530 Writing courses in Watford delivered Live Online

This course leads to the Mediterm Intermediate Award in Medical Terminology (Level 2), studied over approximately 12 weeks (taking more or less time dependent on learner requirements). This course is suitable for those already working in healthcare or those who wish to start a new career in healthcare.

Masterclass: Introduction to Scientific Writing and Publishing

The insights gained from data analysis are only truly valuable when you can be clearly expressed to other people – bosses, colleagues, clients, customers, or other stakeholders. In this workshop you’ll learn how to turn raw qualitative or quantitative data into a clear visual story through infographics and data visualization. We'll discuss the key principles for planning an effective visual, look at examples of best (and worst) practice, and learn repeatable and practical design techniques for enhancing the story. We'll also give you an overview of useful tools that will help you turn your idea into a finished infographic or data visualization. You could be conjuring up eye-catching slide decks, building effective reports and dashboards, pitching to investors, or presenting persuasive data to your most important customers.  This is a fully interactive online workshop, so be prepared to join discussions and get hands on with building your own visualisations.  Takeaways Be able to evaluate the elements that make an infographic or visualization effective. Learn quick and repeatable visual tricks for ensuring infographics convey a clear message. Understand how to tailor your approach to different audiences and context. Discover a bunch of free tools and resources to help you build your own visualizations. Understand how online, interactive visualizations work and how to create them. Delivery  We deliver our courses over Zoom, to maximise flexibility. The training can be delivered in a single day, or across multiple sessions. All of our courses are live and interactive – every session includes a mix of formal tuition and hands-on exercises. To ensure this is possible, the number of attendees is capped at 16 people.  Tutor Alan Rutter is the founder of Fire Plus Algebra. He is a specialist in communicating complex subjects through data visualisation, writing and design. He teaches for General Assembly and runs in-house training for public sector clients including the Home Office, the Department of Transport, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Health Foundation, and numerous local government and emergency services teams. He previously worked with Guardian Masterclasses on curating and delivering new course strands, including developing and teaching their B2B data visualisation courses. He oversaw the iPad edition launches of Wired, GQ, Vanity Fair and Vogue in the UK, and has worked with Condé Nast International as product owner on a bespoke digital asset management system for their 11 global markets.
 Testimonials "Just to say what a great course this was. I have made my first report employing some of the ideas and tools you showed us – to rapturous responses! The next actions are clear for all and they all understood it! Thank you for helping me to organise my data and thoughts, showing how to present the key message up front, and how to keep it simple and focused. Gearing up for another report now!" Kay Anderson | Head of Finance | Mima "We have been using Tableau to display data for some time but knew we could do more to engage our end users. Alan’s training gave us a framework to start thinking about what we wanted to achieve with our visualisations and analysis, and some great tips on how to display information for maximum impact. Alan was an engaging trainer and we found the workshops very energising." Ellen Austin | Senior Data Analyst | London School of Economics

Duration 4 Days 24 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is appropriate for anyone who wants to create applications or modules to automate and simplify common tasks with Perl. Overview Working within in an engaging, hands-on learning environment, guided by our expert web development, PHP practitioner, students will learn to: Create a working script that gets input from the command line, the keyboard, or a file Use arrays to store and process data from files Create formatted reports Use regular expressions Use the appropriate types of variables and data structures Refactor duplicate code into subroutines and modules What is available in the standard library Use shortcuts and defaults, and what they replace Introduction to Perl Programming Essentials is an Introductory-level practical, hands-on Perl scripting training course that guides the students from the basics of writing and running Perl scripts to using more advanced features such as file operations, report writing, the use of regular expressions, working with binary data files, and using the extensive functionality of the standard Perl library. Students will immediately be able to use Perl to complete tasks in the real world. Session: An Overview of Perl What is Perl? Perl is compiled and interpreted Perl Advantages and Disadvantages Downloading and Installing Perl Which version of Perl Getting Help Session: Creating and running Perl Programs Structure of a Perl program Running a Perl script Checking syntax and warnings Execution of scripts under Unix and Windows Session: Basic Data and I/O Numeric and Text literals Math operators and expressions Scalar variables Default values Writing to standard output Command line arguments Reading from the standard input Session: Logic and Loops About flow control The if statement and Boolean values Using unless and elsif Statement modifiers warn() and die() The conditional construct Using while loop and its variants Using the for loop Exiting from loops Session: Lists and Arrays The list data type Accessing array elements Creating arrays List interpolation Arrays and memory Counting elements Iterating through an array List evaluation Slices and ranges Session: Reading and writing text files File I/O Overview Opening a file Reading text files Writing to a text file Arrays and file I/O Using the <> operator Session: List functions Growing and shrinking arrays The split() function Splitting on whitespace Assigning to literal lists The join() function The sort() function Alternate sort keys Reversing an array Session: Formatting output Using sprintf() and printf() Report formatting overview Defining report formats The write() function Advanced filehandle magic Session: Hashes Hash overview Creating hashes Hash attributes Traversing a hash Testing for existence of elements Deleting hash elements Session: References What is a reference? The two ways to create references References to existing data References to anonymous data Dereferencing scalar, array, and ash references Dereferencing elements of arrays and hashes Multidimensional arrays and other data structures Session: Text and Regular Expressions String length The substr() function The index() and rindex() functions String replication Pattern matching and substitution Regular expressions Session: Raw file and data access Opening and closing raw (binary) files Reading raw data Using seek() and tell() Writing raw data Raw data manipulation with pack() and unpack() Session: Subroutines and variable scope Understanding packages Package and Lexical variables Localizing builtin variables Declaring and calling subroutines Calling subroutines Passing parameters and returning values Session: Working with the operating system Determining current OS Environment variables Running external programs User identification Trapping signals File test operators Working with files Time of day Session: Shortcuts and defaults Understanding $_ shift() with no array specified Text file processing Using grep() and Using map() Command-line options for file processing Session: Data wrangling Quoting in Perl Evaluating arrays Understanding qw( ) Getting more out of the <> operator Read ranges of lines Using m//g in scalar context The /o modifier Working with embedded newlines Making REs more readable Perl data conversion Session: Using the Perl Library The Perl library Old-style library files Perl modules Modules bundled with Perl A selection of modules Getting modules from ActiveState Getting modules from CPAN Using Getopt::Long Session: Some Useful Tools Sending and receiving files with Net::FTP Using File::Find to search for files and directories Grabbing a Web page Some good places to find scripts Perl man pages for more information Zipping and unzipping files

