'This guide aimed at student teachers and those perhaps in their first year of teaching is utterly brilliant. It is written at exactly the right level and covers the professional studies ground every student teacher - from primary through to post-16 - needs to know' - Amazon review

'I recommend [this book] wholeheartedly to students, to teacher educators and to school based staff who are involved in supporting students. It encourages reflective and individual thinking...' - ESCalate

'Contains important advice, insights and points for reflection for everyone considering, or starting, a teacher-training programme. At a time when a new framework for qualified teacher status is shaping the development of initial teacher education, it effectively identifies concerns that training teachers regularly experience. With essential referencing of new policy agendas affecting schools and teachers, within an engaging style, the chapters integrate these concerns with the important professional thinking and guidance that the 'Standards' framework implies. In conjunction with the companion web site, all trainee teachers will find this book meaningful and engaging reading' - Gary Clemitshaw, PGCE course leader, School of Education, University of Sheffield

This user-friendly book is an essential companion for students on an initial teacher training course at either Primary or Secondary level. It guides the reader through the new QTS standards required to teach, and includes coverage of recent legislation such as Every Child Matters.

Each chapter sets out the practical and generic skills students need, as well as relevant theory to help underpin good classroom practice. They include features such as group exercises, further reading, reflection, study and practice. There is also an accompanying website for the book which includes effective lesson plans:

This indispensable guide will help give students the confident start they need in the classroom.

It is relevant for all ITT students in higher education institutions as well as those following non-PGCE routes to qualification such as SCiTT (School based Initial Teacher Training), GTP (Graduate Teacher Programmes) and RTP (Registered Teacher Programmes).

Neil Denby teaches at the School of Education and Professional Development, University of Huddersfield.