Villa courses in London

What happens when we stop thinking about ‘screen time’ and move beyond the idea that unlimited screen time is bad? We are examining the notion of Screen Time and why it is so difficult to let go of restrictions and those nagging fears that we hold on to. Taking a look at the idea of unrestricted screen time from an unschooling perspective and the benefits, of embracing screen time in your family. Because on the other side of uncertainty, you could find something special. A world of possibilities, and endless learning. 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 and more. Sign up for just £20 per month. Yes! I want to join the LPL Unschooling Village Hub

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION Jade Kavanagh is a Literary Agent at Darley Anderson Literary Agency. She has a degree in English Literature from the University of Westminster then went on to achieve her Masters in Modern and Contemporary Fictions. Alongside assisting Camilla Bolton on her list of clients Jade is building her own list of suspense, thriller and horror with distinct voices and setting. Across these genres Jade looks for powerful female narratives and dynamic characterisation. She wants female characters like Shiv Roy (Succession), Emily Gilmore (Gilmore Girls), Annalise Keating (How to Get Away with Murder), Buffy Summers (Buffy), Ellen Ripley (Alien), Dana Scully (The X Files), Detective Kima Greggs (The Wire). Jade would love something with a big book club hook that readers devour in one sitting. Setting and atmosphere are of huge appeal. She wants stories with a vivid sense of place and to be immersed in the world of the characters. Jade wants detail down to what shade of lipstick or colour of the lamp on their bedside table and the nature and landscape around them. She loves luxury settings she can get excited about reading and descriptions to lose herself in. Jade also loves dark twists on glamorous concepts and settings. Think The Devil Wears Prada meets Killing Eve, or Real Housewives or Succession meets How to Kill My Family or something akin to White Lotus.  Across the spectrum of horror and speculative fiction, Jade is looking for haunting stories filled with slow build darkness and characters with heart. Think 28 Days Later and The Last of Us. She really wants a dark witchy story… or on the cozier side a fresh take on something like Practical Magic or Charmed. Jade wants heroes to root for, and villains that terrify and enrage her in equal measure. One of Jade's favourite TV shows is Orphan Black; she'd love to see a book series like this. As a proud member of the Twilight generation, (Team Edward forever!) she’d also love to read a modern vampire novel. Show her American Psycho meets Dracula. Give her 2023 Carlisle Cullen in a thriller or a new take on Buffy. Whilst not actively looking for sci-fi novels, Jade would love to see A Scully and Mulder for the 2020s!  Notably, Jade looks for voices from all walks of life. She is incredibly passionate about bringing working-class voices into the commercial fiction space. She would love to hear from new exciting talent, telling stories about everyday people with relatable voices, people she grew up with, people she can imagine. Jade would like you to submit a covering letter, 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, Jade 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: Tuesday 10 December 2024

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION Jade Kavanagh is a Literary Agent at Darley Anderson Literary Agency. She has a degree in English Literature from the University of Westminster then went on to achieve her Masters in Modern and Contemporary Fictions. Alongside assisting Camilla Bolton on her list of clients Jade is building her own list of suspense, thriller and horror with distinct voices and setting. Across these genres Jade looks for powerful female narratives and dynamic characterisation. She wants female characters like Shiv Roy (Succession), Emily Gilmore (Gilmore Girls), Annalise Keating (How to Get Away with Murder), Buffy Summers (Buffy), Ellen Ripley (Alien), Dana Scully (The X Files), Detective Kima Greggs (The Wire). Jade would love something with a big book club hook that readers devour in one sitting. Setting and atmosphere are of huge appeal. She wants stories with a vivid sense of place and to be immersed in the world of the characters. Jade wants detail down to what shade of lipstick or colour of the lamp on their bedside table and the nature and landscape around them. She loves luxury settings she can get excited about reading and descriptions to lose herself in. Jade also loves dark twists on glamorous concepts and settings. Think The Devil Wears Prada meets Killing Eve, or Real Housewives or Succession meets How to Kill My Family or something akin to White Lotus.  Across the spectrum of horror and speculative fiction, Jade is looking for haunting stories filled with slow build darkness and characters with heart. Think 28 Days Later and The Last of Us. She really wants a dark witchy story… or on the cozier side a fresh take on something like Practical Magic or Charmed. Jade wants heroes to root for, and villains that terrify and enrage her in equal measure. One of Jade's favourite TV shows is Orphan Black; she'd love to see a book series like this. As a proud member of the Twilight generation, (Team Edward forever!) she’d also love to read a modern vampire novel. Show her American Psycho meets Dracula. Give her 2023 Carlisle Cullen in a thriller or a new take on Buffy. Whilst not actively looking for sci-fi novels, Jade would love to see A Scully and Mulder for the 2020s!  Notably, Jade looks for voices from all walks of life. She is incredibly passionate about bringing working-class voices into the commercial fiction space. She would love to hear from new exciting talent, telling stories about everyday people with relatable voices, people she grew up with, people she can imagine. Jade would like you to submit a covering letter, 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, Jade 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: Friday 24th January 2025

