There is a professional teaching association for every subject in the curriculum, offering advice and guidance to students and newly qualified teachers as well as those already established in the profession. Help is often just a phone call away. Much is now being done for primary teachers, who perhaps felt excluded in the past. Along with teaching materials specifically designed for them, they can also attend their own conferences.

Many of the associations have local and regional branches where members are given the opportunity to discuss their views and ideas. Most offer a wide variety of other services, including in-service training, courses, and annual conferences.

Large savings can be made on equipment, books and resources for the classroom as these are usually offered at discount. Members also receive free publications and free insurance is also offered by a few of the organisations.

Teachers are given the opportunity to vote in committee meetings and their views can also be voiced at a national level when they are represented in central government by their chosen association.

Overseas students are also welcome to join and most receive full benefits. Tax relief is available on membership subscription and some associations offer a discount for direct debit.

The Association for Science Education

College Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9AA. Tel: 01707 267411

The ASE, the largest subject association, has more than 23,000 members of which a substantial proportion are primary. The association has a network of 19 regions with its own local programme of meetings, visits, exhibitions and Inset days. It publishes a wide range of curriculum support materials and journals, some of which are included in the subscription. Other publications can be obtained from a booksales service at a discount of 10 per cent. Membership for a first year primary teacher is Pounds 21; secondary Pounds 21; student rate for both primary and secondary is Pounds 10.

National Society for Education in Art Design

The Gatehouse, Corsham Court, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 0BZ. Tel: 01249 714825

Established in 1888, the NSEAD’s principal aims are to promote the cause of art, craft and design education. A twice termly newsletter, three issues each year of the Journal of Art Design Education and other occasional papers are included in the subscription. Discounts are given on some NSEAD publications and also on admission charges to selected galleries and museums. There is a programme of national and regional events with Inset opportunities. Although membership is free to final year students, they are not eligible to receive the journal unless subscription is paid (Pounds 27); Full membership Pounds 108; 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 works with other countries to promote the international development of design and technology and has the support of a number of major companies in industry and commerce. Members are kept up to date with information provided in The Journal of Design and Technology Education and DATANEWS, the association’s newsletter, both of which are free and published three times a year. Benefits also include approximately 50 per cent discount on DATA publications, at least 40 per cent discount on Inset opportunities at the association’s national and regional conferences and special offers on products and services. Student membership is Pounds 12; individual Pounds 35; schools Pounds 35-Pounds 105.

Schools Music Association

71 Margaret Road, Barnet, Hertfordshire EN4 9NT. Tel: 0181 440 6919

The SMA, founded in 1938, organises national and regional weekend conferences, day courses and workshops, some of which are offered at reduced rates. Opportunities are provided for children to perform at major venues, including an annual schools’ concert at the Royal Festival Hall. All members receive the Annual Report, Register of Members and the termly Bulletin which includes current news and events information. Students can join for Pounds 10; individuals and associates (including schools) Pounds 20.

The Physical Education Association

Suite 15, 10 Churchill Square, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4DU. Tel: 01732 875888

The majority of the 6,500 members of the association are teachers in primary and secondary schools. Two quarterly publications, the British Journal of Physical Education and Primary Physical Education Focus, are included in the subscription. There are discounts on some publications from a postal bookshop and on courses, conferences, seminars and visits in the UK and abroad. The PEA runs two award schemes which promote good quality physical education in the curriculum. Student membership Pounds 7; individual Pounds 8-Pounds 30.

National Association for Special Educational Needs

NASEN House, 45 Amber Business Village, Amber Close, Amington, Tamworth, Staffs. B77 4RP. Tel: 01827 311500

The aims of NASEN are to provide help and support to people working with children and young people with special educational needs (SEN). NASEN has branches across the country and through local and national networks provide up to date SEN information for its members. The association holds courses which have Inset opportunities and these are offered to members at discounted rates. Included in the subscription for individuals is a choice of three NASEN periodicals, (schools receive all three), and there is a discount of 10 per cent for other publications. Individual membership Pounds 30.50; schools Pounds 53.50.

