The opportunity for far-flung professionals to come together is one of the great benefits of the Education Show. Subject teachers in particular have few opportunities to meet like-minded specialists outside their region, and newly qualified teachers are often amazed by the level of support the subject associations can offer.

* MATHEMATICS

Mathematics teachers can expect a welcome on at least two stands. The Association of Teachers of Mathematics, which has more than 3,000 members, will be promoting its publications.

The Mathematical Association, founded in 1871, has appointed a professional development officer and intends to expand its continuing professional development activities, kicking off with seminars across the country for primary and secondary teachers to promote the use of research to improve teaching.

Seminar Friday, 2.30pm, room B Keith Cadman: Making the new curriculum work in maths.

ATM stand AV33 7 Shaftesbury Street, Derby, DE23 8YB, tel 01332 346599. www.atm.org.uk Mathematical Association stand AV28 Contact Marcia Murray, tel 0116 221 0013, www.m-a.org.uk

* HISTORY

The Historical Association has some 6,400 members. Although it has no stand at the Education Show, it will deliver two seminars. Then, on the last day of the show, March 25, it is running a joint primary conference with the Geographical Association.

Seminars Friday, 11.30am, room A Grant Bage: Primary history - making it work in the new curriculum.

Friday, 12.30pm, room A Christine Counsell: Secondary history and the revised curriculum The Historical Association, 59a Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4JH, tel 020 7820 1939, www.history.org.uk

* ENGLISH

The National Association of Teachers of English has a growing membership of more than 5,000. NATE and English and Media Centre publications will be available on its stand, including new materials for shared reading at key stage 2 and new books such as Use of Language across the Secondary Curriculum.

Seminars Friday, 3.30pm, room B Ruth Moore and Paul Bunyan: English - making the new curriculum work.

Saturday, 10.30am, room A Martin Tibbetts: Literacy on the Internet.

NATE stand AV32 50 Broadfield Road, Sheffield S8 0XJ tel 0114 255 5419, www.nate.org.uk

LIBRARY

The School Library Association, headed by retired university librarian Frank Hogg,is at the show with its quarterly journal School Librarian, a range of CD-Roms and other resources and details of training courses.

School Library Association stand AV36 Liden Library, Barrington Close, Liden, Swindon, Wiltshire SN3 6HF, tel 01793 464504, www.sla.org.uk

SCIENCE

The Association for Science Education is the largest of the subject teacher associations with a membership of 22,000, including 1,800 science technicians. ASE is a publisher, a New Opportunities Fund training provider and also delivers initial teacher training. “ASE is concerned that there are not enough high calibre physicists entering the teaching profession,” says chief executive David Moore. “So, together with the Physics Association, we offer a bursary scheme in addition to the Government one, which targets graduates who could teach physics.”

Seminar Friday,1.15pm, room C1 Anne Goldsworthy: What’s new in primary science.

ASE stand AV4 College Lane, Hatfield, Herts AL10 9AA, tel 01707 283000, fax 01707 266532 www.ase.org.uk

* SPECIAL NEEDS

The National Association for Special Educational Needs aims to promote the education, training and development of all those with special educational needs. The association has more than 10,000 members. It organises courses, conferences and exhibitions, publishes two journals - British Journal of Special Education and Support for Learning - and the magazine Special! and produces a range of practical publications and policy documents designed to help those with responsibilities at school, local education authority and government level.

Seminars Friday, 2.30pm, room C2 Robert Lang: Making sense of the behaviour of pupils with emotional and behavioural difficulties.

Friday, 3.30pm, room C2 Steve Barlow and Steve Skidmore: Get them reading! Strategies for struggling and “reluctant” readers.

NASEN stand SN20 45 Amber Business Village, Amber Close, Amington, Tamworth B77 4RP, tel 01827 311500, www.nasen.org.uk * PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Meet the Physical Education Association’s new chief executive, John Matthews. The association has more than 4,000 members, mostly in secondary schools.

Seminar Friday, 12.30pm, room B John Matthews: Physical education - making the new curriculum work.

PEA stand B9 Ling House, Building 25, London Road, Reading RG1 5AQ, tel 0118 931 6240 Swimming Teachers’ Association stand A20 Amateur Swimming Association stand B21 Also at the show: Schools Music Association stand AV5