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Keeping up with government initiatives

Keeping up with government initiatives

Education is a key platform for the current government and the plethora of initiatives from Whitehall reflect this focus.

Staying on top of all of this while keeping up with the demands of a busy teacher’s life can be a challenge.  ATL’s websites, our Report magazine and other publications are a key starting point for you to keep up with the wider world of education.  You can also find out further information regarding local impact by talking with your school rep/branch secretary.  

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ATL’s websites and publications are a key starting point for you to keep up with the wider world of education.
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Within your school, work with your colleagues regarding the implementation of initiatives and how to make them best fit with local needs. Ask questions, talk to your head of department to ensure that you know the school’s and department’s aims for the coming year, that you are aware of any changes in practice being proposed and that you have an opportunity to engage in professional discussion with your colleagues.

The education newspapers, including the TES, can be valuable sources of information and give you an idea of what to look out for.  For more detailed information, the DCSF, the Standards, QCA and GTC websites can be useful and it is always worth checking them for ongoing consultations so that you can have a direct say in future schemes. Also, just read around your own interests - use search engines to check for any new research reports in pedagogical areas that interest you. This will contribute to your continuing professional development, encourage ongoing review and self-evaluation and make you flexible and able to meet any changes or demands caused by new strategies and approaches.

How to keep up with ATL policy

ATL policy is publicised in a special section on the ATL  website, and any new policy documents are highlighted within the relevant issue of ATL’s Report  magazine: learn more about Report from the ATL website. 

On the ATL website, you can learn more about the proposed changes in the 14-19 sector, the new Specialist Diplomas, the first tranche of which are due to begin in September 2008.  

You can read ATL’s response to the Rose review of teaching reading including the use of synthetic phonics.  You can learn about ATL’s current work on the curriculum and our championing of our members as professionals, who must be allowed to get on with their job of teaching, make professional decisions and to be more flexible and creative than the current system allows.

We also run regular surveys via the website to get views and evidence from our broad membership base so please exercise your right to have a voice within education debates.

Useful websites

Ready steady teach

Ready steady teach!

Your first teaching job marks an incredibly exciting time ahead but as well as excitement you may also feel apprehension.You certainly won't be alone in this. Knowing where to turn for help and advice before you start work will assist you to thrive, not just survive, in this all-important year. That’s why we’ve created this booklet for you. Not only does it include tips on things like parents’ evenings, writing reports or disciplining pupils, it also guides you through the various ways ATL can provide advice and support.

Download now - 36 pp - Pdf document (488k)