the very best of intentions can forget the basics.

A HR manager shame-facedly admitted to me that, when her child started school, the teacher called her aside and told her her daughter was falling asleep in class because she was so tired. Bernadette is not surprised. “Not all parents realise how much sleep their child actually needs (under 5s need 15 hours and older primary school children should have 10 hours.). And not all parents realise that if you allow your child to watch TV or play on the computer before going to bed, they will have trouble going to sleep, ” she says. Bernadette stresses the importance of talking and listening to children and spending time with them. Again, self-evident – but think about it for a moment! How many of us harried parents will recognise situations in which we have been checking e-mails or texts as our child was speaking to us? I’d hazard a guess most of us have been there. And many of us (however good we are as parents) would probably admit to having allowed a child watch TV rather than play with them because we were simply too tired? But as Bernadette explains, there is more active learning in traditional games than in passive viewing. “Sometimes parents find it difficult to find the time to sit down and play with their children – it is easier to put something on the TV than to play the traditional type of games. But when you play a traditional board game, as well as being fun, children are learning to co-operate when they play, to take turns and to understand rules. They are picking up lots of key skills – speaking, listening and concentrating.” Ironically, while we are living in an age of 24/7 communication - instant

messaging, Skyping and TV on demand - these very same tools are taking their toll on communication at home. Family meal times, where children learned to talk and to listen, are waning, and traditional board games are giving way to solo computer games and screen time. The first of the four Ready to Learn Every Day guides urges parents to set aside time for talking without being interrupted by TV, radio, phones or computer; time where we REALLY do listen to our children, talk to them about their day, and tell them about ours. It also suggests that we share books or play games in a quiet environment away from the TV, and that we play games like jigsaws and board games that encourage concentration. The guide also asks parent to support children by establishing set family routines for bedtimes, mealtimes and homework and recommends having a regular time for a family meal. “It doesn’t have to be every day, but even just at weekends where everyone has a meal together and talks as a family,” says Bernadette. With busy lifestyles and a culture of TV dinners, Bernadette fears we risk losing these communication skills which were passed down from generation to generation. “What we are seeing now are some young parents who have never experienced eating together as a family,” she says. The guide talks too about good manners – encouraging children to say, please and thank you and not interrupting others when they are speaking. If at home we agree on realistic rules for behaviour and stick to them, children will also understand they need to stick to rules at school. Bernadette readily says some of the advice – like bedtimes - might seem obvious, but she adds: “We know from talking to parents that they can really welcome this advice. The Ready to Learn Every Day series of leaflets are about giving parents the confidence to set the boundaries for their children.” Perhaps it is good news for those of us who feel daunted by hot-housing and tiger parenting. The crucial factors in determining our children’s success in school and beyond could well be the time we spend talking to and playing with them, and the ground-rules and routines we establish for them at home. It could be that simple! The Ready to Learn Every Day guide can be downloaded from www.family-action.org.uk/naht This leaflet will be followed this Autumn by a guide for parents to develop children’s speaking and listening skills Later in the year there will be a parents’ guide to helping with schoolwork; and a final parents’ guide in the Summer Term about helping children with transitions – from one class to another, and moving on to secondary school. *Family Action is a charity that supports and strengthens vulnerable and disadvantaged families throughout England. The charity knows from experience how vital it is that all parents get the support and advice they need to ensure that the home environment really supports learning and that their children are ready to do their best in school each and every day. And teachers see the results when the children are in school.

Is your child ready to learn everyday?

Education: has England got it wrong?By Joanna Parry

Here in England our students are used to a selective, vigorous education. We specialise in subjects at an early age. Our courses are test-driven, our exams rigorous and getting more so, and subjects such as music, drama and sport have been all but squeezed out. But have we got it all wrong? As education minister Michael Gove announces measures to make the exams taken by students in England even more demanding, look across the border and we can see that education in Scotland is run very differently. There, students take a curriculum in which national exams for 16-year-olds have been abolished. While schools in England encourage students to specialise, Scottish schools traditionally aim for a greater breadth of knowledge. Their secondary education lasts six years,

Education


The Benefits of Inclusion By Rachael RossChair, Portsmouth Down Syndrome

ending with a single set of national exams, and their university degree programs last four years, compared with only three in England and Wales. In a nutshell, Scottish schools focus on more than just tests. ‘When the Scottish Parliament came into being in 1999, we realised our schools were not performing as well as they should,’ said the Scottish education minister, Michael Russell. ‘Our students were over examined, our schools over inspected and the curriculum was too divided up and too shallow.’ So Scotland introduced the Curriculum for Excellence, paying more attention to how subjects were taught. Starting with kindergarten, the curriculum has progressed through the system one year at a time and has just reached the 16-year-olds who, until this year, would have taken Standard Grade exams. Students still take exams in as many as 15 subjects but those are pass/fail and set by their teachers. ‘I don’t believe for a minute that Curriculum for Excellence is touchy-feely or that we are watering down standards,’ said Gordon Moulsdale,

head teacher at Bishopbriggs Academy near Glasgow. ‘It used to be that only students who did well on exams were thought of as the smart ones. But we’ve learned that there are different kinds of intelligence.’ The changes mean a slightly longer school week, and more time for music, drama, sports and community service: precisely the areas that have been squeezed in England by the need to prepare students for so many exams. It is clear that in Scotland there is no appetite for the selective, competitive and test-driven approach being promoted by Michael Gore in England, and it looks like the experiment is succeeding.

So should England take note?

When I went to school in the mid ‘70s and ‘80s, children with any form of disability were not actively encouraged into mainstream education. This absence of anyone with a disability was also reflected in the wider community. Consequently when I left school, and for much of my early adult life, I had never even met or spoken to a person with a disability, leaving me awkward and unsure how to interact in their company.

Thankfully times have changed, and children with a wide variety of additional needs are now commonplace in mainstream education. Children like my son Max. Max is eight and happens to have Down syndrome. Until the 1970s it was still widely believed that children with Down syndrome were un-educateable, and they were denied that most fundamental of childhood rights; an education. We now know that with right specialist support these children can learn alongside their peers, and today, more children than ever before are being successfully included in mainstream schools. That’s not to say that special schools do not play an equally important role. It has to

be a decision based on what’s best for each individual child and their specific needs.

