Book excerpt: Linked to the new Teachers′ Standards, this is an essential text for all secondary trainees and PGCE students, training at an ITT institution or in a school. The text covers all fundamental issues for learning and teaching in secondary schools. It guides trainee teachers through the professional attributes, skills and knowledge they need, focusing on a range of key topics and summarising important educational research. It examines the curriculum, planning, assessing and SEN and explores EAL, equality and diversity and pastoral care. A chapter is included to help support students in their Masters level work at PGCE and throughout, interactive activities make essential links between theory and practice. In all chapters, practical examples demonstrates how all aspects relate to the classroom. About the Achieving QTS Series All the books in this successful series support trainees through their initial teacher training and guide them in the acquisition of their subject knowledge, understanding and classroom practice. All new titles within the series are linked to the 2012 Teachers′ Standards adn consider the impact of key government initiatives. Viv Ellis is Professor of Head of Education at Brunel University in London, UK, and a Visiting Professor at Bergen University College in Norway.