"This is an important and insightful text which has been designed as a core reader for both newly qualified teachers and for students taking initial teacher education courses at secondary school level. It has been developed from the successful PGCE course at King's College London and draws upon the latest research into key issues." "The book is divided into four sections. 'A Basic Framework' provides an up-to-date background to contemporary educational policy and practice. 'Social and Political Issues', the second section, deals with some of the salient issues in schools today. The third section, 'Teaching and Learning', addresses the more immediate concerns of new teachers, concentrating on adolescence, language and class management amongst other issues. The final section addresses 'The Whole Curriculum' as today's teachers need to be aware of an ever-growing range of issues - special educational needs, vocational education, IT and the role of the form tutor. The book concludes with an overview and a radical critique of current education policy by Professor Stephen Ball which provides a timely challenge to educationalists, parents and, most importantly, new teachers."--Jacket.