The National Association for Special Educational Needs is running practical maths workshops for children with SEN at Stakis Hotel, Bristol; Grange Park Hotel, Hull; and Moat House Hotel, Blackburn, respectively. They will be led by Angela Gooseman, maths co-ordinator in an area special school. Fee: Pounds 40, Pounds 30 members. Details: Dee French, 01827 311500 or e-mail: nasen@bbcnc.org.uk FROM APRIL 26 NATIONAL TELL A Story WEEK

St Ebbe’s First School, Whitehouse Road, Oxford, is launching the week, 9.45am-3pm, with sessions by Ifeoma Onyefulu (A is for Africa), John Foster (Festival Poems), and Jenny Bent, folktale illustrator, among others. The Global Experience will perform stories, music and songs from all over the world and children will be able to join craft workshops led by Claire Plumb from Hands On. Details: Sue Mortimer, 01865 248863. For tie-in multicultural booklist Patchwork Panorama, compiled by Oxford Children’s Book Group, send SAE to Sue Williams, 2 High Street, Chalgrove, Oxford OX44 7SR.

APRIL 30 A QUALIFIED SUCCESS OR LICENCE FOR ALL: THE PURPOSE OF QUALIFICATIONS IN A LEARNING SOCIETY

In this lecture at the Royal Society of Arts, 8 John Adam Street, London WC2, 6pm, Martin Cross, chief executive, RSA Examinations Board, will discuss how changes in working life are placing new demands on our licensing and certificating systems. Tickets free but bookable in advance. Details: 0171 930 5115.

MAY 3-25 BRIGHTON FESTIVAL

Premieres include von Einem’s Danton’s Death and Joshua Sobol’s The Village and the anniversaries of Schubert and Brahms will be celebrated. The programme includes: the Rambert and Siobhan Davies dance companies; plays from New Zealand, Denmark and Chicago; Seamus Heaney, Beryl Bainbridge, Libby Purves, Ian McEwan and David Baddiel. In the streets and parks there will be many (mostly free) activities including: a children’s parade, fireworks fiesta, Bolshoi Circus and Victorian funfair. Details: 01273 709709.

MAY 8 A FUTURE FOR LIBRARIES AND INFORMATION SERVICES

Public policy seminar organised by Queen Mary and Westfield College, London University, at Royal Overseas League, London SW1. Speakers include: Mark Fisher MP, shadow minister for the arts; Charles Chadwyck-Healey, president, European Information Association; Matthew Evans, chair, Library and Information Commission; and Catherine Blanshard, head of services to young people, Hertfordshire. Details: Pounds 235 plus VAT. Details: Sheila Mathison, 01422 845584.

MAY 10 LIFETIME LEARNING: PROVISION FOR ADULTS

Seminar to examine one of the themes on the Dudley Borough Agenda (its five-year strategy). Venue: Saltwells Education Development Centre, Bowling Green Road, Netherton, Dudley, 9am-noon. Topics include: high quality, non-vocational education; learning and recreation for adults with special needs; and new technologies for learning and community participation. Details: Tony Taylor or Angela Marchant, 01384 814302814255.

MAY 13 USING IT TO SUPPORT DIFFERENTIATION

Information technology seminar, based on a National Council for Educational Technology publication, organised by Centre for Micro-Assisted Communication and Special Educational Needs Joint Initiative for Training. Fee: Pounds 55, Pounds 45 subscribers. Details: CENMAC, Eltham Green Complex, 1a Middle Park Avenue, London SE9 5HL, 0181 850 9229.

COURSES MAY 9-11, JUNE 20-22 SUPPORTING POSITIVE PARENTING: SKILLS FOR SCHOOL NURSES AND HOME LIAISON STAFF FOR WORKING ACROSS THE HOME-SCHOOL BOUNDARY

Organised by Unit for the study of Parent Education and Training at De Montfort University, Leicester (Scraptoft Campus). Fee: Pounds 250 plus VAT. Details: Sue Colledge, 0116 257 7354.