Primary Times Staffordshire Back 2 School 2016

What’s On Where FOR FAMILIES AND SCHOOLS 

www.primarytimes.net 

Staffordshire & 

Stoke-on-Trent 

PARENTING • EDUCATION • DAYS OUT • NEWS & REVIEWS 

BACK TO SCHOOL ISSUE 2016 

5 TH SEPTEMBER - 9 TH OCTOBER

2 

Primary Times BACK TO SCHOOL 2016 | www.primarytimes.net/staffordshire

Anne Marie Scanlon for Primary Times 

Dear reader 

W 

elcome 

Get ready for 

Secondary 

School 

back to school. We hope that everyone had a lovely 

summer holiday and you are all refreshed and look forward 

to the term ahead - the Autumn term is a very busy one so we trust 

the energy levels are running high. 

For those of you who are reading our magazine for the first time, 

welcome. We hope you will find Primary Times useful in helping 

you to plan activities for the weekends and holidays. You will find 

lots of fun things to do with your children in our WOW - What’s On 

and Where - section. Our regular Box Office feature lists some great 

productions that are ideal for primary aged children and our Kids’ 

Book Reviews are particularly helpful if you are looking for a good 

read for your child, the reviews are written by children of all ages. 

Also in this issue we embrace Performing Arts on page 11. Whilst 

we don’t really want to start thinking about Christmas yet, we have 

now opened entries for our Christmas Card creative competition. 

Every year we send out thousands of Christmas cards and this 

year we would like your primary aged child to create it! One lucky 

entry will be selected from across School Publishing’s 13 Primary 

Times magazines to win this competition and details of how to 

enter can be found on page 12. Plus win a family ticket to see “I got 

superpowers for my birthday” on page 15. Good luck. 

Don’t forget to send us your news if your child has an 

achievement to celebrate on marion@schoolspublishing.co.uk. 

The Primary Times team: 

Marion, Julie, & Catherine 

As another September rolls around it could soon be your 

child’s last one in primary school. Even if your child is still 

in the middle of primary, it’s never too early to start thinking 

about secondary school. If your child has just started 

year 6, now is the time to apply as the deadline for 

Secondary School applications is 31 October. 

All schools have admission criteria to decide 

which children get places and these criteria 

differ depending on the school. Before 

deciding to apply for a place in a particular 

school you need to check with your council 

to see if you are in the catchment area. The 

catchment area for schools is defined by the 

local authority and every year stories are 

numerous of people living next door to a 

particular school yet not being part of the 

catchment. Do not assume that because you 

are within walking distance of a particular place 

of learning that you are within the catchment. 

Check now to avoid disappointment later. 

The local council/authority should be able to 

provide you with a list of application criteria 

for the school(s) of your choice, as they can, 

and do, vary from school to school. Many 

schools will give preference to a child who 

already has a sibling there, which means that 

if you are new to the school (even if you live 

on the doorstep), your child will fall ‘after’ 

siblings in the queue for a place. It is good 

practice to contact the school directly to 

double check their admissions policies. 

If you are sending your child to a private or 

fee paying secondary school, then contact 

them directly to find out what they require for 

admission as your child’s place could depend 

on passing an entrance exam. It is not 

uncommon for parents to consider tutoring 

for entrance exams as early as year 4. 

Unfortunately, unless you are prepared to 

educate your child privately, you cannot 

choose your child’s secondary school. You 

can express a preference when applying but 

there is no guarantee that your child will get a 

place at your first choice. It is a good idea to 

attend the open days of a few schools in the 

area - even if you hadn’t considered them until 

now. You should certainly put more than one 

choice down when applying and this will help 

you make an informed decision for your 

second and third preferences. 

To stand the best chance of being allocated a 

place at your first choice, it is crucial to get 

your application in on time (by 31 October 

2016 for September 2017 entry). Secondary 

school placements will be confirmed by the 

council on 1 March 2017 (or the next working 

day). If your child did not get a place in the 

school you preferred there are some things 

you can do... 

First, accept the place you have been offered 

– this doesn’t mean that you have to take it or 

that you won’t be in a position to try to get into 

your preferred school. Simply, if all else fails, 

it means your child has a place to go to school 

next September. A place, even in a school that 

wasn’t your first choice, is better than no 

school place at all. If you know nothing about 

the school where you’ve been offered a place, 

then make an appointment to visit; you might 

be pleasantly surprised. 

As soon as you find out that your child has 

not got into your preferred school find out 

immediately what the appeals process is. 

There will be a very limited window when you 

can appeal so don’t delay in finding out when 

it is. Once you’ve applied for an appeal you will 

only have a short time to assemble evidence 

to present to an ‘Appeal Committee’ as to why 

your child should get a place in the school of 

your choice. If you are contemplating an 

appeals process, then it is best to seek out 

advice. Talk to secondary school teachers and 

anyone who has already been through the 

process. 

Check to see if there is a waiting list for your 

preferred school and if there is make sure your 

child’s name is added to it. Ask where on the 

waiting list your child is and how many children 

from the waiting list got places the previous 

year – this means you will have some idea of 

Contents 

inside this issue 

whether or not your child will get in. To further 

your child’s chances of getting a place at a 

school you want you can be on several waiting 

lists at the one time. (Don’t forget though your 

child may be pushed down the list if another 

child is added who fulfils more of that school’s 

application criteria.) 

If the secondary school you’ve been allocated 

is over 3 miles walking distance you can 

contact the council and ask them what 

provision they will make to transport your 

child to and from school every day. 

Whether or not you get your 11 child into the 

school of your choice try to stay calm. Moving 

up to secondary school is a huge transition for 

children and often a frightening one. Be sure 

to emphasize the positives which could include 

the fact that some of their school friends will 

also be going to the same school while equally 

they will make lots of new friends. For some 

children it will be an opportunity to expand 

their sporting prowess whilst for others it could 

be the chance to advance their artistic skills. 

For almost all children Secondary school 

marks a new era of independence and that 

really is something to celebrate. 

CALLING ALL 

FAMILIES 

AND TEACHERS! 

Remember to send in 

your news for our news 

pages – we would love 

to hear from you! 

Secondary school subjects 

Just like primary school, secondary 

education is divided into two keys stages 

– KS3 and KS4. The first part, KS3 applies 

in years 7 through to 9 (ages 11-14). 

In KS3 schools are required to provide both 

Religious and Sex Education respectively 

although parents can have their children 

opt out wholly or partly from either subject. 

Subjects include: English, Maths, 

Science, History, Geography, Modern 

foreign languages, Art & Design, Physical 

Education, Citizenship, Computing. 

Don’t forget to visit us 

online at 

www.primarytimes.net 

/staffordshire 

4 

13 

4 Get ready for 

Secondary School 

6 WOW: What’s on where 

11 Performing Arts 

12 Design a Christmas card 

14 Box Office 

13 

CONTENTS 

THE PRIMARY TIMES TEAM 

Editor: 

Marion McAdam 

marion@schoolspublishing.co.uk 

Sales: 

Julie Daruvalla 

ptstaffs@schoolspublishing.co.uk 

Tel: 01491 411848 

Production: 

productionpt@schoolspublishing.co.uk 

Design: 

Catherine Crook 

Primary Times in Staffordshire, 

Schools Publishing Limited, 

St James’s House, 118 Greys Road, 

Henley on Thames, Oxon, RG9 1QW. 

TEL: 01491 411848 

FAX: 01491 411416 

www.primarytimes.net/staffordshire 

...the UK’s biggest, 

free ‘what’s on’ 

magazine for parents! 

Primary Times in Staffordshire 

distributes more than 42,000 

copies six times a year, and 

is part of a national network 

distributing more than 2.7 

million copies in 61 regions 

across the UK and Ireland. 

Primary Times is independently published and distributed free through national primary schools in Staffordshire. 

It aims to inform families and children about current educational issues, forthcoming events, courses, attractions 

and to give teachers, pupils and parents the opportunity to participate in the magazine by adding to its contents 

or by joining in the competitions. It is NOT our intention to publish any racist, sexist or politically based material 

whatsoever. We also undertake not to carry any advertising which we would consider to be offensive to young 

families or harmful to the best interests of young children. Primary Times would like to thank all the schools in 

Staffordshire for their assistance in distributing the magazine and for their contributions to its contents. We would 

also like to thank all the advertisers who have supported this publication and therefore made it possible. Please 

support their endeavours when and where you can. The copyright on all written material, logos and advertising 

artwork produced by our studio remains with Primary Times or with the relevant contributor. Primary Times is 

currently publishing over two million copies per issue under franchise licences throughout Britain. 

www.primarytimes.net/staffordshire | BACK TO SCHOOL 2016 Primary Times 3

Get ready for 

Secondary 

School 

As another September rolls around it could soon be your 

child’s last one in primary school. Even if your child is still 

in the middle of primary, it’s never too early to start thinking 

about secondary school. If your child has just started 

year 6, now is the time to apply as the deadline for 

Secondary School applications is 31 October. 

