PTOxon_Feb18_lo

45,000 copies for families of 

Primary School Children 

Oxfordshire 

FEBRUARY ISSUE N o 113 

29th Jan – 18th Mar 2018

Hello Readers! 

Welcome to 2018 and the latest issue of Primary Times. We 

hope you’ve had a wonderful start to the New Year. 

The temptation at this time of year is to stay indoors, find 

something entertaining on the TV and relax on the sofa under a 

blanket until the weather starts to turn distinctly more summery. 

Whilst this might sound like a good plan (and it does) there’s 

always plenty to see and do once you venture from the sofa and 

out of the front door. 

In our What’s On Guide you’ll find plenty of ideas for fun days out 

and if you fancy swapping your sofa for a comfy seat for a while, 

then you could always head to the theatre. You’ll find the best 

shows in your area in the Box Office section. Whether you fancy 

taking a ride on Beale Park’s new miniature train, expanding your 

minds at the museums, embracing the cold to enjoy Yana And The 

Yeti at North Wall Arts Centre, or something else entirely…there 

are loads of opportunities for memorable days out! 

Now the festive period is over, it is still possible that you want to 

party. If you’ve got a child’s party coming up in the near future 

DON’T PANIC! Our Party Guide is full of ideas to help you create an 

amazing memory for all involved. 

You can also visit our Pinterest page for party food inspiration 

www.pinterest.co.uk/primarytimesuk 

Don’t forget enter our competitions. You could win a family day 

pass for 360 Play, or tickets to see the Sagas Of Noggin The Nog. 

You can find more great competitions on our website too. 

Our next issue will be full of the joys of Spring, but until then, 

here’s to a wonderful 2018! 

Primary Times Team. 

Calling all 

families 

and teachers! 

Remember to send in 

your news for our news 

pages – we would love 

to hear from you! 

Don’t forget to visit us 

online at 

www.primarytimes.co.uk 

/oxfordshire 

www.facebook.com/ 

primarytimesoxfordshire 

3 Contents: 

4 News 

6 WOW 

14 Tutoring and Education 

20 Box Office 

22 Competitions 

...the UK’s biggest, free ‘what’s on’ magazine for parents! 

Editorial: Sam Shepherd sam@schoolspublishing.co.uk 

Production: Carol George production@schoolspublishing.co.uk 

Sales: Marie McArthur ptoxon@schoolspublishing.co.uk TEL: 01491 411848 

Design: Charlotte Morgan 

Primary Times Oxfordshire, Schools Publishing Limited, Primary Times Magazine Group 

Unit 1A, Thamesview Industrial Estate, Newtown Road, Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire RG9 1HG 

TEL: 01491 411848 FAX: 01491 411416 www.primarytimes.co.uk/oxfordshire 

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

contents 

www.primarytimes.co.uk/oxfordshire | FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue Primary Times 3

news & views 

oxfordshirenews 

Do you have news to celebrate? We’d love to hear! Email sam@schoolspublishing.co.uk 

www.primarytimes.co.uk/oxfordshire 

Abingdon 

Prize Winners! 

Abingdon School sixth former, James Hogge, 

is celebrating winning the £1000 first prize, 

sponsored by GCHQ, in a national codebreaking 

competition. The National Cipher 

Challenge is run by Southampton University 

and this year over 8000 people took part from 

across the UK, some competing in teams and 

others, like James, as individuals. This was 

the third year that James has entered the 

competition and, having been runner-up twice, 

he was delighted to pick up the top prize this 

time. 

The National Cipher Challenge started in 

2002 and is an annual online competition that 

tests participants to solve encrypted messages 

set by the University. The latest competition 

released eight challenges between September 

and December 2017. The encrypted messages 

told the story of the mystery of Rome’s Lost 

Legion and participants eagerly awaited each 

challenge, racing to crack the code in the time 

allowed. 

James says, “The first two challenges were 

reasonably straight forward but as they 

Eagle-eyed school children 

to look out for the nation’s 

favourite birds 

The RSPB Big Schools Birdwatch – which 

takes place during the first half of the spring 

term (2 Jan – 23 Feb) – is a chance for children 

to put down their books and get outside to 

experience and learn about the nature that lives 

in their local community. The Birdwatch involves 

children spending an hour watching and 

counting the birds that visit their outdoor space, 

before sending the results to the RSPB. The Big 

Schools Birdwatch is a free activity and only 

takes an hour to complete. Teachers can pick 

any day during the first half of the spring term 

progressed they got more complicated and 

the eighth was really difficult, it took me about 

seven hours to break it.” 

Winners were announced in January and 

there will be a prize-giving at Bletchley Park in 

March. The news topped off a successful week 

for James who also received an offer of a place 

to study Computer Science at Cambridge - A 

level results permitting. Asked whether he 

would like to continue his interest in codebreaking, 

James said, 

“It’s certainly a fascinating area to work in, 

you could end up at the frontline of national 

defence. For the moment though I’m thinking 

of how I will spend the prize money, although 

I’ll have to keep some to help with university, I 

am also looking forward to a holiday!” 

to take part, with the flexibility to run it as a one 

off or as the centre piece of a cross-curricular 

study, project work or a way for the children 

to improve their outdoor space. To take part in 

the Birdwatch and help the next generation of 

children start their own wildlife adventure, visit 

rspb.org.uk/schoolswatch 

Calling all budding writers! 

WICKED, the award-winning West End musical 

that tells the incredible untold story of the 

witches of Oz, together with the National 

Literacy Trust, has announced the eighth 

year of the prestigious WICKED Young Writer 

Awards. The closing date is 12 March so enter as 

soon as you can! Details can be found at www. 

WickedYoungWriterAwards.com. As in previous 

years, entrants can enter one of five different 

age categories; 5-7yrs, 8-10yrs, 11-14yrs, 15- 

17yrs and 18-25 yrs. Pieces of original writing 

can be submitted, either individually or as part 

of a school group, until 12 March. 

The overall winners from each category will 

win a VIP family experience to the West End 

production of WICKED, including an exclusive 

backstage tour, £50 book/eBook tokens, the 

5-7yrs, 8-11yrs and 11-14yrs categories will win 

£100 worth of books for their school library 

donated by Hachette Children’s Books. In 

addition the 5-7 age category winners will 

receive a creative writing workshop for their 

class. The three schools with the highest 

number of entries will receive a bespoke 

writing workshop at their respective schools. 

All finalists’ entries will be printed in the 

WICKED Young Writer Awards anthology. 

The WICKED Young Writer Awards raises 

money for the National Literacy Trust, who 

campaign to improve public understanding 

of the vital importance of literacy. Exclusive 

teachers’ resources can be found online 

including tips for inspiring and encouraging 

writing in the classroom. 

Are you a talented athlete? The GLL 

Sports Foundation has provided 

over 13,000 athlete award bursaries 

totalling over £7.6 million since it was 

first launched in 2008. GLL aims to 

support young people with athletic 

talent to achieve their full sporting 

potential by reducing the financial 

burden of training and competition 

costs. To help youngsters achieve their 

potential and continue to peruse their 

dreams, GLL has now opened the 

window to apply for funding. 

