“Arts 2000? Where are the arts now for children with special educational needs?” will be explored on March 25 at Sunfield, the residential special school for pupils with severe and complex learning needs in Clent, Stourbridge, Worcestershire. Speakers include: Dr Nicola Grove, City University, London, and Lorette Lambe, White Top Centre, Dundee, on the process of developing an arts pack for people with profound learning disabilities. Choice of workshops. Fee: pound;75 including lunch. Details: Rose Welling, Sunfield School. Tel: 01562 883183.

New technologies for art and design education is the theme of a conference in Bristol, April 28-30, organised by the National Society for Education in Art and Design and the Association of Advisers in Art and Design. Venues include: the Royal Swallow Hotel, Watershed Media Centre and Arnolfini Gallery. Accommodation at the Swallow costs pound;80 single, pound;105 doubletwin. Registration: pound;170; pound;150 members. Details: NSEAD, The Gatehouse, Corsham Court, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 OBZ.Tel: 01249 714825. E-mail: AnneIngall@Compuserve.comWebsite: www.nsead.orghtmlinset.html

Co-ordination and Leadership of Art and Design in the Primary School, at Bath Spa University College between March and July, has been co-organised by the National Society for Education in Art and Design. Comprising 10 sessions over five half-days and evenings, it will encompass Teacher Training Agency national standards for subject leaders in art and design education and include practical workshops in drawing, painting, printmaking, 3D work and textiles. Department of Professional Development, Bath Spa University College, Newton Park, Bath BA2 9BN. Tel: 01225 875875.

The new Tate Modern at Bankside, London SE1, opens in May. Its in-service training centre, developed by the Interpretation and Education team and the National Society for Education in Art and Design, will “work with teachers to develop a greater understanding of modern and contemporary art and the theories and practices which help to shape it”.

Tel: NSEAD, 01249 714825.

Opening in May is the Study Gallery in Poole, Dorset, which will develop exhibitions, projects and networks to provide educational and creative opportunities for young people and their teachers. Jem Main, telfax: 01202 205200.

Teachers’ courses at the Victoria amp; Albert Museum, South Kensington, London SW7, include: “Sculpture in hand”, March 10-11, 10.15am-4pm, and “Textiles and Dress: Evening for Educators”, March 29, 6.30-9pm. At the first, participants will make a small-scale sculpture and a tactile piece, listen to an illustrated talk by a sculptor and explore the museum’s sculpture collections. Fee: pound;105. The second is free, but book in advance. Tel: 020 7942 2209. Education department: 020 7942 2197.

Summer weekend courses for voice, piano, violin and viola, cello, woodwind ensemble, oboe and baroque ensemble are being run for professional and amateur musicians at Jackdaws Educational Trust, Bridge House, Great Elm, Somerset. The season begins April 28-May 1 and ends on September 24. Fee: pound;105 for tuition and meals. Bed and breakfast in local homes costs pound;16 a night. New initiatives include “Flights of Fancy” arts camps in the gardens for children with learning difficulties or severe disabilities. Sixteen to 25-year-olds not in full-time education can apply for a bursary.Tel: 01373 812383.Website: www.jackdaws.org

Two-day workshops for young musicians are available at Youth House Music, International House, Upperton Road, Leicester. Subject matter and dates by arrangement, but could range from an introduction to the studio to using Musical Instrument Digital Interface. pound;250 per group. Food and accommodation extra. Tel: 0116 255 1554. Website: www.musicproject.demon.co.uk

EVENTS

Many gallery education events are being organised for National Children’s Art Day on May 5 as part of the Vivien Duffield Foundation’s “Artworks” initiative, a national award scheme recognising distinctive and innovative teaching and learning in art, backed by a website. Closing date for entry to the Artworks Awards is March 17.Tel: 01634 291122. E-mail: info@art-works.org.uk

Free music activities are being run for secondary students at Brighton Centre, Brighton, March 28-30. Part of the Institute of Physics’ annual congress, they will comprise talks with hands-on demonstrations of music and instruments by musicians, manufacturers and physicists. Also free public demonstration lectures on musical topics, March 27, 4.30pm and 6pm. Tel: 020 7470 4800. Website: www.iop.orgIOPCongress2000schoolchild.html

EXAMINATIONS

Stagecoach Theatre Arts Schools, the UK’s part-time stage schools for children, now offer pupils the opportunity to study for exams in musical theatre administered by the Trinity College London exam board. The Stagecoach syllabus covers theatre disciplines of drama, dance and song. Stagecoach, The Courthouse, Elm Grove, Walton-on-Thames, Surrey KT12 1LH.Tel: 01932 254333.E-mail: stagecoach@dial.pipex.comWebsite: www.stagecoach.co.uk

The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music is introducing three new diploma exams: the DipABRSM (Diploma of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), the LRSM (Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music), and the FRSM (Fellowship of the Royal Schools of Music). The syllabus, providing options for students post Grade 8 and a framework for continuing development in directing, performing and teaching, is available free from March.Tel: 020 7636 5400.E-mail: abrsm@abrsm.ac.uk Website: www.abrsm.ac.ukdiplomas.html