Sir Claus Moser, former chairman of the National Commission on Education’s research centre and warden of Wadham College, Oxford (1984-1993), has been appointed chair of the Government’s Basic Skills Agency.

Julien Kramer, formerly director of education for Greenwich, has become director of educational services for Worcestershire.

Professor Peter Day is to retire as director of the Royal Institution of Great Britain on September 30, 1998.

David Brierley, who was general manager of the Royal Shakespeare Company for 28 years and is a member of the Arts Council’s Lottery Panel, is now chairman of South West Arts.

CONFERENCES

DECEMBER 4

COUNSELLING IN A SCHOOL SETTING

Organised by Youth Access at London Voluntary Resource Centre, Holloway Road, N7, for youth counselling agency workers and schools. It will examine whether the school’s or agency’s policies operate if counselling is offered in schools by voluntary sector and youth service agencies; how to establish confidentiality boundaries in a school; how counselling relates to the school’s pastoral and child protection services; and funding. Fee: Pounds 64.63, Pounds 47 members. Details: Diane Aimable-Lina, 0181 772 9900.

DECEMBER 5

DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION: ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDERS

Organised by ADD Diagnostics at Kensington Town Great Hall, London SW7. Speaker: Dr Edward Hallowell, USA expert and author. Fee: Pounds 95 (concessions available). Details: Dianne Aaccheo, 0171 603 0368.

JANUARY 14-16

HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE

Organised by National Health Service Executive North West, Health Education Authority and other organisations at Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts to launch the Young People’s Network in the region. Themes include: health promotion settings, mental health and well being, running risks and inequalities and their impact on young people’s health. Fee: Pounds 165. Details: 0151 227 4423.

INFORMATION

LADY ALLEN MEMORIAL TRUST AWARDS

Applications for awards of up to Pounds 1,000 are invited by January 15 from people working with children - particularly those disadvantaged or disabled - and their families, who wish to travel to enlarge their experience and enhance the quality of their work. Details: D Whitaker, 21 Aspull Common, Leigh WN7 3BP.

ROYAL SOCIETY AND BRITISH ASSOCIATION MILLENNIUM AWARDS

Anyone from a science and technology background with a good idea for promoting science to the public is invited to apply for an award by December 31. Projects funded include Pounds 10,000 to Regina Bash-Taqi to help set up Little Atoms Science Parties with laser light shows, bubbling potions, model rocket launches and chemical magic in South London’s Elephant and Castle area. Details: Meenal Gupta, BA, 0171 973 3078; e-mail: ba.talk.sciencemcrl.poptel.org.uk EVENTS

NOVEMBER 24-DECEMBER 13

WINTER LIGHTS

York’s Archaeological Research Centre is staging a cross-curricular exploration of light, shadow and colour incorporating three religious winter festivals (Advent, Diwali and Hanukkah) and combined with purpose-built, interactive science experiments. Activities include an “infinity tunnel”, mirrors, shadow puppets, fibre optics and a “laser-amazer”. School groups should allow 90 minutes for a visit. Open evening for teachers, November 24. Detailsbookings: Martin Barlett, 01904 654324.

NOVEMBER 25

CHILDREN, LEARNING AND THE MEANING OF TIME

Lecture by Mia Beaumont, educational therapist, organised by the Forum for the Advancement of Educational Therapy and Therapeutic Teaching at Tavistock Clinic, 120 Belsize Lane, London NW3, 7.30pm. Fee: Pounds 6, Pounds 3 members. FAETT details: 0181 998 4224 (evenings).

NOVEMBER 25-DECEMBER 9

EAST SIDE STORIES

Film season at the Goethe-Institut, Exhibition Road, London SW7. It opens with the internationally-acclaimed documentary, East Side Story, long concealed behind the Iron Curtain and Marieluise from Golzow, which looks beneath the surface of GDR life in a way previously impossible. Tickets: Pounds 2. Details: 0171 411 3400.

NOVEMBER 25 AND DECEMBER 2

LESSONS OF THE HOLOCAUST

Launch of new teaching pack at Froebel College, Roehampton Lane, London SW15, and Imperial War Museum, Lambeth Road, London SE1, 4.30-7pm, free admission. Produced by the Holocaust Educational Trust and Spiro Institute for key stage 3, GCSE, A-level and undergraduate students, it costs Pounds 25 plus Pounds 4 postage. Details: 0171 222 5115.

NOVEMBER 29

DEALING WITH DISRUPTIVE PUPILS

Roy Lund, author of A Whole School Behaviour Policy and a former special needs adviser for Hertfordshire, will present practical strategies for primary and secondary schools at Chichester Institute of Higher Education (Bognor Regis Campus). Fee: Pounds 50. Details: Abby Park, 01243 816277.

NOVEMBER 29

OPEN DAY

If you or a family member has problems with reading, writing, spelling, mathematics, study skills and organisation, see how the Dyslexia Institute can help at Provincial House, 69 South Parade, Sutton Coldfield, 10am-2pm. Details: 0121 354 6855.

COURSES

STARTING JANUARY

MUSIC, DRAMA AND SOCIAL EDUCATION

Hope Street’s Acting Up offers unemployed 18 to 24-year-olds living in Liverpool the opportunity to learn an instrument, sing, write songs, play in a band and participate in skill sessions including improvisation, devising and research. Training will culminate in performances in public venues. Expenses and a contribution towards childcare costs paid. No experience necessary. Details: James Crewe or Giles Agis, 0151 708 8007.

JANUARY 12-16

SON-RISE START UP PROGRAMME

The Option Institute in Massachusetts (featured in BBC’s QED last September) is bringing its training programme for parents of children with special needs and supporting professionals to London, five other European countries, Israel and Poland. Through lectures, demonstrations and interactive class exercises, the course covers diagnoses including Down’s Syndrome, head injuries, autism, and attention deficit disorder. Fee: $995. Accommodation: Steven Fox, 0181 18863714. Details and registration: 001 413 229 0493; e-mail: startup@bcn. net COMPETITIONS

ROBERT SCHUMAN ESSAY COMPETITION

Young EU citizens aged 16-18 are invited to submit an essay by December 31 on “How important is the Euro for the future of Europe?” to the European People Party Group (Christian Democrats). The best three entrants will receive a scholarship for a study or language course in the EU and a trip to Strasbourg or Brussels to see the European Parliament in action. Last year’s winner, Raul Rodrigues de Campos from Portugal, and his essay were featured in The European. Details: EPP Group Press Service (British section), MON 626, European Parliament, 97-113 rue Belliard, 1047 Brussels.

MOTOROLA YOUTH PARLIAMENT COMPETITION

The closing date for this has been extended to December 20. Run by the Citizenship Foundation, it challenges groups of secondary pupils to make a short video of a parliamentary session to include question time, debate and procedure (optional). Past regional and national prizes have included computers, camcorders and a presentation at the House of Commons. The top four schools will be invited to a live “play-off”. Details: The Citizenship Foundation, Weddel House, 13 West Smithfield, London EC1A 9HY.@