All schools have admission criteria to decide 

which children get places and these criteria 

differ depending on the school. Before 

deciding to apply for a place in a particular 

school you need to check with your council 

to see if you are in the catchment area. The 

catchment area for schools is defined by the 

local authority and every year stories are 

numerous of people living next door to a 

particular school yet not being part of the 

catchment. Do not assume that because you 

are within walking distance of a particular place 

of learning that you are within the catchment. 

Check now to avoid disappointment later. 

The local council/authority should be able to 

provide you with a list of application criteria 

for the school(s) of your choice, as they can, 

and do, vary from school to school. Many 

schools will give preference to a child who 

already has a sibling there, which means that 

if you are new to the school (even if you live 

on the doorstep), your child will fall ‘after’ 

siblings in the queue for a place. It is good 

practice to contact the school directly to 

double check their admissions policies. 

If you are sending your child to a private or 

fee paying secondary school, then contact 

them directly to find out what they require for 

admission as your child’s place could depend 

on passing an entrance exam. It is not 

uncommon for parents to consider tutoring 

for entrance exams as early as year 4. 

Unfortunately, unless you are prepared to 

educate your child privately, you cannot 

choose your child’s secondary school. You 

can express a preference when applying but 

there is no guarantee that your child will get a 

place at your first choice. It is a good idea to 

attend the open days of a few schools in the 

area - even if you hadn’t considered them until 

now. You should certainly put more than one 

choice down when applying and this will help 

you make an informed decision for your 

second and third preferences. 

To stand the best chance of being allocated a 

place at your first choice, it is crucial to get 

your application in on time (by 31 October 

2016 for September 2017 entry). Secondary 

school placements will be confirmed by the 

council on 1 March 2017 (or the next working 

day). If your child did not get a place in the 

school you preferred there are some things 

you can do... 

First, accept the place you have been offered 

– this doesn’t mean that you have to take it or 

that you won’t be in a position to try to get into 

your preferred school. Simply, if all else fails, 

it means your child has a place to go to school 

next September. A place, even in a school that 

wasn’t your first choice, is better than no 

school place at all. If you know nothing about 

the school where you’ve been offered a place, 

then make an appointment to visit; you might 

be pleasantly surprised. 

As soon as you find out that your child has 

not got into your preferred school find out 

immediately what the appeals process is. 

There will be a very limited window when you 

can appeal so don’t delay in finding out when 

it is. Once you’ve applied for an appeal you will 

only have a short time to assemble evidence 

to present to an ‘Appeal Committee’ as to why 

your child should get a place in the school of 

your choice. If you are contemplating an 

appeals process, then it is best to seek out 

advice. Talk to secondary school teachers and 

anyone who has already been through the 

process. 

Check to see if there is a waiting list for your 

preferred school and if there is make sure your 

child’s name is added to it. Ask where on the 

waiting list your child is and how many children 

from the waiting list got places the previous 

year – this means you will have some idea of 

whether or not your child will get in. To further 

your child’s chances of getting a place at a 

school you want you can be on several waiting 

lists at the one time. (Don’t forget though your 

child may be pushed down the list if another 

child is added who fulfils more of that school’s 

application criteria.) 

If the secondary school you’ve been allocated 

is over 3 miles walking distance you can 

contact the council and ask them what 

provision they will make to transport your 

child to and from school every day. 

Whether or not you get your child into the 

school of your choice try to stay calm. Moving 

up to secondary school is a huge transition for 

children and often a frightening one. Be sure 

to emphasize the positives which could include 

the fact that some of their school friends will 

also be going to the same school while equally 

they will make lots of new friends. For some 

children it will be an opportunity to expand 

their sporting prowess whilst for others it could 

be the chance to advance their artistic skills. 

For almost all children Secondary school 

marks a new era of independence and that 

really is something to celebrate. 

Secondary school subjects 

Just like primary school, secondary 

education is divided into two keys stages 

– KS3 and KS4. The first part, KS3 applies 

in years 7 through to 9 (ages 11-14). 

In KS3 schools are required to provide both 

Religious and Sex Education respectively 

although parents can have their children 

opt out wholly or partly from either subject. 

Subjects include: English, Maths, 

Science, History, Geography, Modern 

foreign languages, Art & Design, Physical 

Education, Citizenship, Computing. 

Anne Marie Scanlon for Primary Times 

4 



WHAT’S ON WHERE 

We check listings carefully but event details and prices may be subject to change. 

Please always check with the venue. 

Croome Orchid 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk 

Until 11 Sept 

Summer Play Trail 

Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak, 

DE6 2AZ 

11:00am-5:00pm Explore, play and enjoy the 

great outdoors with a self led trail at Ilam Park this 

summer. Suitable for families of all ages, you’ll be 

able to build a den, play pooh sticks, spot sheep 

and balance on logs along the way. Trail Sheet £1, 

normal admission charges apply. 

T: 01335 350503 www.nationaltrust.org.uk 

Until 24 Sept 

Beatrix’s Animals 

The Potteries Museum and Art Gallery, 

ST1 3DW 

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of the birth of 

Beatrix Potter this displays features some of the 

animals brought to life in her stories. 10:00am- 

4:00pm. T: 01782 232323 

www.www.stokemuseums.org.uk 

Until 25 Sept 

SPUDFEST- Harvest Your Own 

Potatoes 

National Forest Adventure Farm, DE13 9SJ 

10:00am-6:00pm Take the Spud Shuttle Tractor 

Ride at the weekend to our Potato Plot and dig up 

your own spuds for FREE*! Tickets £8.05, Under 2’s 

Free. T: 01283 533933 

www.adventurefarm.co.uk 

Until 2 Oct 

Costumes From Downton 


ST1 3DW 

This special exhibition features a selection of 

costumes from series 1and 2 of the critically 

acclaimed ITV drama Downton Abbey. See an 

evening dress worn by Lady Mary, and a gown 

worn by Cora, the Countess of Grantham as well 

as outfits worn by other members of the cast. The 

exhibition will be complimented by items from 

the museum’s collections. 10:00am-4:00pm. 

T: 01782 232323 

www.stokemuseums.org.uk 

Until 18 Nov 

Somme 100 - En Masse 

National Memorial Arboretum, DE13 7AR 

FREE EVENT, donations gratefully accepted. Join 

us to help create a magnificent art installation 

to represent those 19,240 soldiers who lost their 

lives on the first day of the Battle of the Somme 

on July 1st 1916. This mass-participation project 

will be created in partnership with an Artist 

in Residence and provides the opportunity 

for individual visitors, families, community 

groups and schools to contribute towards 

a cumulative work of art, the final piece 

of which will be placed in situ at a special 

service on 18th November. Don’t miss the 

opportunity to make your own personal 

tribute. A perfect activity for families! 

T: 01283 245100 www.thenma.org.uk 

8 – 11 Sept 

Heritage Open Weekend 

Brindley’s Mill and the James Brindley 

Museum, ST13 8FA 

FREE ENTRY 2:00pm-5:00pm Discover this mid 

eighteenth-century working corn mill celebrating 

the work of James Brindley, millwright and canal 

engineer. Dating from 1752 the mill has been 

restored from a derelict state by the Brindley Mill 

Preservation Trust and is the only known corn 

mill attributable as the work of James Brindley. 

Experience the sight and sound of a moving 

waterwheel powering machinery and millstones 

and admire the genius of the millwright and the 

skills of the miller as you explore this fascinating 

building. T: 01538 483741 

www.brindleymill.net 

Heritage Open Day 

The Wedgwood Visitor Centre, ST12 9ER 

10:00am Heritage Open Days is England’s biggest 

heritage festival involving 40,000 volunteers. As 

part of this enjoy free entry into the Wedgwood 

Museum. T: 01782 282986 

www.worldofwedgwood.com 

9 Sept – 21 Oct 

Aqua Disco 

Waterworld, ST1 5PU 

6:00pm-9:00pm Head to Waterworld for a 

splashing good time featuring rides, slides and 

attractions, plus games, competitions and all your 

favourite tunes from the decks of DJ Tricky! Child 

under 1.1m £5, Child over 1.1m & adults £7.99. 

T: 01782 205747 www.waterworld.co.uk 

10 Sept 

Heritage Open Day - History of 

the High House 

Ancient High House, ST16 2JA 

FREE ENTRY 11:00am-4:00pm Try on period 

costumes and learn about how the rich and poor 

dressed through the ages. 

T: 01785 619131 

www.staffordbc.gov.uk/heritage 

Heritage Open Day - Explorers 

Activity 

Black Country Living Museum, DY1 4SQ 

FREE EVENT 10:30am-3:30pm Timed behind the 

scenes tours throughout the day giving visitors 

the opportunity to meet the Curators and see 

some of the Museum’s hidden treasures and 

curiosities. Booking essential 

T: 0121 520 8054 www.bclm.co.uk 

Somme 100 - En Masse 

National Memorial 

Arboretum 

www.thenma.org.uk 


Gladstone Pottery Museum, ST3 1PQ 

FREE EVENT 10:00am-5:00pm As part of the 

national celebration of our heritage we will be 

waiving our admission fee. T: 01782 237 777 

www.stokemuseums.org.uk 

City Adventures - Paddle 

Central Forest Park, ST1 6BB 

9:30am-4:30pm This is a unique opportunity 

to try our new 7.5m freestanding climbing wall 

and fleet of kayaks, canoe’s and paddle boards. 

