Kids

Beachborough School, near Brackley

Muddy says: Hard to find fault with this lovely co-ed prep school on the Bucks/Northants borders - a family vibe, pretty rural setting and great results.
St Clare’s, Oxford

Muddy says: A collegiate-style day and boarding school for 14-19 year olds in central Oxford, with a huge international intake (40 nationalities!), a sole focus on International Baccalaureate and strong results.
High March School, Beaconsfield

Small but perfectly formed, this non-selective pre- and prep school in well-heeled Beaconsfield puts pastoral care and happiness at the top of the agenda.
Maltman’s Green School

Formidable facilities with a particular strength in gymnastics make up this effective 12 acre non-selective girls' day school in leafy Gerrards Cross.
Moulsford School, Moulsford

Muddy says: A highly-regarded boy’s prep school in South Oxon in a stonkingly lovely setting on the Thames, with a strong reputation for sport and extracurricular activities.
The Manor Preparatory School, Abingdon

Check out my update on this highly-regarded day school in Abingdon with fantastic ISI reports (excellent across the board) for kids 2-11 years old.
Kingham Hill School, North Oxon

Muddy says: An idyllically placed co-ed, non-selective secondary school with a strong Christian ethos, set in 100 acres of Cotswolds countryside.
d’Overbroeck’s, Oxford

d'Overbroeck's in Oxford has a first name policy, progressive curriculum, a dedicated Sixth Form campus and a whole clutch of brilliant results. Impressed.
Thorpe House School, Gerrards Cross

A small, friendly day school for boys aged 4-16 between Gerrards Cross and Chalfont St Peter, set in seven acres and high on inclusivity.
The Beacon School, Amersham

The largest single sex prep school in the UK, The Beacon still has an impressively inclusive, family feel to it, with a focus on pastoral care and turning out well-rounded boys.
No Easter childcare? We’ve got it sorted

Can’t bear to have kids lolling around the house over the Easter hols? No fear: help is at hand with the return of Ultimate Activity Camps across the Muddy counties.
Half-term hack: the best online courses for kids

Run out of ways to entertain the kiddos? Check out Muddy's list of the best online classes and workshops that you can do from anywhere across the country, just in time for half-term.
Harrow School online – your prayers answered?

Combining Harrow's heritage with leading online tech, Harrow School Online offers co-ed learning for ages 16-18. We spoke to the new head for the full lowdown.
FREE specialist fitness class for tweens and teens

The brilliant online FitLife Academy focuses on fun classes for 10-15 year olds. Try for free and, if they like it, use our Muddy exclusive deal to keep them active (and out of your hair) all month!
Stop fussing! And other lockdown lessons

Parenting can be a little fraught when you're essentially under siege in your own house. So we decided to talk to our young people to find out what they think we could be doing better.
How to help your kids get the careers they want

It’s never been tougher for young people to find a foothold on the labour market so how, as parents, can we help them get ahead?
6 reasons to consider InterHigh

If you're one of the many parents considering an alternative to mainstream education right now, virtual school InterHigh could be the answer to your prayers.
10 of the best subscription boxes for kids

Running on empty when it comes to entertaining the kids? Royal Mail comes up trumps with these brilliant subscription boxes – time to sit with a gin and wait for the postman.
How to manage back-to-school anxiety

With the nation’s schoolchildren poised to go back to school, it’s a tense time for everyone. So, how, as parents, should we control our fears? Muddy finds out.
10 books for younger kids

Kids have had a lot on their plates: no school, no play dates, and slim chance of a summer of fun in the sun. Here's 10 great book for ages 5-8 to create a fictional escape route from the madness.
Is it time to try an online school?

With many children struggling to study at home and doubts over September start dates, specialist ‘virtual’ schools are gaining huge traction - but what do they offer that’s different?
Parent ‘Lockdown learning’ survey – the results

Earlier this month we commissioned our own comprehensive survey amongst Muddy readers into Lockdown Learning – and we’ve been blown away by the response! Thank you to the 1200 of you who expressed how you felt about virtual-schooling, the difficulties you and your children were facing, as well as revealing surprise success stories and offering […]
Kids driving you nuts? The best parenting books

And we all thought parenting was hard BEFORE lockdown. Jeez! We've got five brilliant new books that promise to help.
To school or not to school?

It's the dilemma that's dividing the nation - is it safe to send our children back to school on Monday? Two Muddy editors, one pro and one against, explain why they've made their personal decision.
5 things I’ve learned about motherhood

Acclaimed author (and Muddy favourite) Clover Stroud is in the midst of raising her 5 children. Miraculously she's found time to write a book about it all. Here's a taster.
Easter activities SORTED!

Are you in Half-Term recovery mode? Now the kids are back at school (praise be), plan for an easier Easter with Barracudas Activity Day Camps – I reckon your ankle-biters will love it.
J’adore/ J’abhor

Parlez-vous teen slang? The language barrier has always been a problem when it comes to parent/child communications. Do you find the way your little darlings speak totally basic or, like, lit?
Your ultimate Autumn Walks guide

Grab your kids, your besties, your dog and anyone else who is free to join you on our first Autumn Walks initiative with Joules - and win coats and wellies for the whole family!
Sweetest summer fashion

There's no shortage of gorgeous children's companies, but high street brand Joules is our pick for the best-dressed kids on the beach.
Cute babywear

Is there a new little prince or princess in your family too? Click this way for the cutest newborn clothes around. Awwww!