PTBucks_Feb18_lo

45,000 copies for families of
Primary School Children
Buckinghamshire
& Milton Keynes
FEBRUARY ISSUE N o 98
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 it’s walking
through the snowdrops, enjoying the animals at Green Dragon
Eco Farm, or celebrating the works of Roald Dahl, there are plenty
opportunities for some 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 to enter our competitions, there are lots of great
prizes to be won including a family day pass for Geronimo
Festival and a family pass for 360 Play. 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
/buckinghamshire
www.facebook.com/
primarytimesbuckinghamshire
3 Contents
4 News & Views
6 WOW
12 Party Guide
14 Tuition & Education
16 Box Office
18 Competitions
19 Pinboard
...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: Sue Wintersgill ptbucks@schoolspublishing.co.uk TEL: 01295 750250
Design: Charlotte Morgan
Primary Times in Buckinghamshire, 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/buckinghamshire
Primary Times is independently published and distributed free through national primary schools in Buckinghamshire. 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 Buckinghamshire 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/buckinghamshire | FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue Primary Times 3

news & views
buckinghamshire&mknews
Do you have news to celebrate? We’d love to hear! Email sam@schoolspublishing.co.uk
www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire
Have you, or a loved one, been
affected by cancer?
If so, health and care services in
Buckinghamshire would like your help to
ensure we are delivering the best possible
care for our population.
NHS Aylesbury Vale and NHS Chiltern
Clinical Commissioning Groups are working
with Macmillan Cancer Support to invite
people with experience of cancer to take part
in an online survey.
To give the best possible care and support,
we need you to help us understand what
that looks like and how you think we should
provide it.
Because you have been through it, you
are best placed to tell us what works, what
can be improved, and what specific cancer
support should be available.
And we know that being given the all-clear
does not always mean returning to normal.
When treatment stops you need the right
support to get back on your feet and know
how to spot signs if cancer should return.
Whether you are currently undergoing
treatment, are living after treatment, or if you
have watched a loved one experience cancer,
please let us know your views by completing
our survey - all details will be kept strictly
confidential. www.letstalkhealthbucks.nhs.
uk/consult.ti/cancerservices/
More success for High Wycombe gymnasts
Seven of the Booker Gym Club squad of tumblers attended the Southampton Tumbling
Open in Southampton on 14th January 2018 and came home with 5 medals five of them
were competing for the first time. There were competitors from across the UK.
NDP Level 1 – Keira Middleton Bronze, Lottie Turner Bronze, and Macey Wealleans
completed all her runs on her first
tumbling competition even though she
has been tumbling for only 6 months.
NDP 2 – Ella Catchpole - 4th
NDP 3 – Ryo Punwani - Silver
NDP 4 – Leo Sandoe - Gold
NDP 5 – George Roscoe - Gold
Members of the club are now in training
for the Southern Regional Qualifiers in
February.
www.bookergymclub.co.uk
Wear A Hat Day 2018 – Get Your
Thinking Caps On and Help Raise
Funds to Fight Brain Tumours!
We need you to get involved in Wear A Hat Day – the UK’s
premier brain tumour research fundraising event.
In 2018, it takes place on Thursday 29th March. Don’t
worry if you can’t make it that day, just choose another!
Join in the fun as schools and families across the UK
get involved to help raise funds for research into brain
tumours.
Brain tumours are
indiscriminate; they can
affect anyone at any age.
What’s more, they kill more
children and adults under
the age of 40 than any
other cancer... yet just 1%
of the national spend on
cancer research has been
allocated to this devastating disease.
We are the only national charity in the UK that is
dedicated to raising funds for continuous and sustainable
scientific research into brain tumours.
“Wear A Hat Day is a perfect opportunity to bring the
whole school together and support this game-changing
charity.” – Mr Dan Gross, Deputy Head Curriculum,
Beachborough School.
Register for Wear A Hat Day today at
www.wearahatday.org – it’s very easy and works really well
on mobiles! Once you’ve done that, we’ll send out your
fundraising pack quickly and in the meantime, browse our
online Hatter’s Workshop for ideas and inspiration to make
your event a hattastic fundraising success!
In 2017, individuals, families, schools and other
organisations came together all over the UK, creating
hundreds of fundraising groups and fun-filled events.
Together they raised over £300,000 to fund our vital,
ground-breaking research.
With your help we can double this in 2018. We’re aiming
for £600,000, enough to keep a group of researchers
funded for a year. So please register for Wear A Hat Day
2018 today.
Thank you. Together we will find a cure.
www.wearahatday.org
Green Dragon Eco Farm:
Wildlife Eye Spy Challenge
for Schools!
Get involved in Green Dragon’s plans to build a new wildlife
reserve and enjoy a Wildlife Action Day!
This exciting project to build a wildlife reserve, featuring
birds of prey and mammals, will open in July 2018. The aim is
to educate visitors, particularly schools, about local species
and conservation.
Plans for the zone include large enclosures for the
responsibly-sourced animals, a large viewing and teaching
indoor space for large groups of visitors and schools and
an outdoor display area for flying demonstrations and
talks. For more details go to the website: http://www.
greendragonecofarm.co.uk/crowdfunding-for-wildlife/.
To involve schools in bringing this new wildlife reserve
to fruition, Green Dragon are encouraging them to take
part in a Sponsored Wildlife
Eye Spy Challenge to help
raise funds for the project. In
return, schools are offered a
Wildlife Action Day, where
children will encounter some
of the new animals, explore
the nature trail and take part
in creating other habitats that
will form part of the new reserve.
For schools unable to travel to Green Dragon, a Wildlife
Roadshow is on offer where the staff bring the animals to
school so children can encounter the animals that will be
part of the new wildlife reserve. All schools taking part in
the Wildlife Eye Spy Challenge will receive a certificate and
be included on the Partners board when the project is
complete in July 2018. For more information and to take part
in the Wildlife Eye Spy Challenge, please contact
education@greendragonecofarm.co.uk/01296 670 444.
4
Primary Times FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue | www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire

www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire | FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue Primary Times 5

what's on where
If you are looking for more inspiration,
there are many more events on our website
www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire
Ongoing
Junior Playball
Beacon Sports Centre HP9 1RJ
www.better.org.uk
A junior fitness class where playtime
and activities are incorporated to
develop the child’s skills in a fun
way. Suitable for ages 2-5 years.
Cost £2. Booking essential. Every
Monday. T: 01895 837 334
Trampolining
Beacon Sports Centre HP9 1RJ
www.better.org.uk
Learn the skills and techniques of different
jumps from a fully qualified coach. Cost £5.
Suitable for ages 5+. Booking essential. Every
Tuesday. T: 01895 837 334
Yucky You Show
The Look Out Discovery Centre RG12 7QW
www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk
A disgustingly entertaining live science show.
