Taking out a subscription with a subject teaching association can be rather like joining an exclusive club. Members have the opportunity to take advantage of all “club” benefits, which include discounts on admission to conferences, in-service training courses, publications, teaching materials and classroom equipment.

Most associations have local branch meetings, which give members the opportunity to meet like-minded people, have discussions and swap ideas about their chosen subject.

Those interested in, or working in, the primary sector receive as much backing and support as anyone else. They are invited to attend conferences and obtain teaching materials and journals specifically de- signed for them. For non-subject specialists, this represents a valuable opportunity to gain a better understanding of a subject, which in turn increases confidence when introducing activities in the classroom.

Teaching associations do not receive government funding and all profits are ploughed back into the services they provide.

Although the largest proportion of subscribers are in the UK, overseas students are also welcome to join and nearly all receive full benefits.

Tax relief is available on subscription and, some associations offer a discount if you pay by direct debit.

The Association for Science Education College Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9AA. Tel: 01707 267411 The ASE is divided into 10 regions and members take part in the association’s varied programme of events, which includes meetings, visits and exhibitions. Primary students and teachers are well catered for and journals are included in the subscription. A book service enables members to get a 10 per cent discount on commercial and ASE publications. Membership for both primary and secondary teachers is Pounds 22; students Pounds 10.

National Society for Education in Art Design The Gatehouse, Corsham Court, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 0BZ. Tel: 01249 714825 The NSEAD provides its members with up-to-date information about subject developments. Members receive discounts on admission charges to selected galleries and museums and on some NSEAD publications. Six newsletters and three issues of the Journal of Art Design Education, plus occasional papers, are included in the subscription. Membership is free to final-year students, but they will not receive the journal. Otherwise, it is Pounds 27; associate Pounds 54; corporate Pounds 36-Pounds 135.

The Design and Technology Association 16 Wellesbourne House, Walton Road, Wellesbourne, Warwickshire CV35 9JB. Tel: 01789 470007 DATA represents all those involved in design and technology education and is committed to securing, developing and enhancing the subject in all sectors of education and society. Members receive free publications, which include three issues of both The Journal of Design and Technology Education and DATANEWS, various specialist publications at discount prices and opportunities to attend the annual and regional conferences. Student membership is Pounds 12; individual Pounds 35; schools Pounds 35-Pounds 105.

The Schools Music Association co Maxwell Pryce, 71 Margaret Road, Barnet, Hertfordshire EN4 9NT. Tel: 0181 4406919 Anyone concerned about music in schools can join the SMA. The association organises courses, workshops and regional conferences. The main conference is in Leicester from October 17 to 19 and many are offered at reduced rates. Members are kept in touch with SMA activities through the termly Bulletin and Newsletter, which are free to subscribers and other publications can be received at a discounted rate. Student membership is Pounds 5; associate (schools, colleges) Pounds 25.

Association for Language Learning 150 Railway Terrace, Rugby CV21 3HN. Tel: 01788 546443 With a membership of more than 6,500 language professionals, ALL is the largest association for language teachers in the UK. Members receive the Language Learning Journal, the quarterly Language World Newsletter and two language specific journals from a choice of six. Inset days and weekends run throughout the year and the annual conference, Language World, will be held at the University of Keele from April 11 to 13. Student membership is Pounds 10; newly-qualified teacher membership Pounds 20 (first two years only).

The National Association for Special Educational Needs NASEN House, 45 Amber Business Village, Amber Close, Amington, Tamworth B77 4RP. Tel: 01827 311500 NASEN is dedicated to improving the development of children and young people with special educational needs and to support those who work with them. Depending on the subscription rate paid, members can receive a magazine and two journals which include the British Journal of Special Education. Discounts are available on a range of NASEN publications and on professional development courses and conferences. Individual membership starts from Pounds 23.50; schools Pounds 53.50.

