487 Writing courses in Bushey delivered Live Online

When we come together to make SoulCollage® in community, amazing things happen. There is a magic in the paradoxes built into this journey that only requires you coming along with your curiosity and imagination. No artistic genius recquired whatsoever. Just your presence!

Rally training webinar covering making pace notes for special stage rallying.

LOOKING FOR: MG, YA, ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Una is a Rights Agent at Susanna Lea Associates and am starting to build a client list. She grew up in London and graduated from the University of Cambridge with a BA in English in 2021. At university, Una was particularly interested in contemporary West African and South Asian literature. She started as an agent's assistant at SLA London in 2022 and now handles some translation rights and provides support with editorial work and submissions. Una's favourite reads always set her at ease right away and draws her in with impressive and accessible storytelling, memorable characters or an original hook. Una enjoys writing which expands her worldview, makes her laugh out loud or keeps her on her toes with its twists and turns. She welcomes submissions from debut authors and would be keen to read across a wide range of genres and styles. She is looking for literary, upmarket and book club fiction, and is always drawn to stories that explores the challenges and complexities of love and relationships in all its forms —within families, between friends or in romantic relationships. Una loves the way in which familial relationships are dissected in The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright and the impact of the local community in Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson. She is always drawn to novels with a strong sense of community, whether they are unified by geography, culture, or in other unexpected ways. Una has always loved reading international and translated fiction and welcomes submissions from authors writing contemporary fiction that engages with cultures and traditions from around the world, such as in voices of the deities in Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi or the subversive tales of Sayaka Murata. She is not looking for children’s or YA titles, science fiction or high-concept fantasy, but is open to submissions from authors writing in the speculative fiction space, and books with fantastical or otherworldly elements, be that magical realism or supernatural horror, such as Mona Awad's campus novel with a twist, Bunny. Una would also love to read more writing that engages with the natural world and reminds us of the limitations of human understanding. In non-fiction, Una enjoys books that furthers her understanding of wider societal issues — nature and the environment, culture, and little-known history. Her recent non-fiction favourites are Eve by Cat Bohannon, Doppelgänger by Naomi Klein and Unearthed by Claire Ratinon. Una 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, Una 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: Monday 10th March 2025

