useful associations

Advisory Centre for Education (ACE):
www.ace-ed.org.uk
ACE offers news and information specifically for parents, school governors and teachers. ACE produces useful leaflets and publications which you can buy through the publications page. You can also support ACE by subscribing to the Stop Press or ACE Bulletin or by becoming a member.

Association of Scottish Colleges
www.ascol.org.uk
ASC is the main voice for the Further Education sector in Scotland. Its aim is to ensure that the colleges get the recognition and funding they need. The colleges are supported by grants currently paid by The Scottish Office and by their own sources of income. On the site there's a members area as well as press releases and more information.

Association for Language Learning
www.languagelearn.co.uk
The Association for Language Learning (ALL) was founded in 1990 through the amalgamation of seven UK associations of language, which had previously worked together under the umbrella of The Joint Council of Language Associations. The main focus of ALL is the teaching of languages other than English. If your main interest is EFL, you may like to find out more about the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL). There are currently some 5500 members from all sectors of education.

Association for Science Education
www.ase.org.uk
The Association for Science Education represents over 24,000 members, open to anyone with an interest in science education. The site contains details of publications and meetings, and articles on safety in science lessons.

British Association for the Advancement of Science
www.britassoc.org.uk
The British Association for the Advancement of Science is based in London and has been promoting awareness and appreciation of science, engineering and technology for well over 150 years. Its work thrives in the Regions where, working through local branches, science is taken into the community and links are forged with local businesses.

British Educational Communications and Technology agency (BECTa):
www.becta.org.uk
BECTa's aim is to ensure that technology supports the Government's objective to improve school standards, and especially to supply the professional expertise needed to develop the National Grid for Learning.

British Educational Suppliers Association
www.besanet.org.uk
Information on educational products and suppliers includes a database of suppliers, a product library, news, a swap shop and the results of the 1995 BESA UK schools survey.

British Association for Early Childhood Education
www.early-education.org.uk
The British Association for Early Childhood Education (Early Education) is a voluntary organisation with charitable status. It is concerned with all aspects of children's learning from birth through the early stages of primary education. The Association provides a national voice on early childhood education. With branches throughout the British Isles and Northern Ireland, its members include teachers, parents, nursery nurses, day nursery and family centre staff, playgroup workers, social workers, local authority administrators, advisers and inspectors, university and college lecturers, health visitors, doctors and psychologists and others interested in early childhood education.

Design and Technology Association
www.data.org.uk/main.htm
The Design and Technology Association (DATA) is the recognised professional association that represents all those involved in design and technology education. It is also an educational charity, the objective of which is to 'promote the advancement of education and in particular but not exclusively to support, encourage, promote, develop and maintain design and technological education in all its branches.' DATA is committed to securing, developing and enhancing design and technology in all sectors of education and society.

Economics and Business Education Association
www.bized.ac.uk/ebea
The Economics & Business Education Association represents teachers and lecturers of economics, business studies and related subjects in schools and colleges throughout the UK. The Association is a registered charity and aims to promote the teaching of Economics, Business Studies and related subjects, as well as provide its members with professional support.

Education Law Association
www.educationlaw.org/
The Education Law Association, formerly NOLPE, is a non-profit organization open to anyone interested in education law. They provide information about current legal issues affecting education in schools, colleges, and universities.

The English Association
www.le.ac.uk/engassoc
The aim of the English Association is to further knowledge, understanding and enjoyment of the English language and its literatures and to encourage good practice in its teaching and learning at all levels. It does this by working towards a fuller recognition of English as an essential element in education and in the community at large. It encourages the study of English language and literature by means of conferences, lectures and publications and by fostering the discussion of methods of teaching English of all kinds.

The Geographical Association
www.geography.org.uk/
The aim of the Geographical Association is to safeguard geography's place in the curriculum and extend its contribution to education at all levels. The Association is dedicated to promoting the development of geography as a subject. It believes that geography makes both a distinctive and a wide contribution to education and that it is an essential component in preparing young people for life in the twenty-first century. The GA is also committed to providing support to all those who are engaged with it, many of whom are from the teaching profession. It provides access to specialist assistance on aspects of geography and geography teaching.