For Max, the benefits in attending mainstream education are huge. Speech and language issues are a significant problem for nearly all children with Down syndrome, and can lead to frustration and isolation if not tackled head on. Studies show that when they attend mainstream school, these children develop at least two years faster with spoken language and literacy.

They also benefit from having positive role models. Max needs to be around his typically developing peers, not just for PE and playtime, but there needs to be meaningful interaction. He needs to feel that he is part of the class, part of the wider school community, with the same opportunities and responsibilities as the other children. Otherwise how can we expect him to interact successfully with society as an adult?

We are very fortunate that Max’s teachers have created a welcoming and caring environment where he is very much a part of school life. When we visit, I am always overwhelmed by the genuine affection and friendship shown to Max by both staff and pupils. Many of the children have grown up with Max, and see it as nothing unusual that he is in their class working with them.

In turn, I’m sure the children benefit from being with Max. They learn to celebrate differences. They learn acceptance and patience, and will hopefully grow into more tolerant adults which will lead to a more accepting and integrated society.

Inclusion is helping to steadily improve society’s attitude towards Down syndrome, fuelled by more positive media portrayal. Several top retailers including M&S, Next and Boden have used children with Down syndrome in their advertising campaigns. Actors with Down

syndrome have played characters in popular TV shows such as Glee and Downton Abbey. Individuals are becoming role models, and are themselves changing misconceptions, like Simon Beresford, who in 2007 became the first person with Down syndrome to complete the

London Marathon, and now eight marathons later is an inspiration for people around the world.

More is being achieved than ever before, but there is a still a long way to go. Down syndrome is the most common cause of intellectual disability and yet funding does not reflect this. The situation has worsened in the recent economic climate, and parents are becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of access to specialist support like speech and language therapy, which help enable their children to participate

in mainstream education. As the Coalition Government plans to ‘end the bias towards mainstream’, there is a real risk that 30 years of slow uphill progress will be undermined unless there is adequate investment in training, research, resources and specialist support.

We have seen glimpses of what can be achieved as children with the right skills and support go on to lead more independent and productive lives, enter employment, and become valued members of their communities. But as yet, there has never been an entire generation of children with Down syndrome that has passed through the system with adequate and sustained support in all areas of need, continuing into early adulthood. Until this happens, we will never be sure of their true capabilities.

Rachael is the Chair of Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association (Footprints) which offers friendship, advice and a wide range of educational services to children, their families, schools and professionals in Portsmouth and across the South East. To find out more visit www.footprintsds.org .

images - Steve Reid - Blitz Photography, Gosport 07540 972360

Clubs & Classes


SWIMMING

Torridgeside Swimming ClubTorrington07791 964544www.torridgesideswimming.co.uk

Ilfracombe Swimming ClubIlfracombe01271 855546www.ilfracombeswimmingclub.org.uk

Splash Swim School North DevonBerrynarbour, Kentisbury, Bideford01271 325181www.splashswimschoolnd.co.uk

Aquarius SwimschoolWest Buckland01271 329750www.aquariusswimschool.co.uk

Academy of Swimming and TrainingBarnstaple, Ilfracombe, South Molton01598 760562www.astswimschool.co.uk

Barnstaple Swimming ClubBarnstaple01271 343861www.barnstapleswimmingclub.co.uk

Bebe SwimmingBarnstaple, Exeter0870 034 5627www.bebeswimming.co.uk

Splash Swim SchoolExeter01392 833075www.splashswim.co.uk

Water BabiesExeter01392 367860www.waterbabies.co.uk

Exeter City Swimming ClubExeter01392 432254www.exeterswimming.info

ART & CRAFT

Seize the MomentNortham07773 679559www.seize-the-moment.net

The Creation StationCrediton, Exeter, Exmouth0845 873 4742www.thecreationstation.co.uk

FOOTBALL

Little KickersExeter01392 668281www.littlekickers.co.uk

Chivenor SoccerChivenor01271 [email protected]

Ben’s Pre-School FootballIlfracombe, Bideford, Barnstaple07792 [email protected]

Arsenal Soccer SchoolsBraunton, Barnstaple, Exeter07810 867354www.playthearsenalway.com

Exeter City Football ClubExeter01392 255611www.exetercityfitctrust.org.uk

SURF LIFESAVING

North Devon Lifesaving ClubIlfracombe01271 [email protected]

Croyde Surf Lifesaving ClubCroyde01271 890101www.croydesurflifesavingclub.co.uk

TENNIS

Ilfracombe Tennis ClubIlfracombe07879 882877

Tarka Tennis CentreBarnstaple01271 377701www.tarkatennis.net

Woolsery Tennis ClubBideford01409 241620www.northdevontennis.com

S.A. TennisExeter07835 041719www.satennis.co.uk

Exeter Tennis Centre01392 723699www.exeter.ac.uk/sport/exetertenniscentre

DRAMA

Plough Youth TheatreTorrington01805 624624 www.theploughartscentre.org.uk

Drama PlayExeter01392 679197www.dramaplay.co.uk

StagecoachExeter0800 389 3712www.stagecoach.co.uk/exeter

Stagecoach Barnstaple0800 783 1390www.stagecoach.co.uk/barnstaple

Razzamatazz Theatre SchoolsExeter01884 243325www.razzamataz.co.uk

Pyjama DramaExeter0844 504 2550www.pyjamadrama.com

Just 4 Funk ProductionsExeter07716 002309www.just4funkproductions.com

Playback Youth TheatreExeter01363 773337www.playbackyouththeatre.org

Stage by StageExeter01392 211244www.stagebystage.co.uk

SPORTS COACHING

Enjoy-a-BallBideford, Woolsery, Torrington, Westward Ho!07791 382443www.enjoy-a-ball.com

