There's a wealth of teaching and learning resources available online but sometimes it's difficult to know where to begin looking. This list is by no means exhaustive but it is designed to help you locate relevant resources quickly.
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www.bbc.co.uk/schools - BBC schools
Lesson plans, worksheets and other resources. Also check out a superb range of educational games for all ages. - www.byteachers.org.uk - The Association of Teachers' Websites
This site provides two services: categorised links to educational websites that have been checked for quality and are free; and a virtual school which is beginning to provide online lessons and activities. - www.educate.org.uk - Schoolsnet
Schoolsnet is designed for reviewing schools but in the classroom section you will find a growing number of lesson plans for primary and secondary. Free registration required to access site fully. - www.primaryresources.co.uk - Primary Resources
Free lesson plans, activity ideas and resources for primary teachers well organised for easy searching. - www.schoolzone.co.uk - School Zone
Searchable database of educational websites, rated by teachers. - www.sitesforteachers.com - Sites for Teachers
Links to loads of educational websites rated by popularity. - www.teachernet.gov.uk - Teachernet
A searchable database of lesson plans and resources. - www.teachers.tv - Teachers TV
A video for every occasion - every key stage, every subject, every role - clips to use in the classroom and excellent ideas to try out too. - www.teachingideas.co.uk - Teaching Ideas
Free lesson ideas, activities and resources for primary years. Easily searchable with lots of useful links. - www.teaching-resource.co.uk - Teaching Resource
Links to lots of educational websites categorised by subject, also links to NNS and NLS worksheets. - www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resources - Times Educational Supplement
The resource section on this site provides free resources and site links submitted and reviewed by teachers – a great way to save time. - www.topmarks.co.uk - Topmarks
A site for the primary classroom, especially rich in fun interactive whiteboard resources to use as a whole class or individual activities. - www.underfives.co.uk - Under Fives
Provides lots of worksheets, topic ideas, planning help and links to other sites suited to the foundation stage and younger.
- www.theguardian.com/education - Education Guardian Online News and views with an educational theme.
- www.tes.co.uk - Times Educational Supplement Check out the discussion forum, noticeboard and blogs to really find out what is happening in other classrooms.
- www.education.gov.uk - The Department for Education Keep up to date with all aspects of policy affecting children and young people.
- www.ofsted.gov.uk - Ofsted Useful for checking out a school's Ofsted report before you go in!
- www.qca.org.uk - Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Order publications, search schemes of work, keep up to date with policy and information about the National Tests.
- www.behaviouruk.com - Behaviour UK Provides key information, resources and advice on a range of behavioural issues. The resources are designed to encourage pupils to think about their behaviour.
Union sites
Union websites offer support and advice on a wide range of professional issues from health and safety to school trips. Membership is not always necessary to access the information.
- www.askatl.org.uk - Association of Teachers and Lecturers
- www.nasuwt.org.uk - National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers
- www.teachers.org.uk - National Union of Teachers
- www.voicetheunion.org.uk - Voice, The Union for Education Professionals
Teaching associations
Teaching associations provide support, advice, professional development opportunities, conferences and many other services to their members. Joining associations can be especially beneficial to supply teachers as they can help to prevent feelings of isolation from the teaching community.
Follow the link below to view a list of the main organisations.
www.teachernet.gov.uk
Subject associations
Subject associations promote their subject, perform and digest research, provide networking opportunities and their members share an enthusiasm for the subject. Joining a subject association will enable supply teachers, who have limited INSET opportunities, to remain at the forefront of their subject.
Follow the link below to view a list of the main organisations.
www.teachernet.gov.ukTeachernet self-study materials
This informative section of the Teachernet website provides information on the following topics relevant to supply teachers:
- Getting started - teacher learning and development; meeting the needs of all pupils; professional and legal responsibilities; educational initiatives and issues
- Core subjects in Primary Schools - the National Curriculum; assessment, recording and reporting; other adults in the classroom; English; Mathematics; Science
- Core subjects in Secondary Schools - the National Curriculum; English; Mathematics; Science
- Classroom and Behaviour Management - effective teachers and learners, planning and managing for effective work in the classroom; behaviour management
- Filling the Gaps - the curriculum 3 to 19; personal, social and health education and citizenship; information and communication technology
- Glossary - in case you're unsure what NOF, QUASE or EAZ stand for, this section will help you translate some of the acronyms you are likely to meet in schools
British Educational Research Journal
Subscribing to an educational research journal can be an expensive and time-consuming business. Fortunately the BERA has produced a series called Professional User Reviews. These are syntheses of research written by experts in their field with groups of teachers acting as consultants. The reviews are written in an accessible way to inform teachers of accepted practices and innovative ideas. The areas currently covered include numeracy, citizenship, music, early years, ICT, sustainable development and geography education. The reviews are available in hard copy for £4 each but can be downloaded for free at ww.bera.ac.uk.
Online interactive whiteboard CPD
Promethean, a leading company in classroom interactive whiteboard technology, offers online tutorials. The foundation stage course is offered free, providing an introduction to teachers who have been unable to access training on this subject. There are further course stages (requiring payment) that enable teachers to become classroom experts. If you have ever walked into a classroom only to be confronted with a seemingly baffling array of technology, visiting the online tutorial will increase your confidence.