830 Teaching courses in Letchworth Garden City delivered Live Online

LOOKING FOR: YA, ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Laura Williams is literary agent at the Greene and Heaton Literary Agency. She is seeking literary fiction, commercial fiction, psychological thrillers and high concept Young Adult. Laura is actively building a fiction list and a small non-fiction list. She is currently looking for literary fiction, edgy commercial fiction, psychological thrillers and high-concept contemporary young adult, as well as narrative non-fiction of all types. Her taste is quite dark, and she loves gothic, ghost stories, horror and anything sinister. She also loves books that make her cry, from big love stories to intense family dramas. She is open to historical or horror YA, but not magical or fantasy.  Meditative or moving novels about modern life, appeal to Laura, sad stories with love and the importance of caring for each other shining through. She also loves stories about female friendships or conversely groups of women who don't get on, such as the hugely fun BAD SUMMER PEOPLE by Emma Rosenblum. She is always on the lookout for a big tragic love story to make her cry happy or sad tears. At the more commercial end of fiction, think funny novels with warmth and romantic comedies with a bit of depth – think Marian Keyes. Most of all Laura is looking for novels she hasn’t read before – something unusual structurally or thematically, something that shines a light on a subject the author is passionate about, something that’ll break her heart or raise her blood in an entirely new way. Laura is always looking to promote diverse voices from across the globe, and is particularly keen on LGBTQI+ stories. Laura would like you to submit a covering letter, a 1-2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your completed manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Laura is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Wednesday 23rd April 2025

Prerequisite: PECS Level 1 Training This two-day training focuses on creating lessons and activities to promote communication throughout the day. Beginning with a review of the Pyramid Approach to Education as it relates to PECS, we guide you in refining your PECS implementation and discuss current challenges you have experienced within the six phases. As you acquire teaching strategies on expanding vocabulary and syntax combined with new ideas for materials, we will discuss how to increase communication opportunities for your learner. Throughout the training, you will be provided with presenter demonstrations, video examples and opportunities to role-play. With innovative ideas, increased confidence and renewed enthusiasm, you will leave the PECS Level 2 Training ready to move PECS users to more sophisticated levels of communication. WATCH VIDEO WHAT YOU WILL LEARN Identify the six phases of the PECS protocol Analyse common difficulties with PECS implementation Generate solutions to common challenges with implementing PECS Provide communication opportunities across the day in all activities Implement specific strategies for teaching advanced language concepts WORKSHOP DETAILS Agenda: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Registration Time: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM CPD Points: Continued Professional Development Points CEUs: 7.5 BACB CEUs / 7.5 IBAO CEUs. Satisfactory completion of this course requires participants to be present for the duration of the course and to participate in all student responding activities (e.g. questions, role play, quizzes, and surveys). Tuition Includes: detailed handout with space for note taking, delegate practise bag and certificate of attendance. *Participants are encouraged to bring the PECS Training Manual (Frost and Bondy, 2002) that they received at their PECS Level 1 Training, as this workshop may reference some pages in the manual. This course is certified by the CPD certification service (the leading independent CPD accreditation institution) as conforming to continuing professional development principles. All delegates will receive a certificate of attendance detailing eligible CPD hours which can be used as verifiable documentary evidence when submitting CPD recording forms. Pyramid Educational Consultants is an approved BACB ACE Provider for Learning (Type 2) Continuing Education Credits. The BACB does not warrant, endorse, sponsor, approve, or partner with the event, organisation, or instructor. Pyramid Educational Consultants is an approved IBAO Provider for Continuing Education Credits.

