OCTOBER 14. FELLOW CITIZENS? CHILDREN IN PUBLIC CARE

Organised by the Who Cares? Trust at Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, London SW1, to explore how public care should encourage young people to become active citizens. Chaired by Jon Snow, speakers include: Bea Campbell, writer and broadcaster; and Denise Platt, chief inspector, Social Services Inspectorate. Fee: Pounds 95 plus VAT. Details: 0171 251 3117.

OCTOBER 31. THE LIFE OF PROFESSOR RON GULLIFORD: A CELEBRATION

Co-hosted by the National Association of Special Education at Birmingham University to mark the achievements of one of the first people in the UK to be appointed professor of special education and to earmark what remains to be done. Speakers include Baroness Warnock. No fee, but a Pounds 10 donation would be welcome. Details: 0121 414 6733; e-mail: j.r.whittaker@bham.ac.uk

OCTOBER 31. PLAYING WITH THE NOTES

Organised by Incorporated Society of Musicians at the City of London School, London EC4. Presentations and workshops on composing, performing and improvising, from jazz to classical, will be given by such experts as Margaret Barrett, Tasmania University; Sean Gregory, Guildhall School of Music and Drama; and Stephen Goss, guitarist and teacher of analysis, harmony and aural at the Yehudi Menuhin School. Fee: Pounds 60, Pounds 45 members. Details: Fiona MacLeod, 0171 629 4413.

Events

OCTOBER 7-17. DICKENS IN AMERICA

One-man-show, Steven Crossley, plays Dickens on his two visits to America, aged 30 and 56, where he was feted as no Englishman would be again until the Beatles. This new play, at Bristol Old Vic’s New Vic Studio, has been adapted by Nigel Gearing. Tickets: Pounds 9 (Pounds 6 concessions). Details: 0117 987 7877.

OCTOBER 8-JANUARY 11. ADDRESSING THE CENTURY: 100 YEARS OF ART AND FASHION

This exhibition at the Hayward Gallery, South Bank, London SE1, highlights moments when the worlds of art and fashion have converged, for example Paul Poiret, the fashion designer who liberated women from the corset, and his links with Matisse, Dufy and Klimt and Salvador Dali and Meret Oppenheim’s work with fashion designer, Elsa Schiaparelli. Visitors can handle and try on fashions in the “Dressing Room”. Details: 0171 928 3144.

OCTOBER 8. NATIONAL POETRY DAY

This year’s theme is comic verse - from nonsense rhymes and cautionary tales to political satire and song lyrics. A free schools’ pack sent out in June features 13 specially-commissioned poems by contemporary poets, including Roger McGough, Wendy Cope, John Mole, Jo Shapcott, Michael Rosen and Linton Kwesi Johnson, with teachers’ notes. Events include a special celebration at the Royal National Theatre, London, and the announcement of the winners of the Poetry Society’s first Young National Poetry Competition. Details: The Poetry Society, 22 Betterton Street, London WC2H 9BU, tel: 0171 240 4810

OCTOBER 9. JEANS FOR GENES APPEAL

Once again everyone in the UK is being encouraged to wear jeans for a day and donate Pounds 1 for research into genetic disorders affecting children. The four organising charities, which include Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, are aiming to raise Pounds 2 million. All registering schools will be sent a free information pack and the extensively revised Science Behind Jeans for Genes Day pack. Details from Freephone 0800 980 4800.

OCTOBER 9-11, NOVEMBER 13-15, 27-29. LITERARY WEEKENDS

Organised by Ways with Words at Dean Court Hotel, York, Adnams Hotels, Southwold, Suffolk, and the Angel Hotel, Bury St Edmunds, respectively. Participants include: Magnus Magnusson, Anthony Sher, Nicholas Evans, Edward Heath, Roy Hattersley and Anthony Holden. Fee: Pounds 145-Pounds 198. Tickets for individual talks: Pounds 6.50. Details: 01803 867373.

OCTOBER 13. WHY ISN’T EVERYBODY BLACK?

First of a series of free lunchtime lectures being given on Tuesdays and Thursdays until December 10 at University College London, Gower Street, WC1, 1.15pm-1.55pm. It will be given by Steve Jones, professor of biology. Others include: “Children are unbeatable” by Michael Freeman, professor of laws; “Scapegoating the gypsies: Eastern Europe today” by Dr Michael Stewart (anthropology); “The scientific case for human spaceflight” by Dr Ian Crawford (physics and astronomy); and “How students learn: perceptions and realities” by Professor Lewis Elton (higher education and research development unit). Details: 0171 504 2043 or Website: ucl.ac.ukRegistryMISLHL

OCTOBER 17-24. NETD@YS EUROPE 98

To demonstrate the educational benefits of information and communications technology the European Commission is encouraging schools and organisations to run their own activities this week. National events include UK NetYear’s online “Masterclasses” (for pupils and teachers) and “Teachers’ Questions”. The masterclasses will include a Shakespeare text with an actor or director and science with a well-known scientist. Details: Anne Nott, 0181 660 6541; e-mail: AnneNott@compuserve.com

Courses

OCTOBER 15. STORIES INTO DRAMA

NOVEMBER 12. THE CINDERELLA STORIES

Twilight practical training courses for reception and key stage 1-2 teachers at The Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith, London W8, 4.30-6.30pm. At the first, David Farmer, Tiebreak Theatre Company’s artistic director, will explore simple dramatic techniques and how they can be used to present a well-known story like “The Ugly Duckling”. At the second, storyteller Jan Blake will show how teachers can use oral traditions to develop literacy skill. Fee: Pounds 40 plus VAT (Pounds 30 for local schools). Details: 0181 741 0824.

OCTOBER 26 AND NOVEMBER 18. TASTER COURSE IN TEACHING

Are you interested in starting a second career in secondary school teaching? With this course, the Institute of Education, London WC1, and the Teacher Training Agency are aiming to recruit more teachers, particularly in shortage subjects (science, mathematics, modern foreign languages, religious education and design and technology). It involves two days at the Institute - an initial session covering such topics as the national curriculum, legislative framework, school organisation and current teaching practice and a summing up session - and a day in a partner school. Fee: Pounds 25. Details: Lyn Griffiths, 0171 612 6589; e-mail: l.griffiths@ioe.ac.uk

OCTOBER 29. THE IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF CHILDREN WITH SPEECH AND LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENT: THE ROLE AND PRACTICE OF THE EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGIST

In-service training day organised by AFASIC (overcoming speech impairments) at London Voluntary Service Resource Centre, 356 Holloway Road, N7. Fee: Pounds 86. Details: Carol Lingwood, 01273 381009.

FLEXIBLE LEARNING AT ANY DISTANCE

Courses at Bilston Community College, West Midlands, range from basic to higher education and include some professional qualifications. A wide range of GCSEs and A- levels covers minority subjects not always available elsewhere. Details: Janice Clark, 01902 821023; e-mail: bic@fc.bilston.ac.uk