The Historical Association 59a Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4JH. Tel: 0171 735 3901 The association keeps its members informed of its news and activities through The Historian, a quarterly magazine. Teachers and schools also receive the Teaching History journal which has information about new developments in the curriculum. For primary teachers there is Primary History, published every term, with examples of classroom practice. All members receive discounts on other printed materials and conferences. The annual conference will be held at Royal Holloway, University of London, April 17 to 20. Subscription rates vary according to the journals received. Student membership Pounds 12 (primary Pounds 10); teachers Pounds 37; schools Pounds 43.

The Mathematical Association 259 London Road, Leicester LE2 3BE. Tel: 0116 2703877 The MA publishes a comprehensive range of journals, books and reports, some of which are available at a discount. Members are invited to attend local branch meetings, workshops, discussion groups and mini-conferences and the annual international conference which is at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow from April 2 to 5. Other services include access to the association’s library and the Problem Bureau, which helps and advises on difficult mathematical problems. Subscription rates vary according to the journals received. Basic rates are: student Pounds 11.25; institution Pounds 25.

The Association of Teachers of Mathematics 7 Shaftesbury Street, Derby DE23 8YB. Tel: 01332 346599 The ATM has 4,000 members. Subscribers receive four issues of Mathematics Teaching, three issues of Micromath, newsletters and other publications. Discounts are offered to schools on a range of teaching materials. Local and national working groups, courses and informal support networks are a few of the services offered. The annual conference will be held at Westminster College, Oxford from April 1 to 4. Personal membership is Pounds 42; institutions Pounds 60.

National Association for the Teaching of English 50 Broadfield Road, Sheffield S8 0XJ. Tel: 0114 2555296 The teaching of English from pre-school to University is supported by NATE, which has over 5,000 members. They receive NATE-News and English Education and either The Primary English Magazine or The English Media Magazine (secondary) and discounts on other NATE publications. All are invited to attend a programme of Inset courses and the national conference at York University from April 1 to 4. Student membership is Pounds 20; individual or school from Pounds 41; primary (special rate) Pounds 25.

The Geographical Association 343 Fulwood Road, Sheffield S10 3BP. Tel: 0114 2670666 The GA offers specialist help and information on aspects of geography and geography teaching to members, who can receive the association’s three journals including Primary Geographer, Teaching Geography (secondary) and Geography, depending on the individual subscription. GA News is sent to all members and contains information about the GA’s activities and events. Books and other resources are available at a discount. The annual conference will be held at the Institute of Education, University of London from April 2 to 4. Basic rates are student (personal associate) Pounds 15.62; personal Pounds 19; corporate Pounds 19.

The Physical Education Association Suite 5, 10 Churchill Square, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4DU. Tel: 01732 875888 The PEA represents the views and interests of nearly 6,500 members. Primary PE Focus is included in the subscription, as is the British Journal of Physical Education, published quarterly, which is the association’s main link with its members and includes information about resources, publications, courses and conferences. The association runs two award schemes. Student membership Pounds 10; individual Pounds 12-Pounds 55; corporate Pounds 60.

The National Association for the Teaching of Drama co Sorrel Oates, 13 Austin Street, Northampton NN1 3EY. Tel: 01604 471042 Membership is open to anyone who has an interest in drama in education. Members are offered practical and theoretical support and can take advantage of hands-on experience at the regional workshops and the annual conference which will be held at Newman College, Birmingham, from June 27 to 29. Included in the subscription is the Drama Broadsheet, which is published three times a year. Student membership costs Pounds 5; institutions pay Pounds 30.

Professional Council for Religious Education Royal Buildings, Victoria Street, Derby, Derbyshire, DE1 1GW. Tel: 01332 296655 Both primary and secondary teachers make up the PCfRE network of more than 2,000 members. All receive five publications which include RE Today and the British Journal of Religious Education. A 10 per cent discount is available on publications, videos and services purchased through PCfRE and CEM (Christian Education Movement). The association has a regular programme of Inset, courses and conferences. The main conference is at St Mary’s University College, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham from April 1 to 3. Student membership Pounds 18; personal Pounds 36; schools Pounds 44.50-Pounds 49.