Experts will be on hand to demonstrate and teach 

the skills you need to safely enjoy this fantastic 

attraction. Don’t worry about equipment as we 

provide everything you need. Free Paddle sports 

morning instruction session 9:30am-12:30pm. 

T: 01782 234957 www.stoke.gov.uk 

Ecton Engine House 

Ilam Park, Dovedale and the White Peak, 

DE6 2AZ 

1:00pm-4:00pm Find out the story behind the Ecton 

Mine Engine House. Walk up Ecton hill to the engine 

house and take a look inside this stone building 

with a fascinating story to tell. Normal admission 

charges apply. T: 01335 350503 



Moseley Old Hall Lane, WV10 7HY 

FREE ENTRY 11:00am-5:00pm Children can 

dress up in costumes of the period and try out 

traditional games. Entry to the house will be 

by timed tickets and you will be able to meet 

costumed guides throughout the house. 

T: 01902 782808 


Roald Dahl’s War 

Royal Air Force Museum, TF11 8UP 

2:00pm To celebrate Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday, 

historian, Graham Laurie will be looking at 

Roald Dahl’s career from leaving school, his 

employment with Shell and his first overseas post 

in East Africa, to his life in the RAF and finally to 

his becoming a writer. Recommended for families 

with children aged 10 and over. Tickets £5. 

T: 01902 377922 www.rafmuseum.org 

Heritage Open Day - Regency 

Sudbury Hall and National Trust Museum Of 

Childhood, DE6 5HT 

FREE EVENT 10:00am-4:00pm A display of 

regency dancing. Dressing up - everyone’s 

favourite!!! Experience the Victorian schoolroom 

and Den building in the garden T: 01283 586800 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/sudbury-hall 

Heritage Open Day - Edwardian 

Family Day 


ST1 3DW 

FREE EVENT 11:00pm-4:00pm Watch 

dance performances of the Charleston, see 

demonstrations of Edwardian cookery and take 

part in our themed craft activities. T: 01782 

232323 www.stokemuseums.org.uk 


Sunnycroft, TF1 2DR 

FREE EVENT 10:30am-5:00pm Ever wondered 

what lies behind the green gates? T: 01952 

242884 www.nationaltrust.org.uk 

West Midlands Hedgehog 

Rescue Open Day 

The White Horse, WS6 7AG 

FREE ENTRY 12:00noon-4:00pm Help raise funds to 

keep hedgehog rescue going at this family day out! 

Expect raffles, tombola, face painting, children’s 

activities, stalls and more! Run by Joan Lockley 

who has been rescuing hedgehogs for over 14 years 

taking in over 400 hedgehogs a year and many of 

them are released back into the wild. T: 01922 

419532 www.wmhr.org.uk 

10 – 11 Sept 

Tamworth Food Gusto Festival 

Tamworth Castle Grounds, B79 7NA 

10:30am-5:00pm Beer tent, artisan bread 

making, food sampling, wine and champagne 

tasting, live music and kids fun rides are just a few 

of the things on over the course of the Tamworth 

Festival! T: 01530 411337 

www.tamworthfestival.co.uk 

War In The Valley 

Churnet Valley Railway, ST10 2HA 

Our annual wartime weekend, as the Churnet 

Valley is transported back to the 1940s. 

Attractions include Singers Paul Harper and 

Brandyn Shaw, Dance Troupe Victory Girls, 

Military and Home Front displays, ET044 German 

Police Display, Monty’s Double and Living History 

displays. Adults £17, Child (4-14) £11, Under 4’s go 

free. T: 01538 750755 

www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk 


Croome, WR8 9DW 

FREE EVENT 10:00am-5:00pm There’s more 

than meets the eye at Croome. A secret wartime 

airbase, now a visitor centre, was once a hub 

of activity for thousands of people. Outside is 

the grandest of English landscapes, ‘Capability’ 

Brown’s masterful first commission. Visit and 

explore Croome Court, once home to the Earls of 

Coventry. T: 01905 370005 


Steaming Weekend 

Etruria Industrial Museum, ST1 4RB 

FREE ENTRY CHILDREN UNDER 15 12:30pm- 

4:30pm The Victorian Flint and Bone Mill in steam 

and operating. The museum and tea room will be 

open to coincide with Vintage Stationary Engines 

on Saturday and Classic Vehicles on Sunday. 

12.30pm-4:30pm. Adults £4. T: 07900 267711 

www.etruriamuseum.org.uk 

6 


10 Sept – 10 Dec 

Bookworms United 

Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, 

WS13 6LG 

10:30am-1:00pm Read, explore and enjoy 

popular titles in our fortnightly book and 

activity club for 7-10 year olds. Books have 

included Michael Morpurgo and Roald Dahl to 

classics like CS Lewis. Supervised sessions so 

parents can leave children at the Museum. A 

great way to develop skills and confidence and 

make new friends in an inspiring environment. 

£4 per session which includes books and 

refreshments. T: 01543 264972 

www.samueljohnsonbirthplace.org.uk 

11 Sept 

Rotary’ Disability Sports Fun 

Day 

Fenton Manor Sports Complex, ST4 2RR 

FREE EVENT 9:30am-1:30pm This is an annual 

‘disability Sports Fun day’ for people with 

varying levels of ability levels of ability from 

youngsters to adults, provided by the ROTARY 

clubs of Staffordshire, Shropshire and parts of 

the West Midlands for all participants and their 

siblings/carers. Multiple events are on offer 

such as ‘Hook a Duck’, Botcha, Penalty shoot 

out, Table tennis, quoites and Basketball. 

Fun for all to enjoy and be involved with. 



Ford Green Hall, ST6 1NG 

FREE EVENT 1:00pm-4:00pm An awardwinning 

museum, the Hall offers visitors a 

fascinating insight into the life of the 17th 

century. T: 01782 537696 

www.fordgreenhall.org.uk 

Heritage Open Day - Fountains Of 

Family Fun 

Hanley Park, ST1 4DX 

FREE EVENT 1:00pm-3:00pm Make a splash the 

Victorian way! Craft your own fountain using 

principles of gravity, pressure, and plenty of 

water! Dress for mess. T: 07787 005946 

www.stoke.gov.uk 

Lichfield 10K and Family Fun Run 

King Edward VI Leisure Centre, WS14 9DE 

10:30am Organised by Lichfield Running Club. 

Lichfield’s version of the London marathon. With 

over 1,000 entries each year, the event promotes 

a more active lifestyle and raises funds for many 

local causes. For the 10k race, entrants must be 

15 years of age or over on race day. No age limits 

in the fun run but children under 9 must be 

accompanied by an adult. 10k race – unaffiliated 

£17, affiliated £15, Family Fun Run £3.50. 

To register T: 01543 433015 

www.lichfield10k.co.uk 

Heritage Open Day- Moseley Park 

and Ice House 

Moseley Park and Ice House, B13 8DD 

FREE EVENT 2:00pm-5:00pm Explore Moseley 

Hall, the Dovecote and the late 18th century ice 

house. Bring a picnic, food for the water birds 

and enjoy the echo in the ice house. JRR Tolkien 

played here and the ice house could well have 

been the inspiration for hobbit houses. 

T: 0121 442 4040 www.moseleypark.co.uk 

Heritage Open Day - Hands on 

Arms and Armour 

Stafford Castle, ST16 1DJ 

FREE ENTRY 11:00am-4:00pm Try on armour 

and costumes from the medieval period. With 

guided tours of Stafford Castle’s Keep, no booking 

necessary. T: 01785 257698 

www.staffordbc.gov.uk 

14 – 18 Sept 

Moscow State Circus - Zhelaniy 

Shugborough Estate, ST17 0XB 

Based on the Russian folklore story of Cvetik- 

Semicvetik, or “the flower with seven colors”, 

by Benjamin Losin, where each of the petals 

represent a wish. This years show features: The 

award winning RUBAN 13 people springboard 

troupe, STYNKA on the horizontal bouncing 

Russian bar, VESLOVSKIY roller-skating 

revolutions, ELIZA KHACHUTRYAN Ballerina 

on the High wire in the roof of the big top 

,TRIO ATLAS on the floating globes, OLGA 

ROZHKOVSKAYA devastating low wirewalker 

and TATIANA OZHIGANOVA Beautiful daredevil 

Ariel divas. T: 0203 375 3970 

www.moscowstatecircus.co.uk 

Regency Era 

Sudbury Hall and National Trust Museum 

Of Childhood, DE6 5HT 

Step back into the Regency era, meet Lord and 

Lady Vernon’s houseguests and even join them in 

a dance. Normal admission charges apply. 

