News and Updates from the CU team

• It's April

  Mon 31 Mar 2025 S Wilson

  As April unfolds in London, the city transforms into a living tapestry of colour and life. The grey days of winter give way to a vibrant canvas of blooming flowers, with tulips and daffodils peeping out from well-tended gardens and public parks. The sweet, fragrant air adds to the lively atmosphere that buzzes through the city streets. This is a time when children can especially benefit from the spirited energy that envelops London, perfect for engaging in outdoor and educational activities.

  In this cheerful month, London offers a bounty of free, enriching experiences. These opportunities aren't just walks in the park—they're vibrant lessons in cultural, educational, and recreational wonders that make the city such a magnet for explorers young and old. Encouraging children to partake in these activities not only nurtures their curiosity but also helps in developing a lifelong affection for learning. Let's explore the different facets of these offerings, each promising unique adventures and lessons through the soul of London.

  Westminster Children's University is committed to delivering high-quality, engaging experiences that captivate young minds. These holiday clubs are designed to offer the perfect balance of learning and fun, making them an ideal choice for curious children eager to explore new activities during their break and this April is no different we will be running our Easter Club this holiday and look forward to seeing you there. Our holiday clubs are run by a team of dedicated and experienced staff who are passionate about working with children. They create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every young person feels valued and encouraged.

  No matter what your interests are, there's something for everyone at our holiday clubs. From creative arts and crafts sessions to thrilling sports challenges and exciting science experiments, every day brings a new adventure!

  Let your creativity soar as you create masterpieces using various materials-this holiday photography and film, from paint and clay to recycled materials. With activities such as football, basketball, and obstacle courses, you can also stay active while learning important teamwork skills. Our science sessions encourage children to explore the wonders of the world around them through hands-on experiments and projects. From discovering the secrets of the solar system to building their own mini robots, budding scientists will be in their element. We will make sure you can express yourselves and build confidence by participating in engaging drama and music workshops and explore London together with your family.

  At Westminster Children's University, we believe in inspiring a love for learning that lasts a lifetime. Our holiday clubs offer young people the chance to develop new skills, make new friends, and build confidence, setting them on the path to becoming lifelong learners.

  Westminster Children's University is conveniently located, making it easy for families throughout the area to access our facilities. The holiday clubs run throughout the Easter break, with flexible timing options to fit in with busy family schedules. Spaces are limited and fill up quickly, so we encourage interested families to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Please visit our website or contact our friendly team for more information on how to secure your child's place.

  The Westminster Children's University holiday clubs are the perfect way for children to have fun, stay engaged, and learn new things during the Easter break. We look forward to welcoming your child to a world of adventure, learning, and friendship for more information about the holiday clubs or to book your place, please ask your parents to visit our website or contact us directly. We're excited to have your child join us for an unforgettable Easter experience!

  In the heart of the city, Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens are living testaments to London's rich history. These iconic parks have been the setting for countless historical moments and are vital to the city's cultural landscape. Visitors, young and old, can marvel at the diverse flora and fauna found here—squirrels darting from tree to tree and a multitude of bird species singing their morning songs. Among these wonders stands the enchanting Peter Pan statue, a symbol of the never-ending allure of childhood imagination. Tales of Peter Pan are woven into the dreams of many children, sparking creativity and wonder as they reflect on the boy who never grew up.

  A trip to Greenwich Park offers children a chance to journey through time and space, quite literally. The park's rich historical background is complemented by its role as the home of the Prime Meridian, the line that sets Greenwich Mean Time and divides the eastern and western hemispheres particularly relevant as the clocks went forward just before the 1^st of April as we operate by Greenwich meantime. Here, the Royal Observatory sits proudly, offering insights into the fascinating world of astronomy. It's a place where children can not only stand with a foot in each hemisphere but also reach for the stars in their imaginations.

  The Natural History Museum, where we will visit with our WCU Easter club to see the Nature Photography Exhibition, is a treasury of knowledge and wonder. Home to the world’s most intriguing exhibits, it showcases everything from towering dinosaur skeletons to small but marvellous insects. Children can delve into stories about famous palaeontologists and the awe-inspiring discoveries they made, turning science into a lively narrative that sparks curiosity. Interactive elements throughout the museum engage the senses and inspire young minds, making complex topics enjoyable and accessible to the inquisitive explorers of tomorrow.

  Similarly, the Science Museum captures the boundless energy of discovery with exhibits that ignite young imaginations. Permanent and temporary displays showcase the wonders of technology and innovation. The museum's educational programs and workshops act as gateways to STEM subjects, fostering a love for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. It’s a place where pressing buttons and pulling levers are more than mere play—they are the keys to unlocking new realms of understanding and interest.

  Easter brings with it a wave of excitement and tradition. Rooted in ancient customs, the holiday is celebrated with joy and community spirit across London. Children and families can partake in various Easter egg hunts, set in beautiful locations with historical significance. These events not only promote community building and teamwork but also leave lasting memories filled with laughter and adventure.