During weekends only. Cost £1.95 per person.
T: 01344 354400
Until 5 Feb
Stowedrops and Spring Flowers
Stowe Landscape Gardens MK18 5EQ
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe
As spring develops walk around the corner
to find pockets of daffodils covering the hills,
Wood and Blue anemones on the rocky banks,
Turks head tulips, Crocuses, Snake’s head and
imperial fritillaries and Aconites to name a few,
sitting in the backdrop of Grecian style temples.
10am – 4pm. This event is free, but normal
admission charges apply for the venue.
Until 1 March
Snowdrop Walks
Cliveden SL6 0JA
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden
Follow the snowdrops around the estate on
a self-led walk. The best clusters of snowdrops
are expected at Blenheim Lawn, Stable Bank
and Ilex Grove (weather depending). Please
call in advance to confirm the status of the
snowdrops. No booking required. Free event
(admission applies) T:01628 605069
2 – 3 Feb
Tiny Talk Time:
The Hungry Caterpillar
Wycombe Museum HP13 6PX
www.wycombemuseum.org.uk
Stories, trails and craft activities. Booking
essential. Cost £3 per child.
T: 01494 957210
Don’t forget to
say you saw it in
Primary Times!
2 – 4 Feb
Sensational Snowdrops
Claydon House MK18 2EY
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Discover beautiful snowdrops as you
explore this winter wonderland.
Cost £6 adults, £3 children.
T: 01296 730349
3 Feb
Make a Monster Cave
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
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
For all children with or without a disability.
Booking essential. T: 01844 338380
Chess Club
Burnham Library SL1 7HR
www.buckscc.gov.uk
All ages welcome. Free event every Saturday
until 24th March. T: 01296 382415
Kids Craft Club
Burnham Library SL1 7HR
www.buckscc.gov.uk
Have fun with crafts. Suitable for ages 5-11
years. Free event. Also on Sat 17th Feb.:
01296 382415
Children’s Crafts
Haddenham Community Library HP17 8EE
www.buckscc.gov.uk
Fantastic free craft session for children where
we make things celebrating upcoming events
and celebrations. No need to book. Each
Saturday until 24th February. T: 01296 382415
Lego Club
Haddenham Community Library HP17 8EE
www.buckscc.gov.uk
An opportunity for budding architects to
build something incredible with like-minded
children. Runs every Saturday until 24th
February.
Saturday Storytime and Crafts
Amersham Library HP6 5AH
www.buckscc.gov.uk
Stories and Crafts to celebrate libraries! Each
Saturday until 24th February.
T: 01296 382415
4 Feb
Family Friendly Guided
Woodland Walk
Hodgemoor Woods HP7 0JX
www.bucksfamilyinfo.org
Become a nature detective. Explore the woods
and learn to identify the trees and plants by
looking at the shapes of leaves and feeling the
bark. Hunt for animal trails and signs of who
has been foraging in the woods. Free event,
booking essential. T: 07956 650 404
6 Feb
Toddler Tuesday Paper Dolls
Stowe Landscape Gardens MK18 5EQ
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe
Drop by the cafe for fun toddler activities and
meet other families in our local community.
Create your own beautiful paper dolls, inspired
by Julia Donaldson’s story. Let your little one
listen to the story and explore the Farmhouse
garden trail. Have a relaxed catch up in a cafe
with your friends whilst the little ones play
with our wooden toys and books. Baby change,
bottle warmers, microwave and family-friendly
facilities on site. 10.30 -12 noon.
8 Feb
Incredible Insects
Henley Library RG9 2DH
www.rrm.co.uk
Join the River & Rowing Museum for themed
object handling, fun craft and stories for all the
family. Free event. Booking recommended. T:
01865 815278
10 Feb
Daily Beasts
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
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
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
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
10 – 11 Feb
Sensational Snowdrops
Claydon House MK18 2EY
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Discover beautiful snowdrops as you explore
this winter wonderland. Cost £6 adults, £3
children. T: 01296 730349
10 – 17 Feb
Children’s Half Term Activities
Buckingham Old Gaol
www.buckinghamoldgaol.org.uk
Pop into the Old Gaol and participate in our
quiz, designed to challenge young minds on our
current WW1 Exhibition. Arts and crafts
on the terrace. 50p supplement
to standard child’s admission.
10am – 3pm
10 – 18 Feb
Fresh February Fun
Odds Farm Park HP10 0LX
www.oddsfarm.co.uk
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
We check
listings carefully but
event details and prices
may be subject to change.
Please always check
with the venue.
Alphabet ‘I Spy’ in the Gardens
Waterperry Gardens OX33 1JZ
www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
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
Love Your Pets
Green Dragon Eco Farm MK18 3LA
www.greendragonecofarm.co.uk
Green Dragon celebrates the animals in its care
from the rare breeds farm animals to those in
Pets’ Corner. Over February Half-term there’ll be
a special ‘Love Your Pets’ theme involving all our
furry friends and cold-blooded creatures. We’ll
have a variety of educational and fun experiences
including Q & A sessions, pet care workshops,
and a special programme of encounters for
hands-on interaction with all the pets, including
the farm animals. Farm admission applies: Adult
£8, Child £7. T: 01296 670444.
10 Feb – 21 April
Elisabeth Frink Sculptures
Bucks County Museum HP20 2QP
www.buckscountymuseum.org
A fabulous opportunity to see sculptures of
animals, heads and human figures by the
famous 20th century artist, Elisabeth Frink,
who is well known for her life-sized sculpture
of a black horse outside Lloyds Bank in Milton
Keynes. T:01296 331441
11 Feb
Half Term Steam Train Rides
Bucks Railway Centre HP224BY
www.bucksrailcentre.org
Miniature Railway, Visitor Centre, Railway
Museum, cafe and shop all open! See website
for details or call 01296 655720.
A Beastly Party
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
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
Especially FUR You
Hula Animal Rescue MK17 8HZ
www.hularescue.org
Open afternoon. T: 01908 584000
2gether
St Michaels and All Angels Parish Church
HP6 5DR www.stmichaelsamersham.org.uk
Crafts, song and dance. T: 01494 726680
Snowdrop Walk
West Wycombe Park HP14 3AJ
www.westwycombeestate.co.uk
Enjoy a walk in beautiful scenery of West
Wycombe Park and plant snowdrops in
support of Child Bereavement UK, then join
us for tea and cake afterwards! Snowdrops
are available for purchase on the day
and charity staff and volunteers
will be on hand to help with
the planting at The Temple of
Venus within the park. Hot
food and refreshments will be
available from West Wycombe
Village Hall at the end of the
walk, where some extra children’s
activities will also be taking place
including colouring and puzzle building. 11am
- 4pm (last entry 3pm) £2.50 adults | under 16s
& concessions £1.50 (under 3s FREE) Children’s
Treasure Trail £1
6
Primary Times FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue | www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire

what's on where
12 Feb
Rhythm, Rap and Rhyme with
Neal Zetter
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
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
Pottery Elephants & Rhinos
Queens Park Arts Centre HP21 7RT
www.qpc.org
Have fun making these wonderful and powerful
creatures out of clay. Suitable for ages 7+ years.