T: 01283 586800 


14 Sept – 25 Jan 

Super Science 

Boley Park Community Hall, WS14 9XU 

4:00pm-5:00pm. A weekly club, perfect for 

budding scientists aged 6 and over. Experiments, 

new friends, games and challenges! £5 per 

session. T: 01543 250756 

www.lichfielddc.gov.uk 

16 Sept 

Battle Of The Somme 

Shire Hall Gallery, ST16 2LD 

FREE EVENT 12:00noon and 4:00pm The most 

popular film of WWI newly restored. The film 

marked a turning point in film making, being the 

first feature length documentary about a war, and 

changed the way cinema and film were perceived 

by society. Booking essential. T: 01785 278345 

www.staffordshire.gov.uk 

Kedleston Preschool Play Days 

Kedleston Hall, DE22 5JH 

11:00am-3:00pm Bring your little adventurers 

to an outdoor play session. Expect crafts, games 

and stories. Dress to get messy!! Child £3, normal 

admission charges apply. T: 01332 843 400 


16 – 17 Sept 

Open Cockpits 

Royal Air Force Museum, TF11 8UP 

6:00pm A wide range of aircraft available for 

viewing including; transport aircraft, jet fighters 

and unique research airframes. Visitors will be 

able to get a feel for what it was like to fly these 

much loved machines and in addition, have 

after-hours access to the Museum. Tickets £12.50 

(a booking fee applies of 50 pence per ticket). 

Booking essential. T: 01902 376 200 

www.rafmuseum.org 

16 – 18 Sept 

Lichfield Heritage Weekend - 

Georgian Festival 

Lichfield City Centre, WS13 6HR 

FREE EVENT Heritage attractions throw their doors 

open together with some historical buildings that 

aren’t usually open to the public. This year we’re 



8WHAT’S ON WHERE 

celebrating 250 years of the Lunar Society with a 

Georgian Festival! Events include: craft activities 

and trails for children, guided tours and walks, face 

painting, an Erasmus Darwin Gin Trail and Samuel 

Johnson Tea Trail. A Georgian Fashion Show in the 

Lichfield Guildhall. Free entertainment on Lichfield 

Market Square, including the Lichfield Lighthouse 

Company and Wildfire Folk and Mini Town Crier 

Competition. T: 01543 256611 

www.visitlichfield.co.uk 

17 Sept 

Stafford Arts Festival 

Ancient High House, ST16 2JA 

FREE ENTRY 10:00am-4:00pm A programme 

of exhibitions, artists in residence, adult’s and 

children’s arts and crafts workshops. Now 

celebrating its 6th year the town’s arts festival has 

over 40 town centre venues with a full programme 

of arts, crafts, music and literary workshops and 

activities. T: 01785 619131 

www.staffordbc.gov.uk/heritage 

Moonlight - Son et Lumiere 

Beacon Park, WS13 6QZ 

FREE EVENT 8:15pm-9:30pm A stunning free Son 

et Lumiere, projection event to celebrate the 250th 

Anniversary of the Lunar Society in the Museum 

Gardens. Created by Luxmuralis for Erasmus Darwin 

House. T: 01543 308869 

www.lichfielddc.gov.uk 

Elford Garden Party 

Elford Hall Garden 

12:00noon-6:00pm Get Your Summer Picnic Out! 

Enjoy the last days of summer. Take part in lawn 

games, sip on a refreshing glass of wine whilst 

taking in two stages of music throughout the day. 

Hog Roast & Cake! Adults £10, Child £8 T: 01827 

709618 www.tamworthartsandevents.co.uk 

Stafford Arts Festival - Face 

Painting 

Guildhall Shopping Centre, ST16 2BB 

10:00am-4:00pm Visit Gemma from Splat Attack 

who will be doing festival face painting. Flowers, 

rabbits, princesses, superheroes and a whole host of 

other face designs will be available. Charges start at 

£2.50 per face, £2.50 for glitter tattoos and just £1 

for hair braids. T: 01785 223 107 

www.guildhallstafford.com 

Wildlife Watch : Harvest Bonanza 

National Memorial Arboretum, DE13 7AR 

2:00pm-4:00pm We will be collecting fruit and nuts 

from trees and shrubs in the Arboretum to create a 

harvest bonanza. Child £1. Booking essential. 

T: 01283 245100 www.thenma.org.uk 

Be Part Of Team GB 

New Horizons Sport and Leisure Centre, ST6 6SN 

● Northwood Stadium, ST1 6PA ● Wallace Sport 

and Education Centre, ST2 8DU 

FREE EVENT 2:00pm-3:00pm Inspired by Rio? Now 

you don’t have to be an Olympic athlete to be part 

of Team GB... Take part in the nation’s biggest ever 

sports day. As Stoke-on-Trent is this year’s European 

City of Sport, we’re giving you and your family a 

golden opportunity to try a new sport or physical 

activity for free. T: 01782 234957 


Sticky Saturday 

Red House Glass Cone, DY8 4AZ 

FREE ENTRY 1:30pm-3:30pm Drop in and have a go 

at being messy and sticky.. and we tidy up. Quick, 

simple crafts to make and take home with you. 

Suitable for ages 4+. T: 01384 815571 

www.dudley.gov.uk 

Samuel Johnson’s 307th Birthday 

Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, 

WS13 6LG 

FREE ENTRY 10:30am-4:30pm. Join us to say 

‘Happy Birthday!’ to Lichfield’s most famous son, 

enjoy a slice of cake and explore fun and games 

from Johnson’s time. T: 01543 264972 

www.samueljohnsonbirthplace.org.uk 

Under The Sea Workshop 

Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, DE11 9DG 

10:30am-11:30am and 1:00pm-2:00pm 

Featuring activities which include making 

your own marine mask, creating your own 

sea-creatures, discovering sea-shells and building 

your own seacastle on the mini “seashore.” Child 

£5 with additional siblings costing £4. Booking 

essential T: 01283 222600 

www.sharpespotterymuseum.org.uk 

Stafford Arts Festival 

Stafford, ST16 3AQ 

10:00am-4:00pm Dancers, musicians, and artists 

will be taking to the streets of Stafford for the 

town’s 6th Arts Festival. The event will include 

a range of FREE art and craft workshops to get 

involved in, as well as dancers and musicians 

providing a carnival atmosphere. There will also 

be street theatre, a bubbleologist and plenty of 

paint fun with face painting and a paint party. 

T: 01785 619300 

www.stafford-towncentre.co.uk 

It’s Not Fairy 

Stoke Library, ST4 4SZ 

FREE EVENT 11:00am-12:00noon We’re reading 

Ros Asquith’s fabulous book all about the It’s 

Not Fairy today and making some brilliant fairy 

themed crafts to take home. Suitable for children 

aged 5-11. Children under 8 years old must be 

accompanied by a parent or carer. 


Lichfield Model Railway 

Exhibition 

The Life Church, WS13 6TS 

An Exhibition of 12 model railway layouts 

at varying scales. Various railway traders. 

Refreshments and free parking available. 

Adults £4, Child £3. T: 01543 450104 

www.visitlichfield.co.uk 

17 – 18 Sept 

Heritage Weekend 

Lichfield Heritage Centre, WS13 6LG 

FREE ENTRY This year’s theme celebrates the 

Olympics with the Heritage Centre looking at 

the year 1948 – when the Olympics were last 

staged in London. View displays of local sporting 

memorabilia, Children’s Olympic craft activities, 

1940’s games. The ground floor Coffee Shop will 

have 1940’s ‘Specials’ on the menu and on Sunday 

there will be a 1940’s Tea Dance. 

T: 01543 309854 lichfieldheritage.org.uk 

Michaelmas 

Little Moreton Hall, CW12 4SD 

11:00am-5:00pm Celebrating the end of 

summer and getting ready for winter. With 

the barn full of grain and fruits safely stored 

in the loft attention turned to preserving 

foodstuffs for a harsh winter. Join us as we 

prepare for the festival of Michaelmas and 

find out more about Tudor life at this time of 

the year. Sept blowe soft, till fruite be in loft. 

(Thomas Tusser, 1573). Free event, normal 

admission charges apply. T: 07562 845756 


Primary Times BACK TO SCHOOL 2016 | www.primarytimes.net/staffordshire 

Labernum Arch 

www.dorothyclivegarden.co.uk 

Autumn Watch Weekend 

Lower Drayton Farm, ST19 5RE 

10:00am-5:00pm Love nature? Want to learn 

about the wildlife that calls the farm home? 

Look at everything from wild birds to mammals 

and insects while they’re busily preparing for the 

winter months ahead. T: 01785 330757 

www.lowerdraytonfarm.co.uk 

If You Go Down To The Woods Today 

Moseley Old Hall Lane, WV10 7HY 

11:30am-4:00pm Join us in the woods for our insect 

themed activities. Go on a bug hunt and then create 

your own bug badge. Help us to get our bug hotel 

ready for the winter and then make your own mini 

bug hotel to take home. Child 31, normal admission 



Civil War Re-enactment 

Redfern’s Cottage, Uttoxeter, ST14 8EU 

FREE ENTRY Civil War re-enactment event with The 

Sealed Knot. 100 re-enactors take over the Market 

Place to bring the events of the Civil War to life. 

