This textbook gives you a broad overview of everything you will need to know to prepare for your initial teacher training and future career in the classroom.

Covering practical issues including planning and assessment, and thought-provoking topics such as reflecting on your practice and developing critical thinking skills, this textbook provides you with an insightful exploration of the realities of teaching in primary schools.

This fourth edition has been comprehensively revised and includes five new chapters on:

* Teacher wellbeing

* The Early Career Framework (ECF)

* Digital literacy and primary schools after the pandemic

* Growth mindset, dialogue and P4C

* Learning outside the classroom

This is essential reading for all students on primary initial teacher education courses including university-based (PGCE, BEd, BA with QTS), and schools-based (School Direct, SCITT, Teach First) routes into teaching.

Hilary Cooper is Professor Emeritus of History and Pedagogy at the University of Cumbria.

Sally Elton-Chalcraft is Professor of Social Justice in Education and also the Director of the Learning Education and Development Research centre in the Institute of Education at the University of Cumbria.