LOOKING FOR: YA/NA FANTASY, SFF, HORROR, ADULT FICTION John Baker (he/him) joined the Bell Lomax Moreton agency in 2019, cultivating a list shaped around his passion for science fiction, fantasy, and horror, though has lately also branched out into action/adventure fiction. John focuses on authors writing in the Adult, New Adult, and YA spaces. John leads the wider agency's film & TV desk, is the Secretary of the Association of Author’s Agents, and the co-chair of the AAA’s Bridge Committee. He also serves on the Kingston University MA Publishing Advisory Board. Under the umbrella of speculative fiction, John is looking for fantasy, science fiction, horror, romantasy, or literary speculative fiction. He has built a reputation as a champion of underrepresented voices and stories, be it from creators hailing from the global majority and their diasporas or neurodiverse authors, and naturally gravitates towards this kind of storytelling. In short, if he’s never read a story like yours before, he wants to see it. Adult fantasy: John loves beefy epic fantasy, especially non-Anglo Christian-inspired. Give him an immersive world, a fresh magical or mythic system, and an exciting cast of characters and he’ll be happy. He is a broad church in the genre so loves a political fantasy, swords and sorcery, courtly intrigue, monster hunting and dastardly villains. John is keen to find an urban fantasy that feels fresh and fun and he’s a sucker for a heroic quest narrative. He’s also very open to fantasy that isn’t easily categorised, but it is playing in that world. John is keenly hunting for more historical fantasy, especially inspired by modern history. He’s had fun with mythological retellings in the past, but as ever, let’s make sure it’s shining the spotlight on new stories. He would also love fantasy that centres on types of relationships less celebrated in fantasy, such as established and secure married couples, or siblings. NA/YA fantasy: In this genre, most importantly, John wants to have a good time, whether it’s swoon-worthy kisses in lush ball gowns, or gruesome gore and monsters, so send him pacy, plot-filled adventures. He’d love more books that teenage boys would love: Skullduggery Pleasant forever! Romantasy: The thriving new romantasy genre comes with its own set of challenges, so John wants to know what makes your romantasy different; what will set it out from the (very crowded!) market. Give it completely barmy stakes, cool and unique new settings, or a love story that will make your jaw drop. To be clear, he’s happily sorted for a human person meets a fae creature in the spooky woods. Also, cosmic romance is the genre of the future. Give him romantasy in space. Easy. Horror: John and horror are old friends. He loves horror inspired by myth and folklore, subversive weird horror that leaves your eyebrows in your hairline, historical horror that pulls from ghastly true stories, and anything that you’ll be reading with the light on. He also loves a gothic element and is particularly looking for horror with a strong romantic throughline, fun YA horror, and female & NB horror authors. Science fiction: SF is coming back! And John has been shouting about that. He loves to see an adventurous found-family romp through space or an epic, crunchy space opera. Speculative near-future is fun too, in the vein of Black Mirror’s more uplifting episodes, (e.g. San Junipero). He loves YA science fiction as well; the more creative the better. Literary: John is open to finding more rich magical realism or something character-led yet supernatural and would love a high-concept mystery, in the vein of Stuart Turton. He also loves spec fic that uses the speculative lightly as a way of confronting a deeper truth in society today. Weird stuff: John wants books that will blow people’s minds and defy categorisation. This is hard to describe, but think Gideon The Ninth, The Library At Mount Char, This Is How You Lose The Time War. John loves a pitch that leaves the editors baffled but intrigued. Action/Adventure, Historical Adventure, Espionage: John is branching out into non-speculative adventures, such as John Le Carré, Lee Child, Ian Flemming, and Mick Herron. More as his taste develops, but the hunt is on! Not looking for: military sci-fi or hard SF, or anything with biblical “character wakes up in purgatory/heaven/hell” narratives. The right comedic fantasy has yet to hit his inbox, but please don’t comp Douglas Adams or Sir Terry. John would like you to submit a covering letter, 1-2 page synopsis and the first three chapters (or 5,000 words whichever is longest) of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, John 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 15th January 2025

Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language 1 to 1 Tutor Support Included | Accredited by Signature| Ofqual Regulated | Interactive Training | Step by Step Guideline This qualification is designed to enable learners to develop their skills to communicate with Deaf people using British Sign Language (BSL) in a range of everyday situations. The qualification will allow learners to participate in longer and more varied conversations than at Level 1. The course will develop communication in BSL about real life, routine, and daily experiences. The learner will be able to deal with most routine communication and have enough understanding of grammar to cope with some non-routine communication. Learners should be taught a number of regional variations in sign language. The course specification has been designed to be consistent with the National Language Standards at Level 2. **This course is distributed under the Lead Academy licence.** Accredited by Signature Ofqual Regulated, Nationally Recognised Qualification Qualification: Signature Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language (RQF) Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language is suitable for those who: Wish to achieve language skills at an intermediate level to improve communication with Deaf people Are Deaf and wish to gain a qualification in their native language Are family, friends and colleagues of Deaf people Want to progress from Level 1 study in BSL, and who may want to progress to more advanced levels of study in BSL at a later date Are studying for personal development. Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language is suitable for all ages, including pre-16 Meet the Trainer Adam Linsdell Hello. My name is Adam and I am a British Sign Language Teacher. I am Deaf and have been using British Sign Language since I was a teenager. My personal experience of Deafness was my primary reason for learning BSL and why I have such a deep passion for this beautiful and expressive language. I have studied BSL to NVQ Level 6 and trained to become a teacher, enabling me to achieve my dream of teaching BSL in my local community. This opportunity has enabled me to work with the local Deaf community, building strong relationships and links. I have taught sign language throughout Cambridge, teaching at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge Regional College, Cambridgeshire Deaf Association and Cottenham Village College. Usually, I teach face to face but during lockdown my classes moved online - this has been a new experience and a great opportunity for me and my learners. Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language, Winter 2022 Class starts February 2022 Weekly via Zoom with 1 face to face session Day & Time: This Will be confirmed soon, please register your interest. Level 2 BSL Qualification Full Specification Venue: Zoom Online Teacher: Adam Linsdell Progression routes On completion of Signature Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language, a wide range of further qualifications is available, including: Signature Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language Signature Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language Signature Level 4 Certificate in British Sign Language and Introduction to Interpreting Signature Level 6 NVQ Certificate in British Sign Language Nationally Recognised Qualification: After successfully passing the official exam you will achieve Ofqual regulated nationally recognised Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language Qualification that is valued by all the employers and academic institutes in the UK. Official Exam You will be assessed remotely via an online zoom exam that you can take from the comfort of your own home. When you will be ready for the exam there is an additional registration fee of £199 to book the official exam. **This course is distributed under the Lead Academy licence.** Recognised Accreditation This course is accredited by continuing professional development (CPD). CPD UK is globally recognised by employers, professional organisations, and academic institutions, thus a certificate from CPD Certification Service creates value towards your professional goal and achievement. The Quality Licence Scheme is a brand of the Skills and Education Group, a leading national awarding organisation for providing high-quality vocational qualifications across a wide range of industries. What is CPD? Employers, professional organisations, and academic institutions all recognise CPD, therefore a credential from CPD Certification Service adds value to your professional goals and achievements. Benefits of CPD Improve your employment prospects Boost your job satisfaction Promotes career advancement Enhances your CV Provides you with a competitive edge in the job market Demonstrate your dedication Showcases your professional capabilities What is IPHM? The IPHM is an Accreditation Board that provides Training Providers with international and global accreditation. The Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM) accreditation is a guarantee of quality and skill. Benefits of IPHM It will help you establish a positive reputation in your chosen field You can join a network and community of successful therapists that are dedicated to providing excellent care to their client You can flaunt this accreditation in your CV It is a worldwide recognised accreditation What is Quality Licence Scheme? This course is endorsed by the Quality Licence Scheme for its high-quality, non-regulated provision and training programmes. The Quality Licence Scheme is a brand of the Skills and Education Group, a leading national awarding organisation for providing high-quality vocational qualifications across a wide range of industries. Benefits of Quality License Scheme Certificate is valuable Provides a competitive edge in your career It will make your CV stand out Course Curriculum Theme 1 - Everyday Conversation (mandatory) Describe what a person, animal or object looks like - family, age, name, hair, size, ethnic groups, clothes, religion, materials, pattern and colours Describe a person's behaviour, personality, characteristics or feelings. Describe what an animal looks like and how it behaves Describe what you do at school, college or work as part of your daily routine. Express an attitude or opinion / like or dislike Describe an event or activity that has taken place in the past or is due to happen in the future Describe activities that you do regularly in the home or for leisure, the places that you go, your home and address Describe everyday illnesses, health, treatment and hospital Theme 2 - Eating & Drinking Describe different types of meals, drinks and food types Describe how you would prepare a meal using the relevant utensils and ingredients Describe a time you have been for a meal with friends, where you went, what you ordered, what the food was like and how you paid Give your views on eating and drinking e.g. breakfast and main meal Compare two different foods or drinks e.g. snacks, fruit, vegetables, sweets and taste Express an opinion on different payment methods, restaurant staff or an experience you may have hadExpress an opinion on different payment methods, restaurant staff or an experience you may have had Theme 3 - Shopping & Spending Describe the different types of shops, payment methods, receipts and refunds, budgeting etc Explain how you pay for different services e.g. money, cards, cheque, paypal Ask for the price of things and comment on whether this is expensive, reasonable,cheap etc Discuss your experiences ordering online / e-shopping Compare two or more things you have bought by size, cost, quality and how easy it was to get Give your opinions about current and past shopping experiences Theme 4 - Travel and Holidays Describe buying a ticket and travelling to different places Describe how you felt when travel arrangements went wrong e.g. there was a breakdown or accident Describe your experience of the hotel, B&B or campsite. What facilities did it have? Was it good or bad? Discuss activities / places that you have visited on holiday Compare two or more holidays or journeys you've been on Give your opinion about current and past holiday experiences - complaints, compliments, weather and transport Obtain Your Certificate