  Shakespeare Day also marks a special occasion in April, celebrating the life and works of the Bard. Introducing children to Shakespeare’s timeless tales becomes a journey through imaginative landscapes, rich with vibrant characters and enthralling plots. Through kid-friendly adaptations and creative interactions, Shakespeare's works can be made accessible and engaging, inviting young readers to explore the beauty of the world's greatest playwright.

  April is graced by the holy month of Ramadan, it was wonderful to see all of the celebrations this weekend and hope you had a fabulous Eid, a time of reflection and community in Islam. It's a fantastic opportunity for children from all walks of life to learn about its significance and engage in activities that promote cultural literacy and empathy. Across London, events that welcome all communities can build bridges of understanding and dialogue, nurturing a harmonious cultural exchange and appreciation.

  Learning does not stop inside the classroom, and Westminster Children’s University is a champion of this philosophy. Offering a myriad of activities, the university provides insights into the wider world, often leaving a lasting impact on young participants. Through interviews with organizers and engaging first-hand accounts, we discover how these programs can boost children’s confidence, enhance social skills, and cultivate lifelong attitudes toward learning and exploration.

   

• March is Here

  Wed 05 Mar 2025 S Wilson

  March is here!

  Here we are in March, we hope you had a great holiday and enjoyed seeing Anansi if you were one of the 4 lucky schools who got to just before the February half term. The "Anansi" stories are humorous, lively, and community-led stories that travelled with enslaved African people to the Caribbean and then to the UK with the Windrush generation. They are part of our multicultural British heritage and have a universal appeal to all people so it was a super opportunity to see them live on the Puppet Barge together. Swallow’s Wings Puppetry, who put on the show, is a London-based grassroots puppet company that aims to empower children with a love and reverence for African-Caribbean culture and history. Their goals are to enchant, entertain, educate, and build cross-generational dialogue making the performances perfect for our black history month celebrations.

  During the February holidays, we had lots of adventures, we were taken from the cold British winter to Peru, with a vibrant floral celebration at Kew’s Princess of Wales glasshouse. Celebrating Peru, one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, with its landscapes ranging from beaches and deserts to mountains, valleys and rainforests it was an amazing display to get to enjoy together. 

  Home to 3,000 species of orchids, many of them found growing wild nowhere else on Earth, Peru is a cornucopia teeming with life and colour. The glasshouse will transform into a microcosm of this vibrant country and provide a feast for all the senses. 

  This February we, explore the beauty of Peru, by visiting Kew’s stunning horticultural displays of Peruvian plants and animals, and discovering some iconic landmarks of Peru like the Nazca Lines and Machu Picchu. We even got to try to spot some alpacas, flamingos or spectacled bears amongst the blooms!

  We also got to see the Orchids exhibition with our families providing an opportunity to delve into some of Kew’s work in Peru. Did you know Kew works hard to restore forests, adapt agriculture to climate change, and enhance access to medicinal plants?  You could learn more about their vital work in the field as you meander through the colourful displays and leave feeling inspired and hopeful yourselves during a class visit, if you would like to go please let us know. 

  We also went to the Tower of London where criminal mastermind, Colonel Blood, and his audacious gang were up to no good at the Tower of London this February Half Term it was a fun, family-friendly costumed performance that we all got to enjoy together. It was set in 1671, when the newly made Crown Jewels were being held in the Martin Tower for safekeeping, and curious visitors could pay a small fee to see them. The jewels had been completed just ten years earlier for the coronation of King Charles II, at vast expense. But, as you’ll find out, not every visitor hoping to make friends with the Keeper of the Crown Jewels could be trusted. The main performances took place three times a day at 11:00, 13:00 and 15:00, starting by the Old Hospital Block and we were lucky enough to be able to come together to see them.

  In today’s world, young people have an incredible opportunity to make a lasting impact on the environment. From climate change to plastic pollution, environmental issues affect us all. But with action, commitment, and creativity, young people are in a powerful position to create real change. This March we are working with Veolia to create another green, community space at QPP. We will be spending a whole day making, learning, planting, and building and can’t wait to share our before and afters with you soon. Greening of cities, in appropriate, sustainable and forward-thinking ways, has unique potential to reduce the severity of many of the key issues associated with climate change and urbanisation. The critical role of plants in making our urban environments more resilient cannot be underestimated. First we need to understand what the issues are, how plants can be used strategically, effectively and sustainably, and how we can implement greening in practice to create positive change on a global scale. This is an important aspect of what our young people’s learning can develop and promote. We are excited to be working with Westminster University who have already delivered 3 workshops on Sustainability, climate change, food miles, and Hydroponics and are looking forward to collaborating further. If you would like a school workshop this March please let us know,it would be perfect for your British Science Week celebrations- British Science Week is 7th - 16th March.

