Gererd Dixie is an Educational Consultant and Advanced Skills Teacher in Initial Teacher Training in the UK. Gererd has over 30 years' experience in teaching, and was a Professional Development Tutor at a comprehensive school for 18 years. Janet Bell has worked in primary education for 25 years as a teacher, headteacher, adviser and Initial Teacher Trainer. As an adviser, she developed courses for middle leaders and NQTs, as well as managing three professional development centres. For the last three years she has worked part time as an assistant leader of a large Primary SCITT, as well as working as a consultant for a Graduate Teacher Programme.

"Dixie, an educational consultant and advanced skills teacher in initial teacher training in the UK, and Bell, who has been a primary education teacher, headteacher, adviser, and initial teacher trainer in the UK, provide a handbook for individuals interested in becoming a primary school teacher in the UK. They outline the process from deciding whether or not to teach, to selecting and applying to a training program, to developing teaching skills. They also discuss educational terms and issues, writing essays and completing assignments, understanding school practices, working with parents, planning lessons, understanding inclusion, and applying for a job." -Eithne O'Leyne, BOOK NEWS, Inc.

• Part 1 It's Decision Time Chapter 1 Early Thoughts Chapter 2 Is Teaching the Right Job for You? Chapter 3 Choosing the Right Training ProviderPart 2 The Successful Application Chapter 4 Understanding Your School VisitChapter 5 Making the Most of Your Lesson Observations Chapter 6 Preparing to Make your Application Part 3 Preparing for the Selection Day and Beyond Chapter 7 Completing the Selection Tasks Chapter 8 The Interview Chapter 9 Preparing for Your Training Course Part 4 Getting to Grips with the Jargon Chapter 10 Understanding Key Educational Terms and Issues Part 5 Understanding Your Training Programme Chapter 11 Understanding your training Chapter 12 Understanding and working towards the Professional Standards for QTS Chapter 13 Becoming a Reflective Practitioner Chapter 14 How to Get the Most out of Attending Lectures, Presentations and WorkshopsChapter 15 Essays and Assignments Chapter 16 Improving Your Subject Knowledge for Teaching Part 6 Understanding your School Practices Chapter 17 Different Types of School Practices Chapter 18 Acclimatising Yourself to the School Chapter 19 Preparing Yourself Psychologically for your Practice Chapter 20 Understanding your Development as a Trainee Chapter 21 Understanding the Roles of those Supporting the Training Process Chapter 22 Making Effective Use of Classroom Teaching AssistantsChapter 23 Working with Parents Chapter 24 Getting to Grips with Your Behaviour Management Chapter 25 Lesson Planning Chapter 26 Engaging your Class Chapter 27 Using ICT to Support Your Professional Practice Chapter 28 Understanding the Issue of inclusion Chapter 29 Understanding Assessment Chapter 30 OFSTED Inspections Part 7 Looking Ahead to Your Induction Year Chapter 31 Your First Appointment Chapter 32 Writing Letters of Application Chapter 33 Preparing for your NQT Selection DayChapter 34 Making an Initial ImpressionChapter 35 Teaching your Specimen Lesson Chapter 36 The Interview Chapter 37 Career Entry and Development Profile Conclusion Bibliography Appendices