Murder Mystery for KS3 is a Creative Writing course for 11-14 year olds. During the 5 weeks, students will become familiar with detectives, criminals and villains, from Enola Holmes to Edgar Allen Poe’s Dupin. They will learn how to build suspense in their writing, create red herrings for the reader and will be challenged to use their own detective skills in an end of unit 'whodunnit'.

Murder Mystery for KS3 is a Creative Writing course for 11-14 year olds. During the 5 weeks, students will become familiar with detectives, criminals and villains, from Enola Holmes to Edgar Allen Poe’s Dupin. They will learn how to build suspense in their writing, create red herrings for the reader and will be challenged to use their own detective skills in an end of unit 'whodunnit'.

Murder Mystery for KS3 is a Creative Writing course for 11-14 year olds. During the 5 weeks, students will become familiar with detectives, criminals and villains, from Enola Holmes to Edgar Allen Poe’s Dupin. They will learn how to build suspense in their writing, create red herrings for the reader and will be challenged to use their own detective skills in an end of unit 'whodunnit'.

Level 1 Award in British Sign Language 1 to 1 Tutor Support-Live Zoom Class | Accredited by Signature | Ofqual Regulated | Interactive Training | Step by Step Guideline This qualification is designed to teach learners to communicate with Deaf people in British Sign Language (BSL) on a range of topics that involve simple, everyday language use. They will gain basic skills and confidence in production and reception of BSL. The course specification has been designed using the UK Occupational Language Standards 2010 at Level 1. **This course is distributed under the Lead Academy licence.** Learning outcomes: At the end of this unit, the successful learners will: Understand and communicate basic conversation when meeting people Know basic numbers Know different weather conditions and respond to questions about the weather Know a range of transport modes Communicate a range of directions Accredited by Signature Ofqual Regulated, Nationally Recognised Qualification Qualification: Signature Level 1 Award in British Sign Language (RQF) Qualification objectives At the end of the qualification, learners will be able to: Understand and use a limited range of simple words and sentences in BSL Take part in simple, everyday conversations in BSL Give and follow simple directions or instructions in BSL Give and follow simple familiar statements or descriptions in BSL Meet the Trainer Adam Linsdell Hello. My name is Adam and I am a British Sign Language Teacher. I am Deaf and have been using British Sign Language since I was a teenager. My personal experience of Deafness was my primary reason for learning BSL and why I have such a deep passion for this beautiful and expressive language. I have studied BSL to NVQ Level 6 and trained to become a teacher, enabling me to achieve my dream of teaching BSL in my local community. This opportunity has enabled me to work with the local Deaf community, building strong relationships and links. I have taught sign language throughout Cambridge, teaching at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge Regional College, Cambridgeshire Deaf Association and Cottenham Village College. Usually, I teach face to face but during lockdown my classes moved online - this has been a new experience and a great opportunity for me and my learners. Level 1 Award in British Sign Language, Winter 2022 Class starts 29th January 2022 - Course runs until 16th July 2022 Weekly via Zoom with 1 face to face session Day & Time: Saturday Mornings, 10.00am - 01.00pm Level 1 Award in BSL Jan 2022 Class Schedule Level 1 BSL Qualification Full Specification Venue: Zoom Online Teacher: Adam Linsdell Level 1 Award in British Sign Language is suitable for those who: Want to learn basic language skills to communicate simple conversations with Deaf people Want to learn new language skills as part of a programme of study Want to progress to more advanced study and/or employment using BSL in the future Are studying for personal development Are parents, family, friends or colleagues