For more information and to apply 

http://www.gllsportfoundation.org/ 

Duracell’s The Big 

Battery Hunt 

Hundreds of schools have registered their interest 

in Duracell’s Big Battery Hunt and you can too! 

Register your school to be part of Duracell’s FREE 

education programme and recycling challenge. 

Students will learn about battery recycling and win 

fantastic prizes. The free educational programme 

contains fun curriculum linked maths activities 

and homework sheets. All participating schools 

and students will be entered into a draw for great 

prizes including: a 3-year MyMaths subscriptions for 

schools, educational trips for students and teachers 

to a sustainability centre, iPads and more! 

It has never been easier to get your school 

involved in recycling. Simply sign-up now to 

receive a kit. Kits will be posted directly to your 

school so make sure to register your school as 

soon as possible so you don’t miss out! www. 

nationalschoolspartnership.com 

4 

Primary Times FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue | www.primarytimes.co.uk/oxfordshire

what's on where 

3 Feb 

Make a Monster Cave 

Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL 

www.roalddahl.com 

11am Build and decorate a cardboard 

den, and crawl inside with your family 

as you pretend to be a buzzwangling 

beast. Free with museum entry. 

T: 01494 892192 

Community Day 

Thomley HP18 9JZ 

www.thomley.org.uk 

10am For all children with or without a 

disability. Booking essential. 

T: 01844 338380 

Science Saturday 

Museum of Natural History OX1 3PW 

www.oum.ox.ac.uk 

2pm Meet scientists and investigate real 

specimens for the museum’s collection. 

Suitable for ages 8+. T: 01865 

282537 

Feed The Birds Day 

The Yang Science Centre OX14 1BQ 

www.scienceoxford.com 

9.45am & 11.30am Explore how birds 

adapt to and survive in their environment. 

The workshop includes playing evolutionbased 

games and building a pine cone bird 

feeder. Suitable for ages 5-9 years. Online 

booking essential. Cost £8 per child. 

Call the Medics! 

Soldiers of Oxfordshire Museum OX20 1SN 

www.sofo.org.uk 

1pm Fun educational activities for children 

aged 6-9 years. Cost £7 per child. Booking 

essential. T: 01993 810204 

Don’t forget to 

say you saw it in 

Primary Times! 

If you are looking for more inspiration, 

there are many more events on our website 

www.primarytimes.co.uk/oxfordshire 

3 - 4 Feb 

Sensational Snowdrops 

Claydon House MK18 2EY 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk 

11am Discover beautiful snowdrops 

as you explore this winter wonderland. 

Cost £6 adults, £3 children. 

T: 01296 730349 

4 Feb 

Harry Potter Day 

The Story Museum OX1 1BP 

www.storymuseum.org.uk 

11am Put on your robes, get your wands at the 

ready and hop on your broomstick to fly along 

to the Museum for a day of witchcraft and 

wizardry. Free with admission. 

T: 01865 806700 

8 Feb 

Beale Park Re-Opens 

Beale Park RG8 9NW 

www.bealepark.org.uk 

Beale Park re-opens for the 2018 season today. 

T: 01189 767480 

Incredible Insects 

Henley Library RG9 2DH 

www.rrm.co.uk 

3.45pm Join the River & 

Rowing Museum for 

themed object handling, 

fun craft and stories for 

all the family. Free 

event. Booking 

recommended. 

T: 01865 815278 

We check 

listings carefully but 

event details and prices 

may be subject to change. 

Please always check 

with the venue. 

10 Feb 

Brand New Miniature Train Celebration 

Day 



Reduced entry, entertainers and special events, 

all to help celebrate the Park’s brand new 

miniature train! T: 01189 767 480 

Half Term Trail 



There’s great fun in store for all the family 

this half term, for just 50p you can enter the 

bird themed trail and prize draw to win some 

fantastic prizes. Look for the clues which are 

dotted around the Park. Normal Park admission 

charges apply. Running until 18th February. 

T: 01189 767480 

Daily Beasts 



11am Help complete a crodswoggling creature 

inspired by the beasts in Roald Dahl’s books. 

Free with museum entry. T: 01494 892192 

From Bag to Beast 



12pm, 1.30pm & 3pm Artist Megan Dowsett 

will help you transform an ordinary plastic bag 

into one of Roald Dahl’s naughtiest beasts. Cost 

£3 per person. Suitable for ages 4+. Booking 

essential. T: 01494 892192 

Wantage Lego Club 

Vale & Downland Museum OX12 8BL 

www.wantage-museum.com 

9.30am Free Lego club for all ages. 

Spaces limited, online booking 

essential. T: 01235 771447 

Rugbytots 

Banbury & Towcester 

Rugbytots is the world’s favourite rugby play 

programme. 

The fun and dynamic classes develop motor skills 

- catching, passing and kicking as well as colour, 

shape and number recognition. They practice 

teamwork and it builds confidence. 

Classes are led by first aid trained, RFU qualified 

coaches and cover three age groups, from two to 

seven years old. 

Further details are available from the website: 

www.rugbytots.co.uk by email direct to 

vince@rugbytots.co.uk or by calling 

0345 3130286. 

New Pitches for Horspath Park 

A new sports park near Horspath took a big step towards 

completion when the first of its pitches were laid recently. The 

new £4.9m facility will feature new pitches for football, softball 

and cricket as well as practice areas, a pavilion and changing 

rooms. Although the grass still needs to grow on the pitches, 

they will soon be ready for action. 

Dyslexia Assessments offers 

educational assessments for 

children who are not progressing 

as well as they might. An 

assessment can identify exactly 

where their difficulties lie and 

recommend strategies for support 

to enable them to achieve their 

full potential. 

The project aims to provide Oxford United’s academy team, 

but it is intended that pitches will be available for other teams 

in the city. The facility will focus on providing activities for 

specific groups in Oxford, including children and young people. 

The sports park is still taking shape over the next few months, 

but it shouldn’t be long before the children of Oxford will have 

somewhere new to lace their boots and kick on. 

6 






specimens of the museum’s collection. Suitable 

for ages 8+. T: 01865 282537 

Ashventure China: Land of the Dragons 

Ashmolean Museum OX1 2PH 

www.ashmolean.org 

2pm & 3.15pm Stories, gallery hunts, games and 

crafts. Suitable for ages 4+. T: 01865 278000 

Celebrate Chinese New Year 

Oxfordshire Museum OX20 1SW 

www.oxfordshire.gov.uk 

2pm Celebrate the New Year with story telling, 

Chinese lanterns and family fun. Free event. 

T: 01993 814106 

Feed The Birds Day 

The Discovery Zone OX1 1BY 


10am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm Explore how birds 

adapt to and survive in their environment. The 

workshop includes playing evolution-based 

games and building a pine cone bird feeder. 

Suitable for ages 5-9 years. Online booking 

essential. Cost £8 per child. 

10 - 11 Feb 




11am Discover beautiful snowdrops as you 

explore this winter wonderland. Cost £6 adults, 

£3 children. T: 01296 730349 

10 - 18 Feb 

Fresh February Fun 

Odds Farm Park HP10 0LX www.oddsfarm.co.uk 

10am Throughout half term meet the adorable 

baby animals and help bottle feed Kid Goats; 

enjoy the fun and excitement of the Entertainers 

and get creative making various arts and crafts. 

