This text is specially designed to support student teachers in the school based element of their course. It provides accessible guidance, backed by numerous classroom examples, on the essential knowledge and skills needed to teach effectively. The chapters cover:

* Classroom organisation
* Planning for children's learning
* Teaching strategies
* Assessment, recording and reporting
* Self-appraisal

Each section contains information in concise and practical form. For students wishing to explore subjects in more depth, supplementary material at the end of the chapters includes analysis of curriculum and policy documents, case studies, suggestions for further reading and activities to try out in the classroom. Throughout, novice teachers are encouraged to think about how the basic skills fit together in their professional development and determine the sort of teacher that they will eventually be.