Cost £20, members £18. Booking essential.
T: 01296 424332
12 – 13 Feb
Static Day
Bucks Railway Centre HP224BY
www.bucksrailcentre.org
Reduced prices as although no train rides are
offered, the Visitor Centre and Railway Museum
will be open, and visitors are free to wander the
site at their leisure. Reduced prices. Self-service
hot and cold drinks and snacks only.
12 – 16 Feb
Hibernating Hedgehogs
Hughenden Manor HP14 4LA
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Make a woodland creature in its own
hibernation house. Cost £3. T: 01494 755573
Spring Half Term
MK Museum MK12 5EL
www.miltonkeynesmuseum.org.uk
Plenty of activities to entertain the children
during the half term holidays.
T: 01908 316222
February Half Term Trail
Ashridge Estate HP4 1LT
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Follow the trail to learn more about the history
of Ashridge and the people who have lived here
though the ages. Cost £3 per child.
T: 01442 851 227
Feb Half Term Playscheme
Jonathan Page Play Centre HP19 9HH
www.aylesburytowncouncil.gov.uk/jppc
What is one child’s junk is another one’s
treasure. Throughout half term we will be
embarking on various junk modelling projects
including building our own giant house,
cameras and robots, all made from recyclable
materials. Fantasy knows no boundaries. Our
experienced staff are also planning lots of fun
games and, as always, the children can choose
between free play, making use of the many
toys and games available or take part in the
structured activities.
13 Feb
Boggled Box Beasts
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
In this junk modelling session, you will make
your own crodswolloping creature, adding
different patterns and textures for amazing
effects! Cost £3 per person. Suitable for ages
4+. Booking essential. T: 01494 892192
Discovery and Make:
Flicker and Flash
Wycombe Museum HP13 6PX
www.wycombemuseum.org.uk
Learn about electricity circuits and wire your
own working model that will light up and
flash with a flick of a switch! Cost £3.50.
Booking recommended. T: 01494 957210
Den Building
Black Park SL3 6DS www.buckscc.gov.uk
Have a go at building your own den in Black
Park by the campfire. When you’re finished,
enjoy toasted marshmallows and hot drinks
in your den! Family friendly; online booking
essential. Cost £16.50 per family.
Snowflake Owls
Queens Park Arts Centre HP21 7RT
www.qpc.org
Make a beautiful flying owl, touched by
winter frost, but filled with love. Suitable
for ages 7+ years. Cost £20, members £18.
Booking essential. T: 01296 424332
Marvellous Masks
Bucks County Museum HP20 2QP
www.buckscountymuseum.org
Design your own face mask. Drop in 10am
and 12 noon or 1pm and 3pm. £3 per child.
No need to book. All children must be
accompanied by an adult. T: 01296 331441
13 – 15 Feb
Think, Make, Do….Cyber
Bletchley Park MK3 6EB
www.bletchleypark.org.uk
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
Crockadowndilly Pots
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of The
Enormous Crocodile by making your own
croc-tastic clay pot. Cost £3 per person.
Suitable for ages 4+. Booking essential.
T: 01494 892192
Wild Wednesday Feathery Friends
Stowe Landscape Gardens MK18 5EQ
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe
Join the wild team to learn more about
our feathery friends, collect your own bird
spotting guide and make a bird feeder to
take home. How many birds will you spot?
Receive a sticker for completing one of your
‘50 Things’ - go bird watching and take home
your own ‘50 Things’ scrapbook. 10.30am
– 12noon.
Kid’s Crochet Workshop
Wycombe Museum HP13 6PX
www.wycombemuseum.org.uk
Work on a fun, bright project - a bracelet
or keyring - and take home whatever
you make. Cost £5.50. Booking essential.
Suitable for ages 5+ years. T: 01494 957210
Secret Keepsake Books
Bucks County Museum HP20 2QP
www.buckscountymuseum.org
Decorate your own keepsake book to keep
your treasures in. Drop in 10am and 12 noon
or 1pm and 3pm. £3 per child. No need to
book. All children must be accompanied by
an adult. T:01296 331441
Half Term Steam Train Rides
Bucks Railway Centre HP224BY
www.bucksrailcentre.org
Miniature Railway, Visitor Centre, Railway
Museum, cafe and shop all open! See website
for details or call 01296 655720.
Bushcraft
Black Park SL3 6DS www.buckscc.gov.uk
Learn woodland bushcraft skills including fire
lighting, whittling and wood splitting. Family
friendly; online booking essential. Cost £25.50
for 1 adult and 1 child.
Pottery Squirrels
Queens Park Arts Centre HP21 7RT
www.qpc.org
Spring will soon be spring so we’re sculpting
some super squirrels! Suitable for ages 7+
years. Cost £20, members £18. Booking
essential. T: 01296 424332
15 Feb
Reptile Roadshow
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
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
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
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
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Put your orienteering skills to the test with a
compass and map. Cost £4. T: 01494 755573
Discovery and Make:
Flicker and Flash
Wycombe Museum HP13 6PX
www.wycombemuseum.org.uk
Learn about electricity circuits and wire your
own working model that will light up and flash
with a flick of a switch! Cost £3.50. Booking
recommended. T: 01494 957210
Cally’s Board Game Evening
Wycombe Museum HP13 6PX
www.wycombemuseum.org.uk
Bring your family and friends to play Cally
Trench’s original board games, including
Gravestones and Dry Bones. Cost £3.50 adults,
children 50p. T: 01494 957210
Golden Fish and the Marmalade Cat
Queens Park Arts Centre HP21 7RT
www.qpc.org
Marmalade Cat has a moving head and a golden
friend on a fishing rod – purrfect for playing
with furry friends! Suitable for ages 7+ years.
Cost £20, members £18. Booking essential.
T: 01296 424332
Imaginarium Art Attack
Bucks County Museum HP20 2QP
www.buckscountymuseum.org
Be inspired to create your own work of art on
canvas. Drop in 10am and 12 noon or 1pm and
3pm. £3 per child. No need to book. All children
must be accompanied by an adult.
T:01296 331441
16 Feb
Crockadowndilly Pots
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of The
Enormous Crocodile by making your own
croc-tastic clay pot. Cost £3 per person.