T: 01628 520188 

Alphabet ‘I Spy’ in the Gardens 

Waterperry Gardens OX33 1JZ 

www.waterperrygardens.co.uk 

10am Family fun over half term week. Spy the 

whole alphabet and win a prize! Cost £2 per 

child. Normal garden admission applies. 

T: 01844 339254 

10 Feb - 14 Apr 

Going Underground 

Banbury Museum OX16 2PQ 

www.banburymuseum.org 

10.30am & 2pm Come and travel underground 

to make your very own jumpy bunny, mole in 

a hole, brilliant badger, bouncy bat, playful fox 

and mischievous meerkat. Available Saturdays 

and every day during the school holidays. Cost 

£2 per child. T: 01295 753 752 

12 Feb 

Rhythm, Rap and Rhyme with Neal 

Zetter 



12pm, 1.30pm & 3pm The children’s author and 

entertainer, Neal Zetter, performs his hilarious 

poems and helps you to write a short fun poem 

too. Cost £3 per person. Suitable for ages 4+. 

Booking essential. T: 01494 892192 

Urban Art Workshop 

Museum of Oxford OX1 1BX 

www.oxford.gov.uk 

12pm Have a go at creating street-style art and 

see your work on display in the exciting new 

Urban Art exhibition! Free, however online 

booking essential. T: 01865 252334 

Mud Pie Monday 

Earth Trust OX14 4QZ 

www.earthtrust.org.uk 

10am Buckets of mud and buckets of fun! 

Suggested donation £4 per child. 

T: 01865 407792 

12 - 13 Feb 

Fairy Tales 

Oxford Playhouse OX1 2LW 

www.oxfordplayhouse.com 

To be confirmed exciting workshop for children 

who enjoy creating and telling imaginative tales. 

Learn storytelling, physical theatre and puppetry 

techniques with an opportunity to share with 

family on the second day. T: 01865 305305 

Play in Two Days 

The Theatre Chipping Norton 

www.chippingnortontheatre.com 

10am Learn how a performance is created 

from scratch and experience the excitement 

of performing on a professional stage to an 

audience of family and friends. Suitable for ages 

8-12 years. Booking essential. T: 01608 642350 

12 - 14 Feb 

People & Planet: Operation Earth 



1pm Marvel at incredible planet Earth! Discover 

what it’s made from and the spectacular things 

it can do. T: 01865 282537 

People & Planet: World Stories 

Pitt Rivers Museum OX1 3PP 

www.prm.ox.ac.uk 

1pm Animate your own story inspired by tales 

from around the world. T: 01865 282537 

12 - 16 Feb 

Hibernating Hedgehogs 

Hughenden Manor HP14 4LA 


10.30am Make a woodland creature in its own 

hibernation house. Cost £3. T: 01494 755573 

Learning Difficulties? 

• Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) is an inefficiency in the 

brains ability to process and decode sounds and words. 

• APD results in auditory distortions and delays making it harder 

to hear and understand speech in noisy environments such as 

classrooms, or decode the sounds into meaningful communication. 

• APD often goes undiagnosed as it frequently co exists with ADHD, 

ADD, ASP, PDD. 

• Hear and Now delivers clinical assessment and intensive effective 

auditory retraining with Berard AIT. Principle: Veronica van Nierop, 

B.Sc; D.C; MNlp; N.E.T; A.R.T 

“I never imagined that the results from Berard training could be life 

changing for my 9 year old with ASD, and in fact for us all.” 

Mary, Wallingford, UK 

WHAT’S ON WHERE 

11 Feb 

A Beastly Party 



11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3pm Celebrate 35 

years of Dirty Beasts with Beastie Bingo, Beetle 

Drive and other party games. Cost £3 per person. 

Suitable for ages 4+. Booking essential. 

T: 01494 892192 

11 - 15 Feb 

Dance and Drama Week 



10am Explore stagecraft, acting and ballet 

dancing during this action-packed play in a 

week, based on Noel Streatfield’s Ballet Shoes. 

Suitable for ages 8-16 years. Booking essential. 

T: 01608 642350 

Children’s Jewellery Making Workshop 

Millets Farm Centre OX13 5HB 

www.milletsfarmcentre.com 

11am, 12.30pm & 2pm Each child can design 

and make their own personalised jewellery. Cost 

£9.99 per child. Sessions at 11am & 2pm for 

ages 9+; session at 12.30pm for ages 6-8 years. 

Booking essential. T: 01865 392 221 

13 Feb 

Boggled Box Beasts 



11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm In this 

junk modelling session, you will make your 

own crodswolloping creature, adding different 

patterns and textures for amazing effects! Cost 


essential. T: 01494 892192 



13 Feb 

Terrific Tudors 



10am Come and find out about life in the 

Tudor period in this family friendly event. Free 

admission, donations welcomed. 

T: 01235 771447 

Operation Earth: Live Science Show 



2pm & 3pm A spectacular family science show 

all about planet Earth. Help the doctor to find 

out why “Earthy” is poorly and see if together we 

can help. Suitable for ages 6+. T: 01865 282537 

Waking Up After Winter 

Harcourt Arboretum OX44 9PX 

www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 

1pm Search for signs of spring and enjoy 

seasonal craft activities. T: 01865 343501 

like to experience the amazing world of giant 

insects, meet a snake, stroke a Giant African 

Snail or get close to a tarantula, then pop along 

to the Park. 1.30-3.30pm. Free event. Normal 

Park admission charges apply. 

Crockadowndilly Pots 



11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm Celebrate 

the 40th anniversary of The Enormous Crocodile 

by making your own croc-tastic clay pot. Cost 


essential. T: 01494 892192 

World Stories: Sensing Cultures 

Pitt Rivers Museum OX1 3PP www.prm.ox.ac.uk 

10am Tactile story-making for families with 

children who are blind or partially sighted. 


T: 01865 282537 

Choo-choo down to Beale Park 

for a shiny new attraction 

Beale Park opens its doors for the start of their 2018 season on 

Thursday 8th February - just in time for half term! With everything 

from animals and birds to a Meet the Bugs Session and a Bird Box 

Building Workshop, they have a fun-packed start to their opening 

with something special happening on Saturday 10th February - 

reduced entry, entertainers and events, all to help celebrate their 

brand new miniature train! 

T: 01189 767480 W: www.bealepark.org.uk 

Fabulous Fossils Goes Close Up! 



11am & 2pm A rare chance to see fascinating 

fossils and beautiful crystals close up under the 

microscope. You can even explore what is under 

your own fingernails. Followed by mask making 

and a fossil dig which costs £3.50 per child. 

T: 01295 753 752 

Paper Prints 



2pm Make paper designs using print and colour 

in the Lucienne day style. T: 01993 814106 

Winter Activity Trail 



10am Follow the map to find all the different 

activities along the trail. Cost £4 per child. 


Hooo’s For Dinner 

Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education 

Centre OX14 4TE www.bbowt.org.uk 

10am & 1am Become a detective with a 

difference. Discover what the local owls have 

been eating for dinner. Suitable for ages 6+. 

Cost £4 per child, accompanying adult free. 

