Topics include: “Family literacy: ownership, evaluation and ambiguity” by Professor Colin Harrison, Nottingham University, October 16; “Design for a future space: the changing nature of design in an age of digital technology”, by Sir David Puttnam, November 7; and “What’s it all for? Reinventing capitalism for the next century”, by Professor Charles Handy, November 13. Venue: RSA, 8 John Adam Street, London WC2, 6pm. Free but must be booked in advance. Details: 0171 930 9286.

OCTOBER 7-12 THEATRE IN EDUCATION WEEK

Fenella the Flying Dog Girl and The Bedbug, a one-hour version of Romeo and Juliet, and The Phantom of the Opera presented by Britain’s leading deafhearing theatre ensemble, are all on the programme at the Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford. The week has been organised by Redbridge Education Service. Tickets: Pounds 2 matinees; Pounds 4.50, Pounds 2 concessions evening performances. Details: 0181 553 4466.

OCTOBER 9-19 WILDSCREEN

The world’s biggest festival of wildlife and environment film and television returns to the Watershed Media Centre, Bristol, where schools can see the best new, international natural history productions for free. Other events include: a chance to tour EarthKind’s marine research and rescue ship, the converted whaler “Ocean Defender”, moored in Bristol Harbour, and an illustrated talk on the history of wildlife film-making. Details: 0117 973 3082 or Website: wildscreen.org.uk FROM OCTOBER 12 WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL

Music events, workshops and activities at London’s South Bank include: workshops for children aged 7 upwards with musicians from the Grand Union concert, tickets Pounds 2; a world music family feast, from 2.30 pm on October 21 featuring salsa, samba, reggae, mandinka drumming and township jazz, tickets Pounds 5, under fours free; workshops for 9 to 15-year-olds led by African and South American musicians, Pounds 2; and performances of The Roly-Poly Pudding for 2 to 5-year-olds by Oily Cart, Pounds 3. Details: 0171 921 0600.

OCTOBER 12-24 BETWEEN TWO WORLDS: YIDDISH CINEMA IN EUROPE AND AMERICA

A season of over 20 Yiddish films at The Barbican Cinema, London EC2. Made by Jewish film-makers in Russia, Poland, Austria and the USA in the Thirties and Forties, they include musical comedies such as Yiddle With His Fiddle, melodramas like Jewish Luck, and the renowned 1937 Polish film of The Dybbuk. There are school matinee screenings on October 14 and 17. Details: 0171 638 8891.

OCTOBER 13 THE POETRY MARATHON

Learn a few lines of poetry and get a few friends to sponsor you for your favourite charity, then recite them at this mass sponsored event at the Amadeus Centre, Little Venice, London W9, 2-6.30pm. A Pounds 10 prize is offered to the first 50 unemployed people, Pounds 5 each to the first 50 people under 18 to recite a poem of 14 lines or more, and Pounds 50 each to the first four schools to organise mini-Poetry Marathons of their own. Bookings: 0181 208 2853; e-mail: rhino@dial.pipex.com.

OCTOBER 18-20 ARTS IN MENTAL HEALTH FORUM

Organised on behalf of the Shape Network by East Midlands Shape, an independent arts development agency, at Stanford Hall, near Loughborough. Programme includes: workshops and seminars on arts and employment - the benefit trap; arts, mental health and communities; arts and arts therapy; training in the arts; and black arts in mental health. Fees range from Pounds 50 to Pounds 350. Day-rates available. Details: Jo Verrent, 0115 924 1700 (voice) and 0115 958 7331 (Minicom).

COURSES OCTOBER-DECEMBER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COURSES FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY TEACHERS

The Advisory Unit of Computers in Education at 126 Great North Road, Hatfield, Hertfordshire, is running a range of courses including: helping students with basic skills through information technology, October 10; preparing for IT in a secondaryprimary OFSTED inspection, October 1630; creating Internet pages for your school, November 7; developing IT in history at key stage 3-4, November 13; and IT in the code of practice for primary schools, November 28. All cost Pounds 90. Details: Diana Freeman, 01707 266714.