RugbytotsExeter, East Devon0845 313 3248

YOGA

Tatty BumpkinExeter0845 680 5208www.exeter.tattybumpkin.com

SENSORY

Baby SensoryBarnstaple, Exeter07775 734285www.babysensory.com

TRAMPOLINING

Bideford Bouncerswww.bidefordbouncers.com

DANCE

Neat Feet Dance AcademyBarnstaple01271 850704www.dancingschoolbarnstaple.co.uk

Dancing Feet Academy of DanceBraunton01271 816213www.dancingfeetacademy.co.uk

Baby BalletExeter01392 279286www.babyballet.co.uk

Vibes Dance CompanyExeter01395 239117www.vibesdancecompany.co.uk

Exeter Academy of Dance01392 824453www.exeteracademyofdance.co.uk

Joanna Mardon School of DanceExeter01404 823980www.joannamardonschoolofdance.co.uk

June Bealey School of DanceExeter01392 274493www.junebealeyschoolofdancing.co.uk

Charles Academy of DanceCrediton07920 180707www.charlesacademyofdance.co.uk

Destination DanceNorth Devon07792330354www.destination-dance.co.uk

Streetz Dance CrewBarnstaple, Torrington, Bideford07854 975823www.streetzdancecrew.com

Project DanceBarnstaple, Appledore01271 346384www.projectdance.co.uk

K Mitchell DanceCrediton01392 276 526www.kmitchelldance.co.uk

Sarah Anne Westcott DanceBideford, Torrington, Barnstaple01237 471954www.sarahannewestcottdanceandperformingartsstudios.co.uk

MUSIC

Music MakersBideford01237 [email protected]

Noisy NippersBraunton07776 261541www.noisynippers.co.uk

Bumbles Musical WorkshopBarnstaple, Bideford01271 325181www.bumblesmusicgroup.co.uk

Monkey MusicExeter0845 017 8766www.monkeymusic.co.uk

Kathy’s HouseExeter01392 679674www.kathyshouse.co.uk

Sing and SignExeter01404 548829www.singandsign.co.uk

WriggleRhythmsExeter07738 237928www.wrigglerhythms.co.uk

MusikgartenExeter01363 83583www.musikgarten.co.uk

Music with Mummy & Jolly BabiesExeter01392 433255www.musicwithmummy.co.uk

MARTIAL ARTS

North Devon Tae Kwon-DoBarnstaple, Northam, Bideford07855 504315www.northdevontkd.co.uk

Cheng Ba Gua ZhangBideford07922 018809www.chengbaguazhang.com

St James Judo CentreExeter01363 774693www.devonjudocentres.co.uk

Exeter Keibudo KarateExeter07884 017878www.keibudokarate.com

Exeter Martial ArtsExeter01392 663000www.exetermartialarts.co.uk

Concept Martial ArtsExeter07814 494317www.conceptmartialarts.co.uk

Banyu Hatten AikidoExeterwww.bhay.org

Black Tiger Kung FuCrediton07973 263049www.blacktigerkungfu.com

GYMNASTICS

North Devon Gymnastics ClubBideford, Barnstaple, Torrington07765 248461www.northdevongymnastics.org.uk

Falcons Gymnastics AcademyBarnstaple01271 859191www.falconsgymnastics.co.uk

Exeter Gymnastics ClubExeter01392 250381www.exetergymclub.co.uk

LANGUAGES

Bonjour Tonton!Exeter07929 419798www.thelanguagetortoise.com

To find your local beavers, cubs and

scouts go to www.devonscouts.org.uk

or for rainbows, brownies and guides go to

www.devonguides.org.uk

When you book,

don’t forget to say you saw it in Families

Clubs & Classes


Extra-curricular activitiesBy Ellen Arnison Football or ballet, drama or Brownies - how do you know what, and how much, out-of-school activity is right for your child? Not long after your son or daughter disappears through the classroom door for the first time, the choice becomes bewildering. Their schoolbags come home stuffed with leaflets from this or that organisation promising all manner of benefits from enrolling in their classes. You may find yourself feeling guilty if you don’t sign up to everything. Please take a deep breath and relax. Extra-curricular activities are not essential; many children do perfectly well without them. However, there are some benefits from a few well-chosen groups, clubs or classes. With the best will in the world, school cannot teach all the skills you might consider essential for modern life. Swimming lessons, for example, or cycling proficiency are crucial for safety. In addition, carefully selected activities can bring numerous other benefits that could help your child now and in the future. They will get a huge confidence boost from participating in an enjoyable activity they are successful at. A shy child, for example, may flourish in a dance class. As well as learning new skills, more subtle benefits include fostering a sense of community, increasing self-sufficiency and allowing a child – particularly one in a large family – something they feel is their own. Club time can also allow one-to-one time for other children. While these advantages are very real, care must be exercised when choosing activities. Too many and the wrong ones will only leave everyone fed up and exhausted.

The easy choices are the ones your children are desperate to do. Although beware of signing up for something just because your son or daughter’s best friend is doing it, this may not be a good enough reason. Ask yourself if your child gets something from the activity that they don’t get elsewhere and that it complements what’s already going on. For example, an active youngster who is already in the football team might be better balancing their activities with music or drama than adding another sport. Equally a child timid in the classroom may get great gains from being in a choir if it boosts their confidence. A more tricky area is an activity you’d like your child to do when they’d rather spend their after-school time at home relaxing. Only you can tell if they are genuinely exhausted by a day’s education or not. However, do take their views into account as there really is no point in forcing a child into something they hate. And some school stages are more taxing than others. After-school activities affect the whole family. No one wants to spend all their time ferrying children from one activity to another while dinner that still needs to be prepared and other children become resentful. So only commit to out-of-school activities that fit comfortably into the schedule and budget. It may transpire that your time and money can be better spent on family activities at home. When you do decide on a class or club – take some time to check it out. Find out how long it has been running, do other parents recommend it, are the staff Disclosure or CRB checked? While extra classes keep your children entertained and active, it’s also important that they have some unstructured time – even that they are allowed to feel bored. If they bounce from one organised thing to the next, they’ll never learn the important skill of amusing themselves.

