Primary Times - the definitive what’s on and where to go family guide of activities and events for children of primary school age. Things to do with your kids during the school holidays including arts and craft activities, music and theatre for children, parties, competitions, days out, and family attractions along with term time drama schools, dance classes, after school clubs and sports activities. Things to do at a place near you!
Back to School in Dorset
September will be here before you know it, so early planning for the return to school will be a big help…
When’s the best time to shop for school uniform?
It’s not uncommon for clothing retailers and supermarkets to fill their aisles with back to school uniform before the schools have broken up for the summer holiday. This may be a good time to buy to profit from the best offers, unfrenzied shopping environment and greatest selection, as many shops run out of bespoke school stock just before the start of term. However, it can be a gamble, especially if your child has a growth spurt over the six-week holiday – it can happen!
Once bought, remember to clearly label all clothing items with iron-on, sew-on or self-adhesive labels. Not only is a lost jumper at school an inconvenience; the cost of replacing items mounts up, too.
Make an Eye Appointment for Your Child
The summer holiday is a good time to arrange an eye appointment for your child. All children under 16 years are entitled to regular free eye examinations by a qualified practitioner paid for by the NHS. Following an eye examination, a voucher will be given to help towards the cost of any glasses or contact lenses prescribed.
Make Sure the Shoe Fits!
It makes sense to shop for shoes in the late afternoon as feet swell in size throughout the course of a day.
Choose a store that employs experienced shoe fitters who have been trained to measure children’s feet properly.
Children’s feet should be measured for length and width before buying new footwear. There should be at least a half-inch of space for growth between the tip of the big toe and the top of the shoe.
For more on foot health for children visit the website of the College of Podiatry - https://cop.org.uk/foot-health - guide-to-childrens-foot-heath
Summer Study
If your child struggled with some of their schoolwork last term, it may be difficult for them to start the autumn term with a positive approach.
Top-up tuition from a private tutor during the summer can help, as your child can simply catch up with the work at a pace that is suitable for them.
Preparing your Year 6 Child for the Next Step in September
If your 11-year-old child is moving up to secondary school in September, they may be feeling a bit anxious about the next big change in their life. In comparison to the familiar comforts of primary school, the switch to ‘big’ school may, at first, seem a little overwhelming. You can help ease the nerves and prepare them, by purchasing all the school essentials well in advance, encouraging them to meet up with school friends over the summer break and reminding them of the positive environment of the new school.
Work out the logistics of how your child will get to and from school each day. This is where secondary school is very different to primary school, as most 11-year olds will want to travel to school independently. Run through the school bus timetable with them or figure out a walking route that will take them along main roads as much as possible. You may wish to activate a location tracker on their mobile phone so you can check their whereabouts as they travel to and from school to ensure that they are safe.
Get ready… for the next step 
If your child is in Years 5 or 6, you may find the summer holiday an opportune time to consider all the secondary school options available to them.
The break away from the usual school routine will give you both time to do a bit of research and look at what the different schools have to offer.
Many schools have particular strengths so consider each school’s suitability for your child – it may be that your child may flourish at a school other than the one in your catchment area. Consider all your options and order a number of prospectuses to read more.
Write down the dates of the school open days in your diary
The deadline for school admission applications is 31 October so there is plenty of time to consider all the options available to your child.
In Primary Times’ Back to School issue you will find an extensive School Open Days Directory which lists all the schools in the area, their open days and contact details. Details of applying and how to do it will also be supplied – so look out for your copy which will be distributed via your child’s school from 3 September...
Canford School
Tel: 01202 847207
www.canford.com
Did you know that Canford School offers means-tested financial assistance worth up to 100% of the fees? There are scholarships available for individual talent, plus at least one fully funded day place each year is available for a gifted Year 9 child. It also offers entry in Year 10 and into the Sixth Form at Year 12. It welcomes applications from able children who will contribute strongly to the life of the school. It currently provides financial assistance for more than 40 pupils per year.
Why not visit the school, and meet the pupils and staff? Parents and prospective pupils are welcome to the next Open Day on the morning of Saturday 5 October – book a place online at www.canford.com/Open-Days. Alternatively, email the admissions office: admissions@canford.com for more information.
Poole High School
Tel: 01202 666988
https://poolehigh.co.uk
At Poole High School, you will see a vibrant and thriving community, committed to the wellbeing and future prospects of the young people that it works for. It is a large school which alone brings enormous benefits for its learning community, but it also prides itself upon the positive ethos and warmth of relationships in which its young people flourish. It has a very successful pastoral system which reflects the value placed upon each individual, sustaining its reputation as a ‘big school with a small school atmosphere’.
Students’ pride in sporting the Poole High colours does not merely stem from being so heavily oversubscribed; rather, the high quality learning experience that typifies each child’s day in Poole High School.
In choosing the school, parents know that its track record for reaching the best universities is the norm. The formula is simple: a curriculum that is unparalleled – both class-based and through an enviable array of enrichment; uncompromising adherence to behavioural expectations; relationships which nurture respect for self and others.
Parents who visit the school see first-hand that challenging lessons are not the exclusive preserve of the expressly academic classes. It only employs subject specialists of the highest standard, but they are also professionals whose love of their subject and infectious enthusiasm engages everyone. Throughout the school, students are caring and happy, but also secure in the knowledge that the daily challenge to achieve their best will result in the brightest of futures.
Sturminster Newton High School
Tel: 01258 472642
https://www.mysnhs.net/
Sturminster Newton High School sets high standards for academic and personal achievement within the ethos of a smaller school setting.
As a small school, one of their strengths is that they know their students well and are able to help them succeed on a personal level. Young people leaving this school will be confident individuals with the necessary ‘life’ skills for further success at university, college or in employment.
The school believes in educating students academically, emotionally, socially and spiritually in order to support and challenge them to achieve their best.
The school will be open for prospective parents during the week commencing Monday 23rd September during the daytime so you can view the school in action. The students and staff will be delighted to show you around and answer any of your questions. If you would like to visit during the school day during this week, please contact the school office for an appointment office@mysnhs.net
The school’s Open Evening this year is on Thursday 26th September starting at 6.30pm.
The Bourne Academy
Tel: 01202 528554
www.thebourneacademy.com
The Bourne Academy’s ethos is of mutual respect, courtesy, cooperation, resilience and hard work; it particularly encourages high standards of personal presentation and behaviour. It believes that all students should be empowered to achieve and aspire to the highest level, be treated with respect, treat others with respect and enjoy the Academy.
Its specialisms of Engineering and Design and English help to encourage creativity across all aspects of learning. The quality of learning and teaching is at the centre its success and The Bourne Academy’s talented and committed staff will support and work with your child so that they go out into the world as a self-confident thinking person, able to communicate and empathise with others, looking for opportunities to be successful and eager to carry on learning for the rest of their lives.
‘Staff rightly, and proudly, champion ‘ASPIRE’, which sets out the school’s vision for pupils and threads through different aspects of its work. ‘ASPIRE’ stands for Ambitious, Self-confident, Physically literate, Independent, Resilient and Emotionally literate’. Ofsted Feb 2018
‘The school engages well with parents, carers and the local community. As a result, and with good reason, the school is held in high regard by parents and local employers. Ofsted Feb 2018