Duration 5 Days 30 CPD hours This course is intended for The primary audience for this course is individuals who administer and maintain SQL Server databases. These individuals perform database administration and maintenance as their primary area of responsibility, or work in environments where databases play a key role in their primary job. The secondary audiences for this course are individuals who develop applications that deliver content from SQL Server databases. Overview After completing this course, you will be able to: Authenticate and authorize users Assign server and database roles Authorize users to access resources Use encryption and auditing features to protect data Describe recovery models and backup strategies Backup and Restore SQL Server databases Automate database management Configure security for the SQL Server agent Manage alerts and notifications Managing SQL Server using PowerShell Trace access to SQL Server Monitor a SQL Server infrastructure Troubleshoot a SQL Server infrastructure Import and export data This course will provide training in how to administer and maintain SQL Server, Azure SQL Database and other cloud-based SQL Server databases. IT professionals who work in environments where databases play a key role in their job will find this material useful. By using demonstrations and hands-on lab exercises, students will learn to carry out these important tasks. This course covers content that was in retired Microsoft Course 20764: Administering a SQL Database Infrastructure. 1 - Creating advanced functions Lesson 1: Converting a command into an advanced function Lesson 2: Creating a script module Lesson 3: Defining parameter attributes and input validation Lesson 4: Writing functions that accept pipeline input Lesson 5: Producing complex pipeline output Lesson 6: Using comment-based Help Lesson 7: Using Whatif and Confirm parameters 2 - Using Microsoft .NET Framework and REST API in Windows PowerShell Lesson 1: Using .NET Framework in PowerShell Lesson 2: Using REST API in PowerShell 3 - Writing controller scripts Lesson 1: Understanding controller scripts Lesson 2: Writing controller scripts with a user interface Lesson 3: Writing controller scripts that create reports 4 - Handling script errors Lesson 1: Understanding error handling Lesson 2: Handling errors in a script 5 - Using XML, JSON, and custom-formatted data Lesson 1: Working with XML formatted data Lesson 2: Working with JSON formatted data Lesson 3: Working with custom-formatted data 6 - Enhancing server management with Desired State Configuration and Just Enough Administration Lesson 1: Implementing Desired State Configuration Lesson 2: Implementing Just Enough Administration 7 - Analyzing and debugging scripts Lesson 1: Debugging in Windows PowerShell Lesson 2: Analyzing and debugging an existing script 8 - Understanding Windows PowerShell Workflow Lesson 1: Understanding Windows PowerShell Workflows Lesson 2: Running Windows PowerShell Workflows

Beginners Italian; Intermediate Italian; advanced Italian; A1 Italian; A2 Italian, B1 Italian, B2 Italian. Citizenship.