T: 01235 862024 

Pancake Race 

Wallingford Market Place OX10 0AD 

www.wallingford.co.uk 

10am Adults and children will take to the streets 

of Wallingford for the annual pancake race. 

Mythical Monsters 

Abingdon County Hall Museum OX14 3HG 

www.abingdon.gov.uk 

10am & 1pm Dive in to the mystical world of 

monsters, myths and tales with this workshop 

creating masks, silhouettes and clay ‘Green Man’ 

models. Entry by donation. T: 01235 523703 

13 - 15 Feb 

Think, Make, Do….Cyber 

Bletchley Park MK3 6EB 

www.bletchleypark.org.uk 

11am These workshops explore some of the 

highly relevant modern day issues of online 

safety and how these relate to the Bletchley Park 

Codebreakers. Suitable for ages 5+ years. 

T: 01908 640404 

14 Feb 

Meet the Bugs 

Beale Park, Lower Basildon. T: 01189 767480. 


Animals Keepers are giving visitors the chance 

to get up close and personal with some of the 

residents that live at the Park. So if you would 

Virtual Reality Time 



11am & 2pm Step into virtual 3D worlds, interact 

and explore, and imagine how you could use 

science and technology to build a better future. 

T: 01295 753 752 

Animal Adventures 



11am Listen to the brilliant stories of Freddy the 

fox and Billy the badger, search high and low 

to solve the mystery museum trail then make 

a meerkat pop-up scene. Design and decorate 

an animal mask and create colourful pavement 

pictures. Cost £4 per child. 

Trash and Treasure 



10.30am & 2pm A pick and mix of treasure 

activities including make your own bling! Cost 

£3 per child. Pick up a trail leaflet and join the 

expedition to seek out Oxfordshire’s treasures. 

Cost £1 per trail. T: 01993 814106 

The Light Fantastic 

The Theatre Chipping Norton OX7 5NL 


11.30am & 2.30pm Come along for a dazzling 

journey across the spectrum in this fun family 

exploration of the amazing properties of light. 

Cost £9.50 adults, £7 children. Online booking 

essential. Suitable for ages 8+. 

Open Afternoon 



2pm Family open afternoon with activities for 

children aged 3-9 years. Cost £2 per child. 

T: 01993 810204 

Telling Tales 

Cornerstone Arts Centre OX11 7NE 

www.cornerstone-arts.org 

10.30am Create a Very Little character in a fun 

session full of storytelling. Suitable for ages 2-7 

years. Cost £6. T: 01235 515144 

Aspiring Authors 

Cornerstone Arts Centre OX11 7NE 


2pm Create your very own characters to put into 

your own stories. Suitable for ages 7-11 years. 

Cost £6. T: 01235 515144 

Wildlife Wednesday 

Mowbray Fields OX11 9LZ www.earthtrust.org.uk 

10am Come along to Didcot to explore the 

reserve, learn about local wildlife and have lots 

of outdoor fun. Suggested donation £2. 

T: 01865 407792 

8 



14 - 15 Feb 

Half Term Fun: Chinese New Year 



1pm Take part in a Chinese New Year party with 

stories and craft activities to celebrate the Year of 

the Dog. T: 01865 278000 

Magic Peter 



10.30am, 1pm & 3pm Come along for some 

great giggles, tremendous tricks and amazing 

antics! Tickets £7.99 per child. Booking essential. 

T: 01865 392 221 

Vintage Bus Rides 

Oxford Bus Museum OX29 8LA 

www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk 

11.30am & 2pm Find out the story of bus and 

coach travel around Oxfordshire over the last 130 

years and enjoy a ride in a vintage bus. 

T: 01993 883617 

15 Feb 

Reptile Roadshow 



11am & 1pm Join the Reptile Roadshow and 

come face to face with swiggles of cold-blooded 

creatures and minibeasts. Cost £4.50 per 

participant. Suitable for ages 6+. Booking 

essential. T: 01494 892192 

Make a Monster Cave 



11am Build and decorate a cardboard den, and 

crawl inside with your family as you pretend to 

be a buzzwangling beast. Free with museum 

entry. T: 01494 892192 

Trail Trackers 

Hughenden Manor HP14 4LA 


10.30am Put your orienteering 

skills to the test with a compass and 

map. Cost £4. T: 01494 755573 

Urban Art Workshop 

Museum of Oxford OX1 1BX 

www.oxford.gov.uk 

12pm Have a go at creating street-style 

art and see your work on display in the 

exciting new Urban Art exhibition! Free, 

however online booking essential. 

T: 01865 252334 

Family Friendly Printing 

Workshop 

Old Bodleian Library OX1 3BG 

www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk 

11am Learn to print the old-fashioned 

way on hand operated printing presses. 

Booking required. Suitable for age 8+. 

Magic Mobiles 



2pm Using shapes and colours from the 

Lucienne day exhibition create a magical 

mobile. T: 01993 814106 

Science of Magic 



11am & 2pm Science Oxford return to 

The Story Museum with another brilliant 

workshop looking at the science behind 

a series of amazing magic tricks. Tickets 

£7/£5. Suitable for ages 6+. 

T: 01865 806700 

Animation 

The Mill Arts Centre OX16 5QE 

www.themillartscentre.co.uk 

10am Create custom gifs and animated shorts 

based on fairytale characters and storylines. 

Suitable for ages 6-13 years. Booking essential. 

T: 01295 279002 

Build a Bird Feeder 



10am & 1pm Give your garden visitors a helping 

hand by making three different bird feeders to 

take home. Cost £5 per family. Booking essential. 

T: 01865 407792 

15 - 16 Feb 

Chinese Dragon Fire Clocks 

Museum of the History of Science OX1 3AZ 

www.mhs.ox.ac.uk 

12pm Make a working Chinese dragon fire-clock 

to celebrate Chinese New Year, and try it out at 

home. Suitable for ages 7+. 

T: 01865 277280 

People & Planet: World Stories 

Pitt Rivers Museum OX1 3PP 

www.prm.ox.ac.uk 

1pm Handle objects from around the world and 

be inspired to write, draw and share your own 

stories. Suitable for ages 6+. 

T: 01865 282537 

Play in Two Days 



10am Learn how a performance is created 

from scratch and experience the excitement 

of performing on a professional stage to an 

audience of family and friends. Suitable for ages 

5-7 years. Booking essential. T: 01608 642350 

16 Feb 

Crockadowndilly Pots 

Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL www.roalddahl.com 

11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm & 4pm Celebrate 

the 40th anniversary of The Enormous Crocodile 

by making your own croc-tastic clay pot. Cost 


essential. T: 01494 892192 

Rocking Rockets! 



10am Fun educational activities for children aged 

6-9 years. Cost £8 per child. Booking essential. 

T: 01993 810204 

17 Feb 

Muggled Up Beasts 



11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3pm Make giant-sized 

beast body parts that we’ll assemble into a huge 

mix-n-match beast generator. Cost £3 per person. 


T: 01494 892192 





specimens for the museum’s collection. Suitable 

for ages 8+. T: 01865 282537 

Maker Club: Chinese New Year 



1pm Participants can have a go at fortune-telling 

by programming a Micro:bit and making a paper 

fortune cookie. Try papercraft to make and launch 

confetti canons, and to light up paper lanterns 

to take home. Suitable for ages 9-12. Cost £10. 