Liat Hughes Joshi, author of Raising Children: The Primary Years, told Parentdish: “If you decide to do none at all, you won’t be short-changing her if her after-school activity consists of nothing more than a TV programme, a snack and some good, old-fashioned playing.”

SEN activities Children with special educational needs can benefit hugely from well-chosen extra-curricular activities. Even with the best educational support, SEN children can often feel ‘less’ than their peers. They may be aware of their difficulties and differences and this can have a profound effect on their confidence. Therefore an activity they can participate in successfully is a huge boost to their self-esteem. For example a dyslexic child, for whom school is a struggle, may blossom as a leading light in the dance troupe. Equally there are other more educational and developmental benefits that make extra-curricular activities important. Dyspraxic youngsters, for instance, can find their co-ordination improves while doing karate or trampolining. Clubs can be important social outlets for SEN children, perhaps giving them a chance to meet others facing similar challenges. The school or local authority will be able to advise about SEN groups in your area.

Overcoming shyness


Say goodbye to being shyChristmas parties and family get-togethers at this time of the year can spell a worrying time if your child is shy. Take Holly’s experience with her 6 year old son, Thomas, “Thomas is a lovely little boy but when he met anyone he hadn’t met before he was unable to speak, he lost all his manners and just looked at the floor.” This is not unusual. Shyness is a perfectly normal trait in childhood, but when lives become restricted by shyness, we must take action as there is no question that shyness robs us of opportunities that other people take for granted. The good news is that there are a lot of practical things that can gently encourage a shy child to be more outgoing. Mixing in societyStart by inviting one friend over for half an hour at home, then moving to more friends, more time and then outside the home. Children learn social skills from watching others so model the kind of interactions you want to encourage: be warm and friendly with people you don’t know, introduce yourself to new people, ask people for help, and compliment friends.

Drama queens (and kings)Shyness doesn’t necessarily mean low self-esteem; it usually comes from fear or feeling worried about what other people think. Simple acting techniques from drama classes soon equip children with the ability express themselves more clearly in front of others. Equally, presenting ourselves in a confident manner by sitting up straight and making eye-contact, even when we don’t feel like it, will

make any child feel bolder because of the positive way

others will react to them.

Facing up to it Perhaps the most

effective way to help your child to be less shy is to talk

openly with them about it. Refer to situations that are daunting and empathise “sometimes I feel worried about speaking up at work, but I always make and effort and feel good afterwards”. Holly added that she “used to read books to Thomas that had themes of facing fears or overcoming challenges”.

Dress RehearsalWatch what situations trigger shyness in your child then role play them later at home, giving hints on how they can feel more courageous when next out in public. “Thomas always felt nervous going to birthday parties, so we decided to set up a party scene at home, using his favourite toys and acted out the different scenarios: giving the party boy their present; saying hello to other children; asking the adult where the toilet is; saying thank you on leaving. It worked a treat”, said Holly. A karaoke machine or sing along DVD will

encourage your child to be more adventurous with their speech and movement. Record them pretending to be a news reader, or presenter interviewing their ‘celebrity’ friend.

Lights, camera, actionTrying new activities in a gradual way helps overcome shyness. Holly had always been encouraging Thomas to try out new things, “I knew Thomas had achieved an improved level of outgoingness when in the end-of-term football lesson, Thomas waited 30 minutes for his turn to kick a ball through the cones and straight into the goal - in front of everyone. He has really come out of his shell” Taking trays of nibbles round guests,being photographer at a family occasion, going into a shop and asking for the price are all great ways to take their mind off their shyness. But don’t force them into doing things that make them uncomfortable, play to their strengths. Your child’s shyness will vanish if he is encouraged to get better at things he already excels at. Above all, being calm will sooth many a shy child. Relax Kids (www.relaxkids.com) sell a range of CDs that provide ‘chill skills’ that relax children and as a result boosts their confidence.

Our attitude is crucialWe all want our children to outgrow their

shyness and latest research indicates that how parents respond to shyness is what makes the difference. Labelling our child as ‘shy’ would certainly be discouraged; they often turn into self fulfilling prophecies. In

the same sense, we should always avoid dismissing any feelings of shyness

e.g. “don’t be silly, big boys don’t get shy”. Comments like this lead children to feel that their worries are not valid, leading to anxiety. Be supportive by combining empathy with confident assertions, “Ahh, I can see you’re

feeling a bit worried, but I’m really confident you’ll be able to handle it”. A child’s ability to comfortably relate to a wide variety of people is one of the most important ingredients to happiness and success. The thing to remember is that the majority of children will find their way through all of this with a bit of guidance, and will soon be waving their hands in the air to answer questions, belting out songs during group sings, and being the first in the queue for trying new things. Shaking off shyness for a child with SENChildren with learning disabilities need to be given a healthy dose of praise and constructive criticism to develop into shy-free, confident adults.• Positivity - A child with learning disabilities

is prone to undergo more stress and frustration than the average child. Praise all victories, big and small

• Provide simple responsibilities in social situations – distraction from feeling shy

• Pair your shy child with another child in each important setting

• Coordinate your efforts with those of other relevant adults

• Help them find his or her areas of strength - explain the significance to them and offer many chances to use them

• Discuss the various aspects of your child’s life with them: school, friends, homework, teachers etc.

Sources www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/advice/factfilewww.babycenter.comwww.psychologytoday.com/blog

How to help your child overcome their shynessBy E. Dolton

“I’m shy,

paranoid, whatever word

you want to use.” Johnny Depp

“I was just

genuinely shy. I’d always been

a shy kid.” Elton John

“Yes, and I had pimples so badly

it used to make me so shy.”

Michael Jackson

“I know this

sounds strange, but as a kid, I

was really shy. Painfully shy.”