  The Imagine Festival ran this half term and into March. Southbank Centre’s Imagine Children’s Festival returned just in time for half term starting on 12 and ending 23 February 2025.Imagine Children’s Festival is London’s leading arts festival for children aged 0-11 years old. Returning for its 23rd year, the Imagine Festival transformed the Southbank Centre into a vibrant cultural playground for the February half term with a range of events for children and their grown-ups to enjoy.

  The festival is renowned for inspiring and allowing children to express their creativity, explore their artistic potential and to celebrate their unique talents. The Imagine programme offered unbeatable cultural experiences, from music to storytelling, comedy, poetry, dance, visual arts and a range of free events.

  Running alongside the festival, was the immensely popular REPLAY returns to the Southbank Centre’s Spirit Level in the Royal Festival Hall. Part installation, part adventure playground, REPLAY is a space built entirely out of waste materials repurposed for fun.

  This march is Holi which is a Hindu festival that celebrates spring, love, and new life. Some families hold religious ceremonies, but for many Holi is more a time for fun. It's a colourful festival, with dancing, singing and throwing of powder paint and coloured water. Holi is also known as the "festival of colours".

  Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love and for many, it is a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. The festival also celebrates the beginning of a good spring harvest season. It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of the Purnima (Full Moon Day) falling in the Hindu calendar month of Phalguna, which falls around middle of March in the Gregorian calendar. The first evening is known as Holika Dahan (burning of Demon Holika) or Chhoti Holi and the following day as Holi, Rangwali Holi, Dol Purnima, Dhuleti, Dhulandi, Ukuli, Manjal Kuli, Yaosang, Shigmo or Phagwah, Jajiri.

  Why not visit the London Holi Festival with your families to learn more? The festival begins on Sat Mar 15 2025 for the Holi Fest full of Unlimited colours - Unlimited food stalls - Free Merchandise for Ladies and Kids - Family Photo-booths - Outdoor Kids Zone AND Huge Entertainment lineup for 8 hours Holi Festival for over 7000 people in town.

   The 2025 London Ki Holi Entertainment lineup:

  - Exclusive outdoor area for Holi with Music Stage - unlimited colours for all to play with and extraordinary music stage for the festival music from 2pm - 5.30pm: (Dry organic coloured powder for color play) - safe for all age groups

  - ⁠DJ's and Entertainment production with Laser and Light themed Holi Rave (6pm - 9pm indoor Bollywood Fest and Holi DJ Party

  - All Day Bollywood Dance Performers and Circus Performers for Holi Festival Entertainment

  - The Holi Festival Samba Dancers and Festival dhol players for the festival entertainment

  - Exclusive Kids Zone with Bouncy Castle, Kids Rides & Family Kids entertainer - games and fun activities for the festival (Pay as you go basis - day-long ride pass available)

  - Indoor and Outdoor 360 booths with videos and photography for families

  - Holi ⁠Festival Fireworks display entertainment

  - Lots of friends and family photo booth zones for memories and Holi fun

   You could also consider these free indoor activities in London for kids this March

  • Be amazed at the Natural History Museum: Meet a roaring T-Rex and feel the ground shake on the earthquake simulator.
  • Enjoy seafaring tales at the National Maritime Museum: Stoke the boiler of a steamship in the AHOY! Children's gallery.
  • Spend hours at the British Museum: Be wowed by the Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies.
  • Get interactive at the Science Museum: Spot space rockets and giant steam engines, and enjoy hands-on activities.
  • Explore the collections at the newly refurbished Young V&A: See childhood objects and take part in daily activities, including storytelling and crafting.
  • Learn about London's trade at the Museum of London Docklands: Step into Sailortown, a reconstruction of 19th-century London.
  • Find quirky exhibits at the Wellcome Collection: Discover Napoleon's toothbrush and Darwin's walking stick.
  • Discover free immersive experiences and light shows at Outernet: See breathtaking digital art and entertainment come to life on interactive wrap-around LED screens.
  • Marvel at mind-blowing creations from the famous plastic bricks at The LEGO Store on Leicester Square: Explore two floors of LEGO bricks and models, along with demos and fun in-store activities.
  • Step into the magical world of Hamleys and browse the shelves of London's largest toy shop: Keep the kids entertained with games demonstrations on every floor. Whether you'll manage to walk out empty-handed is another story.
  • Take an unusual lift at Royal Festival Hall: Ride in the singing elevator – also known as the JCB lift.
  • Join free workshops at Tate Modern: Get messy with clay or engage in a drawing session at one of the art gallery's many classes.
  • Settle down for the National Gallery’s storytelling sessions: Fly away on a magic carpet and more in sessions for families with under-fives.
  • Get creative at the Royal Academy of Arts: Encourage budding young artists to get creative with a free Art Detectives pack.

  Have you ever wondered what a dinosaur might do in a day? Or what they actually looked like? What colour were they? Were they really green like they are in the movies?

  24th February

   

  Things to celebrate at school this March

  • Roman New Year
  • Women’s History Month
  • World Wildlife Day 3rd March
  • British Science Week 7th - 16th March
  • Holi - Festival of spring & love 14th - 15th March
  • St Patrick's Day 17th March