* The Historical Association’s conference is being held at York University, September 10-11. Speakers include: Christine Counsell, lecturer in history education, Cambridge University, on historical language for historical understanding; and Sue Bennett, a principal officer at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. Choice of workshops. Details from the HA, 59A Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4JH, tel: 0171 735 3901.
* Sixth form conference Nazi Germany and the Holocaust takes place at The Spiro Institute, Old House, Kidderpore Avenue, London NW3, on May 7. Co-organised with the Imperial War Museum, it will explore German responsibility for the Holocaust and the use of documents, film and literature in studying the subject. Speakers include Professor Mary Fulbrook, University College London, and a Holocaust survivor. Fee: pound;9 per seat; accompanying teachers (one per 10 students) free. Bookings: Education Officer (sixth form conference), Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1 6HZ.
* The British Institute of Florence is running an Italian Renaissance course, July 12-27, suitable for university students, those about to start degree courses, teachers and A-level students. Led by Dr John Law, senior history lecturer, University of Wales, Swansea, it comprises lectures, discussion and guided tours of Florence. Tuition fee: pound;175. Details: Cultural Centre, Lungarno Guicciardini 9, 50125 Firenze, Italy; tel: 00 39 055284032.
FREE FOR ALL
* Past Lives: A Royal Bank Account, an interactive multimedia CD-Rom exploring British history over the past 300 years, was researched and written by Royal Bank of Scotland archivists in liaison with the Scottish Consultative Council on the Curriculum. Aimed at nine to 14-year-olds, it includes topic-based modules on the Jacobites and 1745, the Darien Company, the Fire of London and the Great Plague and explores the lives of 30 famous and not-so-famous people associated with the bank such as the diarist Samuel Pepys and economist Adam Smith. Details: Alison Turton, head of archives, tel: 01600715755.
* Following Somerset House’s exhibition, The Bicentenary of Income Tax: a brief history of income tax, which finished last January, a number of accompanying illustrated booklets are available to teachers. There is also a video outlining the history of tax. Both are available from the Inland Revenue press office on 0171 438 6692 (contact Jane Ashton).