T: 01889 567176 www.redfernscottage.org 

Play With Clay 


FREE ENTRY 10:00am-4:00pm Try throwing a 

pot on the potter’s wheel. With a little help from 

Wedgwood’s experts you can create your very own 

masterpiece. It’s free to take part but for a small 

fee we can arrange for your pot to be fired and sent 

on to your home as a keepsake. T: 01782 282986 

www.worldofwedgwood.com 

Midland Game Fair 

Weston Park, TF11 8LE 

UNDER 16’s GO FREE 8:30am-6:00pm The Midland 

Game Fair is the premier event of its kind in the 

country for anyone interested in traditional country 

pursuits. The show has something for everyone 

from world class clay pigeon shooting to game 

and coarse fishing demonstrations, gun dog 

competitions, falconry displays, ferret racing, fine 

arts and rural crafts plus over 600 stands for all your 

countryside shopping needs. T: 01889 563232 

www.midlandgamefair.co.uk 

Little Moreton Hall 


18 Sept 

10K and Family Fun Run 

Calke Abbey, DE73 7LE 

10:00am-2:00pm The 4th annual Calke Abbey 

10km and family fun run. Fun Run £4. Normal 

admission prices apply. T: 01332 863822 


5th Annual Chilli Festival 

Dorothy Clive Garden, TF9 4EU 

10:00am Enjoy salsa music, cookery demos, 

a chilli market, street food, live music, a cool 

cocktail bar, a chilli trail around the garden and 

for the first time, a chilli cook off. Adults £5, Child 

£2 (5-17 years old) T: 01630 647237 

www.dorothyclivegarden.co.uk 

Dudmaston Trees - Fact, Fiction 

and Fantasy 

Dudmaston Estate, WV15 6QN 

2:00pm-3:30pm Join us for a special woodland 

walk. Our resident storyteller will be leading 

visitors through our woodland, weaving a 

fantastical story as he goes. Listen to tales 

inspired by the trees and the human hands that 

have looked after them for hundreds of years. 

Adults £6, Child £3, normal admission charges 

apply. To book T: 01746 780866 


Midlands Kite Fliers 13th 

Annual Kite Day 

Kedleston Hall, DE22 5JH 

11:00am-4:00pm. Come and see display kites 

being flown and kite retailers who will be 

offering the opportunity to buy various kites. 

Free event, normal admission charges apply. 


Pirate Day - Talk like a Pirate 

Sudbury Hall and National Trust Museum 

Of Childhood, DE6 5HT 

12:00noon-4:00pm Join in with an afternoon of 

pirate mayhem. There will be pirate games and 

crafts available for the whole family to enjoy. £1 

per craft, normal admission charges apply. 

T: 01283 586800 



Tunstall Park, ST6 6EE 

9:30am-4:30pm This is a unique opportunity 

to try our new 7.5m freestanding climbing 

wall and fleet of kayaks, canoe’s and paddle 

boards. Experts will be on hand to demonstrate 

and teach the skills you need to safely enjoy 

this fantastic attraction. Don’t worry about 

equipment as we provide everything you need. 

Free Paddle sports morning instruction session 

9:30am-12:30pm. T: 01782 234957 

www.stoke.gov.uk

19 – 25 Sept 

National Cupcake Week 


10:00am-5:00pm Celebrate the art of baking 

and cupcakes. It’s going to be delicious! T: 01782 

282986 www.worldofwedgwood.com 

21 – 23 Sept 

Michaelmas 


11:00am-5:00pm Celebrating the end of summer 

and getting ready for winter. With the barn full of 

grain and fruits safely stored in the loft attention 

turned to preserving foodstuffs for a harsh winter. 

Join us as we prepare for the festival of Michaelmas 

and find out more about Tudor life at this time of the 

year. Sept blowe soft, till fruite be in loft. (Thomas 

Tusser, 1573). Free event, normal admission charges 

apply. T: 07562 845756 


24 Sept 

Monstersaurus 

Stoke Library, ST4 4SZ 

FREE EVENT 11:00am-12:00noon One day Monty 

finds a book: Inventions: Very Rare! Create yourself 

a monster friend... But only if you dare! Join us 

as we delve into the space under the bed to see 

what monsters we can find and make a book-bite 

bookmark to take home. Suitable for children 

aged 5-11. Children under 8 years old must be 

accompanied by a parent or carer. 


European City of Sport Triathlon 

Trentham Gardens, ST4 8JG 

10:00am-5:00pm Trentham Estate will play host 

to the inaugural Stoke-on-Trent 2016 European 

City of Sport Triathlon with distances to suit all 

abilities from novices to top triathletes. There will 

be four triathlons taking place over the weekend 

offering something for both kids and adults as 

well as an Elite Race. All events will be filmed 

for a TV production to be shown nationally and 

internationally. UK Kids Fun Triathlon - Short 

achievable distances for 7-16yr olds with a safe edge 

of lake swim, grass cycle & run course and UK Kids 

Fun Triathlon official event T-shirt 2016 and finishers 

medal for all participants. 

T: 01782 646646 www.trentham.co.uk 

City Adventures - Climb 

Tunstall Park, ST6 6EE 

9:30am-4:30pm This is a unique opportunity to try 

our new 7.5m freestanding climbing wall and fleet 

of kayaks, canoe’s and paddle boards. Experts will 

be on hand to demonstrate and teach the skills you 

need to safely enjoy this fantastic attraction. Don’t 

worry about equipment as we provide everything 

you need. T: 01782 234957 


24 – 25 Sept 

Apple Harvest Fair 

Attingham Park, SY4 4TP 

10:00am-4:00pm Join us to celebrate harvest time 

on the estate. See our Walled Garden team pressing 

apples and find estate displays to thrill young and 

old, including some big farming machinery. Look 

out for four legged guests from the estate. Normal 

admission charges apply. T: 01743 708148 


Pumping Station in Steam 

Claymills Victorian Pumping Station, DE13 0DA 

10:00am-5:00pm Fun for all the family - including 

activities such as: operating a steam engine, handson 

model making, children’s Victorian dressing-up 

corner, time capsule ~ follow the rat trail, miniature 

steam engine rides, woodwork and woodturning 

demonstrations and learning how metals are 

made from stone! Adults £6, Child £3. T: 01283 

509929 www.claymills.org.uk 

Summer Coaster Club 

Drayton Manor Park, B78 3TW 

9:45am-4:00pm Are you interested in Ride 

Engineering? If so, this is your opportunity to 

learn about how coasters work in our BRAND 

NEW coaster club. Suitable for ages 8–12 you can 

become a ride designer for the day and learn all 

about how our rides work. Exclusive ride time on 

Ben 10 (30 minutes). Fun and in-depth tour of our 

rides. Creating your own roller coaster concept 

and idea. You will take part in an engineering 

tour and get ideas for your own ride design 

as well as being part of our Creative Coasters 

workshop where you get to create a new concept 

for a rollercoaster and complete a K’nex Building 

Challenge in groups. £40 for the full day session. 

Booking essential T: 01827 252436 

www.draytonmanor.co.uk 

Knotty Train Day 

Foxfield Railway, ST11 9BG 

Join us to travel in the ‘NEW’ Knotty Heritage 

Train, reputed to be the oldest train in the country. 

The service will be hauled by one of our Victorian 

steam engines, Bellerophon or the Beyer Peacock. 

Special Vintage trains will operate throughout the 

day using steam locomotives and coaches dating 

back to the days of Queen Victoria. T: 01782 

396210 www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk 

Autumn Steam Gala 

Foxfield Railway, ST11 9BG 

The event will start with a train leaving 

Caverswall Road at round 9:00am for Dilhorne 

Park which feature a mixed freight and 

locomotives in preparation for the first freight 

train from colliery. Throughout the day an intense 

passenger service will connect Caverswall Road 

with Dilhorne Park. At Foxfield colliery you will 

be able to view the start of the notorious Foxfield 

Bank where engines of all sizes will take their turn 

on hauling the heavy trains up ruling gradient 

averaging 1:25! Your ticket will allow travel on 

all passenger trains as well as entry to Foxfield 

Colliery. Back at Caverswall Road you will be able 

to ride on the newly launched Knotty Heritage 

Train behind the Beyer Peacock or Bellerophon as 

they take turns to haul the train on round trips to 

Dilhorne Park. T: 01782 396210 

www.foxfieldrailway.co.uk 

A Tudor Mop Fair 


11:00am-5:00pm This was traditionally the time 

for hiring servants and labour for the year ahead 

so we are giving you as taste of what that work 

would have been . With Knights, Archers, a Wise 

Woman, candle maker, spinner & wool dyer, 

metal badge maker, scribe and a cook there will 

be loads to see. You can also have a go archery 

and play games. Free event, normal admission 



Collections Weekend 

Tamworth Castle, B79 7NA 

11:30am-4:00pm An opportunity to see some 

of the local ceramic items held in the Castle 

collections, that are not usually on display. Look 

out for famous names such as Gibbs & Canning, 

and Skeys while you remember household items 

from years gone by. Adults £7, Child(5+) £4.50, 

Child(2-4) £2.50, Child under 2 Free. T: 01827 

709581 www.tamworthcastle.co.uk 

Courtyard at Tamworth Castle 

www.tamworthcastle.co.uk 




25 Sept 

Bat Walk 


4:00pm-8:00pm Join experts from the 

Worcestershire Bat Group as they take you around 

the park in search of these fascinating creatures. 

