Hargrave Hall Community Association

We have been serving the community of Archway, Islington and beyond since 1988

Thank you for registering your interest for Tai Chi Chuan Juniors. We will forward your interest to Don, the chief instructor at Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy who will get back to you soon.﻿

Try Tai Chi Chaun taster class at Hargrave Hall and get your child interested in a new activity. The course aims to teach Children the basic principles and practice of Tai Chi Chuan as exemplified in the Wu family style of Tai Chi Chuan. Classes are held in upper Hargrave Hall on Thursday afternoons 5:00 - 6:00 pm during school term times. The course costs is £90.00 per term - classes are aligned with the school terms so there will be a half term break in the course<h5> </h5>Classes comprise the following activities<ul><li>Warm up exercises - for toning, conditioning and general fitness</li><li>Rolls and break falls - to develop physical confidence</li><li>Tai Chi Forms - for balance, coordination and focus</li><li>Wu style 12 step form - a sequence of Tai Chi Movements</li><li>Meditation - for focus and developing midfulness and inner calmness</li><li>Push hands - to develop martial skills</li></ul><h5> </h5>Children should wear:<ul><li>T shirt or sweat shirt - academy t shirts are available</li><li>Jogging bottoms or loose fitting trousers</li><li>pumps, trainers or kung fu slippers, stocking feet are acceptable but please - not bare feet</li></ul><h5> </h5>Good behaviour and proper conduct are important in all martial arts. The following are the ground rules for acceptable behaviour whilst training at the academy.<ol><li>Be punctual both when arriving and leaving</li><li>Be attentive and diligent in your training</li><li>Be respectful to the teacher and to fellow students</li><li>Do not bully or intimidate fellow students</li><li>No eating or chewing in classes - water is permitted</li><li>Be suitably dressed, presentable, neat and clean in appearance</li></ol><h5> </h5>If you are staying to watch the class remember that you are not the teacher. You may think that you are encouraging your child by shouting out advice, but it divides the child's focus. So please if you are watching, watch in silence, give encouragement afterwards. The child's focus should be on the teacher and not the parent.<h5> </h5>Research has established a positive correlation between the level of physical activity and self esteem, therefore in a sense any activity is good for children, so what is particularly good about Tai Chi Chuan? There is a spurious notion that exercise must be high activity and linked to competitive sport, to be of any benefit and therefore Tai Chi, which often seen as 'exercise for oldies' is hardly ever associated with young, developing, minds and bodies. This is a tragic mistake. Tai Chi Chuan requires good balance and coordination, the ability to relax, focus and concentrate and is done both as solo and group exercise. It emphasises attaining inner calmness for both personal development and social development, as well as developing self confidence and the ability to deal with change. Many Children are put off physical activity because it is structured in some sort of competitive framework where the child is part of a team and the aim is to win against an opposing team or opponent. Tai Chi Chuan is practiced mainly as a means of self development, in a non competitive manner, where progress is measured in self referent terms i.e. how much the individual has&nbsp;improved. It is therefore ideal for those who wish to exercise but not to compete.However because it is a martial art Tai Chi Chuan can have a sporting element, both as demonstrations of the quality of movement (Forms) and in the discipline of Tui Shou or pushing hands, which is a form of wrestling. There is therefore a large range of activities available as exercise for a child (or adult), in the art of Tai Chi Chuan. Lastly there is a deeper agenda to taking up Tai Chi Chuan, and that is to make exercise part of the normal lifestyle, both of the child and the emerging adult. Gradually they will understand that some form of exercise and activity is good for a person's health and should be done on a regular basis to achieve a happy and healthy life. If the child takes on this idea it will be a real advantage to them in adulthood, and in Tai Chi they have a comprehensive exercise system that requires little equipment or space. Learning Tai Chi Chuan is a gift for life, just as much as reading, writing or arithmetic. <a href="http://www.wustyle.com/en/profile/donald-james-spargo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(43, 166, 203);">Don Spargo</a>&nbsp;is chief instructor at Wu's Tai Chi Chuan Academy, Archway and has many years of experience teaching Tai Chi both to adults and to Children. He is fully insured, CRB (DBS) checked and accredited by the&nbsp;<a href="https://tcca.org.uk/www.wustyle.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(43, 166, 203);">International Wu Style Federation</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://tcca.org.uk/www.taichiunio.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(43, 166, 203);">The Tai Chi Union of Great Britain&nbsp;</a>.

Tai Chi Chuan - junior class (taster class)

Hargrave Hall Community Centre

Kids Muay Thai Every Tuesday | 6-7 PMHargrave Hall Community CentreFor ages 6+ | No need to book – just turn up in comfortable clothes!Parents are welcome to stay.Free for all!

Kids Muay ThaiHargrave Hall Community CentreEvery Tuesday 6-7pm No booking required - drop in and enjoy.Parents welcome to stay FREE TO ALL

Thank you for booking your child onto the The Play Patch at Hargrave Hall N19 Here's everything you need to know before your first day: Location &amp; Entrance Hargrave Hall Community Centre Hargrave Road, London N19 5SP Please enter via the Upper Hall front door—that's the big red door at the front of the building. 🕘 Arrive on time (9am sharp!) Late arrivals can disrupt the flow of the day. If an activity has already started, your child may need to sit that one out—so let's start together, on time! 🥪 No snacks needed—we provide everything. A healthy hot lunch, fruit snacks and as its the season to be jolly chef will be making baked treats including gingerbread stars and shortbread snowflakes! 👕 Dress for mess and movement. Your child will be rolling in the grass, painting, dancing, or crafting—so please send them in warm comfy clothes you don't mind getting messy. 💧 Bring a labelled water bottle Hydration is important! And if the weather looks rainy, pop a raincoat in their bag—we play outside rain or shine. ⏰ Pick-up is strictly 3pm. Please be on time. Our staff work incredibly hard throughout the summer and need their evenings to rest. Repeated late collections may lead to a report to the local authority and/or cancellation of your remaining (and future) bookings. 📅 Changed your plans? We totally get it - plans can shift! If you no longer need any of your booked days, just let us know as soon as possible or just cancel on plinth. When families don't show up without notice, it affects our funding and puts future playschemes at risk. If we don't hear from you and you don't attend, we'll assume you no longer need the remaining places and will remove them from our booking system. 📞 Need help? Call Toni. We're strict—but we're also all parents, and we understand when things go off-plan. If you're running late or have questions, just get in touch. We look forward to meeting your child at playscheme this winter.