Jim Carrey

What’s On


THEATRE & SHOWS

LANDMARK THEATREIlfracombewww.northdevontheatres.org.uk Sea IlfracombeStarts Sunday 8th September 1pmThe largest harbour on the North Devon coast provides a stunning backdrop for this fifth Maritime Festival. This annual celebration, of all things maritime, provides visitors and locals with a wide mixture of entertainment and fun and is aimed at all age groups. Pick up a map and take a leisurely stroll around this Victorian picturesque town, and whilst you wander, enjoy the entertainment and exhibitions on offer.A full timetable of events can be found at seailfracombe.co.ukThroughout Ilfracombe. Free AdmissionAliens Love UnderpantsSunday 6th - Monday 7th October 2:30pmAliens love underpants, of every shape and size, But there are no underpants in space, So here’s a big surprise!This zany, hilarious tale based on the best-selling children’s book is delightfully brought to life on stage for the very first time. With stunning effects, madcap action, original music (and lots of aliens of course!) This fantastically fresh and funny production will delight the whole family. You’ll laugh your PANTS off! Based on the book by Claire Freedman & Ben CortWritten & directed by Adam Bampton-Smith. For more information visit www.underpantslive.com. PRICE: All seats £11.00 Family £36.00; Schools £8.50 Approx running time 50 minutes (no interval)Minimum age recommendation: 3

Blown Away - Birdsnest TheatreSunday 20th October 1pm & 3pmThe wind can whisk you up into the sky, the wind can take you on an adventure! What if, one windy night

a little girl arrives in your bedroom and tells you she’s the wind? Join us as a small boy finds himself swept up and whisked away on an unforgettable journey with her.Flying through the air with the world so small below them, they feel big, and when you’re big you can do anything at all! We invite the audience to come and feel the wind as it blows them to the top of the world. A beautiful and engaging show containing live music, shadow puppetry and movement. A useful stimulus for discussion of ‘Light and Dark’ topic in key stage 1. There is a stay and play session after the show where the children get to meet the actors and discuss their experiences by drawing and talking about what they have seen. Birdsnest Theatre are committed to creating excellent and imaginative theatre for young children, believing that children should have access and opportunities to experience high quality theatre created especially for them.‘Truly wonderful, magical, funny, engaging, creative, imaginative, I have not seen my son so entranced and involved before.’ Parent at Lincoln/ Northampton show. PRICE: All seats £7.00 Approx runnunig time: 1 hour (inc. 20 minutes ‘stay and play’) Age recommendation: 3 - 6 yearsEX3EPTIONALSunday 27th October 7pmA powerful musical performance by groups of young people who have historically been judged by their postcode. This project has been about changing perceptions of our young people both in the public eye and within themselves through singing, and in doing so rewriting their futures. PRICE: All seats £5.00 Approx running time: 2 hours 20 minutes (inc. interval)Minimum age recommendation: 5

QUEEN’S THEATREBarnstaplewww.northdevontheatres.org.ukThe Vicar of DibleyTuesday 17th September, 7.30pmRevisit the quiet village of Dibley as ACT brings to life the story of the new female Vicar, Geraldine Granger. Come and meet many of the village’s insane inhabitants.“Marmite and sardine sponge anyone?”Book now for one of the funniest nights out this year and support Comic Relief at the same time.PRICE: All seats £12.50Minimum age recommendation: 5Goodnight Mister TomThursday 26th -Saturday 28th September 7pm

The multi-award winning North Devon All Starz are returning with this classic story by Michelle Magorian, who also wrote the lyrics for this musical production. It tells the story of William Beech, an artistically-gifted but abused young boy, who escapes his brutal home life when he is evacuated to the countryside during World War II. He is ultimately rescued from his hideous upbringing when he is taken into the care of a lonely old man, Mister Tom. PRICE: All seats £11.00 Family £39.00;Approx running time: 2hours (inc. interval). Minimum age recommendation: 5The Sleeping BeautyFriday 18th - Saturday 19th October 7.45pmOnce upon a time ... (as all good fairytales begin), in a faraway land beyond imagination, Tchaikovsky’s sumptuous music fills the air and wondrous characters come to life before your very eyes. Fairytale characters abound alongside a King, a Queen, Good and Evil Fairies, Fairies of Gold, Silver, Diamonds and Sapphire plus the inevitable handsome Prince, all weaving their magic to present this timeless tale of Princess Aurora, The Sleeping Beauty - a story lovingly repeated throughout generations but never before performed so magnificently as with this colourful spectacle of Russia’s finest..... Moscow Ballet - La Classique. PRICE: Stalls/Dress Circle £23.50 Stalls/Dress Circle (Concessions) £22.50 Front Stalls/Upper Circle £22.00 Front Stalls/Upper Circle (Concessions) £21.00. Approx running time: 2 hours 45 minutes (including 2 intervals). Minimum age recommendation: 5FOODFEST 2013Sunday 20th October 10amThis annual event, which takes place at Barnstaple’s Historic Pannier Market, draws big crowds through a combination of reputation for great food and celebrity endorsement. Michael Caines MBE of Gidleigh Park is one of five top chefs that will be performing on the demonstration stage, which this year will take place within the Queens’ Theatre. With over 70 food stalls, live music and entertainment; you can be sure of a great day out. Free Admission

EXETER NORTHCOTTwww.exeternorthcott.co.ukDinosaur ZooFriday 13th - Sunday 15th SeptemberDirect from Australia, Earth’s

Dinosaur Zoo brings these awesome pre-historic creatures to the stage as you’ve never seen them before, up close and personal! From cute baby dinos to teeth-gnashing giants, meet the most recent addition to the Dinosaur Zoo, a carnivorous theropod known as the Australovenator, the most complete meat-eating dinosaur skeleton yet found in Australia. Children can watch wide-eyed from a safe distance or dare to get right up close to the creatures.www.dinosaurzoolive.comTickets: £13.50. Danger Zone Seats (Rows A-D): £16. Schools: £10 for groups 10+. Groups 10+ get 11th ticket FREE. Age: 3yrs+Running Time: 1hr (no interval)