Adults £6, Child £4. Booking essential T: 01905 

371006 www.nationaltrust.org.uk 

Seasonal Market 


10:00am-5:00pm What crafty and yummy goodies 

will you find and take home with you today? 

There’s lots to choose from, you’ll be spoilt for 

choice. Free event, normal admission charges 

apply. T: 01905 370005 


Woodland Skills Day 

Dudmaston Estate, WV15 6QN 

11:00am-5:30pm Celebrate the wonder of wood. 

Find out how our woodland is managed and 

discover modern and traditional woodworking 

skills from hurdle making to milling. Meet the 

craftsmen who turn a block into a thing of beauty. 

Children can get crafty making a ‘Bug Hotel’ to 

take home. Normal admission charges apply with a 

small additional charge for craft activities. 


1 Oct 

Glass Crafts: Light 

Red House Glass Cone, DY8 4AZ 

11:30am-1:30pm Drop in and have a go at different 

glass crafts. Crafts include glass painting, glass 

fusing and glass engraving. Due to the handling 

of small pieces of glass we do not recommend to 

children under 5. T: 01384 815571 

www.dudley.gov.uk 

2 Oct 

City Adventures - Climb or Paddle 

Hanley Park, ST1 4DX 

FREE EVENT 10:00am-4:00pm This is a unique 

opportunity to try our new 7.5m freestanding 

climbing wall and fleet of kayaks, canoe’s and 

paddle boards. Experts will be on hand to 

demonstrate and teach the skills you need to safely 

enjoy this fantastic attraction. Free Paddle sports 

morning instruction session 9:30am-12:30pm. 


Have A Go Archery 

Stafford Castle, ST16 1DJ 

11:00am-4:00pm Learn the ancient skills of the 

bowman. Six arrows for £2. T: 01785 619080 

www.staffordbc.gov.uk 

7 – 10 Oct 

Open Drawers and Doors 

Sunnycroft, TF1 2DR 

10:30am-5:00pm Ever wondered what lies behind 

the doors and in the cupboards at Sunnycroft? 

Sunnycroft is a home built to last. The materials 

used were of high quality and designed to impress 

and the owners never threw anything away. Due 

to this our drawers, cupboards and rooms are filled 

with hidden items that only periodically see the 

light of day. Come and explore the life of the Lander 

family told through the objects. Normal admission 



8 Oct 


Longton Park, ST3 4AZ 

9:30am-4:30pm This is a unique opportunity to try 

our new 7.5m freestanding climbing wall and fleet 

of kayaks, canoe’s and paddle boards. Experts will 

be on hand to demonstrate and teach the skills 

you need to safely enjoy this fantastic attraction. 

Don’t worry about equipment as we provide 

everything you need. Free Paddle sports morning 

instruction session 9:30am-12:30pm. 


Big Draw Special 

Shire Hall Gallery, ST16 2LD 

FREE EVENT Take some time out to draw, colour, 

read a book or explore our play and make area 

using recycled bits and bobs to inspire the 

imagination; invent, stick, build, string together, 

whatever takes your fancy! T: 01785 278345 

www.staffordshire.gov.uk 

Xplorer Fun Family Challenge 

Longton Park, ST3 4AZ 

12:00noon-3:00pm Explore the park, find the 

markers, complete the challenge, have fun 

together. Xplorer is a family friendly navigation 

challenge that is educational and fun. It involves 

a healthy mix of physical activity and decision 

making that the whole family can enjoy together. 

Using a simple map, the aim is to find a number 

of markers that are located around the park. At 

each marker children need to identify what is 

pictured and enjoy learning a fun fact to tell their 

friends. Older children will have fun competing 

against their friends or other family members 

whilst younger children will enjoy the excitement 

of successfully finding the markers. 


8 – 9 Oct 

Bring In the Harvest Weekend 

Lower Drayton Farm, ST19 5RE 

10:00am-5:00pm Celebrate the end of harvest. 

Farmer Ray will lead a special harvest trailer ride 

exploring the story behind the vast quantity of 

crops produced during the year, and there will 

be a host of fun, harvest-themed craft activities 

to take part in – from making corn dollies, to 

gathering straw into traditional bales utilising 

old fashioned techniques. T: 01785 330757 

www.lowerdraytonfarm.co.uk 

8 – 10 Oct 

Apple Pressing Days 


FREE EVENT 11:00am-3:00pm Make the most of 

any surplus apples or pears from your garden and 

make them into juice using the apple press at 

Croome. Apples also available for purchase from 

Croome’s Orchard. Don’t forget to bring along a 

container for your juice! Donations welcome! 

T: 0800 555 6760 


9 Oct 

Apple Day 

Calke Abbey, DE73 7LE 

11:00am-4:00pm Celebrate the English apple 

and orchards in our beautiful gardens. There will 

be juicings, tastings, puzzles and apple advice. 

Something for all the family. Normal admission 



Katherine House 

Hospice 5K Run 

Shugborough Estate, ST17 0XB 

11:00am-2:00pm A flat 5km, the Fun Run is open 

to people of all ages and abilities. We recommend 

runners be over the age of 9 if running alone. 

Younger participants can take part if running 

with a parent or guardian. Adult £15, Child £5. 

T: 0845 459 8900 


10 


Performing Arts 

Studio is a family run stage school 

With private tuition for pupils 

of all ages, from as young as 

2½ through to adults. 

We offer expert dance tuition at 

all ability levels from beginner to 

advanced, in many styles of dance 

including ballet, tap, modern 

stage and acrobatics. 

We hold examinations in 

all styles which are important 

landmarks in a dancer’s 

development. 

Established in 1985, Studio 5 

Stage School continues to build 

on years of experience in dance 

tuition and we pride ourselves 

on small class sizes and a friendly 

learning atmosphere. 

Call 01889 584 387. 

www.studio5stageschool.co.uk 

OUR NEW ACADEMIC YEAR WELCOMES STUDENTS OF 

ALL AGES/ABILITIES TO JOIN OUR ACADEMY FOR A 

FREE TRAIL LESSON THIS SEPTEMBER ! 

Helen O’Grady is a international/world wide 

drama academy, which ensures the confidence 

building, self a esteem, and social skills of 

children as young as the ages of 5. With our 100% 

destination pass rate of LAMDA exams, annual 

theatre productions, behind the scenes film 

development, our academy will guarantee to be 

the best place for your child! 

So come and be a part of our family. Allow your 

child to make friends, find their voice and develop 

through drama. 

Our teachers are all qualified with masters degrees 

with west end/broadway experiences. Our lessons 

are both affordable and FUN! 

Call our office now on – 01889802376 or email 

staffs@helenogrady.co.uk to ensure you take 

full advantage of our free trail lessons this autumn! 

PERFORMING ARTS 

Discover more than just 

a love of performing! 

It’s time for your child to enter a new 

world and discover that Stagecoach 

provides more than just a love of 

performing. 

Our acting, singing and dance classes 

boost self-confidence, creativity and 

curiosity – skills that will stay with them 

for life. 

Early Stages Performance meets play 

in our fun 90-minute sessions for 4 to 

6 year-olds. Each class is divided into 

three 30-minute bursts – a great way 

for your child to meet new friends and 

build confidence! 

Main Stages Our sessions for 6 to 18 

year-olds let talent and self-esteem 

shine. Weekly 3-hour classes focus 

equally on dance, acting and singing 

with an inspirational specialist teacher 

for each discipline. 

Stagecoach Lichfield runs classes on 

Saturday afternoons at Nether Stowe 

School. Call 0800 9150199. 

Embrace your child’s 

creativity at Stagecoach 

Theatre Arts! 

NEW TERM 

STARTING 

17 TH 

SEPTEMBER 


COMPETITION 

12 


Derby Grammar School 

Chilli festival at the 

Dorothy Clive Garden 

Fiery Fun at the 5 TH 

Annual Chilli Festival 

Don’t miss our fun packed 5th Annual Chilli 

Festival on Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th 

September 2016 at the Dorothy Clive Garden. 

Join this family-friendly, educational festival 

which takes place over two days and includes 

a chilli market, live music, cookery demos, a 

bouncy castle, donkey rides, delicious spicy 

street food, a chilli eating contest and, for the 

first time, a chilli cook-off! The interactive chilli 

trail, which takes place around the 12 acre 

garden, will include an introduction to the most 

flavoursome chillies of the world, as well as the 

chance to walk through a giant inflatable chilli! 

Cost: Only £5 for adults and £2 for children 

between 5 and 17 years. Free for those 0-4 

years and also free for members of the garden. 

No advance ticket sales are available. 

For more information, please visit the 

events section of the DCG website on 

www.dorothyclivegarden.co.uk. 

Indoor leisure facilities at 

East Staffordshire 

East Staffordshire Borough Council’s indoor 

leisure facilities offer a fantastic range of activity 

courses for young children, developing core 

skills and supporting a healthy borough. 