Online booking essential. 



Museum of Natural History 

The Museum is taking part in Operation Earth, a two-year national 

programme designed to engage, inspire and involve families 

with school-age children with inspirational and exciting hands-on 

environmental science activities and experiments. As part of the 

project the Museum is running an interactive family science show 

delivered by expert scientists. Become a trainee environmental 

scientist and find out why Earthy is feeling a little under the weather. 

Help us investigate Earthy’s land, air and oceans, and see if together 

we can help Earthy feel better. Suitable for ages 6-11 years. Dates: 

13th February 2pm & 3pm, 10th March 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 2.30pm 

& 3.30pm, 4th April 2pm & 3pm. 

The Museum is also running a series of Meet the Expert sessions 

that provide families with the chance to chat with scientists, as well 

as school holiday activities all about planet Earth! Dates: Saturday 

3rd and 31st March, 2-4pm, drop-in. 

Waterperry Gardens 

The gardens are starting to 

spring back into life again. 

We have family fun with our 

half term children’s event, 

Alphabet-I-Spy in the Gardens* 

10th-18th February with a 

treat at the end! Don’t miss 

Snowdrop Weekends 17th/18th 

and 24th/25th February where 

there will be garden tours. 

Mum’s get free garden entry on Mothering Sunday 11th March, and 

don’t forget to pop a note in your diary for our Big Easter Bunny 

Hunt* 24th March to 15th April! (*£2 per child, children must be 

accompanied by an adult for whom the garden entrance fee applies). 

For further information visit www.waterperrygardens.co.uk 

17 Feb 

Backstage Tour 

New Theatre OX1 2AG www.atgtickets.com 

10.30am An exciting way to see the theatre from 

a truly unique perspective. T: 01865 320760 

17 - 18 Feb 

Daily Beasts 



11am Help complete a crodswoggling creature 

inspired by the beasts in Roald Dahl’s books. Free 

with museum entry. T: 01494 892192 

Snowdrop Weekend 



10am With more than 60 different snowdrop 

varieties carpeting the ornamental gardens over 

the season, enjoy these little heralds of spring in 

a magical setting. T: 01844 339254 




11am Discover beautiful snowdrops as you 

explore this winter wonderland. Cost £6 adults, 

£3 children. T: 01296 730349 

Chinese New Year Festival 



11am Join a weekend of festivities with arts, 

crafts and performances for all the family. 

T: 01865 278000 

Meet Kipper 



11am & 2pm Meet everyone’s favourite dog. Free 

with museum entry. T: 01865 806700 

18 Feb 

Mideous Masks 



11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3pm Learn about 

the buzzwangling beasts that Roald Dahl wrote 

about before making your own beastly mask to 

take home. Cost £3 per person. Suitable for ages 

4+. Booking essential. T: 01494 892192 

24 Feb 

Rhythm, Rap and Rhyme with Neal Zetter 



12pm, 1.30pm & 3pm The children’s author and 

entertainer, Neal Zetter, performs his hilarious 

poems and helps you to write a short fun poem 

too. Cost £3 per person. Suitable for ages 4+. 






specimens for the museum’s collection. Suitable 

for ages 8+. T: 01865 282537 

World Book Day Creative 

Computing Club Special 



10am & 12.30pm In this workshop all creative 

young author/programmers get to choose their 

own adventure and write it too. Using Python 

they will learn to code and create their own 

computer-based book that changes every time 

it’s read! Suitable for ages 9-12 years. 

Backstage Tour 

New Theatre OX1 2AG 

www.atgtickets.com 

10.30am An exciting way to see the theatre from 

a truly unique perspective. T: 01865 320760 

24 - 25 Feb 

Snowdrop Weekend 



10am With more than 60 different snowdrop 

varieties carpeting the ornamental gardens 

over the season, enjoy these little heralds of 

spring in a magical setting. 

T: 01844 339254 

25 Feb 

Muggled Up Beasts 



11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3pm Make giantsized 

beast body parts that we’ll assemble 

into a huge mix-n-match beast generator. 

Cost £3 per person. Suitable for ages 4+. 


26 Feb - 11 Mar 

Fairtrade Fortnight Display 

Botanic Garden OX1 4AZ 

www.botanic-garden.ox.ac.uk 

9am Discover plants that produce Fairtrade 

products, such as cocoa, bananas and sugar. 

Free with garden entrance. T: 01865 286690 

1 Mar 

Roaming on the River 

Henley Library RG9 2DH 

www.rrm.co.uk 

3.45pm Join the River & Rowing Museum 

for themed object handling, fun craft and 

stories for all the family. Free event. Booking 

recommended. T: 01865 815278 

3 Mar 

World Book Day Celebrations 



11am Join in with Writing Hut Talks, make a 

Dirty Beast in the Crafty Kitchen, and follow a 

trail around the Museum. Free with museum 

entry. T: 01494 892192 

Hornswoggler Heads 



12pm, 1.30pm & 3pm Artist Georgia 

Davy will help you make a head for a 

Hornswoggler and turn yourself into one of 

Roald Dahl’s most fearsome beasts! Cost £3 

per person. Suitable for ages 4+. Booking 

essential. T: 01494 892192 

Operation Earth: Meet the Experts 



2pm Drop in for a chat with science experts 

about a host of subjects and get hands-on 

with science. T: 01865 282537 





specimens for the museum’s collection. 

Suitable for ages 8+. T: 01865 282537 

Flubber, Rubber and Slime! 



10am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm Explore how 

some very clever chemistry makes sludgey 

slime and pencil case rubbers work. Suitable 

for ages 5-9 years. Cost £8. Online booking 

essential. 

Sensational Saxons! 



1pm Fun educational activities for children 

aged 6-9 years. Cost £7 per child. Booking 

essential. T: 01993 810204 

10 


Wear A Hat Day 2018 

Please get involved in Wear A Hat Day on 

Thursday 29th March 2018 (or any day in 

March) to help raise funds for research into 

brain tumours. 

This devastating disease kills more children and adults under the 

age of 40 than any other cancer. Just 1% of the national spend on 

cancer research has been allocated to brain tumours. 

During Wear A Hat Day 2017, individuals, families, schools and 

other organisations all came together and raised over £300,000 to 

fund our research. 

Together we can reach our target of £600,000 – enough to fund a 

team of researchers for a year. 

Register online today: www.wearahatday.org. 

Thank you for helping to fund the fight. 


New Komodo Dragon enclosure at 

Crocodiles of the World 

The UK’s only crocodile zoo is also one of only four zoos in the UK 

where you can see a Komodo Dragon. At six years old, Batu is still 

not yet fully grown and is likely to reach aim impressive 3m in length. 

He has recently moved into a new purpose built enclosure that is 

four times the size of his previous enclosure and will accommodate 

him into adulthood. Shaun Foggett, Zoo Director said: “It’s great 

seeing Batu in his new environment, he has plenty of space to 

explore as well as enabling visitors to get really close to him thanks 

to our extensive viewing windows. He’s 

a very special animal here at Crocodiles 

of the World and is part of the European 

Endangered Species Programme (EEP) 

and European Studbook (ESB).” 

www.crocodilesoftheworld 

10 Mar 

Wantage Lego Club 



9.30am Free Lego club for all ages. Spaces limited, 

online booking essential. T: 01235 771447 

Ashventure Musical March: Strings Alive 



2pm & 3.15pm Stories, gallery hunts, games and 

crafts. Suitable for ages 4+. T: 01865 278000 

Super Science Saturday: 

People and Planet 



12pm Learn about planet Earth and the people 

that live on it. Suitable for ages 8+. 

