Why STEM subjects need some art to make STEAM

Andrew Vaughan, Head of Visual Arts, at ACS Egham International Schools For several years now official government education policy has focused on the study of STEM subjects – science, technology, engineering, maths. But at ACS International Schools, we believe that...

Talking the talk

Being confident in another language – or two – will bring your child multiple benefits. Two schools talk us through it. Northbourne Park School The learning of languages in school can bring a mixed reaction from many people. For some...

Harvest home

Jo Arnell celebrates the traditional early autumn festival It’s hard to remember a time before Wilderness, Latitude, Glastonbury etc, but not so long ago there was only one major festival in the British year – Harvest Festival. Once a major...

A prickly subject

With more hot summers predicted Sue Whigham suggests we – carefully – embrace cactus. As we all know, temperatures in the UK almost broke records this summer with endless days of scorching heat reaching over 35C and it looks likely...

High gloss

First impressions count, but as the huge and imposing double doors of Lauren Atkins’ spacious family home in Oxshott open, they don’t just count, they slide whooping down the Hollywood-style stairs, across a white ocean of highly polished porcelain and...

Home on the farm

It’s often said, by the owners of very grand houses, that they are not so much the owners of a property but more its custodians. For those of us of a romantic nature, the same could be said for any...

Chickpea, sweet potato and paneer curry

This is a 30 minute hearty curry. A rewarding and fairly simple supper, it’s perfect for those meat-free days when you need something warming and your family is chomping at the bit. You can adjust the heat level by leaving...

Orange, soy, honey & basil roast chicken

Stir in the mange tout (or peas if you prefer) at the end. The hot juices from the chicken will cook them through. You can find more great recipes at Anna's Family Kitchen. Line your roasting tray with baking parchment...

One pot Lamb tagine

One of my favourite one pots. It can be thrown together and then left in a low oven or slow cooker. Just add the squash and chickpeas for the last hour of cooking and finish with the fresh coriander, green...

Granola plum crumble “Grumble”

The topping is a quick granola mix. You can also make a healthy homemade breakfast granola by spreading the mix on a baking sheet and baking for 30 minutes at 160 degrees, stirring every 10 minutes. This will store in...

Cheat’s paella

If you wish to simplify the dish you can omit the squid and/or the mussels. The prawns, chorizo and chicken are a must! Remove any remaining beards from the mussels and wash them under cold water. Tap each mussel. If...

Chicken thigh, olives & green beans with a basil & lemon dressing

Salt the skin on the chicken thighs and place skin side down in a cold frying pan with a splash of olive oil. Put on the heat, the rising temperature will release the fat from the skin and crisp it...

Parma ham, goat curd, pea & broad bean salad

Blanch the peas and broad beans for a minute in boiling water then refresh under cold running water. Mash the goat’s cheese and crème fraîche until you have a smooth paste – this is your ‘goat curd’. Heap two tablespoons...

Peach Melba with crushed amaretti biscuits

You can peel the peaches but I find it always reminds me of tinned peaches when you do, so I leave the skins on. Heat up the water, sugar and split vanilla pod, bring it to the boil, stirring to...

Cod with summer vegetable risotto

Fry the onion and celery in some light olive oil until soft, add the garlic and cook for one more minute, don’t allow the garlic to colour. Add the risotto rice and stir fry for a minute until the grains...

Easy courgette, cauliflower and blue cheese crumble

You'll love this easy-to-make savoury crumble. It's a great recipe to send off with your kids when they fly the nest and need to cater for themselves. Delicious and healthy too. 1 Put the prepared vegetables, garlic and thyme in a...

Face off winter

Treat your skin – and yourself – to regular, renewing masks says Josephine Fairley "There is a huge amount to be said for the TLC a face mask delivers to our busy souls” As friends, family (and my old teachers)...

Style it Up

Men’s clothing can be a bit limited in scope – trousers, shirt, jacket, repeat – but with some nifty little tweaks the most basic combinations can be transformed. The simplest combo of a shirt and jeans is transformed just by rolling...

Picture perfect

One of the wonderful things about East Sussex is that as soon as you think you know the place, you will quickly realise that you don’t know it at all. Nestled at the bottom of that lane, the one you drive...

The mother of reinvention

Sassy Luke cites her two big interior loves as “the ridiculous and the sublime”. That’s her approach to the wonderfully idiosyncratic paintings, etchings, icons, greetings cards and cushions she makes. But it’s also true of her home. The Georgian flat...

A Passage from India

A bona fide legend of British interior design, Sasha Waddell has embarked on a charitable project designing beautiful textiles which will benefit impoverished children in Delhi – and are used to glorious effect throughout her own home. As soon as...

Chris Rivers Drummer-turned-Artist

Strange, beautiful, captivating, energetic and enchanting; all words which have been used to describe the paintings of upcoming UK artist Chris Rivers. Former professional rock-drummer-turned-artist, Chris began painting four years ago whilst touring the world as drummer with UK rock...

The House of Many Words

As Hastings launches its very first literary festival, we visit the extraordinary home of a theatrical collective where the house itself is an inspiration and performance space. Some of the most celebrated houses in the world have become such, not just...

Big is Beautiful

Sue Whigham rejoices in the splendour of plants with outrageously large leaves It was serendipitous that we discovered that Blenheim was to be closed for two days recently, as we had to put our visit off and decide on a...