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What does this course cover? This is an online course for developing history leadership in primary teaching. This term, we will be piloting the course as an immersive programme covering the key elements of primary history subject leadership, enabling all involved in history leadership at primary to carry out their role effectively. How is this course structured and delivered? The course will take place in ten online sessions from January–May 2025. Sessions 1, 8 and 10 are compulsory to attend live. Participants will be required to complete a gap task after each session and contribute to an online reflection diary. The other sessions will be recorded for participants to work through at their convenience, though participants are encouraged to attend the recording sessions live in order to make the most of the programme. All recordings will be made available on the course Moodle page within two working days of the live recording session. Who is this course for? This programme is designed for anyone who is a subject coordinator or subject leader for history in their primary school. You may have just been appointed as a subject leader, or be more experienced but looking for formal training or fresh inspiration and direction. What are the outcome? This course will: equip you fully for the demands of history leadership in primary schools increase your confidence to develop an innovative, inclusive and effective history curriculum in your school develop your understanding of efficient action planning and how to make a wider impact help you to make the case for history with senior leaders enable you to enthuse others and lead staff meetings about history develop your understanding of current issues in primary history education The course will include a chance to share resources and assessment approaches, plus much more What will each session cover? Session 1: Introductory meeting (Live attendance) Wednesday 22 January 2025, 4pm–5.30pm Introduction and aims Reflection activity on the current state of history in your school Key responsibilities of the history subject leader Current Ofsted implications for the subject and what to expect in an inspection How the HA and latest Ofsted material can support you Session 2: What makes an effective history subject leader? (Live and recorded) Monday 27 January 2025, 4pm–5.30pm How to effectively support teachers and learners as a history leader How to create a vision, lead change, and manage time Effective action planning and improvement Auditing your history provision and building your evidence trail Developing an innovative, inclusive and effective history curriculum in your school Disciplinary knowledge: What is history? What do historians do? Suggested gap task: Conducting teacher and/or pupil voice questionnaires. Compulsory gap task: Add to your reflection diary for the programme. If relevant, reflect on how you will use the teacher questionnaire or pupil voice. Session 3: What makes effective teaching of history? (Live and recorded) Wednesday 19 February 2025, 4–5.30pm The role of the teacher Supporting SEND pupils Securing substantive knowledge and concepts across the curriculum How to support colleagues by identifying core knowledge How to involve the whole staff in mapping out and embedding the progression of concepts across the curriculum Suggested gap task: Consider SEND in your curriculum. Compulsory gap task: Add to your reflection diary for the programme reflecting on SEND. Session 4: Curriculum and practice at EYFS (Live and recorded) Tuesday 25 February 2025, 4–5.30pm Unpicking and supporting the requirements of the EYFS curriculum and Development Matters Developing historical and chronological understanding in EYFS as part of Understanding the world Progression and transition from EYFS to Key Stage 1 Ensuring coherence: how to start developing concepts Making use of the local history on your doorstep for EYFS and KS1 Accessing resources and support for EYFS Suggested gap task: Fact finding and liaison. Compulsory gap task: Add to your reflection diary for the programme reflecting on current EYFS practice. Session 5: Curriculum and practice at Key Stage 1 (Live and recorded) Monday 3 March 2025, 4pm–5.30pm Unpicking and supporting the requirements of the National Curriculum for KS1 Progression: building upon transition from EYFS What do KS1 require before KS2? Ensuring coherence: further developing the school’s chosen substantive concepts How to develop disciplinary concepts Developing appropriate chronological understanding in KS1 Enhancing and engaging children’s knowledge and retention through enquiry The use of working walls in KS1 to support learning Accessing resources and support for KS1 Suggested gap task: Check your KS1 curriculum for coverage and progression, building upon what they have learnt in EYFS. Compulsory gap task: Add to your reflection diary for the programme reflecting on KS1 practice in your setting. Session 6: Curriculum and practice at Key Stage 2 (Live and recorded) Tuesday 11 March 2025, 4pm–5.30pm Unpicking and supporting the requirements of the National Curriculum for KS2 How to incorporate local history with progression in KS2 What do we want the children in Year 6 to leave with? Developing appropriate chronological understanding in KS2 Preparing for transition to Key Stage 3 Ensuring coherence: building upon the school’s chosen concepts for progression What the HA can do to support the teaching of KS2 units? Resources and support for KS2 Suggested gap task: Check your KS2 curriculum for coverage and progression, building upon what they have learnt in EYFS and KS1. Compulsory gap task: Add to your reflection diary for the programme reflecting on KS2 practice in your setting. Session 7: Approaching sensitive issues in history (Live and recorded) Tuesday 18 March 2025, 4pm–5.30pm What do we mean by diversity in history and why is it important? How to ensure a wider diversity in your history teaching Barriers to making the curriculum more diverse and how to overcome them Approaches to sensitive issues in history lessons, including: - Refugees and migration history - War - Climate change Suggested gap task: Consider opportunities for increasing diverse voices and raising climate issues in your curriculum. Compulsory gap task: Add to your reflection diary for the programme considering how you might address the sensitive or current issues raised in this session. Session 8: Interim review meeting (Live attendance) Tuesday 25 March 2025, 4pm–5.30pm A review session allowing subject leaders to reflect upon their progress so far Opportunity to respond to suggestions, clarify information, or raise issues from the previous sessions Time to ask questions, share good practice or recommended resources with the rest of the cohort Suggested gap task: Time to follow up on anything raised in this session or to complete any previous tasks, following clarification and inspiration from this session. Compulsory gap task: Add to your reflection diary for the programme, reflecting on your priorities and actions using suggestions from the presenter or other delegates. Session 9: Assessment and evidence (Live and recorded) Wednesday 30 April 2025, 4pm–5.30pm Assessment and expectations A word about writing Triangulating the evidence What to look for in a work scrutiny Suggested gap task: Conduct a work scrutiny on one aspect to check across the school, in conjunction with a focused pupil voice on the same aspect. Compulsory gap task: Add to your reflection diary considering how you will conduct a work scrutiny and what you will focus on – or, if relevant, reflect on what you discovered and how you will address any issues. Session 10: Final meeting (Live attendance) Wednesday 14 May 2025, 4pm–5.30pm Following up any requests arising from the interim meeting (Session 8) Discussion or clarification of any issues arising from previous sessions Discussion of priorities, next steps and any issues Sharing ideas for enthusing others and leading staff meetings: “What worked for me?” Communicating with headteachers, governors, colleagues and parents Are you ready for the HA Quality Mark? Suggested gap task: Identifying your school’s next steps Compulsory gap task: Complete your final piece in your reflection diary.

