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Important update from TheSchoolRun

For the past 13 years, TheSchoolRun has been run by a small team of mums working from home, dedicated to providing quality educational resources to primary school parents. Unfortunately, rising supplier costs and falling revenue have made it impossible for us to continue operating, and we’ve had to make the difficult decision to close. The good news: We’ve arranged for another educational provider to take over many of our resources. These will be hosted on a new portal, where the content will be updated and expanded to support your child’s learning.

What this means for subscribers:

  • Your subscription is still active, and for now, you can keep using the website as normal — just log in with your usual details to access all our articles and resources*.
  • In a few months, all resources will move to the new portal. You’ll continue to have access there until your subscription ends. We’ll send you full details nearer the time.
  • As a thank you for your support, we’ll also be sending you 16 primary school eBooks (worth £108.84) to download and keep.

A few changes to be aware of:

  • The Learning Journey weekly email has ended, but your child’s plan will still be updated on your dashboard each Monday. Just log in to see the recommended worksheets.
  • The 11+ weekly emails have now ended. We sent you all the remaining emails in the series at the end of March — please check your inbox (and spam folder) if you haven’t seen them. You can also follow the full programme here: 11+ Learning Journey.

If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected]. Thank you for being part of our journey it’s been a privilege to support your family’s learning.

*If you need to reset your password, it will still work as usual. Please check your spam folder if the reset email doesn’t appear in your inbox.

Museums reviewed by parents: Eureka!

Eureka! reviewed for parents
One of the best children's museums in the world, Eureka! is packed with hundreds of hands-on exhibits designed to inspire children to learn through play. Our family testers were amazed at what's on offer and determined to be regular visitors in the future.

Leanne Davies visited Eureka! with her sons Jack, 8, and Alex, 6.

Days out with children can be a bit daunting, and a trip to a museum especially was not something I could have ever envisaged with two young, lively boys. I could already hear myself saying: "Don't touch that!" or "Stop racing round!"... all day (*shudder*). Until one day we braved Eureka! The National Children's Museum, where touching that, pressing this, feeling those, sniffing here and trying that was actively encouraged!

The annual pass is excellent value, meaning you pay once and then return for free as many times as you like for a further 12 months, obviously appealing to a Yorkshire lass like me, and you WILL be back; there is so much to see and do multiple visits are needed! 

Best for nursery and Reception kids

The 'All About Me' gallery. Your visit starts with an exciting countdown to enter to see a short introduction video, before collecting your passport and heading off around the 'hands on, minds on' gallery, seeing how high you can reach, how far you can stride and much more. Don't forget to say "Hi!" to Zoom the inquisitive robot who resides there! 

The outdoor area is also a must if the weather permits – the Wonder Walk is a sensory trail to follow (with mud, sand and water to wade through!).

Best for KS1 kids

Living and Working Together, based around a mini Town Square – you can role-play in the shops, use a 'real' cash machine (it delivers Eureka! bank notes), explore the high-security vault in the bank and cook some dinner in the Eureka! House.

 

Best for KS2 kids

Exploring the science of sound and music in the SoundSpace gallery. You can have a go at playing a giant guitar, explore how music makes you feel by creating your own soundtrack, 'see' how a sound wave travels through the air and even put on your show and choose some light effects and a backdrop for your performance.

Half-term and holiday events for families

There are regular themed events and workshops during school holidays. 

Food and drink options

The Eureka! Café offers a great range of meals and snacks.

Getting there, prices and opening hours

Eureka! is in Discovery Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire, 17 miles from Leeds and next to Halifax railway station. A Pay & Display car park is available; regular local bus services from Halifax town centre also serve the site.

Opening hours: during term-time Eureka! is closed on Monday and open Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm and 10am-5pm Saturday and Sunday; during holidays opening hours are 10am to 5pm every day.

All tickets at Eureka! are annual passes, so you can return as often as you like for 12 months. Adults and children over 3yrs pay £15.95; children aged 1-2yrs £6.95 and babies under 12 months are FREE.

Pocket money shop purchases

There's plenty to choose from in the Gift Shop and products change regularly. 

Links to the National Curriculum

 

  • Early Years Foundation Stage: Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Knowledge and Understanding of the World, Physical Development and Creative Development.
  • KS1 science curriculum: Senses, Living and Growing, Life Processes and Living Things, Physical Processes.
  • KS1 maths curriculum
  • KS1 Design & Technology curriculum
  • KS2 science, geography, maths, English and Design & Technology curriculum

  

Photography: © Eureka! National Children's Museum

Museum reviews for parents: we need YOUR help!

TheSchoolRun is looking for families to visit museums and other educational venues around the country and 'review' them. Get in touch to have your say about the best family days out (with a learning twist!).