Associate Professor Andy Connell, Director of the CfSA, looks at how trainee and early teachers can improve their subject pedagogical knowledge and get support by joining a subject association.
When it comes to subject- and phase-specific teaching, whether primary, secondary, FE, or Early Years, subject associations are a great source of additional information, expertise, and support at a challenging but exciting time in your career.
I have spent much of my career directly training new teachers or leading Initial Teaching Education (ITE) programmes. In this blog I will share why I recommend that those currently training to teach or early in their career join a subject association.
What is a subject association (SA)?
The Council for Subject Associations (CfSA), gives the following summary:
“SAs are membership organisations and charities independent of Government with missions to support teaching and learning in their subject area, across all aspects of education.” There are also phase-specific associations for primary and early years.
As discussed by Dr Becky Fisher in her recent blog describing the value of subject associations, there are many great reasons to join one. Not least is access to high-quality teaching resources and advice from experts on how to deliver lessons. This could save new teachers hours of preparation, as long as you then adapt the materials for your pupils. You will have access to groundbreaking peer-reviewed research and practice that can help your teaching practice and your academic studies.
James Noble-Rogers, Executive Director of the Universities Council for the Education of Teachers (UCET) says, “SAs are an invaluable source of curriculum materials, research findings, and advice for teachers working across all phases and subject areas. UCET recommends that all teachers, from those still in the process of qualifying, right up to experienced practitioners and leaders, think about joining their relevant association. The resources they provide are research informed, relevant, independent, and of the highest quality. By becoming a member of a SA teachers become part of a professional community with excellent networking opportunities.”
Professor Anna Lise Gordon, Dean of the St Mary’s University School of Education adds:
“Pedagogical and subject knowledge lie at the heart of teachers’ professional learning. Professional subject associations are vital for teachers at every stage of their career, providing expert subject-specific guidance and links to useful resources and research, as well as CPD and networking opportunities.
“The ITT Core Content Framework (DfE 2019, p29) and the Early Career Framework (DfE 2019, p24) encourage participation of early career teachers in wider networks to strengthen pedagogical and subject knowledge. Active involvement with subject associations reaps benefits for teachers beyond the early career stage, too.” https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/education/cpd/professional-associations.aspx
Benefits for students in joining a subject association
- Deeper subject knowledge and expertise
- Access to specialist knowledge and up-to-date information from leading experts on learning and teaching in the subject and/or phase, that will help you improve your knowledge and practice.
- Exposure to cutting-edge peer-reviewed research and professional practice will improve your expertise and help you with your academic work.
- Access to leading professional development and networking
- Opportunities for attending conferences, workshops, webinars and other forms of professional development about learning and teaching the subject and/or phase.
- Community and empowerment
- Become part of a wider community of like-minded individuals dedicated to the subject and/or phase.
- Engage in discussions, share ideas and resources, and learn from the diverse perspectives of others.
- Feel empowered by participating in active dialogue rather than just receiving information.
- Career and future impact
- Gain access to opportunities and insights that shape professional paths within the subject and/or phase.
- Contribute to the collective knowledge and influence the direction of the subject’s development in education.
Membership of SAs for beginning teachers is often at a reduced rate, or free. My advice is to take a look. An easy way to find the best SA for you is via the CfSA Subject Association Directory.