🌿&nbsp;Welcome to The Play Patch&nbsp;🌿Where every child finds their space to grow, create, and play. The Play Patch is our much-loved multi-activity playscheme at Hargrave Hall. It's a place for children aged 7 to 13 to explore, make, move, imagine, and unwind—whether they're full of energy or prefer a gentler pace. With plenty of space, from indoor halls to a leafy garden, and a wide variety of activities each day—from den building and clay modelling to games and obstacle courses - The Play Patch offers something for every kind of child. Here, play is choice-led, creativity is encouraged, and the atmosphere is relaxed but well supported by our qualified, experienced team. It's not just a holiday club—it's&nbsp;their&nbsp;patch of winter joy! 22nd, 23rd, 29th, 30th &amp; 31st December 2025 | 9am – 3pm | Ages 7–13 Join us at&nbsp;Hargrave Hall Community Centre (N19)&nbsp;for engaging days filled with movement, creativity, and adventure! We begin each morning with a nutritious breakfast, served between 9 to 9.30am! Then it's a lively indoor physical activity - think fun games, relay challenges, and confidence-building activities that get everyone energised for the winter day ahead. Lunch is a hot healthy meal prepared fresh by our in-house chef, with careful attention to all dietary requirements. After lunch, children take the lead, choosing from a variety of activity stations set up each day—craft tables, building zones, puzzles and board games, imaginative play areas, quiet corners for reading or drawing, and more! They are free to move between stations and decide what interests them, exploring, creating, and playing at their own pace. These sessions also include hands-on crafts, creative games, and group activities designed to spark imagination and collaboration. As its the season to be jolly, afternoon treats include fresh fruit and freshly baked goodies!! We wind down each day with relaxed free play, giving children space to finish their creations, enjoy indoor games, or simply unwind in a cosy corner. It’s their time, their way. The entire venue is designed for play! Whether your child wants to run, climb, build, make, or simply chill—we've got it covered. Our main hall accommodates large group activities and energetic games, while the lower hall provides space for focused project work with smaller groups. Outside, our secure garden features a grassy area, paved sports zone, and summer house, offering both active and peaceful outdoor experiences. Thanks to our spacious venue and fantastic team of trained staff, children are grouped by age, interest, and skill, with the freedom to explore what they enjoy most. One child might be dancing in the main hall, while another builds a Lego world, models clay, makes jewellery or dreams up a comic book in the chill-out zone. Outside, children might be den building, painting or upcycling to create sustainable fashion pieces! But here’s the best bit: we only welcome 25 children per day—so your child gets plenty of space to run, create, stretch out, and just be themselves. 👧🏽👦🏻 Whether your child’s an action hero or a quiet creator, they’ll thrive here. Grouped by age, supported by experienced, fully trained staff, and surrounded by sunshine, laughter, and a sprinkle of summer magic.

WINTER PLAY PATCH AT HARGRAVE HAL - N19 5SP - 7 TO 13 YEARS

Harry Rice SEND Playscheme Our playscheme is specially designed for children with SEND aged 4 to 7 years who require a 1:1 to 1:3 staff-child ratio. Please check session availability to find the most suitable day for your child’s needs. Venue: Harry Rice Hall, Hargrave Park, London, N19 5JEDates: 22nd, 23rd, 29th, 30th &amp; 31st December 2025 Times: 9am to 3pm Capacity: We welcome a maximum of 8 children per session, ensuring a calm, supportive environment. Our Play Environment Our main hall is set up as a safe, calming sensory space, with tailored activities based on the abilities, needs, and interests of the children attending each day. Our quiet courtyard garden offers fresh air and outdoor sensory play, with gentle, weather-permitting activities. Our new sensory room—a dedicated 1:1 space where children can retreat for some quiet time, personalised support, or sensory regulation as needed throughout the day. It’s a calming, softly lit environment designed to support wellbeing and self-regulation, and available to every child as part of their session. SEND Ratios To support as many families as possible, our staffing levels vary from 1:1 to 1:2 and 1:3, depending on each child’s needs and the day’s structure. This ensures your child receives individualised care and attention, in a consistent, structured setting.&nbsp;Booking &amp; Confirmation Please select your preferred dates and Toni, our playscheme manager, will be in touch to discuss your child’s needs in more detail. Please send your child's EHCP to play@hargravehall.co.uk after requesting a space. Once we’ve received the EHCP, we’ll arrange a call to understand your child’s needs and ensure the session is a good fit. If your child has attended before, Toni will give you a quick catch-up call before confirming their place. Please note bookings are not confirmed until we’ve spoken to you and agreed which session best suits your child. Now Accepting Short Breaks &amp; Private Bookings We are pleased to announce that we are now accepting:<ul><li>Short Break bookings (for all eligible children)</li><li>Private bookings (for children who have previously attended the playscheme)</li></ul>

HARRY RICE SEND  - AGES 4 to 7 years - N19