Suitable for ages 4+. Booking essential.
T: 01494 892192
Tots Go Wild
Black Park SL3 6DS www.buckscc.gov.uk
Outdoor session for toddlers with older
siblings welcome for half term. Cost £6.50
per child. Online booking essential.
17 Feb
Muggled Up Beasts
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
Make giant-sized beast body parts that we’ll
assemble into a huge mix-n-match beast
generator. Cost £3 per person. Suitable for
ages 4+. Booking essential.
T: 01494 892192
Cinderella Youth Dance Workshop
Milton Keynes Theatre MK9 3NZ
www.atgtickets.com
This fantastic workshop will give you an
opportunity to experience New Adventures
repertoire and take part in creative tasks
with leading dancers from The company.
Suitable for ages 8-13 years.
T: 0844 871 7652
Risex 2018 Model Railway Exhibition
Princes Risborough Community Centre
HP27 9AX www.rdmrc.org.uk
Annual display from local enthusiasts.
View 9 layouts, enjoy demonstrations and
light refreshments. Admission Adults £4,
children £2.
Messy Church
St Michaels and All Angels Parish Church
HP6 5DR www.stmichaelsamersham.org.uk
A fun, informal activity for all the family
combining creative activities and biblical
teaching. T: 01494 726680
Rock and Fossil Day
Bucks County Museum HP20 2QP
www.buckscountymuseum.org
Explore hands-on displays of rocks and
fossils, meet experts and bring along your
own specimens for identification. Family
fun. Entry by donation. T:01296 331441
17 – 18 Feb
Daily Beasts
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
Help complete a crodswoggling creature
inspired by the beasts in Roald Dahl’s books.
Free with museum entry. T: 01494 892192
Snowdrop Weekend
Waterperry Gardens OX33 1JZ
www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
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
Sensational Snowdrops
Claydon House MK18 2EY
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Discover beautiful snowdrops as you explore
this winter wonderland. Cost £6 adults, £3
children. T: 01296 730349
8
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www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire | FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue Primary Times 9

what's on where
18 Feb
Mideous Masks
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
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
Open Sunday
Linford Lakes MK14 5AH www.theparkstrust.com
Join the Friends of Linford Lakes for the monthly
open day at the nature reserve. Free event.
T: 01908 255379
Half Term Steam Train Rides
Bucks Railway Centre HP224BY
www.bucksrailcentre.org
Miniature Railway, Visitor Centre, Railway
Museum, cafe and shop all open! See website for
details or call 01296 655720.
20 Feb
Conserving Wildlife in Milton Keynes
Great Missenden Memorial Centre HP16 9AE
www.bbowt.org.uk
How do you conserve 6,000 acres of green space
in a city of quarter of a million people? Twenty
five percent of Milton Keynes consists of parks,
river valleys, woodland, lakes, 130 ponds along
with 135 acres of wildflower meadows and 80
miles of landscaped roadside. Martin Kincaid
Biodiversity Officer of The Parks Trust, Milton
Keynes and his team runs over 200 diverse
events each year. Hear how Martin balances the
sensitive needs of both people and wildlife in
an area of high population density. £3 donation
on entry.
23 – 24 Feb
Tiny Talk Time: Elmer
Wycombe Museum HP13 6PX
www.wycombemuseum.org.uk
Stories, trails and craft activities. Booking
essential. Cost £3 per child. T: 01494 957210
24 Feb
Rhythm, Rap and Rhyme with Neal Zetter
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
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
24 – 25 Feb
Snowdrop Weekend
Waterperry Gardens OX33 1JZ
www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
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
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
Make giant-sized beast body parts that we’ll
assemble into a huge mix-n-match beast
generator. Cost £3 per person. Suitable for ages
4+. Booking essential. T: 01494 892192
1 March
Roaming on the River
Henley Library RG9 2DH
www.rrm.co.uk
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 March
World Book Day Celebrations
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
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
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
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
Kids Craft Club
Burnham Library SL1 7HR www.buckscc.gov.uk
Have fun with crafts. Suitable for ages 5-11
years. Free event. Also on Sat 17th March.
T: 01296 382415
Children’s Crafts
Haddenham Community Library HP17 8EE
www.buckscc.gov.uk
Fantastic free craft session for children where
we make things celebrating upcoming events
and celebrations. No need to book. Runs every
Saturday until 24th February. T: 01296 382415
Lego Club
Haddenham Community Library HP17 8EE
www.buckscc.gov.uk
An opportunity for budding architects to
build something incredible with like-minded
children. Runs every Saturday until 24th
March.
3 – 4 March
World Book Day weekend
Stowe Landscape Gardens
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe
A weekend of fun to celebrate books. Visit the
children’s book fair, listen to some story telling
in the Parlour Rooms and bring in your £1
token to claim your free book in the shop.
4 March
Family Friendly Guided
Woodland Walk
Hodgemoor Woods HP7 0JX
www.bucksfamilyinfo.org
Become a nature detective. Explore the
woods and learn to identify the trees and
plants by looking at the shapes of leaves and
feeling the bark. Hunt for animal trails and
signs of who has been foraging in the woods.
Free event, booking essential.
T: 07956 650 404
Sir Ramics Mother’s Day Pottery
Painting Event
The Reading Room, Husborne Crawley,
MK43 OXB www.sirramics.co.uk
Paint your own bespoke Mother’s Day gift and
have it glazed and fired in time for Mother’s
Day. Prices between £5 - £14 inclusive of the
glaze and firing 2.30pm – 4.30pm.
T: 07474575976 or e-mail
sirramics@yahoo.com.
10
Primary Times FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue | www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire

9 – 10 March
Tiny Talk Time: Old MacDonald’s Farm
Wycombe Museum HP13 6PX
www.wycombemuseum.org.uk
Stories, trails and craft activities. Booking
essential. Cost £3 per child.
T: 01494 957210
10 March
Make a Mother’s Day Gift
Wycombe Museum HP13 6PX
www.wycombemuseum.org.uk
Make a crocheted gift for Mother’s Day. Cost
£5.50. Booking essential. Suitable for ages
5+ years. T: 01494 957210
10 -11 March
Mother’s Day Weekend
Gullivers Land MK15 0DT
Mums go FREE throughout Mother’s Day
Weekend when accompanied by at least
one full paying person. This special offer
is available at Gulliver’s Milton Keynes on
the Saturday and the Sunday. Experience
a wonderful weekend that’s full of family
rides, shows and attractions. Gully and the
gang will be here to help you create some
magical memories that mum can treasure.
Book your theme park tickets in advance
today and save even more on your big day
out! Visitors are welcome to take their own
lunches to enjoy in the picnic areas and
parking is free.