T: 01865 282537 

Women in Science 

Museum of the History of Science OX1 3AZ 


2pm Find out about female scientists from the 

past. T: 01865 277280 

Slime Stories with Jules Pottle 



1pm & 3pm Make your own slime and 

experience a story in whole new way – fingers 

first! Tickets £8/£6. Suitable for ages 8+. 

T: 01865 806700 

11 Mar 

Mothering Sunday 

Chinnor & Princes Risborough Railway OX39 4ER 

www.chinnorrailway.co.uk 

11am Mums travel free and receive a small posy 

of flowers with any accompanied fare-paying 

visitor. T: 01844 353535 

Mother’s Day 

Leighton Buzzard Railway LU7 4TN 

www.buzzrail.co.uk 

10.30am Treat Mum to a ride on a steam 

engine. T: 01525 373888 

Mother’s Day 

Oxford Bus Museum OX29 8LA 

www.oxfordbusmuseum.org.uk 

11.30am & 2pm Treat Mum to a free 

vintage bus ride. T: 01993 883617 

17 Mar 

Bugs and Bioart 

Museum of the History of Science 

OX1 3AZ 


12pm Meet scientists and artists, and 

learn about the story of penicillin and the 

miracle of antibiotics. T: 01865 277280 

17 - 18 Mar 

Days Out With Thomas 

Didcot Railway Centre Didcot OX11 7NJ 

www.didcotrailwaycentre.org.uk 

10.30am Enjoy a train ride with Thomas 

and meet the Fat Controller. 

T: 01235 817200 

Lambing Weekend 



10am Come and visit the newborn lambs. 

Free with admission. T: 01865 407792 

Tractor Trailer Rides 



10am Take a ride around the farm on 

Tony, the Tractor’s Trailer. Cost £1 per 

person. T: 01865 392 221 

18 Mar 

Boggled Box Beasts 



12pm, 1.30pm & 3pm In this junk 

modelling session, you will make your own 

crodswolloping creature, adding different 

patterns and textures for amazing effects! Cost 


essential. T: 01494 892192 

18 Mar 

Open Day 

Combe Mill OX29 8ET 

www.combemill.org 

10am Come along and learn about science and 

engineering at Combe. T: 01993 358694 

24 Mar 

Mideous Masks 



11.30am, 12.30pm, 2pm & 3pm Learn about 

the buzzwangling beasts that Roald Dahl wrote 

about before making your own beastly mask 

to take home. Cost £3 per person. Suitable for 

ages 4+. Booking essential. T: 01494 892192 

A Right Royal Adventure 



1pm Discover a special Oxford painting from the 

time of the Civil War and help create a tactile 

version with Oxfordshire Association for the 

Blind. T: 01865 278000 

24 - 25 Mar 

Lambing Weekend 



10am Come and visit the newborn lambs. Free 

with admission. T: 01865 407792 

25 Mar 

Planet Dinosaur 



2pm Join author Elaine Wickson for a talk for 

families packed with infographics, dinosaurs and 

space. Tickets £7. Suitable for ages 8+. Booking 

essential. T: 01865 282537 

Planet Dinosaur 


www.oxfordliteraryfestival.org 

2pm Join author Elaine Wickson for a talk about 

her new book, then join in the hunt for fantastic 

fossils and dinosaurs. Tickets £8. Booking 

essential. T: 01865 282537 

30 Mar 

Awesome Aerial Art 



12pm, 1.30pm & 3pm Make some art inspired by 

the aerial photos Roald Dahl took while he was 

a pilot. Have fun with colour and shape to make 

a splendiferous abstract picture. Cost £3 per 

person. Suitable for ages 4+. Booking essential. 

T: 01494 892192 

31 Mar 

Fly a Kicksy Kite 



12pm, 1.30pm & 3pm Find out about Roald 

Dahl’s love of flying, then make and decorate a 

simple kite. Cost £3 per person. Suitable for ages 

4+. Booking essential. T: 01494 892192 


12 


Go Kart Parties 

Specialising in unique indoor birthday parties and operating 

from 30 indoor venues across Oxfordshire Go-Kart Party is 

completely safe for children between four and ten years of age. 

The track has an inflatable boundary so children are surrounded 

by a cushion of air. The speed of the karts is set according to the 

age and ability of the children, they have a remote control cut off 

system controlled by the operator and there are party programmes 

for each different age group. The party lasts between one and one 

and a half hours and can accommodate up to 30 children. 

Children’s driving skills improve over the duration of the party 

as they get different challenges to complete. For further 

information, call Julio on 07841 053154, 01865 775653 

or visit: www.gokart-party.co.uk 

Pop Party 

Strut the red carpet & become 

a Popstar! 

‘Pop Till You Drop!’ 

6-8yrs - A fun interactive Pop 

Performance party, designed 

so every child has FUN, gains 

social confidence & a sense of 

acheivement! 

‘Studio Star’ 8yrs + - A 

recording party, pick your song 

& we bring a mobile studio to 

you! Find out more: 

www.poppartyfun.com 

Boswells 

Situated in the very heart of Oxford, Boswells Department 

Store boasts a whole first floor of exciting and magical toys 

for all ages. This award winning Toy Department has a real 

independent feel and has been serving customers through the 

generation. With over seven thousand different lines you’ll be 

spoilt for choice, with well-known brands such as Playmobil, 

Nerf, Steiff, Schleich and of course, Thomas the Tank and 

Sylvanian Families, to name but a few. But it’s not only toys for 

the little ones; great jigsaws by Gibson and Ravensburger are in 

abundance situated on the opposite wall to wall board games. 

Boswells is a real centre for Lego too – with all the new sets 

from Star Wars to Lego City. Real service is at the heart of the 

store,and if its advice you need, their staff really know just the 

right age appropriate gift for every occasion. So half term is a 

great time to come and have a look. 


14 


Tutoring & 

Education 

Cranford House 

Local families were treated to an out-of-this-world 

experience recently as Cranford House opened their doors 

for a very special Junior Space Day. None other than 

Britain’s first astronaut, Helen Sharman OBE, joined in 

the fun, telling visitors about her own trip to the Mir Space 

Station and answering children’s questions about life in 

space. The fun continued elsewhere in school with a mobile 

planetarium and a VR workshop amongst just a few of the 

intergalactic activities on offer. To commemorate this very 

special event, Cranford House are offering 100 Helen 

Sharman postcards on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Winners will receive the postcard sent to their home. Simply 

email: office@cranfordhouse.net Good luck! 

