NEW GOVERNMENT: A NEW FUTURE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION?

The implications of the Green Paper will be examined at conferences run by the Royal National Institute for the Blind in Liverpool, Leeds, Exeter, and Seal, near Sevenoaks, respectively. In addition, two conferences on the needs of sensory-impaired children, co-organised with the Royal National Institute for Deaf People, will be held in Coventry, November 29, and Cardiff, December 2. Fees: Pounds 10-Pounds 15 professionals, Pounds 2-Pounds 5 parents, carers, pupils (Exeter conference is free). Details: Alison Croft, 0171 388 12660171; Allie Hamilton, 0171 490 8656 (Coventry conference).

NOVEMBER 12

PATHWAY TO THE 21ST CENTURY: AGENDA 21

Organised by National Federation of Women’s Institutes at Brunei Gallery, School of Oriental and African Studies, London WC1, to raise awareness of sustainability issues in the local environment. Primary teachers welcome. Fee: Pounds 25. Details: Joanna Talantire, 0171 371 9300.

NOVEMBER 15

BUILDING AND UNDERSTANDING PLAYFUL ENVIRONMENTS

Organised by British Association for Early Childhood Education (London) at Hallfield School, Porchester Gardens, London W2. Fee: Pounds 30, Pounds 20 members. Lunch Pounds 7. Details: E Martin, 0181 306 0481.

NOVEMBER 27

DEVELOP THE TEACHERS - IMPROVE THE SCHOOLS

Organised by Understanding British Industry and the Careers Research and Advisory Centre at Great Western Royal Hotel, London W2, to explore the need to raise the quality of school performance. Speakers include: Michael Bichard, permanent secretary, Department for Education and Employment; David Bell, chief education officer, Newcastle; Frankie Sulke, Teacher Training Agency; Mike Tomlinson, Office for Standards in Education. Fee: Pounds 146.88. Details: 01223 460277; e-mail: Confprog@CRAC.ORG.UK NOVEMBER 29

PARENTS AND CHILDREN LEARNING AND GROWING TOGETHER

Organised by Open University and Pen Green Research Base at Pen Green Lane, Corby, Northamptonshire, to launch the OU’s Confident Parents, Confident Children study pack and the Pen Green book, Working with Parents. Speakers include: Dr Gillian Pugh, chief executive, Thomas Coram Foundation for Children. Plus workshops. Fee: Pounds 125 (includes pack and book). Details: Margy Whalley, 01536 400068.

NOVEMBER 29

QUALITY IN EARLY YEARS EDUCATION

Organised by National Association for Small Schools at Wolfson College, Oxford. Professor Tricia David, Christ Church College, Canterbury, will discuss good classroom practice and there will be workshops on assessment, homeschool links, science and art. Fee: Pounds 25, Pounds 16 members, lunch Pounds 10. Details: Jane Martin, 9 Beehive Lane, Binfield, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 8TX.