11 March
Tea-rrific Mums Tea Party
Hula Animal Rescue MK17 8HZ
www.hularescue.org
Open afternoon to celebrate Mother’s Day.
T: 01908 584000
2gether
St Michaels and All Angels Parish Church
HP6 5DR
www.stmichaelsamersham.org.uk
Crafts, song and dance. T: 01494 726680
17 March
Messy Church
St Michaels and All Angels Parish Church
HP6 5DR
www.stmichaelsamersham.org.uk
A fun, informal activity for all the family
combining creative activities and biblical
teaching. T: 01494 726680
18 March
Boggled Box Beasts
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
In this junk modelling session, you will make
your own crodswolloping creature, adding
different patterns and textures for amazing
effects! Cost £3 per person. Suitable for ages
4+. Booking essential. T: 01494 892192
Mad Science
Wycombe Museum HP13 6PX
www.wycombemuseum.org.uk
Join the mad scientist’s workshops to
celebrate British Science Week. Suitable
for ages 6+. Tickets £10 per child.
T: 01494 957210
Open Sunday
Linford Lakes MK14 5AH
www.theparkstrust.com
Join the Friends of Linford Lakes for the
monthly open day at the nature reserve. Free
event. T: 01908 255379
23 – 24 March
Tiny Talk Time: Billy’s Beetle
Wycombe Museum HP13 6PX
www.wycombemuseum.org.uk
Stories, trails and craft activities. Booking
essential. Cost £3 per child. T: 01494 957210
24 March
Mideous Masks
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
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
26 March
Mother’s Day Walk and Afternoon Tea
Abbots View Alpacas HP22 4NF
www.abbottsviewalpacas.co.uk
Treat mum to an up close and personal visit
to meet the awesome Alpacas then enjoy a
delicious afternoon tea. Booking essential.
T: 07989 063595
28 March
Nature Explorers
Howe Park Wood MK4 3GG
www.theparkstrust.com
Join the rangers for an exploration of the
Woods. Online booking essential. Cost £3 per
child.
29 March
Wear a Hat Day 2018
www.braintumourresearch.org
Grab your favourite hat and raise funds to
bring us closer to a cure for brain tumours. Take
part with your school, workplace or simply
at home with family and friends – either on
Thursday 29th March or on any day during the
month. Visit the website to download posters,
order merchandise and check out our fantastic
fundraising tips!
30 March
Awesome Aerial Art
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
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 March
Fly a Kicksy Kite
Roald Dahl Museum HP16 0AL
www.roalddahl.com
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
3 – 13 April
Holiday Camps
Booker Gym Club HP12 4UE
www.bookergymclub.co.uk
Learn all aspects of gymnastics including floor,
beam, bars, tumble, vault and rings plus fun
and activities such as rhythmic gymnastics,
circus skills, dodge ball and parachute. Day
sessions run for 3 yrs old to 10 yrs old from
10am – 3pm, costing £25 per session including
a cooked lunch. Additional siblings are a
reduced price of £20 per session. Option to
drop off early at 9am for an additional £3.50.
Bookings are available for single days or whole
weeks. T: 01494 471566 or e-mail:
gym@hwjc.co.uk
www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire | FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue Primary Times 11

360 Play is great for birthday parties. We understand the
work involved when you want to organise that special family
event and want everything to be just right. Our 360 parties
have been designed to give you time to enjoy the experience
while we do the work. Enjoy your Birthday Party here with us
and experience a fantastic party atmosphere.
From the start to the end your party host will be on hand to
make sure it’s a great party – from eating all together in one
big party room with lots of ‘Happy Birthday’ singing to the
cake cutting to create a magical day. Our very own resident
characters – Twizzle and Twirl – love a good party, so expect
a visit from one of them too!
We have designed 3 different types of party to suit
everyone’s needs, and they are available at all of our centres
in Basildon, Farnborough, Leicester, Milton Keynes, Redditch
and Stevenage. Each one has been carefully developed to
cater for different requirements.
Our three types of parties are:
360 Party
Toddler Party
After school party
To book your party it’s easy, pop into the
centre or call our party bookings team on
01908 247170 or visit our website
www.360play.co.uk/birthdayparties/
Party With Stagecoach in 2018!
We all know that birthdays are
a thing to be celebrated and at
Stagecoach we understand that
you want the best day planned
with the least amount of fuss.
So let us help you make your
little ones’ day extra special.
We offer special designed
themed parties for ages
4-10years where we come and take care of the party from start
to finish ensuring that the birthday person and their guests have
the most wonderful time. For ages 11-16 why not try one of our
fabulous Murder Mystery Parties? For more information call your
local Stagecoach Party provider :
Stagecoach Beaconsfield, Georgina McCann,
01494 776668, 07795 157014,
beaconsfield@stagecoach.co.uk
Stagecoach Amersham, Lara Sheppard,
01494 565402, amersham@stagecoach.co.uk
Stagecoach Thame, Nicky Goodwin,
01865 763767, thame@stagecoach.co.uk
Birthday Parties @ The Railway
Buckinghamshire Railway Centre hold children’s parties on Sundays
(and some Wednesdays) when they have steam train rides running!
Parties are for a minimum of 8 children, the cost is £15 per child,
which includes: a full day entry to The Railway from 10.30am –
5.00pm (4.30pm on Weds). The children’s party menu consists of
a selection of sandwiches on white/brown bread, mini sausage rolls,
chicken nuggets, crisps, mini sausages, vegetable sticks, fairy cakes,
ice cream sundae, squash/water. A dedicated area for the party
meal with balloons and decorations; unlimited steam train rides for
all children and adults; A special ride for the birthday
child upfront with the driver plus one adult (subject
to availability and at the discretion of the crew) as
well as a miniature train ride for each full paying party
child. (Extra adults and children 3+ can buy a ride
for £1 a head at the miniature train ride ticket office
- subject to availability). First two adults admitted
free and other accompanying adults or siblings (over
5 years old) are £8 each for entry to The Railway
(excludes food and miniature train ride). Food can
be purchased from the café. See the website for
all the details www.bucksrailcentre.org or call
(01296) 655720.
Party
Green Dragon Eco Farm: New VIP
Birthday Parties at 2017 prices!
Parties at Green Dragon are so popular with visitors as they’re such
fun and value for money. For 2018, there is a Special Promotion
for VIP Party Packages – if you book before 20th March, the price
is £13.95 per child, as last year. The new package includes an
exclusive animal encounter, farm tour,
feed for the animals, freshly prepared
party food with animal masks and jelly
& ice-cream in our New VIP Party Barn
space in the soft play barn.
For more details or to book, contact
the Events Coordinator on
events@greendragonecofarm.co.uk
or 01296 670444.