Both Meadowside and Uttoxeter Leisure 

Centres provide essential skill developing 

programmes in swimming and gymnastics, as 

well as a growing mini soccer and badminton 

scheme at Uttoxeter Leisure Centre. 

The Leisure Centres follow approved skills 

frameworks, with proven and tested quality 

tuition paths offering high levels of coaching. 

Swimming tuition is available in group sessions 

for children from 12 months old (Uttoxeter only), 

then leading to group lessons from 3 years 

old, and eventually main stream lessons on the 

stage framework from 4 years old. Gymnastics 

coaching is available as part of a structured skill 

proficiency programme with support from British 

Gymnastics and a fully qualified coaching team 

for children from a young age. 

Spaces are available across a number 

of classes and times throughout the weekly 

programme of activities at both centres, offering 

Spudfest at the 

National Forest 

Adventure Farm 

Fostering - Keeping it 

in the family 

a safe and fun environment for your child or 

children to develop core skills with fully qualified 

staff. Enquire now by contacting the Leisure 

Centres using the numbers below. 

Uttoxeter Leisure Centre: 01283 508160 

www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/uttoxeterleisure-centre 

Meadowside Leisure Centre: 01283 508865 

www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/meadowsideleisure-centre 

Spudfest at the National 

Forest Adventure Farm 

Weekends in September 

This September get your hands dirty at the 

Adventure Farm. We have field of potatoes ready 

to be harvested and need your help! Take the 

Spud Shuttle tractor and trailer ride to our potato 

plot and you’ll be given a fork to dig up ultrafresh 

spuds to take home and eat. (T&Cs 1 free 

bag per paying child, subject to availability) 

For more information info@adventurefarm.co.uk, 

www.adventurefarm.co.uk, 01283 533 933 

National Forest Adventure Farm, Postern Road, 

Tatenhill, Burton on Trent, DE13 9SJ 

Calling all budding 

scientists 

Calling all budding scientists aged 7-11! Join 

Dr D’s Science Club, receive your passport 

and collect stamps to win a prize. Fun science 

activities each month. First Saturday of every 

month (during term time) 10am-12noon 

£4 per child (reduction for siblings) no need 

for parents to stay, booking essential. 01543 

306260 enquiries@eramusdarwin.org, 

www.erasmusdarwin.org 

Open Monday to Sunday 11am-5pm 

(Apr -Oct). Thursday to Sunday 11am-4pm 

(Nov -Mar) Free entry Erasmus Darwin House, 

Lichfield, WS13 7AD 

Back to school! 

At Freeport Talke, you can grab those back 

to school items you didn’t get chance to buy 

from the great range of stores, all at discounted 

prices – the coat from Trespass or waterproof 

from Mountain Warehouse, the stationary from 

The Works, the sports bag from Sport Direct and 

trainers from Nike. Plus, Charles Clinkards has 

a great range of school shoes too, from Nelli 

Kelly to Clarks, and you can always treat them 

to a Burger King just before heading home. 

Remember too, although the next school holidays 

may seem some time away, Freeport Talke always 

has free kids entertainment, so keep an eye on 

the website for more info freeport-talke.com 

Fostering – Keeping it 

in the Family 

Following in their mothers footsteps, who has 

cared for over 100 children during 26 years of 

fostering, was always going to happen according 

to two Staffordshire sisters. 

June Wolfe specialises in children aged 

five and under and has cared for children with 

learning disabilities including autism, moving 

many children on to adoption over the years. 

Whilst fostering for Staffordshire County 

Council June has also raised four children of her 

own and now two of her daughters, Julie and 

Suzanne, are continuing their mother’s legacy 

and are foster carers too. 

But Staffordshire still needs more foster carers, 

if you have a spare room and the time and 

commitment to care for a local child visit 

care4child.org or call 0800 169 2061. 

An invitation to visit 

Derby Grammar School 

Derby Grammar School has a vibrant family 

atmosphere, strong ethos of encouragement, 

and talents are sought out and celebrated. The 

Junior School provides a platform for Senior 

School, which has nationally recognised levels of 

achievement. In 2016, 100% of students gained 

5 A*-C’s GCSE’s with half at A* or A grade. 

Headmaster Richard Paine explains “Our slogan 

is ‘bringing education to life’ and that’s not just 

something we say – we work hard to make sure 

that is what we do for each and every pupil. 

Making learning enjoyable means that pupils 

naturally strive to achieve, and develop a passion 

for education along the way.” 

Open Day 1st Oct- see how they help pupils 

to enjoy their education and fulfil their potential. 

www.derbygrammar.co.uk 

SkillShare 

SkillShare is funded by the Big Lottery and 

managed by SEND Family Partnership (SFPS) 

the information advice and support service 

for parents in Staffordshire. Several years ago 

parents told the service (previously the Parent 

Partnership Service) there was no free, quality 

training available to them, or if there was they 

couldn’t access it until there was a diagnosis. 

The service put together a lottery bid and 

successfully received five years funding (2013 

– 2018) to fund a project that would deliver free 

training to parents on a range of special needs 

topics, in different areas of the county without 

the need for a diagnosis. The SFPS is now under 

review and parents are being asked to share their 

views on the future of the service. A number of 

workshops are being held or you can complete 

an online survey. If you would like to take part 

please see the leaflet for information. 



BOX OFFICE 

OFFICE 

Your family theatre guide... 

BELGRADE THEATRE 

Box Office: 024 7655 3055 

www.belgrade.co.uk 

10 September Heritage Open Day 

10:00am-5:00pmThe Belgrade Theatre was 

built in 1958 as part of the reconstruction of 

Coventry after World War II. It acquired its 

name in recognition and thanks for a gift 

of timber from the Serbian Capital City of 

Belgrade that was used in the construction of 

the auditorium. Backstage tour - commences 

at 10:15am, Red Lane Workshop & Wardrobe 

Tours, ‘Stages Through the Ages’ Family 

Heritage Trail and Quiz. Fabulous Fifties 

Vintage and Vinyl Fayre 

5 – 6 October Peppa Pig’s Surprise 

10:30am, 1:00pm and 4:00pm Surprise! Peppa 

Pig, George and their friends are back in a 

brand new live stage show. It’s a lovely day 

and Peppa is playing outside with her friends. 

Mummy Pig and Daddy Pig have got a surprise 

for her and George – they can’t guess what 

it is, can you? Enjoy fun, loads of songs and of 

course, surprises in this charming, colourful 

new show. Adult £17, Child £13.25. 

7 October The Russian State Ballet 

- The Nutcracker 

7:45pm The story of Marie, a rather sad 

little girl, whose godfather Drosselmeyer 

gives her a nutcracker doll as a present on 

Christmas Eve, which turns into a prince. 

When midnight strikes, the world turns all 

magical in the wintry glitter of Christmas 

Eve. Toys come alive, the Mouse-king and 

his mouse-army battle with the Nutcracker 

Prince and we travel through the Land of 

Snow to an enchanted place where the 

magic really begins. Snow flurries, sweets, 

princes, magic, love, victories and defeats, and 

Tchaikovsky’s rousing score, are just some of 

the ingredients that will be brought together 

by this renowned Russian company. A highly 

accessible ballet, full of familiar music such as 

the Waltz of the Flowers and the Dance of the 

Sugar Plum Fairy. A wonderful introduction to 

ballet for anyone who has never experienced it 

and still so special to anyone who has. 

8 October The Russian State Ballet 

- Swan Lake 

2:30pm and 7:45pm A princess turned into a 

swan by an evil curse… Will Prince Siegfried’s 

love prove strong enough to save her? The 

story is woven around two girls, Odette and 

Odile who resemble each other so closely 

they can easily be mistaken for the other. 

Swan Lake is arguably one of the most loved 

and challenging ballets, not least thanks 

to Tchaikovsky’s instantly recognisable and 

timeless score, but also the great ‘Pas de 

Deux’,’ Pas de Quatre’ and iconic ‘Danse des 

Petits Cygnes’. Swan Lake captures, like no 

other, the full range of human emotions 

– from hope to despair, from terror to 

tenderness, from melancholy to ecstasy. 

BIRMINGHAM HIPPODROME 

THEATRE 

Box Office: 0844 338 5000 

www.birminghamhippodrome.com 

7 – 18 September Chitty Chitty 

Bang Bang 

Can the loveable but whacky inventor, Potts, 

along with his two children and the gorgeous 

Truly Scrumptious outwit the bombastic Baron 

Bomburst who has decreed that all children be 

banished from his kingdom? What happens when 

the children are caught and imprisoned with the 

other youngsters by the evil Child catcher? Will it 

all end happily-ever-after? Well, of course it will! 

1 – 8 October The Tempest 

Conjured from Prospero’s magical isle, this 

spellbinding new work re-tells the powerful 

story of a man determined to right past 

wrongs – by all possible means. Themes of love, 

loyalty and loss are punctuated by conspiracy, a 

comic duo, and a spectacular danced masque. 

Eye-catching stagecraft, mesmerising puppetry 

and breathtaking flying promise to make The 

Tempest an unforgettable experience for the 

whole family. 