Curious CreaturesSaturday 5th October, 2pmWelcome to the ‘Curious Creatures’ wildlife park, established by Jeremiah Johnson: world-renowned explorer, zoologist and animal collector. Nobody knows more about animals than him.Unfortunately, Jeremiah Johnson is currently lost somewhere in the jungles of Africa, so he has handed the running of the park over to his inexperienced nephew Craig... and things don’t quite go as planned. www.squashboxtheatre.co.ukTickets: £11. Family Ticket: £27 for 3 + up to 3 more tickets £9 eachAge: 5yrs+. Running Time: 50mins (no interval)AnnieTuesday 29th October - Saturday 2nd NovemberThe sun will come out tomorrow...She’s back, and still as lovely as ever! Annie, the little orphan who inspires a nation, will once again sing and dance her way into your hearts.Following a complete sell-out run here at the Exeter Northcott Theatre, one of the best-loved Broadway musicals bursts back on stage in a spectacular production, packed full of energetic song and dance with a cast of more than fifty! www.stagebystage.co.uk.Tickets: A £14 B & C £12 D £10Concs: £2 off. Age: 3yrs+Running Time: 2hrs 15mins

We have taken every care in preparing the listings in this magazine but sometimes events are cancelled or times

change, so please double check details before setting out.Out & About

What’s On


EXETER BARNFIELDwww.barnfieldtheatre.org.ukAcorn Antiques the MusicalMon 9th-Sat 14th September7.30pm (2.30pm Sat matinee)Acorn Antiques was first seen on BBC Television 21 years ago and has been a firm favourite with the nation ever since.The musical follows Miss Babs’ struggle to keep her antiques business open, as shop after shop in the High Street is forced out by faceless chains…Can she afford to turn down the offer from The Guilty Bean if they do update the shop, can they still afford to employ Mrs Overall? Will Mr Clifford ever get his memory back, and remember who he’s engaged to? But most worryingly, will Mrs Overall be able to tap dance while holding the tray?£14.00(Children under 16 £12.00)Jane Eyre: An AutobiographyFriday 11th &Saturday 12th October 7.30pm“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being with an independent will.”From a miserable childhood controlled by uncaring adults, Jane Eyre learns to rely on her own resources and determination to make her way in the world. She longs to learn. She dares to hope for better.Employed as a governess, she travels across the bleak Yorkshire moors to the Gothic isolation of Thornfield Hall – a house of locked doors with a dark and dangerous secret.There she meets the mysterious but fascinating Mr Rochester. Can the narrow constraints of Victorian society and the demons of the past be overcome? Should Jane be ruled by her head or heart?£10.00(£8.00)Memories are Made of ThisWednesday 16th October 2.30pm & 7.30pmNostalgia just doesn’t come any better! Another sensational show from the producers of ‘Memory Lane’, ‘All our Yesterdays’ and ‘Rolling back the Years’. One of the biggest shows of its kind in the UK, taking the audience on a thrilling and breathtaking musical journey through the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. Stunning costumes! Brilliant choreography!‘West End’ and international vocalists, along with the stunning ‘Memory Lane’ dancers perform some of the greatest hits from each decade including Swing, Country

and Western, Movies and Musicals to name but a few. Includes songs by Connie Francis, Frank Sinatra, Everly Brothers, Cliff Richard, Elvis Presley, Abba, Barry Manilow, Jersey Boys, Michael Buble and many more£14.00 (£13.00)

Big Red BathMon 28th October 1.30pm & 3.30pmRubba-Dubba-Giggle, Rubba-Dubba-Laugh, there’s magic to be found in the Big Red Bath.It’s the end of a busy day and it is almost time for bed, and Ben and Bella are in the bath.Splish! Splosh! Splash! Bubbles burst and bubbles rise and a frothy feast of animals jump right in to join in the fun. Come with us on a bubbly, barmy bath time adventure around the world and home again celebrating all things bath time.A quirky, vibrant and humorous adaptation of Julia Jarman’s popular children’s picture book for the very young features music by We Were Evergreen, alternative indie-electro-pop trio who bring a blend of folk melodies, electro beats and vocal harmonies. www.fullhouse.org.uk. £6.00 or Family of 4 £20.00

MUSEUMS

RAMMExeter, www.exeter.gov.uk/rammCarousel Course: Start with ArtThursdays 12, 19, 26 September and 3 October 10.30am to 1.30pmMeeting Room ATutor Nicci Wonnacott will lead families with young children on a journey through the museum’s collections, considering the historical, geographical and creative ideas that tell the stories of the objects. Families will work together to create a sketchbook of mixed media art works. Suitable for families with children aged two and a half years onwards. For free tickets email: [email protected] or call: 07910 038558Chat about the BirdsThursday 12 September 201311am - 4pm

RAMM In Fine Feather GalleryFind out more about our feathered friends in RAMM’s birds’ gallery. RSPB experts will be on hand to answer your questions on the collections and the work of the RSPB. Free guided wildlife tours through RAMM start in the In Find Feather gallery at 11am and 2pm. The tours are a 20 to 30 minute walk around the museum discovering the fantastic wildlife on display and how the RSPB is helping to protect it. Discover underwater wonders around Devon’s shores, learn how bees are saving the UK millions of pounds a year, find out which piece of clothing inspired the RSPB’s origins and how everything from tigers to sparrows are being protected by local conservationists.Bone Head: A Heads up on the Most Fascinating Bones in the BodySaturday 14 September 20132pmGallery 20Join broadcaster and RAMM Patron Nick Baker for an informative, intimate, sometimes surreal and irreverent look into the world of skulls and a skull collector.Fascination for skulls. Nick has been a bone collector all his life, fascinated in particular with the many aspects of the skull. In this talk he gets down to the bare bones of the most important collection of bones in the body; on one hand the perfect example of form and function and on the other, a thing of great sculptural beauty. He will explore the origins, purpose and mechanics of these bones and how they develop, and delve into the realm of symbolism and imagery.If you’re a fan of Springwatch, The Really Wild Show or Weird Creatures then this talk is for you - suitable for children and adults alike. Tickets available from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum reception in person or by phone using a credit or debit card on 01392 265858 during opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Entry £10.00 (£7.50) Tickets available from the Royal Albert Memorial Museum reception in person or by phone using a credit or debit card on 01392 265858 during opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.