Discover great value birthday packages at Gulliver’s
Theme Parks. There’s a huge selection of birthday
experiences to choose from including indoor attractions and
theme parks based options. Explore action-packed activities
such as NERF Zone and Splash Zone or enjoy a great
selection of rides with their classic theme park packages.
Don’t miss the chance to save 20% on 2018 birthday
packages using online code PTM20.
Book your birthday party package
before 28th February 2018 to take
advantage of this amazing offer. Subject
to availability.
Visit www.gulliversbirthdays.
co.uk and find the perfect celebration
for your little one.
Birthday Parties at
Odds Farm Park
Everybody loves an Odds Farm Park
party! Odds Farm party packages
have everything you need and much,
much more!
For just £19.95 per child, a
children’s party at Odds Farm Park
includes all day farm entry and exclusive, private hire of a stylishly
themed party room for 2½ hours, including fabulous party food and
party bags and complete with a docking station for your own music,
animal masks, downloadable party invitations and animal feed for the
goats and sheep. All you need to bring are the children and the cake!
Plus, enjoy FREE Admission for 1 Adult for every Child’s place
booked and complimentary tea and coffee for the grown-ups!
Odds Farm Park also offer a 2 Hour After School Party package
which is available from 3.30pm, Monday to Friday during South Bucks
Term Time for just £13.95 per child.
Odds Farm Park is located just minutes from Junction 2 of the M40,
near Beaconsfield. For more information including full party terms and
conditions and to book visit www.oddsfarm.co.uk/
12
Primary Times FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue | www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire

Guide
Brilliant birthday
parties in the Roald
Dahl Children’s
Gallery
Experience something different with
a birthday in the unique setting of
the Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery
and Bucks County Museum in Aylesbury. The Gallery is full of
exhibits inspired by Roald Dahl’s wonderful stories – you can
crawl along Fantastic Mr Fox’s tunnel, go inside the Giant Peach,
explore sound with the BFG, discover inventions with Willy Wonka
and ride in the Great Glass Elevator.
The 2-hour party led by a Party Host which includes a one-hour
fun session in the Roald Dahl Children’s Gallery followed by a
craft activity with a Roald Dahl theme and scrumptious party food.
They provide party bags, too, so you can sit back and enjoy the
day. If you would like to find out more about how to make your day
special please email admin1@buckscountymuseum.org, call
01296 331441 or visit www.buckscountymuseum.org
www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire | FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue Primary Times 13

Tutoring &
Give your child the gift of
creativity with Stagecoach
Performing Arts!
Did you know that children who engage in the arts are three
times more likely to get a degree, 20 times more likely to vote
in local and general elections and have increased cognitive
abilities? So why wait?
Stagecoach Performing Arts offers quality training in
Performing Arts for children aged 4 – 18. Early Stages classes
(4 – 6) run for 90 minutes and develop performing skills
through games, plays and lots of fun.
Main School classes (6 – 18) run for 3 hours and focus on
singing, dance and drama with industry professional teachers
who are passionate about every child, whether they want to
become the next West End star or learn a new skill whilst
making lifelong friends.
Stagecoach classes are available throughout
Buckinghamshire, with classes running mid-week and at
weekends, please contact local Principal for days and class
availability, or visit the website. Places are in high demand
and are strictly limited – call now to avoid disappointment!
See our ad on page 3 for all the details for classes.
Amersham
01491 565402
amersham@stagecoach.co.uk
Aylesbury
01296 747758
aylesbury@stagecoach.co.uk
Beaconsfield
07795 157014
beaconsfield@stagecoach.co.uk
High Wycombe
01494 533203
highwycombe@stagecoach.co.uk
Henley and Marlow
01494 533203
henleyandmarlow@stagecoach.co.uk
Milton Keynes
01908 698333
miltonkeynes@stagecoach.co.uk
Thame
01865 763767
thame@stagecoach.co.uk
www.stagecoach.co.uk
Improve 11+ Vocabulary
in a Flash
Farquhar’s Vocabulary Flash Cards have been specifically
created to improve children’s verbal reasoning skills
and ultimately help them succeed in the 11+ Entrance
Examination.
This comprehensive resource includes 5 distinct packs,
each with 200 key words plus over 1,000 synonyms. Levels
1 and 2 provide the foundations of a broad vocabulary,
Opposites 1 and 2 focus on synonyms and antonyms. The
Compound pack helps children recognise the range of words
which can be joined to form a new correctly spelt word,
which may require a change of pronunciation or emphasis
(these can be very hard to spot without practice).
For more information visit:
www.vocabularyflashcards.co.uk
Pen & Ink Tuition
The Bucks 11+ Test has changed. There is a different assessment
company now running the test. So it is even more important to ensure
that your child is able to read challenging texts, learn a huge variety
of vocabulary and knows how to answer the many different Verbal
Reasoning questions that could appear in the test. They should also be
competent at mental calculations, know their times tables by heart and
understand the intricacies of the Non-Verbal reasoning pictures and
patterns. This is where we can help you to help them. We teach the
children in very small groups in our bright, well-resourced classroom
in Chesham. Most of all we believe that learning should be fun.
Please contact us to come and visit, have a free assessment, or a trial
lesson. Our website is www.penandinktuition.co.uk. Phone us on
01494 773300, Email: penny@penandinktuition.co.uk
Elevenology wizTeach TM
Methodology
Elevenology was established in 2013, expanding from home
to school based group teaching, with centres in Milton Keynes,
Luton and, starting September 2018, in Aylesbury. Since then we
have been teaching, guiding and inspiring pupils to be ready to
surmount any obstacle.
In the last five years, Buckinghamshire and its Grammar
Schools have gone through many changes regarding the
management of the 11 plus transfer test. Students sitting the test
from 2019 onwards are in the midst of another major change,
which may further concern parents supporting their child through
the preparation process. Our team has tirelessly worked on
acquiring a deep knowledge of the 11 plus to support both parents
and students throughout this.
Over the years, Elevenology has built its reputation on trust,
commitment and competence. We specialise in core primary and
secondary subjects such as: English & Creative Writing, Verbal
Reasoning, Mathematics, Spatial & Visual Awareness and much
more. We provide support for pupils between the ages of 7 and
12 who are sitting the various 11+ examination boards CEM, GL,
Independent and the super-selective schools, e.g. Tiffin.
We offer courses for pupils of all abilities run by teachers with
specialised degrees (including Masters and Doctorates) from
international and national universities providing in-depth teaching
best practice and skills. Our courses, the teaching and the tailored
materials are based on our unique methodology, wizTeach,
which is the primary knowledge-base enabling the students to
achieve the required skills and succeed in their tests, and beyond.