Do you ever worry about how safe your students are in their relationships? Do you think that they might be vulnerable to abuse? You may work with students who indiscriminately sit on people’s laps or hug a stranger; or alternatively an adult with learning difficulties who is capable of having close intimate connections, but you worry about the speed of which they enter these relationships. These are common concerns and situations for any parent or care giver. It is well acknowledged that this need; to educate children and young people about relationships and social safety, is not being met at the moment. The SoSAFE! Programme is a visual teaching tool which enables learners to develop their abilities in managing; and communicating about their relationships. The program covers all degrees of interaction; from a student’s expectations of strangers, to the intricacies of an intimate relationship. SoSAFE! moves away from making feelings based decisions so we can enable and empower our learners to make their own judgments about what is okay to do with specific people. SoSAFE! provides a format which is portable and easy to understand, meaning that any student can discuss their relationships at any time. By giving students a set of ‘rules’ for different relationships they are better placed to realise when a relationship may not be acceptable and then have the tools to report potential abuse. If you want your students to have more success in safer relationships; but there is a gap in your knowledge that prevents you from doing this, then SoSAFE! is the framework for you. Teach them to be SoSAFE! Read a blog about one school's experience of implementing the programme. WHAT YOU WILL LEARN Discuss the history of and reasons for teaching social safety Identify characteristics of students and how best to support them Explore how to practically implement the SoSAFE! tool kit Learn how to teach explicit consent to any user Discover how to apply SoSAFE! to real life scenarios You can find further information on the SoSAFE Programme at sosafeprogram.com WORKSHOP DETAILS Agenda: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Registration Time: 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM Tuition Includes: A SoSAFE! Manual, all programme materials and SoSAFE! Tool Kit on a USB stick, handout with space for note taking and Certificate of Attendance.

When used effectively, questioning is a useful teaching and learning strategy. During this workshop we will discuss how questioning can be used effectively to assess, challenge and stretch pupils progress.

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, CHAPTER BOOKS, MG, YA Lil is a Senior Editor at Hachette Children's. She has well over 15 years experience in the publishing industry, working for major publishers and literary agents too.  For twelve years, Lil was a Senior Commissioning Editor at Working Partners Ltd – the creatives behind massive commercial hits such as Beast Quest, Warriors and the Daisy Meadows series. There she created globally successful concepts for every age group and developed storylines so the books were unputdownable. Lil is also an author in her own right: she has written 6 books under her own name, and ghost written many others under various pseudonyms.  In every age level, Lil would like to see originality - particularly in voice. A strong character with depth, venturing on a quest that's never been undertaken before will get her excited. The 'quest' doesn't have to be epic in scale, it could be as small as petting the next-door neighbour's dog, or getting the good looking new kid to notice you, it just has to be something a reader will want to invest in. She also loves humour and is happy to see anything quirky (perhaps even downright silly!).  For picture books, Lil would like you to submit a covering letter, and 1 complete manuscript, double-spaced, with spreads marked out, in a single word or PDF doc. For chapter books, MG and YA, please send a covering letter, the first three chapters and a synopsis, double spaced, in a single Word or PDF doc. Please send EITHER picture books OR another genre, not both in one submission. By booking this session you agree to email your material to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline to agent121@iaminprint.co.uk. Please note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice given in your Agent121. The submission deadline is: Wednesday 23rd April 2025

Join Heidi Steel for an insightful webinar, "Embracing Autonomy: How Unschooling Supports and Empowers PDA Children," where she will delve into the world of unschooling and its profound impact on children with Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA). In this webinar, you will learn how unschooling can provide an ideal environment for PDA children by honouring their autonomy, interests, and individual needs. She will explore how unschooling principles can help reduce anxiety and foster a sense of empowerment in PDA children. Heidi will share practical strategies and real-life examples of how unschooling can support the unique strengths and challenges of PDA children. During the webinar, we will cover topics such as: Understanding the unique needs and characteristics of PDA children How unschooling can create a supportive environment for PDA children Implementing unschooling strategies for PDA children A recording of this webinar is included and available for two weeks after the live event. These webinars are FREE for Unschooling Village Hub Members along with a back catalogue of Unschooling Webinars, regular live coaching sessions, and discounts on coaching and mentoring services. Sign up for just £20 per month. Yes! I want to join the LPL Unschooling Village Hub