CREWE LYCEUM THEATRE 

Box Office: 01270 368242 

www.crewelyceum.co.uk 

9 September Stick Man 

1:30pm The world outside the family tree is a 

dangerous place for Stick Man. A dog wants to 

play fetch with him, a swan builds a nest with 

him and he even ends up on a fire! How will Stick 

Man ever get back to the family tree? Guarantees 

more fun than you can shake a stick at! From 

the book by Julia Donaldson, Illustrated by Axel 

Scheffler and adapted by Scamp Theatre. 

Most suitable for children aged 3+ with their 

friends & families. 

GENTING ARENA 

Box Office: 0844 33 88 222 

www.gentingarena.co.uk 

5 – 9 October Horse Of The Year Show 

50 acres of thrills, spills, and world class 

entertainment. Whether you are a competitive 

rider, horse enthusiast or simply want to enjoy 

an exciting day out, Horse of the Year Show has 

something to offer every member of the family. 

Spread across five days visitors will experience 

thrilling competition, breathtaking displays, 

unbeatable retail therapy and spectacular 

horsemanship. 

PRINCE OF WALES THEATRE 

Box Office: 07971 866 494 

www.princeofwales.live 

30 September – 1 October 

Dance Fever 

Our Class One Dance Academy students perform 

routines from the stage and screen in their showcase. 

STAFFORD GATEHOUSE 

THEATRE 

Box Office: 01785 619080 

www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk 

or www.moscowstatecircus.com 

14 – 18 September Zhelaniy’ - 

The Moscow State Circus 

Based on the Russian folklore story of Cvetik- 

Semicvetik, or “the flower with seven colors”, 

by Benjamin Losin, where each of the petals 

represent a wish and is the perfect back drop 

for what is undoubtedly the greatest and most 

famous circus on earth. 

23 – 24 September Stick Man 

The world outside the family tree is a dangerous 

place for Stick Man. A dog wants to play fetch 

with him, a swan builds a nest with him and 

he even ends up on a fire! How will Stick Man 

ever get back to the family tree? Guarantees 

more fun than you can shake a stick at! From 

the book by Julia Donaldson, Illustrated by Axel 

Scheffler and adapted by Scamp Theatre. Most 

suitable for children aged 3+ with their friends 

& families. 

STOKE ON TRENT 

REPERTORY THEATRE 

Box Office: 01782 317151 

www.stokerep.org or www. 

decaversmilltheatre.co.uk 

7 – 10 September Annie 

In the depths of the 1930’s, Annie is a fiery 

young orphan girl who must live in a miserable 

orphanage run by the tyrannical Miss Hannigan. 

Her seemingly hopeless situation changes 

dramatically when she is selected to spend 

a short time at the residence of the wealthy 

munitions industrialist, Oliver Warbucks. DE 

Caversmill present their first full musical. Adult 

£12, Child £10. 

THE BREWHOUSE 

ARTS CENTRE 

Box Office: 01283 508100 

www.brewhouse.co.uk 

13 – 17 September Oliver 

Come and join the Mellows as they ‘Oom 

Pah Pah’ through the streets of London as 

they bring ‘Oliver’ to the stage. This was the 

first musical adaptation of a famous Charles 

Dickens’ work to become a stage hit. Featuring 

much loved songs including ‘Food Glorious 

Food’, ‘Consider Yourself’ and ‘As Long As He 

Needs Me’. There is no doubt, that you’ll be left 

wanting MOOOORE! 

8 October The Wizard’s Wish 

7:00pm Featuring a young girl’s adventure to 

meet a true Wizard! What she finds along the 

way will be magical but heart-warming as she 

ventures into an unknown world; the adventure 

will come to an end or is it just the beginning! 

Performed by Midland Youth Ballet. Tickets £10. 

THE REGENT THEATRE 

Box Office: 0844 8717649 

www.atgtickets.com 

5 – 10 September Cats 

Adapted from TS Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book 

of Practical Cats, this wonderful blend of 

fantasy, drama and romance is set on the 

night that the Jellicle Cats meet for the Jellicle 

Ball in a sparkling fusion of music, dance and 

verse. With an amazing musical score that 

includes the timeless Memory, spectacular set 

designs, stunning costumes and breathtaking 

choreography, CATS is a magical musical like 

no other. 

5 – 8 October Strictly Musicals 

Featuring a cast and orchestra of over 100, 

packed with hits from some of the biggest ever 

West End musicals including Wicked, Matilda, 

Miss Saigon, Les Miserables, Chicago, Beauty 

& The Beast and many, many more. Sparkling 

costumes, fabulous choreography, and 

wonderful music will have you smiling from 

start to finish – there is literally something for 

everyone of all ages. 

WOLVERHAMPTON GRAND 

THEATRE 

Box Office: 01902 429212 

www.grandtheatre.co.uk 

25 September Justin Live! 

10:45am and 1:45pm Join CBeebies superstar 

and children’s favourite Justin Fletcher for an 

all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza live on 

stage. A fun show for all the family packed full 

of popular interactive song and dance routines, 

including some of Justin’s own chart-hits, and 

‘appearances’ by many of Justin’s well known 

television personas. 

4 – 8 October The Sound Of Music 

This wonderfully lavish new staging tells the 

true story of the world-famous singing family, 

from their romantic beginnings and search for 

happiness, to their thrilling escape to freedom 

at the start of WWll.The unforgettable score 

features some of the most memorable songs 

ever performed on stage, including Edelweiss, 

My Favorite Things, Do-Re-Mi, Climb Ev’ry 

Mountain, So Long Farewell, and of course, The 

Sound of Music. 

17 October Chris Packham 

*Tadpoles Not Included 

7:00pm This talk contains encounters with large 

hungry carnivores, close shaves with extinction, 

dangerous views about conservation and will 

expose the truth about our wildlife. Illustrated 

with his superb photographs and exaggerated 

with film clips, Chris Packham presents an 

evening of zoological riches, humorous 

anecdotes and thought provoking questions 

about the creatures we say we love – and some 

we don’t. It’s big cats versus birds of prey versus 

insects versus humans and Chris tells it as it is! 

14 


Kids’ Book 

Reviews 

Get your nose stuck in a book... 

Our Kids Book Review Panel is a group 

of children from across the UK who have 

an avid interest in reading. They receive books 

from us on a regular basis and post their reviews online. 

To see reviews for other titles visit www.primarytimes.net/reviews/ 

The Thing About Jellyfish, by Ali Benjamin 

Published by Hodder Children’s Books. ISBN: 144492155X 

Reviewed by Hannah, aged 9 from Norfolk: This is my new favourite 

book, it’s the best book that I have ever read! I love 

this book because it gives you fascinating facts while 

telling an emotional story of a girl and her, used to be, 

best friend. To help move the story along, the author 

uses powerful language to have an effect on the way 

you read it. My favourite character is Mrs. Turton, who 

is Suzy’s science teacher, because sometimes she 

can be funny but other times she can be supportive. 

I recommend this book! HHHHH 

The Scroll of Alexandria - A Lottie 

Lipton Adventure, by Dan Metcalf 

Published by A&C Black Childrens & Educational. 

ISBN: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC 

Reviewed by Ellen, aged 6 from North Yorkshire: 

At the start, Lottie bumps in to Uncle Bert and tells 

him they have another adventure to solve. Just then, 

Mr Trevelyan (the museum manager) comes in and 

says they are going to get rid of some of the King’s books 

that he collected. Lottie, Uncle Bert and Reg say ‘no’ as they are part of an 

important collection. In one of the books, they find a scroll that with a riddle 

on it. They work out the riddle and an ancient door appears... 

The reason I liked this story is because it has two long maths sums and I 

like maths. I worked them out and the first one = 8 and the second one = 1. 

The Mighty Dynamo, by Kieran Crowley 

Published by Macmillan Children’s Books. ISBN: 1447299787 

Reviewed by Alex, aged 8 from North Yorkshire: This book is about 

a boy called Noah who is an amazing footballer. Noah (AKA The Mighty 

Dynamo) really wants to play in a winning team in the tournament so that 

he can be part of the World Cup. However he has been banned from his 

school football team because of a fight (that he didn’t 

even start), so he decides to get together a mismatch 

of boys and girls for his winning football team. He is 

the captain, and his team is successful - winning the 

tournament, despite the cheating of his old team and 

lots of hard work and team playing. 

I couldn’t put it down! It was funny and the author had 

an amazing style of writing. It was very easy to read. I 

liked the players’ profiles and the happy ending. 

My Underpants Rule By Rod Power 

Published by Kids Rule Publishing Limited. ISBN: 0992953006 

Reviewed by Willow, aged 7 from Cornwall: 

This book teaches children that what’s under their 

pants belongs only to them! The cover is brightly 

coloured and eye-catching. The book came with a 

bookmark. We read the book as a family and again 

just me and my mummy. I think it’s a good book 

to teach children that their privates are for them 

only. You get asked questions to answer and what 

should you do in different situations. The rule is easy to remember. I think all 

children should have this book read to them as it’s important that you know 

what to do if someone asks to see inside your underpants! HHHHH

Primary Times Staffordshire Back 2 School 2016

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