14
Primary Times FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue | www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire

Education
Green Dragon Eco Farm:
‘Love your pets’ Half-term event
10th to 18th February
Year round, Green Dragon celebrates the animals in its care from the rare breeds farm animals
to those in Pets’ Corner. Over February Half-term there’ll be a special ‘Love Your Pets’ theme
involving all our furry friends and cold-blooded creatures. We’ll have a variety of educational
and fun experiences including Q & A sessions, pet care workshops, and a special programme of
encounters for hands-on interaction with all the pets, including the farm animals.
Farm admission applies: Adult £8, Child £7. For more details, please contact events@
greendragonecofarm.co.uk or ring 01296 670444.
Radley College
Radley offers an environment for boys to grow in self-confidence,
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
Brand New Bucks 11+ Practice
from CGP!
With even more new releases for spring 2018, Educational
Publisher CGP’s hugely popular 11+ range now includes more
practice than ever before. A brand new pack of Practice Test
Papers for the Buckinghamshire Secondary Transfer Test
joins CGP’s existing range of Study Guides, Practice Books
and 10-Minute Tests. The latest arrivals are sure to continue
winning over pupils, parents and tutors alike.
CGP’s uniquely friendly and accessible 11+ books offer
pupils in-depth coverage of every 11+ subject for all major
test providers — including the new Secondary Transfer
Tests in Buckinghamshire. By providing the
most realistic practice possible (and clear
explanations of every answer), CGP helps
pupils build the skills and confidence they
need to succeed in the real tests.
The full CGP 11+ range for ages 7-11 is
available at www.cgp11plus.co.uk — as
well as from Amazon, Waterstones, WHSmith
and other good bookshops. Pre-order the
new Bucks Practice Papers from CGP today!
11+ Mock Exams for the new Buckinghamshire 11+ tests
Susan Daughtrey M.Ed is currently preparing five new sets of
‘GL-style’ 11+ mock exams specifically for September 2018
Buckinghamshire 11+ candidates.
Susan Daughtrey M.Ed’s new test papers include (for
each of our five Mock Exam Sessions), for Test Paper 1,
Comprehension, Technical English (proof reading), Cloze and
the ‘21 types’ of Verbal Reasoning question. Test Paper 2 (there
are two tests at each Mock Exam Session, like the real 11+ day)
includes Non-Verbal Reasoning, Spatial Reasoning and Maths
questions.
The tests will be presented in a similar format to GL
Assessment® tests which are already used in other 11+ counties
where GL Assessment® is the test provider, such as Kent (and
where Susan Daughtrey Education already offers GL-style 11+
Mock Exams). We will also draw on our 25 years’ experience
preparing children for the Buckinghamshire GL Assessment®
tests which were used until 2013 (GL Assessment® used to
provide a Verbal Reasoning test for Buckinghamshire prior to
2013).
The tests will be multiple-choice and candidates will be
instructed to record their answers on a separate multiplechoice
answer sheet which we will mark electronically using our
Optical Mark Reader (OMR).
We will continue to use audio administration (pre-recorded
audio instructions) and some of the tests will comprise
individually timed sections.
The series of five Mock Exams (Sessions A – E) have been
carefully timed (starting after Easter) to coincide with your
child’s final preparation for the September 2018 11+ tests.
After each session, you will be provided with detailed feedback
(comprising a Letter to Parents, a Record Table and an
anonymised List of Scores) enabling you to identify your
child’s strengths and weaknesses in a real test environment,
as well as giving your child formal exam room experience (an
essential part of your child’s 11+ preparation). In addition, you
will also be provided with a link to an online video tutorial
(20-30 minutes in length) where Susan reviews carefully
selected questions from the actual SDE mock tests (showing
the question, the technique your child should have applied and
the correct answer to the question). This is to enable your child
to improve future exam performance.
It is hoped that your child’s attendance at the Susan
Daughtrey Mock Exams will significantly help your child with
their 11+ preparation and enable them to approach the day of the
real 11+ tests with a high level of confidence.
www.susandaughtreyeducation.com
www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire | FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue Primary Times 15

BOX OFFICE
BoxOffice
Your family theatre guide...
0231512
0231513
TICKET
TICKET
Aylesbury Waterside
Theatre
HP20 1UG www.atgtickets.com
Box Office: 0844 871 7627
30 Jan - 3 Feb
George’s Marvellous Medicine
Various Times. Come along to see Roald
Dahl’s treasured tale brought to phizzwhizzing
life!
Milton Keynes Theatre
MK9 3NZ www.atgtickets.com
Box Office: 0844 871 7652
13 - 17 Feb
Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella
2.30pm & 7.30pm Matthew Bourne’s
interpretation of the classic fairy tale, has,
at its heart, a true war-time romance. A
chance meeting results in a magical night for
Cinderella and her dashing young RAF pilot.
Stantonbury Theatre
MK14 6BN
www.stantonburytheatre.co.uk
Box Office: 01908 324466
7 - 9 Feb
Footloose
7.30pm Newcomer, Ren, convinces the
Reverend to let the town’s teenagers dance,
and in the process helps the town to heal
from a tragedy that affected them all.
11 Feb
Journey To The Impossible
7.30pm A coming-of-age quest featuring
epic songs, cinematic storytelling and hip
hop dance.
12 Feb
Pandora’s Box
7.30pm An eerie forest, an abandoned palace
and a mystery woman who holds the keys to
the universe.
15 - 17 Feb
Oliver
2.30pm & 7.30pm The streets of
Victorian England come to life as Oliver,
a malnourished orphan in a workhouse,
becomes the neglected apprentice of an
undertaker.
18 Feb
Little Red Riding Hood’s Musical
Adventure
2.30pm A fun, original musical for children,
with live music and loveable characters.
25 Feb
The Ugly Duckling & Other Tales
2.30pm Enjoy four of Hans Christian
Andersen’s most well-loved stories.
George’s Marvellous Medicine
13 - 14 Mar
Stantonbury Campus Dance Show
7.30pm Annual dance showcase with
students performing a range of exciting
dance styles.
15 Mar
I Believe In Unicorns
1.30pm Discover the power of storytelling to
transform lives as Tomas, with his newfound
love of books, becomes instrumental in
saving his burning library when his village is
devastated by war.
25 Mar
Where’s My Igloo Gone
12pm & 3pm Oolik is an ordinary girl who
goes on an extraordinary journey.
Stowe School
MK18 5EH www.stowe.co.uk
Box Office: 01280 818002
17 Feb
Cardboard Carnival
2pm This show uses the fantastic music of
Camille Saint-Saens to explore the material of
cardboard, movement and invention.
The Elgiva
HP5 1HR www.elgiva.com
Box Office: 01494 582900
1 - 3 Feb
High School Musical
2.30pm & 7.30pm Performance by RARE
Productions based on the Disney classic
movie.
