Training courses and discussion groups

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Fiction Discussion Groups

“Book Talk” book discussion group for teachers and school librarians, to help you keep up to date with new fiction for children. Each group meets termly after school. The meetings are free of charge for schools that buy in to the SLS Standard Service. For Menu and opt-out schools, there is a small charge of £15.00 per term.

Northern Area - two venues, Halesworth and Bungay (for 4-11 primary schools and 9-13 middle schools). Next meeting: Tuesday 13 March, 4.00pm at Halesworth Middle School, Wednesday 14 March 2012, 4.00pm at Bungay Middle School. Books to be discussed: "Fire and Roses" by Fiona Dunbar, "A year without Autumn" by Liz Kessler, "Six words and a wish" by Karen McCombie, "Excellent excuses (and other good stuff)" by Liz Pichon and "Barfing in the back seat" by Henry Winkler. Contact: Jacky Offord to book a place. Tel: 01502 512816

Southern Area - Ipswich (for 4-11 primary schools). Next meeting: Wednesday 1 February 2012 at Ipswich Schools Library Service (please see map for location). Books to be discussed: to be confirmed. Contact: Liz Rastrick to book a place. Tel: 01473 583507

Western Area Middle - Bury. Next meeting: Monday 5 March 2012, 3.30pm, at Blackbourne Middle School, Stanton. Books to be discussed: "The Search for Wondla" by Tony Diterlizzi, "The Donut Diaries of Dermot Mulligan" by Anthony McGowan, "The Brilliant World of Tom Gates" by Liz Pichon, "My sister lives on the mantelpiece" by Annabel Pitcher, "The Deeping Secrets" by Victor Watson" and "Wickedness" by Deborah White. Contact: Paul Cunningham to book a place. Tel: 01473 583507

Training courses

We offer a range of training and INSET courses, both for school librarians and for teachers and other school staff with a responsibility for the library in their school.

Book-buying trips to Peters Bookselling Services Accompanied visits to the SLS’ book supplier, Peters Bookselling Services, in Birmingham. Peters are the leading supplier of children’s books in the UK, and visitors have the opportunity to select from a huge range of stock. Books are supplied and invoiced at 22 percent discount. As selection is made from items in stock, supply is guaranteed. Peters also offer a processing service, where they can fit plastic jackets and add Dewey classification numbers to books (for a small per book charge)
Cost: £25 (to cover transport costs) for subscribing schools, £30 for non-subscribing schools. Transport will be in a people carrier or car. Peters provide a complimentary lunch
Pick ups: are available from either Ipswich SLS at 6.45am or Bury SLS at 7.30am. (NB Northern Area schools - transport is available from Bungay, departing at 6.30am, please check before booking)
Next trip date: 8 February 2012.

The Forum for Library Assistants in primary Schools (F.L.A.P.S.) Termly meetings for primary school library staff and volunteers working in the school library. Offering opportunities to see another primary school library, network with other school library staff, exchange ideas and information, share good practice, discuss specific training requirements and update skills. Suitable for library assistants, teaching assistants and volunteers.
Date: Tuesday 20 March 2012, 9.30am - 12noon
Venue: Witnesham Primary School, Ipswich
Cost: free for schools subscribing to SLS; £15 for schools not subscribing to SLS
Contact: Liz Rastick on 01473 583505

Support Group for middle school library assistants Termly meetings for middle school library staff and volunteers working in the school library. Offering opportunities to see another middle school library, network with other school library staff, exchange ideas and information, share good practice, discuss specific training requirements and update skills. Suitable for library assistants, teaching assistants and volunteers.
Northern Area Date: Wednesday 7 March, 1.30pm – 3.00pm
Venue: Schools Library Service, Lowestoft
Contact: Jacky Offord to book a place. Tel: 01502 512816

Western Area
Date: Tuesday 24 January 2012, 1.30pm – 3.00pm
Venue: Beyton Middle School
Contact:
Paul Cunningham to book a place. Tel: 01473 583507
Cost: free for schools subscribing to SLS; £15 for schools not subscribing to SLS

"Love Sport, Love Reading" Get Ready for the 2012 Olympics 
Diane Baker and Tom Palmer will demonstrate creative approaches for teachers to use in school that complements existing units of work. By looking at practical examples of activities for the whole class, and small group settings, teachers can help raise their children's enjoyment, motivation and achievement in reading and writing.

Diane Baker is an experienced teacher. Tom Palmer is a Puffin author. Together they have worked with hundreds of children using sport to improve literacy skills. They have also been commissioned to develop literacy toolkits by the National Literacy Trust.
When: Friday 20 April 2012, 9.30am - 3.30pm (lunch included)
Where: West Suffolk House, Western Way, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3YU 
Cost: £140.00 for schools who subscribe to SLS, £170.00 for non-subscribers
Special offer for bookings made by 28 February 2012: £95.00 for schools who subscribe to SLS, £120.00 for non-subscribers
Contact:  Paul Cunningham on 01473 583505

I need a story now! Creating a stimulating story space for the Under 5s
This course covers: creating the environment; making story sacks and boxes; storytelling techniques; ideas for extending the story; the top 100 books, situation books and special books.
When: Thursday 7 February 2012, 10.00am - 1.00pm
Where: Lowestoft Schools Library Service
Cost: £75.00 for schools who subscribe to SLS, £90.00 for non-subscribers
Contact: Jacky Offord on 01502 512816

Running a Successful Reading Group in your Primary or Middle School Library
This practical course will give you all the tips you need to get a Reading Group up and running in your school. We will consider a range of themes and activities to keep your club members enthused, involved and reading for life!
When: Wednesday 21 March 2012, 10.00am - 1.00pm
Where: Schools Library Service, Ipswich
Cost: £75.00 for schools who subscribe to SLS, £90.00 for non-subscribers
Contact: Jacky Offord on 01502 512816

A Reason to Read: Promoting great fiction in your primary school
This course will help you to build up a good working knowledge of contemporary children's books, giving ideas on how to become informed and maintain your knowledge base, and how to share your enthusiasm with both pupils and colleagues. Suitable for any primary school staff who would like to improve their knowledge of children's literature.
When: Tuesday 31 January 2012, 10.00am - 1.00pm
Where: Schools Library Service, Ipswich
Cost: £75.00 for schools who subscribe to SLS, £90.00 for non-subscribers
Contact: Jacky Offord on 01502 512816

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