BSME (The British Schools in the Middle East),

Members of the Association can be found in the countries of Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Syria, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E. and Lebanon. Email:admin@bsme.org.uk * http://www.bsme.org.uk/

BOARDING SCHOOLS ASSOC (BSA) - email: bsa@boarding.org.uk

COBIS (The Council of British Independent Schools) Email:general.secretary@cobisec.org * http://www.cobisec.org/

COIS (Council of International Schools). Email: cois@cois.org * http://www.cois.org

DFES (Department for Children, Schools and Families). Email: info@dcsf.gsi.giv.uk

DFES(Department for Education and Skills).The UK Government Department which aims to give everyone the chance, through education, training and work, to realise their full potential.Email:info@dfes.gsi.gov.uk * http://www.dfes.gov.uk/

Edexcel International - www.edexcel-international.org

GSA (Girls’ Schools Association) - Equally prestigious, but there are few single sex schools abroad who could apply for membership. Email: gsa@dial.pipex.com * http://www.gsa.uk.com/

HMC (Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference) - this is the most prestigious of the UK associations of independent schools. It includes all the most famous independent schools in the UK (e.g. Eton, Harrow, Winchester, etc.). In addition there are a number of schools world-wide who are overseas members.Email:hmc@hmc.org.uk * www.hmc.org.uk

Independent Schools Council (ISC). www.isc.co.uk

ISA (Independent Schools Association) - currently there are a few overseas members. These UK associations come under an ‘umbrella organisation’ known as ISC (Independent Schools Council). ISC organises accreditation procedures.

Membership of one of these associations carries, by implication, a certain prestige and approval of standards. Email : isa@dial.pipex.com * www.isaschools.org.uk

 NC Online (Official government website of the UK National Curriculum)

This site links every National Curriculum programme of study requirement to high-quality, relevant teaching resources. Hundreds of great websites are included, and rated on their usefulness by teachers themselves.

OFSTED (The Office for Standards in Education),

Officially the Office of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools in England.Email: reception@ofsted.gov.uk * http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/

QCA (The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority)

is a guardian of standards in education and training. We work with others to maintain and develop the school curriculum and associated assessments, and to accredit and monitor qualifications in schools, colleges and at work.Email: info@qca.org.uk * http://www.qca.org.uk/

ROUNDSQUARE - Is a world wide association of schools which share a commitment, beyond academic excellence, to personal development and responsibility through service, challenge, adventure, and international understanding . Visit them at http://www.rs-wewalktogether.org or http://www.roundsquare.org

SHAMBLES - IWB resources (free), visit http://www.shambles.net/pages/staff/IWBcontent/ and http://www.shambles.net/pages/staff/intwhiteb/

The government standards for UK teachers and schools-related professions. http://www.teachernet.gov.uk

The Training and Development Agency has a database of CPD training opportunities. Visit: - http://www.cpdsearch.tda.gov.uk

The British Council Offices. Email: generalenquiries@britishcouncil.org

Swine Flu - For current information on the outbreak, and model contingency plans, visit http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/humanflupandemic

NPQH - As of 1st April 2009, all first time headteachers must hold the National Professional Qualifications for Headteachers. Visit http://www.ncsl.org.uk/npqh for more information.

Plagiarism. Schools are starting to adopt a software that has been used in universities for some years to try and clamp down on plagiarism. The software is provided by nlearning - http://www.nlearning.co.uk

Professional Standards for Teachers. http://www.tda.gov.uk/leaders/teachers/professionalstandards.aspx

The International Teacher's Certificate. Visit their website at http://www.internationalteachercertificate.com for more information.

Communication, Language & Literacy Development (CLLD). Useful resources and guidance for those who want it are available at http://www.standards.dfes.go.uk.clld

Assessing Pupils' Progress (APP). The National Strategies focuses on APP. Free resources are available at http://www.nationalstrategies.dcsf.gov.uk

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