November 16 and December 8

ASSOCIATION FOR SCIENCE EDUCATION COURSES

Science for all: inclusion and support for students with SEN, at the London Science Learning Centre (SLC), November 16, with a follow-up half-day in the spring, fee: pound;180 (maintained schools). Science for pupils with SEN, at the Sheffield Hallam University SLC, December 8, fee pound;200 (maintained schools). Tel: 020 7612 6325; www.sciencelearningcentres.org.ukindex.cfm.

From November 5

STONEFISH TRAINING

Forthcoming courses include: Dyslexia: preparing to fulfil your legal obligations, London, November 5; Mental health: a positive approach for colleges and students, Manchester, November 9; Equal opportunities in the curriculum, London, November 12; Behaviour management for learning support and classroom assistants, London, November 15; The assessment of dyslexia for further education and sixth form colleges, Manchester, December 3. Fee: Pounds 225 plus VAT per course. Tel: 0845 3304580; mail@stonefishtraining.co.uk; www.stonefishtraining.co.uk.

November 12-13

DYSPRAXIA: WORKING TOGETHER

Dyspraxia Foundation conference for medical and education professionals at The Beeches Conference Centre, Bournville, Birmingham. Speakers include: Dr Paul Shattock, research into autism unit, Sunderland University, on the bio-medical approach to dyspraxia and other neuro-developmental disorders; and Dr Madeleine Portwood, senior educational psychologist, on current research and practice. Workshops include: co-ordination difficulties; managing children with developmental verbal dyspraxia using the Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme. Fee: pound;110 one day; pound;210 two days (members 10 per cent discount). Tel: 01462 355016; www.dyspraxiafoundation.org.uk.

November 18-19

MINDROOM MASTERCLASS

Suitable for teachers and parents, this promises to provide a solid foundation about learning difficulties. Venue: Rootstein Hopkins Space, London College of Fashion; led by Dr Loretta Giorcelli, professor of special education from Australia, and Professor Sam Goldstein, Neurology, Learning and Behaviour Centre, Salt Lake City, USA. The Edinburgh-based charity, Mindroom, aims to create sufficient awareness by 2020 to ensure that all children in this country with learning difficulties will be recognised and helped. Fee: pound;99.88 including VAT. Tel: 0131 653 6235; moreinfo@mindroom.org; www.mindroom.org.

November 18

SEAMLESS SERVICES FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Conference organised by Neil Stewart Associates at IBIS Earls Court, London SW6, explores improving access, integration and quality.

www.neilstewartassociates.com.

November 19-20

EARLY YEARS AND PRIMARY TEACHING EXHIBITION

Annual teaching exhibition and professional development seminar programme.

Venue: Hall 2, The SECC, Glasgow. One-hour seminars include: Can’t learn, won’t learn: behaviour management for children with ADHD and Dyslexics in the classroom. Fee: pound;5 in advance; pound;10 on the day. Tel: 020 7782 3055; www.teachingexhibitions.co.uk.

Until December 3

TAVISTOCK CLINIC: MENTAL HEALTH CONFERENCES

Conferences and courses to be held in London: Atypical gender identity development: combating stigma and the provision of clinical services, November 12-13; The Pathways to Change conference revisited, December 3 (explores the Tavistock model of clinical intervention with parents and children under five). Venue: The Conference and External Events Unit, Tavistock Centre, 120 Belsize Lane, NW3 5BA. Tel: 020 7447 3829; events@tavi-port.org; www.tavi-port.org.

December 7-8

BOOST EXTRA: CHILD PROTECTION

Theatre Resource training course in Chipping Ongar, Essex, exploring best practice in the development of safe and supportive arts activities for children and vulnerable adults. It will cover relevant legislation and the Arts Council Keeping Arts Safe policy with guest speakers, creative activities and workshop ideas. Tel: 01277 366194; faxminicom: 01277 365003; www.theatre-resource.org.uk.

January 4, 21 and 29

NATIONAL CURRICULUM TESTS: ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS

Communicate-ed runs training programmes for everyone involved in access arrangements (formerly special arrangements). Venues: London, Birmingham and Darlington. Fee: pound;95 per course. Contact Carol Greenslade. Tel: 01628 776492; admin@communicate-ed.org.uk; www.communicate-ed.org.uk.

January 15

PRACTICAL DT SOLUTIONS FOR SEN PUPILS

The Design and Technology Association’s special educational needs day will be held at Ashorne conference centre, Warwickshire. Themes will include: low cost, accessible CADCAM for SEN; organising pupils for effective group work; developing and sharing successful projects. Contact Sheila Newman at DATA. Tel: 01789 473906; sheila.newman@ data.org.uk; www.data.org.uk.

February 28

WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENTS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

Royal National Institute for the Blind conference in Sheffield. Aimed at school, college and university placement co-ordinators, employers, careers and personal advisers, disability employment advisers, learning and skills councils. Fee: pound;135. Tel: 0113 274 8855; eeyh@rnib.org.uk

EVENT

December 3

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF DISABLED PERSONS The 2004 theme of this annual event organised by the United Nations is Nothing About Us Without Us. www.un.orgesasocdevenabledisiddp.htm.

CHRISTMAS STARS APPEAL

The Royal National Institute for the Deaf is sending out hundreds of Christmas stars to schools and youth groups around the UK asking pupils and staff to decorate them and send them back. These will be sent to RNID care homes to make them more festive and colourful for the residents. Download a fundraising pack which includes ideas for lessons and assemblies from www.rnid.org.ukchristmasstars, or tel: 020 7296 8264; text: 020 7296 8246; e-mail: christmasstars@rnid.org.uk.

TELEVISION

SOCIAL INCLUSION DRAMA, A FISH OUT OF WATER

CBBC Class TV, December 8, 10.25-10.45am, repeated 12.25-12.45pm, for ages nine to 11. Ten-year-old Luke Hadley struggles daily with a hidden disability, ADHD. He desperately wants to take part in, and win, a top swimming event, but can he win the support of his teachers and fellow pupils and not let down the team?

4 Learning’s Stop Look Listen: Famous People series for ages five to nine is focusing on the inspirational story of Helen Keller: true visionary, November 24, 5.20-5.35pm.

Contributions to the diary should be sent to SNExtra@tes.co.uk