of Deaf people. Level 1 Award in British Sign Language is suitable for all ages, including pre-16. Requirements: Level 1 Award in British Sign Language can be taken without any previous BSL experience at any level. This qualification allows learners to gain basic skills and confidence in the two areas of production and reception of BSL. Total Learning Hours: 90 hours Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 64 hours GLH includes assessment time. Additional study hours include private study, homework, practice, etc Progression routes On completion of Signature Level 1 Award in British Sign Language, a wide range of further qualifications are available, including: Signature Level 2 Certificate in British Sign Language Signature Level 3 Certificate in British Sign Language Nationally Recognised Qualification: After successfully passing the official exam you will achieve Ofqual regulated nationally recognised Level 1 Award in British Sign Language Qualification that is valued by all the employers and academic institutes in the UK. Official Exam You will be assessed remotely via an online zoom exam that you can take from the comfort of your own home. When you will be ready for the exam there is an additional registration fee of £149 to book the official exam. **This course is distributed under the Lead Academy licence.** Recognised Accreditation This course is accredited by continuing professional development (CPD). CPD UK is globally recognised by employers, professional organisations, and academic institutions, thus a certificate from CPD Certification Service creates value towards your professional goal and achievement. The Quality Licence Scheme is a brand of the Skills and Education Group, a leading national awarding organisation for providing high-quality vocational qualifications across a wide range of industries. What is CPD? Employers, professional organisations, and academic institutions all recognise CPD, therefore a credential from CPD Certification Service adds value to your professional goals and achievements. Benefits of CPD Improve your employment prospects Boost your job satisfaction Promotes career advancement Enhances your CV Provides you with a competitive edge in the job market Demonstrate your dedication Showcases your professional capabilities What is IPHM? The IPHM is an Accreditation Board that provides Training Providers with international and global accreditation. The Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM) accreditation is a guarantee of quality and skill. Benefits of IPHM It will help you establish a positive reputation in your chosen field You can join a network and community of successful therapists that are dedicated to providing excellent care to their client You can flaunt this accreditation in your CV It is a worldwide recognised accreditation What is Quality Licence Scheme? This course is endorsed by the Quality Licence Scheme for its high-quality, non-regulated provision and training programmes. The Quality Licence Scheme is a brand of the Skills and Education Group, a leading national awarding organisation for providing high-quality vocational qualifications across a wide range of industries. Benefits of Quality License Scheme Certificate is valuable Provides a competitive edge in your career It will make your CV stand out Course Curriculum Meeting People Meeting Familiar People Meeting Unfamiliar People in Familiar Surroundings Meeting Unfamiliar People in Public Places, Shops, Cafes, Offices, Etc Requesting Clarification Leave Taking Range of Vocabulary Using Numbers Basic Numbers Range of Vocabulary Weather Commenting on the Weather Range Of Vocabulary Transport Describing Different Ways of Travelling Range of Vocabulary Directions Giving and Describing Simple Directions Asking for Directions Range of Vocabulary Obtain Your Certificate

During this 4-week course your children will: 🦹 Design their own superhero 🦹‍♂️ Read and discuss a range of comics 🦹‍♀️ Learn to draw characters in a comic style 🦹 Create a dastardly villain! 🦹‍♂️ Concoct an evil plan (on behalf of their villain) and figure out how their superhero is going to save the day! And lots more!