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Sian Ellis-Martin joined Blake Friedmann in 2018 and is building a list of fiction and non-fiction at the agency.  With regards to fiction, Sian is looking for commercial, upmarket and accessible literary novels. She always wants to be completely absorbed by the world of the novel, to jump into the character’s life and be swept into the narrative as if she’s been there all along. She’s drawn in by compelling characters and relationships, and loves stories with a mystery or question at the heart of them. She’s open to these ideas being explored in a variety of ways, but at the moment, she’d particularly like to find an epic love story, a fun, queer rom-com with an unusual setting or pitch, and/or a sweeping family saga. She leans more towards contemporary settings but does enjoy a historical backdrop too. In non-fiction, she’s looking for narrative non-fiction, history from different perspectives and books that make complicated ideas around things like politics and literature more accessible. Her favourite type of non-fiction book is the one that makes you interested in something or someone you’d never thought you would be. She’d also love to find cookery and food books too, particularly cuisines that are less visible in the book world, or budget cooking. She’s not currently taking on YA, children’s, fantasy or science fiction projects. Sian would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 - 2 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, Sian 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. Submission Deadline: Thursday 6th March 2025

Historical Association webinar series: History and literacy: better together Presenter: Andrew Wrenn This practical webinar will demonstrate how giving pupils opportunities to write formatively can capture their understanding at given points in a learning episode, helping them to structure their developing thinking and supporting teachers in spotting and correcting misconceptions in good time. It will consider effective ways of challenging pupils to write at length, including various forms of writing frames linked to the development of disciplinary concepts, and supporting pupils in reaching independent conclusions of their own. It will also show how all these strategies can be important contributions to the development of general literacy. To use your corporate recording offer for this webinar please complete this form: https://forms.office.com/e/HYhgpvBBuG

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 12th March 2025

LOOKING FOR: MG, ADULT FICTION Jo Williamson has been in publishing for over 25 years. Having worked in Children’s books PR for Dorling Kindersley, HarperCollins and Orion, she started as an agent with Antony Harwood in 2008. She feels very privileged being with authors at the very start of their publishing journey and enjoys close working relationships with all her clients. From editorial help, general advice on the publishing world, guiding careers long-term and general cheerleading, she feels she has the perfect job. Although nothing is off limits and she loves being surprised by submissions. In middle grade children's fiction, Jo is particularly looking for books with heart, epic adventures with voice-led characters, and younger funny fiction with series potential.  In adult fiction, page-turning Commercial Women’s and Book Club fiction are right up Jo's street, including psychological suspense, thriller, cosy crime and books that don’t quite fit the mould. Above all, she wants stories that linger long after the final page has been read. Jo is not the right fit for police procedurals. Jo would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Jo 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: Thursday 13th March 2025

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION / NON-FICTION Ciara McEllin is building her list as a Junior Agent at Watson Little. She reads widely across book club, upmarket and literary fiction. Within these areas, she is drawn to novels that examine family and relationship dynamics, sexuality, identity, and vulnerability. Ciara is keen to hear from writers who take a fresh approach to these themes, whether that be a new perspective on a traditional narrative or a focus on characters and voices that remain underrepresented: think Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck, Asymmetry by Lisa Halliday or Monkey Grip by Helen Garner. She will always want to read beautifully written novels with a strong sense of place, tangible characters and an essence that stays with you – living deep in your bones – long after you’ve finished reading. Recent reads Ciara has enjoyed include: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad, Close to Home by Michael Magee, Siblings by Brigitte Reimann, Trespasses by Louise Kennedy, The Idiot by Elif Batuman, Highway Blue by Ailsa McFarlane and My Phantoms by Gwendoline Riley. At the moment Ciara is particularly eager to see: - Sexy, sensual and seductive stories that explore desire and sexual boundaries not often represented in literature such as Little Rabbit by Alyssa Songsiridej, Cleanness by Garth Greenwell and Mrs. S by K Patrick - An atmospheric and existential thriller in the vein of Intimacies by Katie Kitamura, In The Cut by Susanna Moore and Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk - An intoxicating coming of-age-tale that captures the aliveness, intelligence and wildness of girlhood like Brutes by Dizz Tate, The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides and The Girls by Emma Cline - Books that are joyful or brutal, particularly those that are both, similar to Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel, Kick the Latch by Kathryn Scanlan and Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan - Stories exploring an Australia or Ireland that is rarely seen in literature for example A Loving, Faithful Animal by Josephine Rowe and Wild Houses by Colin Barrett In non-fiction, Ciara enjoys narrative, memoir and essay collections. She is interested in hearing from experts, academics, critics and journalists writing about society, culture and food, and excited by writers seeking to revise, reshape or revolutionise the conversation in their area of expertise. Some of her favourite non-fiction titles include How To Survive A Plague by David France, The Transgender Issue by Shon Faye, the Living Autobiography Series by Deborah Levy, Last Witnesses: Unchildlike Stories by Svetlana Alexievich, King Kong Theory by Virginie Despentes; and she particularly enjoys the work of M.F.K Fisher, Annie Ernaux, Natalia Ginsburg and Helen Garner. Ciara is not looking for Children’s, YA or Fantasy. Ciara 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, Ciara 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 13th March 2025