September 15-16 The Association for the Study of Primary Education National Conference This will be held at St Martin’s College Ambleside, Cumbria, where talks will include: “Battery Hens or Free-range Chickens: What Kind of Education for What Kind of World?” by John Abbott, from the Twenty-First Century Learning Initiative. For more details contact Mike Brogden on: 01584 841649; e-mail: mike.brogden@virgin.net September 25-27 Preparatory SchoolsAnnual Conference Organised by the Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools, this members-only conference will be held at the Marriott Hotel in Bristol. For details call: 01926 887833.
September 26 National Meningitis Trust Annual Conference Senior health professionals, policy makers and educators will gather at the Botanical Gardens, Edgbaston, Birmingham, to discuss the issues surrounding this killer disease. For more information, contact the Education and Training Department on: 01453769033769036 or visit their website: www.meningitis-trust.org.uk October 6-8 Family Learning Weekend Supported by the Department for Education and Employment, and organised by Campaign for Learning, this event encourages community groups to organise activities. Those registering their interest by calling 0117 966 7755 will receive free publicity materials. From September 1, details of planned Family Learning Weekend activities will be available from Learndirect, the free national learning helpline, by telephoning:0800 100 900.
October 7 Mathematics in the Early Years Speakers at this one-day conference will include Lesley Staggs, principal manager for under-fives at the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. The day has been organised by the Early Childhood Mathematics Group, inconjunction with mths book publishers, BEAM Education. It will also involve a wide range of practical workshops on organising and providing activities. For details contact Jo Bailey or Graham Barker at BEAM. Tel: 020 7684 3323; e-mail: info@beam.co.uk Environmental Cleanliness Awards Canon Burrows primary school, Ashton-under-Lyne, Greater Manchester, has won the David Bellamy Award for Environmental Cleanliness and a prize of pound;8,000. Pupils were asked to compile an environmental charter that focused on improving their school and the local community’s environment. When asked how they would spend the prize money to benefit the school, the children voted to build an all-weather surface on the playing field to protect plants and flowers from being trampled. Schools wanting to obtain an entry pack for next year’s award should contact the British Institute of Cleaning Science. Tel: 01604 678710 or e-mail: info@bics.org.uk October 4 International Walk to School Day This coincides with walk to school days in America and Canada, and is part of the second Walk to School Week this year. The event is being organised by the Pedestrians’ Association and the TravelWise campaign - a federation of local authorities which aims to promote sustainable transport.
Transport Minister, Keith Hill said the Government was “working with schools to help them to create safe and practical ways for more youngsters to walk, as well as cycle or take the bus or train to school.” A Literacy Through Walk to School pack costs pound;5 and is available from local authorities and the Pedestrian Association (Tel: 0207 820 1010). It provides activities for the literacy hour, as well as stickers, bookmarks and event diaries. For more information visit the website: www.walktoschool.org.uk