25 Feb
The Jungle Book
2.30pm A brand new musical adaptation of
family favourite.
7 Mar - 11 Mar
Oliver
2.30pm & 7.30pm The Panda Players present
this well-loved Family Musical, Oliver, joined
by the Artful Dodger, Fagin and Nancy as well
as a large chorus, lots of Children – and even
a dog ! A really fun show with many wellknown
songs to tap along to.
24 Mar
Peter Pan 2…the Return
7.30pm In this adapted story Peter Pan,
Captain Hook and all their associates go
back to Neverland to rewrite the end of the
original story.
The Stables
MK17 8LU www.stables.org
Box Office: 01908 280800
14 Mar
Stan & Mabel and the Race for
Space
11am & 1pm Stan and Mabel are joined by a
whole carnival of animals as they escape from
the School for Wild.
Wycombe Swan
HP11 2XE www.wycombeswan.co.uk
Box Office: 01494 512000
1 - 4 Feb
Awful Auntie
Various Times David Williams’ amazing tale
of frights, fights and friendship, featuring a
very large owl, a very small ghost and a very
awful Auntie!
13 Feb
Sing-A-Long-A Beauty and the
Beast
2pm & 7pm Celebrate this “tale as old as
time”, dress as your favourite character and
get ready to feel part of a real fairytale.
16 Feb
Brainiac Live!
2pm A breathless ride through the wild world
of the weird and wonderful. Expect exploding
dustbins, combusting microwaves and loads
of live daredevil stunts.
20 Feb - 24 Feb
The Jungle Book
2pm, 2.30pm, 7pm & 7.30pm A fun tale of
family, belonging and identity packed with
memorable characters, new songs and
brilliant storytelling.
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www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire | FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue Primary Times 17

competitions
Don’t Miss the Biggest Kids
Day Out this Summer!
WIN! a family day pass!
Geronimo Festival is already renowned for being the ultimate family festival and
in 2018 even more families will get to join in the fun with new dates added at the
iconic Knebworth House from 30th June-1st July. This amazing venue will play host
to some of children’s TV’s biggest stars as well as a whole host of activities and
experiences that will enable you and your family to create the most memorable
year ever.
We have one family day pass for Knebworth up for grabs. To enter please go to...
www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire/competitions or via Facebook at
www.facebook.com/primarytimesbuckinghamshire
Closing date: 18.02.18
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!
18
Primary Times FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue | www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire

Pinboard
Buzzwangling Beasts
At the Roald Dahl
Museum and Story
Centre
Saturday 10 to Sunday 18
February 2018
Celebrate 35 years of Dirty
Beasts and 40 years of The
Enormous Crocodile this
February half term. Make a
crockadowndilly clay pot, create a boggled
beast out of junk, or fashion your very own mideous mask. Head
to George’s Crafty Kitchen to help put together a Daily Beast by
adding all sorts of beasty bits to the wall.
Look out for some extra special events taking place throughout the
week: top poet Neal Zetter
will be performing hilarious
poems and helping visitors
write their own, while The
Reptile Roadshow will
introduce you to swiggles of
cold-blooded creatures!
See roalddahl.com/
museum for full listings,
dates and times. Pre-booking
is recommended.
WYCOMBE
MUSEUM
It’s a fun-filled February
at Wycombe Museum!
We’ve got our regulars
events: the ever-popular
Tiny Talk Time story sessions (now running on
Saturdays), and Fox & Cubs Forest School for outside adventures.
During half term the fun only continues with Discover & Make: Flicker
and Flash - experiment with electrical circuits to make your own light
up robots (13th & 15th). Start a new hobby with our Kid’s Crochet
workshop with a Valentine’s Day theme (14th), or come along for
Board Games Evening (15th). All this plus history trails and free
exhibitions!
www.wycombemuseum.org
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.
Mums 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
PINBOARD
Safari MK
Safari MK, the Soft Play and
Party Centre in Milton Keynes,
is the national winner of the
Family Entertainment Centre
of excellence for food and
beverage award 2017, by the
British Association of Leisure
Parks, Piers & Attractions
Trade Association (BALPPA).
Safari MK is renowned for
providing a healthy and tasty
all-day menu for everyone,
and since their opening,
over three years ago,
they have been constantly
updating their menus with new and exciting
meals. Recently their range has been extended with a further three
additional menus: Vegan, Gluten-Free and Dairy & Egg Free which
are now available at their Watering Hole Cafe. Safari MK have
fully barista trained cafe staff and experienced chefs in the kitchen
preparing fresh food all day long. So, no matter what your dietary
requirements are, there will always be something tasty to choose
from.
Their ‘Play and Eat’ offer is very popular with after school children.
From 3pm on weekdays during term-time, all children can play and
enjoy a tasty meal from the children’s menu for just £7.75 each.
During the February half-term, Safari MK will be running their ever
popular £1 children’s breakfast offer. All children arriving between
8.30am and 9.15am Monday to Friday can enjoy a breakfast for
only an extra £1 each.
For any information about the café or Safari MK please go to their
website www.safarimk.co.uk
Celebrate the greatest kids authors
of all time with Eden Shopping Centre,
High Wycombe.
Inspired by World Book Day, Eden Shopping Centre is organising a
series of children’s activities during the February half term.
Date: 12th – 16th February Time: 11am – 4pm
Location Kids Corner, near Boots
Kids will love these FREE events that celebrates some of the world’s
greatest children’s authors including Michael Bond, A. A. Milne, C.
S. Lewis, J. K. Rowling and Roald Dahl.
Monday 12th February – Paddington Bear
Create Paddington inspired luggage tag bookmarks and tube
characters to take home.
Tuesday 13th February – Winnie the Pooh
Make and take masks and headbands featuring your favourite
characters from 100 Acre Wood. You can even design Pooh and
Piglet Plates.
Wednesday 14th February – The Lion the Witch and the
Wardrobe
Turn simple wooden spoons in to majestic Aslan, King of Narnia.
Then decorate other characters from the magical land.
Thursday 15th February – Harry Potter
Make some magical glasses to mirror your favourite wizard and
create themed pom pom pal book marks.
Friday 16th February – The BFG
Everyone knows that giant’s big ears help them hear dreams, so why
not create your own to wear? If they don’t work, you can also try
decorating your very own splendiferous dream catcher.
All of this activity is sure to have built up an appetite, so complete
your trip at one of Eden’s many kid-friendly eateries including
Nandos, Bill’s, Pizza Express or Frankie and Benny’s. And if your
children have been inspired, stop off at Waterstones on the way to
pick up their favourite book.
www.primarytimes.co.uk/buckinghamshire | FEBRUARY HALF TERM Issue Primary Times 19