Becoming a member of a subject teaching association can give you a lifeline when you need some advice and support.

For a modest subscription fee members receive a wide range of benefits.

Local branch meetings, conferences and in-service training courses provide the opportunity for people with the same subject interest to meet and exchange views and ideas. Discounts are given on publications and teaching materials and a number of journals are sent free.

Some associations offer primary teachers a reduced subscription rate and for this they receive their own publications and full benefits. Students overseas are also welcome to join and nearly all receive full benefits.

Tax relief is available on subscriptions and some associations offer a discount if payment is made by direct debit.

National Drama. 36 Higher Lane, Upholland, Lancs. WN8 0NL. Tel: 01695 633274

The ND is a professional association of drama educators and membership is open to anyone working in drama within an educational context. It offers members support by raising the profile of drama and theatre education and provides opportunities for training, research and development. The bi-annual Drama journal is free to members and also available on subscription. The association’s regular newsletter, Reflections, is published up to four times a year, and keeps members updated on international, national and regional courses and conferences, as well as offering networks of support to individuals. National Drama Conference 98 will be held at Christ Church College, Canterbury from April 14-17. Student membership is Pounds 10; individuals Pounds 30; newly qualified teachers Pounds 20.

Professional Council for Religious Education. Royal Buildings, Victoria Street, Derby DE1 1GW. Tel: 01332 296655

The PCfRE has more than 2,000 RE teachers from both primary and secondary schools offering a range of services to members. Access to a network of members and local support groups and advice about the RE curriculum are some of the benefits offered. A 10 per cent discount is available on publications, videos and services purchased through PCfRE and CEM (Christian Education Movement). Members also receive five publications which include RE Today and the British Journal of Religious Education. The main conference, Better Teaching and Learning in RE, will be held at the University of Warwick, April 7-9. Student membership is Pounds 18.50; personal Pounds 37; schools Pounds 45.75-Pounds 50.50.

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

The association aims to bring together people who share an interest in, and love for, the past. It promotes and assists the study of history at all levels through the 70 local branches, which offer activities and lectures across the whole range of the subject. Members can attend conferences, seminars, lectures and events and visit historic sites (many not open to the public). A wide range of books, pamphlets, journals and publications are offered to members at a discount and include Primary History and Teaching History. Subscription rates vary according to the journals received. Basic rates are: students Pounds 15; teachers Pounds 25 (primary Pounds 15); schools Pounds 45 (primary Pounds 30).

The Association of Teachers of Mathematics. 7 Shaftesbury Street, Derby DE23 8YB. Tel: 01332 346599

The ATM has about 4,000 members who are mainly teachers from primary and secondary schools. It supports local branches, local and national working groups, informal support networks, courses and conferences. The annual Easter conference will be held at the University College of Ripon and York St. John, Ripon from April 6-9. A comprehensive range of books, pamphlets, software, posters and teaching materials are sold at low cost to schools and personal members get further discounts. Each member receives free publications which include four issues of Mathematics Teaching and three issues of Micromath, as well as newsletters and other publications. Student membership is Pounds 17.50; personal 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 local branch meetings, workshops, discussion groups and mini-conferences. A comprehensive range of journals, books and reports is published and some are available at a discount. The association also provides access to its library and the Problem Bureau, which gives advice on difficult mathematical problems. The annual conference is on April 4-6 at Warwick University. Subscription rates vary according to the journals received. Basic rates are: student Pounds 15; institution Pounds 28.

National Association for the Teaching of English. 50 Broadfield Road, Broadfield Business Centre, Sheffield S8 0XJ. Tel: 0114 255 5419

NATE has over 5,000 members and supports the teaching of all aspects of English from pre-school to university. Members receive NATENews, English in Education and either The Primary English Magazine or The English Media Magazine (secondary). Discounts are available on other NATE publications and special membership rates are offered on in-service training courses and the annual national conference being held at Birmingham University from April 14-17. Student membership is Pounds 20; individual or school from Pounds 41; primary Pounds 25.

