Present (the National Association for the Education of Sick Children) is holding a conference at Church House Conference Centre, Great Smith Street, London SW1, November 6. It will examine Circular 1294, The Education of Sick Children - updated guidance from the DFEE - and formulate responses from heads, service managers, hospitals and home teachers. Key speaker: Jacqui Smith MP, parliamentary under secretary of state for schools. A pre-conference social event will be held the previous evening at Java Joe’s, Euston Hotel, Euston Square, London WC1, 7pm. The hotel is offering a reduced room charge of pound;40 plus continental breakfast to delegates attending the event. Conference fee: pound;105.75. Details: Wendy Evans, 01502 711424. E-mail: WendyEpresent@aol.com
A parents’ conference has been organised for November 11 by Afasic, the charity representing children and young adults with communication impairments, working for their inclusion in society and supporting their parents and carers. Venue: University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology. Speaker: John McLeod, chief education officer, City of Wakefield on the local education authority: help or hindrance? Workshops include: the appeal process; transferring successful strategies from school to home; attention control for learning; supporting children with autistic disorders in a mainstream school; getting your Statement right; and homework. Fee: pound;70 professionals; pound;50 parents; pound;30 members; pound;10 young people. Carol Lingwood, PO Box 2320, Hove BN3 6RS, telfax 01273 381009; helpline 08543 55 55 77 (local call rate); e-mail: info@afasic .org.uk; web: www.afasic.org.uk Some children in mainstream schools find it exceptionally difficult to write legibly and fluently. The Institute of Education, 20 Bedford Way, London WC1, is holding a course on November 21 for teachers familiar with the basics, but seeking specific informationon how to design tailor-made handwriting programmes for such children. Fee: pound;75. Tel: 020 7612 658991; e-mail: cpd.inset@ioe.ac.uk
Meeting the Needs of Children with Communication Difficulties: Education and Health in Partnership is the theme of the first Communications Forum being held in Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire on November 21. It will promote collaborative practice between LEAs, health care trusts and parents and coincides with the publication of new research headed by Dr James Law, head of language and communication science, City University, who is giving a presentation. Other speakers include: Baroness Warnock and Professor Sheila Wolfendale, Psychology Department, University of East London. JGamp;A Conferences and Events, 41 Britannia Square, Worcester WR1 3DN, tel: 01905 724734; e-mail: jga@everyevent.co.uk; web: www. communicationsforum.org.uk Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London SE1 is hosting a series of poetry workshops during November led by Keith Park, a teacher for Sense, the charity for deaf and blind people. The workshops, with ten teenagers from Maze Hill school, Greenwich, are focusing on ‘Macbeth’, using the 3Rs of inclusive storytelling - rhythm, response and repetition - and props, costumes and musical instruments. They coincide with the publication of ‘Macbeth in Mind’, written by Keith Park and Nicola Grove. Sense, 11-13 Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3SR, tel: 020 7272 7774; text: 020 7272 6012; e-mail: enquiries@sense.org.uk
Caldecott College’s new two-term Certificate in Therapeutic Play begins next January. Intended to help experienced staff develop ways of using therapeutic play with children and young people experiencing emotional, learning, social and developmental difficulties, it will be taught one day a week, or flexibly to suit requirements. Caldecott College, Smeeth, Ashford, Kent TN25 6SP, tel: 01303 814232.
