Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
News in Dorset
See Jack and The Beanstalk at The Lighthouse: Thursday 12 December to Sunday 5 January 2020
The seeds have been sown for a magical Christmas as Lighthouse, Poole’s centre for the arts, is delighted to announce Jack and the Beanstalk as this year’s homegrown family pantomime. One of Britain’s best-loved pantomimes, Jack and the Beanstalk first appeared 285 years ago as ‘The Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean’, a Christmas fairy tale by Dick Merryman, and can be enjoyed in 40 performances at Lighthouse from Thursday 12 December to Sunday 5 January. Tickets are on sale now at the box office, by phone on 01202 280000 and online at www.lighthousepoole.co.uk
Aladdin Flies to Bournemouth Pavilion: Saturday 7 December to Sunday 5 January 2020
From the producers that bought Sleeping Beauty and Jack and the Beanstalk to the stage at BIC, comes Aladdin, this year’s Bournemouth Pavilion pantomime. Packed full of laugh-out-loud comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and of course - a flying carpet, Aladdin will be pure genie-us! Starring BBC EastEnders Richard Blackwood as Abanazar and The X Factor's Amelia Lily as Spirit of the Ring, alongside Bournemouth Pavilion pantomime favourites - Noel Brodie as Wishee Washee and David Ball as Widow Twankey. Book your tickets now at www.bhlivetickets.co.uk
Taekwondo School for Kids Offering Free Session
A Taekwondo school for children based in Pokesdown, Bournemouth, is offering a free first session to encourage more young people to try out this form of martial art. TKD4kids, which holds weekly classes at Pokesdown Community Primary School, is open to both girls and boys of all abilities, from age 5, and offers the perfect introduction to learning an established martial art, taught by highly trained and experienced instructors in a fun and safe setting. Taekwondo is an excellent way for children to learn new skills and improve agility, balance, flexibility and self-defence. Beginners Classes are held every Tuesday at 4.30pm and Friday at 5pm. To book, or for more information, visit www.tkd4kids.org.uk or contact tkd4kidsuk@outlook.com
Be a Chorister for an Evening in Bournemouth
Children in Years 3 to 6 can enjoy a free evening of musical fun on Wednesday 16 October, from 5.30pm to 7pm, at St. Peter’s Church, Hinton Road, Bournemouth.
During the evening the children can learn to sing some new music and find out if they’ve got what it takes to be a chorister. To find out more or to book a free place call 07967 357888 or visit www.stpetersbournemouth.org.uk/choir
Tax Free Childcare - Financial Help for Working Parents
To help with the rising costs of childcare, parents can open a Tax-Free Childcare Account. It could save up to £2,000 a year for each child you have using approved childcare. For every £8 you pay into your Childcare Account, the Government will add £2. This account is then used to pay your childcare provider directly. It can be used for all children in your family, up to the age of 12. If your child is registered as having a disability, you may be able to claim up to £4,000 a year until they are 17.
Visit www.childcarechoices.gov.uk to find out more and apply. Tax-Free Childcare can be used to pay for approved childcare such as, childminders, day nurseries, pre-schools, before and after school clubs and holiday play schemes. You can claim Tax-Free Childcare at the same time as 30 hours childcare for working parents, if you are eligible for both. If you would like advice and support finding the right childcare for your child, contact your local Information Service - for BCP Council call 01202 456222 or 01202 261970, or visit www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/childcare; for Dorset Council call 01305 221066, or visit www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/fis
TeachOut: a new, free resource to make planning educational experiences easy
TeachOut is an innovative, FREE resource packed with ideas for teachers and Educational Visit Coordinators to help you plan your enrichment programme for the year ahead. From fun-filled residentials, to memorable day visits and interactive workshops that will bring your curriculum topic to life! TeachOut’s latest schools newsletter is out now, with a hand-picked selection of day visits and residentials all within easy distance of your school: bit.ly/teachoutnewsletter
Free School Workshops and Assemblies
TeachOut is always looking for ways to reduce the costs of your enrichment activities - you can browse the In-School Services section at teachout.co.uk, where any free workshops or resources are flagged up.
Dorset’s Inflatable Museum Brings History to You
While Dorset County Museum is closed for its exciting redevelopment, it will be popping up at schools across the county. This unique and immersive learning environment is designed to continue to excite and engage with children, providing them with plenty of opportunity to handle and learn about real objects from the Museum’s collection as well as all the inspiration that a trip to the museum can generate. The Inflatable museum is an initiative of the Dorset County Museum and was created, with the support of the National Lottery Heritage Fund. For more information visit www.dorsetcountymuseum.org
Tackling Times Tables in Y3 and Y4
Finding effective ways of teaching and maintaining times tables knowledge is more important than ever with the launch of the new statutory Multiplication Tables Check.
Tried and tested strategies will be shared and explored in a half day Tackling Times Tables workshop for Y3 and/or Y4 teachers at Durweston Village Hall, near Blandford, on Tuesday 26 November, from 9am to 12pm. During the workshop, teachers will explore effective strategies for teaching and maintaining times table facts, rapid recall of those facts and gateway activities that will ensure pupils will want to engage. For information see www.dorsetnexus.org.uk
UK’s First Technical Football Centre Opens in Bournemouth
The Technical Football Centre is the UK’s first football centre dedicated to improving players technical football skills. The centre is home to training equipment which is used in some of the world’s top football clubs. The centre is open to players of any ability to want to train and improve their skills. The Centre opened on Saturday 5 October at Riverside Avenue in Bournemouth. Visit the website to register for your Player Pass and to find out how to book your session. Go to www.technicalfc.com
Inspired by the Rugby World Cup? Sign up at Wimborne Rugby Club
The 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan is now in full swing and is sure to inspire youngsters across Dorset to line up for the line out! The good news is that Wimborne Rugby Club runs several sessions for children led by fully accredited RFU coaches, who introduce the game in a positive and fun way.
Wimborne Rugby Club has a Mini team for children aged under 7 years and a Youth team for children the under 16s. To find out more about these great fun, inclusive sessions call 01202 882602 or visit www.wimbornerugbyclub.co.uk
Halloween Special at SafeWise Bournemouth
There’s a Halloween Special event for youngsters and their families at SafeWise Bournemouth on 29 and 30 October. The Junior Safety Inspector event is designed to help families learn valuable skills for life in fun and interactive scenarios including fire, road and water safety. The indoor village at SafeWise Bournemouth includes a road, beach, train, bus and house where the whole family can join in with the practical and hands on activities, such as escaping a house fire and dialling 999 or controlling the brakes on a train. The self-guided tours are designed for children aged 5 to 10 years, but all ages are welcome. The tour lasts around 1.5 hours and consists of a treasure hunt and practical problem solving. To book, visit www.safewise.org/events
Experience the Wider World with Dorset Scouts
Dorset Scouts is a mixed youth organisation giving local children aged 6 years+ plenty of opportunities to have fun, make friends, get outdoors, express their creativity and experience the wider world. Scouts take part in activities as diverse as kayaking, abseiling, expeditions overseas, photography, climbing and zorbing. Later on, as a Scout, you can learn survival skills, first aid, computer programming, or even how to fly a plane. To find out about the many Scout groups across Dorset contact 01929 472374, email countyoffice@dorsetscouts.org.uk or see www.dorsetscouts.org.uk