Circus SundaySunday 22 September 201311am - 4pmRAMM GardenOutdoor circus entertainment for all the family. Part of Unexpected, a new city festival taking performance and art out of venues and into unexpected locations.Unexpected runs from 15 to 22 September and culminates in Circus Sunday. Free drop-inEntry www.exeter.gov.uk/unexpected

ATTRACTIONS

RHS GARDEN ROSEMOORTorrington, www.rhs.org.ukWest Country Craft FairFriday 6th - Sunday 8th September, 10:00 - 16:00The West Country is a popular base for many craftsmen and women given the range of landscapes, materials and inspiration available. Rosemoor has brought together more than 40 different crafts people from across the South West to demonstrate the beauty and creativity of the products they make. Come and support these talented craftsmen and women by treating yourself to an unusual handcrafted item.Taste of the West Country Food FestSunday 22nd September, 10:00 - 16:00It is no surprise that so many top chefs have restaurants and homes in the South West. The quality of the land, the access to the coast and the warm and damp weather conditions make it an ideal region for foodies. Rosemoor’s Food Festival celebrates traditional local produce and organic foods including locally reared beef and lamb, handmade cheeses and English wines, plus a wide range of other tasty foodstuffs! For further details for exhibiting please email [email protected] DaySunday 6th October,10:00 - 16:00A great day out for all the family, Rosemoor’s Apple Day is organised in conjunction with Orchards Live, Thornhayes Nursery and the RHS South West Area Fruit Group who will endeavour to identify your unknown apple varieties. With fantastic apple displays; cookery demonstrations and apple recipes; tastings; planting & cultivation tips and talks; children’s activities and trails; plus stalls selling fruit, cider and apple juice - truly something for everyone to enjoy!

Out & About

What’s On


Taste of Autumn FestivalSaturday 12th - Sunday 13th October 2013Autumn is here! Celebrate the tastes and colours of the harvest season with our popular Grow Your Own Autumn Festival, supported by Mr Fothergill’s.What’s on?There’s something for gardeners of all abilities, whether you have a large plot or simply a pot to fill.Guided walksJoin a guided walk around Rosemoor’s fruit and vegetable garden, where you’ll find a mouth-watering array of produce. In the orchard, see apples chosen for their West Country connections.Fruit delightsBored with the usual supermarket varieties? Come along and taste a delicious range of apples not normally available in the shops. Which is your favourite?Mushroom magicAs part of UK Fungus Day, see wonderful mushroom displays, pick up advice, join a fungi habitat walk, and be inspired by cookery demonstrations using fresh seasonal produce. There’s also activities for younger visitors to get stuck into. Don’t forget to visit the Garden Kitchen Restaurant which will be featuring mushroom and autumn themed dishes.Tastes of the seasonBrowse and buy from food stalls selling delicious food and drink including jams, chutneys and other comestibles.Fungi ForayThursday 17th October, 11:00 - 12:30Type: Walk/Walk & Talk/Guided TourWild mushrooms come in many shapes and sizes and can be tricky to spot and identify. Join Nigel Pinhorn of the Devon Fungus Group and find out all about fungi on a guided walk around the garden and woodlands at Rosemoor.PricesMember: £10.00Non Member: £18.00

Autumn Antiques FairSaturday 19th -Sunday 20th October, 10:00 - 16:00Devon County Antiques Fairs organise another of their popular events here at Rosemoor with a

number of carefully selected stall holders from across the South West and beyond, selling a wide variety of antiques and collectables to suit all tastes and pockets. An early opportunity to pick up a unique Christmas present or two.Prices

NATIONAL TRUST ARLINGTON COURTwww.nationaltrust.org.ukTextile ExhibitionMonday 9th - Sunday 15th September, 11am - 3pmPrice: Free event (normal admission charges apply)An exhibition of all forms of textile crafts from knitting to rug making and spinning to sewing. All work from local groups and artists, come along and be inspired to pick up a new hobby.Unseen ArlingtonEvery Tuesday in September and October, 2 - 2.30pmPrice: Free event (normal admission charges apply)Every Tuesday at 2pm, the House team will show you something special that you don’t normally get to see here, bringing you closer to Arlington Court’s people and collections. It might be a particular item, or a story from the family’s history, or even a chance to find out how we deal with the many challenges facing us as we care for this remarkable house. There’s something different each week, so keep coming back to learn more.Swishing eveningFriday 13th September, 4:00pmPrice: No Additional chargesRevitalise your wardrobe by bringing your unwanted clothes to our swishing event and swap them for something new. Plus try your hand at creating new clothes from old by picking up tips to refresh your image.Go to www.rowantreestudio.co.uk for more details and the rules of swishing.Arlington Characters Come to LifeSaturday 14th September 11:30am and 12 October,11:30amPrice: Free event (normal admission charges apply)Come to meet a cast of characters from 1883, who lived and worked on the Arlington Estate. From gamekeeper to coachman they all have an interesting story to tell. Join a tour to meet several characters, timings will be advertised on site.Autumn deer walkSunday 13th October 2013

8:45am and 19 October 2013 8:45am Price: Adult £4, Child £2 Hallowe’en craftsMonday 28th - Thursday 31st October Price: All Tickets £1 (per craft)Join in our family friendly spooky crafts and be inspired to make something gruesome this half term.

Hallowe’en toursWednesday 30th October - Friday 1st November Price: All Tickets £5 (per person)Booking EssentialHaunted Hallowe’en walkThursday 31st October, 6:00pm Price: All Tickets £5Booking Essential

COAST & COUNTRYSIDEwww.nationaltrust.org.ukFungi & Foraging in the Heddon ValleyHeddon ValleySunday 6th October, 10:30am Price: Adult £5, Child £2.50Booking EssentialWalling WorkshopWoolacombe, Mortehoe and IlfracombeMonday 28th - Tuesday 29th October, 10:00am to 4:00pmPrice: All Tickets £40 (Discount if booked with Hedgelaying Course £70. Come and join our experienced rangers on land around Woolacombe. You will take part in preparing a wall for repair and then learn how to build the wall back up to a suitable height before ‘capping it off’. Learn about their fascinating history. Booking EssentialHedgelaying at HartlandBideford Bay and HartlandWednesday 30th - Thursday 31st October, 10:00am to 4:00pmPrice: Adult £40 (£70 if booked with Walling course for both courses)Learn the skills and traditions of Hedgelaying in this great value and action packed 2-day course, 10am - 4pm each day. If booked together with Devon stone walling workshop (28 & 29 October) - only £70 for both events. Booking EssentialHeddon Valley fun for all the family, North DevonHeddon ValleyThursday 31st October, 11:00am

Price: Child £2Each session has a different theme and activity which has been designed to help you and your family have a great time as you get hands-on and practical in learning about nature and our wildlife.04 April 2013: Join Baggy the Hedgehog for an Easter trail with a natural twist.

