Education
Additional Help
Discovering your child has a special educational need can be a shock and a cause for worry. Thankfully schools are now able to deal with a range of needs. Lesley Finlay explores the subject and looks at how schools support...
Eat Well
How can we prepare our children for life outside the family kitchen? We speak to the culinary experts at Sackville and Marlborough House schools to find out how they're encouraging future generations to opt for a balanced diet...
Aim High
Sutton Valence School and The Duke Of York's Royal Military School talk us through the benefits of taking part in the Combined Cadet Force...
The Three Rs Get a Makeover
There is a lot of talk about changes to the English and Maths curriculum. Lesley Finlay looks at what is happening in the basic subjects for our secondary school students...
Early Learners
Grow your baby's communication skills and confidence with a range of courses and classes specially designed to combine lots of learning with plenty of fun...
Take it to the Next Level – Ashford School
We find out how Ashford School prepare their pupils for life after sixth form...
A Question of Choice
It seems that only minutes after starting secondary school, students are making their GCSE choices; and halfway through their big exam year, they are planning for A-levels and beyond. Lesley Finlay looks into this knotty subject...
Adult Education – Qualifications
Kent Adult Education - If you're yearning to try your hand at something new, but don't want to commit to something new without giving it a go first, KAE run a number of free taster sessions throughout the year. This...
Out & About
Enjoy happy and healthy holidays with our pick of fun family activities to stimulate body and mind...
A Portrait of War
To mark the centenary of the start of the First World War, John Graham-Hart explains how his own personal experience of retracing his uncle's combat footsteps has allowed him to piece together a remarkable story and thus keep his memory...
Adult Education – Catching Up
Whether you're retired or looking for something new to try out, challenge the negative voices inside your head and learn to do something you've always put off before. Whether it's computing you need to get to grips with, or learning...
The School Run
We speak to three parents to find out how they manage to fit drop-offs and pick-ups into their busy work lives...
Take it to the Next Level – St Leonards-Mayfield School
We find out how St Leonards-Mayfield School prepare their pupils for life after sixth form...
Take it to the Next Level – Beechwood Sacred Heart
We find out how Beechwood Sacred Heart prepare their pupils for life after sixth form...
Inspiring Imaginations – Spring Grove School
We find out how Spring Grove School encourage creativity amongst their pupils...
The Great Outdoors
Reverend Peter Michell from Mr Noah's Nursery School in Benenden explains the benefits of their forest school approach...
Inspiring Imaginations – Skippers Hill Manor
Skippers Hill Manor encourage creativity amongst their pupils and we find out how
Memories Are Made Of This
If only walls in schools could talk... what a story they might tell. Here Lesley Finlay delves into the past of three local schools...
Helping Hands
We track down local charities that offer support to children and young people across the South East...
What to Expect From Pre-Prep
You want your child to attend a nursery or pre-prep school but don't want them to be drilled in literacy and maths. Lesley Finlay asked some of our schools what parents should expect from their pre-prep...
Learning The Ropes
Have you left school and are wondering what to do next? Freelance art director and designer Peter Micklewright explores what's on offer to help students make the transition from full-time education into work...
Preparation Is Key
With the emphasis on academic life, it's often difficult to remember that our young people need a range of 'softer' skills as part of their tool kit for the real world. Lesley Finlay finds out what schools are doing to...
We Hear It From The Kids
Hector, age 2½ says… What’s your favourite thing to do with mummy and daddy? (When I wake up at 5am everyday…) I like to build things out of Duplo with Daddy. What’s your favourite story? ‘The Elephant and the Bad Baby.’ What’s...
Speaking The Same Language
Our young people will be working in an ever-expanding global marketplace, and despite appearances, speaking a foreign language will be a valuable tool in their skills box. Lesley Finlay finds out why...
Room To Grow
It is cold outside but there is plenty you can do in the garden with your budding gardeners. Lesley Finlay found that this is a great hobby to share with the children - with delicious results...
Over the Rainbow
Art can help change lives as Lesley Finlay found out when she visited the Rainbow Gallery, a therapeutic, creative arts centre in the heart of the Rare Breeds Centre...
Domestic Heroes in Training
More of us are taking up long-forgotten domestic skills from knitting and sewing to baking. Where we lead, our children are following, as Lesley Finlay discovered...
The Art of Debating
Are we losing the art of good public speaking? Not if our schools have anything to do with it as many now develop thriving debating chambers where the skills are honed, ready for adulthood, as Lesley Finlay found out...
Testing Times
The Government is making lots of changes to the GCSE system and the first one comes into force for students starting their courses this month. Lesley Finlay found out more...
Going For Gold
Excitement and interest in the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games is building, and schools are joining in the fun. Lesley Finlay asked a selection of local schools to talk about how they were making the most of the Games...
Desert Island Discs
We're sending three music teachers to a desert island for their half-term break (don't worry, parents, we'll be rescuing them at the end of the week!) Each castaway is allowed just four pieces of music on their i-player and just...
Speaking The Same Language
Family life can be complicated enough but how do bilingual families cope with an additional language? Lesley Finlay spoke to two families about their experience...
Working From Home
Homework is an essential part of school life and encourages our children to think independently as well as instilling a love of learning. Lesley Finlay investigates further...
Take Note!
Lesley Finlay speaks to music teacher Cornelis Taekema and headmaster Jeremy Gladwin on the benefits of a musical education...
Getting The Pressure Right
It is a great dilemma for parents: when does pushing become too pushy? Mother and headmistress, Julie Robinson, comes up with some answers...