TUTORING & EDUCATION 

Radley 

Radley offers an environment for boys to grow in selfconfidence, 

thrive academically, and make the most of 

an enormous range of opportunities. The door is open to 

any talented candidate, regardless of their means or their 

background. Radley’s Funded Places Open Day is on Saturday 

10th March 2018 at 13:30. You will be invited to a talk by the 

Warden, including a Q & A session, followed by an informal 

tour of the school. To book a place, please either contact us: 

admissions@radley.org.uk or 01235 543 174 or complete the 

enquiry form on our website www.radley.org.uk/Funded- 

Places 

A Radley education is about independent thought and 

learning with enthusiasm. It is about cultural awareness and 

the benefits of team sport. It is about academic ambition. It is 

about learning to live with others; it is about preparation for the 

world beyond its gates. Above all, it is about the core values 

that will underpin success throughout a Radleian’s life: as 

leaders, as citizens, as human beings. 

Radley has places that can be funded up to 100% of 

the fees. The entry process begins early in Year 6 for 11+ 

candidates, who we can fund through prep school for two 

years, or there are scholarship places available for Year 9 

entry. If you have a talented boy, who excels academically 

or at music, sport, art or drama then please get in touch 

admissions@radley.org.uk or 01235 543 174. 



Try Kumon’s two-week 

Free Trial now 

Your local Kumon study centre is offering a two-week Free Trial 

between 1-28 February 2018 for new students. Your child can 

experience how the Kumon Maths and English Programmes 

help children of any age and ability to become confident, 

independent learners with a positive attitude to study. 

Your child will be assessed so your Kumon Instructor can 

tailor the level of study precisely to their ability. This creates 

a positive learning experience, with work set at just the right 

level. For more information contact 

Headington 01865 770 966, Henley-on-Thames 

07814 722 830, Kidlington 01993 883 793, 

Summertown 01865 245 642 

The Oratory 

The Oratory is an independent school for boys aged 11 to 18. 

We offer an all-round education that is second to none, with 

the Good School’s Guide 2017 stating “…now’s the time to 

look again”. The School has high academic standards and the 

Head Master, Joe Smith, has a clear vision to ensure that each 

boy flourishes and fulfils his potential both in and far beyond 

the classroom. The Oratory is not a large school which means 

every boy is known, valued and stretched as an individual 

within our nurturing community. We are a Catholic school 

which welcomes boys of all faiths or none. Visitors comment 

on the inclusive community atmosphere of our school which we 

believe nurtures confidence, self-expression and the desire to 

learn and grow. 

We are adding new transport routes all of the time and are 

happy to discuss travel arrangements. We have flexi, weekly, 

full-time boarding and day only options. Come and visit us as 

we would love to show you round our school. 

16 


Abingdon Prep School Open 

Morning: Tuesday 27 February, 

9:30am 

Wherever your interests lie, Abingdon Prep’s Other Half activities 

offer numerous opportunities for boys to get involved, learn something 

new, gain experience and develop talent. Art, drama, music or sport, 

over 50 activities are fully integrated into the timetable alongside, and 

equally important as, the academic curriculum. 

Our academic credentials speak for themselves with boys at 

Abingdon Prep, for whom Abingdon School is appropriate, receiving 

an offer of a place for Year 9 at Abingdon School at the end of Year 5 

at Abingdon Prep. The offer is based on the continuous assessment 

of each pupil and is conditional on the pupil maintaining his profile 

of achievement in Years 6 to 8 at Abingdon Prep. For these pupils, 

unlike at other prep schools, there are no entrance examinations to 

take prior to transferring to Abingdon School. 

To find out more, come to our open morning or contact 

admissions: admissions.manager@abingdonprep.org.uk 

Tel: 01865 392303. abingdon.org.uk/prep 


Fun at Forest School 

At Cokethorpe Junior School outdoor learning is incorporated 

into the curriculum from Reception Class to Year 6. Set in 150 

acres, our unique parkland setting provides many wonderful 

opportunities for learning outside the classroom. 

Forest School is an inspirational programme that 

offers Cokethorpe children a hands-on learning 

experience in a natural environment. The School 

encourages sensory learning, with potion making a firm 

favourite with the children. This term they have also 

been building fairy houses, stick whittling and creating 

hedgehog hotels. 

Outdoor learning is an integral part of life at 

Cokethorpe and the adventure continues to grow as 

the children progress through to the Senior School. 



The Unicorn School Offers Specialist 

Education from Year 2 to Year 11 

The Unicorn School is a specialist, independent day school 

for girls and boys, aged 6 to 16 years, who have Specific 

Learning Difficulties: dyslexia, dyspraxia and dyscalculia, 

and those who need support with Speech, Language and 

Communication. We are a small, nurturing school and we 

offer both primary and secondary education including our 

GCSE programme. 

The Unicorn School helps pupils to build self-confidence, 

appreciate their learning difficulties and develop their 

personal learning style. Our unique approach bridges the gap 

between our pupils’ current performance and their potential 

achievement. 

To join us at our next open morning on Tuesday 6th 

February, or to book an individual visit, please 

contact our Registrar on 01235 530222, or 

registrar@unicornoxford.co.uk. 

Kumon Bicester 

Open Events 

Just drop in anytime to explore study materials, meet our 

team, and learn more about how the Kumon Method of 

Learning can help unlock your child’s potential. 

Bicester - Saturday 10th February - Bicester Sports 

Centre – 9am-12 midday 

Oxford Botley- Sunday 4th February - West Oxford 

Community Centre - 10am-12 midday 

Banbury- Thursday 15th February - Castle Quay 

Shopping Centre - 11am–4pm 

Bicester Student (17) ‘A great learning environment with indepth 

work for all ages and abilities, Kumon has changed my 

attitude to learning and given me the confidence and grades to 

take A levels 

18 



BOX OFFICE 

BoxOffice 

Your family theatre guide... 

0231512 

0231513 

TICKET 

TICKET 

BT Studio OX1 2LW 


17 Mar 

Leaf 

10.30am, 1.30pm & 3.30pm The perfect 

introduction to theatre for the very young. 

This performance tells the life story of a very 

special leaf. T: 01865 305305 

Cornerstone Arts Centre 

OX11 7NE 


3 Feb 

Beowulf 

6pm Nine-year-old Sophie and her mother 

enjoy sharing the story of Beowulf, but 

Sophie is also fighting monsters of her own! 

T: 01235 515144 

0231512 

TICKET 

0231513 

TICKET 

The North Wall 

4 Feb 

The Chit Chat Chalk Show 

11.30am & 3pm A charming, physical show 

packed with interaction for children aged 

3–8yrs and their families. T: 01235 515144 

11 Feb 

Red Riding Hood and the Wolf 

11am & 2pm Enjoy a new spin on this classic 

story – about two misfits who just want to fit 

in. T: 01235 515144 

15 Feb 

Mirror Mirror 

2.30pm Join Snow White at her wedding, 

and the whole story – magic mirror, wicked 

stepmother, seven dwarfs and all – will be 

revealed. T: 01235 515144 

4 Mar 

There and Back Again: an Odyssey 

2pm A thrilling ride across the magical world 

of ancient Greece to show you that no matter 

how far you roam, there’s no place like 

Homer. T: 01235 515144 

The North Wall’s Spring 

programme for families 

has now been launched, 

and it’s bigger and better 

than ever! The Oxford 

venue has hand-picked 

shows that everyone will 

enjoy, and this year has 

added dance and poetry 

alongside theatre and 

puppetry shows. Here’s 

a look at what’s coming 

up over the next few 

months… 

This February half 

term, don’t miss 

Pickled Image’s Yana 

and the Yeti. Featuring 

exquisite music, Arctic 

landscapes and a cast of 

extraordinary puppets, 

it’s a dark, funny and 

poignant tale of a small child’s determination to be understood and 

her discovery that friends can come in the most unexpected shapes 

and sizes. 

