• parenting

    What Makes IB DP Assessment Unique and How Students Can Prepare

    The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) is widely regarded as one of the most challenging and rewarding post-16 qualifications available. Unlike many other curricula that focus primarily on end-of-year exams, the IB DP employs a holistic approach to evaluation. This system doesn’t just measure what a student knows, it assesses how they think, how they apply knowledge to real-world scenarios, and how they manage independent research. Understanding the specific mechanics of this assessment is the first step toward academic success. While the workload is famously intense, the right strategies can make the journey far more manageable for every learner.…

  • days out

    7 ideas to make the most of a trip to Belfast with teens

    Over half term we had a couple of days away with the teens in Belfast. Here are our 7 ideas to make the most of a weekend trip to Belfast: 7 ideas to make the most of a trip to Belfast with teens The teens love to do a mix of activities on a city break. They both enjoy learning about new areas so we knew they would love a London black cab taxi ride to explore the Peace Wall and find out more about Belfast during the Troubles. We saw a lot of street art and murals, and our…

  • days out - London Borough of Southwark

    Should I take a teenager to the Globe theatre?

    A few weeks ago I asked myself, should I take a teenager to The Globe theatre? With Big Brother studying Macbeth for GCSE English Literature, I thought it would be fun to take a trip to the theatre and watch the play performed in the setting it was designed for. Shakespeare’s Globe on London’s Bankside contains two performance spaces – the Globe Theatre and Sam Wanamaker’s Playhouse. We visited Sam Wanamaker’s Playhouse to watch a retelling of Twelfth Night at a few years ago, but never visited the Globe. Opened in 1997 this reconstructed open-air theatre is based on the…

  • East Sussex

    Kiko’s Cat Cafe in Rye

    Over half term we spent some time exploring the pretty village of Rye with the teens. I found some fun activities to keep the teens busy. I didn’t think Rye was large enough to have a cat cafe until we drove past Kiko’s Cat Cafe! Fortunately we were able to book a table online, and made a visit to Rye’s cat cafe. Kiko’s Cat Cafe in Rye Kiko’s Cat Cafe is the only cat cafe in the UK dedicated to fostering rescued cats until they find their forever home. They have partnered with the People’s Animal Welfare Society to give…