Historical Association
www.history.org.uk
The Historical Association brings together people who share an interest in, and love for, the past. They aim to further the study and teaching of history at all levels. Membership is open to everyone: teacher and student, amateur and professional. They support the study of history by creating an environment that promotes life long learning and provides for the evolving needs of people who share an interest in history. They also represent a wide range of those interested in history.

The Mathematical Association
www.m-a.org.uk
The Mathematical Association exists to bring about improvements in the teaching of mathematics and its applications, and to provide a means of communication among students and teachers of mathematics. Their website details discussion groups and has a section for local activities.

National Association for Primary Education
www.rmplc.co.uk/orgs/nape
Membership covers some 200,000+ people, including parents, teachers, school governors, inspectors, education officers and entire school communities. There are local groups in many parts of the country. NAPE plays an active part in discussions concerning children from birth to thirteen at national, regional and local levels, and promotes high quality primary education for every child.

National Association for Coordinators and Teachers of IT (ACITT)
www.acitt.org.uk/
ACITT is the professional association for specialist teachers and co-ordinators of IT in schools in the UK. It forms a focus for all debate on the nature and content of IT being taught to students from 4-18. ACITT membership is open to anyone interested in specialist IT or IT co-ordination as applied in UK schools. This includes specialist teachers of IT, IT co-ordinators, IT technicians and other related positions. ACITT encourages curriculum development in IT that reflects the changing nature of the subject and also aims to foster improvements in teaching and learning methods.

National Confederation of Parent Teacher Associations
www.ncpta.demon.co.uk
Everything you need to know about the NCPTA.

National Literary Association
www.nla.co.uk
NLA has worked with schools to raise standards in literacy. They work directly with children, and with teachers and other professionals. NLA believes that all children who require extra support to acquire basic literacy skills must receive that help. They aim to help address this need and to raise standards of literacy, particularly amongst those children who habitually underachieve.

The Physical Education Association of the United Kingdom
www.pea.uk.com
The Physical Education Association of the United Kingdom is the leading body for physical education in the United Kingdom, representing the views and interests of nearly 4,000 members, of which 3,000 are serving teachers. The PEA's main objective is to promote the improvement of physical health of the community through physical education, health education and recreation.

National Association for Primary Education:
www.nape.org.uk
NAPE's aim is to be the 'national voice for primary education'. Its
new website offers special pages accessible only to members, general information and news.

The Centre for Education Management:
www.ceduman.co.uk
The CEM provides advice and support for schools. Their website has details of their courses, conferences and in-school training opportunities for headteachers and governing bodies. It also lists companies which offer educational services and products.

National Association of Governors and Managers:
www.nagm.org.uk
NAGM aims to improve the contribution made by school and college Governors to the quality of education. It represents governors in England and Wales and supports them in their voluntary public work by providing information, advice and training.

Virtual Teacher Centre:
http://vtc.ngfl.gov.uk
The National Grid for Learning's Virtual Teacher Centre houses a useful school management area with advice and guidance on management matters such as health and safety, discipline, new ways of working, and training for heads.

General Teaching Council for England:
www.gtce.org.uk
The GTC will be the new professional voice for teachers. Its aim is to raise the status and public standing of teachers by representing their professional interests; influence education policy by advising the Secretary of State on professional matters; and guarantee high professional standards through the Register of Teachers and Code of Practice.

General Teaching Council for Scotland:
www.gtcs.org.uk
The Scottish General Teaching Council website. The first professional council for teaching in the United Kingdom, it has responsibility for maintaining and enhancing the quality of teaching in Scotland.

General Teaching Council for Wales:
www.gtcw.org.uk
The Welsh GTC provides an independent, representative and authoritative voice on teaching issues and aims to raise the status of teaching as a profession.