On Saturday 10th March, celebrate the city’s Dancin’ Oxford Festival 

with Tidy Up! , a dance show for children aged 3+ inspired by the 

child’s desire to create order, patterns and systems. A witty and 

uplifting journey with plenty of surprises, Tidy Up is an unforgettable 

party! 

In the Easter holidays, join poet John Hegley as he takes the 

audience on a humorous journey through his living library of poems, 

songs, stories and animal drawings. And in May half term, don’t miss 

Me and My Bee, a family comedy showing us how to save the bees! 

11 Mar 

Penguin 

11am & 2pm Ben is delighted when he rips 

open his present, inside is a penguin. A 

spectacular theatre experience for all ages. 

T: 01235 515144 

15 Mar 

Giant 

7.30pm Tommy, aged 22, lives under the 

same roof as three generations of his family. 

They’ve learnt to ignore the strange things 

his nan says over dinner and the bizarre 

rumblings coming from the attic. 

T: 01235 515144 

24 Mar 

Grandad’s Island 

11am & 2pm Join Syd and his Grandad as 

they head off on a heart warming adventure 

filled with songs, laughter and jingles that 

will change their lives forever. 

T: 01235 515144 

25 Mar 

The Snow Beast 

2.30pm This brand new show will be a 

captivating collision of storytelling, an 

original score and live science experiments 

that will inspire young audiences. 

T: 01235 515144 

North Wall Arts Centre 

OX2 7JN 

www.thenorthwall.com 

13 Feb 

Yana and the Yeti 

11am & 2pm A dark, funny and poignant 

tale of a small child’s determination to be 

understood and her discovery that friends 

can come in the most unexpected shapes and 

sizes. T: 01865 319450 

10 Mar 

Tidy Up! 

11am & 2pm When it starts out ship-shape, 

there’s only one way for it to go…this dancetheatre 

show gets all messed up! 

T: 01865 319450 

24 Mar 

The Sagas of Noggin the Nog 

11am & 2pm Featuring silly Vikings, 

puppets and live music, this playful 

retelling of the classic stories is a fun 

piece of theatre for adults and children 

alike. T: 01865 319450 

Oxford Playhouse 

OX1 2LW 


13 - 17 Feb 

The Little Matchgirl 

2pm & 7.30pm For adults and brave children 

alike, expect music, puppetry, dark magic... 

and perhaps some modern truths. 

T: 01865 305305 

Pegasus Theatre OX4 1RE 

www.pegasustheatre.org.uk 

1 Feb 

Play The World: The Dino Show 

10am Join Emma Boor and a host of puppet 

friends in an interactive installation exploring 

a different world. T: 01865 812150 

8 Feb 

Play The World: Travel and 

Transport 

10am Join Emma Boor and a host of 

puppet friends in an interactive 

installation exploring a different world. 

T: 01865 812150 

20 


21 - 23 Feb 

Penguins 

10am, 1.45pm & 4pm A unique and engaging 

show for children about friendship, fun, 

identity and the ever-changing meaning of 

family. T: 01865 812150 

22 Feb 

Play The World: The Drawy Story 




1 Mar 

Play The World: Building and 

Homes 




8 Mar 

Play The World: Super Space 




15 Mar 

Play The World: Brilliant Birds 




22 Mar 

Play The World: Cat and Mouse 




The Beacon Wantage OX12 

9BX 

www.beaconwantage.co.uk 

16 Feb 

Comedy Club 4 Kids 

1pm Enjoy a selection of the circuit’s best 

stand-ups and sketch acts. T: 01235 763456 

17 Feb 

The LEGO Ninjago Movie 

11am Shunned by everyone for being the 

son of an evil warlord, a teenager seeks to 

defeat him with the help of his fellow ninjas. 

T: 01235 763456 

The Kenton Theatre 

RG9 2BP 

www.kentontheatre.co.uk 

9 - 10 Feb 

The Jungle Book 

11am, 2.30pm & 6pm Join Mowgli and his 

friends, Baloo the bear and Bagheera the 

panther, on a madcap jungle adventure. 

T: 01491 575698 

The Mill Arts Centre 

OX16 5QE 

www.themillartscentre.co.uk 

16 Feb 

Don’t Dribble on 

The Dragon 

2pm Tom is a toddler with a cool older 

brother, a secret dragon… and a dribbling 

problem that just won’t stop! 

T: 01295 279002 

17 Mar 

Jay Foreman’s Disgusting Songs 

for Revolting Children 

2pm The multi award-winning musical 

comedian is back with charmingly sickable 

songs, stories, poems and a whole lot more. 

T: 01295 279002 

The Theatre Chipping 

Norton OX7 5NL 


10 Feb 

Dogs Don’t Do Ballet 

11.30am & 2.30pm Based on the 

award-winning book, the show features 

music, songs, handcrafted puppets and 

Biff, the ballet-dancing dog! 

T: 01608 642350 

17 Mar 

Captain Flinn and the Pirate 

Dinosaurs 2: The Magic Cutlass 

2pm All aboard for a non-stop action packed 

theatrical experience with live music, 

puppetry and dastardly dinosaurs! 

T: 01608 642350 

BOX OFFICE 


win! 

To enter these competitions please go to... 

www.primarytimes.co.uk/oxfordshire/competitions 

or via Facebook at www.facebook.com/primarytimesoxfordshire 

Please like us on facebook 

WIN! Tickets to the 

Sagas of Noggin 

the Nog! 

In the Lands of the North where the black 

rocks stand guard against the cold sea, in the 

dark night that is very long, the Men of the 

Northlands sit around their great log fires 

and they tell a tale . . . of Noggin the Nog! 

Featuring silly Vikings, puppets and live 

music, this playful retelling of the classic 

stories created by Oliver Postgate & Peter 

Firmin is a fun piece of theatre for adults and 

children alike. 

The Sagas of Noggin the Nog takes place at The North Wall on Saturday 24th March at 

11am & 2pm. 

For your chance to win 4 tickets to this production, just answer the following question: 

“What was the name of Oliver Postgate and Pete Firmin’s other famous creation, 

a saggy pink and white cat?” 

Closing date: Fri 2nd March 

WIN! a family day pass! 

Fancy winning a family day pass? All you need to do is name all 

six 360 Play centres in the UK 

Send your entry to competition@360play.co.uk, two winners 

will be picked at random every month throughout 2018!

What is red and invisible? 

No tomatoes 

What do you call 

cheese that isn’t yours? 

Nacho cheese. 

What do you call an 

alligator in a vest? 

An Investigator. 

What do fish play on 

the piano? 

Scales. 

Send jokes to: 

Primary Times 

Oxfordshire 

Schools Publishing Limited 

Unit 1A Thamesview 

Industrial Estate, Newtown 

Road, Henley on Thames 

RG9 1HG

PTOxon_Feb18_lo

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