The Association for Science Education. College Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9AA. Tel: 01707 267411

With over 20,000 members the ASE, possibly the largest association, offers support, advice and information to anyone with an interest in science in education from pre-school upwards. A wide range of national and regional meetings and conferences, as well as Inset courses are available for members. A variety of journals are published, including Primary Science Review and Education in Science. A 10 per cent discount is available on books and specialist ASE publications. Membership for teachers is Pounds 24; students Pounds 11.

The Geographical Association. 160 Solly Street, Sheffield S1 4BF. Tel: 0114 296 0088

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 three journals - Geography, Teaching, Geography and Primary Geographer. The association’s quarterly newsletter, GA News, is sent to all subscribers and contains information about activities and events. Admission to the annual conference is free and includes workshops, lectures, field visits and a resources exhibition. It will be held at the University of Leeds, April 15-17. Subscription rates vary according to which journals are received. To receive all titles, rates are: student Pounds 32.50; teachers Pounds 65.05; groups (schools) Pounds 86.

The Schools Music Association. co Maxwell Pryce, 71 Margaret Road, Barnet, Hertfordshire EN4 9NT. Tel: 0181 440 6919

The SMA, this year celebrating its 60th anniversary, can be joined by anyone who is concerned about music in schools. It organises courses, workshops and regional conferences - many at reduced rates. The termly Bulletin and Newsletter are sent free to subscribers and keep them in touch with the association’s activities. Other publications are available at a discount. The main conference will be held on October 23-25 and details of the venue can be obtained from the SMA. Student membership is Pounds 5; associate (schools, colleges)Pounds 25.

The Design and Technology Association. Wellesbourne House, Walton Road, Wellesbourne, Warwickshire CV35 9JB. Tel: 01789 470007

DATA is committed to securing, developing and enhancing the subject in all sectors of education and society. Its members receive free publications which include three issues of both The Journal of Design and Technology Education and DATANEWS. Specialist publications are available at discount prices and there are opportunities to attend the annual and regional conferences. The annual conference is at the Chamberlain Hotel, Birmingham, on June 26-27. Student membership is Pounds 13; individual Pounds 36; schools Pounds 36-Pounds 105.

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 supporting those who work with them. Depending on the subscription taken out, members can receive a magazine and two journals which include the British Journal of Special Education. Discounts are available on a range of other NASEN publications and on professional development courses and conferences. Basic rates are: student Pounds 13; individual Pounds 23.50; schools Pounds 53.50.

National Society for Education in Art and Design. The Gatehouse, Corsham Court, Corsham, Wiltshire SN13 0BZ. Tel: 01249 714825

Established in 1888, the NSEAD is a leading authority on art, craft and design in education. Members receive a range of benefits which includes discounts on admission charges at a number of galleries and museums and on some NSEAD publications. Three issues of the Journal of Art Design Education, six newsletters and occasional papers are included in the subscription. Membership is free to final-year students but they will not receive the journal. Paying student Pounds 29; associate Pounds 58; corporate Pounds 145 (primary Pounds 39).

Association for Language Learning. 150 Railway Terrace, Rugby CV21 3HN. Tel: 01788 546443

The ALL is the only UK professional organisation for teachers of all modern foreign languages in all sectors and at all levels. The biannual Language Learning Journal, quarterly Language World newsletter and two language specific journals from a choice of six are sent free to subscribers. Inset days and weekends run throughout the year and the annual conference will be held at the Brighton Conference Centre, April 3-5. Student membership is Pounds 15; newly qualified teacher (first two years only) Pounds 25; primary teacher Pounds 25.

The Physical Education Association. Suite 5, 10 Churchill Square, Kings Hill, West Malling, Kent ME19 4DU. Tel: 01732 875888

The PEA has approximately 8,000 members and the majority are teachers in primary and secondary schools. The association’s objectives are promoted through a variety of activities including courses, conferences, projects and schemes. The British Journal of Physical Education and Primary PE Focus are quarterly publications sent free to members. The annual conference is at De Montfort University, Bedford, on April 25. Membership for students and primary teachers is Pounds 10; individual Pounds 33; corporate Pounds 60.