November 7

Musical portraits of foxes, bees, elephants, wasps, owls and even vacuum cleaners are promised at the Royal Festival Hall, London SE1, 11.30am-1.15pm. The programme being performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra includes Malcolm Arnold’s A Grand Grand Overture, which features parts for three vacuum cleaners. The concert is suitable for children over six years old, who are invited to dress as their favourite animals.

Have-a-go instrument sessions and circus workshops are available in the foyer before and after the concert.

LPO box office tel: 020 7840 4242 (no booking fee)

RFH box office tel: 08700 606010 (pound;1.50 booking fee)

www.lpo.org.uk and www.rfh.org.uk

Science nights

November 12, December 4 and eight dates in 2005

Children aged eight to 11, and accompanying adults, are invited to camp overnight under spaceships and other exhibits in the London Science Museum and join in a programme of fun experiments and drama activities. For details contact the Science Museum, Exhibition Road, London SW7.

Tel: 020 7942 4747 www.sciencemuseum.org.ukvisitorsscibook

Exam courses in Italy

A-level overview: April 4-8

AS-level overview: April 11-15

The British Institute in Florence offers A-level and AS-level courses for sixth-formers. The courses involve 20 hours’ tuition and cover such topics as current affairs, listening exercises, guided conversation and composition accompanied by grammatical analysis. Fee: 3295 (about pound;200). An accommodation officer can help arrange places to stay.

Tel: 0039 055 2677 8200

Email: tbray@britishinstitute.it www.britishinstitute.it

Learning Together pack

The school playgrounds charity Learning through Landscapes, and Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, have produced Learning Together, a pack for parents and teachers on safer transport issues, such as school traffic management. The resource also provides advice on environmental practice and where to get details on sustainable themes such as managing and maintaining grounds. Also included is information on improving participation and citizenship within the school. The project, which includes training opportunities, is free to school parent groups in England. To register: Tel: 01962 846258

www.ltl.org.uk and www.ncpta.org.uk