Book excerpt: Aimed at supporting those undertaking initial teacher training and the statutory Induction period that follows, Becoming a Secondary School Teacher explores the skills, roles and knowledge needed to become a successful teacher in today’s secondary schools. Providing detailed guidance on key areas of professional practice, the book helps the reader to link key theories and principles to the reality they will find in the classroom. This edition has been fully updated to reflect the latest legislation and Teachers’ Standards as well as changes in practice and expectations regarding learning, assessment and inclusion. Highly accessible and full of practical advice it includes: • guidance on key skills for classroom success including lesson planning, classroom management and assessment; • practical tips on handling areas of real concern such as discipline, workload, job interviews and relationships with colleagues; • advice on teaching beyond your specialist subject and teaching in challenging circumstances; • reference throughout to the Core Standards that have to be met during training, what these mean in practice and how they might be evidenced. With a strong reflective focus through case studies, action points and reflection points, this book is core reading for all students wanting to get the most out of their initial teacher training programme.