BUCKLAND ABBEYwww.nationaltrust.org.ukWalk into WordsSunday 1st September to 3rd November, 10:30am to 5:30pmPrice: Free event (normal admission charges apply) Enjoyed a walk on the estate? Seen something interesting? Felt something profound? Turn your amble into art and be in with a chance of winning a walking staff from our resident artist Richard Woodgate, made with wood from the estate.Tudor ArcherSunday 8th September, 12:30pmPrice: Free event (normal admission charges apply)Meet our Tudor archer from the age of the Marie Rose as he demonstrates medieval archery - he may even let you have a go!Walk & TalkThursday 12th September, 10:15am and 10 October, 10:15amPrice: No Additional chargesJoin Tavistock Walk & Talk for companionable walk round the grounds, a delight at this time of year. Short talk on the history of the Abbey in the restaurant afterwards. Please meet in the car park.Heritage Open DaySaturday 14th September, 10:30amPrice: No Additional chargesFree entry to the estate, garden and abbey as part of Heritage Open Days.

Pushchair Amble5 dates between 19 September 2013 and 21 October Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)Set off around our pushchair friendly Yellow Walk for a glimpse of autumn colour and wildlife. Bug pots for beastie hunting and materials to make leaf crowns available at reception.

Out & About

We have taken every care in preparing the listings in this magazine but sometimes events are cancelled or times

change, so please double check details before setting out.

What’s On

KNIGHTSHAYESExhibiton: Devon WoodturnersFriday 13th - Thursday 26th September, 10:00am to 5:00pmPrice: No Additional chargesHead up to the Stables a Knightshayes, and admire the handicraft of this popular group of Devon-based woodturners. With an array of gifts, from bowls to bottle stoppers, there is something for everyone from these creative local crafters‘Tuneful Stories’ - Poetry, music and performance with Tim

Heritage open daySaturday 14th September, 10:00amPrice: No Additional chargesNever been to Knightshayes before? Why not head up this weekend of a taster of everything we have to offer, as we offer free entry as part of Heritage Open

Day. Find out what’s so special about this glorious gothic house with it’s acres of unspoilt garden.Hartland Old BooksSaturday 14th - Sunday 15th September, 10:00am to 5:00pmPrice: No Additional chargesWhether it’s a bit of high literature, or something to keep the kids quiet, check out these second-hand books for sale in the Stables Courtyard, from a local Tiverton based seller.NSPCC FairSunday 15th September,10:00amPrice: Adult £6, Child £3, Concession £5 (Senior)Head over to Knightshayes as we join with the NSPCC to host a craft and antiques fair for all the family. With stalls, classic cars from through the ages, delicious local food and a dog show in conjunction with the Blue Cross; this is a really community affair suitable for the whole family.Exhibition - East Devon Walks by Mariangela Williams29th August to Wednesday 11th September, 10:30am to 5:30pmPrice: Free event (normal admission charges apply)Original paintings of local views by Mariangela Williams. Memories of days spent enjoying the silence

and stillness of this area of outstanding natural beauty.

A LA RONDEHeritage Open Days

Saturday 7th -Sunday 8th September, 11:00am to 4:00pm Price: Free event (normal admission charges apply)Entry to A la Ronde is free as part of National Heritage Open DayExhibition - Paintings by Karen Marie MitchellThursday 12th - Wednesday 25th September, 10:30am to 5:30pmPrice: Free event (normal admission charges apply)Karen paints on location and from photographs but prefers to capture the essence of a place from memory. She is attracted to harbours, street scenes and continental cafe culture and employs texture, colour and pattern to evoke emotion.Papier mache seashells workshopThursday 12th September, 11:00amPrice: No Additional chargesArtist Eleanor Duckworth, curator of the Caravan of Curiosity, shows you how to make seashells out of papier mache. Free. Drop in workshop.

CASTLE DROGOCastle Drogo inside out toursMonday 9th September - Wednesday 30th OctoberPrice: Free event (normal admission charges apply)Join one of our special tours to learn about the ins and outs of Castle Drogo and the project to save it.

Estate guided walksTuesday 10th September, 11:00amPrice: Free event (normal admission charges apply)Join one of our volunteers on a walk to find out more about the Castle Drogo estate. The walks will last up to 3 hours and will be over steep and uneven paths. Please wear suitable footwear and clothing.Heritage Open DaySaturday 14th September, 11:00amPrice: All Tickets £1.50 (per person for special tours)Come and visit the Castle and grounds for free once more as Drogo takes part in the Heritage Open Day Scheme. You can also take advantage of our very special inside out tours to learn more about the ins and outs of Castle Drogo and the project to save it.National Garden Scheme DaySunday 15th September, 9:00amPrice: Free event (normal admission charges apply)Come and look around the gardens at Castle Drogo as part of the National Garden Scheme.

KILLERTONObjects of Desire, 2013 Costume exhibitionFrom Sunday 8th SeptemberPrice: Free event (normal admission charges apply)Glamorous gowns, gorgeous bags and exquisite shoes will be among the items on display against a magical new series of backdropsFocus on Fashion: HatsMonday 9 September 11:30am and 1:30pmPrice: Free event (normal admission charges apply)Music in the ChapelSaturday 14th September, 11:00amPrice: Free event (normal admission charges apply)Drop in and hear a different local choir or musicians performing in our glorious chapel. Donations will go to the performers.

Out & About


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Families North Devon & Exeter - September/October 2013

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Transcript of Families North Devon & Exeter - September/October 2013