The Association of Teachers of Mathematics

7 Shaftesbury Street, Derby DE23 8YB. Tel: 01332 346599

The ATM has approximately 4,000 members which are mainly primary and secondary teachers. Members receive four issues of Mathematics Teaching, three issues of Micromath, and newsletters. A wide variety of teaching materials and publications are offered to schools at low cost and personal members of ATM get further discounts. There are local and national working groups, courses and an annual conference at Easter. Personal membership Pounds 42; institutions Pounds 60.

The Mathematical Association

259 London Road, Leicester LE2 3BE. Tel: 0116 270 3877

Members of the MA are invited to attend workshops, discussion groups, mini-conferences, local branch meetings and an annual international conference. A comprehensive range of MA publications can be purchased at special rates and occasional free reports are sent to subscribers. Members also receive the Newsletter each term. There is access to the MA’s library, situated at Leicester University, and it also provides a postal service. The Problem Bureau is a service which gives help and advice with difficult-to-solve mathematical problems. Subscription rates vary according to which journals are received. Basic rates are: student Pounds 18.50; primary Pounds 22; institution Pounds 41.50.

Professional Council for Religious Education

Royal Buildings, Victoria Street, Derby DE1 1GW. Tel: 01332 296655

Over 2,000 RE teachers from primary and secondary schools make up the PCfRE network. Members receive five publications each term which include Resource and the magazine RE Today. Primary and secondary schools also receive an extra periodical, currently from the Teaching RE series. There are Inset days throughout the year and a regular programme of courses. A residential conference entitled “Quality RE” is held in Durham, 9-11 April. Student membership is Pounds 17; personal Pounds 34; schools Pounds 42-Pounds 47.

The Geographical Association

343 Fulwood Road, Sheffield S10 3BP. Tel: 0114 267 0666

Founded in 1893 with more than 11,000 members and 60 local branches across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the GA works to promote the teaching of geography at all levels. It publishes journals for both primary and secondary teachers which include Primary Geographer, Teaching Geography and GA News, the association’s free quarterly newsletter. Other resources are produced and offered to members at reduced rates. There is an annual conference (10-12 April) which is free and includes workshops, lectures and an exhibition. The Fleure Library, owned by the GA, is based at Sheffield University. Subscription rates start from: student Pounds 15; personal Pounds 29; institution Pounds 42.

The Historical Association

59a Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4JH. Tel: 0171 735 3901

The aims of the association, founded in 1906, are to encourage public interest in history and advance it study at all levels. News of all the association’s activities are included in The Historian, a quarterly magazine which is sent to all members. Primary students receive copies of Primary History each month and can also obtain primary history pamphlets at a discount of 33 per cent. Discount is also offered on bookings for conferences, specifically for primary teachers. Teaching History, a 48-page quarterly journal, is one of the publications for secondary subscribers although it is aimed at all key stages. Primary members may also receive this at an extra cost. Membership for primary students Pounds 9; primary associate member Pounds 15; secondary student Pounds 12; full rate Pounds 23 (rates vary according to which journals are received).

National Association for the Teaching of English

50 Broadfield Road, Broadfield Business Centre, Sheffield S8 0XJ. Tel: 0114 255 5419

With more than 5,000 members, NATE provides help and support in all aspects of English teaching from pre-school to university. Members can join any of the 60 local and regional branches around the country. English in Education and NATENews (both published three times a year) are sent to members and either The Primary English Magazine andor The English Media Magazine (ages 11-16) are also received. There are discounts on NATE publications and special rates for an Inset programme and the annual national conference. Full membership for individual or school Pounds 38; student Pounds 20.

Association for Language Learning

150 Railway Terrace, Rugby CV21 3HN. Tel: 01788 546443

ALL, the largest UK association for language teachers, provides services and advice to more than 6,500 members. Each receives the quarterly Language World newsletter and the Language Learning Journal (twice yearly), there is also a choice of two language specific journals and a 10 per cent discount is offered on a range of other publications. There are Inset courses throughout the year and day and weekend language courses. The annual conference, “Language World”, is at the University of Exeter (29 March-1 April). Full membership Pounds 30; student Pounds 10; newly qualified teacher (first two years only) and part-time teacher Pounds 20.