Historical Association webinar series: Making history accessible Presenters: Catherine Priggs and Dale Banham  In this session, participants will review their action research projects established during the first webinar. Coaching conversations will encourage reflection, allowing participants to share their actions and insights. Additionally, they will begin developing a strategic plan to outline next steps for supporting students with SEND in accessing the history curriculum.  To use your corporate recording offer on this webinar please fill in this form: https://forms.office.com/e/bdNUSwLNrL Image: A Squire "Old English" padlock on a gate latch in Devon (Image: Partonez/Wikimedia Commons)

Historical Association webinar series: Direct history teaching Presenters: Mike Hill and Jacob Olivey In this opening session, Jacob and Mike will outline what they mean by direct history teaching. They will explain how this differs from some methods that have become common in history teaching – and why a more direct approach can be more effective, inclusive, and enjoyable for pupils.  To use your corporate recording offer on this webinar please fill in this form: https://forms.office.com/e/Qr1PfgRHSS We are able to offer the webinars in this series at a subsidised cost as the presenters' time has been partially funded by their school, Ark Soane Academy. We are open to developing partnerships across schools and trusts. If you are interested in discussing this further, please contact Mel Jones at melanie.jones@history.org.uk

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION Nicky Lovick has worked as an editor for over twenty years, working for top five publishers. She is now an agent at WGM Talent, building the books list. She is looking for commercial fiction, from upmarket women’s fiction, bookclub, romance, domestic noir and psychological thrillers, to crime series. She loves hooky stories such as Freida McFadden’s The Housemaid and Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware set in confined settings, such as hotels. She’s always on the lookout for romcoms with a fresh, contemporary feel to them such as Emily Henry’s Book Lovers. Also historical fiction with a twist and sweeping family sagas. Nicky wants you to make her laugh, make her cry or keep her hooked.  Nicky would like you to submit a covering letter, 1-2 page synopsis and the opening three chapters of your manuscript in a single word document.  (In addition to the paid sessions, Nicky is kindly offering one free session for low income/underrepresented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Monday 21st April 2025

LOOKING FOR: MG, YA, ADULT FICTION, ADULT NON-FICTION, NON-FICTION FOR 7+ Megan Carroll is looking for writers in a variety of areas, and from a wide range of backgrounds – she is particularly keen to hear from Black, Asian, and LGBTQIA+ writers. Her main areas of focus this year are adult fiction and non-fiction, as well as non-fiction for 7+, and MG and YA fiction. In Fiction, Megan is keen to see high-concept love stories (think The Flat Share or The Lock In) for both commercial and reading group readers. She’d love to see those familiar romance tropes – enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, love triangles, forbidden love etc. – with underrepresented characters at the centre. She is also looking for historical fiction and gothic horror (think Laura Purcell, Stacey Halls and Silvia Moreno-Garcia) – anything that has a creepy, uneasy undertone is likely for Megan’s list. Megan is also actively looking for upmarket fiction and would love to see layered family drama, contemporary stories about life today and darkly comic novels that explore a specific time, place or experience. In Non-Fiction, Megan is keen to hear from experts in their field talking about topics relating to film, music, true crime, popular culture, history and issues from largely unrepresented perspectives. She is keen to see memoir, narrative non-fiction and essay collections. In Children’s and YA, she is keen to see contemporary YA with humour, and romance at the heart – fun and emotional stories that appeal to the interests and issues of the teenage readers. She’d also love to see thrillers and horror stories for this age group too. It’s unlikely that high fantasy novels for YA readers will be right for her, but she is keen to see stories with fantasy elements in a real world setting. On the younger end, Megan is looking for funny, contemporary middle grade – think Louise Rennison and Karen McCombie – and anything creepy and spooky for 8-12 year old readers too. She’d love to find something like Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and is keen to find original adventure stories in both fantasy and realistic settings. Megan would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first three chapters or 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Megan is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print).  By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting. The submission deadline is: Thursday 24th April 2025