Good Garden Bugs

Early summer is the time for maximum growth in the garden. The new stems and leaves on our plants, plumped out by rain, fertilisers and human kindness are luscious – and irresistibly delicious to some of our garden visitors. Pesky...

Taking the lead: Longacre School

In Taking the Lead, we talk to school head teachers and heads of department. Matthew Bryan, Headmaster at Longacre School, tells us about his work and his own school days Favourite subject at school I always loved Latin and Greek, and...

Taking the lead: Hawthorns

We talk to Rose John-Cox, Head of Maths at Hawthorns – an independent school for girls and boys aged 2 to 13 years in Beltchingley, Surrey. She tells us about her work and her own school memories Favourite subject at...

Sing! – St Paul’s Cathedral School

An insight into St Paul's Cathedral School along with the unique school life – and opportunities – of a St Paul’s chorister. We talk to a member of staff, a pupil and a parent. Member of staff: Jaco Brand, Deputy Head...

City slickers or country mice?

Of course, children themselves don’t question their surroundings. They accept either trees or tower blocks as completely normal. But to parents it can be an agonizing choice, and in our part of the world there are many families who have...

Centre stage: Manor House School

We talk to Teresa Williams, Head of Drama at Manor House School about the benefits of studying drama. At Manor House School, we pride ourselves on our all-inclusive approach to drama. We believe that drama is for all and that...

Retro Chic Ideas for your Kitchen

The kitchen has endless scope for retro chic, with accessories, fixtures, fittings and furniture galore. You can take it as far as you like – from a subtle nod here and there, to in-your-face time warp – celebrate your favourite era...

Centre stage: St Catherine’s

Studying drama enriches a young person in many ways beyond the glory of the curtain call. We talk to Sally Gallis, Head of Drama and Alice Phillips, Headmistress at St Catherine's Drama plays an important part in life at St...

Ruck and roll

Rugby-based charity Wooden Spoon creates amazing sporting opportunities for special needs children. Matt Mitchell leads the charge Can you tell us a little bit about Wooden Spoon’s history? Why was it created? A woeful performance of the England Rugby Team...

Centre stage: Battle Abbey School

Studying drama enriches a young person in many ways beyond the glory of the curtain call. We talk to Linda Hopkins, Head of Drama at Battle Abbey School At Battle Abbey we aim to develop the soft skills in every...

Start right

A child's first steps in education – even before they start school – can set them up for the years to come, and there are interesting new ideas how to approach this crucial stage.  We talk to Reigate St Marys and Dulwich...

Centre stage: Kent College

We talk to Nigel Ashton, Head of Drama at Kent College about the wide-ranging benefits of studying drama. Performance, skills and process are all essential to enabling pupils to develop their own creativity. Our last show, Phantom of the Opera,...

Taking the lead: Vinehall School

In Taking the Lead, we talk to school head teachers and heads of department. Paul Borrows, Assistant Head Academic at Vinehall School, tells us about his work and his own school days Favourite subject when you were at school When I...

Taking the lead: St Edmund’s School Canterbury

Heads of department create the unique personality for how each subject is taught in a school, while head teachers flavour the school as a whole. We talk to Dr Gemma Jones, Head of Science at St Edmund's School in Canterbury...

The joy of mud

Many of us believe that a strong engagement with the natural world is vital for our children’s development, but amidst our busy lives, the wet boots, cold hands and uncomfortable over-trousers, how can we make it happen? The many wonders...

10 things I wish I’d known when my kids were young…

Hindsight is a wonderful thing. With the wisdom of looking back, we’d all be perfect parents. Now that I’ve had the chance to watch my children grow up, navigate through university, embark on their careers, find partners and start their...

Page turners

The benefits to children of establishing a reading habit early are well supported by scientific studies. The British Cohort Study, compared 6,000 children from the same social backgrounds, who achieved similar tested abilities at ages five and 10, then again...

Jump to it

The end of term is coming over the horizon, which means that in the school calendar it’s the season for sports days, swimming galas, and outdoor trips and challenges. So maybe it’s also the time when we parents should turn...

Park Life

A stunning Georgian townhouse, next to a royal palace, combines modern flair with sublime elegance. It is hard to beat the elegance of a large Georgian house. We love them because they tap into something deep within us; a naturally...

A Slice of Heaven

She has a shop called In House Junkie – and we’re finding Samantha Bruce’s Tunbridge Wells house very hard to resist. The devil is in the detail as the saying goes. But in Samantha and Dougie Bruce’s house the details...

Interiors notes from a stylist

Blogger and micro influencer Sara Delaney of Notes from a Stylist shares home-styling tips from her cleverly updated Victorian house in a dream location in the Surrey Hills. Artists seek the north light: a pure, pale reflected light that is...

The rebirth of cool

Houses by the seaside always have a special atmosphere. It might be the marine light and big skies, or perhaps it’s the sense of finality to the view, knowing that nothing will ever replace the seascape that ebbs and flows...

Come on, you beauty!

One of the great treats in store at the Midsummer Fair next month is the Fenwick Beauty Hub, where you will be able to watch masterclasses by experts from ten leading beauty brands, have one-on-one instruction - and enjoy complimentary...

Gut Instinct

Have you noticed recently that a lot of people seem to be talking about the importance of good gut health? So why so much fuss – and what actually constitutes the ‘gut’? The G word refers to our entire digestive...