Duration 5 Days 30 CPD hours This course is intended for Experienced Programmers and Systems Administrators. Overview Throughout the course students will be led through a series of progressively advanced topics, where each topic consists of lecture, group discussion, comprehensive hands-on lab exercises, and lab review. This course is ?skills-centric?, designed to train attendees in core Python and web development skills beyond an intermediate level, coupling the most current, effective techniques with best practices. Working within in an engaging, hands-on learning environment, guided by our expert Python practitioner, students will learn to: ? Create working Python scripts following best practices ? Use python data types appropriately ? Read and write files with both text and binary data ? Search and replace text with regular expressions ? Get familiar with the standard library and its work-saving modules ? Use lesser-known but powerful Python data types ? Create 'real-world', professional Python applications ? Work with dates, times, and calendars ? Know when to use collections such as lists, dictionaries, and sets ? Understand Pythonic features such as comprehensions and iterators ? Write robust code using exception handling An introductory and beyond-level practical, hands-on Python training course that leads the student from the basics of writing and running Python scripts to more advanced features. An Overview of Python What is python? 1 -- An overview of Python What is python? Python Timeline Advantages/Disadvantages of Python Getting help with pydoc The Python Environment Starting Python Using the interpreter Running a Python script Python scripts on Unix/Windows Editors and IDEs Getting Started Using variables Built-in functions Strings Numbers Converting among types Writing to the screen Command line parameters Flow Control About flow control White space Conditional expressions Relational and Boolean operators While loops Alternate loop exits Sequences About sequences Lists and list methods Tuples Indexing and slicing Iterating through a sequence Sequence functions, keywords, and operators List comprehensions Generator Expressions Nested sequences Working with files File overview Opening a text file Reading a text file Writing to a text file Reading and writing raw (binary) data Converting binary data with struct Dictionaries and Sets About dictionaries Creating dictionaries Iterating through a dictionary About sets Creating sets Working with sets Functions Defining functions Parameters Global and local scope Nested functions Returning values Sorting The sorted() function Alternate keys Lambda functions Sorting collections Using operator.itemgetter() Reverse sorting Errors and Exception Handling Syntax errors Exceptions Using try/catch/else/finally Handling multiple exceptions Ignoring exceptions Modules and Packages The import statement Module search path Creating Modules Using packages Function and Module aliases Classes About o-o programming Defining classes Constructors Methods Instance data Properties Class methods and data Regular Expressions RE syntax overview RE Objects Searching and matching Compilation flags Groups and special groups Replacing text Splitting strings The standard library The sys module Launching external programs Math functions Random numbers The string module Reading CSV data Dates and times Working with dates and times Translating timestamps Parsing dates from text Formatting dates Calendar data Working with the file system Paths, directories, and filenames Checking for existence Permissions and other file attributes Walking directory trees Creating filters with fileinput Using shutil for file operations 17 ? Advanced data handling Defaultdict and Counter Prettyprinting data structures Compressed archives (zip, gzip, tar, etc.) Persistent data Advanced data handling Defaultdict and Counter Prettyprinting data structures Compressed archives (zip, gzip, tar, etc.) Persistent data Network services Grabbing web content Sending email Using SSH for remote access Using FTP Writing real-life applications Parsing command-line options Detecting the current platform Trapping signals Implementing logging Python Timeline Advantages/Disadvantages of Python Getting help with pydoc

https://www.patreon.com/Moonhealinganddivination

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? 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. 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 15 October 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? (Recorded) 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? (Recorded) 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 (Recorded) 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 (Recorded) 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 (Recorded) 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 (Recorded) 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) Monday 19 January 2026, 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 (Recorded) 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 11 February 2026, 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.

Duration 4 Days 24 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is Intended for students with HTML Experience. Overview At the completion of the course, you will be able to: How PHP works. The basic syntax of PHP. Create dynamic interactive pages with PHP. Manipulate files with PHP. Work with arrays in PHP. Validate forms with PHP. Write functions in PHP. Manipulate and manage database data with PHP. Authenticate users with PHP. Manage sessions with PHP. Work with the MDB2 package. Learn advanced form validation with regular expressions. Send email with PHP. In this PHP training course, students will learn to create database-driven websites using PHP and MySQL or the database of their choice. PHP Basics How PHP Works The php.ini File Basic PHP Syntax Variables First PHP Script PHP Operators Creating Dynamic Pages Passing Variables via the Query String Flow Control Conditional Processing Working with Conditions Loops Working with Loops Arrays Enumerated Arrays Working with Enumerated Arrays Associative Arrays Working with Associative Arrays Two-dimensional Arrays Array Manipulation Functions PHP and HTML Forms HTML Forms Processing Form Input String Manipulation Formatting Strings Working with String Manipulation Functions Magic Quotes Reusing Code and Writing Functions Including Files Adding a Header and Footer User Functions Form Processing Form Validation and Presentation Functions Managing Data Querying a Database Inserting Records Authentication with PHP and SQL A Database-less Login Form Authenticating Users Regular Expressions Perl-compatible Regular Expression Functions Regular Expression Syntax Form Validation Functions with Regular Expressions Session Control and Cookies Sessions Cookies Authentication with Session Control Sending Email with PHP mail() PHPMailer Sending a Password by Email File System Management Opening a File Reading from a File Writing to a File Writing to a File File Locking Uploading Files via an HTML Form Getting File Information More File Functions Directory Functions Creating a Resume Management Page